Every morning, as I cruise through my usual social media stops, I've seen polarizing takes on Occupy Wall Street (I'm from Texas after all). Visit YouTube and you'll see contrasting versions depending on whom the videographer decides to speak with.

This morning, I discovered one of the...

It's true there's no business like show business. Yet film and television productions embody cultural art forms and also represent a team sport. Storytelling in motion takes inspiration and drive along with a strong group effort. And there are multiple leaders within the different layers on set, but clearly directors...

It's day four in what is already being call the worst fire in Texas history. At this moment, only 30% of the fire has been contained. As you can see from the images below, thousands of Texas families need your help.

Here's how you can help -

According to local officials in Bastrop County Texas, the fire is swallowing "One home every four minutes". The fight has only begun. As of now, "zero percent" is contained. Words cannot describe how devastating these fires are to Austin and the surrounding areas. I'll simply let the images speak for...

According to the script from the new movie, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," scientists have accidentally boosted apes' intelligence, testosterone and pheromone levels, rendering them irresistible to beautiful women.

Is this really possible? Yes, it is.

I saw it in a video called "

While there were more cool things at SXSW than I can even think to count, some things stand out more than others, and not all of them happen on stage. Here are my 10 must-see's at the the 25th Anniversary SXSW Fest.

1. A killer free concert.

As a veteran photographer of two decades, I've seen the industry go through some dramatic changes. But nothing more dramatic than the birth of digital photography.

We're now a decade deep into the Digital Age of photography, and it's never been more interesting. Gone are the days when photographers...

The holidays are about sharing, but we need to remember that when we donate to charity, we're giving to people not data. At least one nonprofit in Austin gets that, and that's why they publish this remarkable new magazine.

When we listen to stories, we allow ourselves to be...

The following post is an open letter to members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

I'm not a musician, music expert, or member of any music label. I'm just a music fan who has joined with other fans to send you...

People disappear for many reasons. Some choose to disappear, alone. Many of these soon return. Then again, for those who disappear on their own, there are a host of possible reasons. Maybe they want to avoid domestic abuse, or avoid legal papers being served, or out of control debt.

"Hip hop is Dead." -Nas

I know how he feels.

Generally speaking, with the exception of some truly stellar standouts, popular hip hop has become pretty homogenized over the past decade. The contrast of Public Enemy's "Fear Of A Black Planet" with virtually anything on the charts today is...

Stay-at-home dads are becoming more and more common in the Great Recession and this guy gives them a bad name. Meet Brandon, a 37 year old that just lost his job at the Commodities Exchange to a computer. He's a Stay-At-Home Dad who can't seem to censor himself....

Does it take talent to become a pop-star? No, really. This is a serious question. Does it?

I asked that question in my first film Before the Music Dies and I got a wide variety of answers. At that time (2006), there was still a lot of confusion...

To bring the public's attention to the plight of an often overlooked population, Austin, Texas nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) used a unique approach: a billboard along a major freeway. The I Am Here campaign aimed to literally "raise the visibility" of the local homeless community.

I'm...

According to Websters Online Dictionary, the word happiness is -

hap·pi·ness
Pronunciation: \ˈha-pē-nəs\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : good fortune : prosperity
2a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy
2b : a pleasurable or satisfying...

This is an open invitation for Glenn Beck and Jon Stewart to come together on a neutral stage
in New York City to debate about the future of America and it's politics.

Imagine: A live debate between two of the most well-known political commentators on television today....

Any way you slice it, to say that the past two years has been economically "unkind" to businesses both large and small would be an understatement. From giant corporations dealing with cutbacks and layoffs, to local Mom & Pop's shutting their doors for good, the American dream has collectively taken...

The pursuit of happiness. The men who wrote the Declaration of Independence famously put that idea on paper and called it one of our "inalienable" rights.

And do we ever pursue it. In fact, Americans spend great amounts of our time, money and energy chasing it....

Seen any good short films lately?

These days, because of the affordability and ease of the "shoot and share" nature of digital filmmaking, there is an abundance of films online from which to choose, and more on the way everyday.

In the past, you would have been required to attend...

Historically, the month of January takes its name from the Roman god Janus, the "god of the doorway," and every year, for a whole new crop of independent films and filmmakers looking for an opening, this couldn't ring more true. It marks an opportunity for these artists to vie for...