WRITE MAKES MIGHT seminar now on DVD

From the PR desk of Fletcher Rhoden.com:

DATELINE, LOS ANGELES: The essential writing seminar from the acclaimed author, playwright and director covers the mythic 3-act structure, scene and sequel structure and more, using modern classic films like THE GODFATHER as examples. Shot live in Hollywood, CA in 2008. Includes the entire 2009 appearance on AUTHORS! AUTHORS! featuring Raf Mauro (LAST TANGO WITH MARLON). Available for the first time ever on DVD. "I had a good time with this seminar, and I think it can be of great value to a lot of writers on every level," Rhoden said. In point of fact, the dvd has been available for a few weeks, but Rhoden is only now promoting the release online, and this after a spat of high-profile releases. "I've just been so busy with the video editing and the medical writing," Rhoden said of his increasingly frequent freelance work. "And this being one of the last dvd releases of the series, I guess it got put off. It's not for a lack of confidence in the dvd, of course." The DVD also includes Rhoden's 30-minute appearance on 2hip4tv's AUTHORS! AUTHORS! an interview program hosted by Raf Mauro, who played Wally Cox in Rhoden's acclaimed stage play LAST TANGO WITH MARLON (now on DVD). Rhoden and Mauro discuss the play and novella about the friendship of Cox and acting legend Marlon Brando, in addition to Rhoden's other projects.
https://www.createspace.com/266817

The next (and perhaps last) DVD release expected from Fletcher Rhoden.com is a live DVD of Eva James Band, featuring Rhoden on lead guitar, backing vocals and featuring several performances of the Rhoden/James pop tune I LOVE YOU, NOW CHANGE. "I was very happy with the work I did with Eva, and that DVD will make our best work available to her many fans." The DVD will feature the video JUDGMENT DAY, featuring Robbie Rist (who produced the recording.) The dvd will the the third musical dvd from Rhoden, whose other dvds are more literary and dramatic in nature.

Rhoden has a slew of other projects, both new and from his canon, that will be released this year. In addition, he hopes to resume live performances on a regular basis this year as well. For more information, check in often with the home site:
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/index.htm

Two more DVDs at Fletcher Rhoden.com!

From the desk of Fletcher Rhoden.com:
As promised, two more DVDs have been released by Fletcher Rhoden.com through CreateSpace and Amazon.com. FLETCHER RHODEN LIVE! features over 90 minutes of live and televised performances featuring Robbie Rist and Eva James. Great Christian pop and some fun secular tunes too. Acoustic and full band performances compliment a full-length interview. SOUL CANCR is an hour-long stage play in one act starring Robbie Rist (THE BRADY BUNCH, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES) as a tormented man searching for the details of a failed romance. Michael Dunn (EXPECTING LOVE), Christy McBrayer (SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKIE), April McKay (BALLOONZEE) and Quinton Flynn (THE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN ECSTATIC DANCE ACADEMY) also star. This powerful drama did well at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival and the play was performed live (in excerpt) at New York's Madison Square Gardens. New commentary by star Rist, plus animated shorts and more make it an excellent gift or addition to any DVD collection. A favorite of writer/director and website namesake Fletcher Rhoden, who calls it, "A piece that is close to my heart, in many ways closer than all the others." It is a worthy companion to the FR.Com flagship release, LAST TANGO WITH MARLON, a stage play about Marlon Brando and Wally Cox, written and directed by Rhoden last year and released this year on DVD. The next DVD is WRITE MAKES MIGHT: STRONGER STRUCTURE IN STORYTELLING, in which the acclaimed author and playwright breaks down the famous 3-act story structure and more, using modern film classics as examples. Rhoden's 30-minute interview on Authors! Authors! rounds out the DVD, due next week. Other DVDs from Fletcher Rhoden and Fletcher Rhoden.com are now available:
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/store.htm

ST. LOUIS BLUES dvd now available!

