Horror Hit “Soul Trader” Returns to LA for One Night Only at Rock The Shorts Sept 2
Award-winning short film The Soul Trader returns to Los Angeles to be screened as part of Rock The Shorts Festival in Beverly Hills’s Fine Arts Theater on Monday September 2 at 8pm.
The Soul Trader is a 12 minute short proof of concept for a feature or series directed by Susan Dynner (Brick, Punk’s Not Dead, Code Blue: A Love Story) and starring Shane West (A Walk to Remember, ER, The Dirty South), Donna Mills (Knots Landing, Nope, Origin), and newcomer Shauna Grace.
The story follows Coral Chase (Shauna Grace), an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls, which she then sells to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind.
“We’re excited to share this story and show a strong female lead that audiences are falling in love with”
Director / Producer Susan Dynner
The short film launched at the Cannes Film Festival’s American Pavilion in May and has been gaining momentum ever since.
It won its first award just weeks later at the Manhattan Film Festival in NYC. Now it’s set to screen at many more festivals on the West Coast, East Coast and across the globe.
“This project is definitely a good luck charm. Playing the role of Coral, working with our cast and crew has been incredible. But the biggest thanks is the reaction from the audience. Getting to meet people who are excited and inspired by the story and characters.”
Actress / Executive Producer Shauna Grace
Meanwhile the filmmaking duo Susan Dynner and Shauna Grace are busy taking meetings toward their next step.
What is their next step?
“This was always meant as a proof of concept short film to become a feature film or TV series. With the sold-out screenings and awards, it just confirms our feeling that this story is so much bigger than a short.”
Susan Dynner
Actress Shauna Grace has been receiving strong reviews, comparing her on screen presence to other heroines including Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johansson.
Dynner’s experience as a studio development executive for visionaries such as Richard Donner and Wolfgang Peterson shines through. Also, her producing work on Sundance hit “Brick” and festival darling “Punks Not Dead” shows her ability to bring production value on a range of budgets.
Both Dynner and Grace will attend their Rock The Shorts screening on Monday September 2 at 8pm and be available afterwards to discussion.
The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery).
See The Soul Trader at Rock The Shorts Film Festival on September 2, 2024 at 8pm. Tix available here: https://filmfreeway.com/RocktheShortsFilmFestival/tickets
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Award-Winning Horror Hit “Soul Trader” Screens in LA for Calabasas Film Fest Sept 21, Susan Dynner, Shauna Grace in-person
Award-Winning Horror Hit “Soul Trader” Screens in Los Angeles Calabasas Film Fest Sept 21 1pm.
Award-winning short film The Soul Trader returns to Los Angeles to be screened as part of Calabasas Film Fest on Saturday September 21 at 1pm.
The Soul Trader is a 12 minute short proof of concept for a feature or series directed by Susan Dynner (Brick, Punk’s Not Dead, Code Blue: A Love Story) and starring Shane West (A Walk to Remember, ER, The Dirty South), Donna Mills (Knots Landing, Nope, Origin), and newcomer Shauna Grace.
The story follows Coral Chase (Shauna Grace), an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls, which she then sells to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind.
“We’re excited to share this story and show a strong female lead that audiences are falling in love with”
Director / Producer Susan Dynner
The short film launched at the Cannes Film Festival’s American Pavilion in May and has been gaining momentum ever since.
It won its first award just weeks later at the Manhattan Film Festival in NYC. Then more awards at Rock The Shorts in Beverly Hills. Now it’s set to screen at many more festivals on the West Coast, East Coast and across the globe.
“This project is definitely a good luck charm. Playing the role of Coral, working with our cast and crew has been incredible. But the biggest thanks is the reaction from the audience. Getting to meet people who are excited and inspired by the story and characters.”
Actress / Executive Producer Shauna Grace
Meanwhile the filmmaking duo Susan Dynner and Shauna Grace are busy taking meetings toward their next step.
What is their next step?
“This was always meant as a proof of concept short film to become a feature film or TV series. With the sold-out screenings and awards, it just confirms our feeling that this story is so much bigger than a short.”
Susan Dynner
Actress Shauna Grace has been receiving strong reviews, comparing her on screen presence to other heroines including Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johansson.
