Check out Simo Benbachir's Interview with Victoria Summer

As a blogger, sometimes I want to tell everyone about a particular interview I've done. It can be especially exciting to interview an artist toward the beginning of their already simpressive career, when you have the strong feeling that this person is only going to become more and more successful as time goes on.

So I want to share the good news of Dubai TV Alarabiya News English reporter Simo Benbachir (aka Simobb), as he recently enjoyed the opportunity to interview popular British actress Victoria Summer. You can see a video of the interview by clicking here to visit the English language site for Alarabiya. The interview was hosted at Lab Art Los Angeles by Iskander Lemseffer and directed by Brian Patamakanthin.

While their conversation took place as part of the publicity that Victoria Summer is doing for her new starring role in Game of Aces, you probably know her from two other very popular films in which she had supporting roles. She played Julie Andrews in in Walt Disney Pictures' Saving Mr. Banks starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. She also appeared in Paramount Pictures' Transformers: Age of Extinction, directed by Michael Bay.

In Game of Aces, directed by Damien Lay, she plays the lead role of British nurse Eleanor Morgan. The movie is set during WWI and is described as both a romance and an adventure. It has received good notices in the L.A. Times and other media.

I think you will enjoy the engaging interviewing style of Simobb. He is a Moroccan TV reporter who covers entertainment and "gossip" stories in a fun and upbeat way. He has over 18 years of experience in media and is a well-known presence at many glamorous international events.

You can see that he enjoys sharing Victoria Summer's story of perseverance as she spent a number of years funding her acting career by working as a nanny and personal trainer. She worked in musical theater in London for some time before moving to Los Angeles to follow her dream of breaking into American film and television.

In her own words, "The secret is persistence and staying focused; I just keep going, and I do not stop. You have got to take off any poky barrier that comes your way and staying on that one path knowing where you are going and keep it going.”

For the full conversation between Simo Benbachir and Victoria Summer, click here.

Meet Mayer Dahan of Prime Five Homes and Dahan Properties

Young entrepreneur Mayer Dahan is CEO of Prime Five Homes and Dahan Properties, full service real estate development companies that specialize in building modern, sustainable homes in Los Angeles. He is also the founder of The Dream Builders Project, an action based charity. The DBP hosts charitable events to fund and raise awareness for several of Los Angeles' key social issues, including child abuse and neglect, education, homelessness, and severe illness and disease.

1. How did you first become interested in sustainable building practices?

I first became interested in sustainable building practices and building eco-friendly, modern homes when I started thinking about wanting a home of my own. When you are buying a home, you want quality materials, sturdy infrastructure, and reliable and sustainable design. I realized how much LA is lacking this type of housing and decided to make it my mission to provide and educate people about the importance of building this way. At Prime Five Homes, we pride ourselves on utilizing only sustainable construction, solar energy, eco-friendly materials, and smart home technology. As the green building code becomes stricter and more apparent in the residential market, we strive to exceed these standards and make our houses even better and more beautiful.

2. In what ways do you find that being an L.A. native influences your work?

I was born and raised in LA, so this city is my home. Making LA the best that it can be is my passion, and my worldwide travels have taught me that we do live in a great city, but there are things we can improve on, such as housing and sustainability. Seeing and exploring various architectural innovations and design styles around the world is what inspires me to continue building modern homes and educating Angelinos on the future of building and housing.

3. When it comes to the homes you've built through Prime Five Homes, do you have any favorites overall?

432 S. Citrus is most definitely my favorite so far. Not only is the look of home modern, beautiful, and distinct, but the design and architecture is what I am incredibly proud of. The open floor plan completely blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor environments, establishing a style of living that some can only dream of.

Although it was one of our more challenging builds because we wanted to create an aesthetic that would stand out from the competition while still maintaining a modern and eco-friendly design, the final product was well worth the challenge. The big, luxurious windows allow so much natural light to filter into the home's interior and the refurbished wood that adorns the ceiling of the upstairs balcony, as well as the kitchen cabinetry is are why I love 432 S. Citrus so much.

A current project that we are working on right now on, N. Curson Ave, will be incomparable to anything I've ever done before. Stay tuned! It will be well worth it!

4. What inspired you to start The Dream Builders Project?

After the death of a close friend from unfortunate circumstances in 2013, I realized how important it is to offer a helping hand to those in need. I didn't just want to help on a small scale. In her name, I wanted to make a real impact on our community, and for this reason, I founded The DBP. Replicating Prime Five Homes' philosophy of making LA a better place, the goal of The DBP is to give back to the community with a focus on homelessness, child abuse and neglect, education, and human trafficking. In its history, The DBP has hosted over 12 Charity Flash Mobs, two Charity Galas, and one orphanage remodeling, and supplied more than 600 school children with school supplies.

5. For people who are reading this and nurturing their own entrepreneurial dream, what's your advice for getting started--or taking their dream to the next level?

You don't need to know everything in order to get started: you just need a good idea, passion, and a whole lot of drive! And don't be afraid to take risks. Just believe in yourself and dream big!