DATELINE, LOS ANGELES: The classy music video is coupled with behind-the-scenes footage, over an hour of live performances and more. Featuring Fletcher Rhoden (Last Tango With Marlon) Robbie Rist (Soul Cancer) and more! Over 90 minutes! Featuring R&B singer Kina!
https://www.createspace.com/266091
This is a special release, folks. As part of the Fletcher Rhoden.com dvd roll-out, this is the first official music release (FLETCHER RHODEN LIVE! was held over for a chronological release pattern). Basically, these two dvds are the Fletcher Rhoden career overview, musically speaking (an EVA JAMES BAND LIVE dvd will round things out later this season). ST. LOUIS BLUES not only includes a fresh print of the classy video and fun behind-the-scenes stuff (fans of Robbie Rist must have this dvd) there is over an hour of vintage live performances by my '90's jazz/rock band Dance Hall Racket (featuring Rist) and also some Avenue Out performances, my pre-DHR pop/punk club band featuring future PROMISE KEEPERS drummer Rich Johnson. Good stuff all around.
One interesting thing about this dvd is that it captures several of my major collaborations: long-time partner-in-crime Robbie Rist, also Mighty One Productions mainstay April McKay, who appears in the video as the flirtatious waitress. And the whole video was directed by Patrick Francis, a lifelong friend who has worked with me on several things, including THE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN ECSTATIC DANCE ACADEMY, he did the camera work for SOUL CANCER and others. Great guy, very talented. Then there's Rich, a wonderful friend and awesome drummer. We'd played for years before these Avenue Out sessions, although he isn't the only drummer, as Jose Murillo rounds out the set as a fill-in player (he also did some time on some of the DHR performances.)
The other big collaboration that appears in the ST. LOUIS BLUES DVD (it must be addressed) is with DHR rhythm guitarist Jeff Greene (then called Jet). He was my first true collaborator of any sort, and since I've had many in music, literature and so on. ST. LOUIS BLUES is the last thing we did together (the video was really our last thing, the dvd is just recently compiled and released), and it's basically the best of our many years working together. Good to have gone out on a high note. (One point: the Avenue Out performances on this DVD, from 1988, are as far back as the new dvd releases are likely to go. Before that it's all school plays and baby pictures anyway.)
And of course, THE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN ECSTATIC DANCE ACADEMY represents a lesser collaboration I had with the producer of that short. This was another working and social relationship that I brought to a close.
Now, as I enter a new and very exciting phase in my writing career with a new and extremely talented and trustworthy collaborator, it makes me consider what elements make a great partner and which make a bad partner. Certainly, it's a matter of chemistry, but that's only enough to get a partnership started. After that, it's a matter of respect -- earning it, having it and showing it. It's also a matter of carrying one's own weight and evolving creatively and socially and, more importantly, not devolving in those same areas. Do I speak of my collaborators or myself, or both? I'll let you decide.
But for a look at some of my most significant collaborations, check out ST. LOUIS BLUES and enjoy what must be considered, in retrospect, a very productive and accomplished time in my creative life. Next week, FLETCHER RHODEN LIVE presents the next chapter in my musical evolution -- or is it devolution?
Or both?
Stay tuned.
FR

New online article

Greetings, friends and fans:
I'm taking a moment or two from my dvd rollout to circulate this online article I wrote about the new netiquette and current marketing ethics. What is spam and what isn't? It's a complicated issue that should reverberate with anybody who has ever or will ever buy or sell anything over the internet. I am posting it here on the blog for your convenience. Feel free to copy and paste it around, maybe stir up a little positive action.
And stay tuned to Fletcher Rhoden.com for more on our exciting dvds and other releases!
Fletcher Rhoden

