A pretty good day. I received a call from BET they are interested in bringing Kyle and Natasha on one of their shows to introduce the AYS music video.
We posted the new video on-line. We are mustering up our forces(social networks) to get exposure for the video. I think this will be the best received DR you Tube entry yet.

Jim Noble and I had breakfast this morning. He signed a letter of intent for the DR movie. He enjoyed the premiere and wants to help out w/the DR project.
Today I will work on DR sponsorship pkg.

A great AYS World Premiere at the Bushnell! To my amazement over 200 people came out to the event. Everything was well organized and classy. Everything went on w/out a hitch, except Natash had an emergency come up and couldn’t make it. There were alot of people who came in from out of town, like Andy the Prez of HIP Video Promo. He discussed how he was going to take the project to the next level throhg national distribution. Everyone seemed very impressed w/the music video. We had an after party at Young! Studios following th event. More than half the people who attended came by. It was a beautiful event and people extended their committment to the next step of the project. I believe we’re on our way.

The big focus is the team concentrating on the AYS World Premiere. Tickets are selling ,I hope we reach our goal of at least 150 people in attendence. I have radio interview in morning I hope it will draw people to the event.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I will spend sometime w/the family and then do some work. The World Premiere of the AYS video will be on Saturday, right around the corner and alot to do. I have to act as if the premiere is tomorrow.

A busy day. We focused on putting together the AYS World Premiere. Tickets sales are coming in consistently from different ticket outlets. We received proclomations about the AYS and DR projects from both Jodi Rell, Goveor of CT and The CT General Assembly. It’s still alot of work. I will take some time wfamily for Thanksgiving, but Kyle and I will have to spend most of the day working on details for the event on Saturday. It seems a little overboard but this is part of sacrifice it takes to achieve your dream But one day we will be able to take a decade off if that is what we choose.
I was asked by businessman Tony Vaz to take over the direction of a new Michael Jackson impersonation show to be at the the Mohegan Sun Casino in Late December this year. The show is being advertise on radio and TV. The venue seats 8,000 people. I visited the cast yesterday to see if I was interested. I was blown away by Jobe (the Michael impersonator–who the late Michael Jackson ever came permission to impersonate him) and the dance crew. They’ve been rehearsing for awhile and have the crew in place choreographer, lighting people, a full band, stage hands. I would bring in my friend Geannetta to help who has an extensive theater background to help w/the creative. Tony wants to bring the show on a national tour.
This project is attractive to me because it might be an opportunity for Kyle and Natasha to perform “The Are You Sleeping” song in front of thousands of people at one time and help expose the DR project as well. The trick will be balancing this work and all the other work I am committed to. The key is bringing in good people to help you run all the different projects.

Wild , long and crazy day. As we get closer to the AYS world premiere the days get shorter and shorter.
The hardest part of doing this music video is balancing my personal life, bills, YS stuff that pays the bill and this project—a labor of love, that can help propel us to the next level. I spoke to Actor Jim Noble he is excited about the premiere and the video. I take it as a compliment because in his career he has attended and was talent in some major feature film openings.

Kyle and team finished the souvenir booklet, which took a lot of time, but will be worth the effort w/the information it contains.

I had a couple left curves today. But Denise came with encouragement/support. She is invaluable to the project. Although I am in the limelight in this project, my success in the team around me. No one makes it on national/global w/out an extraordinary team behind them. Currently my success will depend on my grind but also from the support of the Denises, Kyles,Vanessa, Geannetta, Erics, Dwights, Natashas,etc. I don’t get that stuff twisted. Anyway were getting there.

