Happy Weekend, Digital LA peeps!
7 Weekend Ideas
'cuz there's still not an event app for that yet

IndieCade indie games  conference  runs thru Sunday with indie game demos, panels, keynote speakers, awards, and Night Games (photo right), in Little Tokyo. Panels on VR, developing games, diversity in games, and more.  Follow @IndieCade

LA Podcast Festival, with panels, parties, DJs, and top podcasters from across the nation, Oct 6-8 at the Millennium Biltmore DTLA. 

Eat Play Move Filipino Food Festival - food booths, live performances, and more, Sat @ Eagle Rock Plaza

BeyondFest - horror, thriller movie fest at the Egyptian

SHOWS. It may as well be a music fest with all the awesome bands playing this weekend, or just another weekend in LA!
- Coldplay, Friday @ Rose Bowl
- Maxwell, Fri @ Hollywood Bowl
- Harry Potter in Concert, Fri/Sat @ Costa Mesa
- Air Supply, Fri @ The Rose
- Kings of Leon, Sat @ Hollywood Bowl
- Flaming Lips, Sat @ Shrine
- Marc Anthony, Sun @ The Forum
- Matt Groening, Sun @ Ace DTLA
- Janet Jackson, Sun @ Hollywood Bowl

MOVIES: Blade Runner 2049 starring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in a future LA where it is snowing and raining all the time!

LEVRAGE: Monetizing VR and AR Content. Friday, October 6 LEVRAGE brings together Hollywood studio execs, startups and more to look at the newest, most practical ways to monetize VR and AR (photo right). Follow #UCLAleVRage @DigitalLA for live notes. 

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OUR EVENT NEXT WEEK

Wed Oct 11, 7p
CTRL Collective DTLA



At our event during Fashion Week LA, experts in fashion and influencers describe best practices to partner brands and social media influencers and celebrities. 

SPEAKERS
- Morgen Marie, @simplymarie, fashion influencer, mom
- Javon Frazier, Studio 71, works with digital content creators and YouTubers to help with merchandising and clothing
- Ivka Adam, founder of Iconiery, which creates custom jewelry lines for influencers and celebrities 


CALL FOR SPEAKERS: If you are a fashion clothing company or influencer with more than 100,000 followers who works with brands, email info@digitalla.net with FASHION as the subject. 
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LA Tech News This Week

Universal Pictures, Executive Vice President of Digital Marketing, at its third annual Silver Pixel Awards, recognizing excellence in digital marketing campaigns.  The annual awards is like a reunion for OG digital Hollywood studio marketing executives.  Doug Neil has overseen creative cutting-edge digital movie marketing campaigns at Universal Pictures for more than a decade. He said that digital marketing budgets have increased from about 4% of the overall film marketing budget several years ago, to 30-35% today.   Article.

4 Ecommerce Lessons Learned from HawkeFest. LA e-commerce startups shared stories and practical advice at the first HawkeFest conference. Founded by Hawke Media, it's the first conference focused solely on e-commerce and retail tech in LA.

Our 2 Events This Week

8 Keys to Writing / Creating your own Show.  Write stories that move you, in your voice, and spark interest when you quick-pitch to others, said writers and creators with shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and TV at our Digital LA -  Development to Distribution panel at CTRL Collective Playa Vista. Speakers Ari Berkowitz (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Brett Konner (Deadbeat on Hulu), Kate Mines (Dropping the Soap on Amazon) and Ruby Rae Spiegel (The OA on Netflix) shared advice on writing to researching distribution platforms for your content. Our article.

Meet the Streamys Winners panel featured winners Mari Takahashi of Smosh Games (Gaming), Paul Ferry of Mr. Student Body President (Ensemble, Directing) and Brandon Rogers of Magic Funhouse (Costume Design) who shared stories how they create content, cast their projects, engage fans, and use social media. Article soon!

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JOBS
Get or post a job on our job board  http://digitalla.net/jobs

-  NEW!  Dermalogica: Global Digital Manager: Manage development and adoption of web-based beauty tools 

-  NEW!  Dermalogica: CRM Manager. Run customer relationship and retention program including email, subscription, loyalty 

-  AdvertiseMent is looking for a  Digital Marketing Manger in SaMo

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CONFERENCES

Connect 17 'Festival. Oct 13-22. Innovate Pasadena hosts  its fourth annual Connect '17, a series of independently organized seminars, workshops and social events taking place throughout the city from Oct 13-22. Attendees will enhance their innovation game and tech savviness . Check out their signature event Connect '17 Festival and Connect URB-E Derby Race Friday Oct 20.

HET Festival, 11/10. Talk US - China entertaiment tech at the Hollywood Entertainment Technology Festival (HETF) on Nov 10 at W Hollywood via panel discussions and expert speakers exploring trends in entertainment technology, cross-border opportunities, and investments within the Sino-US landscape. This year's theme, Innovating in a Global Landscape, looks to inspire collaborations and market growth by serving as a platform for visionaries, content creators, entrepreneurs, and investors. Get 20% off of the "General Admission - Session Only" with code "DigitalLa" at checkout.  Hetfest.com
 
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OUR RECENT EVENTS

Our Development to Distribution panel.  Write stories that move you, in your voice, and spark interest when you quick-pitch to others, said writers and creators with shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and TV at our Development to Distribution panel at CTRL Collective Playa Vista. Speakers Ari Berkowitz (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Brett Konner (Deadbeat on Hulu), Kate Mines (Dropping the Soap on Amazon) and Ruby Rae Spiegel (The OA on Netflix) shared advice on writing to researching distribution platforms for your content. Our article.
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Startup founders, CEOs, and digital content creators gave advice on how to start and grow your entertainment startup or company at our Digital LA - Digital Women in Entertainment panel. The panel features Silicon Beach startups and entertainment companies that work with Hollywood Studios, filmmakers and brands to create digital and VR content.  See video  with their advice!

7 Startup Tips 
1. Do your research and really learn about what you're doing before you start. Get feedback and then go for it. Talk to as many people that would be your customers and find out if you are going to have customers before you jump into it. - Rumala Sheikhani, CEO of Castifi app which lets casting directors and managers find and coordinate talent, and manage talent payroll.
2. Passion passion passion. Do something that you love....because it comes from your heart. Practice your elevator pitch. Have a great pitch deck. Be ready to present in 30 seconds. - Shero Robertson, founder of Blaze AR/VR which creates immersive VR content.
3. You need to lean the rules like a pro to break them like an artist. You have to know how the machine works to be able to re-jigger it. - Denise Hewett, CEO and founder of Scriptd, a script database for the entertainment industry.
4.  Do what you say you are going to do.  Be kind to people. Follow-through and reputation are everything in this town. Relationships lead you to every opportunity you are going to have. Be good. - Kate Grady, executive director at Adaptive Studios, which brings underused Hollywood IP to digital platforms and audiences.
5. Build the best co-founder team. Surround yourself by key advisors and mentors that will help you take  your business to the next level. -  Louise-Marie Marguet, EmoJam, Founder /CEO, animated emoji with music.
6.  Know your business . It's one thing to have a passion for it. But you need to KNOW your business. Really know it. Once you know your business, be persistent about why it matters. You need to be able to explain that to any and everyone you come across. - Alia Daniels, co-founcer and COO of REVRY, a "Netflix for LGBTQ" content
7. Don't be afraid to ask for help and delegate. - Lauren Tracey, founder of Blue Fever, which is a "Netflix for Women." Blue Fever texts millennial women series in short videos on their phone.
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Our Digital LA - Pool Party: We had a blast at our Labor Day Summer Pool party at a Hollywood Hills mansion infinity pool. Attendees included Hollywood studio execs, music biz execs and composers, filmmakers, video game writers, startup CEOs, cryptocurrency experts, and more. Thanks Maggie and Ted for hosting! See  pics


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Our VR Games panel: 12 Things You Need to Know