Moon Over My Spammy
An online article by Fletcher Rhoden 5/20/2009

Spam. Here’s how J.D. Falk describes it on spam.abuse.net:
“Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message, in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Most spam is commercial advertising, often for dubious products, get-rich-quick schemes, or quasi-legal services. Spam costs the sender very little to send -- most of the costs are paid for by the recipient or the carriers rather than by the sender.
There are two main types of spam, and they have different effects on Internet users. Cancelable Usenet spam is a single message sent to 20 or more Usenet newsgroups. (Through long experience, Usenet users have found that any message posted to so many newsgroups is often not relevant to most or all of them.) Usenet spam is aimed at ‘lurkers’, people who read newsgroups but rarely or never post and give their address away. Usenet spam robs users of the utility of the newsgroups by overwhelming them with a barrage of advertising or other irrelevant posts. Furthermore, Usenet spam subverts the ability of system administrators and owners to manage the topics they accept on their systems.
Email spam targets individual users with direct mail messages. Email spam lists are often created by scanning Usenet postings, stealing Internet mailing lists, or searching the Web for addresses. Email spams typically cost users money out-of-pocket to receive. Many people - anyone with measured phone service - read or receive their mail while the meter is running, so to speak. Spam costs them additional money. On top of that, it costs money for ISPs and online services to transmit spam, and these costs are transmitted directly to subscribers.
One particularly nasty variant of email spam is sending spam to mailing lists (public or private email discussion forums.) Because many mailing lists limit activity to their subscribers, spammers will use automated tools to subscribe to as many mailing lists as possible, so that they can grab the lists of addresses, or use the mailing list as a direct target for their attacks.”
So this is what spam is. But how about what spam ISN’T?
I am a writer and producer with a stream of new releases through Createspace. I have ebooks and video files available for download, all on my site, which has been rebranded as a digital media superstore (Fletcher Rhoden.com) Like many others, I am promoting my products, which include dvds of acclaimed plays LAST TANGO WITH MARLON (https://www.createspace.com/259516) and SOUL CANCER, among others. Where better to market my digital media than the internet? There are lots of like-minded people out there surfing the web who would want to know about my acclaimed works and live performances (maybe even you, dear reader.) And while other types of advertising are becoming less effective and more expensive, the internet provides near-limitless choices and venues and ways to reach people. This is the very heart of the internet, giving voice to the individual, circumventing the gatekeepers and allowing a true democratization of our world society; one person, one voice, one vote. No longer do the rich and powerful record companies, film studios and publishing houses get to decide what’s available for sale, which authors get to share their vision with the world. Now we can all have our say! So, when I recently published THE REBELS OF OZ (http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/therebelsofoz.htm), my digital download graphic novel, I alerted a variety of sites and many of them posted information about the book. So far, so good, no spam to worry about.
Then I went to the user groups. For those who don’t know, these are groups (most are on Yahoo! and Google, though AOL and MSN host quite a few as well) founded by fans of one thing or another and featuring related media and chatting about that thing. There are forums that offer basically the same interactive, message- and file-sharing functions. There are plenty of Wizard of Oz user groups and forums out there, as there are for all kinds of subjects of interest. (And I use this as a hypothetical example, as I relate nothing specifically about any of the Wizard of Oz groups. I’ve posted at Marlon Brando groups, homeschooling groups and others, depending on which product I was marketing.) But after posting a notice about a given product (and my work is widely acclaimed) and where to find it, I was often hit with a request not to, “spam the group.” Often my message was never allowed to be posted.
This is where I get confused.
It’s true, my messages were basically commercial in nature, whether marketing an Oz book to Oz fans or my novella THE TRIAL OF DAVY CROCKETT (http://www.trafford.com/01-0132) to students of American or Latin/American history. But look at the definition of spam again. I never posted any of these messages 20 times (not more than once per group.) I’m sure the group moderators didn’t search all groups to count other postings, as they never numbered even close to 20. Also, my messages were always related to the interests of the group, so it wasn’t like I was sending penis enlargement ads to groups concerned with freeing Tibet. Relevance is key.
Falk says the cost of such advertising is covered by the recipient, and this makes it wrong. But what cost? I have a Yahoo account and several groups and they’re all free. I pay for the internet service, but I’d be paying that anyway. If somebody goes to my new Rist and Rhoden Yahoo! group (http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ristandrhodengroup/) a place for the individual and joint projects of my friend Robbie Rist and I, and they post an ad for Brady Bunch costar Maureen McCormick’s book, that doesn’t cost me a single penny. So there’s really no harm financially, even in the worst-case spam scenarios. Falk says that some people pay for their internet by the minutes used, and so extra emails cost them money to open and read. But these emails have subject headings, and one glance at them will tell you if its something to invest your time and money in. If the subject appeals and you don’t like the email itself, it seems like a matter of getting what you pay for. If you don’t want to waste your time and money reading it, just delete it en mass with the others you don’t want. And this is just for user group and forum post-related emails. People who send automatically generated spam mail directly to users usually find their goods winding up in the mailbox SPAM box anyway, right? I don’t defend them, in fact I separate myself from them for the purposes of our new parameters. But in any case I haven’t set eyes on one of those for years, or even bothered to empty my SPAM box (it happens automatically.) And in any case that is not the nature of my posts or of posts like mine from other young producers and artists. These are not multilevel marketing schemes to defraud people, rather the faint echoes of an underdog artist’s noble struggle to reach an audience and live out the true meaning of the American dream.
Falk refers to reaching out to, “Lurkers” who read but don’t post. But what’s wrong with that? Maybe they’re bashful about sharing their information (who wouldn’t be?) but still want some good information about the group’s subject of focus? Why shouldn’t they find what they’re looking for?
Falk maybe right that spam makes it difficult for moderators to moderate, but they can allow or disallow comments on a case-by-case basis with relative ease by deleting the membership of the true spammers and letting the rest of us industrious types grab a little face-time.
People have insinuated that these posts interrupt the flow of conversation in the message sections of these groups and forums. But it’s not an interruption in the traditional sense because you don’t have to stop and read it, nobody is physically interrupting anything. Just reply to the message you’re replying to and ignore the ones in between. It’s just a headline on a newsletter, not a pop-up ad! Why is your conversation the only one worth occupying that section of the group?
Of course these uninvited posts do wind up in somebody’s mailbox often enough, but these members choose to have the emails from the group sent to them. They can arrange a daily digest and skip the articles not part of their conversation, if receiving uninvited emails is really a problem. I don’t see why that slight inconvenience has to prevent me from being able to share my work with a potentially interested public. They might even be interested in the work themselves if they’d take a look.
And what harm does even a slight interruption do? An isolated post every now and then about a relevant subject shouldn’t prevent anyone from enjoying their discussions in these groups or forums.
But some of these moderators of those groups disallowed my messages and labeled me a spammer, which may be their right, but they do so not in accordance with the above definition. I know these are privately moderated groups (I’ve founded about five myself), and I’m not suggesting people be forced to allow posts they don’t want. I’m just trying to help clarify this year’s netiquette so we can all enjoy (and yes, USE) the internet to greater effect. The internet is not serving us all the way it should. Instead of greater freedom of expression and more opportunity to reach out and share our lives with others, we have less freedom and more rules, different gatekeepers deciding who can say what to whom. Of course I’m not advocating yelling, “Fire!” in a crowded (internet) theater, or that any forum should be able to be abused by anyone for any reason. But I do think a person promoting animated children’s programing should be able to post their dvd url on a group dedicated to animated children’s programing, such as my new dvd BALLOONZEE (https://www.createspace.com/265047).
So how difficult is it for us all to agree on a parameter? Falk provides us with a good one above (if flawed in spots), one which allows for a person like to me post (within numerical and contextual guidelines) without infringing on the rights of others. If only we could all agree to these parameters, it would be a big step forward in self-governing this wonderful world wide web.
So let’s have a compromise: Group moderators, let the reigns up a bit, give a person a chance to spread his wings and promote their relevant products and services. What’s a plug or two gonna hurt? Promoters, keep it brief and relevant, don’t repeat the same post in any given group. Updates should be allowed if there’s truly new information, but let’s keep it reasonable. You true spammers out there, with your search engines and your email list thefts and your penis enlargement drugs and your get-rich-quick, multilevel marketing schemes, you should be paying for your advertising anyway. Stop ruining it for the rest of us.
###
Other online articles by Fletcher Rhoden can be found at this site and at www.fletcherrhoden.com/onlinearticles.htm

