Girl Scouts Website Launches New Self-Esteem Videos

Girl Scouts Website Launches New Self-Esteem Videos

Videos Feature “Plus-Size” Models To Promote Healthy Body Image

Many large companies and organizations have begun to harness the power of viral video to get their messages across. Launching a digital video transfer into the wide open world of the Web can be a surprisingly effective means of advertisement; as these videos get shared through email and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, they can eventually reach millions of viewers, and they do it without the high cost of television spots and traditional advertising methods. The newest member of the viral video club is the iconic Girl Scouts organization, which has created a series of videos designed to battle against poor body image and low self esteem in girls of all ages.

The new series of videos, entitled “The Changing Face of Fashion,” is intended to help girls achieve personal empowerment through improved self esteem and the cultivation of inner beauty. The videos were created in conjunction with the Girl Scouts’ self esteem program “Uniquely Me!”, which was created in 2002 to address the significant problem of low self-esteem among adolescent and pre-adolescent girls in the United States. The Uniquely Me program was the result of a partnership with Dove Self-Esteem Fund, in which the two organizations developed a set of skill-building activity booklets designed to foster self esteem by helping girls prepare themselves to face life’s challenges. Included are activities about handling peer pressure, developing healthy eating habits and exercise routines, personal hygiene and general wellness, recognizing one’s strengths and best attributes, dealing with stress, and identifying core values.

The new viral video series represents a technological leap forward for the Girl Scouts’ self-esteem initiative, and the organization hopes that the videos will add a new element to its efforts. The videos feature four “plus-sized” models (from the Wilhelmina Curve agency) telling personal stories about their various significant life experiences. While these “plus-size” models are certainly healthier body-image role models than the rail-thin fashion models that bombard young girls from the pages of magazines, it is worth noting that none of them appears to be larger than a size 8 or 10. 

Directed and shot by lifestyle and beauty photographer Cathrine Westergaard, “The Changing Face of Fashion” represents part of a current initiative to address the image of young girls (especially ages 8-17) in the media. To view the digital video transfers on the Girl Scouts website, visit http://www.girlscouts.org/itsyourstory/.

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PBS Recalls The Pioneers Of Television

PBS Recalls The Pioneers Of Television

Martin Luther King Changed The Course Of Star Trek?

The TCA or Television Critics Association is an interesting group to pay attention to during its twice-yearly Press Tour, which is held in Los Angeles each January and July. The TCA Press Tour gives TV networks a chance to present their upcoming programs through panels and interviews with the 200 American and Canadian journalists and columnists who cover television programming. Each network (including major networks, cable networks, and public television networks) is assigned a time slot during which it can showcase its programming for a large group of press writers from different outlets. This year, PBS showed off the second season of its documentary series entitled “Pioneers of Television” which is slated for winter 2011. The series looks at classic moments of early television and offers the perspective of those involved with the production of classic series.

PBS presented a panel of notable guests from the show, including Martin Landau, Robert Conrad, Linda Evans, Mike Conrad, and Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols (a classic photo of whom has been scanned to digital above), who played the character Lt. Uhura on the popular science fiction show. Nichols will appear on the sci-fi episode of “Pioneers of Television”; there will also be installments covering westerns, children’s programming, crime dramas, and other genres.

During the panel discussion, Nichols told TCA writers an interesting story about how a conversation she once had with Martin Luther King, Jr. affected her decision to continue portraying her famous role. Nichols said that she had only taken the Star Trek role as a “nice adjunct” to her resume. As an up-and-coming stage performer, she was hoping that a notable TV role would get her on the fast-track to Broadway. After the first season of the show was over, Nichols wanted out. Producer Gene Roddenberry asked her to reconsider, The following evening, Nichols attended a NAACP fundraiser, where she met Dr. King, who claimed to be her biggest fan. Dr. King told Nichols that her role as a 23rd century black astronaut provided an unprecedented role model for his three little children. He said, “”You are part of history, and it’s your responsibility, even though it wasn’t your career choice.”

