thought provokes!...
I was honored this month to attend the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival #MiaScifi for Director/Producer Frank Mirbach of Mineworks Film to represent his Syfy/dark comedy film, Real Buddy. I had previously attended film festivals where Real Buddy the movie had been screened and Frank was screening the film at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival (CBFF) when the idea of Shadow of the Missing was originally developed. CBFF is one of my favorite film festivals, located in Llanelli South Wales. Unable to make it to Miami, and this being a very important festival (and in my back yard) I was happy to take Frank's place at this years festival. #MiaSciFi screened some of the best Syfy films all over the world, and there were so many talented filmmakers, actors and producers that flew in from all over the world to attend. NASA was one of the larger sponsors and there were several of panels, speakers and lectures not only from NASA but from various industry professionals. There were two very important lifetime achievements awards presented to William Grefe and Russell Bates. Both very interesting gentlemen who made HUGE contributions to film industry, Syfy in particular. Russell Bates is known for writing “How Sharper Than A Serpent’s Tooth,” which was produced and went on to win Star Trek its only major Emmy Award, among many other great contributions. William Grefe, a Miami native is known for for producing original cult classics and the second production unit for the 007 thriller “Live and Let Die.” Real Buddy had a great screening time, was well attended and very well recieved. The audience loved the film and seem to laugh in just the right spots! I held the Q&A that followed and was a little nervous about answering questions about Frank's film, although I am very familiar with all aspects of Real Buddy and was instructed quite well before the festival! The audience asked many interesting questions, some expected and some unexpected. I found it interesting that one of the audience members recognized the work of the film's VFX supervisor, Tobias Richter. Small world, even for a film coming from Germany! If you haven't attended the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival, I highly recommend it when it returns in 2018. Check out Real Buddy the film, currently doing well in Festivals all over the world, taking home First Runner-up Sci-Fi Feature in this years Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival. Congratulations Frank for your achievement with Real Buddy. It's a Real Winner! www.miscifi.com and for Real Buddy the movie www.real-buddy.com
0 Comments
I have been getting so many questions about what is happening in the film industry, where is the industry going and where things are being filmed.
That is a super loaded question! The industry is changing dramatically in attempt to keep up with technology. It has been a tough year for Hollywood, many box office bombs and a small handful of bock-busters! That being said, let's chat about where everything is being filmed in the US and why. Georgia's is the next Hollywood peach! By January 2017, Pinewood Studios Georgia will be the LARGEST studios outside of LA and Georgia has a great tax credit program. Beyond expanding the actual studios, they are building an entire city (community) around them. Atlanta is currently tied with Louisiana for the No. 3 filming location in the world. A recent study has put Georgia as the third largest film industry in the world only behind the United Kingdom. And with the recent BREXIT issues, expect Georgia’s film industry to only grow and "possibly" become the number #1 filmmaking location in the world. (many articles about this, some differ who will be #1 but all name Georgia in the top 3!) I personally think Hollywood will always be Hollywood and China will take over the market, especially now that China is offering credit incentives as high as 40% for co-productions... but that's yet another story! As far as tax credits go: Hollywood also goes where its cheap and easy to film. Movie production incentives (Tax credits) are offered on a state-by-state basis throughout the United States to encourage in-state film production. These incentives came about in the 1990s because movie productions were fleeing to other countries such as Canada. I believe there are currently 26 states which currently have tax incentives for TV/FILM. (varies 26-30 depending on the year.) That being said Louisiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all have amazing tax credits. Puerto Rico also has a great tax incentive program but can be tricky to retrieve! GEORGIA TAX CREDIT: (This is the boring bit, don't read unless you are curious! Otherwise skip to the end!) 20% transferable tax