National Affairs:Wheel and Come Again, Growth Council

"5 in 4"

In a generation eager for quick, digestible principles and messages, the condensation of the target of The Economic Growth Council - launched in May to great hubbub and excitement - is like a bon bon of policy objectives: Minimum 5% growth WITHIN the next 4 years.

The emphasis is critical. As incoming PSOJ President Paul Scott reminded recently at his first official address, low and negative growth are all that the country has known for much of the past 40 years Year after year of decreasing living standards for even the wealthiest Jamaicans, though they clearly have the resources to blunt that negative impact. The rest of us simply "tough it out" or do what so many Jamaicans have long been doing (since early Colonial times): run.

Growth Council head Michael Lee Chin, himself still among the world's wealthiest individuals, has the express desire of seeing that wealth reach a greater number of Jamaicans. to that end, he and the Council members reportedly met with numerous individual and collective stakeholders, from across the society, and thoroughly reviewed copious documents in the filing cabinets -and other hidden corners - of Government Ministers.

That brain-blasting, eye-splitting meeting and reading schedule is encapsulated in the first report of the EGC, emblazoned with the "5 in 4" motif for further good effect.

I did not do nearly as much reading as the Council did, but I did take time to read the report, from front to back, and then in reverse - twice.

having done so, I'm reasonably sure of one thing: :

Growth WILL NOT come from that report, even if the Government were minded to implement ALL the recommendations made therein.

Obviously, some of you may thinking this is a harsh assessment, so let me state the basis for my pessimism, despite the strong composition of this Council.

First, entertainment, the arts and culture gets ZERO direct mention in the EGC plan. there are some allusions, particularly with regard to developing tourism. but with Jamaica an acknowledged cultural superpower - in content and execution, at least, if not in dollar-earning terms, a field which the nation holds such a competitive advantage deserves to be broken out.

there's no way, with the diversification of media platforms to properly compute the full value of film, music, the performing arts, sports, gaming, literature and antiquities, but based on available information, an extrapolation of US$100 billion would not be far-fetched.   Proper legislative and encouragement measures that yielded a 1% share of this revenue would pump US$1 billion into the economy, drive job creation, and contribute toward stability at both the macro and micro ends - reducing domestic and internecine strife and the resultant crime in the process.

Similarly, the Growth Council document has not a whiff on another significant growth engine for Jamaica: marijuana

Notwithstanding the cries of the Rastafarian community and others for legalizing recreational use (the Dangerous Drugs Act Amendment of 2015 allows for a small personal use allotment and "frees up" sacramental use in relation to Rastas), there is a massive opportunity that may yet go up in smoke if the authorities fail to put the pedal to the proverbial metal and institute full legalization.

In the US, which cruelly sought to dictate Marijuana eradication among its trading partners in the Hemisphere (Jamaica included) and still classifies cannabis as a Dangerous Drug at the Federal level, the "green train" is approaching bullet speeds.

 Colorado, Washington state, Alaska and Oregon all have full legalization. Another 20 states, including California, have legalized medical marijuana. Five more states will vote to legalize recreational marijuana this November, while medical marijuana is up for consideration in four more states. Should ballot initiatives pass in select key states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, and Florida), those markets will account for $2.7 billion in additional marijuana sales in 2018, according to industry tracker Arcview and its big-data partner New Frontier.

Further, legal marijuana sales have tripled, to US 4.5 billion in 2015, with state Governments receiving additional windfalls of up to US$10 billion (in Colorado).

Obviously, there's no guarantee that full legalization will bring the same level of financial benefits to Jamaica, but similarly, there's nothing at the moment to suggest that it wouldn't. The prospect of legalization opens up the potential of so much new employment - from weed-centred tourism to scientific testing - and myriad health benefits (more are being clinically realized as usage widens) that marijuana already represents one of the greatest potential missed opportunities  in our modern history. 

Which, in a way, is exactly what this first presentation from the Growth Council is: a well-intentioned, passionate missed opportunity; a summary of missed opportunities past and a call - laudable - on the administration to act to forestall future missed opportunities.

As I write this, Hurricane Matthew is fast approaching. Whatever tack it finally takes, there will be adverse impacts for the country as well as new opportunity. Let's hope that damage will be minimal, and that our preparedness and response systems are up to the task.

thereafter, I urge the Council, soonest, to regroup and revise the document; in the dancehall parlance, to wheel and come again, better informed and more prepared to advocate for those activities that Jamaica can truly gain from.

