The 3D Celebrity An Interview with Xavier Tournaud - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The 3D Celebrity An Interview with Xavier Tournaud - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Xavier Tournaud. Tournaud is an actor, model, and businessman with credits in television (i.e. Desire, Lifetime’s Final Justice with Erin Brokovich, Fox’s Married by America) as well as in film (i.e. Couple’s Retreat, Living the Dream, Just Not Married Yet). He was also cast in a national Hugo Boss commercial. Most recently, Tournaud started his own media company, Finish Line 3D Media, which specializes in producing 3 Dimensional promotional videos for major brands. We talked about the primary influences that have led him to this point in his career, and how he has used branding to help build his company.  1. How did you get your start in the world of entertainment? Well I was born in France, and at the age of 21 my father passed away from brain cancer. The reason I say that isn’t for sympathy, but it really shaped my life in a major way. My dad had a company in the South of France. As a kid growing up I thought, I’m going to work for my dad; this company has my name on it. When he passed, I asked myself, what am I going to do now? That’s why I came to the US; I kind of wanted to start from scratch. I think looking back I made a good decision, it allowed me to move on. So I went to Northeastern University in Boston, MA and studied Marketing. After that I worked in the software sales business for seven or eight years. Then September 11th happened which made me realize I needed to really truthfully look deep down into my soul and do something that would make me happy. That’s why I moved to LA and became a model and an actor and all of that. I wanted a more enjoyable life. 2.  What made you want to leave the corporate world? What did you find different about modeling, acting, etc.? Eventually while working in the corporate world, and with what happened to my dad, I realized that I didn’t want that life anymore. I saw some of the people I worked with in Boston, people working for the same company for 25-30 years and becoming robots. The same thing Monday through Friday. Everyone would come in on Monday and have the “How was your weekend?” “Good, how was your weekend?” conversation. It became very repetitive to me, and it really bothered me. 3. When did you get your big break? Well I came to LA and was lucky enough to get cast on a TV show called “Desire.” I was on 65 episodes, now all of a sudden I’m shooting every day in San Diego and it was fantastic experience. It really gave me a behind the scenes look at how TV and movies worked, and I liked it. From there, I did a few smaller films and finally was lucky to be cast in “Couple’s Retreat” starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. It was interesting because now I’m on the set of a $75 million film, hanging out with big time actors, spending basically a month in Bora Bora. And to all of the outsiders, everyone was saying “Man you’re the luckiest bastard in the world.” And I felt very much that way, but at the same time for me it wasn’t enough because I had a small scene, and I wanted to work. I wanted to test out my acting chops and improv scenes like the big actors, but I couldn’t. As amazing as the experience was, it was also a big tease. So I came back from the trip feeling very h appy but at the same time scratching my head thinking “I need to find a way to do what I want to do.”  4. Lets talk about  your company, what is the focus? Recently, I started a company called Finish Line 3D Media, and it encompasses all of my strengths as an individual. As you can tell by the name, the company focuses on putting together 3D videos and short dramas for specific causes or brands. The first one were doing is centered on Tennis, and were in the process of finalizing a partnership with Panasonic. We’re very lucky to be working with a kid named Bryce Pereira, who is an amazing tennis player sponsored by Wilson. I got the idea for this project because I’m such a huge tennis fan. And you know, tennis has such a large amount of branding involved for a given tournament, 65 countries represented, millions of fans around the world. I’m from Europe, I studied international business, and I love tennis. It just seemed like a perfect fit. 5.  