Blogging is an art form

Blogging is an art form, one needs to master the craft and to refine it. One also needs to maintain and attend to it periodically; we are as we know it in the electronic revolution (or is it evolution?) and with that we can a number of ways to keep our clients and consumers informed, in touch and interactive. Sadly we suck at said blogging. We know we should do it but we just don't do it enough. It’s like trying to hike up a mountain wearing designer custom made high heels – we know we have to summit the koppie but do we ruin our silly expensive shoes or do it bare foot? Also, like shoes and exercise, sometimes we are just too busy doing what we do to blog. Right, right, back to the blog. What kind of name is a blog anyway? Blog is not an acronym and apparently "refers to a public webpage which is published by either an individual or a group of individuals" (http://www.helpwithpcs.com/jargon/blog.htm). When did blogging become in vogue? Aha so the term blogging was not coined until the late 90's but digital communications in the form of BBM preceded the now oh so must have communication mode. It was way back in the 80's were "escribitionists" started online diaries to record, reminisce and rant about anything and everything. Blogging is an opportunity to communicate to the global village without the approval of publishers, editors, funders, board members et al et al. The medium of blogging is not without its pitfalls - a bit like a colander – one is able to drain the cooked rice but since the contraption is actually meant for larger items such as pasta and potatoes a few grains of rice slip through the holes. Blogs can be too emotional, too eratic and without “censorship”. Also, do our esteemed clients and consumers really want to know about every nut and bolt that makes our organisation go wrrrr? Maybe, maybe not. Have we blogged enough? May we go now? Ok, ok, so back to blogging. The fact is we like social media. We don’t really like to blog. We are prominent and prevalent on Facebook - www.facebook.com/mediahussies and enjoy twitter too; www.twitter.com/mediahussies. Why? Because you are part of a bigger network of like minded people and the brand of Media Hussies is in their hands to grow bigger and better. Our news, golly, so much has happened since last we blogged – our Director Tanya Hayward was elected as one of Marie Claire South Africa’s top 11 “Enriched” creatives of 2011. We facilitated the Nike International / The FADER “Pitch Perfect” series during Fifa 2010 and our Short Pant holistic program teaching throw away girls fashion, marketing and business skills is growing from strength to strength. We have been featured by Marie Claire South Africa, CNBC Africa, SAFM, Destiny Connect, The Times, Nydailynews and more. Thanks to all Media partners, your patronage brings us closer to the solution of global issues pertaining to women and youth. Painting the world pink has been fun, but in a world of black and white it comes as a bit of a shock to some. Its shocking but its only pink after all. We promise to blog more. And not sit on the social media fence. To keep you more informed. Or do we? Why not send us an email at info@mediahussies.co.za to find out where we are in the alternative media development market. If you are interested. You see we like to be organic. We go with the ebb and flow of trends. Sometimes we follow them but mostly we set them. Blogging just seems to be too, oh golly we dont know......But for now; “Quit counting fans, followers and blog subscribers like bottle caps. Think, instead, about what you’re hoping to achieve with and through the community that actually cares about what you’re doing.” – Amber Naslund of Social Media Today

Wizzzzzzz + time flies!

Ola and goodbye in one sentence? You want to know what we have been doing? Log onto Facebook and become a fan of ours. This here blog place is not very active and we want our fans and followers out there to feel that they belong so click click http://www.facebook.com/pages/Media-Hussies/87597019303?ref=ts and join the revolution! Our projects have whirled into the 5 months of Absa digital, Space Doctors, Short Pant, SAFTA's, Screening of Invictus and The Art of TV! We welcomed and said goodbye to some fabulous hussies and now have in our crew Natalie, Tapiwa, Mmabatho, Koketso, Tania, Sibongile, Liana and so many more creative and fabulous hussies! Follow us, fan us but just become one of us! Light and love, The Media Hussies Team.

Ooh La La we are ready to Shine!