The succeeding generations deserve nothing less

Business: Joe's Holdings, Bogdanovich partners with Evan Williams to build Renfrew in New Kingston

Entertainment mogul Joe Bogdanovich may not speak much, but when he does, he certainly gets attention.

And so it was yesterday evening that the DownSound Records founder-CEO, who's recently added Usain Bolt's Tracks and Records and the Reggae Sumfest brand to his growing portfolio, pulled Government ministers, business interests and the merely curious to his latest foray,

poised to rise on one of the last undeveloped tracts of land in New Kingston   (it formerly housed the street art collective Trafalgar Artists), the Renfrew (see model photo) is being pitched as Kingston's first true Extended stay hotel.

Bogdnaovich and the equally reticent Evan Williams, design chief and project partner took guests, including Tourist Board Director Paul Pennicooke and commercial security trail blazer Kenny Benjamin, as well as Ministers Vaz, Shaw and Chuck through the nuts and bolts of the development.

Expected completion date of October 2017 puts the Renfrew right a the crest of the winter tourist season, although their clientele won't in the main be recreational.

Brands: Its Another "Dream Weekend" for Ting

Kingston, Jamaica – June 10, 2016 – Ting Jamaica, the authentic Caribbean soft drink distributed by Pepsi Cola, has confirmed its eighth successive ‘gold sponsorship’ of highly anticipated five-day party series, Dream Weekend.

The deal sees Ting being one of the exclusive non-alcoholic beverages offered by Pepsi Cola to the approximated 30,000 local and international patrons expected to attend the week-long getaway from July 28 to August 1 on the shores of Negril.

Mitchell Watson, Pepsi Jamaica Marketing Manager welcomed the renewal of the partnership and highlighted its intrinsic value.

“Ting has partnered with Dream Entertainment on this sponsorship from inception in 2009 and we are excited to be on board again. Both entities have successfully cemented their footprints as authentic Jamaican brands that people both locally and in the diaspora love,” he said.

Scott Dunn, Dream Entertainment Managing Director shared similar sentiments on the partnership.

“Ting is one of Dream Weekend’s best partners. Ting is famed locally and abroad for being an unrivalled chaser to mix with a wide range of spirits and adding a refreshing new dimension to cocktails,” he said. “Dream Weekend is keen on offering a true Jamaican experience to all our patrons therefore is it befitting that we have a true Jamaican product on board.”

Pepsi Cola has exclusive non-alcohol beverage rights to the event and will complement Ting with Pepsi, other carbonated beverages D&G, 7Up and Mountain Dew;Ocean Spray Flavour Splash, Crystal Punch Purified Water and energy drink, Red Bull.

About Pepsi Cola

Pepsi-Cola Jamaica opened its doors on December 6, 1999 after Pepsi Americas (PAS), the 2nd largest Pepsi bottler in the world with operations in the USA, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean, acquired the ownership of the soft drink business from Desnoes& Geddes Ltd. This acquisition included Brand Pepsi, the range of D&G Flavours, Old Jamaican Ginger Beer and the internationally renowned, Ting. Pepsi-Cola Jamaica is now managed by the Central American Bottling Corporation, (CABCORP) the Pepsi Bottler for Central America. Over the last ten years, Pepsi Jamaica has been quite aggressive and currently distributes Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Gatorade, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Aqua Essential, Aquafina, D&G Flavours, Ginger Beer, Ting, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Evervess Tonic, Evervess Club Soda, Evervess Ginger Ale, Toma, Angostura Lemon Lime & Bitters

Brands: LASCO Dials up Huawei

Just in time for the "gifting" season, of course, consumer products and rising financial services giant LASCO Financial has linked into mobile phone/devises maker Huawei to offer the full line of Huawei phones and devices to Jamaicans, with t terms available for those who wish to tighten up on their cash.

The latest models were placed in the capabable hands (the legs, torsos and hips were fine too, just saying) of errrr.....the latest models, for the guests to view, but were also available for closer inspection and light demo to the back of the room.

At the Liguanea Club last week,  the principals of both firms stepped up to speak of the wonders of the new partnership and to encourage patrons to avail themselves of the newest shiny things. There was live entertainment from singer Mario Evon, accompanied by Djenne Greaves on keys, and, once the spirits had soaked in, some serious throwback 90s dancehall, to keep feet happy.

