Speakers from Verizon 5G Lab, Yahoo! News XR, and Ryot discussed how 5G's fast speeds are a transformational tech shift that can enable existing and new industries. Then, they judged pitches from LA based startups with the vision to do just that at our Verizon - Digital LA - Built on 5G panel and pitch at the new Verizon 5G Lab in Playa Vista.
Speakers shared what you need to know about 5G in this Facebook live
video. Joshua
Ness of Verizon 5G Lab NY, described the Verizon Built on 5G Challenge, a "nationwide search for the best products, services, and applications that will bring the true power of 5G to life." The winners will be awarded up to $1 million, access to the Verizon 5G Lab, and an opportunity for Verizon to invest in a future fundraising round. Apply by September 15.
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After the panel, six startups pitched their startup ideas, which run much better or depend on 5G. Victoria Grant of Making XR won both the #1 Judges Choice AND the #1 Audience Choice for her biometric idea (photo right). Adam Bridge of Archanics won judges choice #2 for his GIS GPS MAP map startup
Other pitches:
- Matt Soson of Drift LA, AR fantasy overlay on real world
- Matt Soson of Drift LA, AR fantasy overlay on real world
- Liam Broga of LifeScope time machine, Eric Leatherwood, Tesser, Esports network; David Borish, of Neo360
See more in our article.
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7 Weekend Ideas
Happy Labor Day Weekend! Some fun ideas if you're in town this wknd, and showing friends and guests around.
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Fiesta Hermosa - free music, vendor booths, family fun by the beach, good to show friends LA lifestyle, and enjoy it yourself! Sat, Sun, Mon, streets by the Pier.
John Williams Music @ Hollywood Bowl
- the end of summer finale features the maestro's scores including movie music from Star Wars, ET, Jurassic Pak and more while video clips of the films play. Bring your lightsabers! Friday, Sat, Sunday.
Pasadena Daydream Festival with the Cure, Pixies, Mogwai and more, Sat-Sun
LA County Fair starts this weekend, with Abba performing on Sat, Pitbull on Sun
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Overwatch League Playoff @ Blizzard Arena, Burbank
MOVIES
- Ne Zha - Top animated film from China comes to the U.S. A human couple gives birth to a demon baby destined to get struck by lightning on his third birthday. It's like if Incredibles' Jack Jack demon form turned into Hellboy-style Hellbaby. Terrific fast passed animation with cool martial arts and fire, ice and lighting superpowers action sequences.
- Ne Zha - Top animated film from China comes to the U.S. A human couple gives birth to a demon baby destined to get struck by lightning on his third birthday. It's like if Incredibles' Jack Jack demon form turned into Hellboy-style Hellbaby. Terrific fast passed animation with cool martial arts and fire, ice and lighting superpowers action sequences.
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OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
Sep 16, 7p
Phase Two, Culver City
After our popular Virtual Humans panel, we discuss modeling vs volumetric capture to create digital humans. We will discuss pros and cons of both with industry experts. CALL FOR SPEAKERS: If you can talk about your cutting edge story or success in film, TV, game, etc. capture, email info@digitalla.net with HUMAN as subject.
REGISTER
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OUR RECENT EVENTS
Our Digital LA - Virtual Humans panel featured award-winning speakers from Google VR, USC, Digital Domain, startups, and more discussing their work in virtual humans, including VFX, AI, emotion, and more at our Digital LA - Virtual Humans panel at PhaseTwo in Culver City. See article.

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Our Digital LA - Comic-Cocktails: She-Hulk, superheroes and amazing friends assembled at our 11th annual Digital LA - Comic Cocktails, held at Altitude Sky Lounge at the Marriott Gaslamp, where the CW held its Batwoman party the night before. We enjoyed amazing sunset and downtown Gaslamp views. See
pics.
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Our pre-E3 Music for Games Panel
Award-winning composers on big game franchises including Star Wars, Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Transformers, and more shared their insights into their craft at our pre-E3 Digital LA - Games Summit, held at Cross Campus Downtown LA on the day before the big E3 games convention.
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Composers said it's important to create your distinct voice and style, yet be true to the sounds and style of music in the game franchise. Speakers included Grammy-nominated Austin Wintory (Journey, Assassins Creed Syndicate), Wilbert Roget (Call of Duty WWII, Mortal Kombat 11),
Gordy Haab (Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and other franchise),
Penka Kouneva (Mummy VR, Transformers), and Gareth Coker (Ori and the Blind Forest and its just announced sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps.) See our
article.
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Digital LA - LGBTQ Influencers Panel.
Influencers described how they got started, work with brands, and engage and inspire fans on our Digital LA - LGBTQ Influencers Panel on Tues at WeWork PDC. It was our annual pre LA-Pride event.
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Speakers included: C
hannel Q radio hosts Ryan Mitchell and singer Mikalah Gordon; actor/model Jason Caceres, actress Jane Widdop, personality Kandie, model-underwear entrepreneur
On Mekahel, and Revry 'Netflix for LGBTQ content' founder Damian Pelliccione. Speakers gave influencer tips including: Don't be afraid to reach out to brands you like, and see if they want to work with you. Chances are they will! Know your worth to get paid working with brands. And be your authentic self online. Several speakers said just living their lives openly online as helped inspire others to come out to their friends and family. See our
article.
Digital LA - Influencer Merch panel at Studio71
Influencers are using Kickstarter to crowdfund games, engage their communities and generate additional merch revenue, said Javon Frazier, Garima Sharma, and more at our Digital LA - Influencer Merch and Game Night at Studio71 HQ in Beverly Hills. See
article.
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A
fter the panel, we played Studio71 card games. Several attendees got prizes including Binding of Issac: Four Souls card game,
plushies, Guava Juice subscription boxes, and more Studio71 merch.
Our
Digital LA - High Tech: Cannabis CBD Tech panel event before 4/20 featured experts from MedMen, Merry Jane Media, Baker CRM startup, and more. Cannabis CBD digital marketing focuses less on mass marketing due to age and geography restrictions and laws, and much more on CRM: reaching customers who've opted in to e
mail or SMS text messages.
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Customer data privacy and security is especially important: no sharing emails or anonymous aggregate data. Instagram, influencers and events are additional ways to market, tho must be aware of ever-changing rules related to age-gating, geography or sales of products. There's much room for brands to reach new demos like post-operation pain relief, seniors, and more. See our panel recap of
9 Things You Need to Know about cannabis CBD marketing.