Jan 08 2017
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Sparkles Lund Vlog

SparklesLund vlog on YouTube

By | Vlogs | No Comments

As you may know, I have been taking acting classes from Zak Barnett for about a year now. Dance is still my greatest passion, but acting is by far my #2. Like dance, one of the most important things to learn is to feel comfortable on camera, and to present yourself to the camera. With dance, you become aware of how your body and expression looks on camera. With acting, you add in an awareness of using speech on camera. Its a whole new dimension for me to figure out, so I started vlogging.

Vlogging is a lot like blogging, but quite a bit harder in a lot of ways. With blogging, it is pretty easy to hit the delete key to go back and fix a word or a sentence. With vlogging you need to start all over and do another take. The good news is that it is more natural for me to talk than it is to write. Frankly, that is probably the reason why I post so much more on YouTube than on my blog. Regardless, to be a well rounded person it is probably a good thing to keep practicing the writing too. You just never know where life will take you.

The vlog series that I launched is called 5 Favs. In each episode, I talk about my favorite song of the week, a favorite movie of the week, a favorite YouTube channel of the week, a favorite Netflix or TV show of the week, and a favorite beauty product.

In my first vlog, I highlighted Shakka, Central Intelligence, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Glozell, and the Lorac UnzippedGold Pallete. The Glozell part is pretty special. If you follow me on Sparkles Lund Instagram, you know that I was booked to work with Glozell on her Mannequin Challenge video. As it turned out, my parents were included in the video as extras – you gotta check it out. Super funny.

Anyway, here is the first 5 Faves that I did. If you have ideas for how to make it better, let me know.

 

Oct 22 2016
1
Bruno Mars and Sparkles Lund 24K Magic

Bruno Mars 24K Magic Video Release

By | Convention, Dance, Stuff I Like | No Comments

My Video Dropped yesterday to Bruno Mars 24k! I was inspired by choreo learned this weekend in Vegas at The Pulse On Tour!

Last year, Bruno Mars hit the top of the charts with his single Uptown Funk. I loved the song, well – still love the song. You can’t help to want to dance and sing with a huge smile on your face when it plays on Spotify. What Bruno Mars did with 24K Magic may be a new trend by recording artists – he is letting us post dance videos of the song to YouTube rather than following the path of so many other artists that set copyright restrictions that block dance videos. Here is a link to my video released yesterday! https://youtu.be/KGZjwZSRN9s

24K Magic Bruno Mars24K Magic is the first single on this third album that will be titled “24K Magic.” Mars calls 24k magic “an invitation to the party!” How cool is that? The song hit the top 5 on the first day, which has never happened for any artist in 2016.

The piece that I am performing was choreographed by Anthony Westlake and Trevor Takemoto. Like me, Anthony Westlake is a professional dancer and is signed with MSA McDonald Selznick Associates. I have always loved the clean arms and footwork that characterizes Westlake’s choreography and dance. I am blessed to be able to dance with Anthony on the immaBEAST team, and to learn from him in classes around Los Angeles where we both train. He is such a hard worker, so determined, and so committed. What a great role model for me and other dancers.

anthony_westlakeI learned this piece @ThePulseOnTour in Las Vegas last weekend. Anthony Westlake  and Trevor Takemoto are past Elite Proteges – another on the long list of exceptional dancers that has been tutored in the Protege’ program at The Pulse! Congrats to my immaBEAST teammates @Tahani_Anderson and Logan @logistx_ugf for their work in Las Vegas and for being selected to the Pulse Protege program.

When you go to a convention like Pulse, you get excellent training and have the ability to dance with many of the top dancers in your age group in America. Think about continuing to work on the piece after convention to find your style in what you learned. But also be sure to learn the subtleties, texture, and moments that the choreographer is trying to teach. You just never know, you may find yourself on an audition where Westlake is the choreographer or assistant choreographer. If you pick up his style – you are likely to book the job!

DanceOnLast Monday, I filmed a project for DanceOn! I have been a dancer in their network for about a year now. If you are not familiar with the DanceOn network – you should check them out if you like to publish to YouTube. As I mentioned up above, a lot of cool songs are blocked from YouTube. The ones that are open cannot be monetized – meaning that you do not get money for the advertising displayed on your dance – the artist gets paid. With DanceOn, they get the permission for certain songs that allow the dancers to get paid.

