Monday, January 20, 2014

The Importance of Kidz Bop

When I think about my childhood, I have fond memories of listening to the CDs of Kidz Bop. I first heard about Kidz Bop when Kidz Bop 3 was released and there were some popular songs that I had been listening to on the radio. My mom, however, really wasn't too fond of all of that, so she found Kidz Bop 3 which had some of those songs on there. Even though some of the lyrics were different, it still was awesome to listen to. What is Kidz Bop, you may ask? That question can be answered on the album cover of most all of its CDs: it says, "Today's biggest hits sung by kids for kids." What that means is that some of today's most popular music hits are now being sung by kids in order to listen to the songs. Let me tell you that that is an awesome thing right there! First off, some lyrics can contain curse words as well as racy language that really isn't meant for kids. I was at a football game last Fall and I sat near some middle school kids who started singing a rap song; this song contained a lot of swearing and I couldn't believe that these kids were using these words at such a young age. That is one of the benefits of Kidz Bop is that while the melody of the original song is there and the song's message is still there, they may change lyrics so that it is more "kid friendly" and parents can approve of it as well.

It's hard to believe that Kidz Bop 25 has just been released; I just purchased mine yesterday (the Deluxe Zinepak edition!!), and once again I was really impressed with the songs that were on the album. Even though I'm 20 years old now and am allowed to listen to the original versions, it's still nice to reunite with the Kidz Bop albums every now and then.

It's also really sad that there are people who don't like Kidz Bop or their music. I can remember seeing a commercial for a new Kidz Bop album on TV and hearing someone make a comment that said "Not another one! When will it end???" I have a good answer to that question: I hope it doesn't end, because Kidz Bop is really great for kids, especially those who are into pop music. Plus, for the Kidz Bop Kids, it's possible that one of them could become the next big Grammy winner! There are a lot of people who like Kidz Bop (if there were so many who hate it, why would Kidz Bop 24 hit #3 on the Billboard 200 charts??). So, my advice...if you don't like it, don't listen to it. There are a lot of people who like it and there are some (like me) who grew up listening to this stuff.

To everyone at Kidz Bop, I want to wish you all an incredible 2014 and I know that it will be a great year for all of you. Don't pay attention to the negativity and focus on the success of the current album.

To the new Kidz Bop Kids, you guys are awesome!! I really enjoyed Kidz Bop 25 and I can't wait for the next one. Keep up the good work in everything!

Update

Happy 2014 to all of you, and I am sorry for not updating this blog in a while. One of my New Year's resolutions is to keep the Journey To The Dream alive and keep everyone up to date.

For starters, I am still in college and I am now a sophomore. As I started my college experience, I was nervous about what my grades would do and whether or not I could handle everything. I've always thought that college can be intimidating at first, but easy once I get used to everything. Well, I did get used to everything and all my hard work as paid off. For my first year, I got all A's and a 4.0 GPA; I also made the Dean's List for Spring 2013 and I got to attend a special dinner with others within the university who made Dean's List. I was impressed that a large number of people had made it, and it shows that people do work really hard. This Spring, I will have graduated with my two year Associates degree in Liberal Arts. My college run will not end there, however, I will continue on to get my Bachelor's in Communications and Journalism. I even will have enough classes for a Minor in Sociology.

I continued with job shadowing at my local TV station, and I job shadowed there for almost two years. When my mentor left the station in Erie to work for the Washington D.C. Bureau, I took a break from job shadowing there at the station. Next year, or the year after that, I hope to apply for an internship there at the station so that I can really get started on my Journey. I managed to learn a lot of knowledge which I know will be really helpful to me in the future.

I am really excited for this year and for the possibilities that it brings. I've got a long road ahead to make my Journey, but it's a Journey to a Dream that I know will come true.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Interview with Emily-Anne Rigal

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to interview Emily-Anne Rigal, who is the founder of WeStopHate, an organization that is dedicated to raising self-esteem in teens (teen-esteem). They do that through various social media platforms that show a positive message and hopefully will raise the confidence level in teens. I encourage all of you to check out their website and get involved. http://westophate.org/

Being a former victim of bullying, I know how hard it can get and I am working to end the bullying problem in America. I had been e-mailing Emily-Anne for a few months before our interview and I had told many of my friends about WeStopHate and the impact that it can make on the lives of teens. It was very exciting for me to finally get to talk to Emily-Anne and to interview her and the interview turned out great. Check it out below.

Q: For anyone not familiar with your organization, what exactly is WeStopHate?

Emily-Anne: WeStopHate is an organization by teens for teens and we raise self-esteem in teens as a way to combat bullying because our belief if you are happy with yourself, you are a lot less likely to put someone down. The way that we do this is that, we, originally, did this all through social media and online because we believed that we wanted to be where teens live, which is online. Now, after about two and a half years, we are now starting to do more in-person events. Right now, we have WeStopHate clubs which are really taking off and we're having WeStopHate speakers go to schools. It's now becoming an online and offline program. While we work to combat bullying, I really feel like our mission is to raise self-esteem. To raise self-esteem, we are going to be positive and happy and I think it just makes it such a better program because we're really looking at the solution side and not focusing as much the problem.