Indeed, Nichols’s role as the Starship Enterprise’s communications officer inspired many. As one of the first characters of African descent to be featured on an American television series, Lt. Uhura challenged stereotypes about women and about African Americans. Whoopi Goldberg, who later played the role of Guinan on “Star Trek: The Next Generation, described Uhura as a role model. According to Goldberg, the first time she saw Star Trek, she exclaimed to her family: “I just saw a black woman on television; and she ain’t no maid!” NASA later employed Nichols in a campaign to encourage African Americans to join the program. Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, said that Star Trek influenced her decision to join the service.

To find out more about the Pioneers of Television, and to see more classic TV photos that have been scanned to digital, visit http://www.pbs.org/pioneersoftelevision/.

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Frank Miller Says Goodbye to Batman

Frank Miller Says Goodbye to Batman

Long-Awaited Batman Graphic Novel To Feature New Hero Instead

Frank Miller is perhaps the most important comic book artist of the last 30 years. Miller most recently made headlines with the announcement of a new 12-part comics series called “Xerxes,” which more closely examines the characters introduced in the politically controversial graphic-novel-turned movie, “300”. Best known as the writer and artist for “Sin City,” “300” and the Batman graphic novel “The Dark Knight Returns” (a drawing from which has been scanned to digital above), Miller has discussed for years the possibility of doing a new Batman novel in which the Caped Crusader would take on Al Qaeda in the biggest anti-terrorism effort since Jack Bauer first began showing off the art of “enhanced interrogation.”

But Miller announced last week that he has decided to restructure the work, originally entitled “Holy Terror, Batman!” to leave out the Dark Knight altogether. Now simply entitled “Holy Terror,” the new graphic novel will forsake Gotham City for a new setting – called Empire City – and will feature a new Dirty-Harry-like hero named The Fixer. Unlike the revenge-driven Batman, The Fixer is “an adventurer who’s been essentially searching for a mission,” said Miller. “He’s very different than Batman in that he’s not a tortured soul.” Miller went on to describe his new protagonist as “a more well-adjusted creature …(who) happens to shoot 100 people in the course of the story.”

Although the landscape and people of the fictional Empire City are not strictly modeled after reality, the Al Qaeda villains that fight Millers new hero have the same name, history, and mission as the real thing. Because he has dropped Batman as the story’s hero, Miller is not publishing “Holy Terror” with DC Comics. Though Miller says that his decision to nix Batman and change publishers was driven entirely by the work itself, there have been continuing insider rumors that DC’s leadership was hesitant to move forward with another politically charged concept from Miller.

Miller told the Los Angeles Times that he felt that he had “taken Batman as far as he can go,” and that this story, which began as Miller’s reaction to 9/11, required a different kind of protagonist. “My guy carries a couple of guns and is up against an existential threat,” he said. “He’s not just up against a goofy villain.”

Miller says he has nearly finished the book, and that he will choose a new publisher after it is completed. To see more of Miller’s artwork that has been scanned to digital, visit http://moebiusgraphics.com/.

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Customer Testimonials: Recent Feedback!

To assure we’re doing our job right, we follow up with every customer after their order is complete. If there’s ever any issue, we address it immediately. Most of the time however, we receive rave reports. On behalf of the ScanDigital team, I’d like to say “Thank You” to our amazing customers. We’re truly flattered to know you are happy and honored to have been trusted with your family’s precious memories. Please find a sampling of the testimonials below that we’ve recently received. 

If you’d like to hear more from our customers, you are welcome to visit our Testimonial page. If you have any questions or would just like to chat, you can always find us here on Twitter and Facebook, by email at info@scandigital.com or by phone at 888.333.2808 if you have any questions or just want to chat!

“The service and results were very good and yes, I have told others. I have many more slides to send your way.” John – Flint, MI

“My experience with my latest ScanDigital order was very positive!  This was the first time I had sent photographs to be digitalized and I was very happy with the result.  I had utilized your video tape to DVD services before.  From beginning to end, the process was easy, timely, and reasonably priced. 

