TV shows are a great way to connect over the water-cooler at work, or to unify communities of passionate fans. TV shows are the new independent movies, and have been for a while. Networks and platforms like HBO, Showtime, Netflix, FX and Amazon have created a new range of cultural and artistically satisfying shows. Some might say this golden age of television is currently outshining movies. Here are a few reasons why that may be.

High-octane TV shows are major talking points. I have kick-started many conversations by talking about The Americans, for example – people are hooked on shows like these, and love to discuss them. And why not – TV has never been this good.

Equipment to create moving images has gotten exponentially better and more cost effective. From camera quality and mobility due to smaller sizes, to drones replacing expensive helicopter shots, to slicker digital editing software.

Now you don’t need $237 million (3.5 billion rand) to make Avatar. Okay you probably do, but you now get better quality for lower production costs.

That said, the budget for each episode of Game of Thrones is currently $10 million per episode – so not too shabby.

One episode of Thrones costs roughly the same as 10 Leon Schuster movies, or you could make around 700 local SA films for the whole season of Thrones.

TV is getting better crews to create cinematic looks and sourcing better casts who are attracted to more challenging material. Coupled together with incredible pools of writers given freedom to experiment and surprise.

An example of all of these elements is Season 1 of True Detective.

Season 2, not so much, even though they tried hard.

We have better home viewing equipment, meaning less time required to travel to the cinema and sit in a sticky seat while someone alongside you Whatsapps and talks throughout the entire movie.

Distribution tools are better: faster bandwidth, Apple TV, Roku players and cheaper storage means viewers watch what they want, when they want.

Instead of going to a local cinema with ten movies on offer, they have the whole Internet, on demand and streaming services to choose from.

http://coolfidence.com/6-reasons-why-tv-is-kicking-films-butt-and-what-you-should-consider-watching-and-also-tv-is-a-great-conversation-starter-solution-20057

We all have anxiety due to digital overload. E-mails left, right and center, social media activity, keeping up with all the different messages. Not so long ago it was more about e-mail, but these days it is WhatsApp texts, messages on Facebook, Twitter updates. and more. And when you land and get online after a long flight it can hit hard and sometimes it is overwhelming.

It is amazing what can accumulate during a night. I know I am not alone in this modern day struggle. I have travelled with many friends and colleagues before, and when we land, there is always a rush to get online and see what’s cooking. Things to take care of, problems to sort out, people needing answers, decisions to make. And when you are groggy and tired from a long flight it can really stress you out.

I remember using the “out of office” feature on my Microsoft mail client in the late 90s and into the new millennium. But for the past 10 years I don’t use it anymore. The office is wherever you go. Good or bad, this is the modern world. Globalization is about never switching off. E-mail overload, and all the rest, is not a problem we are going to solve anytime soon.

http://coolfidence.com/5-tips-for-dealing-with-e-mail-bombardment-after-a-long-distance-flight-solution-20056

The cops don’t have guns in London, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t shooting in the streets.

The Internet has the perils of time drainage and trolls, but online connectivity has changed the film and creative game-space for the best. We write scripts and produce the project in South Africa, cast via Skype, get feedback from all corners of the planet, film in London with UK actors and crew, have our web development team in Kiev, Ukraine, connect with them on FaceTime to approve technical specs, edit in Joburg, pay American lawyers, and provide content to the world.

When it comes to equipment, pack the basics. However, you can’t always travel with lighting rigs and slide-and-glide tripods on a plane, then drag them around the streets. Outsourcing is a wonderful thing, and a solid option because of the aforementioned Internet. A simple Google search around the area we’d be shooting (Shoreditch) got us several contacts and quotes. Equipment is cheaper to buy for even the smaller UK gear owners.

Renting overseas equipment eliminates Sisyphean schlepping of heavy gear, and the suppliers can oversee specifics like technical recces and making sure there are backup facilities. Forgot your favourite lens in your other computer bag? No problem, someone else has two of them. No issues with plug points, customs’ forms for work gear (involving more expense) and mobility. Just hop into an Uber and get to the location.

http://coolfidence.com/things-to-keep-in-mind-when-filming-in-london-and-south-africa-solution-20054

Watch Saki Missaikos share his insights with us – this is part of a new leadership interview feature on Coolfidence.com.