The project we filmed on Monday was choreographed by Kehlani’s choreographer, Antione Troupe – @antoinetroupe . He did the original choreography for the official music video View Official Kehlani Music Video Here

I have learned three different dances to Kehlani’s hit song CRZY! I am going to film all three tomorrow and post them up on my page sometime at the end of next week – be sure to subscribe to Sparkles Lund on YouTube to be the first to see it.

Here Is My Dance to Bruno Mars 24k Magic – Hit Play on the Video – sharing is caring!

Aug 17 2016
0
Pharrell Williams and Alexandra Lund

Joining Pharrell Williams to Empower Kids

By | Dance, Friends, modeling | No Comments
Pharrell Williams and Alexandra Lund

Pharrell and Sparkles

What makes you different? About five years ago, Pharrell launched a program called i am other. It is a pretty simple concept. We are all different, and “individuality is the new wealth.”

i am other is the philosophy that Pharrell carries through all of his businesses and charities. He told us that he only surrounds himself with people who share those beliefs and he tries to instill it in others through all of his projects in music, film, television, apparel, and what not.

Somehow, someway, Pharrell, or Pharrell’s people found me, and invited me to a very special event to launch a collection of school supplies in partnership with Yoobi. Yoobi is a pretty cool company. They have adopted the idea that made Tom’s shoes famous. Yoobi takes a portion of everything they sell and give free school supplies to children in need right here in America. Pharrell helped design the line of school supplies around the themes of i am other.

When you go to events like this, you have no idea who is going to show up. Somehow I was not immaBEAST Dancers support i am othersurprised to see four other immaBEAST dancers, and even a few Disney Channel stars at the event. We all had a really great time, and it is super fun to get dressed up for the red carpet. Overall it was a super fun evening, and one I will remember for sure!

Jul 07 2016
3
Robert Schultz Flash Mob America

Flash Mob America Hits Record With Robert Schultz Choreography

By | Dance, Friends, Work | No Comments

Los Angeles, CA July 7th, 2016 – Flash Mob America is the #1 booking Flash Mob Company in the world. I guess that makes for a good name, right? What you may not know is that the choreography genius behind Flash Mob America is Los Angeles choreographer Robert Schultz.

Robert Schultz has choreographed over 200 flash mobs for Flash Mob America during the past 6 years, making Shultz one of the most productive and successful flash mob choreographers and directors in the world. Recently, a piece choreographed by Schultz topped over 1 Million views on You Tube! You must watch it. But grab a tissue. You cannot possibly hold back the tears of joy as you see the story unfold

The Flash Mob event was to celebrate the anniversary and vow renewal for Stacey and Rick who had been married for 30 years. For the flash mob, Rick hired Flash Mob America, a camera crew, and threw a party on the rooftop to surprise Stacey. All Stacey knew was that Rick was taking her out for a romantic evening. Rob Schultz made the event amazing with the creativity of having hired dancers and street vendors subtly hand her roses as she walked down the street to meet Rick at the restaurant. As she turned the corner toward the restaurant, a group of family, friends, and professionals break into a huge flash mob for her.

At the end of the dance, everyone points up to the roof top of the building where hundreds more family and friends are looking down, waiving, and welcoming Stacey to her special day made possible by Rick!

Schultz got started as a flash mob choreographer through the help of his long time friend and fellow choreographer, Ms. Lisette Bustamante. Lisette was hired by Flash Mob America to do a piece and she invited Robert Schultz to help. Whenever Bustamante was not available, Schultz began to work directly with Flash Mob America to do pieces.

The most memorable flash mob that Schultz has choreographed was for the ABC hit TV show, Modern Family. Season 2, Episode 8 is called Manny Get Your Gun. In this episode, Cam says Mitch is not spontaneous enough. So Mitch organizes a flash mob at the mall to impress Cam. The flash mob was epic, and in true Modern Family fashion, Cam gets upset because he was not invited to dance in the Flash Mob.