Q: What do you like the most about WeStopHate so far in the two and a half years?

Emily-Anne: I think my favorite part of WeStopHate right now is working with our team members. Right now, I have transitioned from doing almost all of the day-to-day work and really I oversee our team. They are the ones who are responding to the Facebook messages and working with kids to have them write letters; being able to work with them to help make their job as fulfilling and also as useful as it is is really rewarding for me.

Q: For anyone that is the victim or bullying or someone that is going through depression, what advice do you have for that person?

Emily-Anne: I think they should focus on trying to have a couple really good friends. I think that a lot of times when we're growing up in school, we're focused on being friends with everyone and having quantity over quality. I think that's not the way that we should think about friends and I think that if the person can surround themselves with a couple really good friends and focus their energy on those who are supporting them, I think it will make their life a lot easier. Another thing is that if you are bullied, I think trying to talk to people one on one is the best tactic because when you reach out to someone one on one, they are willing to have a more authentic conversation. So, I think those are two good things to do.

Q: How can somebody get involved with WeStopHate?

Emily-Anne: The best thing to do right now is to join our online community and that includes all the different social media sites that we use: subscribing to our YouTube page and watching and commenting on our video, Like our Facebook page, and follow our Tumblr where we upload multiple letters each week for our Love, Yourself program. Those are our big social media sites. I think that the best way to really get involved is not only to be engaged in the content, but also to comment and to write to other people who are commenting and try to join the community on WeStopHate. When you comment on a photo or video, people read that and they respond to that and it shows the support that WeStopHate has. I think that getting involved with the online content right now is a great way to be involved.

Q: What are some things that you've learned from starting WeStopHate?

Emily-Anne: I've learned so much. WeStopHate really has been my life, especially for the first two years, it was all I did. I guess one of the big things I've learned along this journey is to think big. I've gotten the opportunity through WeStopHate to attend events and conferences and converse with some great people who have been really successful. The thread I see is that people dream really big and I think that when you think big about what you want to do, even if you don't end up doing exactly what you want, you'll still be in a really good position. I think that if you think big and stay bold is one thing I've learned and I use that lesson throughout my life.

Q: What does the future hold for WeStopHate?

Emily-Anne: Right now, I think we are definitely focused on clubs so I want to see more of that going forward. I think that we are going to re-strategize our YouTube a little bit and see how we can get more people to watch the videos and engage with the videos. I think we are going to continue to raise self-esteem and to learn along the way the best way to do that.

Q: Do you ever get e-mails or messages that say "Thank you for helping me"?

Emily-Anne: I get them all the time and getting the letters is so amazing and inspiring. It really motivates me to keep going and encourages me during the hard times because sometimes WeStopHate is a lot of work and a little bit overwhelming. We get amazing letters from young people and for us, it helps us know that we are making a difference and really encourages myself and the rest of the team during the difficult times.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Legacy

I know that I'm way too young to be thinking about what I want my legacy to be, but it should be reminded that we are not going to be on this earth forever, and it never hurts to think what our legacies should be.

As a human, I've made a lot of mistakes. Most of these are childish errors, but they are mistakes that I would care never to make again in my lifetime.

I am a person that has a lot of big goals and plans for myself, and I am determined to make my dreams come true. But, as far as being remembered, I want to be remembered as someone who did his best and tried to be a good friend and to be kind with others. That would be ok with me, and I want to be known as a person who grew in his relationship with God. God will always cherish and love you through the good times and bad. We are so precious in His eyes.

So, I would like to just be known not only for any accomplishments that I make in my adult life, but I would love to be known as someone who did his best and tried to be a person that people like.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Be Passionate

For me, dreams are so important. I have big dreams for myself and I know that it will come true someday because I have the determination and drive to make it. If you are a person that wants to succeed at whatever you want to do in life, then you need to be determined to make it happen.

Passion and determination are key in these instances. One of the most important things that I have learned is that there are going to be bumps along the road, and it will not happen overnight. That is so true if you want to become an actor, singer, etc, because you are going to be constantly told "No". Being told no shouldn't stop you, though; You need to be able to look at what you did wrong and improve so that won't happen again. But, never give up! I can't stress that statement enough.

Before I joined my school basketball team, I had attempted in two years prior to joining, and I gave up after a few practices. While I wasn't branded as a "quitter" by my classmates, I felt like I was a quitter and I knew that that wouldn't get me very far in life. In my junior year, I succeeded at basketball and made it through an entire season. Even though it was very tough at times, I made it through. In anything that you do, you need to keep going and make your dreams become a reality!

Monday, December 31, 2012

Hello 2013

It's 11:38PM on December 31, 2012. Looking back on this year, I've had my share of highs and lows. But, I've found out a lot about myself and I've learned a lot about my friends and all of the people around me. So, for 2013, it's time to earn my respect and friends that I deserve and to put all the drama and the past behind me. It just isn't worth it to dwell on all of the bad things, because then we overlook the good things.

