We just started this creative blogs just a few weeks ago, so there’s not much content yet.
It’s purpose is for cre8tives of all stripes (artists, musicians, writers, designers, etc) to share their ideas and provide them with Googlicious links back to their site. Backlinks are an ESSENTIAL tool to build traffic to your site. If you’re a cre8tive, sign up for a free artist blog with us and you can post an unlimited amount of articles with juicy backlinks to your site.
by GuestPoster
December 16, 2011 Comments Off |
Writing a screenplay can be difficult – especially if you haven´t done it yet. This article sheds some light on 10 common mistakes made by people that are inexperienced and still desperately want to give their creative vision a chance on paper.
10: Not knowing the End
This is probably the most common mistake ever. Most people have a “brilliant idea” for a story, and try to get it on paper. The thing with film is, it does not work like that. Ideas are the initial spark, the catalyst, but the rest is the story. The most crucial part of the story is the end. If you send your hero on a journey, you have to know where he´s going to stop. And what has changed in him.
9: Not knowing the Beginning
This mistake works the other way around as well: You have the idea of a perfect dialogue, an encounter of such magical energy, that everyone in the theatre will gaze at the screen in utter disbelief…as soon as the movie is made. But need to have a point your characters are coming from. What do they do, how do they feel, before everything happens to them? Know your characters before you change them.
8: Reading too much books on the topic
There´s a huge load of literature on this topic, most of it written just to make money. Books about storytelling, 3-act-structure, proper formatting, etc. Please be aware that all of these books get written for 2 major reasons:
- Commercial interest
- To keep you away from actually writing screenplays
Guess what? That stuff has been written by professionals. They know how to make money and keep their job. Focus on the things you need to get started, then move on from the learning process to actual work. If you want to get an outline how to write a screenplay for beginners , visit my page and read part 1 of the series. That´s a good start.
7: Asking yourself “what would the audience think”
This is a huge one. Whenever you´re not sure about your scene/dialogue/action, there´s this voice in your head: “What would look good?” “What would THEY think?” This is actually counterproductive. The story derives from your own experience, motivation and emotions. Inserting external influence can destroy the rhythm of the film. Just keep it in “your” style, even if it reads clumsy on paper. In the end it will work out better than living up to standards you don´t even know.
6: Trying to mimic blockbusters
Just one sentence: You don´t have the money! Keep it your story, don´t blow too much shit up. And if you do, better find a producer =).
5. Going “too deep”
When you´re stuck, don´t get tempted to insert symbolic scenes or abstract, irrelevant stuff just for the sake of “being creative”. It´s no use to confuse your audience, and no one will think you´re brilliant. Rely on your ability to tell the story in an entertaining, but challenging way, without trying to push buttons.
4. Personal is not emotional
You might have a story in your family/social circle, that everyone around you thinks of as “the funniest thing they´ve ever heard”. Some party, a trip to Vegas, whatever. You often hear “that would make a great movie”. Maybe it would, but not the way it is in your head. If you really want to adapt a real-life event into a film, take it´s quintessence, and exaggerate it. Create unique, new characters that only have certain characteristics of your friends. Make a feature film, not a documentary about your life.
3. Atmosphere is key
A film is made in post – pre- and the actual production phase. If you add an atmosphere in the editing room (through colors, rhythm etc.), it might not match the initial energy of the screenplay. When you´re writing your script, know what atmospheric direction you want to go, and keep it that way. This will carry your film from beginning to end, and leave its mark.
2. Relying heavily on dialogue
A screenplay is not only what actors say. It is also what they do, but more importantly how they do it, when and where. A screenplay should contain descriptions of the settings, the weather, the music playing in the background. It is a piece of your film and should include as many details as possible to give the people you are working with an idea of what you want to achieve.
1. Screw it, let´s do it!
Most people dream about writing their first script, without actually doing it. They are afraid of what their friends and family might think, or that they´ll never get it made into a film. Whatever. Screw it, let´s do it! Sit down and write. Stand up when you´re done. Let it me a 5 minute short-film, which will be about 5 pages. If you´re still enthusiastic about shooting it, save up 200$ and do it. Don´t dream to be a screenwriter/filmmaker without actually becoming one.