Live Music: On a Night of Stars, Virgo rose highest

over the course of its long run,

the efficacy of the Rising Stars show as a vehicle for creating, well..... stars, has at times come under question. For every Christopher Martin and Brown Shuga (well, jury's still out there), there are myriad cold trails and broken dreams.

Despite all this, Romain Virgo made a very powerful argument in favour of the competition on Saturday night last, as he headlined  the latest in the exemplary Keesing Live series produced and presented by Alternative Music at their self-named Keesing Avenue venue.

In truth Virgo and his ace band, The Unit, showed the fruits of an extensive European swing in a sparkling set that encompassed the bulk of his growing catalog along a few worthy covers. The sprightly singer also took time to invite a few friends to shine with him, notably DJ Busy Signal and Agent Sasco(Assassin), and also related to his audience with heart-felt statements of gratitude.

With show producer Sharon Schroeter and here crew in attendance, the Rising Stars theme was was in full effect and the first spark came from former finalist Sharona Jonas, who moved energetically through a welcome range of selections, doing almost everything but her now famous split move. In truth, it was hardly missed as Jonas held her own vocally (in a manner slightly reminiscent of the late Nell Carter) and served notice that she will be a force to reckon with on the live scene especially down the road. Another "rising" outfit, the Conscious Rebelz, backed Jonas through her set.

Also appearing, to great effect, was former Red Stripe Big Break winner, Prophecy who, along with his own crack band put on an engaging set of newer material (he has an EP currently making the rounds) and his standbys such as "Break Loose" as well as some choice reggae classics.

 The Rebelz would also be on the stand for for a more established star, singer George Nooks, not heard from on the local circuit for some time. Emcee Tommy Cowan brought the reggae veteran on stage to a crescendo of cheers and whistles and he worked the venue - by then almost packed to capacity - with consummate ease.

The competition may well be decided by the time of this reading, but on the night the three remaining finalists, all ladies, gave pleasing accounts of themselves, the moreso for the fact that each used their own personality and attitude to overcome a momentary glitch with the accompanying tracks (in at least one case, longer than momentary). Of the Jody-Kay made the best impression on this writer, particularly with her reading of Aretha Franklin's pop smash "Freeway of Love".

At the start of the evening, 2013 Rising Stars alum, Kenny Smith, made like a James Taylor for Gen-X, strumming his guitar and gently yet volubly delivering his lines about "getting the Range Rover". The protoge of TOK's Craigy T, young Smith provides a welcome antidote to the "volume-addicted" batch of male singers/singjays out there, well capable of sustaining passion without shouting.

All in all, it was another feather in the collective cap of producers Booby Stewart and Charmaine Limonious; a show that starts on time, and steers clear of the dominant entertainment motifs: loudness. lewdness, lassiez-faire execution. In short, a venue that deserves to be filled to bursting every time.

Brands: New Hi-Lo Barbican has got it all

By night's end, the large and appreciative invite-only crowd had been given musical entertainment from the incomparable Gem Myers and saxophonist Kenroy Bonfield and more good eats and drinks than it could ever be possible to absorb at one go.

There was also business perspectives from Grace CEO Don Wehby, (who took time outto pose with Hi-Lo team members once the ribbon-cutting had passed, as wellas Finance chief Courtney Campbell and PSOJ Pres Dennis Chung, who reminded that a marker of development as a nation was the level of protection and care given to the children and the elderly.

Patrons (and would-be patrons) of the reopened Hi-Lo Barbican supermarket were indeed well taken care of and with a $1000 gift certificate on parting, there'll undoubtedly be occasion to renew acquaintance with the spacious aisles, well-stocked shelves and friendly staff. The Barbican retail scene, already hot, just went up a notch

localjoe.myorganogold,com

Economy: Katalyxt Conference has the "Juice", Judy and more

Business consultancy Katalyxt continued its public advocacy role initiated at the prior launch of its infokat.com service into a full-fledged, all-day business conference at Kingston's Knutsford Court hotel.

It was an eventful day that included  a "condensed" version of the Tru-Juice story, from present CEO Peter McConnell, and a creative industries panel featuring Sister Judy Mowatt, one of the I-Three backing corp, who are as legendary in their own right as the great Bob Marley whom they supported in his tours around the world and on wax.