VR Games are uniquely different from both games and VR experiences, said expert speakers at our first Digital LA - VR Games panel at CTRL Collective Playa Vista on Monday. Our pre-PAX panel is the first in the LA area to focus on VR and Games. Tips: Brainstorm gameplay that fits your game and VR movement, said Daniel Zeligman, Survios lead engineer on category-establishing Raw Data robot shooter VR game. Emmy-winning Secret Location is switching into games owning its own IP, with today's launch of the Blasters of the Universe sci-fi shooter game, said Eric Shamlin of Secret Location. Franchise game titles like Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, and Hitman are experimenting with VR mini-games (not full game), said Adam Sullivan of Square Enix. Music is important to help your players achieve the right actions and feelings in your VR game, said Sally of Ossic, 3D sound in San Diego. Composer must play the game, said award-winning composer Penka Kouneva, who played the Mummy VR game before composing the first note You can play Mummy VR now at Star VR's first VR arcade at Hollywood and Highland, by the Hot Topic. Sound is your best ROI, said Viktor Phoenix, audio expert with Technicolor.  See our 12 Things You Need to Know about VR Games article, our video with speakers trends for VR games, and tag yourself / friends in the FB photo album.
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SteelHouse Summer Cocktails. Digital LA and SteelHouse teamed up for a relaxing Summer Sunset Cocktails at 41 Ocean in Santa Monica last Thurs. Our guest list of attendees included: SteelHouse, The Trade Desk, GumGum, Jukin Media, Taboola, Retention Science, FastPay, Media Temple, eHarmony, Beachbody, Me Undies, Iconery, Sugarfina, Thrillist, and more. The event celebrated SteelHouse's Innovation Hub, which gives brands and agencies access to new video, mobile, and social ad formats and digital distribution channels. SteelHouse Innovation Hub partners include Facebook, Instagram, The Trade Desk, Factual, GumGum, Taboola, and TripleLift. The cocktails kicks off a series of adtech panels that SteelHouse is planning for the fall. See our  articleand FB photo  album. 

6 Secrets to Successful Subscription Services

Successful Subscription box services go beyond selling boxes, to creating community, content marketing, branded boxes, partnering with influences, and more said CEO founders and executives from Loot Crate, FabFitFun, SnackNation, and Watch Gang at our Digital LA - Subscription Services panel held at CTRL Collective Playa Vista on Monday. Speakers said LA is a home for subscription services because LA understands connecting e-commerce and fulfillment with fan passions, influencers, content creation, storytelling, and brands. See our  article with 6 Secrets to Successful Box Services. 
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Esports: LA is epicenter for publishers, teams, events

Esports athletes can make $50K - $300K a year, with more including brand deals, and winning championship prize money, like the $24M at the recent Doda 2 tournament, said esports experts at our first Digital LA - Esports panel at CTRL Collective in Playa Vista. Speaker included Noah Whinston, CEO of The Immortals, a top LA-based team, Brian Kim of Damage agency which helps traditional sports companies and brands work with esports athletes, and Darren Yan of Everyday Influencers which helps place Twitch streamers, YouTubers and esports players in games and mainstream publications like Rolling Stone. Esports is rapidly growing, with increased prize money, sponsorship dollars and attendees at tournaments. Panel highlights, photos, and video of top esports trends in our  article.
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Hollywood Movie Marketing: VR, AR, VFX, Superheroes

