Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 156
August 27, 2018
Want to meet Wyland? The Brand New Norwegian Bliss

Meeting Wyland on the NCL ship that he painted was wonderful. He is a true ambassador for the ocean.
Video: Did You Love Meeting Wyland on NCL Bliss?
Do you know about Wyland’s Water Pledge?
My Water Pledge is a friendly competition between cities across the US to see who can be the most “water-wise.” Mayors nationwide will challenge their residents to conserve water, energy and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use pledges online.
Are you ready for the Wyland National Art Challenge? Find out more and sign up from October 1, 2018 to December 1, 2018
Wyland has painted with over one million children.
Renowned marine life artist Wyland changed the way people think about our environment when he started painting life-size whales on the sides of buildings in the 1980s. Wyland always thought big. And he never stopped. Today, the Wyland name has become synonymous with the new generation of awareness about environmental conservation. Through his unique marine life paintings, sculptures, and photography, Wyland has inspired a generation about the importance of marine life conservation.
Enjoy our adventures on the Norwegian Bliss inaugural sailing! I loved sailing with Carolann and Macrae from One Modern Couple and Cacinda Maloney from Points and Travel. I hope you enjoy our video tour of the ship with hula-hooping!
This ship has a two-level electric-car race track, the tandem Aqua Racer slide and an open-air laser tag course themed like an abandoned space station. For entertainment, get wowed by the entertainment options including the Tony-Award winning musical Jersey Boys, and The Cavern Club, where a Beatles cover band brings the magic of Liverpool to the sea. I loved the Spa with a snow room, a salt room and sauna. If you love dessert, make sure to visit Coco’s, the à la carte dessert venue. Do you love Teppanyaki for Japanese hibachi? They have that too!
VIDEO: Discover the Brand New Norwegian Bliss




NCL BLISS
“Imagine awe over discovering fantastic vistas in The Last Frontier. Imagine exhilaration while exploring the wilds of Alaska. Imagine relaxation upon finding your slice of paradise in The Caribbean. Imagine Bliss. That’s what you’ll experience when you vacation on our newest and most incredible ship, Norwegian Bliss. Custom-built for the spectacular, Norwegian Bliss features a revolutionary Observation Lounge for you to soak in every stunning moment, from bald eagles soaring over glaciers to dolphins splashing through warm turquoise waters. Come aboard and experience the best dining, entertainment, and amenities at sea against a backdrop of unrivaled natural beauty. Whether you choose to go tropical or a little wild, there’s one word to describe the experiences awaiting you on Norwegian’s newest ship: Bliss.”
168,028 Gross Register Tonnage
4,004 Guest Capacity double occupancy
1,094ft Overall Length
136ft Max Beam
2018 Year Built
1,716 Ship Crew
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August 24, 2018
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August 23, 2018
What Happens at VidCon, the YouTube conference?

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” – John Hope Franklin
I learned so much about YouTube at my first VidCon conference. Thank you to everyone who helped make it great and to all the nice people who took my photo!
VIDEO: Experience My First VidCon 2018 With Me
“You have got to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.” – Ray Bradbury
Thank you to Zach King! It was great to meet and learn from you at VidCon. I met so many people who gave me ideas for what to do with my YouTube channel.
As #ZachKing says: “Stories can make people smile.”
VIDEO: Are You Ready? Join me at the 2018 VidCon Expo Hall
“As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” – Katherine Hepburn
Thank you @VidCon #Expo, Creators Track and Night of Dance. I loved it ALL!
VIDEO: Want A Taste of VidCon Night of Dance 2018 with World of Dance?
WHAT IS VIDCON?
VidCon is an event and experience for those who work in online video and those who love it. Made for both the creators and viewers of the online video industry, VidCon 2018 will again be a celebration of everything that makes this medium awesome, bringing together a global community that believes online video is the most important cultural force since the motion picture.
VidCon was started in 2010 by the Vlogbrothers, John and Hank Green, as a place where people who had only ever met on the internet could connect in real life. Since then, the VidCon event in the United States has expanded to over 30,000 people and in 2018 will continue to grow into the new wing of the Anaheim Convention Center, the event’s home for the past several years.
WHO IS VIDCON FOR?
In a word: everyone!
VidCon has a unique design that allows everyone, no matter their interests, to easily find the content and activities suited to them. This is done by building the whole event around three tracks:
The Community Track is for fans who want to come to VidCon and have an amazing time. Everything in the Community Track is about having fun, making friends, and being entertained by the best online video personalities in the world. Read more about the Community Track.
The Creator Track is for aspirational videomakers who want to learn how to create higher quality content and find a bigger audience. It includes workshops, Q&As, intimate mentorship sessions, and other activities that give content creators the opportunity to tap into the skills of the most successful professionals in the industry. Read more about the Creator Track.

