Fortress Of Freedom Board

[Maurice Ali]

Christmas dinner is done and I am just relaxing here before things get "ramped up" for tomorrow.....



This model chickened out on me, if you look into those eyes you will see the slight amount o "fear" and I think that was it in the end. A pity as she had everything going for her. Solid looks and teeth that are just imperfect enough to be real..... Ever notice how most of the girls seem to be one style - I try to get a good mix but the only ones that usually stay for the photos always look like this.....

The bigger projects are just a waiting game until business as usual on January the fifth. This place is busy enough as it is anyway with tonight and musiicans over the weekend. This year was one of the best years we ever had.....

[Maurice Ali]

We all went down to the Harlem Restaurant yesterday to check ou the return of Gritz and Swurv to the club scene.


Swerv



Gritz


I took some pictures and shot some more video while Sam did the review.


Sam

And you can find that review here:

http://fortressoffreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=5688#5688

[Maurice Ali]

Jessica King Begins Work with FOF Records!


By Maurice Ali, President and CEO:
Fortress of Freedom Inc.
International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.
MORE VISION Inc.
International Archiving Of Independent Journalists Inc.



The Fortress Of Freedom Corporation through FOF Records, is pleased to announce that Jessica King has begun work on her musical career. It was last July when we first signed up Jessica and now we have taken the first steps to creating the next "Canadian singing sensation!"



Jessica arrived at our offices today for some sample vocals and an impromptu photo session as we begin to create an image for her to present to the world. We started with some vocals. Jessica has a style of singing that is very up-front. For example, she stares right at me as she sings in comparison to our Emily who closes her eyes and sways to the beat. Just an observation.



A screen capture of Jessica singing a song.


Next up were some "mug shots" and some simple poses that we will study and start to work on as every performer has that special image that sets them apart. Here are a few from that session that I was processing when this announcement was made.




Here is an up-front and center shot. Love those eyes!




Jessica has a figure and this shot shows it. By the way, that background is real and not photoshopped. I actually held off sharpening the image as it looks too much like a replaced background!








Another figure shot of her sitting "Indian Style!"




Another pose with her signature pentagram tatoo on her arm!

This was the first step in creating a musical act. These days it is not only the music, it is also an image and multi-media promotion necessary to compete in a world that is media hungry for it's entertainment. FOF got in early on this concept and it has paid off as we have survived a "blood bath" and rationalization that has caused a majority of small record labels to fold. Jessica King has all the qualities to make it in this new era of modern music. We at FOF wish her all the success in this endeavor!


FORTRESS OF FREEDOM: BRINGING THE MASS MEDIA TO THE MASSES!

[Maurice Ali]

I am exhausted!

Year end review tomorrow and our best year ever!

Everyone have a happy new year - off to bed but I will be out there at 4:30AM as usual.....maybe, no more street racing makes Jack a dull boy.....

Bye!

[Maurice Ali]

Year End Review!

By Maurice Ali, President and CEO:
Fortress of Freedom Inc.
International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.
MORE VISION Inc.
International Archiving Of Independent Journalists Inc.
MORE VISION
IAIJ.




Maurice Ali


This year of 2008 was our best year ever! the accomplishments were mostly structural but we took advantage of the economic collapse to position the record label and position the television production as other companies fell by the wayside. In the news sector, we gained legitimacy with the founding of the association and a possible role with the United Nations. We also started an advertising corporation and produced our first 15 second commercial. What follows is the breakdown of accomplishments:

TELEVISION AND FILM


Donald Brasseur hold a copy of the CRTC television certification of his TV show!

1. The Fortress Experiment Becomes A Television Series!

The final shows were certified for broadcast by the CRTC and thus we finally had our thirteen half hour show that comprise "The Fortress Experiment." The series was a documentary of all our experiences at Fortress and IAIJ and about the people that populate that place and the results of the experiment into access to the mass media.

2. "Life And Times Of Donald "Boots" Brasseur" Ready To Be Aired!

The final Digital Betacam recording of "The Life And Times Of Donald "Boots" Brasseur" is currently under evaluation with CTV Inc., more news as it unfolds.

3. Second Office Opened In London, England!

We opened our second office at Fortress this year under the management of Susan Earps. Susan was one of the founders at Fortress and the foothold in England gives us two markets for our TV productions!