At our post-Comic-Con pre-SIGGRAPH panel on Wed, speakers from Fandango, VNTANA, 8i and Framestore,  discussed how Hollywood studios are increasingly partnering with digital companies to provide never-been-done-before content, AR, VR and VFX for superhero movies and other projects.  AR company VNTANA has even developed "Hologram Best Practices"! Yes what a time to be alive! See how these companies create AR holograms, VR, VFX, and other  digital  campaigns to promote superhero and other movies. Article. Video.
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Women VR CTO s discussed how they manage the ever-changing world of VR technology software and hardware, and more at our Digital LA - Women in VR: CTO panel at CTRL Collective Playa Vista. The panel is the first Women in VR: CTO panel ever held in LA and nationwide, featuring only women CTOs of VR companies. Speakers included:  Linda Gedemer of Source Sound VR, and Adriana Vecchioli of VRTIGINOUS, moderated by Espree Devora of Women In Tech podcast.  Gedemer and Vecchioli described their paths from their schooling to tech to VR. They also described issues VR CTOs face with ever changing camera hardware, stitching and producing software, increasing data needs and scalability.  They also shared advice for women developers to get into tech and VR. See our  article  including video.
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Our Digital LA - Anime PokeParty .  We  celebrated the one-year anniversary of Pokemon Go with our Anime PokeParty during Anime Expo.  We celebrated with Pokemon Go Club LA, Cuddli dating app, and Bionic Buzz at CTRL Collective DTLA. Attendees chose red, yellow or blue trainer candy, dressed up, played Jenga, and compared notes on Anime Expo. Pokemon Go  remains one of the most downloaded game apps ever, with hordes of Pokemon trainers packing parks and piers around the world. The app made AR mainstream, and has helped AR companies raise funding, because people are familiar with AR now. Companies are using AR in movie marketing, like the Spider-Man Homecoming app, where you can use the AR Suit Explorer to make Spider-Man appear next to you and your friends. 
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Content Creators experts talk Post-VidCon wrap-up. Experts from digital studios, agencies, and creators spoke about trends in content, creators, brands, social and m onetization at our post-VidCon panel discussion  at CTRL Collective Downtown LA. Speakers from Studio71, DEFY Media, Live.me, Portal A, and more discussed trends both at VidCon, and in the broader creator / influencer space. Top trends: More brands "get it" now on how to work with creators authentically and within the creators own voice, rather than advertisers asking for a bunch of product shots and mentions. C reators are branching into other revenue streams beyond YouTube including merchandising, Patreon, touring, paid appearances and more.  See our  article  and  pics.
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AR Panel: Augmented reality experts discussed AR applications, games, access and revenue models after Pokemon Go at our Digital LA - AR panel at IgnitedSpaces in Hollywood last night. Ben Conway of VNTANA discussed creating branded HOLLA-gram kiosks at events that fans can interact with to make videos sharable on social media. VNTANA has created hollo-grams with Marvel Disney to wear Doctor Strange's cape, and with Spongebob Squarepants to throw him a football at the Super Bowl. Drew Minock described how DAQRI's AR helmets help construction workers learn maintenance and repairs. Josephine Munis of Candy Labs AR creates location based AR games using GPS, or beacons when there's no wifi/service. She said that for her Texas Rope 'Em location based AR card game, she asked her engineer to create three card stops near our panel so people could play. Philippe Lewicki of AfterNow described AR as part of a mixed reality continuum, exemplified by his Microsoft Hololens egg hunt demoed at VRLA Expo. Allyson Cunha of Image Metrics described creating face-filter digital makeover apps, working with L'Oreal and other cosmetics brands. See our summary  article and what speakers are most excited about in the future of AR in this  FB video.
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- Digital LA - VR Music panel featured e xperts from Live Nation, the composer of Survios Raw Data VR game, and Silicon Beach startups.  Speakers shared insights on four areas of VR and music: spatial sound in VR, composing music in VR, music VR startups, and bands creating 360 music videos or livestreaming their concerts in VR. We also talked about the future of VR Music, including VR teleporting to multiple VR cameras at a concert, festival, or worldwide festival; composing music in VR, and social music VR attending concerts with friends in VR. Summary in our 10 Keys to Music VR article.
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Our Digital LA - EdTech panel featured Silicon Beach startups discussing tech sites and apps, and tech and entrepreneurship tools at schools and universities. Panelists described AI, AR, and VR applications for EdTech. Thanks speakers from CreatorUp, Flocabulary, Cue Career, GoGuardian, and LMU Leeds student group. See our  article and video including Flocabulary's Ike Ramos' history/geology  rap that got panelists standing up and audience clapping along (can we do music raps at all our panels?) in the last five minutes of this  video . 
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HR Tech Panel.   We hosted LA's first panel on HR Tech with speakers from Hired, ZipRecruiter, Comparably, Purple Squirrel and TriNet on how to create and develop tools, platforms, and apps for  recurring  and comparing salaries, and recruiting, as well as HR operations. 
We also discussed how to get a job and find talent in Silicon Beach. Thanks to Hired for sponsoring, and CTRL Collective for hosting.  Article.
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Silicon Beach Meets Silicon Valley.  We discussed how tech ecosystems in LA, SF and San Diego can increase communication at our panel at WeWork Golden Gate in San Francisco. Speakers included Cam Kashani of CoAccel, Matt Kosko of Service, Tim Ryan of Lab Fellows and Desirae of Rewardopoly discussed what they do, and increased communication of tech ecosystems in LA, San Francisco, and San Diego. Many LA and SD startups go to SF for investors or accelerator programs. Article

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