Dear Periscope Users: Strategize, Then Monetize!

Before you start that Periscope account, please read this blog carefully!

Periscope is the latest live streaming video phenomenon. The sleek design and pop-up style chat makes it a great way to interact with current friends and make new ones. In addition to that, the app can help content creators generate buzz and monetize their brands.

Unfortunately, the average Periscope user is trying to generate attention with pointless streams. Instead of using the app to create amazing contents, most folks stream stupid stuff like picking out outfits, getting ready for bed, and criminal plots. (Yes, two idiots streamed their plans to commit crimes!) 

If you want to make money from Periscope, try the following tactics:

*Plan Your Broadcasts
It appears to be an obvious statement but very few appear to grasp this concept! 

If you must do something spur of the moment, turn your Twitter rants into a video discussion. 

*Engage With Your Audience
Don't just read the comments; use the comments to improve what you do.  

After each broadcast, stay in touch with your viewers and create customized content for their liking. When you build a following, you can merchandise your content (like the Hell To Naw video) or plan meetups at your local coffee shop. 

Big Zack TV will be using Periscope soon to create an amazing event that will get media buzz!

Stay tuned! 

*Keep It Clean
You can partner with businesses by presenting content they can post for a large audience. Try not to use vulgar language if you can help it. You can be funny without cursing. 

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The 5 Year Journey For One of Chicago's Anime Cons

(click on the logo above to see the full video story)

Kollision Con, Chicago's Anime/Comic Book/Cosplay focused conventions celebrated its 5th Anniversary. One of Chicago's premier cons, whether you would like to start off relaxed for your first ever Con, or would like to add another convention to your list for the year, Kollision Con brings a sense of excitement to the Chicagoland Area to start off the year.

Kollision Con President, Chris Oliva, took the time to chat with us about Kollision Con's history and their goals.

Along with a focus on Anime, Kollision highly focused on Comic Books and nearby local artists to partake in the festivities. This year, Kollision Con stepped up their focus on their Cosplay competition by awarding cash prizes, while emphasizing a high level of cosplay design for everyone, whether competitive or casual.

Musical Guests this year included two key performances for the Japanese punk rock band Uzuhi, and the hip hop rock performances by The Adventures of Duane and Brando.

For those wanting to get into the Voice Acting Industry, Paul St. Peter held 2 key master classes on voice acting which involved volunteers to perform in front of con goers.

This year looks to be a big year for conventions in the Chicagoland area, and Kollision Con is the first to make its mark. Hope to see you all at the next Kollision Con!

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A New Video Shows Chicago From Above--With Beautiful Results!

Over the past 5 years, Chicago has become a major player in the TV & Film industry with hit shows and movies being filmed here. 

Now, Chicago is the star of its own movie.

Soaring Badger Productions has produced a video with a "Bird's Eye View"-- showing Chicago in a way that it has rarely been seen until now. 

Check it out below. 

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Right Story, Wrong Picture: A Tracy Morgan Mixup

Dear media producers,

Always check the source of a photo before posting.

Regretfully submitted,

- Zack

A few media outlets have been posting a picture of Tracy Morgan with his "TV mom" from "30 Rock," Novella Nelson  .

But his real mother is Ms. Alicia Warden.

According to recent reports, Ms. Warden and Mr. Morgan are estranged and have not spoken in over 10 years. As a result, she has been denied access to see him in the hospital.  

Best wishes to everyone involved--including Ms. Nelson who has nothing to do with this. (face palm) 

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The World Converges on Anime Central 2014

Two weeks after Anime Central in Chicago, attendees are still excited about the sights and sounds taken in. From Eric Maruscak to Final Fantasy to The World Cosplay Summit to "Wake Up, Girls!,"  there was something for everyone who converged upon the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, to attend this year's Anime Central event. 

What makes Anime Central unique and one of the premiere events for the Chicagoland area is the boost in tourism.  It also displays Chicago as the key convention and event city in the Midwest, and one of the big events cities in the nation along with the likes of New York City, LA, and San Diego, just to name a few.

Along with events like C2E2 and Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, Anime Central has been a long time established convention that has brought many fans to Chicago to share their love for their favorite characters, shows, artists, and celebrities.

Especially with a special event like the US debut of the new anime in Japan "Wake Up, Girls!", fans from Canada, Europe, and even Japan flew in to show their support and meet the stars of this show.


Click on the the YouTube screen shot at the bottom and check out the video here to see what went on this year.