Dynner’s experience as a studio development executive for visionaries such as Richard Donner and Wolfgang Peterson shines through. Also, her producing work on Sundance hit “Brick” and festival darling “Punks Not Dead” shows her ability to bring production value on a range of budgets.
Both Dynner and Grace will attend their Calabasas Film Festival screening on Saturday September 21 at 1pm and be available afterwards to discussion.
The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery).
See The Soul Trader at Calabasas Film Festival on Saturday September 21, 2024 at 1pm. Tix available here: https://calabasasfilmfestival.com/session/shorts-program/
Los Angeles Halloween Event List 2024 :Freakiest, Scariest, Tastiest (Updated)
Los Angeles’ Freakiest, Scariest, Tastiest, Halloween Event List 2024 (Updated)
Our guide to Halloween 2024 in Los Angeles has you covered with the best treats, the most inspiring costumes and the best neighborhoods for fun, frights and memorable nights.
Los Angeles Halloween: Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights
8 Terrifying Haunted Houses
From cinematic greats and crazed cult favorites to the park’s original abominations, enter mind ripping haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror.
Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse
Terrifying Blumhouse characters have taken over the Terror Tram. Face the murderous android M3GAN. The Grabber. And more.
4 Sinister Scare Zones
Take on four sinister scare zones, each with a different terrifying theme.
Luchadores Monstruosos
¡Ojo! You’re about to get caught in the middle of a Lucha Libre horror film as two luchadores battle masked monsters.
Murder of Crowz
You’ve foolishly ventured into a massive crow’s nest. Now the fearsome flock will descend upon you and peck your bones clean.
Chainsaw Punkz
Get revved up for your night of terror as soon as you enter. Chainsaw-wielding punk rockers with masks and mohawks will close in on you.
Skull Lordz
All hail the royal court of the undead, where gothic kings and queens reign. Beware! Cross into their spectral kingdom at your own peril.
Explore the Gore Your Way
Grab your tickets to the terror. Enhance the horror with an R.I.P. Tour or admission that includes express access. Or, maximize your fear by staying near the screams with a Hotel & Ticket Package.
Buy your tix today:
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/tickets
Los Angeles Halloween: Delusion
Story takes place in the mid 20th Century, centering around the brilliant psychologist Dr. Frederick Lowell and you, his cohort of unusual patients.
An epic and haunting adventure awaits those willing to play their part in Delusion’s latest interactive play. You will play the role of Dr. Frederick Lowell’s most prized patients, found sleepwalking on the grounds of the Red Castle. Yet this time, when you awake, your memory has faded and Dr. Lowell is nowhere to be found.
PLAY YOUR PART EXPERIENCE
Head to the VIP lounge for your private bar where you might stumble upon a few hidden surprises and performers.
Then venture beyond the veil of the show and prepare to showcase your mad talents. A quick costume change into mental asylum garb and off you go, awaiting actual patrons of the play as they move through a deranged scene that features you!
Buy tix to Delusion here:
https://enterdelusion.com/buy-tickets/
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
West Hollywood loves Halloween, and the City of West Hollywood is thrilled that Halloween is back with Halloween Carnaval 2024!
The City’s incomparable Halloween Carnaval is one of the most unique Halloween gatherings in the world.
Halloween Carnaval is free to attend and will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024 on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard.
Staged on Santa Monica Boulevard/Historic Route 66, Halloween Carnaval will feature a stage at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and N. San Vicente Boulevard with a live DJ set, food trucks and thousands of wildly dressed Halloween revelers for a one-of-a-kind experience.
There will also be Halloween celebrations at businesses, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the City!
The City invites Halloween Carnaval-goers to get into the spirit and show off costumes by uploading photos to social media sites with the hashtag #wehohalloween.
Halloween at Cinespia
For its October 2024 lineup, presented by Amazon MGM Studios, the LA-based organization announced screenings of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Trick ‘r Treat, Coraline and Suspiria, leading up to Halloween.
