If you’re a fan of “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories than take a peek at Jeep Patriot’s new interactive film “The Way Beyond Trail”.
You control the direction of your short film by selecting different storyline options and also have the opportunity to personalize the journey by inputting some basic information about yourself before starting. The only drawback is that you are confined to the types of names you can choose from (hmm I guess they just assumed that everyone that would go to their website would be white?).
Jeep Patriot Adventure
In the spring of 2007 Lauren Greenfield conducted interviews with LA teenagers on the subject of money and how it affects their lives. These interviews are currently being featured online in partnership with (drum roll please) the NY Times Magazine Money Issue.
Within a span of 15 minutes you will hear the perspective of a teen that splits a one bedroom apartment with her parents to a trust fund princess whose eyes are glazed with dollar signs.
NYT Short Film
Microsoft’s Window Live Messenger recently launched a new initiative that will donate a portion of advertising revenue to charitable causes worldwide when users start a conversation using the instant messenger program.
Simply download the software and change your settings in order to designate a preferred charity. Currently you can choose from:
- American Red Cross
- The Boys and Girls Club of America
- Humane Society
- National Aids Fund
- National MS Society,
- Ninemillion.org
- Sierra Club
- Stopglobalwarming.org
- UNICEF
- Susan G. Comen For The Cure.
While Good Search has been using this model for years I support the initiatives that give users the control to choose where they direct their personal contributions.
IM Making A Difference
Here’s the scoop…
Xbox 360 [Release Nov’ 05]:
5.4 Million in sales (Avg. price $399 each)
Nintendo Wii [Released Nov’ 06]:
2.5 Million in sales (Avg. price $249 each)
Playstation 3 [Released Nov’ 06]:
1.3 Million in sales (Avg. price $599 each)
Source: Market Research Firm NPD Group
Colin Padden, Ford’s newest virtual employee, invites anyone with internet access the opportunity to fight boredom on their new website Boredom Hurts.
Relieve your boredom by tuning into the video section to watch how other people make fools of themselves when bored [see above picture of tape girl] or flip through a collection of pictures highlighting evidence of boredom.
If you find yourself still wanting more click through the “Confessionals” section to see how people across America are treating boredom (hmm, this section seems very Post Secret)
Ford Bored Hurts
Zeno, a sleek new thermal treatment acne device hit the market fall of 2006 featuring three models, all of which mimic the look and feel of the Motorola Razr without the annoying sound of some mp3 ring tones. The acne device sells online and prices range from $150 – 200. The Zeno claims to work by applying sustained heat therapy on pimples to destroy the bacteria that causes common acne in turn reducing healing time.
Zeno’s latest press release indicates that creator, Tyrell, recently donated $15,000 of proceeds from the pink model to Breast Cancer SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Texas University - - Zeno’s hometown).
I would have purchased my very own Zeno but my infomercial budget for the year was used up on the Magic Bullet. Nonetheless, spokesperson Miss Alaska 2006 gave a testimonial admitting to bringing her handy dandy Zeno to “camping and fishing trips”. What better to do while fishing than pop zits?
Zeno Zit Zapper
Filmmakers Susan Buice and Arin Crumley have partnered with the digital movie networking site, Spout, in hopes of cutting down a portion of the credit card debt they racked up when making their very special independent film “Four Eyed Monsters” (The film was recently awarded the 2006 Sundance Channel Audience Award).
If you were too lazy the print out the fliers they supplied on their website months ago, here’s a minimalist way for you to rid the guilt and get involved.
Step 1:
Join http://www.spout.com/foureyedmonsters/ and Spout will donate $1 to Arin and Susan [Max donation is set for $100,000]
Step 2:
For a limited time watch their free full length indie film on their website thanks to YouTube http://foureyedmonsters.com/watch/
Step 3:
Go to their website and check out their archive of video podcasts documenting their journey as indie film makers attempting to make a footprint in the film festival circuit