Mowatt related the experience of losing the rights to the master of her landmark "Black Woman" album owing to the fac that she signed a prohibitive agreement at an early age in her career. The now gospel minister, who still very fondly remembers her time with the reggae legend,  closed the proceedings with a rousing rendition of "Ordinary Servant" and "Love is Not Blind"

The day also included repeated challenges to the finance industry and the emerging venture capital community to seriously take on board the needs and opportunities of the small business sector, and entertainment and agriculture businesses in particular.


localjoe.myorganogold.com

Film Biz: More wind, little action (yet) on proposed Goodyear film lot

As the following from the Observer indicates, there's still a lot of prelim surrounding the already much talked-about proposal to develop a film production lot on the former Goodyear Jamaica factory iin the eastern parish of St Thomas.

A lease is yet to be signed, for the property, on which sits the old tyre factory, shuttered now for some 18 years:

 "The project has been moving forward and the investors/project developers have recently concluded negotiations on the terms of a lease agreement with the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ)," Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, told the recently concluded sectoral debate.

"It is anticipated that the design phase of the project will be completed in the second quarter of the financial, allowing for the handover," Hylton continued.

David Mullings, chairman of the RealVibez Group, confirmed that his company has an interest in the project. He said he chose Jamaica because of its historical links with film-making and its central location in the Caribbean.

"It was an easy choice to have the facility here," he said.

Born in Kingston, Mullings started his first company at 20, while studying for his MBA at he University of Miami. That project was RealVibes.net later renamed Realvibez.tv, a leading online destination for reggae, dancehall and soca videos.

Mullings also heads Random Media, an integrated media and entertainment firm, which is focused on Caribbean entertainment and culture.

He said he is hoping to sign a long-term lease with the FCJ for the 23 acres of land on which the old Goodyear factory sits to construct the facility. The plant has been closed since 1997.

He said that it will have post-production and audio facilities, workspaces, live music venues, rehearsal spaces for theatre and space for movie sets.

localjoe.myorganogold.com

Music: Steph-eyi, the Up Rise

A Muliti-talented young lady, born in Kingston Jamaica, Stephanie Wright aka Steph-Eyi,

started writing and singing her own songs at the age of 13, trying to make it in the industry. Determined to do music despite the  odd’s, she joined the church choir and formed a girls trio at her High school by the name of ‘Earth Angels’. There Stephanie Harnessed her silks of writing and musical arrangement, constructing the harmonies of the songs for the Group. In 2009 the Group’s name was changed to ‘3 Angels’ dropping and adding a new member. 

The group was heard by Officer Laing, C.E.O at Supreme Promotions and promoter of one of Jamaica’s biggest Dancehall shows ‘Sting’, he then decided to take the group under his wings. Under the management of Officer Laing the group released several songs and performed at several major events including ‘Sting’.
Stephanie departed from the in 2010 and to pursue a career of her own doing Reggae music. The multitalented singer took a 1 year break from music to pursue her childhood passion for dance and drama.

In 2011 she started the Jamaica Theological Seminary doing a B.A in Music and Media, there she released two Gospel songs under The Covenant Entertainment company. She then transferred to the Excelsior Community Collage School of the Performing Arts.

It was there she caught the eye of Music Producer Andres Lopez with her silky smooth voice at the age of 20, during a Major play ‘Backslider’, where she played one of the lead characters, ‘Rose’. Stephanie also became a member of the 2013-2014 Pantomime cast.

Stephanie has been under the guidance of Lopez and his label ‘I-Pez Productions’, she released her first single ‘Dreaming’, which caught the attention of the European market. Steph-Eyi  has recently released her EP  and her new video ‘One step at a time’. She is currently working on her album to be released later this year.

The Church impacted Stephanie in a great way and has now led her to dive deeper on a spiritual journey conveying her message through reggae music, writing songs depicting the society, unity, peace, love and the socio-political system. Few of her major influences are Alborosie, Chronixx, Ikaya and Etana, Bob Marley, Protoje and Keznambi,. She is determined to send a message to the world through her lyrics. Stephanie is quickly making her way up in the Reggae industry all of the world, becoming a household name.

Entertainment: Carnival Waves into Negril through "Magic Wand"

inaugural Negril Carnival Gets underway April 14 - scenes from the launch at Jungle Negril, March 18

With the aim of "showcasing a Caribbean cultural artform with mass appeal within the natural environment" that is Negril, organizers  Magic Wand Syndicate will stage the first Negril Carnival in the western resort town between April 14 and 19.

