Chris Barrett

In January 2009, KBC Media acquired news organization Elites TV, and earlier this month I was named Editor in Chief.

Below is a brief history of Elites TV:

In 2001, reality TV guru and editor J.L. Thompson launched Elites TV as a global entertainment news source and fan community focused on shows such as Big Brother, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. By 2004, Elites TV had become reality TV fans’ go-to site for breaking news and gossip; staff writers provided in-depth coverage from the New York City reality TV scene, interviewing a host of reality TV producers and stars, including Mark Burnett and Survivor winner Ethan Zohn. An interactive web community, Elites TV’s community message board was home to over 20,000 reality TV fans; additionally, as an organization, Elites TV sponsored reality TV parties and events, such as NBC’s The Restaurant: Season 2 Premiere Party with Gideon Horowitz.

In 2005, entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker Chris Barrett teamed up with J.L. Thompson in an effort to expand Elites TV beyond the realm of reality television. The site acquired a new prestige as a trustworthy independent online news source. With renewed financing and an ad revenue share program, Elites TV acquired writers from all across the United States and began producing over twenty original news articles a day. In 2005 and 2006, Elites TV received over twenty million page views.

In early 2009, Elites TV partnered with some of the Internet’s most reliable news sources in order to provide the most accurate and expansive array of world news; the site now syndicates news from vital sources such as Citizen News Service, PLoSONE, Open Congress, Global Voice, American Forces/Defense Link, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Still in synch with its roots, Elites TV remains one of the Internet’s most prominent gossip and entertainment sources, proud partners with popular sites such as The Evil Beet and Behind The Hype.

Elites TV boasts its own unique collection of guest columnists and contributors. The site has enlisted over forty gurus and personalities, such as YouTube marketer Nalts, champion poker player Roy Winston, and celebrity law expert Matthew Semino. Elites TV’s writing team continues to provide exclusive, in-depth coverage of the world’s top film festivals, including Silverdocs, Sundance Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Festival, and more. Elites TV’s articles have been quoted from and linked to on sites such as The Village Voice, Huffington Post, Gawker, Deadspin, and National Ledger; Elites TV’s exclusive videos have appeared on Drudge Report, Perez Hilton, Jimmy Kimmel Live, BBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

In early 2009, KBC Media, a prominent and highly acclaimed media relations firm, acquired Elites TV and its staff. Elites TV, formally based in Texas, relocated to historic Collingswood, New Jersey.

For more information visit: ElitesTV.com

I filmed actor Jeff Daniels during his Q&A the 2009 Philadelphia Film Festival / Cinefest 2009.

“Wise and funny, with life lessons for all of us.” —Phil Rosenthal, Creator and Executive Producer, “Everybody Loves Raymond”

“A clear roadmap on how to go about achieving goals and getting what you want out of life…Required reading for everyone, young and old alike.” —Jason Rae, youngest member ever elected to the Democratic National Committee

“This is the blueprint for success and personal satisfaction I wish I had when I began my career.” —Mark Achbar, Director, The Corporation

“Efren and Chris attack everything they do with a spirit and a level of enthusiasm that we all aspire to have in our work and our lives.” —Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix

“Confronting your movie on the big screen of life can be daunting…but Efren and Chris have created this masterful guide to get you that standing ovation.” —Rodney Charters, ASC, CSC, Cinematographer, 24

“Direct Your Own Life is a fast and fun read. It’s inspirational and upbeat.” —Senh Duong, Founder of Rotten Tomatoes

“There’s more good advice in here than in a dozen books from the so-called ‘experts.’ At the rate these two are going, they’ll be running Hollywood in no time.” —Patrick Creadon, award-winning documentary filmmaker, Wordplay and I.O.U.S.A.

“The secret to success is hidden in these pages!” —Chantal Claret, Lead Singer, Morningwood

“An entertaining guide for any film-lover who wants to produce a better life for him- or herself!” —Gill Holland, The Group Entertainment, Producer

“Direct Your Own Life will encourage young entrepreneurs not to wait in line for someone else to call their number.” —Pascal Maeder, Founder, Atopia

“The messages in this book are brilliant; I couldn’t have put them better myself…so I didn’t. This book is essential to anyone with a dream lodged somewhere in the back of his or her mind. Use it and live it!” —Brian Ach, Celebrity Photographer

“This book is the super model of all life manuals!” —Susan Holmes, Fashion Designer, TV Personality, and Former Supermodel

“A pragmatic and inspiring guide that encourages its readers not to write themselves off as victims of their surroundings, but to take steps towards being the person they want to be in the world.” —Luke Eberl, 22, Award-Winning Director of Choose Connor

Product Description
Take center stage with your own life script to be successful in any field.

Efren had a choice: Take a high-paying, big-studio role in Alamo, starring Billy Bob Thornton, or take a small, no-money-upfront role as “Pedro” in Napoleon Dynamite. Efren’s gamble launched him to international success and he has worked every day since.

