Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Event Review: Cash flow game in Toronto Sept 27,2016


     It was amazing evening playing the Cash flow game based on Robert T Kiyosaki's best selling book Cash flow Quadrant. We had lots of new people who find the game very intriguing and wanting to play again!

                                        
Game getting started


               
Left to right Patrick Jankowski,Guest,Tania Jacqueline Glen, Randy Ramadhin, Kareim Abouda, Sujit Reddy, Ile Nauvmauski and Jim Pagiamtzis

We also order Pizza Pizza!

Event Review: Momondays in Toronto Sept 26,2016




            In was amazing night to listen to real people real stories real inspiration in downtown Toronto at the HardRock Cafe at Yonge and Dundas


        I shared a talk on Persistence, Patient and Adventure (Planes, Train and Automobiles and 2 hotels)
        Listen                                                    


(left to right front) James Erdt, Marsha Vanwynsberghe, Emilio Morales and Jim Pagaimtzis (back) Courtney McLeod and Michel Neray




                            
                                                                
Jim Pagiamtzis and Rakesh

Jim Pagiamtzis and Mo Waja

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Lights, Camera, Action and 15 minutes of fame!



I love Kijiji, there are so many opportunities to get acting work

Below is what happen to me from May 26th –May 30th 2016

Thursday

Then I responded to ad on Kijiji  for Matt Damon and Kristie Wig movie called Downsized that was filming in Toronto. Found it sort of odd they had posted the names and information, usually they don’t!

Friday

I got email back in a few days asking for my measurements, again weird and interesting. They I go an email to go to Pinewood Studios on Commissioner street  for a fitting on Saturday may 28th at 10:30am

Saturday

So I cycled down and got a first had view of the studios. One word MASSIVE!  In the parking lot I saw signs for new XXX movie with Vin Diesel, Downsized, Extant and Stephen King movie IT and new star Trek movie filming in Toronto this fall. I  Was there little early so I chatted with a few extras waiting to be fitted, many of them did this part time while pursuing full time careers.
I got fitted very quickly and was sent away. I reported for background duty on Monday May 30th at 7:00am at the Enercare centre in Toronto (exhibition place) 

Monday

I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep!  I had so many thing going through my mind all night. Was I going to meet Matt Damon or Kristie Wigg?  Is it going to be a hurry up and wait type of day? Will we have opportunities to take pictures?

My alarm bell rang at 6:00am and I jumped out of bed!  I had prepared some snack, book and clothing for the day the previous evening.

It was beautiful morning and I was excited to cycle down from  the Annex area to the Exhibition Place and the Enecare Centre.

At that time in the morning there hardly any traffic going south towards that area, got here in less than half an hour. 

I locked my bike across the street and all I saw were green screens everywhere! Massive green screens. Talk about futuristic!

Walk toward the building and started to look for signs as to where to go. Kept walk west and finally made it to the area for background actors.  There lots more people who had early that me!  Lots of families, students and professionals.  I got in line and gradually made it to the desk where I was given a piece of paper to fill out and instructions as to where to go.

There were serving coffee, light refreshments and some breakfast food.

I went to wardrobe to get my clothing that I was measured for on Saturday and quickly changed into them. They went to the massive room with all the back ground actors and took a seated and waited. I looked around a saw a few people that I had seen at fitting on Saturday.

Few minutes later I saw friend of mine Chris Strongman local author and speaker I had known for a few years. We got sat down and I share the crazy 48hrs I had gone through. His answer was priceless “that’s Hollywood for you!”

We got settle in this huge room full of extras, lots of families with their kids, millennials, actors and lots of interest and amazing professionals and entrepreneurs.

They key thing I heard was you have is “hurry up and wait” was the common theme of the day.
We had some excitement in the morning where we pulled out and ask to various places to stand and wait while crew waited for decisions to be made by director and to be whisked away back to the holding area.

Luckily I had brought some reading materials and food to pass the time, that didn’t help I was excited to be on set a tried to take a peak and see what was happening.  I made few calls to friends to tell them  what was happening.

