Name: Alicia (Ali) Wilmington, NC
SoGoPro Team Leader for at LEAST 49 weeks and 2 days
SGP profile
Check out ICARUS STUDIOS
SoGoPro Team Leader for at LEAST 49 weeks and 2 days
SGP profile
About Me: wears many hats - many encoded... but none labeled coding or designer
Credits include: Friendship Union Community Theater, Little Britain USA, Nights In Rodanthe, Speakerboxxx, Ravens, Muppets From Space, Dawson's Creek & American Gothic
Currently working on immersive learning in 3-D environments.
Favorite Music: Ali's LAST.FM
Check out ICARUS STUDIOS
Where would the Street Team be without our Ali!! It was a pleasure to be able to feature Ali this week- as she is a wonderful part of SoGoPro on so many levels. Though we scare her on a daily basis, she still comes back every day and keeps the constant, incoming SoGoPro love at bay :) Not only is she working side by side with the Hellick to assist in their many projects and productions, she's also alongside the Street Team members- celebrating with us SoGoPro's incredible community!
I'm excited to give you, a fantastic interview between Charlotte, last weeks featured member, and Ali.
__________________________________________________________
Charlotte: Q1- What are milestones since SoGoPro launched their blog last year that especially stick out to you?
Ali: +/- adding Chat to the blog exploded the interaction exponentially – and scared the heck out of me
- Wiki Wars (learned a lot from that – mostly that the SoPoPro Team is smarter than Wikipedia)
+ the Treasure Chest and all who brought that together will always amaze me
- launch of the website (way harder than it had to be)
+ the Secret Santa exchange was a series of bright spots
+ the Team Blog launching and continuing to grow
++ each and every tribute picture, poem, post and video – but St. Pat’s vid and One Year vid still move me to tears – so many kind and now familiar faces and voices representing just a fraction of the dedication to SoGoPro
Charlotte: Oh goodness, I remember Wiki wars. Those mods definitely weren't on our side, they were so scary!
Q2-Have there been any big "uh-ohs" that have occurred with the blog / website that you wish there could have been a second chance? Like what?
Ali: There have always been – and continue to be – so many “Where Did That Come From?” moments with SoGoPro (ahem – a certain “Updates” post) and the amazing thing is how many people jump in with support and solutions. The Team inspires SoGoPro to keep taking chances in spite of the “uh-ohs”
Charlotte: I'm glad that all of the “uh-ohs” got straightened out and that there was support! Q-3 What is your favorite part about SoGoPro's online community?
Ali: Okay – you’ve probably heard me say this a jillion times – I love that it’s NOT a group of rabid fanatics getting bothered by irrelevant details - blonde or brunette, etc.
I truly believe that people drawn to SoGoPro are far more diverse and savvy - especially about entertainment and information technologies – than anyone could have guessed before SoGo went live.
Charlotte: It is fabulous that people are attracted to SoGoPro for reasons beyond materialistic details. Q4- What is the worst part about being involved with SoGoPro's involvement in the internet world?
Ali: Not being able to actually hire people to do the things we don’t know how to do! We’re film makers – not (quite) magicians. T-shirts sales keep the site up and maintain servers and a warehouse for t-shirts… Of course, the remarkable side to that is - every improvement to the website – every re-arrange, every spam comment blocked, every transcription, every translation (and so on) is done by someone who cares enough to help make things better.
Charlotte: Q5- You do such an amazing job at remembering who people are! How do you do it?
Ali: By trying to respect that each person that makes an effort to register on the site, takes time to have a pleasant conversation or write a thoughtful comment or post is actually helping to build our team.
Day Players don’t become bona fide Street Team by magic.
Charlotte: Q6- What is your favorite accomplishment of SoGoPro? Like the website, F.U.C.T., merchandise?
Ali: This is kinda unfair ‘cause who knows when/if you’ll get to see – but I’m gonna answer honestly:
- Shooting the webisodes was a hoot – rather like going back to student films. The second one was a particular joy to work on – tho I typically don’t run with the shooting crew, it was great to shoot with such a hard-working professional crew along with some wonderful SoGoPro Street Team members.