How did you use your brand to get the right people/brands involved with your company? I’m building this company entirely using branding. I’ve been trying over the last 6-7 years I’ve been in LA to meet the right people and to build connections. So I decided to go around town and talk to some of those people I knew who were in high places and ask them what they thought of my idea. It’s a trick I actually stole from someone I worked with in the software industry. He would go around and ask potential customers, “Hey, I’m developing this new software, do you think you would buy it?” I thought it was very clever and so I sort of used the same philosophy here. I asked people what they thought of a branded 3D video and the response was very positive. Of course, then I’m moving a thousand miles a minute to get the company set up because I was afraid someone would steal the idea. For Panasonic, it was pretty funny actually. I kept driving by the Panasonic 3D Laboratory in Studio City. One day, I just walked up and literally knocked on the front door. I asked to speak to the person in charge and told them about my idea. Now, here we are about to sign a deal with them to use their equipment as well as to have people help produce the videos. And I knew that Wilson sponsored the kid we are working with, so I approached them next. Now I have the US Tennis Association, Wilson, and a few other partners on board, just by leveraging those first relationships. 7.  What do you hope to accomplish with this first video? Well, I’m so excited to have all of these awesome companies involved with this project, but all of them are now waiting for me to perform and see what I will do on the first video. So the first video is extremely important for me, I need to produce a fantastic product. My only investor is myself, and my family has helped, but I’m trying to shy away from investors. I want the brands I work with to be my investors, and I need to make sure that I develop a strong product for them. The relationship with these brands is not a one night stand, it’s a lasting one, and I want to make sure that they are happy with what I do so they will continue to support me. 8.  What made you focus on 3D Video Development? I see 3D as the way of the future, and I even think it’s going to go far beyond 3D very quickly. One thing I’ve learned in business is that when you spread yourself too thin it’s tough. I’ve noticed the most successful people are the ones who specialize. It’s something that I have tried to do in the last few years. And 3D is all about the experience. Having a strong 3D experience is very powerful. If you are watching Spiderman 3D, which looks awesome by the way, and you see Spiderman drinking a Coke, it’s like YOU are drinking the Coke. From an advertising perspective, it’s much more powerful as well. 9.  What would you say to those who think 3D is just a fad? I would disagree. Obviously, what drives the 3D world is technology, but it’s really about content. Just like anything else, it’s about content, and I hope to develop fun, sexy, quality 3D dramas for the brands I work with. That’s why when people say to me, “That was a bad movie because it was in 3D,” I say, “No, that was just a bad movie.” It’s not enough to just have dragons jumping out of the screen now; I think viewers are beyond that. People are more trained to watch 3D now, so you have to have a solid story and solid characters to support the technology.  .  Why is the name of your company Finish Line 3D Media, what is the significance? This whole thing really started when I watched the most recent Olympics, seeing the people cross the finish line victorious in a race, I wanted to experience that feeling, and I wanted a victory lap. To be able to say I can create something that is mine. It’s what drives me now. And I’m calling this first project “Tiebreaker 3D,” because I’m trying to turn “Tiebreaker,” into a symbol… like ‘this guy’s a tiebreaker.’ In tennis terms, it means you’re fighting for every point. You could battle for 5 hours, but then it comes down to just a few points. So being a tiebreaker is kind of like, how do you go about life, how do you fight for every step you make. It’s about a lifestyle. Even at a job you don’t like, what can you do to make it better? Whatever it is, you can move yourself in the right direction, to achieve what you want to. People who are willing to analyze what they do and what they’ve done, and change themselves, are the people who are extremely s uccessful. And I mean successful in that they are happy and have the means to do what they want to do. And that’s what I’m striving for. I’m taking back my freedom. Xavier’s company is set to release its first video later this year. Be sure to look out for him whether he is acting, modeling, or developing new 3D content for one of your favorite brands! Author: Bill Connolly is the Sales Director for Millennial Branding and a media branding expert.