Thanks, Mayer!

Meet X-Change, DJ and Producer

X-Change is an electro and progressive house music DJ and producer residing in Los Angeles. A University of Michigan alumni, he has a strong background and knowledge of acoustics and engineering. While fine tuning his original singles, he also releases custom edits and mash-ups, and is always on the lookout for talented people to collaborate and work with. X-Change brings a new sound to the world of dance music with original tracks coming out in 2015.

Learn more about his work on his website, SoundCloud, Facebook, and Twitter.

1. How did you first get started working as a DJ?

I actually started DJing when I was a college student at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. I was also interested in music, and a few honor societies wanted me to DJ their banquets, so I sort of stumbled into it and from there wanted to learn everything there was to know about DJing.

2. When you do a custom edit of a song, how do you decide what to emphasize from the original work?

Usually when doing an edit, I'm working on my mixshow X-Change Theory Radio, and I hear a track that I love but want to play in a different way in my set either due to a cool vocal or synth breakdown or drop section. Then I structure my edit for my DJing style so that my favorite part of the original is highlighted.

3. Would you tell us a little bit about your experience collaborating with Jessica Louise?

Jessica Louise is an amazing singer! She has been a pleasure to work with on "Stronger." I wrote the song with Jeff Zacharski and Hannah Taylor a while ago, and we looked for months for a female singer that would fit the track perfectly. Then when we heard Jessica's voice, we knew she had to be on it! We are actually following the track up with an acoustic version stripping the track back to just her vocals and piano. I'm super excited for everyone to hear that!

4. What are some of the other original tracks you've been working on--and what are you planning to release in 2015?

It's been a busy 2015 so far. I've been working on a lot of different tracks and concepts in the studio and have a bunch of releases planned. I have an all-instrumental electro house track called "Kandiland" coming out soon as well as more female vocal based progressive house tracks titled "Amnesia" and "Weight Of Your Love" that are almost finished as well. On top of that I'm releasing a lot of my private edits and working on some remixes for other artists.

5. For you personally as a listener, what separates great dance music from good dance music?

For me, my favorite tracks have killer melodies that you just can't stop humming. I also love a great vocal over the track. There is just something so cool about a song that gives you chills when you listen to the vocal riding over the chord progression and it all crescendos up into this massive drop that makes you want to jump up and down wherever you are!

Thanks, X-Change!

Meet Mark Merriman of The Nerds Blog

Mark Merriman describes himself as a life long nerd. He's 22 and just moved from Australia to Los Angeles. Mark runs a new blog called The Nerds Blog. It's a straight-to-the-point sort of blog, with a light-hearted feel and a strong sense of personality behind it.

1. What's your own definition of what it means to be a nerd?

Being a nerd is something that was once looked down upon. The words "nerd" and "geek" have been used as insults, and it's something I just don't understand?! Who created the iPhone you use every day? Who created Facebook? Who developed Call of Duty and all your favorite games? A bunch of nerds and geeks who said "NO!" to the social norms and continued on with their passions. My definition of a nerd is someone who dedicates time to a certain passion without caring about the "social consequences."

2. What are some of your favorite ways of nerding out?

Turn the lights low, close over the curtains, open up my computer, and spend the next four hours immersing myself in the fantasy world of my choice! Today I might raid villages as an Orc in World Of Warcraft--will I see you on the battlefield? :)

3. Why did you decide to start The Nerds Blog?

I wanted to create a streamlined, clean-looking website with RELEVANT geeky topics! Want to see where to get a portable SNES? Look no further!

4. What are some topics you hope to cover on the blog in the weeks and months to come?

Our articles range from the best Animes, latest video game news, cool gadgets that you need in your arsenal, and science that is explained in a way that our average reader can understand!

5. On a personal note, what's it been like moving from Australia to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is a massive change from Brisbane, Australia. With the same amount of people as half of Australia's population in this one city, it's crazy how much is happening! If you want to make something of yourself, LA is the place to be! Also, the coffee here is semi-decent ;)

Thanks, Mark!

Introducing Reliable Moving Company, Los Angeles Based Movers

The following is a guest post provided by the Reliable Moving Company.

Rapid Moving Company, a Los Angeles-based, licensed, and insured moving company offers total moving package services for local, residential, and commercial moves along with professional packing services. Rapid Moving Company established itself as the most reliable and professional Los Angeles Mover due to its cutting edge, fast paced, well-organized, and affordable services. The Los Angeles Mover represents the movers licensed in California, movers who are members of the LA. BBB and movers that are members of American Moving and Storage Association.

The company developed a unique pricing system to make the customers feel comfortable from the beginning of the deal. The customers are allowed to choose a flat rate after which trained professional team provides a free estimate or an hourly rates upon agreed prior the move.

The Los Angeles Mover team have been put through a rigorous screening process to work efficiently and to put the customer at ease. The moving team is excited at the prospect of helping a new client. What is best with the Rapid Moving Company is that there is absolutely no obligation and the moving quote is totally free.