Cinespia will also host a special Halloween night screening of director Dario Argento‘s horror classic Suspiria on Oct. 31 at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Nosferatu
Halloween Organ, Film & Music: Nosferatu
Thu / Oct 31, 2024 – 8:00PM
Silent film specialist Clark Wilson returns for Walt Disney Concert Hall’s annual Halloween concert, performing a chilling, original organ score to the 1922 Nosferatu—one of the most influential works in cinema and the horror genre—live to picture.
Tix here: https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3006/2024-10-31/halloween-organ-film-music-nosferatu
David Gilmour at the Hollywood Bowl
Tix here: https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/3507/2024-10-30/david-gilmour
Knox Dobson RTD Wins Double Gold Medal, Old Fashioned Wins Gold At 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Knox Dobson ’s Superior Ready-to-Drink Improved Whiskey Cocktail Wins Prestigious Double Gold Medal & Old Fashioned Wins Gold At 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Knox & Dobson, a new collection of superior ready-to-drink cocktails, proudly announces that their Improved Whiskey Cocktail has been awarded the prestigious Double Gold Medal and their Old Fashioned Cocktail has won a Gold Medal in the Ready-to-Drink category at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the oldest and largest competition of its kind. Receiving a high-tier medal at SFWSC is a testament to exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
This year’s competition featured nearly 5,000 entries, judged by experienced and knowledgeable spirits critics through a blind tasting process, ensuring impartiality and integrity.
Knox & Dobson’s new collection of premium ready-to-drink bottled cocktails is designed to be shared with friends, making it easy to simply Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
The collection was meticulously curated with an uncompromising commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and taste by Knox & Dobson Founder & President Rob Levy (Former Owner, The Raymond 1886) and Creative Director Peter Lloyd Jones (The Raymond 1886, Everson Royce Bar, Proof Media Mix).
The lineup includes a gin Martini, classic Old Fashioned, Improved Whiskey Cocktail with Maraska Maraschino Liqueur, Rye Manhattan, and Moscow Mule.
Each cocktail features the highest quality ingredients such as hand-selected barrel-aged whiskey, distilled gin, natural cane sugar, and authentic Angostura Bitters.
“Our mission was to create a collection of cocktails that were equal in taste and quality to those freshly crafted by a skilled bartender. Peter Lloyd Jones was the best choice, and I can’t imagine working with anyone better,”
Rob Levy
Knox & Dobson Founder & President
“Pete’s experience at 1886 Bar at The Raymond and Everson Royce Bar, combined with his passion and creativity, make him the perfect partner at Knox & Dobson.”
Levy’s upbringing in Skokie, Illinois, at Knox Avenue and Dobson Street, is where he spent most of his adolescence in the ‘60s and ‘70s, hanging out “on the corner” with neighborhood kids who remain lifelong friends. Knox & Dobson is as much an elevated on-the-go handcrafted beverage experience as it is a distillation of hometown pride and a love of bringing people together.
The Knox & Dobson Improved Whiskey Cocktail (35.42% ABV), which was awarded this year’s Double Gold Medal, is made with straight aged rye whiskey, Maraska Maraschino Liqueur, and Angostura bitters. This cocktail features a spiced flavor profile combined with American oak, citrus, and bright and deep cherry notes, making it a whiskey cocktail meant to be sipped and savored.
The Knox & Dobson Old Fashioned (38% ABV), which was awarded the Gold Medal, consists of straight aged bourbon, natural cane sugar, orange oil, and Angostura Bitters. Enjoy the taste of aged bourbon with bright citrus flavors, bitters, raw cinnamon, clove, and American oak.
Knox & Dobson’s new collection of superior bottled cocktails are best served chilled or over ice. Each 200-milliliter bottle features two servings, perfect for sharing, so simply Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
Knox & Dobson is available for delivery Nationwide.
Visit Knox & Dobson to order your new favorite bottled cocktails today.
To see the full list of locations to purchase directly, please visit Knox & Dobson’s Stockists page.
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Los Angeles Drinkers saying ‘Yes’ to less: Sommarøy Spirits Expands wider to Whole Foods
Sommarøy Spirits Expands Grocery Footprint at Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods
No more martini-induced headaches
Dreaming of an easier way to wake up the next workday without a martini-induced headache, or seamlessly transition to a glass of wine at dinner without feeling out of control? There are now more choices for the nearly 65% of adults nationwide moderating their alcohol intake.