MUSIC


Gianna with one of our last retail cheques. This one is from Sam The Record Man -
the largest record store in Canada!


1. End Of Retails Sales And Beginning Of Download Sales!

The year 2008 ended active retail sales for FOF Records. Seeing the traditional retail trade disintegrate was traumatic. Hard fought relationships that enabled us to get placement in some of the largest record chains in Canada, collapsed under the bankruptcy of many large music retailers. Also upsetting was the following failure of many of the production personal that feed the music industry under the general collapse. The downloads became available at iTunes in May and we never looked back. The downloads from iTunes, Napster, Rapsody, Emusic and Amazonmp3 have reached a point where the record label is now self-sustaining.

2. Jessica King Signed By FOF Records!



Jessica King!


Jessica King became the ninth performer signed under contract at FOF Records. This recording contract is the first developmental contract for the singer. Production started in ernest late in 2008 and will continue until the first CD is produced.

3. Second Office Opened In London,England!

We opened our second office at Fortress this year under the management of Susan Earps. Susan was one of the founders at Fortress and the foothold in England gives us two markets for our recording artists!


JOURNALISM AND NEWSPAPER


The "Letters Patent" For The Journalist Association!

1. International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc. Becomes A Reality!

Our first not-for-profit association was granted it's Letter's Patent in the spring of 2008! That authorizing letter gave the association of journalists a legitimacy and "mouth piece" on the international stage. Maurice Ali, founder, is the president of the association and voice of the membership which is now in the hundreds.

2. United Nations Participation Becomes A Reality!

With a not-for-profit- created in the journalist association, we are now able to take the first tentative stops toward the United Nations. First will probably "observer status" at meetings/workshops of interest. Then active lobbying in the interest of journalists world-wide.

3. Government Support For IAIJ Staff!

IAIJ - a not-for-profit corporation, became eligible for government assistance for our two volunteers (Ainsley Wronski and Samantha Blackwell). Small associations like IAIJ don't have much money for wages, so any assistance from the government is much appreciated!

4. IAIJ Now Has A Diploma Program!




IAIJ now offers a diploma program to improve the abilities of our journalists. Upon successful completion of the program, a diploma is given the successful journalist.


4. Second Office Opened In London, England!



Reading our newspaper by Tower Bridge in London, England!

We opened our second office at IAIJ this year under the management of Susan Earps. Susan was one of the founders at IAIJ and the foothold in England gives us two offices for our journalists! We hope to open a third office in the not too distant future!


5. Donald Brasser Wins 2008 IAIJ Award For Journalism!


Susan Earps (visiting from London, England) presents Donald Brasseur with the
second IAIJ Award For Journalism!


Donald Brasseur was awarded the "2008 IAIJ Award For Journalism." The decorated WW2 D-Day combat Veteran received the award based on his work on his experiences that are documented in the half hour documentary: " The Life And Times Of Donald "Boots" Brasseur." The program should air sometime in early 2009!




ADVERTISING


Authorizing document for MORE VISION Inc.!

1. More Vision Inc. Becomes A Reality!

More Vision became a corporation in the spring of 2008. The company is a nationally registered corporation capable of international business and meetings.



2. Second Office Opened In London England!

More vision opened it's second office in London, England under the management of Susan Earps. The new office allows us to provide and international reach for our clients!


3. MORE VISION Starts Producing TV Commercials!

More Vision produced it's first TV commercial this year for a local music store. Expect more from More Vision in the future!


Emily Smith - Acct. Executive and part-time camerawoman!


Plans For 2009!

Our plans for all corporations are the same. These involve continued growth and concentration on the corporate constitutions as we expand throughout the world. We have reached the fifth year mark and have the large numbers to start looking for partners and venture capital to help grow and develop. We are fortunate to be entering the professional media markets on the back of an economic decline that has demolished much of the competition at the low end of that field. This creates much optimism here as we rush to position and consolidate our place in the mass media landscape.

We are all looking forward to 2009 as our best year ever!

Please visit:

http://fortressoffreedom.com
http://iaij.com
http://iaij.org
http://morevision.ca

[Maurice Ali]

This always gives me a chuckle.....

We are probably one of a handful of corporations that get Christmas/New Years cards from the Closed Captioning People! What is even more funny is that they may get more work from us this year - They must know something.....



