Canada
It goes without saying that Game of Thrones is a cultural phenomenon and one of the most - if not the most - talked-about TV shows of our time. No medieval fantasy has amassed the amount of popularity and influence this juggernaut has since The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises.
RECENT
But for those who aren't die-hard fans of superheroes like Spiderman and The Avengers, these Stan Lee cameos might be the hidden easter eggs you missed at the theatre. Father of the Marvel Universe, Lee died Monday at age 95.
Afrofuturism, a term coined in the early 1990s, looks at sociopolitical issues through an Afrocentric, futuristic and science fiction lens. In essence, Afrofuturism is Black people's response to largely white (sub)genres such as sci-fi, fantasy and all things supernatural. And it's been around for decades.
We live in a world where the preservation of art, particularly great art, is protected more than the actual artist themselves. Amadeus. Shakespeare. Van Gogh. All wondrous artists whose brilliant eclecticism shaped their respective cultures. They were also broke, wildly misunderstood and depressed.
Images courtesy of Netflix It goes without saying that Black Mirror is one of the most bewitching sci-fi thrillers we currently have. Now in its fourth season, the show explores everything from Star Trek-inspired tech nerd revenge ("USS Callister"), the plight of overprotective mothers ("ArkAngel"), and the simulated fates of star-crossed lovers ("Hang the DJ").
The annual Blockorama event at Toronto Pride doesn't just uplift black queer art - it offers an inclusive safe haven.
On our screens, there's no denying that speculative fiction is having a moment. But Canada's obsession with all things abnormal and strange...is also pretty white.
Lady B, Salt-n-Pepa, Missy, Lauryn, Foxy, Lil' Kim and Minaj-it's time we recognized all of their contributions to feminism.
"Now that our culture is on a global platform, how can we protect its authenticity? And ultimately, is Drake the right man for the job?"
"We're powerful, we're resilient, we're beautiful and we're all queens." Toronto's The Sorority bring the spirit of womanhood to life with their music.
Through her unapologetic embrace of and pride in her heritage, Beyoncé empowers black women to become more clearly themselves.
When you look mono-racial, shit gets weird and racist real quick.
Not too many of us can add both filmmaker and marine cadet to our resume. Unless you're Thyrone Tommy, of course. Thyrone is no newbie to the world of film and cinema. In the past, the narrative director has written, directed and produced 4 short films with the support of juggernauts such as NBC Universal and the Ontario Arts Council, to name a few.
As one of the youngest, brightest and most gifted talents to come out of the Greater Toronto Area, Shailyn-Pierre Dixon is doing it all. A natural born actress with a knack for evoking emotion on set, the child actress recently won Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series at the Canadian ...
A true artistic jack-of-all-trades, Amanda Parris, host of CBC's Exhibitionists and columnist for CBC Arts, took some time out with us to talk about her experience as a former-theatrical-educator-turned-TV host. Sound like a mouthful? That's because Amanda Parris has done it all, from youth facilitating with organizations like The Remix Project, to having her plays staged at various festivals.
CORPORATE
Communication is key in any business. And naturally, this translates to all facets of business, be it marketing, accounting, or legal etc. Businesses can literally not thrive without a strong sense of communication between departments. A system of hierarchy is put in place partly to regulate how things are communicated, delegated, and done.
A good script by a strong writer only bolsters your product. It usually involves some level of research. Whether it's provided by you, the client, or us, the production company, a certain amount of back and forth is required before the corporate video is complete. A strong script doesn't just sell your product.
Sometimes it's tough to organize everything going on in there. There are a lot of things happening in a creative's busy beehive mind. Outside of the daily stresses of everyday life, it can be tough balancing a "normal" life with a creative one.
From artists to corporate execs, everyone at some point undergoes mental blocks. Whether it's creative or simply organizational, these mental blocks can hinder you from achieving your day-to-day activities. They can be stressful in our fast-paced society. They also induce guilt about not being able to get things done in a timely fashion.
Ted Talks are videos are concise speeches or addresses that explore a specific idea or offer insight. The purpose of these talks is to inspire, engage, and build a new generation of innovative thinkers. They operate as a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas. TED - standing for Technology, Education, and Design - started in 1984.
Minimalism is generally the idea of owning fewer things. It means stripping your life down to the barebones minimum in efforts to be less weighed down by material possessions. For many, living the minimalist life means no children, a small rotation of day-to-day household items, and having just enough to travel the world.