The Industry Track is tailored to corporations, brands, and technology companies building businesses in the online video ecosystem. It features keynotes, fireside chats, seminars, case studies, and product demonstrations focused on practical hands-on advice for today and tomorrow coupled with strategic insight into the future of online video and the media business overall. Read more about the Industry Track.WHAT’S COOL ABOUT IT?
Online video is transforming the way we engage with the world, and VidCon has placed itself at the epicenter of this remarkable new medium. Regardless of your interest in online video – whether you’re an established identity, a rising star, or simply a fan – VidCon will connect you to people with similar passions, as well as businesses and organizations who want to teach and learn valuable lessons about this rapidly evolving and developing technology. VidCon brings all of these people together under one roof to celebrate the medium they love, giving voice to the new faces of media, and planting the seeds for the next generation of creators. It’s a conference, it’s a party, it’s an expo, and it’s so much more. VidCon is the place for you.
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August 22, 2018
Want to know more about Matt Payne? Emmy-Award Nominated Producer and Top Photographer

Learn more about him in this Travel Influencer interview:
1.)Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)
I remember arriving to London as a 19-year old. We got into the city early in the morning. I was from Oklahoma City so the volume of people blew my mind but more so, the different kinds of people. I’d never seen so many cultures all hustling around together. Strolling through Regent Park I was floored by all the beauty. The buildings felt so substantial and stately. The food seemed wild! Money was different. Cars were different. I could drink beer at 19 while England impressed me, it was talking travel with other travelers staying in the same hostel we were that blew my mind. They’d been everywhere, it seemed. I knew I’d begun a journey that has taken me around the world many times over.
2.)If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?
If I had unlimited resources, I would love to spend time visiting remote cultures either in Africa or South America. I’m a passionate wildlife and nature lover but what I love more than experiencing natural wonders, is learning about how that natural world has emerged throughout different cultures over time.
3.)What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?
I was afraid that travel required millions of dollars and free time. I got into travel and photography before the whole ‘influencer’ movement, but I found other ways to get around the world. Public transportation, volunteering, cheap hotels…. There were so many ways to get out there and I tried to document and share my experiences in a meaningful way that inspired others to do the same.
4.)What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?
I’m an Instagram guy when it comes to finding places to travel and things to photograph. Before I go somewhere I love to see what other people have photographed and/or enjoyed. Just Ahead is a terrific National Park app and because I’m a photographer, I use Photopills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris.
5.)What place do you wish more people have seen?
Eastern Africa is my favorite place in the world. From wildlife to landscape, people and culture to the music, it is life changing. I also wish more people saw the town they live in the same way a visitor migh

6.)Best advice you have been given and by whom?
The best advice I’ve ever been given was from an Emmy-winning television producer when I was 22 years old. He was an executive producer of the show 24 and I was a brand new production assistant. I was super envious of all of his success and wealth and one day, he looked at me and said “I’d give it all up to be your age again. To see the world with young, ambitious eyes where everything is about having fun and trying to figure out how to do what you love.” My goal was to hold on to that as long as possible. Easier said than done but I did manage to make my career out of living the best imaginable life and I think it started there.
7.)When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?
Once I was photographing a tiny Guna Yala village in the San Blas Islands and realized I’d left my passport on the plane. There was no phone, no internet and no way to get back to a place where I could track it down. Through pantomime and panic, the indigenous community, and with a chance encounter with two moron missionaries, I learned my passport was safe and sound in Panama City.
8.)What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?
This is actually not something I’ve done and if I could offer one bit of advice to travelers it would be to do this. Immersive experiences, to me, are how you really get to know a place. Learn the language, get a favorite restaurant and go back again and again. I hope that when I’m older and my daughter has moved on into her life, that we can spend a long period of time in a new place.
9.)I travel because…. it helps put the rest of my life into context. It helps me to see the good in what is around me every day. That realization was a big change for me. We travel to realize that we are different, but more so to realize, that in the most important ways, we are the same.