The packing team discusses the requirements and concerns of the customer before even packing and lifting the first box. The Los Angeles Movers team understands the value of customer's belongings. During Residential moves, the team takes utmost care to deliver packed electronics and furniture items to the destination, in a scratch-free and damage-free condition.

The advantage that Rapid Moving Company Los Angeles offers over other long distance moving companies is individualized service. The team avoids grouping a customer's items with other people's, thereby eliminating the necessity of a one-week or a three-day window for the arrival of the items.

The movers from Los Angeles are professionally trained to make your business move a smooth transition. The team is fully aware that people want to be up and running in the new location with as little downtime as possible. The Los Angeles mover offers insurance for the items, location, and a free onsite estimate coupled with a walk through. The packing team is trained to disassemble and reassemble cubicles and office furniture in a hassle-free fashion.

Rapid Moving Company team makes every attempt to customize every moving experience to suit the customer needs, thereby providing the customer with a satisfied and stress free experience.

Meet Dino Red, Podcast Host, Writer, and Producer

Dino Red is the host, producer, and writer of The Shiznit!, a comedy podcast that has been called the "next Frosty, Heidi, and Frank."

Dino is also the founder and CEO of RedRock Podcast network, of which The Shiznit! is the flagship show.

Learn more about The Shiznit! on its Facebook page, and listen to episodes on iTunes or Stitcher radio on demand.

1. What made you decide to start a podcast network?

Well, like most everyone in Los Angeles, I had always been drawn to the entertainment industry in some form or another. My background is in TV/film production where I got my BA, and I wanted to be a director or writer. I even dabbled in acting in some local plays and what-not, and I loved all of it. After school I tried to find a job in the industry--I could not, and I was tired of being broke, so I just got a regular job and eventually started a family. Over the years, people would tell me things like "You have a great radio voice" or "You should have your own show--you are really funny." But this was before the days of the internet and YouTube, and you could not just go and do your own thing. Finally, the internet did come, and people were doing their own thing, and through a series of circumstances I became friends with Crysta Garner from The Frosty, Heidi, & Frank Show and later her own show. She recognized talent in me and encouraged me, so here I am.

2. How would you describe The Shiznit to listeners who have yet to hear it?

I would describe it as a more hip and urban FH&F with a little bit of Carolla and Stern thrown in for good measure. I am a huge podcast and talk radio fan, and we are influenced by all of those guys. But make no mistake, we have a voice that is all of our own---we are unique for sure.

3. What are the unique benefits--and challenges--of working in the podcast format?

Well, the benefits are that it is pretty much the Wild West right now so we have a lot of freedom. Hopefully it stays that way. And the startup is relatively inexpensive compared to starting your own radio station. Another plus is that it is like TiVo for radio in the sense that people can download it and listen at their leisure, than can pause, rewind, fast forward, or stop it all together and come back whenever it is convenient for them.

One of the biggest drawbacks is people want to be able to call into the show and talk about the topics with us, and that is not impossible, but it is very difficult and The Adam Carolla Show is the only one I know that does it. I am sure it is not cheap either. The other thing is that a lot of people are not familiar with the format and the technology, so there is a lot of having to teach people how to listen to a podcast.

4. How do you choose topics to cover on your show?

Through the week the crew members Amber Meshack (co-host,) Damon Standifer (co-host/writer), Unkle Powers (sound EFX/associate producer), and myself devour all types of media stories that we find interesting and that we believe our audience will like as well, and then we decide what we will cover in our pre-production meeting before we record the show.

5. Since we're just a couple months into 2014, what can we expect to see/hear from you in the year to come?

A LOT! We are currently seeking a field correspondent to add to the team to do man-on-the-street type of interviews. We have new games and bits that we are working on, and we are in talks with some pretty big names to be guests on the show. You can expect the production to improve and for each of us to improve as well as we hit our groove and really start to define our style and ourselves. In addition, we are working on a way to do remote interviews via Skype or some other technology.

Thanks, Dino!

Introducing Swiss Cleaning Services in Los Angeles

Have you made a new year's resolution related to cleaning your home or office? For maintaining a clean home or work space, sometimes it helps to have professional assistance. Whether you want a regular cleaning service or an occasional helping hand, if you're in the Los Angeles area, Swiss Cleaning Services would like to talk with you about your cleaning needs.

Swiss Cleaning Services offers janitorial Services, cleaning Services, maid Service, office cleaning, and more. Their staff members are background-checked and professionally screened. Everyone at Swiss Cleaning Services follows the motto of, "We clean until you smile."

The company provides specialty cleaning services from construction clean up and document disposal to emergency services and medical waste disposal. They can help with cleaning for a special event. They also do window cleaning and pressure washing.

If green cleaning is important to you, you will find that Swiss Cleaning Services is mindful about the importance of using green cleaning supplies.

For more information and/or to schedule a free estimate, you can contact the company at Swiss Cleaning Services, 7119 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90046, (323)744-7170, http://www.los-angeles-cleaning.com.