“I will definitely be using ScanDigital in the future to scan family photos and I look forward to that.  I do recommend ScanDigital to my family and friends, telling them my experience has been nothing but positive. Thank you for this opportunity to offer feedback.  I look forward to future opportunities to utilize the services of your company.” Merla – Colorado Springs, CO

“Very likely to use your service again. Yes, I recommend it for ease of use.  I was glad to have all of the photos digitally saved and have this taken care of.  Thanks!” Annie – Austin, TX

“Overall, I am very happy with the service – the quality of the work is very good. To answer your questions – I would use the service again and recommend it.” Marius – Chicago, IL

“I would use your service again. I was pleased with the quality of the work. Thanks.” Joe – Tucker, GA
“Thanks, this order went very smoothly. No problems, the pictures look good and service was good too. The staff told me the order that is ready to post is waiting for the other order to be ready in order to post together and save on the postage & packaging. They kept me up to date and asked if that was OK, which was a nice touch since I have no urgency. Thanks for the good service so far.” Teresa – Wellesley, MA

“I have recommended your service to friends. I am a professional photographer in El Segundo and send clients to you all the time. Your pricing is straightforward.” Marcy – El Segundo, CA

“Fine job! I was preparing a DVD photo presentation for my critically ill sister, and you guys gave me the raw materials to create just what I envisioned.  Your prompt, knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic attention to my format and resolution needs got me off to a great start.  Hats off!!” Jim – Irvine, CA

“Thanks for the email, I have submitted and award a business on Groupon. I will use you service again. The service was great and finished product was also great.” Francis – New York, NY

“I can’t tell you how apprehensive I was letting go of the little cassette videos that contain the taping of my 17 year old son’s memorial.  It has been a long road for me and just knowing that you were just as concerned in the care of these precious memories, made me able to send them to you.  On a wing and a prayer..I mailed them.  I was pleased that they came back so quickly and all the information was tucked in the box so very carefully.  Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know that your follow through and emails made me feel secure. Thanks again.” Jean – Federal Way, WA

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Shark Week Is Back!

Shark Week Is Back!

Discovery Channel’s 23rd Annual Shark Week Gets Closer Than Ever To The Action

On July 27th, 1987, the Discovery Channel aired the first “Shark Week,” a week-long series of feature programs dedicated to the ocean’s most intriguing and most misunderstood predator. Now celebrating its 23rd annual spot as one of the summer’s most anticipated television events, Shark Week 2010 brings new technology, new hosts, and six all-new shark programs to shark-lovers everywhere.

Last year’s Shark Week included a program called “Air Jaws: The Sharks of South Africa,” which quickly became one of the most-watched Shark Week programs of all time. This year’s schedule includes a follow-up program entitled “Ultimate Air Jaws,” which will feature a high-speed (2,000 frames per second) HD video transfer with footage of great white sharks leaping out of the water as they attack seals and other slippery prey off the coast of South Africa. At that frame rate, one second of action can be smoothly slowed down to take up nearly a whole minute! Along with other state-of-the-art technology including a submarine and a remotely-operated helicopter, this super-slow-motion HD video transfer has allowed shark expert Chris Fallows and filmmaker Jeff Kurr to capture the speed and strength of great white sharks in more detail than ever before.

And if that’s not close enough to the action for your tasted, check out a new special called “Into the Shark Bite,” which premiers August 1st at 10 PM. In this program, shark expoert Mark Addison and underwater cameraman Andy Casagrande show you what a shark attack looks like from the prey’s point of view. That’s right, these guys actually risked their lives to get the customized mini-HD camera inside the mouths of massive great white sharks!

Other notable programs from this year’s Shark Week include “Shark Attack Survival Guide,” hosted by Special Forces vet Terry Schappert, and “Shark Bites: Adventures in Shark Week,” hosted by the Late Late Show’s Craig Ferguson.