At the media launch, held at popular nightclub The Jungle,  representing the promoters said the event was conceived as a "multi-stakeholder partnership to create a vehicle for promoting culture and tourism, to boost employment and to generate significant revenues for the manifold interest groups in the community."

Whilst promotions will be vigorous in the weeks preceding, there is a diverse week-long calendar of events leading up to the climactic Road March and After Fete on April 19. The week of activity will begin April 14 with the first Socarobics session, a two-hour dance/exercise event designed to help patrons get into the shape and vibe for the later festivities. featuring lead instructions by the renowned Oscar B, aided by personnel from Express Fitness, Socarobics will segue into a grand Lyme party. This event will be repeated on April 15th

April 16 will see the staging of "Ole Mas'" aimed at more mature revellers. Headliners will include Fab 5 Band, Mr "Soca Butterfly" himself, Admiral Bailey, Lovindeer, Oscar B and, from Trinidad, Lima Calbio. Andrew 'Renegades' Henry will provide recorded entertainment, while the Silver Birds and Hummingbirds bands will provide the obligatory pan music.

The revelry gets into high gear On April 17 and 18, with the introduction of Kolours  J'ouvert (April 17) and the H2o Water Party and Champagne Catamaran Cruise respectively. As stated, the Champagne party will be an upscale but no less vibrant Carnival experience, with Lima Calbio bringing the vibes that made for smash hits in Dubai and the Seychelles Islands, while the legendary Merritone and Renegades will provide recorded entertainment on board. The Water Party will be headlined by Bounty Killer, Busy Signal and Oscar B, with DJs Squeeze, Kurt Riley, and Jordon manning the consoles.

The revelry comes to a head early on the morning of April 19, with the giant Road March, in which Junkanoo dancers, stilt walkers, marching bands and more will join the revellers behind the trucks. leading on this grand parade will be  soca sensation Skinny Fabulous, as well as Lima Calbio and DJs Kurt Riley, Jordon Andrew Henry of Renegades and others.  The march will culminate in a Last jump across the stage at Waves beach and the Final Fete.

The event venue partners for Negril Carnival are The Jungle nightclub and Waves beach.

Music: Kemmy Be Good, Heard All Over

Its getting to the point where its hard to turn on (or punch in a radio station - terrestrial or online - without catching a track from Kemar White AKA “Kemmy Be Good” .

"Kemmy" who started recording music professionally in July 2013, has virtually been a one-man industry, releasing his own recordings on his Bling Facta label and spreading the word globally.

His debut track, a searing piece of social commentary titled "Country Unstable" picked up over 4000 views on You Tube within a few weeks and the artist has reports of airplay from many stations across the continental US. This initial success brought him to the attention of  “DJ Young Lion” from “Black World Sound” one o the top reggae/dancehall-oriented jocks in America, was Used to open THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE WITH UNCLE EARL Radio Show, aired on  www.ultimateunderground.com, and also earned a feature spot on “Yardhype.com” on August 5, 2013. The subsequent music video was in rotation on local channels Hype TV and Cvm Plus.

 The DJ followed that up with “Move Like A Gig” which received similar media attention to the first, landing on FAME-FM's popular "Full House Fridays" and on US stations such as KJAG Radio, the midwest America-based internet radio station with over a decade in the business.  

And things are looking up for “Kemmy Be Good” even beyond those markets. He has just recently had the song "mash up The Place" nominated for Dancehall Song of the Year in Uganda, and has in fact been enjoying good rotation throughout East Africa, including also Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Even further afield, his music has been picked up in New Zealnd, where heas also been the subject of radio interviews.

In addition, Kemmy has been blazing hs way through several live show stages, most recently being the popular Ghetto Splash event at the Waterhouse Mini-stadium. 

For his part, Kemmy states that his primary focus is "to put out relevant music that the people can move to even with the message in it" it is to this strategy that h attributes the media attention received to date, and what he expects to carry him forward in the music biz.

Current and upcoming projects include a riddim track, the "Nah Smile" riddim, and several production gigs and stage appearances.  

Mobay Calling: Diaspora Conference on for June

With an estimated 3m Jmaicans said to be living outside the island's 4.5 thousand square mile limit, the occasion of the 6th Biennial Diaspora conference, scheduled for June 13-18 in Montego Bay, is undoubtedly  a beacon for business and commercial types, and thud today's launch at the Jamaica Pegasus (in Kingston) drew a wide spectrum of business and social interests.