I sat on my table and got to meet and learn from some of the background actor who done some recent work with  Vin Deisel in upcoming  Triple XXX movie coming out in Summer 2017 called “Return of Xander Cage” and few other films shooting in Toronto.

Interesting part of  is that the director name is Alexander Payne who has filmed various movies form Sideways (2004) with Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh.
His original name is Alex Papadopoulos which his paternal grandfather changed to Payne.
This was great to know that a fellow Greek was director this movie. This will become important very soon! 

Keep reading….

AS they morning continued I had great conversation with Chris Strongman regarding his entrepreneurial pursuits in recent years and few other actors at our table.

Then at around 11:30am a magical moment happen that would change the day for good
I was talking to background actor when I go tap on the shoulder and turned around and go this statement “ Hi I am Alexander Payne, would you be interested in say few words in the film?”  I was shocked and couldn’t bring to say yes fast enough! 
 I said  “Yes!”

We began to walk toward the set and he said I was thinking some like“ We don’t have quarantine per say, we just don’t want any lice” we kept walking and I was listening.

We arrived on set and there was Matt Damon talking to some of the extras and Alex Payne and I were still practicing and figuring out the lines. 

The next 30 minutes happened so fast. 

First I whisked over to the script producer to have him type the lines into the script. Then I had an audio lady ask for permission to unzip my shirt and pants to pass through a recording mike down my pants!  I said “Sure go ahead”  

The make lady came by and dusted my forehead with some make up and there I was back on set taking directions from Alexander Payne this time in front of hundreds of other extras, producer and movie crew.

It was a long panning scene from Left to Right and I was at pet exhibit talking to group of pet lovers about animals and what would happen to them when we shrink them and their pets. 

It was very funny I had two ladies in their 70’s who were sisters, 7 year old girl who didn’t want to be there being consoled by her father (producer) and few other extras in the back row who laughing and looking interested in every world I said.

So it began repetition and waiting and repetition and waiting. After the 10th take Alexander Payne says “Jim cross your hands and just speak” I replied “work with me Alexander I am Greek I need to use my hands!”  He responds “if you can’t do I will do it myself and do a cameo”. I said “Okay I will do it give me a few seconds” and so we continued with lots of more takes which seemed like forever!  

I think we did like 35 takes before it was all over.  In the end Alexander Payne came over and said “Efxaristo” to me which means Thank you in Greek.

I was went back to the script producer and review my line and the movie crew to remove audio equipment. 

We all went back to the holding area and the energy at my table was over the top. They were happy for me and little irritated. I was informed that this doesn’t happen often that director comes in looking for background actors to say lines in film.

They I was brought some paperwork to fill out and was told “You have been upgraded” I said “what does that mean” I was advised by the other background actor that when you say lines in a movie you get paid extra. In this situation I get upgraded to Actra Apprentice and get more money!
So I filled out the paperwork and continued on with the day. I went out in the afternoon and did 3 more large scenes with background actors.

The last scene we did I had to mime my words to actors at my table, which was a very funny experience to do.

It was also was exciting experience for my friend Chris Strongman who got chosen to a scene very close to Matt Damon and Christine Wigg near the end of film shooting.
It was exciting and long day of filming to see Hollywood in action.
The story doesn’t end here just yet…

Few weeks later I got  cheque in the mail. I open up the check slowly and looked that number and proceed to close the envelope and take a deep breath for a few seconds. I then opened it up and looked at the number again. It was $1800!  WOW for less than 14 words, as Chris Strongman said “that’s Hollywood!” 

But wait there is more…

The next week I get another check in the mail.  It’s for $25, they paid me for the fitting I had Pinewood studios.

Stay tuned for the movie coming out December 2017

Moral of the story.   From a click on Kijiji can lead you to starring role in Hollywood!


21 Connections Sept 4th Newsletter: Momondays, Cash flow game, Digital Media event and Archangel Summer Review

"Learn, Speak and Social leads to monetize!" Jim Pagiamtzis
September News
 21 Connections will be providing you with events to  Learn. Speak & Socialize and grow you business and connections!