Time warp 101 in the land of Media Hussies as we have sorely neglected our blog for more months that we want to say.  So it’s October now; we have gone through a rather cold winter and now are fanning ourselves in Spring.  We welcome the following to the Team Mpumi Ndlovu, Rebecca Mchunu, Puleng Khabutlane and Candice Springfield.  They have added light and inspiration to the Media Hussies and we are truly blessed for their time and effort. 

 

Mpumi Ndlovu is our Business Manager in Training and lives in Spruitview (Where is that you ask?) and is the glue to the Media Hussies office.  She keeps the company and the brand calm and organised!  We know Mpumi is going to be a bright star in the Corporate Sky! 

 

Rebecca Mchunu interned with us for 3 months and now comes on project by project as a Junior Producer in Training Intern.  Fiesty and disciplined, this Hussy can organise with good spirit and has a good ear for learning.  A final Student at AFDA Rebbeca is one to look out for on the Production playing field.

 

Puleng Khabutlane is the epitome of a Jozzie girl and is our Junior Producer in Training.  The stylish and very polite Puleng brings a creative flair to the office and keeps it “unreal” in the words of Mr Scruff.  Puleng is a graduate of AFDA. 

 

Candice Springfield is our latest Hussy and WOW what a breath of fresh air.  Hailing from Northcliff, Candice is sassy, bright and eager to take on the world of TV!  Welcome!  Candice is in her 2^nd year at AFDA. 

 

The Art of TV

 

The Art of TV, our Flag ship program has been growing from strength to strength and we have had the honour of presenting to a formidable organisation that we hope and pray we will partner with.  “Africa on Screen” is now moved to the 24^th of May 2010 and we will publish dates and venue for the “Art of TV”.  On the 22.08.09 we had “Sense of Self” a Photographic Journey with Masimba and Mzu from “Creative Nation” and on the 19.09.09 we welcomed Avon and “Beauty through Earning” with Financial Independence.  Watch this space for our next  Seminar – this one is going to be delicious!

 

Raohang Multimedia

 

Media Hussies has partnered with Raohang Multimedia run by renowned Mme Seipati Bulane Hopa (Chairperson of Fepaci) on a dynamic 26 Drama Series with SABC 1, Media Hussies has been hired to work with Darkie Multimedia to train and develop.  All while weaving cultural dynamics, we are loving it.

 

Space-Doctors

 

Media Hussies  is working with world leading Space-Doctors and learning a whole bunch of stuff while transferring information on Masculinity and Femininity within Youth and Women.

 

Reise & Soetkyse

Working on the “3 Wishes Campaign” we are assisting Reise & Soetkyse with finding Angels this Christmas to help families in need. 

 

Barbara Scogings

 

The Spiritual Intelligence Guru, Barbara Scogings is one of our latest clients.  Watch this space!  www.sprititualintelligence.co.za

 

I am Changing the World

 

Media Hussies and I am Changing the World are preparing for turning the world into Pink and Green or is Pink the new Green?  Check them out at www.iamchangingtheworld.org.za

 

(shew) and that is why we don’t blog so often…

Join us on Facebook - Media Hussies + on Twitter! 

 

Light and love,

The Media Hussies Team

 

 

 

Media Hussies services Akon

What a mind boggling couple of weeks! Just over a week ago, we sat on the eve of Media Hussies servicing a music video performance for Akon's "We just Don't Care" with the fabulous Production House in LA, Frank the Plumber and thanks to Natalie Johns the Producer extrodinare. We had less than 24 hours to pull together and A grade team, a hot location in Soweto deep and all the trimmings fit for a king. Well, it is Akon after all. With shere perseverance and a "Yes we Can" do attitude, Media Hussies pulled off a coup! Thank you to all the crew and all the suppliers especially Panavision, SA Backline, Monster Party, Zodwa's Catering and all the wonderful people on the ground in Orlando East, Ma Pearl being the most amazing women handing over her home to be used as a production base. The Hussies stepped up to the plate; Busisiwe and Mpumi, CONGRATS. Karabo, thank you for coming through AFTER your studies and Petronella you scored on the 13 meter flatbed truck. For a snippet check out www.djbennyfansite.com. Thanks to the Red Flag ladies for scooping major press, to Nosizwe from City of Johannesburg, Themba from JMPD and of course Seisito from GFC. Without your help we could not have done it. Soweto rocked to the sounds of Akon, where locals came out in droves to see a one and only FREE performance. Akon, in his true local flavour style got the crowd going and his performance rocked their worlds. Gil Green, acclaimed Music Director was a delight to work with and his calm manouvering both on set and behind the scenes was amazing to see. Tom Marvel, love your work! Thanks to Chris Kranowitz for making it a smooth yet delicate production, almost like a good glass of Merlot LA style. Love and Light.

The month of sunshine

It has been over a month since I last blogged. We have been busy cultivating the new order of Media in South Africa. I have had a wonderful month fulled with many blessings both materially and spiritually. "Hussies" have been approaching the company a plenty so let the good work begin.

Media Hussies Welcomes Busisiwe Chauke

Busisiwe started at Media Hussies on the 28th of April 2009. She is a graduate of University of Johannesburg Media Studies, was born in Limpopo and then moved to Pretoria. She is fast learner, creative thinker and a great asset to Media Hussies. She fills the role of Intern / PA. We welcome her with open arms and know this great Media Maker has a wonderful career ahead of her.

Love, Dreams, Voice

Almost complete is "Love, Dreams, Voice" an anti-campaign by Fine Artist Genevieve Twoko aka Scartlet Tryst. The darker side of the lost girl, the girl who has her love stolen, her dreams crushed and her voice taken away from her.....Poetry with a dark edge.

EasyLay

We kicked off with our riske and controversial documentary titled "EasyLay". This documentary is about Date Rape - Why we Date Rape, Who do we Date Rape in in what cirucumstances. The intoxicating Clare Cantrel was my first interviewee, and thanks to her I feel confident about the project. Having been a date rape victim, this process is both cathartic and enlightening. From my years of researching it both acadademically and through case studies, my own included, I can now see the project coming to light. The next step will be the animation series and then the feature film. Stay tuned! Wednesday 13th May we are interviewing Return2Roots foundation and then on Thursday 14th May we are interviewing Jackie Estany - Microbioligist, Reflexologist and wonder woman!

Caitlins Castings

I was honoured to address the Caitlins Castings seminar on the 3rd of May 2009. Caitlins Casting was a concept of Addi Lang's and her work with Return2Roots Foundation, a trauma councelling NPO that works with the affluent abused Men and Women. Caitlin was horrifically murdered last year in Sun City, a Sun International Holiday resort by a Laundry truck that over shot the Stop street. A tragedy. Caitlins Casting looks to book and unite Directors / Producers and the like with up and coming talent both young and old. I loved addressing the audience, that were mainly children and their parents on Directing and on set protocol. The "Wheels on the Bus" game also went well and we look forward to the next.

Children of a Lessor God

The Red tape is getting stronger and tougher and the elections on the 22nd April 2009 has thrown all governmental organisations out. Today is the Inauguration of our new "president" so hopefully we can start resolving the issues of getting these poor children some identification so they can continue with their lives. Shoot date planned for next week.

SA's Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards

Well, well, well, Tanya Hayward was nominated for SA's Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards, and we are very priveledged and honoured for this title. The documents have been handed in, lets pray that she wins it on the 31st of July

The Art of TV

The Short Film Festival entry was announced on Wednesday the 6th of May 2009 - 5 minute short films for woman, by woman on woman from Africa is going to take the continent and the world by storm. The animation will be posted shortly! Africa on screen is underway and hopefully we will have some news in the next week.

Media Hussies is a buzz with pitches and meeting new prospective clients - our "Selling boxes" are getting the attention of everyone! Here's to working with Morris Jones, Matchbox, Cabs for Women, Randwater Foundation, Organic Fair and Honey Bee. The signs and synergy are there!

Love and light.

