Inside The MInd Of Steve Zuckerman

Inside the mind of Steve Zuckerman.

I recently returned from GEMS (Global Entertainment Media Summit) held in NYC at the December. It was a league of informed creatives with a wealth of knowledge and willing to share. They were warm, connective and there of their own accord. They were there to offer their insights about a changing industry of the arts and answer all the questions that the audience has to offer. They were giants, so to speak, that showed that they were just people, like everyone else and were interested in see other creative people find their way in what they love to do. All in all it was a wonderful experience.

Steve Zuckerman had produced this event. This was his brainchild. I have to give this man kudos for the execution of such a fine product. It generated the passion of change.
I asked him for an interview and we spoke over the phone as to make sure and get the full vibe of what he had to say ☺

So here we are in the mind of Steve:

When Steve was four he was first influenced buy Ed Sullivan introducing the Beatles. It had made such an impact on him that he wanted to BE Ed. He wanted to showcase new talent. Later he would be introduced to Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and he then wanted to be Don Kirshner and introduce new talent. The creative endeavor of Henry Fonda in 1962 a movie entitled “Fail-Safe” literally changed his life forever. The movie showed him the “ecology of life” and how society lives in lies and fear. He then produced his first event in his junior high school, an Ecology Festival.

Steve decided he wanted to be in “the industry” and created reasons for the right people to talk to him. He pushed himself into the areas of his interest. Yet, he would create a concept, well executed ideas and present them to the people that he wanted to be involved. This requires research. Steve said that he uses the Internet as an essential tool for research. He looks at several different sites every day and sees what people are saying. When he finds those like minds he contacts them via email and sometimes though a phone call. He partners up with different business partners who share a common principle but maintains creative control. Why? Because he has earned it ☺

What is inspiring Steve today? He is inspired by the things that he loves and compelled to move and change the things that he dislikes. One such thing, in particular, that irritates him is the palpable sellout of Rolling Stone Magazine. This was a magazine that had its roots in San Francisco, Haight Ashbury hippie district, counter culture. Now they have a reality show that finds its writers based on who gets voted off, or who is the most popular. It now seems to be embracing the current fad of pop-culture.
He is in dismay at the American culture and the tolerance of the “here today and gone tomorrow” concept. Immersed in the common vote, it sees that the magazine has lost its roots, its core incentive. He understands that all things must change and should! You can, however, maintain your core beliefs and continue in today’s world maintaining your original intent and produce more “investigative journalism and take more of a political stance”.

What is he doing now? He is busy with Bob Kosch and Roger Corman creating a new media company called Total Access Live. It is a company based on old core industry values on today’s changing platform. It serves to empower the people with information from renowned sources. Its desire is to improve the way artists are educated.

I asked him what is it about what he does that is different from other promoters. His reply was, “They work! Kind of live making a watch and putting all the pieces together to create a working instrument.”

A few extra tidbits:

What is your definition of success?

SZ: Being able to do what you love, know who you are, leave a positive impact on others, know you are still evolving and know that what you believe in today may change tomorrow.

What are some special projects or events that stand out and are special to you?

SZ: 1. Playing piano at a nursing home for thirteen years at Thanksgiving.
2. Being introduced on stage, for the first time, by Howard Bloom as a musician after being interwoven in it for 28 years.

In your opinion, who are some of the most influential artists in the last 50 years?

SZ: James Brown, Sly Stone, Buddy Holly, Steve Earl, Kurt Vonnegut, Susan Sarandon…to name a few
All these people had the intention of true creative expression and not trying to fit into a popular mold.

I would like to thank Steve for his interview. He is a warm energy with the pure intent to change his world and leave his mark. Also thanks to talent speaks.com and theInspirit.com for the arena for creative expression. If you don’t know what it’s all about a summary is:
Talent Speaks is a web discussion that explores how advancements in electronic networking and digital technologies are quickly creating opportunities that will empower independent artists to achieve success through self promotion. As the Internet continues to evolve with far-reaching networking tools, artists now have an unrestricted ability to promote themselves to the global audience. New Media methods are creating a New System that allows artists (musicians, designers, photographers, writers, etc) to deal directly with consumers, bypassing the traditional hurdles of an outdated art and entertainment industry. As a result, scores of independent creatives will benefit both professionally and financially, to achieve success through their networking efforts and the support of their fans.
This forum serves as a sounding board for the world's emerging talent pool and as a pilot study for a new, visionary web-based talent program called theInspirit. Once launched, theInspirit will teach the 'art of self-promotion" and encourage creative artists to network with buyers and fans around the world. Through the use of a proprietary suite of promotional tools, the program will create immediate exposure and economic opportunity for millions of creative people around the world.
The New System (as opposed to the old) will undoubtedly rewrite how art and entertainment is produced, promoted, distributed and sold throughout the world. It will offer exposure and success to hundreds of thousands of artists instead of a privileged few. Today's creative minds are opinionated, New Media has spurred an era of voice and choice, and talent is speaking loudly.

If you haven’t browsed around the site, do so! Sign up to be a beta tester for theInspirit.com and get involved in the new generation of creative expression ☺

Namaste

barbee