Lifestyle Blog

Michael Fassbender reunites with Ridley Scott on ‘The Counselor’


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Prometheus, the film that brought Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender together, isn’t due for release until June 8, but the director and actor have already agreed upon their next project together. The Counselor, an originally screenplay from acclaimed writer, Cormac McCarthy, will reunite the duo together. The film is being labeled as “No Country for Old […]

Editing—the invisible art in film


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Last week, I talked about lighting. This week, let’s examine editing. Editing is the process of selecting and combining shots into an overall work, at its most basic level.  Editing can be as simple as inserting a dissolve transition between two shots, but can also be so complex that it alters the meaning of a scene […]

Rockism and Pitchfork: Both a bit close-minded?


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This past Sunday, columnist Nitsuh Abebe published a piece for Pitchfork entitled “Embarrassment Rock,” about ‘rockism.’ He described the term as “a variety of close-mindedness.” To be a rockist is to reject all music which does not conform to a certain rock n’ roll aesthetic. Rockists hate hip-hop, pop and rap; they despise challenging and innovative […]

Reese Witherspoon’s new role follows Oscar curse


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This weekend, the new Reese Witherspoon vehicle This Means War will be released. The movie marks a turning point in Witherspoon’s career, one in which has taken a considerable hit since winning her first and only Oscar for Walk the Line in 2006. Witherspoon has fallen into a familiar trap: that of the beautiful young […]

High music sales for Whitney Houston after death not surprising


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With Whitney Houston’s televised funeral just one day away, her music sales remain at an all-time high. Currently, Houston’s The Ultimate Collection holds a top two-album position on iTunes, and the same rings true for Whitney: The Greatest Hits on Amazon.com. In fact, the only artist currently outselling Houston is Adele, which, considering the way […]

In memory of Whitney Houston


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It’s always a sad day in the music world when a legend who influenced generations of artists passes away. Whitney Elizabeth Houston, the iconic singer with the monumental voice, died this past week on February 11, in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Houston’s death hit close to home for many, including godmother Aretha […]

Natalie Angiuli releases EP on Valentine’s Day


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With love and the smell of roses and chocolates in the air, Natalie Angiuli released her EP, New Hands, on Valentine’s Day. The four tracks on the EP, available on iTunes, were recorded at several studios in Los Angeles. All of the vocals were recorded in a bedroom, according to Angiuli. Her producer, Michael Eisenstein, had […]

Uggie from ‘The Artist’ wins Best Dog


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Uggie, the beloved pooch, from this year’s Best Picture frontrunner The Artist, won Best Dog in a Theatrical Film at the Golden Collar Awards. The awards show marked their first year in recognizing the work of dogs in film and television. The ceremony was held at the Hotel Palomar in Los Angeles on Monday, February […]

Loving songs perfect for Valentine’s Day


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The Beatles—“She’s Leaving Home” The other songs on Sgt. Peppers, heavyweight singles like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life,” tend to steal the spotlight from “She’s Leaving Home.” Nevertheless this is perhaps the album’s most beautiful vignette. A girl escapes her home for love and adventure and meanwhile her […]

Lighting can make or break video shoots


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Last week, I talked about sound in film and video. This week, we’re going to examine lighting. Lighting is a powerful force within videos and films. Lighting can add drama, embellish beauty or create a host of other effects. A character lit from behind can create an ominous silhouette, while soft light on someone’s face […]