Sommarøy Spirits – mid-strength gin and vodka with zero carbs, lower calories and two-thirds the alcohol of traditional spirits – is expanding its grocery footprint, offering more consumers a sophisticated, full-flavor option to embrace true moderation.
The no- and low-alcohol market grew by more than 7% in 2022 according to IWSR.
With an ABV of 27.5% – one-third less than the alcohol content of traditional spirits – Sommarøy is officially defining the mid-strength category as spirits between 25-30% ABV. As a result, retailers like Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods Market are now reserving shelf space to meet consumer demand for quality spirits between non-alcoholic and full proof.
Already available in major beverage retailers like Total Wine & More, Lee’s Discount Liquor and Binny’s Beverage Depot, Sommarøy Vodka is now available in 73 Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois and Sommarøy Gin is available at 53 Whole Foods stores across 12 states, with distribution anticipated to expand significantly by year’s end.
“People don’t want all or nothing when it comes to moderating their drinking
sometimes you want a mellow buzz
without going completely non-alc
or settling for a watered-down cocktail.
More consumers can now add the solution directly to their shopping carts.”
James Cosma
CEO and co-founder
Sommarøy Spirits
Sommarøy Spirits gets industry buzz
Landing on-shelf at major grocery retailers across the country are just some of the brand’s recent successes.
Sommarøy Spirits have also been awarded various industry accolades, including the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC) Low Proof Spirit Producer of the Year. Sommarøy Gin and Vodka have won NYISC Silver (92 points) and Gold (94 points), 2024 SIP Awards Double Gold and Gold, a 97 and 95 rating from The Tasting Panel Magazine and Gold (93 points) and Silver (88 points) from Beverage Tasting Institute, respectively.
Start your moderation-minded journey today.
To find a retailer near you, mid-strength cocktail recipes and stay in the loop with the latest news and product drops, visit SommaroySpirits.com and follow @SommaroySpirits.
Sommarøy Spirits are premium craft-distilled Vodka and Gin with zero carbs, lower calories and two-thirds the alcohol of traditional spirits.
Crafted in small-batches with legacy distilling techniques, Sommarøy Gin and Vodka are 55-proof (27.5% ABV), unflavored and gluten-free with a smooth taste that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed in a cocktail.
In addition to availability online at shop.sommaroyspirits.com, Sommarøy Vodka and Gin is available in more than 320 retail locations across the country (and counting) – including Whole Foods, Jewel-Osco and Total Wine & More. It is also available regionally in Illinois at select and Binny’s Beverage Depot locations, Nevada at Lee’s Discount Liquors and other independent retailers.
Sommarøy Spirits can also be found in Chicago at Gibson’s Restaurant Group, Boka Restaurant Group and Ballyhoo Hospitality locations. To find Sommarøy near you, visit www.sommaroyspirits.com and follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook at @SommaroySpirits.
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Willamette Valley’s Eila Wines Reveals Intense, Complex Taste – Wine Review
Eila Wines Shows off the best of Oregon’s Vintage with Intense, Complex Taste
Oregon’s Willamette Valley continues to impress with their small allotment, high quality wines. Is Eila Wines a daily drink? Having tasted through their current portfolio, they’re more for a special night.
These wines are for memories and savoring. You don’t want to rush the experience.
Eila Wines Process
According to their website, their winemaking uses varying amounts of whole cluster during fermentation with ambient yeast, minimizing extraction.
Harvesting dates are chosen to retain acidity/freshness balanced with phenolic ripeness and maintaining moderate alcohol levels.
Then the wine is fermented in small batches and aged in a low impact mixture of new and neutral French oak barrels.
2021 Chardonnay Eila Wines
An excellent example of why Willamette Chardonnay’s are gaining national popularity.
Grapes are sourced from Von Oehsen Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA at an elevation of 400-500’. Harvested in early September 2021. Crushed then pressed, fermented in barrels. Stored on lees with minimal battonage. 42% new oak from a Damy puncheon.
Medium gold in the glass. Light and delicate on the nose. Lemon, peach, orange blossoms. Crisp citrus, orange blossom, dried fruit flavors.
With only 109 cases produced, this is a special bottle. If it’s still available, buy it immediately and hold onto it for a special night.
2021 Indigo Pinot Noir Eila Wines
Complex is too simple of a word for this bottle. It delights in throwing you twists and turns; and taking your mouth for a ride.
Grapes sourced from Witness Tree Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA at 500’ elevation. Harvested early September 2021. Fermented using 38% whole cluster. Aged in 40% new oak oak.
Deep ruby in the glass. Medium body with blackberry, black currant on the nose. White pepper, licorice, dried herbs, A multi-dimensional flavors, while still being light on the tannins.
121 cases produced. Buy it here.
2021 Scarlet Pinot Noir Eila Wines
This bottle deserves to breathe. Seriously. Open it, decant it, savor it. But whatever you do, don’t rush it. Let it be a marathon and your mouth will thank you.
The winery itself describes it as “a richer, darker wine” and they’re not wrong.
Sourced from Prophet Vineyard in Eola-Amity AVA at a 440-600’ elevation. Harvested mid- September 2021. Fermented using 25% whole cluster. Aged with 20% new oak.
It transformed from a kitten to a tiger after giving it substantial breathing time. Deep ruby in the glass. Medium body. Blackberry, blueberry, raspberry on the nose. Velvety pleasures in the mouth. Bell pepper, dried spice. A sultry finish. Highly enjoyable.
With only 120 cases produced, I would stand in a long line just to taste this wine again.
2021 Violet Pinot Noir Eila Wines
A unique wine, unique flavor, for a unique palette.
Grapes sourced from Le Cadeau vineyard at 600-700’ elevation in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Harvested mid-September 2021. Fermented using 27% whole cluster. Aged with 25% new oak.
Medium ruby in the glass. Red currant and cranberry on the nose. Heavy cranberry on the palette. An elegant wine with tart acidity. The tart acidity wasn’t my favorite choice. I admire how it kept opening. I struggled to find a food pairing and found it bold on its own. I always enjoy tasting unique wines. Perhaps I’d like it more next time.
189 cases produced. If you’re looking for bold flavor, this is an adventure to try.
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Stuck in LA Dating App Hell? Dating Expert Andrea McGinty makes it easy with 33000Dates.com
Stuck in LA Dating App Hell? Dating Expert Andrea McGinty makes it easy with 33000Dates.com
We’re with Andrea McGinty, dating expert from 33000Dates.com
Today’s conversation has been edited for length and clarity. For the full, un-edited conversation, visit our YouTube channel here.
So often we talk about food and wine and it’s usually for dates, romantic nights out, date night, anniversaries, vacations.
Today we’re going to get to the source of what those date’s are actually about. So with us is a dating expert, Andrea McGinty from 33000dates.com.
Joe Winger:
So just to start things off, what inspired you to become a dating coach?
Andrea McGinty:
You mean what inspired an accounting / finance major to become a dating coach?
I started this when I was in my 20s. So this is the 1990s.
There’s no Google yet. There’s no online dating. It’s going to happen in the late 90s, but it hasn’t happened yet. At that point I was living in Chicago and I was getting married and five weeks before the wedding, he called it off and it was like – boom!
What do you do? First I cried, of course…
Anyway my friends started fixing me up on dates, still in your 20s and you know how those dates go,
They know someone that’s single, so they think you should like them, blah, blah, blah…
After some of those dates I was really thinking about it and I thought, it’d be great if there was a place you could go, like an executive recruiter for your professional life.
The same thing for your personal life.
And of course, there was nothing like that at the time. Even in high school and in college I fixed up two of my suitemates. They’re still with their husbands that I fixed them up with.
I was already good at this and I thought I could start this.
Anyway, fast forward.
I started a company in Chicago called It’s Just Lunch. Where people meet for lunch. We do all the work.
Fast forward, 15 years later, it’s still the same.
[At my first dating company, It’s Just Lunch] we had 110 locations globally and then I sold. Timing was perfect because online dating was coming out of its infancy and it was a mess it at first, just the scammers, the crazies, the horrible stories,
I thought, “Oh, wow, there’s a need. People have no idea what to do online and how to date.”
Dating Expert Andrea McGinty makes it easy with 33000Dates.com
Joe Winger:
Is there one big lesson to learn how to be more successful with dating in today’s world?
