by DMEC Careers Della Huff and Chris Finegold

Internet and Social Networks

Content and Distribution

Mobile

Hardware

By Della Huff ‘11, DMEC VP Careers
Everyone has heard the rumors about Google’s amazing campus, and last Friday, DMEC members got to experience it firsthand.

And I can tell you, firsthand, that everything you’ve heard is true. There is a dinosaur. And nap pods. And volleyball courts. And a small army of massage therapists. And Google-colored bicycles. And a spaceship in the lobby.

There are also over 10,000 Google employees, working on everything from Gmail to Maps to Adwords, and our group was able to hear from a panel of Haas alums at Google and ask them our burning questions about what life is *really* like at the Googleplex.

From what we heard, it seems that life is nearly always interesting at Google. White boards, adorning nearly every wall at Google, are filled with network diagrams, complex algorithms, and creative doodles. Posters advertising visiting speakers from political leaders to artists decorated the walls and doors, which reminded me of a college campus. Public spaces are filled with diversions from foosball to yoga balls to encourage creative discussions. And of course, there’s Google’s famous 100-foot rule, which dictates that Google employees never be more than 100 feet from sustaining caffeine and goodies.

When we asked what Googlers liked best about their jobs, the panel was in consensus: it was the stimulating work environment, the brilliant people, and the challenging work that keeps Google going. When asked what is most challenging about working at one of the most innovative companies in the world, the panel was also in consensus: managing and prioritizing the workload was the most difficult aspect of their jobs.

Google also proved that the company is always full of surprises: the day was made even sweeter by a random giveaway of five Verizon Droid phones for the Haas visitors. Unfortunately, I was not amongst the lucky five, but I felt lucky to visit the Googleplex nonetheless!

A BIG thank you goes to Lauren Gellman, Haas ’11 and former Googler, for arranging our incredible visit!

Haas - DMEC Visits Google, February 2010

Dear DMEC Friends and Colleagues,

Happy New Year! With the birth of 2008 comes the birth of IndieGoGo. Eric Schell and I (DMEC’s 2007 Co-Mavens of Film and co-founders of IndieGoGo) invite you to join IndieGoGo’s vibrant community of filmmakers and fans.

IndieGoGo is an online social marketplace connecting filmmakers and fans to make independent film happen. The platform provides filmmakers the tools for project funding, recruiting, and promotion, while enabling the audience to discover and connect directly with filmmakers and the causes they support.

On IndieGoGo, filmmakers can raise money and awareness, find cast and crew, and gain credibility through the help of their number one resource, the fans.

Fans get the opportunity to discover and impact the films of tomorrow, while getting insider access and VIP perks for their support. It’s easy and fun!

Filmmakers who have already joined IndieGoGo include Irena Salina (“FLOW: For Love of Water,” 2008 Sundance selection), M dot Strange (“We Are the Strange,” 2007 Sundance selection), Christopher Roberts (“The Believer,” 2001 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner), and Michealene Cristini Risley (“Tapestries of Hope;” Huffington Post Blogger).

If you would like to learn more about what’s possible, just follow the 3 steps outlined below. The more you take action, the cooler IndieGoGo becomes for everyone.

Enjoy making independent happen!

Best,
Danae Ringelmann & The IndieGoGo Team

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SIGN-UP:

• Go to www.indiegogo.com
• Sign-up for IndieGoGo by clicking on the Sign-up link in the Short Cuts window on the right side.
• Confirm registration via email and start exploring!

DISCOVER & PERSONALIZE:

• Click Around: Familiarize yourself. Read the “FAQs” and “How It Works” if you’re curious.
• Discover: Check out the Projects listing, People listing, Resource listing and MyGoGo pages. Click into Project & People profiles. Toggle through the Info, Media, Q&A, Team & Private sections. Watch videos, click on links, and have fun exploring! Check out the Take Action icons on the left.
• Create Personal Profile: Click on your Profile in the Short Cuts box and add some personal flavor. Include a cool pic & bio. Showcase your interests and tastes as a fan.

TAKE ACTION! (actions embedded in each profile on the left)

• PROMOTE projects you like (grab the widgets and stick them in your blog or websites).
• ENDORSE projects and people you like.
• RATE projects and people based on the different criteria.
• FUND the projects you would like to see made. Every little bit counts.
• BECOME A FRIEND of projects and people to gain insider access.
• COMMENT ON projects and people in their profiles. Ask questions. Do shout outs! Open up conversations with other filmmakers and fans.
• WATCHLIST: If you’re not ready to endorse or rate a project add them to your watchlist and follow their progress. Revisit your Watchlist on your MyGoGo page.
• GET VIP PERKS: Filmmakers decide what perks to offer their contributors. VIP Perks could include a credit in the film, an invite to a cast party or even a character named after you!
• CREATE PROJECT PROFILE: If you’re a filmmaker (or would like to be), create a project profile and use IndieGoGo’s platform to help bring it to life.
• SUBMIT FEEDBACK: If you have any problems or suggestions, please let us know by clicking Feedback or via email. We’re not perfect; help us get there!

Have fun making independent happen!

Yup, with the exception of a few posts from >play 2007 panelists, all DMEC blog posts are written by Berkeley graduate students.  With tremendous support from the Haas administration, DMEC is entirely student-driven (and includes graduate students outside of Haas).

We welcome messages from readers (but not PR people who subscribe to the shotgun approach).  If you’re reading this on our site, the DMEC email address can be found on your right (my left).

some of the action from the day before >play 2007!