credit + 10% if production includes Georgia promotional logo in credits, or other negotiated placements. $500,000 minimum spend through single or multi-projects in single year. Compensation included for non-residents, $500,000 cap; however, PSC, loan out or 1099 contractor not subject to cap. Nonrefundable, transferable once in tranches of at least $100,000 to multiple taxpayers. Heightened scrutiny with regard to the use of “pass-throughs,” a GA vendor must have a physical operation and employees and must be engaged in procurement activities related to production expenditure. Travel agencies and insurance companies no longer have to be headquartered in GA, but must be Georgia businesses. No required certification process, exposing buyers to potential recapture of credits once transferred. As a consequence, the market price for credits sold by independent producers (who are generally unable to provide a strong financial indemnification to buyers) has been significantly diminished relative to the market price of tax credits offered by studios or networks. However, the state now offers a “verification review” at a cost of $55/hr per state auditor (no final hard cost estimate, requires deposit based on budget). The results of the review are effectively non-appealable, but does insulate purchasers of verified credits from recapture. However, the reviews currently have a 6+ month backlog. Payments to loan-outs (artistic or “core” production activities) subject to registration and 6% withholding payment to state. Withholding payment can be made by production company or payroll company. Post production expenditures in GA may qualify only if processing footage shot in GA. FYI: Transferable credits allow production companies that generate tax credits greater than their tax liability to sell those credits to other taxpayers, who then use them to reduce or eliminate their own tax liability. Refundable credits are such that the state will pay the production company the balance in excess of the company's owed state tax. You can sell your tax credit through a broker or online. TOLD YOU THAT WOULD BE BORING!!!! Georgia has a 5 star rating with tax incentives, combine that with Pinewood studios 361,000 square feet of sound stages, 175,000 square feet of office space, 185,000 square feet of workshop space and 267,500 square feet of vendor warehouses, for a total of 989,100 square feet by January and that's where its at baby! You get the idea! So what's being filmed in Georgia now you ask? There are currently 41 TV shows and Movies being filmed in Georgia this month (October) Too many to post, here are a few! Finding Steve McQueen, Jumanji (also being filmed in Hawaii) Married to Medicine, 24, MacGyver, Avengers: Infinity Wars (Mary Lou Part 1 & 2), Spider-Man, The Leisure Seeker, The Originals, The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries, Underground, The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks, Superstition: Final Chance (The creator of the Final Destination series is launching a new film franchise called Superstition.) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, Burden, 38. Also, the last three Marvel movies were filmed in Atlanta with another three movies coming soon. (That is all I can think of off the top of my head) You get the idea! Georgia's hot, and if you are an actor hungry for work, you should get an agent with a Georgia/Louisiana connection because there are casting calls everyday for major motion picture and TV series!
A few weeks ago the Bleeding Critic asked me to share my Horror Memory. Gosh, there are so many (mostly real life) but he was particularly interested in horror films. Kinda hard for me to do since we have worked on so many scary movies and I think of them as "cookie cutter films." I decided to share my first horror film, which I wasn't suppose to watch when I was a child, and gave me nightmare for years... and ya ya, its a cheesy one! I also shared "the fall" on our recent film Shadow of the Missing and my new creepy online friend who likes to send me scary pictures before bed time!
In case you haven't heard of this creepy clown, he is known in the digital world as Bleeding Critic. He reviews horror films, creates short creepy stories/interviews and basically all things horror! *Screams* No one actually knows his real identity. He is always seen online and in videos wearing this very creepy clown mask (see below.) He has the creepiest voice I have ever heard with a bit of a sexy accent (in that very creepy way!) Check him out www.bleedingcritic.com on twitter @BleedingCritic or FaceBook Bleeding Critic. Watch me telling Bleeding Critic what keeps me awake at night... what's gotten in my head and ruined me for life! The Controversial boycott over the Academy awards. THIS IS MY OPINION!
