| Yes, I did start my own magazine and publishing company with the support and hard work of both my girl friend Laura and everyone else that is part of our staff. Considering everyone has day jobs, I tip my hat to each and everyone and commend them on a superlative job. It sounds like you have a great team. Our creative director is Laura Seymour, my girl friend and co-owner of Down Shift, LLC. She holds a BA in art, specefically graphic design from the University of Central Florida where she graduated in the top of her class and with honors. Our photo editor and chief photographer is Michael Coates who himseld graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University of South Florida with honors. Our copy editor is Rebekah Maddrey my mother and published author. She holds multiple accolades and a PH.D in British Literature from the University of South Florida. As the editor-in-chief and co-owner of Down Shift, LLC I am a published author and copy writer holding both a bachelors degree in Colonial American History and Political Science/Pre-Law. To that end I graduated from the University of South Florida with a 3.9 overall GPA and minors in both computer engineering and British Literature. To that end I feel that we are all well qualified for what we do. You've certainly got the educational credentials. So, thats more than fine that you do not care for the layout. I'm sorry you feel so strongly against it but that is your preference and you are entitled to it. Yes, lets evaluate Breanne Ashley. Quite simply she is one of the premier models in the south east. Based out of Atlanta Breanne has both modeling and acting accredidations to her name as well as a national endorsement by Hooters where in she appears on promotional billboards the nation over. She has also graced the cover of multiple magazinea and print media campaigns as well as one of the innaugural cover's of Hooter's own magazine. All that aside, she is a simple, honest very hard working model who is as down to earth as they come. Having worked with her many times before and having nothing but the highest respect for Breanne I am proud to have her in my sig. She's very pretty and I'm glad she has a successful career, but my point still stands. There are indeed some very attractive women that we have worked with over the past 2 years. Thankyou for the compliment. That being said of all the models we have worked with Breanne has been my favorite, so she is consequently in MY sig. That was my choice, no one else's. So crucify me for it if you like. Again, I wasn't looking to berate you - it's your business. I'd go with a classic beauty for a face-shot. Her body is her best asset, not her face. No, this is what I like to think of as a friendly complimentary conversation. Lets be honest and at least call things what they are. "And for the love of God, fix the fucking spelling in the banner." Profanity is not called for here, but whatever. Quite simply, no. Technically it can be spelled either way depending on the colloquial usage of the word. We chose to spell it as we did and it is something what we have and will continue to stick with. People bastardize Down Shift into Downshift all the time and I dont make an issue of it. "People" don't publish a magazine, you do. This is simply a matter of fact. I've never seen it spelled "passtime" and even if it is, it's a bastardization at best: [ http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=passtime&x=0&y=0 ] I've worked hand in hand with graphic artists for about 5 years (some pedigreed, some not) - and one of the many tasks include publications. I wouldn't normally point something like this out, as it's your business but frankly the spelling is often incorrect, the layouts are often busy (there have been more than one instance of text over a complex background - rendering it very difficult to either read the text or make out the image). I won't comment on the writing style too much, other than to say it often seems elementary and rushed. The artists I've worked with wouldn't let half the layouts pass into publication. When I read your magazine, the first thing I think is that this is put together by someone who has little experience with print layout and writing for entertainment. Compare the diction, flow, and sentence construction of a few of your articles to some of the older car magazines you can find on a newsstand and you'll see what I mean. I understand you've got some degreed people on staff, but it is plainly obvious whoever is putting the layout together doesn't have much industry experience. Again, your business is still maturing and the skillsets are growing I'm sure, but it's something you should (imho) take a critical look at improving. At any rate, I look forward to seeing where your magazine goes in the future and I wish you all the best. Don't be afraid to take a critical look at your product though, if some douchenozzle tells you it needs improvement (in spite of the fact that he's being ass) - he could actually be right. And now to address your addendums: Breanne, though not being a "classic beauty" was one of the 3 runners up for Miss FHM last year. Hands down one of the hottest women out there in evidently more than just my book. I didn't say she wasn't hot, I said she has a pig-nose (at least appears to in that image) and a facial close-up isn't flattering for her. Furthermore her makeup was poorly put on, I assume she doesn't have any accolades as a makeup artist. An experienced layout designer / artist would pick up on that - a college graduate would not. Would I say that to her if I saw her in the mall? No. Would I say that to her if she showed up for some facial close-up modeling? Absolutely. Models are objectified, it's part of the business - you of course know this. To review: yes, she's very pretty. Her makeup was poorly put on and the image is not flattering for her lines. A better layout could have been selected. Though you may feel the magazine is still in its infant stages, and it may very well be as industry standard is 4 years to establish yourself. We have successfully built up the LLC side of the business to be able to support the magazine, grossing excess of $60K this year a figure that we are all extrmely happy with. To that end we have provided copy, design, printing, publishing and marketing services to a wide array of both Florida and national clients. Its not as though we are some fly by night wide eyed dreamer squad It sounds like you have a great start. I wasn't looking to start up a big debate or harass you, and I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Look Rob, you don't have to justify yourself to me, I'm just suggesting taking a critical look at some areas of your product: layout, spelling, and writing. I see you're being a bit defensive and I don't blame you - you've put your heart and soul into your business. I wish you the best.
Recursively Yours,
Kenny...
PETZ Member #5
You guys rock socks. (Click for pie-chart)
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07:47:11 10/12/06