Andrea McGinty:
I think there’s a couple, there’s probably two lessons to learn.
#1 is you need to understand how to navigate online dating because there’s over 1400 sites out there.
#2 you’ve got to be really careful that you don’t give up too quickly.
Most people give up in the first 2-3 weeks because they go online, see a bunch of people, they probably went on the wrong site by the way too, like not the right site for them at all. Then they see these people who like them and they’re like, “Oh my gosh, this is online dating, forget it, I’m done, gone.”
And it goes back to they didn’t do it right, they had no idea what they were doing.
Joe Winger:
Can you bring some clarity to that and help somebody understand what are the first few steps are and how to do them correctly?
Andrea McGinty:
Absolutely. With online dating you need…
#1 you need to be really careful that you’re choosing the right site.
When we’re talking about 1,400 sites out there, I tend to work with the top 25 sites. When I’m working with a client I start initially with a zoom call with a client and get to know them what they’re looking for.
I work primarily with the 40 – something 50- something, through the 60s age group. Second time around, second acts in life type of thing.
Back to the right site…
When I’m choosing a site for a client after the zoom call, I’m thinking about. “Okay, what sites do I think they belong at?” And it’s very different if you’re in Los Angeles versus Houston versus Washington versus New York City or Orlando, Florida.
[The sites are] so different, how the sites function and the type of people that are even on the site.
I’m strategic too. I use three different large companies for research. I use Gallup, Pew and Statista. I pay to get research on a monthly basis and it really tells me the percentage of men to women on a site.
Some sites that are 80% men. Some sites are 80% women
You might be having an awful time on a site because you’re a woman and you’re at a site that’s 80% women. You’re in the wrong place.
So I do the homework with the research. Geographically where you live, level of education, income. Is that site’s membership increasing, decreasing?
#2 Your pictures.
Oh my gosh. I’m like a crazy person with photos because you have to have really great photos. I don’t mean LinkedIn photos, I don’t mean glamour shots, and not selfies.
The candids are nice because it’ll show you and your friends. Out playing pickleball, out playing tennis, out having drinks with your girlfriends. The professional shots. Depending on where you live, you’re just gonna get some great shots up against a graffiti wall in Brooklyn or a nice shot by the beach that are just a little more.
You want a couple full body shots.
You want the photos to be current, within the last year. Just like you don’t want to be surprised when you show up on the date and there she is. She has a few more wrinkles and a few more pounds than what I saw online.
It’s like you’re not being truthful about the whole thing.
Online dating is a visual medium. You’ve got to be presenting yourself. My LA and Orange County market, Dallas market, they get that. But there’s other parts of the country. I’m like no, we are not putting that picture of you online. There is absolutely no way.
#3 Your profile
Once they look at your photos online, if they like what they’re seeing, they’re going to read about you. It can’t be the same old stuff. Like I like to walk on the beach and I look as good in a tux as I do…. it puts me to sleep.
So a short, sweet, interesting, quirky profile sells.
A lot of times it’s hard to write about yourself. That’s why it’s nice to have somebody like me, write about you.
[Summarizing] You’re on the right site. The right photos. Your profile. Now it’s looking through high potential dates for you….
#4 Looking for High Potential Dates
Putting in algorithms, putting in search filters. That’s something I teach people how to do because otherwise it’s like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack and you want it like a needle in a little Easter basket.
Once we throw those filters and algorithms on, it gets rid of 80% of the people. Now we’re down to some of these people that look like high potential people for you.
#5 Send messages
We found 10 “someone” ‘s and now we send messages.
We don’t send them a weak heart or any of that kind of junk because men get so irritated. Because half my clients are men, they get so irritated with this.
Why are these women sending likes and hearts and no message?
That’s my constant battle with women.
Hey, you’re in your 40s, you’re not 90 when women had to wait to be pursued. We’re not living in our grandparents era, right? We’re equals. We can reach out to the men too.
The men totally appreciate when a woman sends a well crafted, interesting, short three sentence message.
The messaging is super important because you don’t want the: “Hi, how are you?” – or this is horrible. “Hi, you’re so good looking.” “Hi, you’re so beautiful.”