Trending this week via social media and on every major news networks is the boycott over the "lack of Diversity of Academy Awards Nominees." Last week, for the second consecutive year, the Oscars nominated 20 white actors as the best performances of the year. I'm sorry, but everyone in Hollywood knows it has always been the good ole' boys club... in every aspect. I may not be person of color or ethnic background, but I am a woman, and with that comes its own challenges in life and in the industry... but I don't pout, boycott or cry about it. I speak at conferences and seminars and teach other young ladies that working harder, smarter and being the very best at something can get you just as far. The road may be longer, harder and you will probably have to work twice as hard as the guy next to you, but anything can be achieved. The academy awards are no different. I don't think people really understand the dynamics of the AMPAS, which oversees the Academy Awards (Oscars.) They were started in 1929 and they weren't even televised till 1953! It is the OLDEST awards entertainment ceremony in the world and arguably the most respected. This weeks boycott lead by Jada Pinkett Smith because hubby Will Smith wasn't nominated kinda feels like another "Kayne West pout fest." Don't get me wrong, out of the roughly 6000+ voting members, something like 93% are caucasian and 70% are male age 60+. Actors constitute the largest voting bloc. Membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is by invitation only. The Academy sends out invitations to a very limited number of qualified members of the film community once a year. Membership in the Academy normally fluctuates between 6,000 and 6,500 voting members. Candidates for membership are proposed by current Academy members and then voted on by committees consisting of prominent representatives of the Academy's 14 branches - directors, screenwriters, documentary filmmakers, etc. A candidate normally has the backing of at least two members of the branch for which he/she may qualify. Candidates must receive an endorsement by the appropriate branch executive committee before their name is given to the Board of Governors for its approval.... (complicated, and boring eh?) So even though I do NOT agree with this years boycott and Jada Pinkett Smith whining rant, I do agree that there is a lack of diversity (women included) in the Academy. George Clooney said something very interesting in an interview. ".......I would also make the argument, I don’t think it’s a problem of who you’re picking as much as it is: How many options are available to minorities in film, particularly in quality films?" In my opinion, although Brain Drain (now officially called Concussion) was not nomination material. (Sorry Jada!) Will is great.... a better nomination (again IMO) would have been Benicio Del Toro in Sicario. None of the movies that people are talking about for being racially snubbed (Creed, Beasts of no Nation, Concussion, Straight outta Compton) were amazing performances. I suggest you view ALL the Oscar SNUBS, not just the ones involving diversity. Whoopi Goldberg made a great statement saying "You wanna boycott something? Don't go see the movies that don't have your representation. That's the boycott you want," she said. "To me, we have this conversation every year. It pisses me off." And Charlotte Rampling who is a member of the Academy and thus eligible to vote and is up for and Oscar this year said she disagreed with quotas. “We live now in countries where anyway people are more or less accepted,” she said. “There are always problems: ‘He’s less handsome’ or ‘He’s too black’ or ‘He’s too white.’ There will always, always be someone who will say, ‘Oh, you’re too ….’ What are we going to do? We’re going to classify all that to create thousands of little minorities everywhere?” Her statement is very Hollywood. When casting directors look at actors they often do say she's too this... or that, too tall, thin, fat.... too aged... My very favorite stand against this boycott was Stacey Dash. She is as beautiful and diverse as you can get. She stood up and said "I think it's ludicrous, because we have to make up our minds. Either we want segregation or integration. If we don't want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET, and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you're only awarded if you're black," she explained. "If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It's a double standard." "The good news is, there's attention brought to it now. But, like I said, over the past eight years, we've had a president who's black, who gets his funding mainly from Hollywood. 'The elite liberals.' So, it's odd to me that this has now become such an issue." YOU GO GIRL! Lionel Chetwynd, film director/producer/ screenwriter, wrote that “enforced ‘diversity’ will undermine the very mission” of the Academy. “The face of the Academy will change as it should, to the meter of its time, the pace of its art." I do think the Academy will become more diverse..... but over a long period of time. Slow and steady wins the race! Life isn't fair. Never has been, never will be for ANYONE. Just look at Leonardo Dicaprio. This is his sixth Oscar nomination....and although I think he was amazing in The Revenant, I think Matt Damon in The Martian will take it. (I am going for Leo though!!) Things aren't always going to be easy or go your way and there are so many things out of our control. But that truly is life... unfair and disappointing. So put on your big girl panties and suck it up! That's life! Take a lemon and make a really good lemonade! If you are ready for a good tease, then hold onto your pants! Shadow of the Missing has officially released the teaser/trailer for the film. That's right! Sit back, get ready and enjoy the ride!