BALLOONZEE dvd now available online!

This week BALLOONZEE joins LAST TANGO WITH MARLON on the growing list of Fletcher Rhoden dvds available for purchase online from Amazon.com/Createspace.
In the wonderful world of BALLOONZEE, bright-eyed balloon animals sing, dance, tell jokes, learn to count, add, spell and much more. Created to California Content Standards, this 30-minute, all-digital animated dvd features educational shorts, a 13-minute series pilot and even a bonus short! Kids all over the world love balloon animals, and your whole family will love BALLOONZEE. Order now!
https://www.createspace.com/265047
Rather watch BALLOONZEE on your iPhone or similar device? Download the videos and picture ebook now!
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/balloonzee.htm
Also great for the kids, THAT'S RUDE, JUDE! the hilarious ebook for early readers that teaches kids what NOT to say! As funny for Mom and Dad as it is for the kids!
http:www.fletcherrhoden.com/thatsrudejude.htm
And for Mom and Dad there are other dvds, downloadable videos and ebooks (perfect for your Kindle 2) ready to buy through Google Checkout or PayPal -- take a look at our impressive catalogue!
It's always a safe and secure transaction with Fletcher Rhoden.com, and there's more fun stuff coming up, so stay tuned!
FR.c

LAST TANGO WITH MARLON on dvd from Amazon.com

Folks, the wait is over -- LAST TANGO WITH MARLON, the acclaimed stage play about the lives and legendary friendship of actors Marlon Brando and Wally Cox, is now on DVD and for sale from Amazon.com. The dvd was recently called, "A welcome dvd release...a theatrical dance to remember..." by LivelyArts.com, in addition to the critical raves heaped on the play itself during its premiere run ("...Exquisite... Intensely comedic... fast-moving and funny...). Just $18.00 and available for sale nowhere else on the net. The ideal gift for the Brando fan in your life.
https://www.createspace.com/259516

To celebrate, I'm also making three novels available for sale in e format:
SISTERELLA combines the revisionist fiction of WICKED with the modern light comedy of BRIDGET JONES' DIARY in a story of 3 sisters who find disharmony when a young rock star enters their lives. A contemporary Cinderella.