If you want to know more about the Art of filmmaking, Film School reviews, and a diary on my current project (my first full length-feature) visit my blog BeKubrick.com
by GuestPoster
November 3, 2011 Comments Off |
If you examine the pro line synths from the Yamaha Company, you would notice that the heart of those synths is the AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory). Concerning the Yamaha MO8, we say ditto to that claim. The Yamaha MO8 is a loaded keyboard to say the least. For starters, it comes with 175MB of waveforms, which is sick within itself. It also has an 88-key balanced hammer action keyboard touch. It comes with four assignable knobs and sliders, it has mod and pitch wheels, an 16-track sequencer, 64 voices of polyphony, over 500 preset programs, and a host of other features that makes it a standout for its price range. Today we will delve into a few reasons you’d like to own the Yamaha MO8.
The Feel: As mentioned above, the Yamaha MO8 has a hammer action Keyboard. Real Pianist would love to play this keyboard, because it has the feel of an authenticate grand piano. Every key has the same velocity you would get from a real piano. This feel is attained because there are actually hammers built into each key.
Remote: The Remote Control on the Yamaha MO8 is a desirable one. This feature allows you to control your DAW (digital audio workstation) with the sliders and knobs. With these knobs and sliders, you can control features such as EQ, play record, etc. It has S/PDIF 24-bit 44.1 kHz digital outs, and two USB ports. One of these ports is used to communicate with your DAW, and the other one is used for interfacing with a USB drive.
Patterns and Scene Capture: In addition to the remote control feature, there are two features that I believe will impress you. The Patterns, and Scene Capture features are great enhancements to the Yamaha MO8 synthesizer. The Pattern Mode is pretty darn cool on this keyboard. It allows you to make complex sequences easily. For instance, it will permit you to create a riff into an individual element and combine it with other patterns. That’s how complex becomes easy. Another element of this feature is that its not just limited to combining patterns. Additionally, you can create the individual patterns using the arpeggios feature.
The Scene Capture is also really cool. There is a convenient feature built within this solid keyboard called Song Scene that allows you to capture up to five snapshots of sequencer track settings in each song. You can have snapshots of stuff like pan, mute, and volume settings for every track. This really comes in handy when you want to preview different mix-down settings before you commit to one.
The features that have been mentioned in the article are not generally the first ones mentioned when you research about the Yamaha MO8 S. However, I thought it would be important to mention these features for the purpose of the researcher having a more in depth understanding about this keyboard. If you are looking for a keyboard that is very solid and not too expensive, this is a good one to choose.
by GuestPoster
November 1, 2011 Comments Off |
If you are a good musician, particularly a guitar player, there is no way that you’ve never heard of the company called Fender. Fender is one of the frontrunners in gear for guitar players. From their guitars, to their coveted amplifiers, Fender is a great source for guitar players. Today we’ll be targeting the Fender Frontman 212R. We will share with you a few reasons you should purchase this amplifier. If you’re looking for an amplifier that’s loud, clean, and affordable…. you’ve landed on the right article. The Fender Frontman 212R is a durable solid-state 100w amplifier that comes with two 12”specially designed speakers. This amplifier comes with several attractive features. Let’s examine some of those features.
Control Panel: I love the layout of this control panel. It’s very easy to use and the average person should be able to find his/her way around this control panel. The designers shaped it that way purposely. If you take a look to the left of the Fender Frontman 212R, there you will find a clean channel with two 1/4 inch input jacks. The first jack is high and the second jack is low. Next you’ll see the main channel volume control, and then three EQ controls (Treble, Mid, and Bass). To the right of the panel is the gain channel. This easy to navigate control panel is ideal for the novice as well as the advanced player.
Lets review the uses of the various elements of the control panel shallowly. The first element will be the gain control knob. This knob will adjust the level of distortion output. I’ll follow up with the channel select push button. This button can turn the gain channel on or off. The 3 band EQ (Treble, Mid, Mid, and Bass) controls the desired clarity of tone as expected. This control panel and its feature are simple and user friendly as I explained above.
Its Heavy, It’ll Last: This Fender Frontman 212r 100w solid-state combo is a workhorse for gigging musicians. Its been designed to emulate the classic fender amps in which the tubes were king. It has those specially designed 12″ speakers that handle the 100w amplifier easily. It has garnered a reputation of having amazing clean tones when played at high volumes or low volumes. Even after testing it with the powerful Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Pro Electric Guitar it remained crystal clear. All of the preceding features explain why it’s heavy in regards to its quality. One other reason its considered heavy is because it weighs 48 pounds. It’s built to last folks.
