For the second year in a row I will be attending the SXSW conference in Austin Texas. I collected a lot of information last year to help me make the most of what is a massive, sprawling, 10 day conference. I also met some great people last year, some of which I have kept in close contact with. In preparation for the big event this year, through an international collaboration with Nonimage and Armadillo Studios we have launched a definitive guide to absolutely everything related to the SXSW festival in Austin Texas.

We are pleased to announce the launch of SXSWisEASY.com.

Designed with simplicity in mind, SXSWisEASY provides straight up information for everything related to SXSW. It covers everything from essential elements of Austin TX to the Best Interactive Parties all they way to a list of the Social Do’s and Don’t of the Film Festival.

Essentially, everything you could possible need to know to prepare you for SXSW in one easy to read spot.

As a group we have also provided a break down of the best parties and best interactive sessions at the festival. Including our own take on why it’ll be worth sitting in on the session. A guideline to help you make the most of your time down there.

So please spread the word of SXSWisEASY, send it to anyone you know heading to Austin. Even start following the SXSWisEASY Twitter account for the latest updates and information.

A big thank you goes to our friends Andy and Connor for being great to work with. Thanks again guys.

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There were some subtle modifications to the original – for instance the zippo/camera was removed and the cascading line elements now resemble actual film, but overall the initial creative remains intact.

If you’re a fan of independent film, be sure to get your tickets right away – the BIG show is next Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008. All profits will help fund next year’s awards.

Monday night I caught “Manufactured Landcapes” on the Sundance Channel (it’s OnDemand for Comcast users). It’s a documentary about photographer Edward Burtynsky and his quest to show the impact of the natural landscape and how it’s been changed by industry and population growth. The film strides to not be preachy and let’s the photographer’s work speak to the subject matter.

Burtynsky’s work and vision come through as you see him thrust his camera into the various locations throughout China, Bangladesh and other parts of Asia. The photos show you the impact that the world has with demand for oil, new technology and energy dependence.

One segment that struck a chord, was when he traveled to rural China to a town that breaks down e-waste (old electronics, computers, etc.) and recycles the metals used in manufacturing them. This may seem like a good notion until you learn that they were improperly disposing of computer monitors. Unknown to them, the monitors had harmful chemicals that have seeped into the water table and polluted it beyond human consumption and have it shipped in.

Knowing this makes me want to skip buying any new computers or cell phones and ride my bike everywhere. Please take 80mins out of your life and watch this movie. It’s will change the way you see your impact on the world.

Buy the DVD