It was like, copy paste, they threw that out to the world, they sent that to everybody.
So now you’ve sent a message, hopefully he / she messages back.
#6 Schedule a date
The next thing is let’s get that date scheduled. This can all be done with just a couple texts on both people’s part:
“Okay, yeah, I’m totally interested. How’s Friday, at 5:30p at Bistro 110. Let’s meet for a glass of wine?
Because chemistry only takes place in real life.
Joe Winger:
In reality, do most dates get set up that quickly? It seems like there’s more delays and game-playing?
Andrea McGinty:
From the time you first send a message to someone, if the date has not been scheduled within five days of that initial text. There’s a 90% chance the date will never occur.
I’ll say to my client, “We’re going to go right for it right now.”
Write a couple of cute lines that are just for that person and then be like:
“You know what? I don’t really need to text you anymore or talk to you anymore because I’m ready to meet you. I’m super interested. How’s Friday night…?”
Sometimes you’ll get back a reply, what’s the rush?
I think to myself, what isn’t the rush here?
What do you want to talk about? Can’t you just get dressed?
We both live in Beverly Hills for goodness sakes. How long would it take us to get together and meet, right? We’re both in New York City. C’mon. Let’s do this in person.
If you’re getting those people that are drawing out the process, you either just cut bait. Just block them, goodbye, gone.
Or you say, you know what, if you don’t reply, you’re going to end up on my waiting list.
And you do it with a little humor, add an “LOL”
That can work too, where people crack up and they’re like, yes, I would love to meet you Saturday. Let’s grab lunch.
Joe Winger:
In today’s world of different levels of politically correct, cancel culture, different levels of sensitivity, regardless of whether you’re in a very conservative culture, progressive culture, etc.
How do we deal with any level of uncomfort when it comes to online dating?
Andrea McGinty:
First of all, you’re not in the workplace dating right now. Cause that’s where a lot of that happens, right?
This is where I say “Women, you’ve got a big advantage right now because you can feel very comfortable and free reaching out to men and get over that whole thing”.
Women wait to be pursued. There was this book that came out in the 90s: “The Rules.”
Wait to be pursued by the man and then don’t respond to him for three days. What the heck is that about?
No. Reach out to men.
Now for men, you’re not going to send stupid messages like, “Oh, you’re so gorgeous and sexy and blah, blah, blah”
Nobody wants that message.
You would find that offensive too.
As far as men reaching out to women, just do it in good taste.
Women are there to meet men. Creepy doesn’t happen very much online anymore. We’re out of that 2000 – 2010 era where more of that stuff happened.
There’s so many more hoops. Both parties jump through [hoops] on top notch dating sites now and dating apps now that verify that you are who you say you are and verify some information about you.
Joe Winger:
Most of the people watching this, they’re into food. That means fine dining. They’re into wine and cocktails and collecting wine.
What kind of a goal can they look for if they come to 33000Dates.com?
When they approach and connect with you, what should they be thinking about and preparing so they know how to best represent themselves in that first conversation with you?
Andrea McGinty:
Just be real with me and, people that are foodies and wine collectors, there’s a lot of us out there. There’s a lot of people out there that will find that very attractive.
There’s a lot of people that like to try different wine bars, they like to go up to Napa. Maybe that’s your third or fourth or eighth date,
Be real with what your interests are and… talking about food.
This goes back to when I’m writing your profile, when people just say, “Oh, I like Italian food.” I’m like no. Give me something here.
“I like carbonara with peppers and from Trattoria is amazing.”
It doesn’t have to be written in a snobby or snooty way, but it’s just like fun. Like you’re describing what you like to eat or your favorite foods or it could be talking about, you like this vintage of wine.
Be very specific with me because that’s how I can help you the most and be really upfront no, no PC woke stuff with me because this is your personal life.
Joe Winger
What are some realistic goals for your online dating experience?
Andrea McGinty:
We’ve got to make sure that we’re not listening to all the noise out there. We’re not listening to our negative friends about dating and friends and family can be two really negative forces because you get one of one of two things.
If it’s family, maybe a lot of them are married and they’re like, Oh, you’re good looking. You’re so awesome. You don’t need to do online dating. That is like for losers.