- Working with the team on the 3-D pre-vis for the project now trying to become a graphic novel is the accomplishment closest to my heart
Char: Oooo, interesting! That's very cool!
Charlotte: Q7- Has the SoGoPro community helped you discover something new about yourself or changed you?
Ali: As a free-lance filmworker, adapting to challenges comes with the territory – what I’m continuing to learn is how to trust the laissez-faire nature of SoGoPro. People are more important than deadlines. Policies and procedures are not written in stone. I’ve learned to trust that the bigger picture can be shared – altered and strengthened by others – without losing focus.
Char: Good hearted. :)
Ali: hmmph
Charlotte: Q8- Do you ever find it difficult to not spill the beans on upcoming projects?
Ali: See #6 ;-)
Seriously, tho – this is actually a good question. The Hellick would be happy for me to promote and market any of their projects – but I’m not a promoter or marketer. In fact, I’m often the one handing out the Non-Disclosure Agreements for signatures. (Am I allowed to tell you that?)
Charlotte: Obviously, you're good at not spilling the beans!
Ali: Which is why I have to laugh that y’all roped me into this interview.
Charlotte: Q9- Do you think that since launching the blog, the Internet has became a useful tool for SoGoPro, or more of a distraction?
Ali: Wow, darlin’ – you’ve hit the nail on the head with this question!
The old school brick-and-mortar film studio, recording label etc. business model still tries to treat the internet as ancillary (at the same time they scramble to hide every dime they collect from the internet - *rant clipped*)
In contrast, the internet is key to the SoGoPro business model – the ability to share pertinent information in almost real time with a dedicated highly networked following, being able to interact and learn about potential customers before a product is launched, the possibilities of distributing entertainment digitally – it defines and refines what SoGoPro is – and can become.
Charlotte: Personally, I am very glad that SoGoPro uses the Internet as a tool.
Ali: Don’t laugh – I’ve used the Internet since the beginning of time – but I’m convinced that your Web 2.0 generation is teaching us just what a powerful medium it is.
Charlotte: Q10- What are the advantages of being located in Wilmington, and not, say.. LA?
Ali: Southern Charm!
Ok – the well established history that Wilmington has for attracting productions is what brought me here. When the film and television jobs are going strong, it’s a ten minute drive down a country road to the studio where I get to work with dedicated and talented crew members that I’ve known and respected for years. When the jobs aren’t here it’s simply a lot less expensive and more lovely than LA or NY.
Charlotte: I know very little about LA and Wilmington, but it seems like Wilmington has a soul.
Q11- What do you think makes SoGoPro so well known and respected?
Ali: I’m actually not sure that we are all that well known yet – and, to me, that’s okay. SoGoPro has grown very organically. The huge numbers of followers and steady traffic on SoGoPro.com are great metrics for proving success but we’ve chosen not to focus on that solely. Rather than pouring hype on a core demographic that still see Hilarie Burton solely as Peyton, it’s been a choice to encourage conversations about a greater range of things – art, books, music, travels – encouraging the voice of the community.
We listen to and respect those who choose to be a part of SoGoPro.
Charlotte: Q12- Have there been a lot of frustrating moments? like what?
Ali: Like answering really tough insightful questions from “just a kid”? ;)
Charlotte: Thanks Ali for letting me interview you. You are such an interesting person, and I hope that others enjoy this as much as I enjoyed getting the chance to interview you. Best of luck. :)
Ali: Clever of Kendall to figure out that you are one of those that don’t scare me – much ;-)
THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE – for hanging in with SoGoPro!
(and maybe Kendall for twisting my arm...)
___________________
I'm excited to give you, a fantastic interview between Charlotte, last weeks featured member, and Ali.
__________________________________________________________
Charlotte: Q1- What are milestones since SoGoPro launched their blog last year that especially stick out to you?
Ali: +/- adding Chat to the blog exploded the interaction exponentially – and scared the heck out of me
- Wiki Wars (learned a lot from that – mostly that the SoPoPro Team is smarter than Wikipedia)
+ the Treasure Chest and all who brought that together will always amaze me
- launch of the website (way harder than it had to be)
+ the Secret Santa exchange was a series of bright spots
+ the Team Blog launching and continuing to grow
++ each and every tribute picture, poem, post and video – but St. Pat’s vid and One Year vid still move me to tears – so many kind and now familiar faces and voices representing just a fraction of the dedication to SoGoPro
Charlotte: Oh goodness, I remember Wiki wars. Those mods definitely weren't on our side, they were so scary!
Q2-Have there been any big "uh-ohs" that have occurred with the blog / website that you wish there could have been a second chance? Like what?
Ali: There have always been – and continue to be – so many “Where Did That Come From?” moments with SoGoPro (ahem – a certain “Updates” post) and the amazing thing is how many people jump in with support and solutions. The Team inspires SoGoPro to keep taking chances in spite of the “uh-ohs”
Charlotte: I'm glad that all of the “uh-ohs” got straightened out and that there was support! Q-3 What is your favorite part about SoGoPro's online community?
Ali: Okay – you’ve probably heard me say this a jillion times – I love that it’s NOT a group of rabid fanatics getting bothered by irrelevant details - blonde or brunette, etc.
I truly believe that people drawn to SoGoPro are far more diverse and savvy - especially about entertainment and information technologies – than anyone could have guessed before SoGo went live.
Charlotte: It is fabulous that people are attracted to SoGoPro for reasons beyond materialistic details. Q4- What is the worst part about being involved with SoGoPro's involvement in the internet world?
Ali: Not being able to actually hire people to do the things we don’t know how to do! We’re film makers – not (quite) magicians. T-shirts sales keep the site up and maintain servers and a warehouse for t-shirts… Of course, the remarkable side to that is - every improvement to the website – every re-arrange, every spam comment blocked, every transcription, every translation (and so on) is done by someone who cares enough to help make things better.
Charlotte: Q5- You do such an amazing job at remembering who people are! How do you do it?
Ali: By trying to respect that each person that makes an effort to register on the site, takes time to have a pleasant conversation or write a thoughtful comment or post is actually helping to build our team.
Day Players don’t become bona fide Street Team by magic.
Charlotte: Q6- What is your favorite accomplishment of SoGoPro? Like the website, F.U.C.T., merchandise?
Ali: This is kinda unfair ‘cause who knows when/if you’ll get to see – but I’m gonna answer honestly:
- Shooting the webisodes was a hoot – rather like going back to student films. The second one was a particular joy to work on – tho I typically don’t run with the shooting crew, it was great to shoot with such a hard-working professional crew along with some wonderful SoGoPro Street Team members.
- Working with the team on the 3-D pre-vis for the project now trying to become a graphic novel is the accomplishment closest to my heart
Char: Oooo, interesting! That's very cool!
Charlotte: Q7- Has the SoGoPro community helped you discover something new about yourself or changed you?
Ali: As a free-lance filmworker, adapting to challenges comes with the territory – what I’m continuing to learn is how to trust the laissez-faire nature of SoGoPro. People are more important than deadlines. Policies and procedures are not written in stone. I’ve learned to trust that the bigger picture can be shared – altered and strengthened by others – without losing focus.
Char: Good hearted. :)
Ali: hmmph
Charlotte: Q8- Do you ever find it difficult to not spill the beans on upcoming projects?
Ali: See #6 ;-)
Seriously, tho – this is actually a good question. The Hellick would be happy for me to promote and market any of their projects – but I’m not a promoter or marketer. In fact, I’m often the one handing out the Non-Disclosure Agreements for signatures. (Am I allowed to tell you that?)
Charlotte: Obviously, you're good at not spilling the beans!
Ali: Which is why I have to laugh that y’all roped me into this interview.
Charlotte: Q9- Do you think that since launching the blog, the Internet has became a useful tool for SoGoPro, or more of a distraction?
Ali: Wow, darlin’ – you’ve hit the nail on the head with this question!
The old school brick-and-mortar film studio, recording label etc. business model still tries to treat the internet as ancillary (at the same time they scramble to hide every dime they collect from the internet - *rant clipped*)
In contrast, the internet is key to the SoGoPro business model – the ability to share pertinent information in almost real time with a dedicated highly networked following, being able to interact and learn about potential customers before a product is launched, the possibilities of distributing entertainment digitally – it defines and refines what SoGoPro is – and can become.
Charlotte: Personally, I am very glad that SoGoPro uses the Internet as a tool.
Ali: Don’t laugh – I’ve used the Internet since the beginning of time – but I’m convinced that your Web 2.0 generation is teaching us just what a powerful medium it is.
Charlotte: Q10- What are the advantages of being located in Wilmington, and not, say.. LA?
Ali: Southern Charm!
Ok – the well established history that Wilmington has for attracting productions is what brought me here. When the film and television jobs are going strong, it’s a ten minute drive down a country road to the studio where I get to work with dedicated and talented crew members that I’ve known and respected for years. When the jobs aren’t here it’s simply a lot less expensive and more lovely than LA or NY.
Charlotte: I know very little about LA and Wilmington, but it seems like Wilmington has a soul.
Q11- What do you think makes SoGoPro so well known and respected?
Ali: I’m actually not sure that we are all that well known yet – and, to me, that’s okay. SoGoPro has grown very organically. The huge numbers of followers and steady traffic on SoGoPro.com are great metrics for proving success but we’ve chosen not to focus on that solely. Rather than pouring hype on a core demographic that still see Hilarie Burton solely as Peyton, it’s been a choice to encourage conversations about a greater range of things – art, books, music, travels – encouraging the voice of the community.
We listen to and respect those who choose to be a part of SoGoPro.
Charlotte: Q12- Have there been a lot of frustrating moments? like what?
Ali: Like answering really tough insightful questions from “just a kid”? ;)
Charlotte: Thanks Ali for letting me interview you. You are such an interesting person, and I hope that others enjoy this as much as I enjoyed getting the chance to interview you. Best of luck. :)
Ali: Clever of Kendall to figure out that you are one of those that don’t scare me – much ;-)
THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE – for hanging in with SoGoPro!
(and maybe Kendall for twisting my arm...)
___________________
Hope you enjoyed this weeks Feature Series- start a conversation! Coming from the girl who "twisted her arm" haha share your thoughts and leave your comments for her and Charlotte :) And of course, tune in next week! You literally NEVER know who we're going to feature... (Unless you know, which means you're the future featured member... hmmmm)
Congrats Kendall for this big one and well done Char, some really great questions!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview Ali, an awesome behind-the-scenes look through a fresh pair of eyes!
This was such a great interview! Nice questions, Char and great answers, Ali! I'm so glad that you got to share that information with us. It'll be hard to top that interview! Great job, ladies!
ReplyDeleteAshley :)
this was such a great interview. Great questions by Char and amazing answers my Ali. That was a very interesting and fun interview. :)
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see who will be next sunday's featured member.
Awesome interview! And with Ali, the ever elusive but also very friendly women behind the scenes. :)
ReplyDeleteOk...weird how my original comment poofed into the stratosphere.
ReplyDeleteBut it gives me another opportunity to say how much I loved this interview. :D Just darn interesting and entertaining!
I really loved this interview! Ali has been somewhat of a rock for me since the beginning of the original blog site. It's nice to see her answer some tough questions ... outside of chat! She's a brilliant gal with a whole lot to offer the SoGoPro team! Ya just gotta love her :)
ReplyDeleteKendall and Charlotte have been there since the beginning ... I'm so proud of them!!
xo
my comment disappeared too, Alina...
ReplyDeleteanyway - congrats on getting an interview with the cryptic one!!! I'm glad she's being seen and heard by the newcomers!! bow down to the HBIC, folks (astrid's title for her, not mine!!). She's a bit modest in explaining what she does behind the scenes - everyone should know that Ali works her butt off!!!! We love you, Ali, and appreciate all that you do!!