Please post, re-post, share and help get the "buzz" out for Shadow of the Missing. Indie films are tough and we need as much help with social media as we can get! Shadow of the Missing will be festival ready by March! Get ready for the ride!!!! Click or copy either the Vimeo or Youtube links below! https://vimeo.com/152020924 https://youtu.be/IPDR0bH1eaQ Many people have asked how they can be in or an extra in a film. For this particular blog, I will focus on New Orleans. To be cast for a film in NOLA you will need to get your info to casting directors. There are several ways to do this. I happen to think that the best way is to apply to Casting Websites or directly through the feature or series:
Many casting directors have their own websites. You will need to email your photos and measurements, or fill out an application or “Talent Registration.” Websites will also include information on what films are currently being cast. If you are hired, they will also be used to let you know when and where to show up, and other specifics concerning your clothing and appearance. Sign up with each of these websites, and check in regularly, as new movies begin casting all of the time. Here are a few of the Casting Websites in NOLA and surrounding areas: Batherson Casting Caballero Casting Coulon Casting Glorioso Casting MyCastingFile Applying to specific films. You can contact films currently shooting and ask to be put in touch with their extras casting directors. When emailing a specific film for the first time, always put “Extras Casting” in the subject line. When calling ask if you can speak with “Extras Casting.” I recommend emailing. These are the two largest projects in productions now: Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Wraps: January 29 nevergobacknola@gmail.com NCIS New Orleans Season 2 Wraps: April 2016 ncisnolaresumes@gmail.com Up and coming features: Billionaire Boys Club Begin Principal: December 11 bbcresumesnola@gmail.com Brothers Blood Begin Principal: November 28 goodandbadcopllc@gmail.com Bad Moms Begin Principal: January 11 badmoms2015@gmail.com Always remember: NEVER bring a camera on set!!! Personal cameras are strictly forbidden and if you get caught taking cell phone pictures, you will be asked to delate them, may have your phone confiscated and may be kicked off set. A film’s producers have a right to protect the images that are being created on set. You shouldn't even have your cell phone with you since you cannot have them on. Super pet peeve of mine... this is why I never post set photos unless its my film or no one is on set!!! People keep asking me where everything is being filmed. This is pretty much everything I could think of in the last 12 months. Remember movies take a long time in post usually. Most TV series are being filmed in NYC. There is so much more in Louisiana and Pennsylvania but I am drawing a blank! Also Louisiana just added a position (I forget what they are calling it, for my blog I will refer to this person as the tax czar!) The tax czar will start reviewing budgets starting 2016 for production approval for tax credit. They are adding an extra hassle!
Here's a breakdown by State where things are being filmed. This is only off the top of my head and not a complete list! Many movies are filmed in multiple States and locations. I have to say... I didn't realize how much content is on prime time! There is a lot of TV out there! Also, there is much much more being filmed in many of the states listed (i.e.: Utah) but again, I just put the known productions and what I could think of. If you have questions, feel free to leave comments or email me. NYC: Law and Order: SVU, Limitless, Madam Secretary, Blindspot, Elementary, The Affair, Shades of Blue, The Good Wife, Royal Pains, The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, Unforgettable, Mr. Robot, Orange is the new Black, Mysteries of Laura, Bloodline, Broad City, Person of Interest, Roadies, Billions. Movies: John Wick 2, The Get Down, The Boy Downstairs, The Bleeder, High Maintenance, The Path, The Girl On The Train, Daredevil, Boss, The Americans, Deuce, As You Are, Vinyl, Going In Style, Shudder, Benders, The Family, Why Did I Say Yes, The Get Down, How To Be Single, Wizard of Lies, The Character, Falling Water, Mozart in the Jungle, Joey Smuggler, Scareacon, Divorce, The Family, 50 Years of Get Smart, It Doesn't Have To Rhyme, Don't Think Twice, Girls, Rock and Roll, Silent Treatment, Tramps, Breakable You, Silent Treatment, Crime, American Dresser, Iconoclast, Insomniac, Custody, B Real, Good Girls Revolt, Jessica Jones, Search Party, Nice Guys, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmid, Heaven Sent, Youth In Oregon, The Get Down, Girls, Madoff, 37, Ringside, Wiener Dog, Silent Treatment, Fireworks, Hand Of God, Tallulah, Antonio, Outlaws. California: Scandal, Criminal Minds, Extant, Revenge, Aquarius, CSI: Cyber, NCIS, New Girl, Scorpion, Grey's Anatomy, Major Crimes, Rosewood, Supergirl, Castle, Arrow (in-studio, I think!) Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Jane The Virgin, Teen Wolf, True Detective, Glee, True To The Game, Secrets & Lies, The Player, Modern Family, Agent X, Wicked City, Grace & Frankie, Face Off, Shameless, Shades of Blue, Legends, Rizzoli & Isles, Planet of the Apes (yes, another one!) Crash Pad, True to The Game, Stitchers, Togetherness, Silicone Valley, Officer Downe, The Fosters, Grandpa, Desolation, LA LA Land, 20th Century Women, House Of Lies, Pale Horse, Just Jillian, Angel from Hell, The King of 7B (pilot), Sunset, Rush Hour (yup, another one!) Nerdist, Abolionists, The League, Outlaws, Marry to the West, Westworld, Alvin & The Chimpmunks 4 (ya.. I didn't know they did a 3 either!) What Now, Act 252, Chasing Life, The Weatherman, The Runaround, Arms and the Dudes, You're The Worst, Baskets, Colony, So You Think You Can Dance, Swiss Army Man, Truck'd Up, It's Always Sunny, Bar Rescue, From Zero To I Love You, Grandfathered, Blackish, Switched At Birth, You Were Never Here, Fear of the Walking Dead, Boys in Blue, Kingdom, Awkward, YOLO, Shot Caller, I saw The Light, Hand Of God, Jekyll & Hyde, Uncle Buck, Message from the King, The Secret in their Eyes, Rob Zombie 31, Lucifer, Gippy Grewal Project, JOY, Hail Cesar, Funny or Die Georgia: Originals, Quantico (pilot), Containment, Bolden, Constantine, The Walking Dead, Sleepy Hallow, Vampire Diaries, Live By Night (new Affleck movie), Satisfaction, Game of Silence (pilot), Reserrection, Red Band Society, Fist Fight, The Detour, Stone Diaries, Archer, Birth of a Nation, Dish Nation, Powers, Married At First Sight, Gifted, Island Life, 7 Little Johnstons, Bastards, Neighbors 2, Sully (Clint Eastwood), The Phenom, Passengers, What Josiah Saw, 5th Wave, Mother's Day, Greenleaf, Mena, Hindsight, Allegiant(Divergent Series), Devious Maids, Zoe Ever After, King Maker, Party, Coat of my Colors, Down South, Rectify, The Accountant, Survivors Remorse, The True Memoirs of an International Assassin, Stranger Things (Netflix), 2Fat2Fly, Married to Medicine, Dying Kind, Alvin & The Chipmunks, Like a Boss, Halt & Catch Fire, Captain America, Sleepless Nights, Confirmation, Sunday's Best, Barber Shop 3, The Red Road, The Game, Complications, Quantum Break, The Founder, The Do-Over, Hot Summer Nights, Christmas in the Smokies, Zelda, Siren, Home Free, Miracles from Heaven, Offer and Compromise, Cordon (Pilot), Folk Hero and Funny Guy, The Revised Fundamental of Caregiving Tennessee: Nashville (of course) Quarry Illinois: Empire, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, AAnonymous Content, Chiraq Pennsylvania: Creed, Let It Snow, Game Brain & Concussion, The Last Witch Hunter, Downward Dog, Love The Coopers, In My City, Southpaw, Outsiders, The Burgh, American Pastoral, Out of the Furnace. Louisiana: Scream Queens, NCIS: Nola, Magnificent 7, Bad Moms, Jack Reacher: Never Go back, Roots, The Tale, Camera Store, American Horror Story: Freak Show, Astronauts Wives Club, I saw The Light, Maggie, Zoo, The Long Night, Our Brand is Crisis, Big Life, Peeks Kill, Salem, American Ultra, Jurrasic World, When The Bough Breaks, Julia X 3D, Trumbo, Elvis & Nixon, Joe Dirt 2, Vincent & Roxxy, Fantastic Four, Daddy's Home, Geostorm, American Ultra, Hap & Leonard, Don't Mess With Texas, Kamp Kool Kids, Navy Seals vs. Zombies, Gracias, Desolation, Pitbulls & Parolees Season 7 Utah: Blood & Oil North Carolina: The Dome, The Suicide Note Toronto-Ontario: Suits, Hero's Reborn, Hannibal (exteriors in Florence Italy), The Strain Montreal, Quebec Quantico (Pilot was filed in Atlanta but the production moved to Canada) Vancouver: Arrow, The Flash, Warriors Gate, iZombie, X-Files (YEAH!) Man in the High Castle, Boston: Ghost Busters, Central Intelligence, Black Car, Hawaii: Kong: Skull Island If I ever need to feel like a woman in power, a confident woman who can take on any problem at any time, a problem solver, a fixer. A woman who can take on all of Washington and the world, I flip on my DVR and for 43 minutes get lost in #Scandal. For 43 minutes, I take on the attitude of Olivia Pope. For 43 minutes, I can fix anything and am on top of the world! Olivia is a Gladiator, and so is everyone on her team. For 43 minutes, I am a Gladiator!