10.) My favorite travel or business book… are the ones by the greats. Theroux, Cahill, McCarthy, Bryson. I love people that bring themselves into their work. In terms of travel books, in an informational way, I’ve never much used them.
11.) How about hotels? What’s your favorite or one you’d recommend?
That’s a tough one. Recently I’ve loved Las Clementinas in Panama City. I stayed there before setting off on a trip to the San Blas Islands and thought it was excellent. The rooms felt like you were in an upscale apartment and there was an awesome rooftop with a great view of old town and the Panama City skyline. In Sydney last month, I stayed at The Paramount House Hotel and thought it was amazing. Very cool hotel with an incredible breakfast. Stateside, I love the Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado. Last year I stayed at the Duniway in Portland and it was superb.

Lastly, can you please recommend a resource for up-and-coming travel writers; this could be a course you know, a book, conference etc.
Don’t know of many conferences but my advice to writers would be to read as much good and bad travel writing as possible (see list above). Learn to know the difference. Learn what you like. Learn what moves you. Go to places that call you but when you find yourself in a place you don’t like, that writing is probably where you will learn the most. Write for outlets but also write for yourself. Don’t worry about the story you feel like you are supposed to tell. Tell the story you want to tell and let that inform the informational part of the narrative.

Enkereri’s Windows Art Show
FROM MATT PAYNE ABOUT HIS ART SHOW
I’ll be having my first art show featuring images that I took on a recent trip to Kenya and Tanzania. It will be Monday, August 27th from 6-8pm to hosted by SixTwelve Gallery at Tower Theatre. The name of the show is Enkereri’s Windows: A Visit to Kenya’s Enkereri School above the Masai Mara and will run from August 27 – October 26.
The show was inspired by a visit to a school funded by tourist dollars and Sanctuary Retreats. Before the school was built, class was held under a tree,’ said our guide Fred as he walked us around the various classrooms. Such a thought was remarkably humbling and hard to imagine. ‘The school’s newly constructed library doesn’t have books yet…’ he continued… And I was annoyed my iPhone didn’t work.
My images are intended to reflect that conflict of emotion, the needs of others, and a reminder that there are vast differences between our culture and others across the world. A world a part and anywhere in the world at once…
Stay up-to-date on Matt’s photos and travels through:
We hope to see your photos in our 2018 Best in Travel Photo Award!
Our next Travel Influencer interview will be up in a week, follow the series here.
Stay up-to-date with WSGT via our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube channel!
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August 21, 2018
The Best Luxury Girlfriend Getaway: New Orleans

Isolated from the rest of the US since its founding in 1718, New Orleans is more European than American. It’s populated by mélange of people who like their food spicy and their music pulsating. Perfect for a girlfriend getaway this city rocks 24/7. The bars on Bourbon Street have no closing hour and the coffee comes strong and early in the morning.
DREAM
The best 5-star spot to rest your weary heads…if you want to rest…is The Ritz-Carlton on Canal Street, right around the corner from the craziness that is the French Quarter. It’s located in a historic 1907 Beaux art Maison Blanche building that used to be a department store. It is classic elegance with a stunning outdoor porch area, a massive spa, and divine dining options. The service on-property is dynamic. I came back from an early morning run and passed through the doors to find this inviting cart stocked full of ice cold water. That’s what I call attention to detail.

DINE
Warm and friendly, Executive Chef Frank Grey, though east coast born and bred, makes southern food better than any southerner. My girlfriend, Christina Cindrich, and I dropped in for a visit to Chef Grey’s M Bistro kitchen. We prepped the chicken and sausage gumbo and his fresh and creamy BBQ Shrimp and grits (the secret’s in the Gouda) with just the right amount of heat. Plan to have at least one meal here during your visit because the Ritz Carlton food is NOT your typical hotel food.

A few miles from the French Quarter is Magazine St. It is a long avenue, stretching six miles, with lots of quaint little shops and restaurants tucked inside vintage homes. One of the finest and newest players in the Magazine food scene is Cavan.
Only two year’s old it boasts an equally young chef, Bubba. At only 25 years old he is shaking up the ‘Nawlins food scene. His fried chicken is died-and-gone-to-heaven good. Besides that, the charred oysters, grilled white fish, and the double stack burger…are delicious hearty dishes. Even if you think you can’t take another bite…you will.
DO
Staying at the Ritz Carlton is a luxurious affair. The spa is the largest in the city at 25,000 square feet, 22 treatment rooms and an impressive menu of more than 100 treatments. Christina indulged in their special voodoo treatment which is infused with indigenous absinthe scented oils.

Once done with the pampering hit Royal Street in the French Quarter. It has been dubbed the best antique shopping in the world. Daytime in the French Quarter is for meandering the streets and getting a taste of the city. Start the morning at Cafe du Monde for coffee (The frozen coffee is the best!) and beignets. The coffee is classically loaded with Chicory and the beignets, the official donut of New Orleans, is served exactly the same way since they opened in 1862. Open 24 hours, naturally…it’s New Orleans, you can get your fill of the sweet treats anytime day or night.
There are a variety of NOLA tours you can take. We opted for the Taste Bud tour visiting Tujaques, the second oldest restaurant in the city. It’s where the grasshopper was invented in 1918 and home to the bowl of New Orleans, a famous Monday tradition. Not going to tell you what it is. You just have to try it!

Visit the oldest sweet shop in the Nola, Laura’s Candies, established in 1913 they offer classic Southern Pralines and rich chocolate Mississippi Mud. The final stop is the Old Coffee Pot to try traditional Calas cakes. It is the only place in the city that still serves them every day and exactly the way the slaves made and sold them two centuries ago to earn their freedom. The company also started offering the brand new Original New Orleans Seafood and History Food Tour. There is no other food tour company in New Orleans ONLY dishing up Seafood. No matter which tour you choose you’ll pass loads of highly entertaining buskers and performers.
And as the day turns to night get ready to hit Bourbon Street for the most ruckus bar crawl of your life. The entire street lights up with machines turning blended drinks, jazz spilling out of a little hole in wall clubs and visitors dancing in the street.
If bar hopping isn’t your scene sign up for the Haunted History Tour and ask for guide Lisa Andresen. It is guaranteed to spook you right back under the security of your comfy RC bedsheets.

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August 20, 2018
Do You Dream About the Underwater World?

Jacques Cousteau said: “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
I absolutely LOVE Scuba Diving! Have you been underwater? Come to the next SCUBA SHOW to learn more!
Who did I see at the Scuba Show 2018 in Long Beach?
Watch my video to learn more!
Mark your calendar for May 4-5, 2019 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Read more of my SCUBA articles and see my underwater videos.
Want to know more about the Scuba Show from 2017 and 2016?
2018 information:
XHIBITION DATES:
Saturday, June 23rd, 2018
Sunday, June 24th, 2018
EXHIBIT HALL HOURS:
Saturday – 10am to 6pm
Sunday – 10am to 5pm
Kids 13 and under get into the show free.
Friday – Professional Workshops – 8am to 5pm
Saturday – On the hour 11am to 5pm
Sunday – On the hour 11am to 5pm
SATURDAY EVENING PARTY:
When: 6:30pm to 11pm
Where: Great Hall, Aquarium of the Pacific (full aquarium access).
DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS:
Continuous throughout the show — Over $40,000 will be given away at the 2018 show. Drawings on the half hour, come early to register. More details –>
TRY-DIVING POOL:
Continuous during exhibit show hours
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August 19, 2018
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How To Remain Positive After Multiple Concussions

