Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Australia in Pictures
As I briefly stated before, I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia last semester (Fall '13). Below is a video of a few of the photos I captured there up until November. I was there until January, so many more adventures and pictures followed, but this video just gives you a little glimpse of my time there.
It's relevant to this blog because my study abroad experience greatly shaped who I am as a person today. Furthermore, it reinforced my passion for film for a variety of reasons (which can be discussed if you'd like to know, just ask! Don't want to bore you with the details otherwise...) and gave me even more reasons why I love film and HAVE to do it for the rest of my life.
I'll post an better, updated video once classes finish and I have more time to devote to it, but for now, enjoy!
Aussie Aussie Aussie... Oi Oi Oi!
It's relevant to this blog because my study abroad experience greatly shaped who I am as a person today. Furthermore, it reinforced my passion for film for a variety of reasons (which can be discussed if you'd like to know, just ask! Don't want to bore you with the details otherwise...) and gave me even more reasons why I love film and HAVE to do it for the rest of my life.
I'll post an better, updated video once classes finish and I have more time to devote to it, but for now, enjoy!
Aussie Aussie Aussie... Oi Oi Oi!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
"Don't Make Me Think" Review
"Don't Make Me Think" was a great read. A lot what the book contained were things that would seem obvious, but can often be important things that are overlooked when making a website. On the same note, the book spoke of certain elements of a good website, and made you (the reader) realize the little things website makers do that you don't even realize are being done purposefully to control, or guide, the way you view their website.
For example, make web pages that are best suitable for scanning-- not reading. Growing up in school, you are always taught to read thoroughly as opposed to just scanning, because you could miss some important parts that you are reading. However, when it comes to web pages, the opposite is encouraged-- Welcome to the 21st century! Now, people on the internet aren't looking to catch up on their daily reading time. Rather, they are looking for the information they want, as quick and as easy as possible.
Another thing we have been taught in grade school and is now changing because of the internet, is short writing. Any time we were given essay assignments there was always a "minimum word count requirement" (500 words, 750 words, 3,000 words) that you had to meet, otherwise you were severely penalized. Once again, the internet has transformed the way we look at writing. Now, instead of writing your heart out until your word-count-processor indicates you that you've met your requirement, you have to collect and compress all your thoughts into a few short phrases and that is all that you can put on your site. Now, this may sound appealing to a person (like myself) who hates writing long, drawn out essays, but in fact you may find that being forced to write only a few short sentences about an important topic with many layers can prove to be even harder than producing thousands of words on the matter.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when it taught that web design arguments are a "waste of time." The book says that people can argue for days about which way is the proper way to design a web page, and even still there may be various different opinions on the subject. So just be yourself, be sure to include the essentials, and go with what you like, because at the end of the day that's all that matter. This is essentially my motto in life, which is why I particularly liked this part of the book.
I really enjoyed "Don't Make Me Think" because of its easiness to read and for its relevant and useful content. I feel completely equipped with all the tools I need to make a professional, clear and enjoyable web site-- skills of which I plan to use in the near future.
For example, make web pages that are best suitable for scanning-- not reading. Growing up in school, you are always taught to read thoroughly as opposed to just scanning, because you could miss some important parts that you are reading. However, when it comes to web pages, the opposite is encouraged-- Welcome to the 21st century! Now, people on the internet aren't looking to catch up on their daily reading time. Rather, they are looking for the information they want, as quick and as easy as possible.
Another thing we have been taught in grade school and is now changing because of the internet, is short writing. Any time we were given essay assignments there was always a "minimum word count requirement" (500 words, 750 words, 3,000 words) that you had to meet, otherwise you were severely penalized. Once again, the internet has transformed the way we look at writing. Now, instead of writing your heart out until your word-count-processor indicates you that you've met your requirement, you have to collect and compress all your thoughts into a few short phrases and that is all that you can put on your site. Now, this may sound appealing to a person (like myself) who hates writing long, drawn out essays, but in fact you may find that being forced to write only a few short sentences about an important topic with many layers can prove to be even harder than producing thousands of words on the matter.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when it taught that web design arguments are a "waste of time." The book says that people can argue for days about which way is the proper way to design a web page, and even still there may be various different opinions on the subject. So just be yourself, be sure to include the essentials, and go with what you like, because at the end of the day that's all that matter. This is essentially my motto in life, which is why I particularly liked this part of the book.
