MTV VMAs 2014 Winners List
Aug25

MTV VMAs 2014 Winners List

Last night, Beyonce won big at the 2014 MTV VMAs awards, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande will hit the stage last night to perform their hit song “Bang, Bang” for the first-time ever.  Check out the full list below: Video of the Year Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball” Best Hip-Hop Drake ft. Majid Jordan, “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” Best Male Ed Sheeran, “Sing” Best Female Katy Perry ft. Juicy J, “Dark Horse” Best Pop Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Problem” Best Rock Lorde, “Royals” MTV Artist to Watch Fifth Harmony, “Miss Movin On” Best Collaboration Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love” MTV Clubland Award Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, “Stay the Night” Best Video With a Social Message Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts” Best Cinematography  Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts” Best Editing Eminem, “Rap God” Best Choreography Sia, “Chandelier” Best Direction DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What” Best Art Direction Arcade Fire, “Reflektor” Best Visual Effects OK Go, “The Writing’s On the Wall” Best Lyric Video 5 Seconds of Summer, “Don’t Stop” Catch the repeat tonight at 8pm  on channel 130 MTV  if you missed it last night and let us know what was your highlight of the...

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Visual storytelling from Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival
Aug22

Visual storytelling from Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival

As part of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa Festival taking place during August and September this year, Hacks/Hackers Johannesburg will be hosting a workshop and hackathon exploring data and visual storytelling and how to make numbers look great. Co-organiser and Editor-in-Chief htxt.co.za and Hypertext Media, Adam Oxford, says that when looking for stories in data, analysing the raw numbers is only half the work: “The real magic comes when you present it. We need to research how leading websites like The Economist, The Financial Times and Quartz produce dozens of graphs a day without ever looking dull or being meaningless. That’s a skill anyone can learn.” From infographs to interactive charts, mobile applications to mapping tools, Oxford says there’s a wealth of options open for anyone who needs to put numbers in front of users or readers without putting them to sleep. “Whether you’re producing news, features, apps or games, presenting data is a vital skill for any communicator in the Internet age and we are extremely excited about presenting this workshop as part of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival.” Working with top designers from the Praekelt Foundation at Jozihub, the format for the workshop will see attendees working in teams to analyse large datasets and present the stories they contain in imagery. “We’ll bring the data, you just bring a laptop and a willingness to produce vivid storytelling for a visual generation.” Prof Christo Doherty, co-founder of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa festival is delighted with the visual storytelling angle: “It was our intention to use different events to turn the spotlight on some aspect of digital technology. This workshop will bring coders, journalists, designers, students and game developers together to collaborate and innovate with useful and relevant outcomes.”...

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Thatch Music secures the prestigious tender for the SABC’s X-Factor reality series brand
Aug21

Thatch Music secures the prestigious tender for the SABC’s X-Factor reality series brand

Local music production company Thatch Music recently celebrated yet another major success, securing the prestigious tender for the SABC’s X-Factor reality series brand. The company, founded in 2009, has been the force behind some of the countries biggest musical productions to date and therefore was the natural choice for the reality show’s musical production. Working behind the scenes to ensure the success of some of South Africa’s most incredible live events in recent years, Thatch Music founder, owner and musical director James Bassingthwaighte is passionate about producing the best events possible. “I would like to be able to compete with international live broadcasts in terms of production quality. I know that South African viewers are looking for that kind of quality, especially now that so much international content is available and often goes viral.  It’s important to me to be part of an industry that’s competing internationally on both musical and technical levels”, he explains. Aside from interfacing with judges, record companies and the production team in terms of song selection, Thatch Music’s mandate for X Factor was to bring sexier and younger content to the shows. To that end, many of the Thatch musicians and producers actually perform and produce on each track, also ensuring that each track is immediately ready for download on itunes.  From a musical perspective, there is nothing the company is not responsible for – and that’s even before the live broadcast takes place. “Its so refreshing working on the X-Factor as they are placing a lot of creative faith in us.  It’s going to be an awesome first season and the audiences should go beserk for it”, Bassingthwaighte adds. Bassingthwaighte believes that 2014 was a huge turning point for the talented crew at Thatch Music.  The company has grown in leaps and bounds and has turned out phenomenally successful productions, from both a musical direction and live television broadcast perspective. Bassingthwaighte has surrounded himself with like-minded vocal coaches, musicians and producers, keeping the Thatch Music working ethic at the high standard he has always dreamed of. Respected by their peers and musicians alike, Thatch Music is fast becoming the countries most sought-after music production and live broadcast company....

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Work among like-minded creative types
Aug18

Work among like-minded creative types

Imagine being in an environment full of creative and innovative minds … The conversation, the ideas, the potential! Creatives at work: Our boardroom SoulProviders, a leading Joburg content-creation and marketing agency, has office space available that we would like to share with small businesses and hot-deskers. We’re looking specifically for creative, PR, marketing, internet, mobile, video, design and digital businesses to join our chilled-out and fun team at the Colony Centre on Jan Smuts Avenue. Our beautiful reception area The best part about the Colony is that it has great restaurants for lunch or dinner – perfect for business and pleasure. It’s centrally located near Sandton, the city, Rosebank and Parkhurst. There are doctors’ offices in case you think you might be coming down with something, as well as convenience stores for that 4pm blood-sugar drop. (Also: yoga classes, a book store, and a Steers!) Office space available  We have a number of different packages available, and WiFi and other amenities are available. Email info@soulproviders.co.za  or call us on 011 325 5816 for more info! And please share the love – you never know who might be looking to start-up their own game-changing enterprise. Boardroom1 Boardroom2 Services at The Colony The Colony Centre Reception...

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Award winning jazz violinist Tshepo Mngoma in KwaZulu Natal
Aug18

Award winning jazz violinist Tshepo Mngoma in KwaZulu Natal

Following the release of his SAMA16 Best Newcomer award winning debut album People and Places released in June 2009, Tshepo Mngoma again shared his musical gift with us in the album
“The Journey” which was released in February 2014. In September his journey leads him to KwaZulu Natal as part of the Concerts SA program. He will be gracing KZN stages for three performances: at KZNSA Gallery in Durban, Blue Ice Lifestyle in Cato Ridge and as part of the program he will also perform at a Primary School in Cato Ridge. Mngoma will be joined by his band Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums, Wandile Molefe on keys and Sakhile Nkosi on bass. Mngoma has toured both internationally and in South Africa with the legendary Hugh Masekela either in the musicalSongs of Migration or on Hugh and Friends along with Thandiswa Mazwai and Tshepo Tsola. Mngoma has also flourished as a Musical Director, having landed the responsibility of MD in the South African version of the internationally acclaimed production of the musical DreamGirls and the 2011 South African Sports Awardsstaged at the Sun City Superbowl August 2011. These are just a few of his career highlights. His album The Journey draws influence from some of the accomplishments, and is evident of his musical growth and experience. This event is supported by Concerts SA and produced by iSupport Music Business. Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative that aims to stimulate live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable performance platforms.  It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. Details: Friday 05 September KZNSA Gallery, Glenwood (166 Bulwer Road), Durban Doors 6pm
 R60 
Bookings: 031 201 9969 Sunday 7 September Blue Ice Lifestyle (Thuthuka) Ehlanzeni, Number 8, Nagle Dam, Cato Ridge Doors 2pm R20 Bookings: 031 7111...

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