 Check out my blog for more insights on networking adventures, book and movie reviews Learn more


Momonday's Sept 26th at Hard Rock Cafe(Toronto)
Learn more
Monday Sept 26th: MoMondays Toronto 

Put story-telling into a blender. Add a dash of personal growth & transformation. Then drop in a load of laughs. Mix in real, live music, and great conversation with some of the nicest people on the planet, then push the 'high' setting... and out comes momondays®!

Get Tickets
Tuesday Sept 27th
Cash flow game

Join us for an evening of learning, sharing and socializing. Learning about risk analysis, investment strategies and cash flow management.

Learn more
Inboundcon in Toronto (Oct 6th)
If you don't quite know what InboundCon is about yet...
Well just imagine a room of 300 of the best digital
marketers, where the purpose of this gathering is connecting everyone in the room to exchange knowledge, & strategies in order to network and 10x your marketing knowledge.
Well, this is actually happening... and you're invited!
 
 
Event Review: Archangel Summit
It was an amazing day of learning, sharing & socializing. With magical experiences!

Read more
  Jim Pagiamtzis| 21 Connectio

Friday, September 23, 2016

Event Review: Archangel Summit at the Sony Theatre in Toronto




     
About 48 hours ago, I went to the Archangel Summit. This event brought together over 1,300 people to learn from some of the most inspirational entrepreneurial peeps who are killin’ tha game right now.
Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, JJ Virgin, Giovanni Marsico (the creator), Nicholas Kusmich (who blew everyone’s minds with his emcee skills), Natalie MacNeil, Gretchin Rubin, Robin Sharma and Dan Martell were a few all-stars that rocked the stage.

Being at the summit and with 1300 people was jolt of energy I need for sure!  There were lots of people I knew from Sujit Reddy, James Erdt, Todor Yardonov, Melissa Moniz, Crystal Chen, Michael Santonato, and his partner Louise, Katia Millar, Leyla Razeghi, Julie Boyer, Ash Silva

 I made an effort to meet new people and I heard some great true stories from Thomas Kustra, Dr. Satdip L.S. Binning, Dr. Angela E Lauria and her husband and Leslie Milthorpe


   Gwen Elliot shared this in her article on Medium.
 "I noticed something quite inspiring. Everyone was telling me some real shit. From dealing with depression or anxiety to relationship challenges to ‘everything’s falling apart,’ I was moved by the raw honesty that people were willing to share. And of course there were really good things happening too - from books deals, to businesses thriving, families doing well etc"
                                     




Jim Pagiamtzis and Archangel banner

Jim Pagiamtzis recognized  as being AWESOME!

Seth Godin sharing

Launch of  Gratitude app


Gary Vaynerchuk doing Q & A
     
   
                 And this happened: James Erdt ask a question which made the crowd go will.

              He wants to raise 2 million dollars to buy a ranch for At Risk Youth and Gary Vaynerchuk gave him a few strategies and just before he went to the next question he said "hey buddy put me in for 50K!"    The crowd went crazy!!  People went nuts throwing business cards at him offering their services and more money follow

                                                           


            Here are his own words from the Facebook post:

   
"During the Gary Vaynerchuk question & answer session, I went out on a limb and presented a question asking how I could raise $1 million on social media with his professional advice to open up a ranch for at-risk teen boys... Not only did Gary Vee answer the question with absolute passion, extraordinary ideas and irreplaceable experience... He did something that erupted a standing ovation in the entire room!! As I was returning to my seat, Gary says "Hey wait bro... put me down for the first $50,000 towards the ranch." Everybody in the entire building went crazy… I've never had more high-fives, congratulations, hugs and biz cards thrown at me offering services supporting the ranch including video, photography, web development, real estate guidance plus more guardians, teachers and coaches ready to work with the boys supporting their rehabilitation, growth and healing.

So then as I leave the auditorium and head back stage to talk to some of the speakers, one of them came up and privately gave me another $10,000.

Shortly thereafter a fella in his 20s came up to me and mentioned he was so moved by what just happened that he's going to give $500!

Then I get a text from a dear friend, Todor Yordanov:

I have 20k people on my list and will send out your video when ready AND I am matching Gary's $50K! Let's go BIG!