Social media has changed the way we interact and communicate, the way we market our brands, and the way we see ourselves. It has changed our social culture and shaped our line of thinking. Its influence is undeniable. It permeates every aspect of our lives.
Documentaries tell us the inside scoop, depending on the subject. Often unpredictable, we get a solid sense of a topic/subject, person or thing that we otherwise wouldn't have had that documentarian not dug deep for the truth. Documentaries often explore both sides to a story in order to create a balanced piece.
It's easy to dismiss personality as an important factor in corporate video. Many underestimate how difficult it is to get in front of a camera in the first place. For actors, it should be familiar territory. You're given lines to memorize beforehand. You rehearse.
It's no secret that video game culture and video games are more popular than ever. With the evolution of video games, we've come to a point where we've never been better at telling stories. In the past, we've highlighted what corporate videos can learn from video games.
Titles can mean the difference between a view and a pass - especially when it comes to online advertising. An enticing title grabs people's attention. Interesting titles pique our interest and make us search for more. This works for most things in life, be they film, TV, books, or songs.
For many companies, a share between competitors is out of the question. Companies and corporations should be competing with different, fresh, and innovative ideas, right? Brands are constantly looking for new ways to come out on top. Their goal is to become and stay memorable in their viewers' eyes.
In film, we know that breaking the fourth wall is a technique used to break out of a scene. Usually, actors and performers operate within the fourth wall. This means that they are largely unaware that they are fictional characters in a body of work.
In fact, we've become so privy to them that car companies have to constantly look for new ways to entertain us. But what is it about a car commercial that draws us in? Is it the baritone in the masculine voice(over) that commands our attention? Or perhaps it's the Grand Canyon landscape or mountainous terrain?
Review videos are often the go-to for information, especially in the science and tech world. For corporate companies with products or services deeply entrenched in technology, this is a huge opportunity. A lot of review videos are found on YouTube. Unsurprisingly, the primary audience for new technological information can be found there, too.
It goes without saying that Stan Lee has made incomparable contributions to the Marvel Universe. We at Key West Video nod in admiration at all the contributions and creative input he's had in the past. From X-Men to Spiderman to the Avengers, Stan Lee has shown us time and time again that he is a man with an insatiable quest for adventure.
They say that healthy competition is good competition. And sometimes that means some healthy rivalry between you and another company. Corporate companies are known for this. Companies that sell cleaning products will often allude to their product being superior to the leading brand. Companies that sell cutting-edge technology (e.g.
What better way to do it than on the big screen with billboard video advertising? Times Square, arguably one of the most popular sites in the Big Apple, sees a whopping 3-400 000 people each day. That's a lot of people. Regardless of age, race/ethnicity, gender or economic background, that's also a huge potential market.
Gone are the days when media relied on a single platform to get their message across. Transmedia has officially taken over. Though transmedia storytelling typically relies on just that - storytelling - a lot of corporate companies can take away the tactics transmedia uses.
What you want the world to know about a social issue, behaviour, or epidemic, is imperative. Typically, a #PSA, or Public Service Announcement (or Advertisement) should aim to raise awareness and change public behaviour towards a social issue.
OLD NEWS
The federal government's new rules for mentally ill offenders, meant to make public safety paramount, could do the opposite, critics charge - endangering public safety by putting sick people back on the street without the treatment they need. And even groups speaking on behalf of victims aren't sure they'll work as planned.
Dogged by pipeline setbacks - B.C.'s rejection of the Northern Gateway and delays to Keystone XL in the United States - Alberta Premier Alison Redford was in New Brunswick this week selling a plan to pipe oil from Alberta's oil sands to Saint John's Irving Oil refinery.
TORONTO - Canada's casinos and gambling association are accusing the Senate of stalling over a sports betting bill still in third reading more than 15 months after being passed by Parliament. Bill C-290 would let people bet on the outcome of a single event as opposed to parlay bets, which place bets on the outcome of multiple events.
TORONTO - The Harper government issued its first mandatory recall for a consumer product Friday. NeoMagnetic Gadgets Inc., a Montreal-based magnetic company, was ordered to recall their novelty magnetic sets and stop sales immediately. The sets are small magnets that can easily be swallowed by children.
TORONTO - TD Economics released a report on Thursday that reveals over 60 per cent of Aboriginal Canadians currently lack the literary skills to fully participate in the Canadian economy. "Four out of ten Aboriginal children score poorly in early development testing in the areas of language and communication skills.
