Buying in the Neighborhood - Edition Ten (10)

Amazing and spectacular crisp days this week.  The sun is starting to be out longer and the itch to stay outside is growing.  The events are starting to move outdoors and spring training baseball games are getting underway and who has tickets to give away?  Right?  These are the things we all look forward to as the spring begins to lurk around the corner.  The cold brisk mornings are not gone and will still be around.  You will still need to run that heater, don't deny it, we know you do.  And you probably have at least two blankets still covering the bed at night.  Again, don't deny it.  So much for the spring teaser this week.  Well I hope you are looking forward to the next few months because they are going to be so exciting and even more full of events as this is the time of year for the film festivals for the season to really take off.  There are so many to discuss and so many thing to attend, but I would never get tired of them.

Why, you ask?  Because the Film Industry (yes, I capitalized) is flourishing in Arizona with so much talent, I think the state could absolutely burst.  I have been privileged to be involved and part of this very up and coming group of talented and spectacular individuals, companies, organizations, associations, and many more groups that represent this industry.  And it's not only from the filming side, you have the fashion, the training, the support groups, the actor's groups, the extras, the production crews, the film locations, all the businesses that participate too.  The list can go on and on and on.....  It's a hidden secret if you are not in the industry, but if you are in the industry, then the circles all intersect and spin into their own circles and create wonderful, beautiful, comedy centered, zombified, horrified, classified, psycho driven, romantic, cheesy, dreamy, and sad (and endless other adjectives) types of movies, films, short films, clips, noirs, featurettes, sequels, trilogy, series, web series, competitive movies or videos.  I would have to say there is a lot of love for movies and films here. 

So the next big thing coming that will really push things out there this year is AZFAME  http://www.azfame.com the Arizona Film and Media Expo, being held March 12 - 13 at the Phoenix Convention Center.  Per http://www.azfame.com - "The Arizona Film And Media Expo is the exciting annual event that brings people in show business, modeling, print and media together under one roof. If you are an actor, producer, director, musician, filmmaker, performer, designer, writer, stage manager, or anyone involved in film, TV, stage, modeling and show business, this event is for you. Whether sponsoring, exhibiting or just attending the Arizona Film And Media Expo is the place for you or your company to connect, market, brand and build loyalty among the professional and demographically-diverse entertainment industry." 

Dana Skvarek of Depleting Shadow Films (http://www.depletingshadowfilms.com) is the wonderful producer and organizer of this AZFAME event this year.  So many things can be said about Dana and his work and effort into this.  He has a passion about filming and creating something special.  It's not about what Dana gets out of this, but it's about how he brings others together through that creation to make something unforgettable and so unique and out of this world fantastic.  Dana has a following along with his other team, crew, production, friends, family, and more.  AZFAME is just one of those ways that he gives back to others.  The quality of this event and the films that Dana produces are evident of his great passion, technical expertise, and drive to be the best but to also share that with others. 

I can't wait for this to begin and it just so happens to be the day after my crazy blow out of a birthday party on March 11th.  Imagine that.  I get to start at the White House (http://www.whitehousescottsdale.com)    on Friday and I end up in AZFAME (http://www.azfame.com) on Saturday.  What a journey and here we go!!  Can't wait to see you there. 

Tickets on sale now - go to http://www.azfame.com for yours!!!!! Event Dates - March 12–13, 2011, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Phoenix Convention Center, South Building, 100 North Third Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.  In addition there is a fabulous After Party planned.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.   The After Party will be Saturday, March 12th at 7:30 pm at Doc's Place, 40 E Camelback Rd #102, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyInArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered......