Ogden UnCon Gives Opportunities to Aspiring Creatives
January 12, 2019. Ogden, Utah - The inaugural 2019 Ogden UnCon convention on June 7-9 gives creatives a foothold in the industry through two contests for aspiring authors and actors in its Artist Helping Hand Programs. Ogden City’s recent efforts to become an epicenter of art and culture in Utah have included growing its Twilight summer concert series, establishing development of the Nine Rails Creative District and revitalizing a historic building into a future makers space venue, The Monarch. A pop culture convention will now be added to that resume as Ogden UnCon seeks to artistically embrace the City’s recent Still Untamed branding.
“Comic and pop culture conventions are massive artistic festivals,” says Ogden UnCon Founder, Russ Adams. “You engage with every medium of art on at least some level by attending the events, even the scientific arts. We’ve made sure there are panels and contests at UnCon that cater to creatives and inspire every attendee to contribute to the media they love.”
The 2019 Artist Helping Hand Programs will support convention attending authors in the Pitch Fest Writing Contest and actors in the ReelGuru Experience workshops.
The Pitch Fest Writing Contest puts local authors face-to-face with publishers, editors and literary agents in the industry. Selected applicants will have the opportunity to give an elevator pitch about their work directly to a panel of judges at the convention. Contest winners will gain writing industry connections and a potential publishing deal for their book. The contest began October 1, 2018, and participants can still submit a query letter, marketing plan and sample of a finished book by the deadline of February 1, 2019.
The ReelGuru Experience will hold workshops on how to successfully audition for casting directors. Actors from three age groups will be picked to appear in a paid role for a film, TV, commercial or theater production. Sessions will be overseen by ReelGuru Agency producers Catrine McGregor, Madalyn Van Valkenburgh and actress April Matson. This contest will be held at the June convention, and contestants are encouraged to sign up early due to limited space.
“Ogden City Arts offers grants and hosts events on an annual basis to put a spotlight on our growing creative communities,” said Ogden City Arts Coordinator, Lorie Buckley. “Ogden UnCon is an amazing opportunity for those efforts to double in size, and the City is excited to support a project that mirrors our own philosophy of embracing the unique and the unconventional.”
The Artist Helping Hand Programs plan to support different creative arts, including music and fashion design, as the convention grows each year. Those interested in participating in the programs are required to be Ogden UnCon ticket holders. Links to purchase convention passes and complete contest guidelines and timelines can be found on the Ogden UnCon website.
Inaugural Ogden UnCon
June 7-9, 2019
Ogden Eccles Conference Center
2415 Washington Blvd, Ogden Utah 84401
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MEMBERS OF COPELAND, THE DEAR HUNTER, GOOD OLD
WAR, ALL GET OUT, DANCE GAVIN DANCE AND MORE
CONTRIBUTE VOICES TO THE JON HILL PROJECT
REBIRTH OUT NOW
"...instead of succumbing to the demons that were his drug addictions,
he sought solace in getting clean and creating music."- Billboard
"The overall tone of inner-restoration after personal destruction flows perfectly well with
the swelling and ambient music; creating an extremely enticing piece that is emotionally
thrilling from start to finish. The essence of ambiance is captured perfectly, with the majority of 'Rebirth'
creating some truly powerful imagery and an engrossing atmosphere." - Kill Your Stereo
"Jon has avoided the temptation to be overly whimsical and craft songs that are both
musically and thematically vague." - Captured Howls
JANUARY 11, 2019 - The Jon Hill Project comes from the mind of percussionist and songwriter Jon Hill. In 2016, Jon joined forces with Spencer Bradham, in-demand producer & lead songwriter, as well as Spencer Gill, songwriter & guitarist from Tides of Man, to develop the album Rebirth, which touches upon his struggle with addiction, the end of his nine-year marriage to make-up artist, Jaclyn Hill, and his hope for a new chance at life. Rebirth is out now. Fans can read more about the project on Billboard: https://bit.ly/2QGMzDo
The trio of songwriters handpicked eleven highly esteemed front man legends who helped pave the way in post-rock, indie and alternative to lyrically and melodically communicate Jon's sentiments of both pain and hope: Aaron Marsh from Copeland, Brennan Taulbee from Polyenso, Nate Barcalow from Finch, Tilian Pearson from Dance Gavin Dance, Donovan Melero from Hail the Sun, Keith Goodwin from Good Old War, Kerry Courtney from Goodnight Neverland, Casey Crescenzo from The Dear Hunter, Michael McGough from Being as an Ocean, Tanner Merritt from O'Brother and Nathan Hussey from All Get Out.
Pulling from his deeply seated struggle during the two years of writing this record, each song paints a new picture into Jon's soul that resonates with anyone who has ever come full circle in love and loss. In some songs, you can hear true anguish in his thunderous drumming sprinkled with the haunting melodies and pain driven vocals of guest singers. Yet, in others, you feel his sense of hope in his rhythmic brilliance intensified by endearing vocals and verses. Needless to say, the entire record is a playground of emotions that is full of powerful instrumentation, compelling but familiar voices and a look inside the mystery of Jon Hill's notorious, highly publicized life.
Rebirth is out now.
Track Listing:
1. Would You Save Me Now (Feat. Aaron Marsh of Copeland)
2. Grey's Gift (Feat. Brennan Taulbee of Polyenso)
3. Lesson Learned In Seconds (Feat. Donovan Melero of Hail the Sun)
4. Take The Next Step (Feat. Casey Crescenzo of The Dear Hunter)
5. Drifting Towards the Sun (Feat. Kerry Courtney of Goodnight Neverland)
6. Show You The Stars (Feat. Keith Goodwin of Good Old War)
7. Hang Em High (Feat. Nate Barcalow of Finch)
8. Take Me Up (Feat. Michael McGough of Being As An Ocean)
9. Drinking And Cleaning (Feat. Nathan Hussey of All Get Out)
10. Flat Line (Feat. Tanner Merritt of O'Brother)
11. Same Old Song (Feat. Tilian Pearson of Dance Gavin Dance)
The album in its entirety was produced, cowritten and engineered by Spencer Bradham and mixed by Mike Watts at Clear Track Studios in Clearwater FL. The album was mastered by Joe LaPorta at Stirling Sound in NYC.
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