They got a recap of the previous conference (also held in the west), which generated investor interest in 17 projects, which one can expect will be followed up this time around.

Amid the "confabbing" there'll also be a golf tournament, an Expo dubbed Marketplace, and an entertainment showcase dubbed Marketplace Live.

See you in Mobay this June

Profiles in Music: Di Govanah

Desmond Ray Williams began his career as Di Govanah at age 15 when he stamped his class as a talented  lyricist by decimating his teacher in a DJ showdown on a concert at his school, Maldon High, St James. With his star potential now exposed, Di Govanah's fan base quickly started to grow and by age 17 he had already recorded two albums: "Combination" and "Musically Equipped".

From those relatively humble beginnings, Williams matured rapidly in the business, and has racked up an enviable list of performance credits, including Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Fever. On the recording front, his output includes such tracks as "Time Like This", "Jah Say Don't" and "Inna Trouble."

Having been thus seasoned, the artiste believes he is close to the top of his game creatively, and anticipates a busy period over the coming months , during which time he will appear on several local shows whilst he prepares for a European trip come this summer. To accompany him on that tour of the continent is Swiss band Gully Echo, with producer Aron Franchetti. 

Ahead of that though, Govanah remains very active in the studios and is set to release a new EP, entitled "(Jam) Session". Already his fans are eagerly anticipating his arrival and commonly regard him as the "Young Peter Tosh". Accompanying him on this tour is 

Assessing his career to date, and reflecting on the struggles he quietly and humbly endured, the artiste is filled with pride, optimism and a sense of mission. "This marks a very exhilarating time for me musically as I strive to achieve the heights. My goal is to be a  voice for Jah people bringing a positive message while maintaining my musical relevance". 

Fully confident in the abundance of his talent and blessed with talent and with an infectious personality to match, Di Govanah is now set to unleash his arsenal of conscious reggae/Dancehall music to the world and is tipped to become one of Jamaica's leading break-out artistes of 2015.

Look out for Di Govanah, he is definately one to watch.

Amazon Studios gets a "Woody"

Amazon orders a full season of Untitled Woody Allen Project, which will premiere exclusively on Prime Instant Video

Episodes will be written and directed by Allen

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2015-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)--Amazon Studios today announced it has signed the critically-acclaimed Director Woody Allen to write and direct his first television series ever. Untitled Woody Allen Project, a half-hour series, has received a full season order and episodes will be written and directed by Allen. Customers will be able to see the series exclusively on Prime Instant Video in the US, UK and Germany. Additional details, including casting information, will be made available in the future.

Woody Allen is a visionary creator who has made some of the greatest films of all-time, and it's an honor to be working with him on his first television series," said Roy Price, Vice President of Amazon Studios. "From Annie Hall to Blue Jasmine, Woody has been at the creative forefront of American cinema and we couldn't be more excited to premiere his first TV series exclusively on Prime Instant Video next year."

Woody Allen added, "I don't know how I got into this. I have no ideas and I'm not sure where to begin. My guess is that Roy Pricewill regret this."

Allen is represented by ICM Partners.

About Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios most recently debuted its dramatic comedy Mozart in the Jungle from Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Weitz, John Strauss and Alex Timbers, as well as Jill Soloway's multi-Golden Globe Award-winning dark comedy Transparent; its first live-action series for kids 6-11, Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street; and a second season of the Garry Trudeau political comedy Alpha House. The studio has also launched three additional children's series, the Annecy International Animated Film Festival Award-winning and Annie Award-nominated Tumble Leaf from Bix Pix Entertainment; Creative Galaxy from Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue Enterprises, the creators of Blue's Clues; and Annedroids, from Emmy nominated Sinking Ship Entertainment.

Amazon Studios has also announced five additional, original series to debut in 2015 including Michael Connelly's Bosch; Hand of God from Marc Forster and Ben Watkins; Red Oaks from Steven Soderbergh, David Gordon Green, Greg Jacobs and Joe Gangemi; and kids series Wishenpoof! from Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue Enterprises; as well as a second season of Transparent.

Amazon Studios launched in 2010 as a new way to develop feature films and episodic series--one that's open to great ideas from creators and audiences around the world. Anyone can upload a script online and Amazon Studios will read and review all submissions. Those who choose to make their projects public can also receive feedback from the Amazon Studios community.