I've made 2012 a year filled with amazing opportunities: I've met celebrities that I've supported for years and I've gotten the opportunity to interview those artists and people that mean a lot to me. 2012 was the year that everything would begin for me, and I'm going to make sure that 2013 is a year when everything will happen!

Have an amazing new year and remember to always live for now!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Interview with Jill Wilderman

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do an e-mail Q&A interview with one of my mentors, Jill Wilderman. Jill is an entertainment reporter and the founder of SpotlightCountry.com Before starting Spotlight Country, Jill worked as a producer for Judge Judy and interviewed many of the Nickelodeon stars. She is also known as the "Big Sis," to teen Hollywood because of the good relationships that she builds with the stars. Jill's been a mentor of mine for a long time now, and it was great getting to have a Q&A interview with her.

Q: When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in journalism?

Jill: I was really young when I decided, actually. My brother was a youth ambassador for the local MDA telethon when I was 6-years old, so we often had news crews coming to our house for interviews with my brother and family. The local telethon also put me on-camera at a young age, so I absorbed the environment and became passionate for interviewing people as a child, actually.

Q: You also worked as a producer for "Judge Judy," and what made you decide to work behind the camera?

Jill: Very early on, I decided that I would learn that all that it took to make TV & content. I've operated studio cameras, chryon, shot/edited my own pieces, and I've been a floor director...I can also run the board in the control room! It was very important to me that I understood and appreciated everyone's job if I was to become a valuable asset to any project whether I'm on camera or off. Having the creative control has always been important to me, as well. As for moving to Los Angeles, I also realized that it's not necessarily a place where you land an on-camera job straight away, and I was happy just to get any job in such a competitive city. To work for such a wildly popular show as Judge Judy and to gain the experience that I gained while there, I would say it was the perfect choice for me.

Q: After working as a producer as well as a reporter, do you find yourself more comfortable in front of, or behind the camera?

Jill: I am comfortable with both, since I've had a lot of experience with both. I sometimes make a game-time decision as to whether putting myself on-camera will make for the best piece. I do think being a good producer and making the right choices as to what will make the best finished piece is most important to me than "face time." So, for instance, if a celebrity is really good at holding their own and being entertaining in a piece, I usually take a step behind the camera to let them shine. I'm really fortunate to have the control to do either.

Q: You have the title of the "Big Sis," to Teen Hollywood. What does it mean to be a "Big Sis," to them?

Jill: I first gravitated towards the young genre because I have a younger sister myself. Ali was in the same age demo of many stars I was interviewing at the time. She would freak out when I had the opportunity to talk to her favorite Disney & Nickelodeon stars, so I not only was her "Big Sis," but I was quickly growing a big sister relationship with the talent. Over the years, many of us developed inside jokes, etc. so it became a family-like relationship with them. In addition to the fact that one particular celebrity and I were often told we looked like sisters. She still calls me "Big Sis" to this day...it just kinda stuck.

Q: What do you like best about interviewing young Hollywood stars?

Jill: I've interviewed stars of all ages, but for the most part, I always found that the younger stars had a lot more energy and were excited about what they were doing. They never take themselves too seriously, and that always makes for high energy and fun interview.

Q: You are considered to be an expert on teens and on pop culture. How does one become an expert on these topics?

Jill: Well, I think living in Hollywood, in and of itself, makes it pretty easy to constantly be in-the-know on all things pop culture. It's a city that revolves around the type of news and insider knowledge. I'm also a sponge for it, as well. I'm constantly reading news and feeds to keep myself fresh. I can usually tell you everything that's going on by 8:00 A.M. everyday. Not sure if that's something to boast about, but it is my job...so I have to stay sharp. As for teens, between blogging, shooting and being around them constantly..it was impossible not to be an expert. Once, I had been asked to appear consistently by a few talk & radio shows, and quoted online by some reputable websites...I felt more comfortable with taking the title.

Q: You are also a correspondent for Spotlight Country. What made you decide to start interviewing country music icons?

Jill: Spotlight Country is actually my own endeavor, I created it! So while I'm a correspondent, I'm also doing the work on the back end as far as writing & posting content. Since I come from a producing/hosting background, I'm excited to see where I go with the video content. I wanted to start interviewing country stars, because I don't feel that they get the kind of press they deserve. Don't get me wrong, there are many great websites and outlets who cover them, but I have my own great plan for coverage and plan to make it one of the most popular destinations for their hugely loyal fans. Stay tuned!

Q: For anyoine that wants to pursue a career in entertainment journalism, what advice do you have for them?

Jill: Work hard, be patient, and don't be entitled. It's a career that can take a while to develop credibility. Learn the ropes and earn your respect, it will pay off. Also, all good journalists LISTEN to their interviewees...they don't worry about stealing the show from their subject. It's so important that you listen have good follow-up question, it doesn't go overlooked.