The year in review above told the story, bold moves made last year. It is surprising how this all came about very quietly, yet the implications are enormous. The much scoffed at claims made in our first TV broadcast about work in the United Nations is now retracted. Now the arguments are that we may do something with the United Nations, but nothing grande - I will take that but my goals are still intact.

What a Year!

Goodnight!!

(EDIT:: People want to know who the fetching girl is in the photo. No she is not a regular - That is Shannon!)

[Maurice Ali]

I have been getting an earful from members who think I may be getting a like bit too "Hollywood" lately. there may be some truth to that. Certainly FOF was expected to go commercial to stay viable. The concern that I may be abandoning the idea of entry level talent into the mass media is a bit much though. An example is the guy I met a Blockbuster's who was an actra member (Canadian version of SAG) but with no real resume in television. Why could we not use this guy? Even if we paid rates (i.e. scale, and more than one way to skin the cat here) is not this what FOF stands for! That situation went in my favor, more challenges to come and we will see where this takes us.

'
I lay out my plans for the organization in an interview with Dan Strudwick! Strange to see
my rambling speech actually have some merit four years later and that the organization
flourishes!

All of this comes when I am toying with the idea of walking through that door that opened up last spring. A door I have avoided with all the other media projects. Anyway, this is what it is all about and goes all the way back to my concerns as a philosophy student back in the eighties. Yes I got what I wanted, all of it, just not the way I imagined it. But I got it anyway. I can't really say no as that job finds the man and not the other way around. Not married anymore with no kids, it is my "gig." And I want it. I just wanted to bookmark the spot here among all those important announcements. It should be an interesting year.....

[Maurice Ali]

I am miserable and fighting a cold. I really should just stay quiet instead of bitching, but we are still small enough for me to open up and not get an earful from the others....

Jessica King is now BUTTONZ:

http://fortressoffreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=5701#5701

Looks like Emily is adding to her advertising portfolio:

http://fortressoffreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=5704#5704

In the end I am grateful this place is populated by so many women. We run a totally up-front business and I have a reputation in the business world if not for being a high-roller, then for being at least one guy who has some integrity. I want this to continue. But the gals do calm me down, there is less adversarial activity and more subterfuge, but this works for me.....

Still testing imagery for BUTTONZ, this women can calm me down/or drive me nuts, it goes both ways with this one.....

[Maurice Ali]

Actually, there was more to the post above, but I deleted much of it. I guess we are not as small as I thought.

Anyway, I will talk safe talk now.

I really like the "Womanizer" video by Joseph Khan. The first time I saw it was at SOCAN's offices and I immediately noticed flaws like the strobing on Spear's black and white top, and then came the nudity and whoa.....that was bold..... So I downloaded the thing on iTunes and started looking at it. The thing rocks and Khan's skateboarding heritage shows through. He is not interested in photographic perfection; rather, he loves the flow and action. The story is an actual story. The set designs are fabulous, they have money. and the choreography and the incredible levels of over- cranking, just something I am envious about.

-Ok-

Next we have "Circus" directed by Francis Lawrence. I am not too hot for this one. Francis's style relies on typical photographic shots (themes) for each clip. Neat if your radar is up for this type of thing. But for the viewer, it is just a series of images, beautiful, but where is the action and plot? And that ending makes me want to barf. And I won't let Khan off the hook either, that parting shot of Britney says "I put it in there because the Bitch wanted it"

The proof is in the lineup. Womanizer hit the streets first because it was the strongest track and video.


In other news..... I am basically over this cold and back in action. I could say more, but then I would have to delete it again.


Goodnight.....

[Maurice Ali]

Still playing the waiting game and keeping my poker face shown to the world. I wish I could say more to my friends but strategy and tactics say otherwise.



My poker face.....


Goodnight.....

[Maurice Ali]

IAIJ To Put Out Another Issue Of The Fortress!


By Maurice Ali, Founder: International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.



The Fortress, Going head-to-head against a local college newspaper!


The "International Association Of Independent journalist Inc." - a not-for-profit corporation - is pleased to announce that we are going ahead with the spring issue of The Fortress. Based out of York University, the present shut down due to a labor dispute will have no impact on the usual release of our paper in the spring session of the school year.