She's sexy, sassy, intense, perceptive, powerful, emotionally strong, yet completely complicated and most importantly: Fashionably fabulous!... Yeah, basically Olivia Pope is Super Woman. Tonight's episode (4th episode of season 5) reminded me so much of the Lewinsky-Clinton scandal. This season is about the President's affair with Olivia being discovered and her actually admitting it to the world. Tonight was the media picking her apart and making her the home wrecker (although we all know the President pursued her!) The idea was that the President could be impeached for the affair...sound familiar? For the first time, it hit me, Olivia Pope is Judy Smith. Well, a very loose interpretation of her! This was the super empowering episode where the entire world hates Olivia and the media has crucified her. The President's team has skinned her alive and hung her out to dry. Somehow, when the entire world hates you and anyone can "anonymously" post anything they want about you online, you can see the "person" in her. She is just as vulnerable as you or I, she simply has a much much higher tolerance for nastiness. A much thicker skin if you will! Olivia Pope has her limit, she has her "kryptonite" like every superhero, like every person. And just like every superhero, she picks herself up from the floor, looks the villain(s) right in the eye, head held high, and she carries on. Respect is gained by standing tall, standing behind integrity and owning it. No matter what challenge life throw at us, we can always overcome it. We are all Gladiator's, you just have to discover your inner strength that makes you a Gladiator...and if you can't find it, at least you've got your 43 minutes a week! In the past few weeks there has been so much controversy about the #Peeples app, which is basically described as "Yelp" for people. Two ladies started it so you can “review” other people and give them a rating from one to five stars, kinda like restaurants! Users can assign a rating and feedback to anyone they know, positive or negative, and the ratee can do very little about it. Negative reviews would be live for at least 48 hours, and in order to remove them, the ratee would have to contest a negative review.
Today following the very well placed negative criticism, mean girl Julia Cordray, one of the two app developers, said the app might be less controversial than what was previously announced: “You will NOT be on our platform without your explicit permission. There is no 48-hour waiting period to remove negative comments. There is no way to even make negative comments. Simply stated, if you don’t explicitly say ‘approve recommendation’, it will not be visible on our platform.” Why these two ladies thought this was a good idea escapes me, but it kinda reminds me (and everyone else) of the movie Mean Girls. In any case, we will only know how this new rating app for people actually works when it is released. Sadly, this app isn't the only people rating/review system out there. MyLife (www.mylife.com) also has a pathetic version of this. In fact I actually looked myself up after someone mentioned to me I was listed on the site & even had a rating and review! I was stunned to find out that 90-95% of the info about me listed on MyLife was completely incorrect! Including the state where I live, previous addresses, not to mention family members I have never heard of! It's a complete joke! As far as my personal rating & review, I'm only a 7.5 out of 10! I don't know about you, but that's a pretty crappy rating for a human being. When I was in school a 75% was below average and unacceptable. I would hate to think I'm a 7.5 out of a 10 as a human being. To add to this degrading rating, the review was done was the Founder and CEO of MyLife, Jeffrey Tinsley. A man whom I've never met and who knows nothing about me! On this rating and review page you can rate people on a personal, professional or dating level. HELLO! Why oh why would you rate anyone on dating. That can obviously be done only by previous partners. It's a recipe for disaster!!! (note: I believe he's given the same review for everyone listed on the site) Mr. Jeffrey Tinsley, you now get to join the mean girls high school team and I'm officially giving you a 0 out of 10 for thinking you have the right to rate or review anyone, much less people you don't even know. That is the definition of a megalomaniac and terrible behavior for a human being. Also your website is rubbish! To get your crappy review removed I have to provide a credit card. That's extortion! Not to mention all the incorrect info listed on your site. Bottom