AN INTERVIEW WITH KOBY BERNSTEIN
We are pleased to introduce Koby Bernstein, a 17-year old student at the Dalton School in New York City. Koby is this year’s youth honoree of the Brain Injury Association of New York and his team is raising funds for The March On-Long Island 5K. Koby takes us through his experiences with a traumatic brain injury, how he stayed positive and is an amazing example of how one person can change the world!
Q —Can you tell us about your brain injury and how it happened?
A —My first concussion happened in the middle of 9th grade. I was playing high school basketball. I was driving the ball and collided with an opposing player. I thought I was fine but during my last class I had a headache, was nauseous, felt dizzy and most of all I just did not feel “right.” Some of my symptoms lasted for over 3 weeks. I was fully back at school and sports after about 4 weeks. My second concussion happened in 10th grade. I was trying out for the varsity basketball team and was at a practice in the gym. The back of my head collided with a taller player’s chin. I don’t think it was a harder jolt than my first concussion, but this time my symptoms were much worse and I was out for the entire basketball season. It took me 3 months to fully return to school and sports. I have had a few other bumps since then, like the time a friend threw a football in the park to the back of my head, that would ordinarily not be anything to think too much about, but when these bumps have happened to me following my other concussions, I am much more sensitive and I experience concussion symptoms that someone else would not have.

Q —Can you describe to us how you are doing now? Have you fully recovered from your injuries?
A— Even though I have recovered, I am not the same as before. I have chronic pressure in my sinuses and head. After trying different medications, having a cat scan and nasal endoscopy, the doctors cannot relieve the pressure. I now see a chiropractor regularly and also started acupuncture treatments.
Q —What was it like to be sidelined from school and sports for extended periods of time?
A— It was honestly very isolating and depressing. My whole identity has been wrapped up in my athletic persona and team sports, so not being able to play was very challenging. Not only because I enjoy playing and am so passionate about it, but also not getting to do what I love was hard, yet it was much more than that – I missed seeing my friends and teammates everyday. I also experienced a withdrawal of endorphins. I went from several hours of exercise per day to nothing. On top of all of that, there was very little I could do at home. I could not watch television or play on my phone- I was staying away from all digital screens because my eyes were sensitive to light and loud sounds bothered me too. I had to get up from chairs or beds slowly so I didn’t get dizzy. My whole system was completely off. Missing school may sound great to someone who is healthy, but it was really tough. I hated getting more and more behind every day. I slowly got back to school. Some days I could go for one class or two. It took a long time before I could handle an entire day, keep up with homework, and be fully functional. I also have to point out that when you have a health issue that people cannot see, it makes it that much harder for people to understand your issue and accept it. When you see someone with a physical disability, you recognize that they may need accommodations. It was very different with traumatic brain injury as there was no outward signs like a cast or crutches. In my experience, some teachers were more understanding than others.
Q — Why did you create Simply Concussions?
A— I had found that some things helped me like a particular ice pack that wrapped around my head, blue light blocking glasses, and some supplements that I was taking. These were not necessarily things that are on a typical treatment plan and they are not things that your neurologist or pediatrician tell you about. I wanted to share with others what helped me. I also needed to connect with others to see if I could find anything else that might help me. Without regular contact with my friends and teammates, I needed a community to connect with that understood what I was going through. Concussions are all unique, but people who have experienced them were much more understanding than others.
VIDEO: Simply Concussions with Koby Bernstein
Q —What inspired you to work with the Brain Injury Association?
A— I wanted to find a way to raise concussion awareness and I discovered that the Brain Injury Association had a chapter in New York, which is a non-profit entity that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injuries and their families. I started out volunteering at their Long Island Walk. From there, I got more involved. It helped me turn around my negative feelings. By doing something good, I started to feel more hopeful and positive.
I also wanted to raise concussion awareness in my community and raise funds for the Brain Injury Association. During March, which is March Madness for basketball fans and also Brain Injury Awareness Month – I created and organized a fundraiser, “Basketball for a Cause.” I was fortunate to have a lot of help from friends at the New York City High School Leadership Academy, a non-profit leadership development program where I am the president. Together we invited kids of all ages to shoot hoops, compete in contests, learn about concussions. I partnered with Dr. Elizabeth Barchi and the NYU Concussion Center; Dr. Barchi helped take some of the confusion out of concussions. I also connected through instagram with an organization called Protect Your Skull; two former football players created a lifestyle clothing brand all around concussion awareness, and they generously donated clothing to help our fundraising efforts. I learned a lot about organizing an event, building a community wide effort, and more importantly, how to turn my individual nightmare from playing basketball into something positive for the greater good.