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Web Is The 'New TV' : TV Networks Adapt With Caution

In today's television landscape, series producers have gone from having network executives flipping past their ideas to having their "hands on the remote." 

As the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article states, it is a seller's market for original programming. In the past, producers had to pray that their pitches for new shows were accepted by networks. Now, they can distribute their own programs online or partner with Netflix. 

From the Emmy-winning "House of Cards" to "Orange Is The New Black," Netflix has become the online destination for original programming. Viewers can watch the entire season at their own pace instead of waiting a week for the next episode. 

But for those unable (or unwilling) to pay 8 bucks a month, YouTube has become the hub for ad-supported, independent produced programming. 

One show gaining popularity online is Stacey Muhammad's "For Colored Boys" starring Rob Morgan and Julito McCullum. The show's executive producers include actor Isaiah Washington and educator Marc Lamont Hill and it is building buzz through various channels of social media.



In addition to YouTube, Vimeo and Blip also offer high-quality video for viewers looking for quality programming.

But independent producers who choose online outlets take on the difficult task of building their own audience. Television networks have become household names and attract millions of viewers using contemporary tactics and marketing teams. For a small production company, the task of integrating a marketing plan with a production schedule could prove to be more challenging than expected. 

One thing's for sure: the television industry is experiencing a cliffhanger of its own right now. 

To Be Continued...

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Chicago Activist Rejects Negative Media Coverage

Ay-Sha Butler knows that Englewood is not the most popular neighborhood in Chicago. Crime is high, property values are low, and hope has been fading for years.

Yet, Mrs. Butler and her husband, Antoine, have been working hard to change that. 

Courtesy of Ay-Sha Butler

She was featured in a Zack's TV article last May for her work in the Englewood. 

Now, the youthful activist has written her own account of what's really happening in the embattled neighborhood. On her blog, "A New Voice From Englewood," she laments the recent coverage from local newspapers which focuses on the crime rate.  

In the post titled, "A Good Day In Englewood," Butler talks about the "tons" of good days which have gone unnoticed. 

Even with the challenges we face here, there are still many great examples of Good Days in Englewood and it does not depend on if someone was shot or killed in the neighborhood.

Responding to rumors that Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel might move to the neighborhood, Butler says this: 

I wish Rahm would move to Englewood, so he could get a reality check and see firsthand how the city's resources are truly allocated to the point that they become scarce on the South Side once you travel past 35th Street.......We are definitely in the "colored" folks zone being in Englewood and I dare the mayor to live here for a day.

No word yet from "the media" or "the mayor" about Mrs. Butler's views. 

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Should The National Media Cover Rekia Boyd?

For weeks, the Trayvon Martin case has been a top story for major news network programs. MSNBC, BET, and CNN have aired specials dedicated to the case. [Headline News host Nancy Grace saw a ratings bump from covering the teenager's death.] Additionally, there have been rallies held and a "one million hoodie" movement promoted to increase awareness about the case. But there is another tragic incident which has drawn outrage with activists in Chicago: the shooting death of 22 year-old Rekia Boyd. It has left some wondering if her case will get the same coverage that Martin has received.

Rekia Boyd

On March 21, Boyd was hit in the head by shots fired from an off-duty Chicago police officer; she died from her injuries 36 hours later. 

Since then, police officials have acknowledged that Boyd was not the intended target and was unarmed. The woman's family and friends have aligned with civil rights leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson to stir up support for a federal investigation into her death. Yet, it leaves open the idea that the same national news coverage which propelled the Trayvon Martin case to a more visible platform could benefit Boyd as well. 

Former television reporter Amani Channel believes that such a task will be difficult unless the national assignment editors see something unique. While working in the industry, he covered stories for CNN, HLN, and Fox News in addition to working for the Fox affiliate in Tampa. Thus, he knows firsthand how news stories get selected or rejected.

 "You have to remember that the even the Trayvon Martin case was largely ignored at first," the 37 year-old journalism instructor said. "As more people raise attention to an issue, there is a greater chance that the [national media] will cover it."

But the young woman's killing has not been given much local attention. Only a few media outlets have been providing regular coverage about Rekia Boyd including The Chicago Defender, WLS-TV, and Huffington Post. In turn, the likelihood of this death investigation being presented to a national audience becomes slim to none. 

Still, family members and friends continue to protest and rally until they see progress with the investigation. 

Funeral services for Boyd will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, April 3) at St. Columbanus Catholic Church on 71st and Calumet in Chicago at 6 P.M.

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