Andy from Hip Video Promo of New Jersey will be sending out his letter to Network Programmers. He has a lot of contacts w/networks. I’m excitedhe will be at the AYS world premiere. If you’re trying to break in the music video he’s the man to talk to. Let me show you the letter that is part of his package to the TV network/retail programmers. This stuff is educational for me and hopefully also for you. That’s why I do this daily blog. Check it out:

HIP Video Promo
Letter to Program Directors

Hello programmers, it’s Andy Gesner from HIP Video Promo, here to help spread the word about a entertaining new video from a worthy independent film project. Here at HIP, we like to think of ourselves as part of a nationwide fraternity of creative promoters and self-starters — and we recognize Joe Young as one of our own. The Connecticut-based cartoonist, writer, animator, and filmmaker has proven himself to be an enterprising businessman and visionary philanthropist as well as an exemplary artist. Without ever resorting to easy tactics, he’s managed to bring his independently-produced work to national attention. Scruples, his weekly strip has been featured on the comics pages of newspapers all over America. Through YouTube and other video-sharing sites, his animated specials have inspired thousands of viewers. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized his hundred-yard cartoon(!) as the longest comic strip ever drawn. He’s also founded the Hartford Animation Institute, an organization dedicated to training young artists. Every step Young has taken has been a confident stride, and Diamond Ruff, his first foray into live-action filmmaking, is certainly no exception. A decorated community activist and public-spirited citizen, Joe Young’s network of friends and associates stretches far beyond the boundaries of the Nutmeg State. But he’s found some of his most reliable collaborators right at home: for instance, his son, Kyle, a talented vocalist and rapper. Kyle Young handles the emceeing on “Are You Sleeping?”, the first single from the soundtrack to Diamond Ruff. On the choruses, he graciously passes the microphone to accomplished pop singer Natasha Ramos, whose performance here is every bit as sweet as her turn on the Pharrell Williams-produced “Midnight Hour”. “Are You Sleeping?” works as an effective teaser for Diamond Ruff, but it’s also a dynamic, radio-ready R&B cut in its own right, and one that wouldn’t sound out of place on a commercial radio playlist. Joe Young’s projects invariably boast an inspirational dimension, and Diamond Ruff sends a powerful message that the “Are You Sleeping?” video echoes. The film tells of the search for a mystical diamond that bestows powers of confidence upon its bearer — and the story is fully referenced in the colorful clip. Both Kyle Young and Natasha Ramos (who looks particularly fetching in a hardhat!) take their turn with the hammer and pickaxe, mining the stage set for the hidden gem. The face of Jim Noble — best known for his role as Governor Gatling on Benson, but who’s starred in many other movies — appears first on laptop screens and cell phones, offering words of encouragement; later, the veteran actor joins the young singers in their quest. Unlike many indie videos, there’s nothing low-budget looking about the “Are You Sleeping?” clip; on the contrary, it’s as brightly and crisply-shot as anything you’re likely to see on MTV. Like everything else that comes from Young Studios, the promotional spot is top-flight work, done by enthusiastic volunteers with the talent, energy, and vision to set their own courses. We are very excited to be working with Joe Young, Kyle Young and Denise Hannon-Gross at Young! Records to bring you this excellent new video. They’ve hooked us up with everything you may need to give this video maximum consideration for airplay, so please don’t hesitate to be in touch!

A long amazing day. We began the day early knocking work out for the AYS premiere. My 14 year old daugher Paige is off this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. She even helped in the office w/admin. work.
I met w/the Crumbie Law Firm. They have come as part of my legal team to help me through this Diamond Ruff complex maze. This project is 30% art and 70%business. It is important I have legal representation to build a strong foundation as I am weekly bringing new partners to the table.
Denise was able to secure a ciation/proclamation from the State General Assembly w/some of the state’s biggest political players. It is important to have a relationship w/these people as we bring this project to fruition.

The Stan Simpson Show on Fox aired this morning. I receive many calls on my phone. A couple people didn’t know about the premiere and said they will be attending.
Worked w/Kyle and Eric on some AYS World Premiere ads and video. Also worked on hotlist names for invites for Lorraine to call. The You Tube this week will focus on pushing tickets for th event this Saturday.

Denise work was off the chain. She came in early and left late and cis coordinating this project like crazy…she’s invaluable. Kyle and I came down and began to work on loose ends and then had to shoot for an interview on WTCC 90.7 Radio in Springfiled, MA. The interview went well. Tomorrow I will be featured on the Stan Simpson Show on FOX61. The interview is already on-line at www.fox61.com.