Chris had an idea: Why not get a corporation to pay for his college education? He became a national spokesperson for FIRST USA, a division of Bank One. He garnered over 20 million dollars in publicity for the bank and over 80 million media impressions during the campaign. He has been featured on the Today Show, CBS Early Show, ABC, NBC, FOX, MSNBC, CNN and profiled in People magazine twice, including the “25 Most Intriguing people” issue.

Efren and Chris wrote the script for their own lives — and now they’re living their dreams. They share their story with tens of thousands of young adults all over the country, and now they share a five-act formula to help college students and young professionals take charge of their future.

About the Author
EFREN RAMIREZ, “Pedro” from the blockbuster hit Napoleon Dynamite and co-star of such recent hits as Crank and Employee of the Month, has not only been acting since childhood but also writing, producing, and directing. He has played diverse roles in many television shows including Scrubs, ER, Judging Amy, The District and Boston Public. He will appear in American Summer in 2008. When he isn’t filming, he spends his time speaking to students and appearing as a guest DJ in clubs all across the country.

CHRIS BARRETT, who began as a young business entrepreneur at the age of 14, has appeared in several award-winning documentaries and now directs them. As a senior in high school, Chris hit the national and international media by becoming the very first Corporate College Sponsored Student in America. He became a national “spokesguy” for FIRST USA, a division of Bank One. He garnered over 20 million dollars in publicity for the bank and over 80 million media impressions during the campaign. He has been featured on the Today Show, CBS Early Show, ABC, NBC, FOX, MSNBC, CNN and profiled in People magazine twice, including the “25 Most Intriguing people” issue.

Efren and Chris met at Sundance in 2004, which was the beginning of a great friendship and solid business partnership. Together they share a production company, Powerhouse Pictures Entertainment, LLC. Currently they are producing a groundbreaking documentary titled After School, which delves into the recent teacher student sex scandals that have hit the media. They talk to thousands of students every year about how to direct their own lives and careers.

Download Direct Your Own Life Chapter One and Introduction
http://www.directyourownlife.com/DirectYourOwnLife.pdf

http://www.DirectYourOwnLife.com

Gen Art is excited to announce that it will be co-hosting two important events at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, both celebrating actors who are committed to independent cinema: 7 Fresh Faces in Film with 7 For All Mankind on January 16 and Its Better in the Dark with Black – Kenneth Cole on January 17.

On Friday, January 16, from 10pm-1am, 7 For All Mankind and Gen Art will honor seven talented up and coming actors at the 2nd annual 7 Fresh Faces in Film celebration taking place at the Hollywood Life House at 692 Main Street, Park City. Hosted by Virginia Madsen, the anticipated event will feature seven rising stars who will be toasted by members of the film and fashion communities.

Each one of the 7 Fresh Faces has at least one film premiering at this years festival. The honorees include: Zach Gilford (Dare, TV – Friday Night Lights), Tania Raymonde (The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, TV – Lost), Pell James (Shrink, Zodiac), Louisa Krause (Toe to Toe, The Babysitters), Charlyne Yi (Paper Heart, Knocked Up, TV – 30 Rock), Jess Weixler (Peter and Vandy), and Mark Duplass (Humpday, The Puffy Chair, co-wrote/co-directed Baghead).

The group was carefully chosen by members of Gen Art and 7 For All Mankind based on their past and current projects. These talented actors are poised to become the breakout stars of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and we expect them to make tremendous contributions to the entertainment community. This aligns with our own mission to support the artists who influence us. said Leilani Augustine, VP of Marketing at 7 For All Mankind.

I just arrived in Park City, Utah for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. I picked up my credential at the filmmaker office and just sorting through my schedule for the day. I just gave a nod to Spike Lee, who is sitting across from me. I was at Silverdocs Film Festival last year when Spike Lee gave his endorsement for Barack Obama.
Here is my video:

I just got a Google news alert from Deadspin.com. The Gawker blog posted a story about Jason Eickmeyer’s Rolling Stone article.
The posting is called:
The Downside Of Doing Your Teacher
We’ve covered many, many instances of teacher/student-athlete fornication. The latest issue of Rolling Stone reveals that even though it seems like every teenage boy’s fantasy, it can really fuck a kid up…

It’s been almost five years and Eickmeyer still hasn’t recovered and continues to be hung up on Ms. Tapp, who was finally fired from Hammonton High about two years after their affair. The RS story, written by Sabrina Rubin Erderly, pulls generously from a soon-to-be completed documentary about the male student/teacher sex phenomenon called “After School.”
Click here for the full story

To a Suicide Bomber” written & performed by Dr. Rafey Habib.
Filmed by: Chris Barrett

Chris Barrett is a filmmaker and author.  He is featured in the award-winning documentary, The Corporation, and has been profiled extensively in media such as USA Today, New York Times, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, and People Magazine. He co-authored the book, Direct Your Own Life; additionally, he is spotlighted in titles such as The Power of Focus for Teens, The Success Principals for Teens, and Chicken Soup for the Extraordinary Teen Soul.  Chris became the first corporately sponsored college student in America, as well as one of the youngest patent holders in the world; today, he is a partner in Powerhouse Pictures Entertainment, a film production company.