Q —What has been the best part of your experience?
A— I had a great opportunity this past Spring to participate in a Concussion Roundtable at Mount Sinai. That was an incredible experience. I was the only student in a room filled with doctors, nurses, clinicians, athletic trainers and more. The Roundtable was focused on discussing best practices for concussion treatment. We collaborated on protocols that work and don’t work. I was able to provide the student perspective and share the challenges that I faced in returning to school and sports. There is so much emphasis in schools on the protocols to return to play, but very little procedures exist on best practices and support to return to school. There needs to be more focus on returning to life too. Being able to advocate for changes in the system was empowering. I found that I have a voice and, even as a teenager, I can help effect real change and do something meaningful through advocacy. I got so much out of my time participating in the roundtable.
“I found that I have a voice and can help effect change.” Koby BernsteinKoby Bernstein speaking at the Concussion Roundtable at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 12, 2018
Q — What is your message to others with traumatic brain injuries?A—I had to stop thinking about all of the things I could not do and was missing out on. I realized I had no alternative but figure out how to move forward. I learned to appreciate Nelson Mandel’s message that “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” My greatest discovery was learning to be positive and resilient in the face of setbacks. My message to others with traumatic brain injuries is to not give up; whatever you can do on a given day is just enough for that day. You are stronger than you think and happiness is a choice you get to make for yourself. I call my formula the 4 P’s: positivity, persistence, perseverance and perspective.
Q — Last question – What is next?A— Right now, I am raising funds for the Brain Injury Association of New York’s 5K Walk on Long Island. It takes place on Saturday, September 15th at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. I am appreciative of being the youth honoree and I am building a team to raise funds. I am grateful that I have recovered from my concussions, but also for how the tough times have shaped me. I am lucky that I can now help others. The money raised will go towards the Brain Injury Association of New York’s mission, which includes providing education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved outcomes for children and adults with brain injuries and their families. The Association offers a toll-free family helpline, chapters and support groups throughout the state, prevention programs, and publications library. And, BIANYS plays a central role in the development of public policy on the federal, state and local level.

Are you ready to join Koby’s team?
Click here to get involved!
What can you do to help yourself or someone you love?
Click here for the products that helped Koby.
Editor’s Note: We Said Go Travel is honored to share this story. Koby Bernstein is the nephew of Lisa Niver, founder of We Said Go Travel. We hope to see you on September 15 at the The March On-Long Island 5K.
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August 16, 2018
We Said Go Travel Photo Award Finalists Part 2

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Travel Photo Award.
Here are 14 more of our 28 finalists. See the first 14 here.
Winners will be announced in September 2018. Our 2018 photo award is now open!
The post We Said Go Travel Photo Award Finalists Part 2 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 13, 2018
Welcome to the Future at AT&T SHAPE 2018

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald WalschVIDEO: Welcome to the Future with ATT SHAPE 2018
I loved being at the ATT Shape event with AT&T learning about 5G at Warner Brothers Studio Lot. I felt part of the future!




FROM AT&T SHAPE:
“SHAPE is an immersive event that explores the convergence of technology and entertainment. You can discover how the future of content creation and distribution will usher in new audience experiences. Get inspired by visionary speakers, and experience interactive exhibits from promising start-ups and industry leaders at Warner Bros. Studios backlots.”
What Can You Explore at SHAPE 2018?
Take a stroll through interactive exhibits that will demonstrate how technology is revolutionizing entertainment. There will be a variety of demos on display that feature a visual effects studio, full body and facial motion capture, drone and filming tech, virtual and augmented reality and 5G. Here are just a few that you can explore at SHAPE:
Full Dome Pro: Take a step into our 360 projection dome and get transported to the next level in immersive experiences. This is VR made social. No headsets, no goggles, no limits- just breathtaking shared virtual realiy. Experience VR you will never forget.
Open the Portal: –Mirror Rorrom, Electronic Countermeasure, and Open the Portal teamed up to create a hall of mirrors unlike any other. A stop motion character will guide you through an experience that transforms your image before your eyes and facilitates a thought-provoking journey for you to consider your own feelings about the future that technology is facilitating and your place within it.
KUKA: See how robotics can enhance the motion picture capture process. KUKA Robotics, in cooperation with their integration partner Motorized Precision, are demonstrating the KIRA 2.0 cinema robotic automation system.
Red: Sample games, movies, and other content on the RED Hydrogen One smartphone before it is released to the public.
AT&T Interactive Demos: Try out the latest full-body motion capture tech and create a live digital action scene with a fellow performer. See your emotions come to life on animatronics and robotics through the magic of facial motion-data conversion. Get some hands-on experience creating your own VFX video using green screens and the most popular visual effects programs. There will be live Twitch streaming for the gaming enthusiasts, and more.
Video Optimizer : Come learn about an award-winning, FREE diagnostic tool that can help you improve your mobile app’s performance and video streaming, while also helping to reduce data and battery consumption. Stop by, enjoy an espresso and talk to the people who designed and developed the tool.
Visionary Speakers at SHAPE
Be inspired by visionary speakers as they discuss how new technologies like mixed reality, interactive storytelling, emerging tech in networking, blockchain are transforming digital media, film, television, and gaming. A few of our featured speakers and sessions include the following:
Ava DuVernay : A writer, producer, director, and distributor of independent film, DuVernay will co-host our AT&T Film Awards finals and discuss her experience as an aspiring filmmaker. She is the director of Selma, which chronicles the historic 1965 voting rights campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Her most recent work includes her 2018 film, A Wrinkle in Time. and screening. Join her as we screen the finalists’ films in front of a live audience. Attend this session to vote for your favorite short and help determine who will take home a share of $60,000 in prizes.
Issa Rae: With her own unique flare and infectious sense of humor, Issa Rae’s content has garnered million of views online and she has received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress for her hit show, HBO’s Insecure. Issa’s web series, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl was the recipient of the coveted Shorty Award for Best Web Show and her first book, a collection of essays, is a New York Times Best Seller. Rae has graced the cover and pages of major national media outlets including Essence, The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, CNN, VOGUE and TIME with appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The View and more. She’ll join us at SHAPE for an intimate conversation about her experience in getting to mainstream broadcast.
Brian Krzanich : The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Intel, Krzanich was elected CEO in May 2013 after serving in a variety of technical and leadership roles in manufacturing and as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). As CEO, Krzanich is transforming Intel from a PC-centric to a data-centric company. Under his leadership, Intel has expanded in markets like memory, modems, and programmable solutions while investing in emerging areas such as AI, 5G, and autonomous driving. Hear Krzanich talk about the new ways content will be delivered and monetized through immersive experiences, including how data and investments in 5G will transform networks to meet the growing demand for new entertainment experiences.
Brian McLean : In 2016, McLean was awarded a Scientific and Engineering Oscar® plaque for pioneering the use of 3D printers in stop-motion animated characters. In 2017, he received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Visual Effects for his contributions to Kubo and the Two Strings. In 2009, McLean won an Annie Award for Special Achievement in Animation for his work on Following the release of ParaNorman, he was named by Variety as one of 2012’s “Animation Elite.” Prior to LAIKA, Brian worked as a traditionally trained sculptor and model maker for print and TV ads.