I will conclude that this amplifier is ideal for gigging musicians. It is also good for band practice. The ease of use, and navigation, as well as the crystal clean sound it provides is a good reason to purchase. If that’s not convincing enough to purchase, consider that it will not break your piggy bank in order to buy. It is currently $299.99 to purchase this monster of a machine.
by GuestPoster
October 24, 2011 Comments Off |
Creating music brings joy and relaxation to many people. Which is why so many mothers across the country force their kids to take piano lessons. Because these savvy mothers know that once the child grows up, playing the piano will be a source of joy and contentment for a lifetime. However, in order to learn to play the piano, you need to have a piano to play. If you’re thinking of buying your first piano, here are a few tips to help you find something that will last.
When it comes to piano buying, one of the most important factors is size. While you may want a grand piano or even a baby grand, remember that they are large. If you don’t have the room for it in your house, it’s simply out of the question. The most common type of piano for new players is an upright. That’s because upright pianos can fit in small spaces, they sound great, and they’ll last for years. The average life of a piano is 40 years. When considering what type of piano to buy, you may want to start out with an upright.
When considering how much to spend, remember that pianos don’t depreciate very much. If you decide somewhere down the road that playing the piano just isn’t for you, you will probably be able to sell it for nearly what you paid for it. Buy the best piano that you can reasonably afford. Save up and spend a decent amount on a quality instrument. When it comes to musical instruments, you definitely get what you pay for.
When shopping around for your instrument, take your time to visit as many local piano stores as you can. For example, if you’re looking a Tampa piano, visit as many piano stores in Tampa, look at their selection, and listen to the instrument. The more experience you have with different instruments, the more likely you’ll find the best Tampa piano for you.
by Dean Kalyan
October 18, 2011 Comments Off |
The beauty of modern portable studio lighting (aside from actually being portable) is the speed with which you can create stunning lighting scenarios on location and on the fly. There’s a tremendous range of possibilities from really basic uses of flash to create just the right amount of fill lighting, to incredibly complex multi-flash scenarios. The consistent brilliance throughout the range of scenarios – in my thinking anyway – is the ability to adjust flash output remotely from either a master flash unit or flash enabled cameras. Nikon’s Creative Lighting System enables this ease of use to a higher degree (because of their wireless infrared integration into their flashes and enabled cameras), but you can accomplish the same results with a Canon system and using some kind of Pocket Wizard wireless trigger.
But lets stick to some of the cool technical aspects of actually shooting with off-camera flash.
Joe McNally is perhaps THE master of utilizing off camera flash and creatively crafting and shaping light for amazing results. If you want some inspiration, a quick search on the web and you will see phenomenal examples of his work.
There are all kinds of lighting set-up recipes you can track down on the web and as I mentioned this can be a simple single light scenario or involve multiple flash units. For a lot of portraits I find myself shooting with three flashes. One main “key” light, most often with a shoot through umbrella diffuser, one light on the background to give separation from the subject, and then a third “hair” light – typically high above and behind the subject shooting on an angle to give that hair shine and shoulder glow/separation. This is a fairly standard set up but the possibilities are endless.
When shooting wedding photography I have developed a super slick system that get tremendous results. I am fortunate enough to have a lighting assistant with me on most of my major shoots and so I can get a reflector or fill flash positioned where I want it very swiftly and can make instant adjustments. You can do the same thing when solo with the use of light stands and a reflector stand, it is just a bit more involved and clunky when making on the fly adjustments. What I have my lighting assistant do is angle off to the side of the bride or groom (or whomever) and he holds a flash mounted to shoot through umbrella all held on a lightweight aluminum grip. I then control the flash output wirelessly from the master flash on my camera. I have done many wedding photos in the bright sun that benefits so much from this kind of diffused fill flash.
You will find all kinds of scenarios for using off camera flash and creating images that have intense dramatic lighting, soft mellow even lighting, and everything in between.
Finally shooting with a flash is fun and creates gorgeous images.
Victoria Wedding Photographer | Dean Kalyan
by Dean Kalyan
October 16, 2011 Comments Off |
In the last few years digital photography has made tremendous leaps forward when it comes to shooting in low light situations. Previously, whenever you pushed the ISO in order to capture more light in a photo, the image would have an unattractive amount of digital noise relative to how far you were pushing the camera. A little bit of noise can be romantically cast as “grain” and celebrated as a throwback to the film days where gritty 400 or even 800 film would generate those grainy textures. In the digital realm, you can only take that romanticism so far before it starts to look really bad.
