While Alec and I were in LA last week, we got to tour The Disney Channel and SOAPnet. Senior VP of Programming, Sandy Wax graciously showed us around. The area is decorated with a great 70′s retro look (including an awesome conference room with a brilliant orange couch and giant globe lights that scream for creativity and ingenuity). The creative staff were proud to have rolled out the new SoapNet website. It was easy to see that they’re building a network that does more than simply rebroadcast soaps. Specialty programming and original content were the topic of the day.
Formerly the Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Planning for The Disney Channel, Sandy Wax, recently assumed the responsibility of Senior Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions at SOAPnet. Her success in research and planning made her a natural for network management. Alec and I learned a bunch and were greatly inspired by our visit. Thanks Sandy! (Here is a link that highlights a conference in which Sandy participated last spring.)
“You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”
Will Rogers (1879 – 1935)
U.S. Humorist
“You know everybody is wise, only on different subjects.”
Cynthia Greening (1956 – )
College Professor
Like the Phoenix Zoo’s famous elephant, Ruby, it appears another member of the animal kingdom has moved from the entertainment world to the art world. Cheeta, the chimp from the old Tarzan television show recently turned 71. Like Grandma Moses, Cheeta waited to relatively late in life to take up art as a hobby. Lest someone think Cheeta is being punished (Lord knows some of my students think I am punishing them by trying to get them to make something aesthetic and original), Cheeta is the oldest living primate. Apparently art is good for the soul and longevity.
“Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.”
Ayn Rand (1905 – 1982)
Russian-born American Author
“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”
Madeleine L’Engle (1918 – )
Science Fiction Author
I was in LA for the last week doing a workshop with Alec and touring several studios. The original plan was to get him inspired about his future but I ended up getting inspired about mine. We toured several studio editing and graphics departments. He got excited about the editing. I got excited because I could see that I’m teaching the students just what they need.
We are all excited because Joan has a show opening at the Kerr Cultural Center tonight and another opening at the @Central Gallery in the library tomorrow. I should be able to get to do some serious posting again tomorrow.
More details later!