Steve Emerson : An Oscar®-nominated visual effects supervisor and longtime LAIKA collaborator, he has contributed to all four award-winning films: Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, and Coraline. Prior to joining LAIKA, Steve spent nearly twenty years working in visual effects as an artist and technical director. He has worked on many feature films and television series including The Matrix Reloaded, Transformers, The Dark Knight, and Sliders for Universal Television. In 2017, he received the Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature for Kubo and the Two Strings.
Brent Bushnell: An entrepreneur, electrical engineer, software developer, and an authority in immersive entertainment, VR, MR, and AR, Bushnell also serves as CEO of experiential entertainment company, Two Bit Circus. Brent is an expert in the art of engagement and passionate about using immersive technologies to create new ways to capture people’s hearts and minds. The interdisciplinary team strives to create immersive, social fun and is currently building a network of micro-amusement parks featuring free-roaming VR, robot bartenders, an interactive supper club, and more.
Jess Fuselier : A community outreach, marketing, and data specialist, Fuselier pioneered a community outreach program to connect film sets across the U.S. with the communities in which they operate. An experienced coder, she co-founded Young Women Who Code, teaching elementary-age girls the building blocks of STEM education. As Manager of Research and Education at Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative, Fuselier works to cultivate meaningful insights rooted in data transparency, in order to create resources that impact the sustainability of the independent film community.
Liz Manashil: In addition to her work at Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative, Manashil is also a feature writer and film director. She earned her B.A. in Film & Media Studies at Washington University, and her M.F.A. from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Manashil spent several years as a film critic for the PBS/Hulu series Just Seen It and has worked with distribution guru Peter Broderick. Her debut feature, Bread and Butter, was called “an absolute must-watch for women everywhere” by HelloGiggles. Liz is currently in pre-production on her next film, Speed of Life.
Ross Goodwin : Artist, creative technologist, hacker, gonzo data scientist, and former White House ghostwriter, Goodwin employs machine learning, natural language processing, and other computational tools to realize new forms and interfaces for written language. Ross’s projects—from word.camera, a camera that expressively narrates photographs in real-time using artificial neural networks, to Sunspring (with Oscar Sharp), the world’s first film created from an A.I.-written screenplay—have earned international acclaim.
Oscar Sharp: A BAFTA-nominated British filmmaker, Sharp is best known for short films The Kármán Line, Sign Language, and Sunspring, and upcoming feature Woolly for 20th Century Fox. In 2016, Sharp teamed up with Ross Goodwin and actor Thomas Middleditch to create Sunspring, the first film to be entirely scripted by artificial intelligence and produced widespread international discussion. Sharp and Goodwin followed Sunspring in 2017 with It’s No Game starring David Hasselhoff, in which the actor performs dialogue generated by an AI from a large collection of his past performances.
SHAPE Competitions
Every year at SHAPE, we host a few competitions to inspire aspiring filmmakers, creators, and developers.
AT&T Create-a-thon: Watch or participate in the AT&T Create-a-thon where you can shoot your short film at Warner Bros. Studios using select iconic cityscapes and backlots. You’ll have a chance to win a $10,000* cash prize for the best, completed film in a number of categories.
AT&T Film Awards: Come see the finals of the AT&T Film Awards, a short film competition for aspiring creators who are using emerging filmmaking technologies to tell their stories. Vote for your favorite short and help determine who will take home a share of $60,000 in prizes, as we screen the finalists’ films in front of a live audience and esteemed panel of judges.
AT&T Entertainment App Challenge: We’re inviting developers, designers, and creators to hack the way we create and experience entertainment in the App Challenge. Are you interested in developing apps for the second screen, or working with technologies like AI, VR/AR/MR, IoT, and robotics to disrupt content consumption? Then, this challenge is for you. When submitting your entry, we encourage you to consider all scenarios in entertainment such as monetization, social, accessibility, immersion, virtual assistants, usability, e-sports, or whatever your passion. Finalists will pitch their projects on the SHAPE main stage in front of a live audience.
Take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and explore outdoor sets and soundstages used to create productions such as Gilmore Girls, The Big Bang Theory, and Argo. Visit the DC Universe and walk through the DC Comics Exhibit, the real Central Perk Friends set, original Batman Museum, where you’ll see the Batmobile Collection, and so much more.
Share your SHAPE experience on Twitter by tagging your tweets #ATTSHAPE and #SWEEPSTAKES for a chance to win a Razer phone on Saturday and a Samsung StarWars POWERBOT vacuum on Sunday. See the official rules.
We will continue to update the schedule on the registration website to give you the most recent information about SHAPE. We hope to see you in Los Angeles in June!
The post Welcome to the Future at AT&T SHAPE 2018 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
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