As a result, many shooting situations have demanded the use of flash, and while there are many amazing ways to utilize off-camera flash (the subject of a later article), often the use of on camera flash compromises the vibe and look of an image. With the advent of the Nikon D3s, Nikon has pushed the outer limits of what you can get away with when pushing the ISO. Canon has quickly followed suit and photographers are starting to enjoy low light shooting performance at a level that film was never able to accomplish with such outstanding results. Still, if you really push the limits you will continue to get the ugly digital noise, but the range for shooting clear images in low light has drastically increased.
Two recurring situations where this new technology has given me an edge is when I am shooting wedding photography and live music/event coverage. Some locations where indoor wedding ceremonies are held benefit from shooting with higher ISOs, but it is the wedding reception photos where I see the biggest difference in performance and results. Being able to compose images with available light provides phenomenal opportunities for creatively capturing the action and atmosphere of a wedding reception or event with an abundance of dynamic activity. Being able to shoot without a flash also enables you to be less intrusive while capturing images while also maintaining the “look” and “feel” of the event without imposing an artificial light source that completely changes the appearance of the scene.
If the camera technology continues to advance at the rate it has been, photographers are going to be able to capture images in unthinkable situations in no time.
Victoria Wedding Photographer | Dean Kalyan
by Dean Kalyan
October 11, 2011 Comments Off |
A couple summers ago I experienced my first traditional Indian Sikh wedding as a wedding photographer. It was amazing and a very full day for me and my handy assistant. There were three ceremonies and a reception with 500 people and a few formal photo sessions squished in between everything. After the first ceremony it was a simple capturing of the procession as the families mingled and everyone prepared to travel to the next location. The bride and groom were whisked away in their limo and we met up to have a relatively short time together taking some formal photos in the beautiful gardens at Government House here in Victoria, BC.
The colours were absolutely amazing and I had a wonderful time capturing the bride and groom as they walked together, pausing to pose or take in the beauty of the environment. If we were not so rushed to make it to the next ceremony I could have continued shooting all day. Then we took some time to capture several traditional poses with the bride and groom. It was a little staged - and we all felt it – but we wanted to make sure we covered all the traditional poses that the family was going to want to see. After a few fun group photos with some of the family that had joined us on location we rushed off to the next ceremony. There were no major surprises at the second ceremony – just some of the typical challenges of having sun directly overhead for many of the images. After the obligatory bride and groom posed shots with every family member and friend under the sun (literally, AND literally) there was a nice little break before the reception.
With 500 + people, tables and tables of food, traditional dancers – I mean, these guys were intense – and the following dance party for everyone in attendance, I had my fair share of work to do. I think that particular wedding still holds the record for number of images captured. There was so much going on and such a variety of visual elements from colourful outfits to henna hand designs. So if you find yourself shooting a traditional Indian or Sikh wedding, be prepared to shoot A LOT of images. It will pay off bigtime.
Until next time,
Victoria Wedding Photographer | Dean Kalyan
by GuestPoster
September 24, 2011 Comments Off |
When it first premiered on Nickelodeon in 2005, avatar the last airbender was not expected to make an impact the way it did. Deftly blending the well-known anime style with epic story-telling and American voice acting, the show quickly became a hit with critics and viewers alike, and ran for a full three seasons on cable television.
avatar the last airbender takes place in a world of four nations, divided by the elements their inhabitants use through martial arts. It’s protagonist, Aang, is the eponymous Avatar, with the ability to use all four elemental powers: eath, wind, fire, and water. The show follows Aang and his friends Katara and Sokka as they attempt to stop the war-mongering Fire Nation from destroying the other three nations in battle. Throughout its three seasons (called “books” within the show’s canon), Aang and his friends travel to distant lands, encountering a diverse array of characters, creatures and situations as they attempt to undertake their tremendous duty.
By the time the final made-for-TV movie aired in 2008, avatar the last airbender had become a tremendous hit, and not just within its ages 6 to 11 demographic. Merchandise related to the show has been made by Burger King, Fisher Price, LEGO and other well-known brands. Sales of the DVDs and episodes on itunes have been steady, and in 2009 estimates of the show’s merchandise sales were counted at over 200 million dollars.
in 2010, The Last Airbender, a live-action adaptation of the cartoon show, was released in theaters. Although it premiered to mixed reviews, the film grossed over 400 million dollars world-wide, solidifying the franchise’s role as a hugely popular series at home and abroad. While more films may or may not be in development, production has begun on a sequel series entitled The Legend of Korra, set several decades after the original show.
by GuestPoster
September 8, 2011 Comments Off |
If you want to start a photography studio from your home, you should be sure that you know how you can do this well. Making sure that you are professional and that you can run a business from your home will require a lot of planning.