Maurice Ali

IAIJ turns five in a few weeks and look just how far we have grown. I am presently involved in music production, television production and book publishing. But all those other activities are just entertainment. The issues and organizations I will ultimately be judged by are at IAIJ. My philosophy and voice all come from IAIJ. And when we get screwed around too much in those other media areas, it is IAIJ that we come running back to fix the problem. Truth is that the power of the press is all we have to push back when big business throws it's weight at us. Those same media giants can't criticize IAIJ without criticizing themselves as we are no different from their news departments - more so now that we have the association. We have worked on IAIJ quietly while the other aspects of our organization get the spotlight. However, there has never been one instance of success in the media which did not include the "persuasion" of the paper and IAIJ behind them. Like it or not, IAIJ is making all of this happen! When guests arrive at our offices, almost all make a bee-line to the letters patent in the reception area - and that basically says it all. My life will ultimately be judged by what happens at IAIJ.

This is not a one man operation, far from it. We get government support for our two volunteers: Ainsley Wronski and Samantha Blackwell.



Ainsley Wronski


Ainsley Wronski is the office administrator and Editor of The Fortress. She has been with us for many years and will be for many more years to come.


Samantha Blackwell

Samantha Blackwell is our office assistant and Staff Reporter. She too has been with us for quite some time.


Susan Earps

Finally, there is my dear friend and director Susan Earps. One of the founding members here, Sue is my bouncing board for many of the critical issues we had to resolve. She also runs our London, England office and gives us a more global organization and reach in the world!


Tower Bridge In London, England!

Why do we still produce a paper newspaper? Because the traditional printing press is the only form of news media specifically covered and protected in our constitution. I want there to be "no" question of our ability to avail ourselves of these protections, just the real paper. We still print on fifty pound white paper, our "signature" these days and gives our little paper a class edge on the others. We keep the traditions of the past alive, physical paper and old fashioned distribution to make the statement about what the free press is all about!


Letters Patent For IAIJ!

In the end, the only thing we here have that is truly ours is the paper and journalist association and our protected rights, all the other media entities need participation from broadcasters to make them work. But this is ours and the real jewel in the crown of the four corporations that make this organization work.

So we are now accepting submissions from our members in the usual way through the IAIJ website. We will probably go to press in March so submissions need to be in by the end of February.

Lets get to work and "Long Live The Fortress!"




IAIJ: JOURNALISTS IN ACTION!

[Maurice Ali]

I took it relatively easy this weekend. One thing I did do was to buy myself a new briefcase. Prior to this I had been using the old thirty one year old Samsonite Sigma. I am sure meeting business people and pulling that thing out was quite a sight. Anyway this is what I use now:



This is the case that makes me happy, the only one. It will protect my laptop and carry the other files and newspapers and such. It does not look like a hard shell which is what it is. An enormous zipper keeps it closed and it looks business legal (the only one that was in black that I could get away with entering an office) but totally "hip" saying that while I do business, I also create at the other end of the lens. It is the perfect statement.....

I am also starting to replace my ties. My old ties are still nice (Enrico Coveri is my favorite designed by the man himself before he died.....), but my brother in-law introduced me to Armani so that is what I will be wearing at my next outing. One thig I regret is selling my Rolex watch years ago. That thing always gave me a lift wearing, but Rolex Canada was useless when it came to reparing the thing (the staff wanted me to sell it to them..... and I will just leave it at that.....). The suits are still traveling salesman quality, and will stay so for a while. When I get the chance I will finally get some suits custom fitted as I always wanted - just not now.....but certainly if I say anything at any U.N. function (you have my word on that.....).

Yes this is my new reality. Meeting media people, shopping the video and music around, so it should be a good fit..... That part of the business is most stressful, but a good practice for what happens at the U.N. which I will consider even more frustrating - to a factor of three. So I had better get used to it. It is also very stressful to re-enter a world I left when my little advertising company failed back in the eighties. It is like I am in the twilight zone and am parachuted back into that realm. It is not perfect and I will have some explaining to do, but life is like that. I will just tell them the truth.....

Another thing I found bizarre was the demographics for the entertainment and parts of the journalist association. In entertainment I am the only one sporting a degree; in the board of directors at the association the average is one to two degrees per person, I have more than one and one director has a masters. The median age is also different. In entertainment the average is about thirty, on the board it is in the late fifties! Just an observation.....