Schultz also choreographed a piece for WAV Group clients, CoreLogic. They had the crazy break out into dance during the peek of the National Association of REALTORS® trade show in San Diego. It was so funny. All of these REALTOR types walking around and suddenly surprised by mob chaos. To Join a Flash Mob, visit http://www.flashmobamerica.com//event-registration.  Follow Flash Mob America @FlashMobAmerica (Instagram & Twitter)

About Robert Schultz

I have known Robert Schultz for years. He taught at my first convention when I was 8, Hollywood Connection. At age 9, I qualified at regionals for Dancer of the Year, called Icon of the Year which I was fortunate enough to win. Schultz choreographed the Icon dance that was a tribute to movies. Schultz cast me as the lead in Afro-Circus from Madagascar and I loved the goofy wig! Aside from private training over the past few years, I have begun to work with Robert Schultz on some of my You Tube videos. Perhaps the most memorable is my duet featuring my Grandma Anne and fellow dancer Trevor Quezada to When We Were Young, music by Adele

Jun 04 2016
3
The Beast Netowrk

The Beast Network Officially Announced

By | Dance, modeling, Stuff I Like, Work | No Comments

The Beast Network was announced today! All of us at immaBEAST are so excited to follow and support Will Willdabeast Adams, Janelle Ginestra, BTB Creative Agency (John, Brazil, Nelson) on this new journey. If it grows like immaBEAST has grown the past three years, who knows how big it will be.

Will and Janelle had a BBQ for the team at their house this week to share the news with the team. Looking around at the team, my friends, I could not help but to feel grateful for the opportunity to work and train with so many talented, hardworking friends. The immaBEASTS are strong at every level – adults, teens, juniors, and minis. My manager Nelson Diaz posted on Facebook this week that if you want to be a lion, you must train with lions – surround yourself with people on the same mission as you. So true!

Will gave an inspiring speech to announce The Beast Network. He started by putting his hand on Janelle’s belly like they were announcing that they were having a baby – PSYCH! Then he told us about how he and John Hyland went to Toronto to discuss a TV deal. I guess a lot of networks – Disney, Nickelodeon, and others expressed interest in making a documentary about Buildabeast 2016 – the hip hop intensive that immaBEAST is having this summer (I have discount codes :-).  Apparently that meeting was inspirational because it resulted in the launch of The Beast Network.

The Beast Network will be a bit different. Will grew up with TRL, 106 and Park, Freestyle Friday – I am part of the DanceOn Network (until The Beast Network goes live!). The Beast Network will produce and publish videos about Lifestyle, Music, Dance, Fashion, Health/Fitness, and Reality. So many members of the immaBEAST team have talents far beyond dance. The Beast Network will deliver a place for us to collaborate and continue to grow together.

COMING THIS SUMMER

#TheBeastNetowrk #TBN #immaBEASTdancers @immabeastco

Check out the new website were you can sign up for ongoing notifications

Http://www.thebeastnetwork.com

Here is Will’s announcement video

Jun 01 2016
3

BuildaBeast 2016 Choreographers Announced

By | Convention, Dance | One Comment

I am so excited for the 2016 BuildaBeast Experience!

Last year’s event was epic. Here is my post from a year ago. This year’s is going to be even better.

Here is the promotional video that was just released with the teachers lined up for this year. This is probably one of the best intensives in hip-hop you could ever attend – not only because of the great teachers, but also because of the great dancers. It is such a privilege to train with Will and Janelle and the immaBEAST family of dancers. Every single one is a working professional dancer and the top 10 minis, teens, and immas are among the top dancers in the world. Look at any job and you see them. I was at an audition last week with 200 dancers. At the end of the audition, there were 15 people who went to video. 11 of them are #immaBEASTS.

If you want a career as a professional dancer, come to #buildaBEAST2016. I have discount codes available if you message me. I am only able to give out so many, so first come, first serve.

Remember, the #buildaBEAST2016 event is also the warm up to audition for the team. The team changes every year as Will and Janelle only pick the best. Everyone auditions, including current team members. They do not play favorites – just pick the best dancers.

2016-2017 will be an amazing year of growth for #immaBEAST. Every year the team gets more and more opportunities. What began as a popular YouTube group has grown to booking jobs on TV (Ellen, SYTYCD, Voice, DWTS, BET and other Award Shows), Movies (Straight out of Compton and others), and Commercials (too many to mention). #Immabeast is represented by BTB Management, and BBR Agency.

Get Your Tickets NOW athttp://immabeast.co/buildab…
BuildaBEAST is a 5 day long dance camp event in Los Angeles, California taking place on July 18th- July 22nd 2016. Come take Master Classes from WilldaBEAST, Janelle Ginestra, Tony Tzar, Kinjaz, Kay Kay, Twitch, Hollywood, Andrew Winghart, Frankie J, Laure Courtellemont, Codie Wiggins, BDash & Konkrete, and MORE.

Get your tickets NOW before they sell out! http://immabeast.co/buildab…

Here is the promo for the event – you must be sure to come!