"Children of a Lesser God"

Well, the Working title "Children of a Lesser God" is so perfect I almost wept yesterday. Arriving at the Sithabile Home I knew that my journey with these wonderful people was going to be humbling, inspirational, educational, shocking and revealing. Ma Thabislie is possibly one of the most well spoken people I have ever met. She is an amazing woman, that should be commended for her work that she is doing with the children of the area that needed to have a place to call home. "I do not like to refer to them as Orphans" as she is now their Mother. On interviewing some of the children, the same answer resounded; "Who is your Role Model". Ma Thabisile was the answer. Except one bright young girl who replied straight to camera: "Myself. Because I try my best." Well, warms the old cockles, that is for sure. The "highlight" of the day was meeting Sis Nandi, Ma Thabisile's daughter and right hand woman. An activist, a poet, a mother, a businesswoman, the woman is a light in the darkness. She is strong, assertive and brave and will venture where no-one is keen. Sibisiso Molefe is a young man that has caught my attention; selected to be part of a youth exchange by SAFA, he was 100 % confirmed and then turned down because he does not have an ID. Literally, the carrot was put in front of him and then yanked away – he was even given a driver. When I approached SAFA they said that “it's a personal matter, and not a football matter” Now, not having an ID is a personal matter right? SAFA stands for the South African Football Association. The department I contacted was to do with youth development. Surely, this organisation would know that some of these children need assistance on a personal matter. The fact that Sithabile home can not get ID’s or Birth Certificates for these children, for what ever reason the Home Affairs Office and the Social Services Department says, is irrelevant. Oh, it also turns out that the woman that I contacted has a orphaned niece in the home. She is able to drive a Merc Compressor but seems only to be able to see her “child” once a year. Is SAFA and 2010 keeping this woman so busy? "Children of a Lesser God" is a documentary that will rock the system. We are going to cause a ruckus. We may begin with a small pebble in a still pond but that ripple will turn into a wave, a tsunami and our voices will be heard. Someone needs to being the revolution against the degradation of Children. We seem to believe that these children do come from a lesser god, that they are commodities, they can be bought and sold, put on apro and then sold to the higher bidder. We need to unit against robbing them of their childhood, of their innocence. Now back to ANOTHER SABC Pitch; Food Inc! Love and Light.

What a week. It began with "running" into an old college friend at the Joburg Art Fair on Sunday, Leslie, who had a piece on exhibit - "Socks and Underpant" a fabulous functional art piece, that caught the attention of young and old. Monday was an impromtu Shoot, with the Subtitle "Waar is ons?", the Murg Broers - Leslie and Ricky, downtown Jozzie trying to find their way to Sandton...Thanks to Arno Durandt, DOP extrodiare - we had a JOL to say the least. The giggling did not stop, watching these two Art ROP stars (a combination of Rock and Pop, me thinks) interact with beggars, Taxi Drivers and Metro Cops on the outskirt of Hillbrow in their beaten up Nissan "CS" Bakkie with the piece on the back was hysterical! They followed me out of the beat of the continent and I said goodbye to the crazy chaps as I headed off to collect Hayley to do my "Kung Fu Chic" shoot for The Art of TV "Fillers". Shew, shooting a concept is tiring work and the dubious locations added to the complexity of it but Hayley and I bonded like we have never bonded before! It was alot of fun, even the insane Zionists on Top of Yoeville Hill overlooking Jozzie appeared to be a puzzle in the piece of our shoot. The next few days was learning how to Edit off Bonnie Lee Bouman's Mac, editing The Art of TV for the SABC and then delivering it yesterday! Am thinking of extracting elements to turn into an art piece......hmmmm, can't let the footage "go to waste" just on a proposal. Greg Bowes, DJ extrodinare, thanks for the advice on the music.....Worked like a bomb. A highlight of the week was meeting The Red Flag Ladies; Caroline and Lara and The Art of TV being confirmed as an "Off Festival" Element to Africa on Screen! Let's shout out loud and hear those voices! Off to start my Documentary; The Children of a Lessor God (Working Title)...It is about the Sithabile Child and Youth Care Center...Will keep you updated. Love and Lights