Chill’n Out in the Rockies

The festival night life got off to a much more mellow start this year. Must have been all that time Sid and I spent on the golf course and in the hot springs. It wasn’t a bad thing though. I am at a stage now where many of the Banff Regulars have become part of my extended family and the festival in many ways is like a bit of a homecoming or reunion. Thus Sid and I enjoyed a quiet Sunday night in Banff standards. We found a table at the Canamedia Anniversary Party at the Rose and Crown, and the party and, of course the hugs, came to us. I don’t know what it is about Banff, but despite the many sharks that this industry attracts, it also attracts some of the most fabulous, warm, protective, and hilarious souls out there. And I feel very fortunate to have been embraced by a number of those characters. I also love the fact that with each year, another two or three people are added to that list. This year I’d like to think that I have added another three to that group – an English Cherry, a British Cock and a Wild Saltwater Cowgirl.

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Monday night was a bit wilder, but with a relaxed, mellow tone. Rather than following or leading the party – I simply created my own party. Dancing to the great band from the Awards Gala. Singing along to the guitar in the Rundle Lounge with the Firefly, the Wild British Rose and Andrea and Lee of Canamedia. Finishing the night off by joining Don from Finale for a pint at the St. James’s.

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Photo by Shawn Duffy

Speaking of the St. James’s, I did spot one van sexy up to a bit of mischief on the Sunday night. Not mentioning any names, but this newfie actually had the balls to take a full pint of Guiness out of the Rose and Crown, walk down the street with it, bypass the line out front of the St James’s with it and waltz in through the St James’s Gate’s kitchen, pint still in hand. To make it even funnier she actually managed to get a preacher’s wife (of all people) to follow suit!!!

Good times! Good times!

Love Emme

Sexy & Savvy Tech Women Bridging Media

My dear readers,

Rumor has it that Van City’s sexy and savvy tech women are at it again – this time Bridging Media! In essence, they are aiming to break down any barriers of communication between the broadcast world and the technology community, get them to speak the same language by exploring each others processes, and finally to play nicely in the sand box, building the future of media together. These women certainly have balls, and I for one, don’t think they can be accused of not knowing how to use them!

According to my sources, this ballsy scheme was set into action from a series of conversations between Megan Cole, Boris Mann and Kris Krug of Raincity Studios, Erica Hargreave of Ahimsa Media, and Brian Schecter of Puddleduck Productions in the fall. As these cats were talking, it became apparent that there was an obvious disconnect in the understanding of broadcast process verses that of the digital world and to truly embrace the future the two communities needed to be working together.

Bridging Media

Megan Cole and Erica Hargreave have run with this initiating Van City’s first ever Bridging Media event on March 29th of this year. Boris Mann, Kris Krug, and Brian Schecter have been joined by Mark Greenspan on the gals advisory team. And as beautiful, sexy and smart women often do several other of Vancouver’s sexiest and savviest tech women have been drawn into the organizing mix, including Cinci Csere, Monique Trottier, Carol Sill and Monica Hamburg. Rumor even has it that the sultry Miss 604 will be live blogging the day.

From this gals perspective, the day is shaping up quite nicely with a panel of speakers that are none too sore on the eyes, including Ravi Singh of The Knowledge Network, Gary Marcuse of the CBC, Canadian Screenwriter Mark Leiren-Young and many of our lovely tech boys and sexy tech gals, who promise to be sharing secrets on industry, success, funds, and broadcast future! And you do know how I like secrets! It would also seem as though I am not the only one that feels that these women are up to something special. It appears that they have attracted in nextMEDIA, The Centre for Digital Media, The Knowledge Network, BC Film, OneDegree, Finale Editworks, and Now Public as sponsors. These companies know a good thing when they see it.

Oh and one final rumor from the event (probably shouldn’t divulge this one, as I’d personally like to win it) – I’ve heard they’re giving away a free pass to nextMEDIA to one lucky participant!

So shall we make it a date for March 29!?!

Emme