CARING FOR CAROLYN: Painful memories and an antagonistic sister challenge a young woman's attempts to care for her estranged stepmother, the only survivor of a plane crash that takes the life of the siblings' father and brother. From the author's own life experiences.

NEVER DIE TWICE: A young man must look after his deranged grandfather, who believes himself to be an international spy. Hilarious adventure.

These handy pdfs are affordable (just $7.99) and formatted for your Kindle or other portable device, with 12 point fonts and 1.5 line spacing for easy reading. Download them today and, as always, stay tuned for more.

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/novels.htm

Fletcher Rhoden.com Download review, DVD preview

Greetings, all!

That's right -- another fletcherrhodenblog! But lots of things are happening, and it was suggested to me that I recap all the downloads we've had and try to sum up what you can expect in the coming months.
As many of you know, and hopefully many more didn't up until now, Fletcher Rhoden.com has been rolling out all our digital video and other media for download, making Fletcher Rhoden a fully functioning download superstore... and more.
In addition to various publisher and distributor links for such popular products as my novellas (LAST TANGO WITH MARLON, THE TRIAL OF DAVY CROCKETT, Trafford) or the award-winning slasher STUMP THE BAND, you can now find PayPal and Google Checkout links to buy things from the site through trusted file sharing site Payloadz.com. These titles include:

THE REBELS OF OZ: A new, dark sequel to the original books finds an adult Dorothy Gale returning to Oz to overthrow the tyrannical regime of her former allies Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion. Already showing up all over the internet, this is an all-digital, full-color downloadable graphic novel for mature readers -- just released! $7.99!

WRITE MAKES MIGHT: STRONGER STRUCTURE IN STORYTELLING -- two mp4 video files cover this funny and frank 30-minute writing seminar covering the mythic 3-act structure, scene and sequel structure and more. One lunch break with your iPhone or iPod can save you hundreds of dollars and hours with various screenwriting books or classes. Just $5.99 per file!
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/writemakesmight.htm

THE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN ECSTATIC DANCE ACADEMY -- the internet legend comes to download in a new DIRECTOR'S CUT with new sound, new music. The only place on the net to find the new (or any) version of this acclaimed short. Just $2.99 for a 9-minute mp4!
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/tcweda.htm

BALLOONZEE -- Those bright-eyed balloon animals are back, singing and learning and floating over exotic places in a new picture ebook, "Let's Go Floatin'" and two downloadable 15-minute animated programs, "Quickies" and "Blue, No Clue". $5.99 each.
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/balloonzee.htm

THAT'S RUDE, JUDE! A laugh-out-loud ebook for early readers, "That's Rude, Jude!" teaches over-observant children what NOT to say! Gross enough to keep kids amused, with pictures parents are bound to find hilarious. $5.99
http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/thatsrudejude.htm

That represents our current download catalog, and while April has been all about the downloads, May will be all about the dvds from Amazon.com. For example:

LAST TANGO WITH MARLON -- the already-acclaimed dvd of the critic's darling play, based on the widely-praised novella about Marlon Brando and Wally Cox, due out this week. Just $18!

BALLOONZEE -- The line of Balloonzee products continues with this dvd, the second release in the Fletcher Rhoden.com DVD roll-out. Just $12.00!

SOUL CANCER -- the hard-hitting one-act that made LAST TANGO WITH MARLON possible, in a brand-new director's cut. Features new commentary by star Robbie Rist and stars international actor Michael Dunn. Unpriced

THE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN ECSTATIC DANCE ACADEMY -- the director's cut of this legendary short, with hilarious, unrated outtakes, never-before-released performances, new videos and commentaries, animated short subjects and more. Unpriced

FLETCHER RHODEN LIVE -- a decade of performances from the singer/songwriter behind CAN'T STOP TALKIN' LIKE CHRISTOHER WALKEN and others. Unpriced

Even more? Sure, the late summer should see dvds from the EVA JAMES BAND, DANCE HALL RACKET, possible special edition CD re-releases of NEW HEAVEN, JOY OF SONG and others, ebook novels from the vast store of unpublished work by Fletcher Rhoden and even more.

Original artwork by Fletcher Rhoden can now be purchased online through Emerging Painters.com and others. See the links on http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/paintings.htm

So check out http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/index if you just want to browse around this fascinating and far-reaching site. There's never a membership or subscription fee and always lots of free content. Kids stuff is clearly labelled (separate kids store!). Includes links to groups for various Fletcher Rhoden.com products and those of our friends and associates.

Even in these tough times, you can afford to splurge at Fletcher Rhoden.com!