line, rating/review sites and apps for people are just a new way in the digital age to bully people. They are disgraceful and degrading. This gives kids (or anyone) a new way to be that "mean girl" only in a more cowardly anonymous way. Just because you can create something should you? My opinion: These sites will only last as long as the first lawsuit from a suicide of someone bullied to death or the first murder of the bully who posted nasty things about someone because they broke up, are jealous or just simply don't like you. In an age where anything can be posted online and people can hide behind online anonymity, people have become more cruel than ever, I think we all need to make an effort to embrace humanity and to be better people. Think about how your actions can affect or hurt someone. I believe what goes around, comes around, and karma's a b****! Be a better person, why surround yourself with negativity when positivity feels so much better?! Comments welcomed and appreciated! Great article from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-peeple-app-bad-reviews-20151006-story.html Here is a good fact finding blog about the two ladies who developed the Peeples app: https://www.notehub.org/2015/10/5/dear-julia-shame-on-you Also a lovely screen shot of the review of me. Remember, that remove review button does not work, you must provide a credit card. Notice you can also post these anonymously . Miami does not allow Lyft or Uber to pick customers up at the airport. After flying all day, I collected my luggage and went out to the cab line. I walked up, asked my cabbie if he had AC and told him where I was going. He said of course he had AC and didn't know where exactly I lived. I explained it in 4 VERY simple directions. You simply take the 112 to 95 North exit #, then go East to to beach.
From the minute I get in the cab, I am sweating like a piggie in heat! There is no AC and he is too busy on the phone speaking Creole to someone. Did I mention he could barely speak English? He's on the phone blabbing away, I am melting in the rear of the cab about ready to pass out because the cab smells of dirty shorts, ethnic food and what may or may not be BO. My nostrils were burning! We get on the expressway and he exits early! I said this isn't exit #bla :Oh yes it is!" My response: No it's not.. I live here, you had no idea where this was and I am telling you if you go this way it will add several minutes and $9 to my already ridiculous cab fare! He is still on the phone... I shout (and this is so un-JStar style!!!) Get off the F-ing phone! You have no AC, your cab smells like a wet tiger (Ya, that actually came out of my mouth) and you have no idea where anything is in Miami. I gave you 4 very simple exact instructions and you can't manage to read the numbers on the exit sign. Please go straight, get back on the highway make the next exit then go East. Uncomfortable silence followed. Meanwhile my mother called me to ask whats taking me so long to get home and am I safe. I said who knows, the cab driver has taken the wrong exit and wants to go through the hood! We finally get to my place, the total: $47.45. I handed him $57 and said "Honestly, you are the worst cab driver I have ever had, but I shouldn't have yelled at you. Rather than not tip you for not listening and talking on your phone, I am hoping that you will be a better driver in the future for someone else." Harsh? Absolutely! Here's the thing. If I take a Lyft to the airport, it's about $15- sometimes even $7-8 if they are offering discounts. Uber is $21-22. Both are great and the drivers have new CLEAN cars, AC, can speak English and have GPS! Amazing!!! Some of the drivers even offer water. You can see what your driver looks like, what car they are driving and the license plate. You can also see where they are so you know exactly when they will arrive. The point of this rant? Who wants to pay more than double to take a smelly, hot ride with someone who doesn't know where they are going, may or may not speak English and is just rude? You might say, Jamie... this is a one time thing... nope... sadly I have to take cabs home from the airport a minimum of 4 times and month and I have even worse stories! This was just the latest and the very first time I actually yelled at the driver. (That was wrong of me, I blame it on the Super Blood Moon!) The cab companies complain about companies like Lyft and Uber but at the end of the day they offer a much better, cheaper and more efficient service- isn't that capitalism at it's best? Healthy competition. |
Archives
January 2017
Categories |