Writing a Resume to Get Into the Coast Guard Academy

Writing a Resume to Get Into the Coast Guard AcademyWriting a resume to get into the Coast Guard Academy can be quite challenging. This is because you are submitting your best qualities, in an attempt to secure an interview with an organization that is looking for a highly motivated person to fill one of its positions.You would want to ensure that this position could match your talents and skills. This means making sure that you would show strong leadership qualities and high levels of self-motivation. You will want to highlight these qualities in your resume by focusing on your previous experiences and achievements.One thing that you should definitely not forget when you are writing a resume to get into the Coast Guard Academy is your age. Being under the minimum age is not good for anyone. There are certain requirements for each particular military position and if you don't meet them, you may not get into the program.These requirements range from special skills and knowledge. If yo u have some experience of working with children or animals, you could very well be called for a higher level of training. It all depends on the specific school you are applying for.Also, if you have certain skills that are already in demand, you could find your skills in demand even before you enter the academy. For example, there are specific areas of certain medical professionals that are in high demand. If you have the ability to work in these areas, you would be in a better position to secure your desired career.It also doesn't hurt to write a resume to get into the Coast Guard if you have any college degree. This can come in handy, especially if you can get into special programs like for drivers. Your bachelor's degree can get you into a higher paying position without having to do much work.On the other hand, if you have certain certifications you can also earn this. Knowing that you are willing to put forth effort to get ahead would be quite beneficial. And this could mean tha t you get to work for a higher-paying company.Before you even begin writing a resume to get into the Coast Guard Academy, you need to remember that all of these important attributes must be included. Since the time of writing your resume is limited, try to get these points in mind before you begin. The rest of the process will be easier than you think.

7 Tips for the 2010 Holiday Job Search - Hire Imaging

7 Tips for the 2010 Holiday Job Search - Hire Imaging photo by Diana Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. ~ Robert Collier If you are in a job search or about to start one, the holiday season can actually be a great time to find a job, contrary to popular opinion. Many job seekers think that job hunting between Thanksgiving and the middle of January is a waste of time and energy. Don’t buy into this myth! Why? Employers don’t stop hiring just because it’s the holidays. And because of so many people’s perceptions, you can reap the benefits of reduced competition for jobs, including gaining access to decision-makers who are in the office and in hiring mode! Spending budgets before year-end, strategic initiatives, market demands, competition, turnover and many other factors drive hiring. Here are 7 tips to help you keep job search momentum this holiday season: 1. Use downtime to your advantage. If work is slow, you have vacation time or you’re unemployed, schedule some networking meetings. It’s a great time to connect with friends and acquaintances you haven’t been in touch with for awhile. Combine celebrating with letting others know you’re in the market for new career opportunities. 2. Create a job search action plan and schedule. Commit to at least one thing to accomplish every day. Tell yourself that anything less is just not acceptable. And believe it. And act upon it! Staying focused and in control with positive movement each day will have a domino effect in keeping your spirits high and your search in steady momentum. 3. Update your resume and marketing materials. (Here are some tips) This is a great time to review and update your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile or other marketing collateral. 4. Connect online. Send emails or use social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) to get in touch. It’s a great time to ramp up your online identity and expand your network. If you’re feeling like a fish out of water with online job search, treat yourself to a copy of The Twitter Job Search Guide by Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan and Deb Dib. I also recommend Jason Alba’s I’m on Facebook. Now What??? And I’m on LinkedIn. Now What??? (The latter also available in DVD). 5. Tap into personal or professional events. If you’re attending a holiday social event (personal or business), it’s a great time to mention that you are job searching. Accept all invitations you receive if possible. You never know who may be able to help you. Friends, family and business associates are usually happy to help where they can. 6. Send “Happy Holiday” or “Happy New Year” greeting cards with your business card (not the one with your employer, but one designed for YOU as a branded career professional) to networking contacts, recruiters and to employers with whom you have interviewed. Send them to well-connected family and friends as well. 7. Check the classifieds in your target job searching markets throughout December and into January. Those employers are still conducting searches. Continue to check job boards and company websites as well. Leave the New Year’s resolution about ramping up a job search later to others. Beat them to the punch. I wish you a most happy holiday season and prosperous, peace-filled 2011!