I really enjoyed "Don't Make Me Think" because of its easiness to read and for its relevant and useful content. I feel completely equipped with all the tools I need to make a professional, clear and enjoyable web site-- skills of which I plan to use in the near future.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Marilyn
This month's Newsweek magazine is dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. The issue, named "Marilyn Monroe: The Lost Scrapbook" takes the reader inside Marilyn's life. It gives the reader a never-before-seen look at the Hollywood starlet's private life, from her secret love notes when she had an affair, to the inspiration behind her acting techniques.
Pick it up on news shelves, available until March 8th.
Pick it up on news shelves, available until March 8th.
Tropfest
Hollywood is the Holy Grail of cinema for every aspiring filmmaker all over the world, and one country is doing something groundbreaking that can get their film-maker hopefuls one step closer to getting there.
Sydney, Australia hosts an annual short-film festival that showcases Australia's most talented filmmakers and allows them to compete for a variety of prizes. However, all eyes are on the 1st place prize-- $10,000, a new car, and a trip to Los Angeles to meet with top industry professionals. This is a dream come true for many Aussie film buffs, who would otherwise have to come up with about $3,000 just to get to the city of Angels, and with no promise of meeting any industry professionals.
Over 100,000 people attend Tropfest each year, making it the world's largest short film festival. 16 finalists are chosen from the hundreds of applicants, and the winner is carefully selected by a panel of celebrity judges, who in the past have included Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Sam Worthington, and Russel Crowe.
Click the link to find out more about Tropfest.
Below is a photo from when I went to Tropfest this past December!
Sydney, Australia hosts an annual short-film festival that showcases Australia's most talented filmmakers and allows them to compete for a variety of prizes. However, all eyes are on the 1st place prize-- $10,000, a new car, and a trip to Los Angeles to meet with top industry professionals. This is a dream come true for many Aussie film buffs, who would otherwise have to come up with about $3,000 just to get to the city of Angels, and with no promise of meeting any industry professionals.
Over 100,000 people attend Tropfest each year, making it the world's largest short film festival. 16 finalists are chosen from the hundreds of applicants, and the winner is carefully selected by a panel of celebrity judges, who in the past have included Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Sam Worthington, and Russel Crowe.
Click the link to find out more about Tropfest.
Below is a photo from when I went to Tropfest this past December!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
You tell 'em Teller
It's always exciting when we see fresh, new faces on the big screen. One of these fresh faces I have been watching for the past few years is Miles Teller. He is a lesser known actor, not yet a household name, and no Oscars to boast-- but 2014 just might be his big year.
Miles' breakout role was in 2010 when he starred in "Rabbit Hole" alongside Nicole Kidman; However, he started gaining recognition with his role as the reckless, redneck best friend in "Footloose" with Julianne Hough in 2011. Since then he has starred in "Project X," "21 & Over," "The Spectacular Now" (alongside Shailene Woodley), and many others. This year alone, he has four movies coming out, with two in pre-production for 2015.
The next one up, which comes out on January 31st, is "That Awkward Moment," with Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan are his co-stars.
At just 26 years old, Miles is slowly establishing himself as a serious film-actor (although most of his roles are far from serious), and a force to be reckoned with. This will be a big year for Miles and his career, and I am rooting for him all the way.
You go, Miles!
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My friend Kayla meeting Miles Teller at a bar in Tampa.
Miles' breakout role was in 2010 when he starred in "Rabbit Hole" alongside Nicole Kidman; However, he started gaining recognition with his role as the reckless, redneck best friend in "Footloose" with Julianne Hough in 2011. Since then he has starred in "Project X," "21 & Over," "The Spectacular Now" (alongside Shailene Woodley), and many others. This year alone, he has four movies coming out, with two in pre-production for 2015.
The next one up, which comes out on January 31st, is "That Awkward Moment," with Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan are his co-stars.
At just 26 years old, Miles is slowly establishing himself as a serious film-actor (although most of his roles are far from serious), and a force to be reckoned with. This will be a big year for Miles and his career, and I am rooting for him all the way.
You go, Miles!
For the love of Scorsese
Jonah Hill recently revealed that he did "Wolf of Wall Street" for only $60,000! Now, to the average person, this may seem like a considerable amount of money. However for an A-list actor like Hill, in Hollywood, where millions are thrown around like candy, 60K is chump change. So, why would he agree to something so bizarre?
Click here to find out!
(Still of Jonah Hill in "Wolf of Wall Street")
Click here to find out!
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