That is so not the story anymore.
You’ve got friends that are like, “Oh, I just tried Bumble. It was horrible”. “I did hinge. It was horrible.”
A lot of dating is going in with a good attitude. I’m not talking about rainbows and unicorns; and everything’s perfect or anything like that.
We spend a lot of our 20s and 30s becoming successful and working on our careers.
By the time we’re 40s, even 50s we’re there career-wise. So now, it’s time to focus on our love life.
That could be two very different pictures: it could be a second act because you’re divorced.
Or it could be you’ve been single and just all your efforts have been going into career and friends and travel and all this other stuff, good stuff you’ve got going on.
But you wake up one day and you’re like:
“Hey, I’m 45 and I’m single. What’s up with this?”
Go into online dating, approaching it the way you did your career. Strategically. It’s no fun to think about your love life, like strategically, hire somebody, think about how you play golf.
You didn’t just go out on the golf course. You took a bunch of lessons.
Everybody’s playing pickleball now. But you didn’t just go out on the court, even if you played tennis before. You took a couple clinics, right?
That very quickly threw you into the intermediate range all of a sudden because you put some effort into it.
Same with dating.
But if you want to do it effectively and pretty effortlessly, just like you did with golf, hire the pro to do this stuff for you.
My typical male client tells me I take 80% of the workload off him because he doesn’t have to think about it anymore.
I’m coming up and presenting ideas to him, presenting women to him and just getting them through. All of the hoops and the messaging and all that stuff. Getting them to the good dates because they’re out there.
There’s some markets, like Los Angeles and New York, that can be big complainers about dating. I think because they’re trying to do it on their own.
When I get online and go on the good sites in those two markets, there are so many good people on there.
It’s just a matter of having somebody doing a good portion of the work and pushing you.
And oh, here’s the other thing, accountability.
When you’re working with me, you have accountability because you’re going to talk to me next week. And I’m going to say:
“Okay, Tell me what happened to you last week.”
“How’d that date go?”
“Did you call back that other one that we talked about?“
I did text her after the date you said you were going to, what happened?
So that little push along the way and keeping you on track too.
Because we’re in a culture where, we’re educated, we’re taking great trips, we’re dining out. We’ve got a nice group of friends that we love to hang out with.
It can be really easy to sweep this all, to the wayside. There’s no reason because there’s a loneliness epidemic in the U.S. and we all know if you’re with somebody, that you really enjoy hanging out with you’re going to live longer and you’re gonna live happier too.
Right.
Joe Winger:
You’re offering great dating tips. Thank you.
Let’s say you’re someone who’s done the work on your protile, messaged all those people, asked for a date, and they’ve all disappeared.
What’s that person doing wrong?
Andrea McGinty:
You kinda gotta take responsibility for it. You’re doing something wrong.
Here’s the deal. You don’t know what you’re doing wrong.
But that’s stuff I can fix.
That’s another thing. You have to stay away from those free sites or sites that have free people on it because there’s no skin in the game there. They’re just dilly-dallying around, playing around on there and not really serious.
Part of it is recognizing the statistics that you’re going into up-front that for every 5 texts you send, 1 person is going to respond back.
I give my clients homework on a weekly basis, two sessions. That’s all I ask of them.
During those two 30 hour sessions they have to send out 8 messages. So I know by the time I’ve talked to them, they’re going to at least have gotten back 3 responses.
If their photos are really good, they might have 8 responses back.
If they haven’t already booked the date, craft the email, craft the text, craft the message that’s going to get that date in person. And get us there. Get us there.
Joe Winger:
Andrea McGinty from 33000Dates.com dating expert.
Any requests from the audience watching and listening?
Andrea McGinty:
I would just say, take a look around my site, maybe take the dating quiz that I have on the site. It’s fun. And it’s really fast. It’s 10 questions, and it goes right to me. It doesn’t go to any of my people. And. I can rate you and what you’re doing and tell you whether or not I can help you too.
So if you do take that quiz, give me as much info as you can. I don’t mean personal info, but like where you live, your age, but that’s all going to be on there. But take that quiz because that’s a good way to contact me and see if we might be a good fit and maybe I can help you if you really want to meet somebody.
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