Our editor and staff reporter covered the Gaza protests - both sides - as is the tradition of IAIJ. The reports should be up shortly over at the iaij.org website. I covered nothing as we have already started to protect me from anything controversial. Though I have always gone out of my way to see both sides of a controversy and present it. See, the first casualty of free speech here was the founder.

Life always has it's ultimate irony.....

[Maurice Ali]

I try to post stuff here regularly but do you guys really want the day to day drivel that is my life? Probably not, so I have been posting stuff when I relates to the projects. Having said that, I like to comment on my well-being as long as it is not a tactical mistake.

BTW - The Blackberry Curve is the most reliable smart phone I have used. Long in the tooth but bug free and I have never needed to reboot or take out the battery in normal operating mode - never! Relibility takes precedence over anything else and the e-mails always came and the phone calls never dropped.....

[Maurice Ali]

Sometimes it is just a grind. The petitioning is a chore and it will only get worse. I guess I should be grateful for revitalizing my life and the open future. I am in the best shape in twenty years, possibly ever, and this at almost fifty - Wow! It is just that I realize that I am on borrowed time and really trying to push things along. We are going to get sucked into that black hole of rationalization that is happening in all media these days. Then like the big bang the media will explode again exploiting the new resources given the digital medium we are now in. As we speak whole territories of communication media are being bought and sold.

At this place we have the organization and the agility to be there to consolidate our small foothold in this new world of mass media. That is where we are taking Fortress. My path is locked in by our integration to standard media barons of the current mass media. We are going where they are. We are going into the pit where tons of money will be lost, it is happening if you look at the financial statements of any media entity. Worse off are the newspapers. The Mirror was delivered to my door at twelve pages and virtually no insert advertising! That newspaper is the same as ours - the time has arrived! The trip into this black-hole of "media hell" will affect us less than the others, and we will be on a more even footing to take advantage of the opportunities that arise, or align ourselves with a more established media entity.

This is scary stuff in a way. But our four corporations are very robust, carry no debt, run on vapors and again are extremely agile. And we have some of the best intellectual talent on the planet..... Time will tell.

I wanted this and now I have it in spades.....

[Maurice Ali]

Ok, here is a photo of our paper and The Mirror - there is now no difference. We have made it..... I like that shot; anyway, I will keep rambling in this post all weekend long - so keep checking up here for more of this dribble from your favorite brown guy.....


That is if there is anyone other than me reading this stuff.....



Some more.....



The most important thing that ever happened to me was never being put in my place in university by anyone better than me at it. Because of this, I am able to do things , have the balls, to do things that I would never do otherwise - Like what I am doing now.....

The simple act of never meeting anyone better at philosophy than myself means that I will not take direction or council from anyone, why should I, if they have no greater skill than I it would be foolish to do so. Also, the knowledge that your are as talented as anyone else out there means you can change your place and direction in life like turning on a switch; that ability is always there.....

So I am one of many rogue elements doing their thing. The main impetus is my love for mankind, for all that was done to me, I still like mankind and at fifty, if people like me do not show direction then we suffer the shame of our moral negligence. I no longer have that creative spark I had in my twenties, it left by forty for good. But I have the ability to lead and the talent to work in our society. That part came from my association with the social deviates I associated with as I tried to define myself in the 1990's. It was those people, who showed me how society works and our place in the mix. Our place is to be social outcasts, living in the periphery of society harassed by the police and despised by the populous, and not a real part of it. However, from these disenfranchised people can come the leaders with the new ideas, and changes at the top can be made. I am no leader, but I can introduce ideas and change for the betterment of man. That was the idea behind Fortress. It should not exist, I should not be doing this. But I am, so there, too bad. The brown guy refuses to believe he is inferior..... Fifth year anniversary is coming up, five years.....
__________________________________________________

I always like waking up and looking at "horror" at the stuff I posted the night before. This one just makes me smile so will will keep it up. Lack of sleep always brings out the worse in me. Just look at all the grammatical mistakes this "superman" makes.....hehehehehe..... The trademark revision will be couriered off on Monday and tax starts this weekend.


__________________________________________________


Well, at least I got the Trademark revision finished. Hooray for small victories......