Mar 30 2016
0
#YouTubeLA

Google Creator Day #YouTubeLA

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

As you may know, I have been really publishing a lot of videos on YouTube the past year. It is something that became part of my career development strategy when I became a professional dancer. A lot of it was inspired by Will Willdabeast Adams, and his creative director, Brazil.  When I started my channel, Willdabeast had about 500,000 subscribers. Today he has 1.5 million. When I started I had about 25, and recently I got the attention of YouTube when my subscribers neared 10k. I was the only kid invited to Creator Day at #YouTubeLA, so my dad had to go with me.

First Observation – 10K is a magic number

Because I am in the entertainment industry, I personally know at least 20 dancers that have more than 10k subscribers. Many, like Jordyn Jones have over 500k. Because their subscriber numbers are so launched, I really did not see my 10K as a big deal. However, I learned from YouTube that it is a big deal. It puts me in the top tier of YouTube creators in the world.

To encourage YouTube creators, YouTube has developed 8 film studios with legit equipment in major cities around the world including Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, New York, Sao Paulo, Berlin, Paris, and Mumbai. When you hit 10K, you can unlock the YouTube space and use their film studios for FREE!

IMG_3032Best Practices

At YouTube Creator day, I was joined by about 70 other YouTubers to learn about best practices, discuss collaborations with other creators, tour the studio, and layout content plans.

There are 10 Keys to Great Content

  1. Discoverable – Will the content be found through search or related videos
  2. Accessible – can every episode be fully appreciated by a new viewer?
  3. Sharable – will viewers want to share these videos?
  4. Collaborative – Is the channel working with other talents?
  5. Targeted – is the channel targeting a specific audience?
  6. Conversational – Is there an element of speaking directly to the audience?
  7. Interactive – is there a way to involve the audience?
  8. Consistent – are there strong recurring elements?
  9. Sustainable – If the fans love it, can you make more of it?
  10. Inspiration – Is the content coming from a genuine place of passion?

If you are a YouTuber, or a video creator of any kind – consider your video content against these 10 content fundamentals.

What is the Persona of your channel viewers?

For me, I started publishing my dance to YouTube primarily to market my skills to choreographers who I was likely to see at an audition. Video has also become a popular way of submitting for dance jobs.  I direct book some of my work with choreographers who know me, or select me from my video. I am pretty sure that it was a combination of knowing the choreographer and my video submission that helped me book the Justin Bieber Purpose tour.

As my audience grew, I began to realize that my target was being reached by my videos, but the true personas of my viewers are kids like me; mostly other dancers. 81% are female and 19% are male.

YouTube has a hard time tracking kids (see Terms of Use).  So I think that my age range statistics are off. 16% are under age 17, 58% are 18-24, 15% are 25-35, and it’s all downhill from there.

One think I try to do is answer every comment on all of my videos. There, I see that most of the audience that comments are girls my age and dancers.

Content Planning

YouTube suggests that channel owners manage their content creation into three categories. The first is called Hero Content. If you are a fan of my channel, you may know that I have been doing this once a quarter for about a year, sometimes more often. For me, Hero Content is when I work with a choreographer and a professional camera crew on a set location to build a concept video. If you look at my videos with the most views, those are the Hero pieces.

The second type of content is Hub content. For me, these are videos that were either from conventions or stuff shot in my studio. It is published once a week and typically on Thursday if I am not too busy.

The third type of content is Help Content. This content is aimed at inspiring your page viewers, answering questions and stuff like that. I have a series of dance training videos on stretching, some Q&A videos and stuff like that. These are also known as special video that occur every once in a while on your channel.

Collaboration StrategiesCollaboration

One of lessons from Creator Day is to Collaborate with other YouTubers. By working with other channel owners with similar or different fans, I can build my channel viewers and subscribers. I had the opportunity to meet a bunch of musicians and we know that they always need dancers. I have also done some collaboration with other dancers. They are super fun.  If you have a channel and you want to collaborate – let me know!

Mar 24 2016
0
When We Were Young

Ellen Opportunity!

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Hey everybody! So.. BIG NEWS: My video has been posted on Ellen Tube! If you all share it, I could get on the show! This amazing video was choreographed by Robert Schultz, danced by Trevor Quezada and myself, and featuring beautiful music sang by Tanner Patrick. So… you should all share it on all the social medias! I mean, unless you’re too cool for that nonsense… Here’s the link!