Saki discusses some treasured stories about the IS journey, and the people in this first collection of interviews are all connected to IS, as either partners or clients: Ken Varejes, Rapelang Rabana, Ronen Aires, Zaid Surtee and Brett Morris – their experiences will inspire you.

Click here to catch all the action : http://coolfidence.com/search/t=111

The revolution around communication has literally shifted the world. Face to face, points to a conversation on screens rather than in the physical world. While chiropractors are looking forward to future injuries like ‘crouch-neck’ as people lose the ability to look up. And that’s before cellphone finger makes an appearance. One of the classic traditions is a business lunch, not too formal and not too casual, and just enough time to get through things before you have to head back to the office. But in the new world, are business lunches still a must?

http://coolfidence.com/what-does-lets-do-lunch-really-mean-solution-20047

Business lunches aren’t as formal as dinners, but you can’t be too casual about them either. If you’re involved in a start-up company, who has time for lunch? That’s something you shovel into your mouth at your desk between Skype meetings. It doesn’t have to be this way. Sure, lunch meetings can cost you unnecessary time and calories, but you need to weigh up the benefits.

To tell a compelling tale, to write a story, to create a film, these are all amazing things to do. But there are no shortage of films in the world. Fantastic ones, yes, we need more of those, but in terms of the number of titles, there is not enough time to watch them all. We can’t listen to all the music the world has to offer or read all of the books that are out there. There sure is no shortage of product.

To the business people marketing and selling these titles they are just products. Some products may have been inspired labours of live, and perhaps some of them do huge numbers, but to the bean counters they are indeed just products.

When someone creates something it is special to them, and maybe to their loved ones, but to everyone else it is just another book on the shelf. This is the hard reality that artists often have to come to terms with – no one cares until it is a hit.

http://coolfidence.com/when-is-the-movie-coming-out-in-america-solution-20046

Business is about taking risks, but don’t make that risk involve not booking a meeting room and hoping another meeting party doesn’t show up before you’re done.

Pro Tip: If another legitimately booked group does show up and you’re in the middle of something, don’t make eye contact with them or look apologetic. Perhaps they’ll move on to another room, or you’ll have a few extra moments to wrap up. Next time, book it first!

When arriving at a meeting, do you just open a door, walk in and when realizing that you’re in the wrong place go, “oops, my bad?”

Rather treat it like you’re arriving at someone’s house, where you generally knock before entering. Don’t be the obnoxious neighbour with no awareness.

http://coolfidence.com/9-practical-tips-for-etiquette-in-the-boardroom-solution-20044

What is the point of making more and more money? If you are financially independent, then what does another million dollars mean to you? And if you say it is about power then think about this: to your children you are a God – show them your power – be a better parent. Don’t trade quality for quantity. Spend more time with your kids instead of making more money that you don’t even need. If you can do this then you are more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Real power means putting others ahead of yourself. Your children and family should be ahead of anything or anyone, especially any amount of money. But it is all easier said than done. And yes, coming from me, a guy who is not a parent yet.

http://coolfidence.com/if-you-are-financially-independent-then-what-does-another-million-dollars-mean-to-you-solution-20043

97 percent of employees believe that it’s important for managers to have a sense of humour, according to an HR study by consulting firm Robert Half International.

^* The other 3 percent were probably fired by managers and aren’t going to be swayed by humour.

Laughing and smiling helps to alter our mood and perspective. It decreases stress hormones, provides a full-scale workout for your muscles and increases our immune systems and blood flow. A sense of humour demonstrates self-awareness, that you know your flaws and are therefore possibly empathetic to others.

Taking yourself too seriously limits your perspective, learning and can create stressful situations or make you unpleasant to be around. (Basically like every dodgy world leader.)

http://coolfidence.com/7-reasons-why-you-should-learn-to-laugh-at-yourself-solution-20042

Your body often speaks on your behalf, sometimes without you knowing what it’s saying. Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the messages you convey, the remaining 93% is non-verbal – based on what people see and hear through the tone of your voice. So in business meetings, people can see what you’re not saying. It’s important to make sure your body language matches your words if you want them to ring true.

Being aware of your body language works best if you add sincerity – avoid faking it.

Infect with passion. Exude enthusiasm and offer a welcoming face to the people you’re addressing.

What you say is not as important as how you say it. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

End meetings with solid punctuation: eye contact and firm handshake is the equivalent of a full stop.

Body language is a subtle but important form of communication.

http://coolfidence.com/5-truths-about-what-your-body-is-saying-solution-20039