Comprehensive cast and crew information, including bios and filmographies, is available on Amazon's IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.

Will UMC be the "New Black" [Netflix]?

Robert L Johnson, founder of BET and RLJ Entertainment, has been planning his entry into digital technology since his days at BET.

In an interview last week, Johnson explained that it had long been his vision to provide African American audiences in particular with targeted programming and entertainment. It was the formation of the cable industry in the 70s and 80s, which not only ushered in a new way we received content (through satellite and cable), but helped to loosen the monopoly both the studios and networks had on its content distribution. This transformation also paved the way for BET to serve a niche audience (I.e Black people) that both the networks and studio ignored or didn’t even believe existed.

Johnson said that this shift is happening again. “And so because I had the knowledge and experience of seeing what happened when cable satellite came about, I recognize that digital was going to transform the media landscape in much of the same way,” he said.

And just like BET, Johnson is hoping his latest venture, the Urban Movie Channel, will again be at the forefront of this new technological transformation of how we receive cultural-centered content. The UMC, which is available at www.urbanmoviechannel.com, is digital subscription video-on-demand (VOD) channel that caters to a largely urban and African American audience.

“You can call it the targeted version of Netflix and I think that is a fair analysis but beyond that, there is both a cultural model and a business model to consider,” he said.

As the name suggests UMC has feature length films including sentimental dramas like All Things Fall Apart and blaxploitation classic like Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. But there are also live concert music and comedy films like Kevin Hart’s I’m A Grown Little Man, and Welcome To Death Row. And there are also documentaries like Dark Girls and stage play productions like David E. Talbert presents: What Goes Around Comes Around.

Currently, the Urban Movie Channel is up and operational, and as Johnson touts, it can be seen from Newark to Nigeria. In an effort to attract audience, the VOD site is offering free service with membership subscription through February 2015. After that, the plans will start at $4.99 a month, which Johnson notes is significantly lower than what many people pay for subscription to HBO or Showtime on their cable packages.

He also notes that is a solid price for content that Black households have longed pined for. “Basically, this is universal distribution without any gatekeeping,” he said.

In addition to providing on-demand and live streaming market for Black and urban audiences, which rivals the like Netflix or Hulu or Amazon Prime, Johnson said that the UMC provides a great opportunity for Black and urban content creators to not only have access to a platform but tell stories without limitations.

As Johnson points out: Hollywood makes the decisions of the kinds of films that get made and cable channels make decisions about the kind of channels it wants to distribute. Likewise, advertisers, who hold the most control in the current content creation distribution structure, only advertise on programs with compatible values with its brand.

“Using digital platforms or digital media, is a direct way to do it without having to go through lots of gatekeepers, who would either control your access to the consumers, or your audience, or in some way censor or filter it in a way that may not be consistent information you want to give to your consumer,” said Johnson.

The Urban Movie Channel is not RLJ Entertainment’s first foray into digital content distribution. Two years ago, Johnson purchased two companies: Image Entertainment and Acorn Media Group to formed RLJ Entertainment. Through the acquisition, RLJ Entertainment became the holder of licenses to over 160 urban or African American oriented movie titles.

Last year, RLJ Entertainment announced the creation of two other VOD digital channels: OnCueNetwork, which also showed movies, documentaries and other programming targeted to African American and Acorn TV, which exclusively shows British dramas and mysteries.

After a successful test run and partnership with YouTube, OnCue is being phased out to make way for UMC, which will be hosted on its own digital platform. However Acorn TV will still operate separately. Unlike Netflix, which still offers DVD rentals, UMC will be strictly be video-on-demand. However Johnson said that he is looking to distribute some of UMC’s content on both DVD and Blu-Ray to other distribution networks like Red Box, Target and Wal-Mart.

Yogi Bear and more, from Facebook

Warner Bros. has recently started delivering movies through Facebook at a price of $3 per title, starting out with Cristopher Nolan’s Dark Knight.

Now, the company made available five additional titles: Inception, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Yogi Bear and Life as We Know It.

These new titles are available through each film’s official Facebook Page. To rent a movie, users need to click on the “watch now” icon, pay with their Facebook Credits, and they will get a 48-hour window to watch the movie through their Facebook account.

There’s no official word on any upcoming titles, but we’re sure that Warner will be adding this functionality to the movies in its catalog which have a significant Facebook following. Again, all of this is available only to consumers in the U.S.