At this point everybody is out into the lobby after the event and I couldn't even make it from one side of the room to the other without people stopping me to congratulate me on this epic day and victory!! I am so grateful to everyone who expressed their kind regards, warm wishes and love! You know who you are and myself plus the teen boys thank you. With your kind support they will have a future… I promise you that.

Then it gets better… My friend Jim Pagiamtzis came up to me and offered an additional $1000 on the spot!

I can truly say I've witnessed a miracle. Within 1 hour we are $111,500 closer to opening up $2 million ranch! It's happening!!!"








                 After he finished I rush up to the front and this happens!
Jim Pagiamtzis and Gary Vaynerchuk

Jim Pagiamtzis and Archangel media wall

Todor Yardonov , Jim Pagiamtzis and James Erdt celebrating something very special, more on that later!






                                  


     Gary Vaynerchuk participated in 10 second game with an attendee


                                                   




        We also got some free gifts below: I will read and review on my blog
                                

#askgaryvee book



 Great insights shared by Gwen Elliot in her article below:

Since I felt so comforted by people telling me what’s really going on for them at the event, I felt like today was the day to share tha truth I’m feeling (behind the online highlight reel) and how I’ve coped with compare and despair mode. Here are what I’ve learned TO DO and what NOT TO DO when faced with an inspiration hangover.
What Not To Do:
  1. Cancel all social plans and stop talking to people IRL. This was honestly what I did. I had plans to co-work and plans in the evening that I totally shut down. I let anxiety win, and figured I needed to be alone to ‘figure it out on my own.’ This truly did not work.
  2. Push the Feelings of Dread Down with Pumpkin Scones. Yeahhhh. The next day I became an emotional eater. When I go to Starbucks to get a donut (yes…a donut from Starbucks), then notice I’m back in there devouring a pumpkin scone a few hours later, I knew it was not for the enjoyment of the food, but to try to push down feelings of sadness. Though delicious, it was a temporary band-aid solution.
  3. Stay Silent. I considered sharing this sooner and kept saying ‘eff it…’ and then watched more Gary Vee videos. Apparently that does not work ;). If I’ve learned one thing that has helped, it’s that being open and sharing what you’re going through to the right people can calm dem nerves and help you get back to feeling like yourself.
  4. Watch More Inspiration Content. This can be like an addiction. I found myself wanting to go back to watching more and more inspiring content and not deal with my own shit because it was an incredible way to numb out.
What To Do (What’s Working):
  1. Go Outside. Getting fresh air, and being in nature really does wonders for the body and soul! Especially if you’re indoors for a day, it’s so powerful to breathe in the fresh air when you can.
  2. Allow the Breakdown. I love the saying ‘you breakdown before you breakthrough.’ One teachable that stuck with me throughout the event was how every speaker turned their pain into something powerful. When pain is just sitting there inside your body, it’s no fun. So I figured I’d at least share what I’m feeling in case it can help someone else who’s feeling the same way.
  3. Focus on Helping Someone Else. The moment I started focusing on helping the entrepreneur’s I’m working with or responding to emails/FB messages asking for help — I started to get back to centre and feel more like myself.
  4. Comfort Yourself. Sometimes you really do just need a pumpkin scone to feel a little bit better. Then you feel ready to go for the real healing.
In conclusion: suffering sucks. And suffering in silence REALLY sucks. So I hope if you’re feeling the heaviness of life right now, please don’t let it take you out of the game. There really is a blue sky behind the storm clouds… and perhaps even a rainbow!

 To see her entire article go to Read more


 GaryVaynerchuk post in Toronto

                                                

Monday, September 19, 2016

Event Review: World Cup of Hockey Fan Village Sunday Sept 18th,2016 Part 1


  

          It was on awesome day in Toronto. I did two events in one day!

             Sept 18th was the second Open Streets to happening promoting happier and healthier Toronto.


                                             

            and Second the World Cup of Hockey Fan Village at the Distillery District was going on.

        Had great afternoon participating in various initiatives and in the getting a World Cup of Hockey Scarf.

          I thought that was the end of my journey but something better happen on Monday morning Check out Part 2 Read more

                                         





                                          















Celebrating getting my World Cup of Hockey scarf with two awesome cheerleaders