You should make sure that you start by understanding what the purpose of the studio is. There are some people that have studios in their home because they enjoy photography as a hobby and there are other people that wish to gain some type of profit from their photography.
Make sure that you are taking time to understand which category you are going to fall into and how you can be sure that you are fulfilling your own expectations. As you learn how to fulfill your own expectations you will be happy and fulfilled with your at home studio.
When you are planning to make money with your photography you should be sure that you understand how you can apply for a business license. More than likely, you will need a license for your local city to ensure you are being taxed for the money that you make.
When you are going to make money from your studio, make sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to be able to meet all of the requirements to run a studio. You may have to meet federal and state requirements.
If you want to run any type of studio from your home, you have to make sure that you have enough space for an entire studio. This can be hard when you do not have a very large home and you want to be sure that you take time to figure out how to rearrange for your studio.
Taking time to rearrange for your studio may be a pain, but the more that you can clear out for your studio the better off you will be. As you take the time that you need to clear your belongings away you will have a much easier time making space for your studio.
When you only have a small space to work with, make sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to make the best of that space. A small space will severely limit your creative capabilities and you should realize this and accept it.
After you find the space for a photography studio you will want to make sure that you can paint the walls of your studio. The majority of studios have their walls painted a white or a neutral color to make sure that there is no extra color reflected in pictures.
You should be sure that you realize that if you paint your walls anything but a neutral, you may have problems with the colors in your photographs. Make sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you can avoid those colors if at all possible.
After you have painted the walls you will want to make sure that you put a backdrop support up. This will enable you to use a backdrop and to change out your backdrops whenever you are working with the backdrops.
Taking the time that you need to understand how you are going to be wise about the backdrop support is necessary. Although you do not need something that is expensive you want to make sure that you have something that is sturdy.
Think about the backdrops you are going to be using and make sure that you find something that is steady enough to hold up those backdrops. You also want something that will allow you to change out the backdrops easily.
There are a lot of people that do not realize how difficult it can be to change out the backdrop if they are not wise with their backdrop holder. It can be embarrassing to struggle with this in front of clients and you will want to avoid that embarrassment.
After figuring out your backdrop situation you will then want to make sure that you can set up your lighting equipment. You should know what kind of lights will be required for the photography that you want to practice.
Take time to understand how you are going to set up your lighting in a semi-permanent fashion so that you do not have to do this multiple times throughout the day. Take time to be wise about the functionality of your set up so you can enjoy working in your own studio.
by GuestPoster
August 26, 2011 Comments Off |
Music has numerous advantages in one’s life, which can be mystical, psychological and also can be physical. The human brain has displayed to be “hard-wired” for music; there is a scientific reason for it being a vital part of human involvement. Below have been listed important benefits of music education.
• Music boosts understanding in areas of social science, physical exercise, language and vocational teaching. It not only stirs inventiveness and performance, but educational performance is seriously impacted.
• Music education also increases one’s achievement in society.
• Music increases overall brain activity.
• Helps developing teamwork skills and is a great source of fun.
• Students’ self-esteem is boosted and it develops a sense of self-expression.
• Music improves text recalling and learning.
• Both the hemispheres of the brain are used while performing music, both the dialectal and the perceptive sides.
• Raises the consciousness.
• Contributes to a stable, exciting and inspiring education.
• Music helps students to learn effectively in the atmosphere of the school with adaptable behavior.
• Learning to play an instrument is similar to speaking another language and is mystifying at times
• Music recital teaches younger generation to overcome fear and to take hazards.
• Music students learn to reveal artistically and to untangle problems by visualizing various keys, discarding out-of-date rules and norms.
• Music improves spatial astuteness.
• Music students appreciate aesthetics, the beauty element.
• It helps reduce distraction and displays more self-discipline.
A very easy and casual approach to music is learning to play an instrument. One has to have a desire to learn to play an instrument as it could take quite an effort to do so. If you are a singer, it is important that the instruments and the musical pieces on which your lyrics are played, match your needs entirely. Even a single note going incorrect can make a huge difference, so you definitely should know how to select the best instrumental music of your own distinctive style.