Resume Etiquette Dos Donts for a Modern Resume - CareerEnlightenment.com

Motivation Monday I Resolve - When I Grow Up

Motivation Monday I Resolve - When I Grow Up By the same artist who brought you the Dream set..purchase these resolutions here, or better yet, use this to motivate you to make your own! What do you resolve to do in 2009 and how can you create a  work of art from it? Even if youre not an artist, it would be pretty easy to write your resolutions in Word, find a funky font to express them and add a splash of color. Or take out some paper, a pen and some highlighters and write your own bubble letters! The other Motivation Monday installments can be found here.

How to Write a Resume in Word

How to Write a Resume in WordAre you unsure about how to write a resume in Word? You should start by knowing that you have your resume formatted in MS Word. If you want to make the formatting in Word a little bit easier, follow these guidelines.First, you should always have a template for your resume. If you are searching for a resume for a job opening that does not require a specific template, you will probably be confused at first. The template will make it easier for you to format your resume in Word.Second, if you are using Word to format your resume, you should have been taught how to format it properly. Read on for further information on the proper formatting of your resume.Another common mistake is that people put their name and contact information in the top section of the resume. You do not need to do this. Instead, put your contact information in the BODY. To do this, simply put in the names of the contact person who you would like to send your resume to. You should also pu t the contact information of the employer that you are sending your resume to.You should also keep your key areas of information in your resume in the right place. In other words, always keep your information about education and experience in the BODY, your educational history and your employment history in the HEADER. Do not forget to put your salary information in the KINDLE.Lastly, once you have gotten your resume written in Word, you should be ready to go about advertising your skills and experience. If you are really new to the business world, consider keeping a profile under your new name and make sure that you have the company name and contact information listed in it.Donot let anyone convince you that Word is not a good format to format your resume in. Word can be very helpful for creating a resume because it allows you to change all the formatting with ease. If you know how to format your resume in Word, you can easily do so and get an idea of how to structure your resume a s well.

The Key to Successful Resume Free Downloads

The Key to Successful Resume Free Downloads You should choose a nursing resume template according to your experience and knowledge. The seminars and training programs you've attended can also be added to your resume especially if they're about the work functions of the work position that you're applying for. You also ought to share your customer service abilities. A Functional Resume or Skills Resume is intended to highlight your abilities and accomplishments on top of your resume instead of grouping them below the jobs or positions which you've held as in a chronological resume. All you need to do is add your own text and you are prepared to go. There's so many to pick from in his package that there's no use in describing a few of the features, since you'll certainly be able to get what you need within. Double check to ensure that everything on the last version of the resume is about you. The Hidden Treasure of Resume Free Downloads All you have to do is go through the va rious resume samples and pick the one which best fits your profile. Creating a resume with the assistance of a template can help you become mindful of the resume areas that you have to fill. The above mentioned template has every one of the guidelines and you need to have the ability to prepare an impressive resume using it as a reference. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Free Downloads Since you may see, there's a broad range of freebies to pick from. The employer receives the information that they need in addition to the bonus of seeing your creativity on the job. While preparing your resume, you want to stay in mind that it's the healthcare professionals that you're likely to address to, so your resume should incorporate content that will answer their distinct needs. There are many ways to compose a resume. Aside from the forementioned details, it's important to realise that it's good to produce the look and feel of your resume attractive, it s houldn't be overdone in order to defeat its goal. There are many free creative resume templates you're able to use, allowing you to focus your energy on everything else you have to do. Make certain you didn't miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about! If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Free Downloads You must mention your career objective at the summit of your resume. If you've gotten an education from a wonderful educational organization then it may end up being a selling point for you. Your resume provides a window in your history and is among the key files in your job search, because it offers the crucial preliminary impression on a hiring committee. Completely free printable resume arrangement with artistic and easy design. So you will receive templates or their ideas also. Consider your infographic resume design for a portfolio piece. Keep reading if you want to learn what components and color schemes result in an excellent inf ographic design. The resume format sample ought to be carried out well. Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. Giving a PDF copy will be a better choice. The upcoming free resume template was created in the shape of a brochure.