LA’s BlobLive Pitches a Winning Game

Tracy Pattin, host, Sizzle in the Middle.com

It was a night of great ideas, brainstorming and pitching at its best. “This is an open mic night for entrepreneurs” says BlobLive’s Erick Brownstein. “Tonight I’ve got BlobLive breaking news and big results about one idea pitcher. It was an when evening when only 12 people were in the audience. The entrepreneur shared his video platform idea. Turns out, someone in the audience was connected to The Huffington Post. Then he started working with them and from there? He’s in talks with the White House.”

So, that’s what can happen when you step onstage and present your dream.

Attending several BlobLive events these past months, I’ve seen a slew of ideas and projects at various stages, from the Green Christmas Tree, to the Solar DJ, to the guy who wants to transform the Hollywood Sign. Tonight was no exception.

First up, Solomon’s Movie Pals Open Cinema in its final stages, about to be launched. It’s a collaborative movie making internet site with the cyber audience participating in all aspects of production as voters decide on the process and finished piece. “It has to be a meritocracy though”, says Solomon, “The more you do the more you vote.” When he asked for feedback and suggestions there were lots of hands raised. “What about creating good endings to bad movies?” Someone suggested. “You mean like a heckle section?” So there it was. A new idea for this already fascinating project.

When the British guy jumped onstage, talking about “lovable rogues” and “white Boys with street smarts”, I was mesmerized, but didn’t know what to think. This idea within an idea, was a great example of showing instead of telling. Seems Julian Moss was portraying one of the characters in his movie. The charismatic filmmaker wants to help the homeless and mentally ill with his Community film idea. His movie “The White Boys” is almost finished. Now he needs marketing and distribution guidance. Tweets were lining up on the screen behind. “Great idea! Take it to film festivals.”

Every pitch was compelling! Todd did a pitch within a pitch, presenting his Stealth Auto idea to get ready for his appearance on new reality show, Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch to investors on TV. “Todd will pimp your car” wrote a twitterer.

Pam’s Matchmaking Concierge, generated a great new name, Guydea (hopefully she’s bought the domain by now!), Terrence from USC’s Stevens Institute of Innovation , had a hologram idea.  And finally, the show stopper was 8 year old Lucy who pitched, “BlobLive for kids.” Hands shot up everywhere. This was a winner.

-Tracy Pattin

Then it hit me.  BlobLive is about the kid in all of us.

Upcoming LA New Media Events

Wednesday July 29. Digital Media Summit. UCLA. Los Angeles, CA.

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Filed under: In The Field, Christmas Trees, Community, dreams, film, Green Movement, Hollywood, idea generating, ideas, investors, kids ideas, matchmaking, pitching, reality TV, Shark Tank, Solar companies, The Huffington Post, The White House, Twitter, USC

In The Field…Another Great Evening of Idea Pitching

Tracy Pattin SizzleintheMiddle

BlobLive is one of the best New Media/Social Media events I’ve attended over the past month. There’s something exhilarating about a roomful of ideas and people passionate enough about them to take a risk, step onstage and share them with a live audience and a cyber-audience.

The live version of IdeaBlob.com, this pitching event begins with Erick Brownstein introducing the concept. “Each idea pitch gets 90 seconds. Then we open it up to the audience for suggestions and to the cyber-audience via Twitter.”

And this was no ordinary audience.

Tonight, at VLounge in Santa Monica, BlobLive is sponsored by Girls in Tech and Pinky Vodka . (We got pink gift bags with eyeshadow, blush and lip gloss and cool bottles of vodka!).

The pitch fest started with an intern internet company looking to go international. Then the Global Progress Specialist wants to help third world countries with mentoring and educational services. But the most interesting and most popular of the evening was the “Green” Christmas Tree, adorned with “Green” ornaments made with recycled materials ideally from children across the country created by Mark Venaglia The ultimate destination for the tree? Where else? The White House. The audience jumped in immediately to give suggestions. It was apparent, this was a winning idea.

This maverick “Steve McQueen” lookalike behind me, blurted out “Love your idea. I invest in new companies.” Clearly he was at BlobLive trolling for start-ups to invest in. That’s what makes this so exciting. Entrepreneur, Marty Stevens-Heebner (Half the sky Designs) was constantly at the mic with great feedback and contacts for every idea pitcher.  So, you never know who’s in the audience, but one thing is for sure, there are power players at every event.

As I marveled at this energizing exchange between idea pitchers and responders to those ideas, it suddenly occurred to me; This is just as much for the audience as it is for those onstage. It’s true creative community in action.

Check out the upcoming BlobLive monthly events.

Also this week:  The UCLA Entrepreneur Institute free seminar. (with UCLA Professor, Seasoned Entrepreneur and avid BlobLive participant, Dr. Dan Nathanson).

-Tracy Pattin

Filed under: In The Field, entrepreneurs, ideas, pitching ideas, Social Media events, Twitter