For more information about this year’s Shark Week programming, visit http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/shark-week.

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37 States Join Ongoing Google “Street View” Investigation

37 States Join Ongoing Google Investigation

Google’s “Street View” Cars Used To Gather Personal Data From Unsecured Wireless Networks?

For the last month, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has been leading an investigation into the improper use of Google’s Street View camera cars to gather personal information from unsecured wireless networks. These Street View cars are supposed to take photos of roads and buildings, and store these photos to digital servers for use in the company’s popular Google Maps online service. But the multi-state investigation, in which Blumenthal has been joined by the attorney generals of 37 other states, has uncovered that these cars were also used to improperly gather private information including e-mails, passwords and other personal data. The investigation follows similar cases in Australia and Germany, and may lead to changes in federal and/or state laws regarding the use of wireless technology to gather information from unprotected wireless networks.

Launched in 2007, Google Maps’ Street View feature uses cars to photograph street layouts and buildings in every direction, converting photos to digital environments that can be navigated virtually from any computer with an Internet connection. But Google did not disclose that these camera cars also detect Wi-Fi access points, in order to help the onboard computers determine their exact locations without the use of satellite-based GPS systems. While connected to these access points, the Street View cars collected approximately 600 gigabytes of data from unsecured wireless networks over a period of three years. According to Google, this gathering of information was accidental, but the attorney generals leading the probe are not so sure.

According to Blumenthal, Google’s responses “continue to generate more questions than they answer. Now the question is how [Google] may have used – and secured – all this private information.” A spokesman for Google said that the company made a mistake in including the code that collected the “payload data” from wireless networks, but that the company does not believe it has broken any laws, and is continuing to work with the “relevant authorities” to address their concerns. Last week, Blumenthal sent a third letter to Google, asking how much testing was done on the Street View software before it was put to use, and suggesting that adequate testing should have revealed the supposed “glitch” responsible for the Street View cars’ collection of personal data. At press time, Google had not issued a response.

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3 New Employees!

Thanks to our amazing customers, we’ve been enjoying a very busy month here in the office. To accommodate, we’ve added 3 new employees to our team over the last few weeks. As a warm welcome, we’d like to introduce them to you- from left to right, meet the new members of the ScanDigital family: Aimi, Richard and Kelly!

All are amazing, enthusiastic and eager to help with your preservation projects. To learn more about them, we asked them all a few silly questions. Read their answers below (some will be sure to surprise you!):
Aimi
Hometown: Born in Lima, Peru and raised in Gardena, CA
What she’s most likely doing outside of work: Watching TV comedies, including The Office and 30 Rock
Favorite part of being a part of ScanDigital’s team: Everyone’s really mellow and nice
Fun Fact: She plays the drums at weekly jam sessions!

Richard
Hometown: Torrance, CA
What he’s most likely doing outside of work: At a Dodger’s Game or placing a bet at the Race Track Favorite part of being a part of ScanDigital’s team: Starting at 9am (he used to start work at 6am)
Fun Fact: He beat Bill Clinton’s brother (who’s apparently a regular at the local dive bar) at a pool game

Kelly
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
What she’s most likely doing outside of work: At home, watching old cartoons from Netflix (favorites include Rocco’s Modern Life and All Real Monsters)
Favorite part of being a part of ScanDigital’s team: Free water! She loves the water cooler. No joke.
Fun Fact: She was voted Class Clown in high school

To learn more about ScanDigital’s team and hear what we’re up to- stay connected with ScanDigital on Twitter or Facebook. We always love staying in touch with customers, friends and all fans of photography and family history! Hope to hear from you all soon!

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Lost Star Wars Artwork To Be Featured At Orlando Exhibition

Lost Star Wars Artwork To Be Featured At Orlando Exhibition

Original Works By Conceptual Artist Ralph McQuarrie Found In Berkeley Basement

The above drawing, which has been scanned to digital for archive preservation, is a concept drawing for the now infamous Star Wars villain, Darth Vader. When George Lucas was first developing his space epic into workable movie pitch, he turned to an artist named Ralph McQuarrie to help turn his ideas into vivid artwork that could be used to help illustrate the concept of Star Wars to studio execs. McQuarrie eventually became renowned for his vivid artwork, much of which has been analyzed by Star Wars fanatics, film scholars, and art students. But some of McQuarrie’s earliest Star Wars drawings were nearly lost, until serendipity intervened in the form of a broken furnace.

In 2007, a 400-page retrospective called “The Art of Ralph McQuarrie” was published featuring production paintings, matte paintings, and sketches, which were all photographed, scanned to digital, inventoried, and preserved by Lucasfilm. A few months later, McQuarrie began having problems with the furnace in his Berkeley, CA home. According to Steve Sansweet, Lucasfilm’s director of content management and head of fan relations, McQuarrie had to move an old bookshelf unit in order to let the repairman access his furnace, and in doing so he found “an old box on a shelf that was filled with treasures.”

Lucasfilm has incorporated these newly discovered artworks into a masterworks exhibit of McQuarrie’s art that will be shown at Star Wars Celebration V, the official Lucasfilm event celebrating all things Star Wars, which will be held August 12th- 15th in Orlando, FL.  The exhibit will feature 100 original pieces from McQuarrie’s personal collection, including many of the “lost” thumbnail sketches and pencil drawings that were created in the process of producing the now iconic production paintings that helped Lucas pitch Star Wars to 20th Century Fox. Also included will be McQuarrie’s design work on other characters, spaceships, creatures, and weapons.    

To view more Star Wars artworks that have been scanned to digital, click here to view the website for Star Wars Celebration V’s art show.

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Do’s & Don’ts for Stress Free Travel

I just returned from a trip to Mexico where my family gathered to celebrate my nephew’s wedding.  We drove from LA to Ensenada, Mexico and all spent an amazing few days together.  I arrived home feeling relaxed, happy and rested.  It was a great vacation. However, I have to say that I didn’t go into it as prepared and organized as I usually do.  The few days before I left were anything but relaxed.  Yes, it’s tough to admit, but even organizers have their disorganized moments :)

Family members had flown in early and were staying with me for a few days before we all drove down to Ensenada together.  I had been looking forward to spending a few days with them taking them sightseeing and catching up.  However, as it turned out, work got busier and busier for me in the days running up to their arrival and while they were here.  Things I had planned to do got delayed and started to pile up. 

The day before I left, I had to run to AAA and get last minute auto insurance for Mexico only to discover from them that I also needed a letter of permission from my car financing company that it was ok to take the vehicle into Mexico.  What the heck???  It took back & forth phone calls and an additional hour out of my day to get the letter.  Also adding stress to the employee who had to handle my “emergency.” If I had done my research and attended to this earlier, I could have gotten it all taken care of well in advance.

I also didn’t take my car to get it checked until the day before we were leaving.  Not good!  I was informed it needed immediate work (that would take 4 hours to complete) to make it safe to drive on a long distance trip.  Aaarrgghh!  This was the day I was intending to take my nephew (not the one getting married) to do some sightseeing in Hollywood & Beverly Hills.  What to do?  I rented a car for the day.  Now not only am I stressed out, in a time crunch, but my lack of planning and preparation has cost me money!

I rushed my sister and nephew through their sightseeing :( in order to get back in time to pick up my car from the mechanic & return the rental car before they closed for the day.  Needless to say, I didn’t finish packing for our trip until midnight and was up the next day at 5am so we could leave early and avoid the early morning traffic out of LA.

I know better than to do this to myself and realized that sometimes, I need to remember to take my own advice!   Check out my July Organizing Tips.  Based on this experience, I’ve compiled a list of Do’s & Don’ts for you, so that hopefully, your travel preparations can go a lot more smoothly than mine did this year!

Enjoy,                                                                                         

~ Jodie ~

Do’s & Don’ts for Stress Free Travel

DON’T:

Leave everything until the last minute.

Cram everything you need to do into the last day before you leave.

Purchase tickets for transportation at the last minute.

Put off applying for passports or other travel documents needed for your trip.

Travel without the necessary insurance for yourself, your luggage or your vehicle.

Assume that everything can be done over the phone or internet. 

Pack without making a list.

Leave the house in a rush.

DO:

Start travel preparations early.

Book your air, bus or train tickets (or have your car serviced) well in advance.

Make hotel reservations, download directions & gather information about the place to which you will be traveling.

Purchase travel insurance and, if needed, additional auto insurance if driving.

Check that your passport or other documents needed for travel are current.

Make arrangements for your home and any pets to be taken care of while you are away. 

Research the weather at your destination for the time you will be there.

Make a list of what you will need to pack based on where you are going and the activities you will be doing.

Contact Jodie Watson:

If you have any questions, would like to schedule a free professional organizing telephone consultation, or would like Jodie Watson to speak at your next corporate function, group meeting, social event, or retreat, call at (818) 590-7800. You can also contact Jodie on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website at Supreme Organization.

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Kenneth Branagh Makes His Case For 3D At Comic-Con

Marvel’s “Thor” To Hit Theaters In 3D Next Year

Director Kenneth Branagh Makes His Case For 3D At Comic-Con

Although he has starred in a wide variety of films, from Wild Wild West to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to Pirate Radio, Kenneth Branagh’s work as a director mostly comprises his several critically acclaimed adaptations of William Shakespeare’s plays. So you might be somewhat surprised to discover that Branagh is currently helming the next Marvel Studios superhero movie, which is slated to hit theaters in May of next year.

Simply entitled Thor, the new movie expands the Marvel universe (also occupied by more familiar heroes like Iron Man), to include the Olympus-like realm of Asgard. As punishment for arrogance and reckless behavior, The Mighty Thor is cast out of Asgard, and forced to live on Earth among humans, where he becomes a superhero. And while none of that sounds particularly far-fetched in the world of super hero movies, the story does get more interesting.

Like many other big action movies slated for 2010 or 2011 release, Thor will be presented in 3D. But unlike many directors (Michael Bay, James Cameron) who have expressed concern about the 3D conversion process, Kenneth Branagh is convinced that 3D conversion will add another dimension to his film, and not just in the obvious way. On Saturday July 24th, Branagh and the cast of Thor will address the attendees of the Comic-Con International expo, both to introduce the new film and to make an argument for 3D.

As tech-savvy Comic-Con attendees are likely to know, the conversion process that turns an ordinary 2D film into a 3D film transfer has been widely criticized, partially because it is theoretically inferior to using a 3D camera (a la Avatar), and partially because movie studios have been pressuring directors to approve last-minute 3D film transfers because the increased ticket prices for 3D movies yield bigger numbers at the box office. But Marvel and Branagh believe that, when done right (a la Alice in Wonderland) the process of 3D conversion can turn 2D film into a convincing 3D experience. According to Branagh, Thor will use 3D not just as a gimmick, but as a “good friend of story and character,” an artistic opportunity to make the movie better. Although Branagh admits to initial skepticism about 3D, he now believes the technology can yield “another draft of the story that can reveal itself in a different way.”

Branagh’s approach to 3D seems to be refreshingly responsible. Branagh’s use of 3D effects in Thor was governed by some pretty reasonable question that many directors of 3D movies haven’t seemed to ask themselves. Is the use of 3D led by story, or the other way around? Can 3D offer a different type of experience, and add something to the story? Branagh believes it can. According to Marvel, the studio has taken an unprecedented amount of time and care in the conversion process, assuring fans that Thor will not resemble the last-minute slap-dash 3D that brought criticism to Warner’s Clash of the Titans. Is 3D a fading fad, or here to stay? It’s up to you to decide.

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