TORONTO - It seems as though alcohol may not be the only thing impairing teens while driving. A recent survey suggests more teens are likely to drive while high than while drunk.
TORONTO - Canadian doctors took to the streets Monday in protest of the federal government's cuts to refugee health care benefits. The National Day of Action Against Refugee Health Cuts, organized by the Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care (CDRC), has organized protests in front of legislatures and city halls across the country.
TORONTO - Fewer than one in five women in dual-income households earn more than their partners, according to Statistics Canada figures obtained by Global News. And dual-income households where a woman's the primary breadwinner are poorer, on average, than their counterparts - roughly $105 100, as compared to male primary earners with a $118 000 income.
The Toronto District School Board is poised to finalize $2-million in cuts that would eliminate music programs across the city. Trustees vote on the cuts, designed to help bridge a $27-million deficit, June 19. But news of the pending losses has students, parents and instructors up in arms.
TORONTO- A recent global survey by Ernst and Young suggests that digital will soon be the largest source of revenue for media and entertainment companies. The professional services firm announced Wednesday that companies from across the globe can expect 57 per cent of their revenue to come from a digital stream in 2015, comparable to just 47 per cent today.
The Harper government announced its support for a project promoting leadership for young women and girls in francophone communities in PEI this Tuesday. Actions FemmesÎ.-P.-É Inc. is a company dedicated to improving the socio-economic conditions of girls and young women. The project aims to help young women identify and overcome barriers, and develop their skills in public presentation and debating.
TORONTO - Canada's Supreme Court has caused a stir among protesters from both sides as the hearings to legalize brothels in Canada could change the way sex workers operate. After a week of hearings that concluded on Friday, the ruling will affect three main areas in the Criminal Code, involving the ban on brothels, living off the avails of prostitution, and soliciting sex work.
Turkish civilians, activists and environmentalists were up in arms last Tuesday protesting the demolition of Taksim Square's Gezi Park, one of the last remaining green spaces in downtown Istanbul. Developers, backed by the Turkish government, had planned to bulldoze the park and replace it with a new shopping mall.
Canadian women are gaining ground at school, but remain stuck when it comes to employment equity. For the first time, females outshone their male counterparts overall in educational attainment. But their earning power still lags far behind. As statistics obtained by Global News indicate, more than 80 per cent of women in dual-income households still earn less than their husbands.
TORONTO - RioCan's plans to open a Wal-Mart near Toronto's Kensington Market area still has protesters reeling as they fight for support from the Toronto City Planning Department. A petition on Change.org asks the 78, 819 petitioners who initially signed against the construction to now convince Toronto's new chief planner Jennifer Keesmat to reject RioCan's proposal.
Senator Tammy Baldwin debates with her opponent, Tommy Thomspon. Image courtesy of Wispolitics.com via Flikr. By Lindsey Addawoo What marked the re-election of an unprecedented US President also marked a different kind of precedence last Tuesday night when Democrat Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay senator-elect.
Image by Veronique de Viguerie courtesy of Getty Images. Lindsey Addawoo In a world where female Westerners combat the social structures of patriarchy, misogyny and sexism in the public sphere of everyday society, oftentimes our perceptions of what gender-based oppression includes can be at odds with the severity it holds in different parts of the...
BLOGGING
Lindsey Addawoo is an emerging screenwriter and producer from Toronto, ON, Canada. Her sci-fi drama pilot, Diagnosis, was selected for the Bahamas International Film Festival Screenwriters Residency Program and is in the process of being developed. At the Toronto Screenwriting Conference last year one of the main speakers at the conference was none other than writer, producer, and director David Goyer.
Lindsey Addawoo is an emerging screenwriter and producer from Toronto, ON, Canada. Her sci-fi drama pilot, Diagnosis, was selected for the Bahamas International Film Festival Screenwriters Residency Program and is in the process of being developed. DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS! With the massive success of the latest film starring Michael B.
Lindsey Addawoo is an emerging screenwriter and producer from Toronto, ON, Canada. Her sci-fi drama pilot, Diagnosis, was selected for the Bahamas International Film Festival Screenwriters Residency Program and is in the process of being developed.
I remember when I first started out. I was fresh out of university, had just been let go from my job, and the grace period for paying back my student loans was quickly ending. Needless to say, I was pretty damn stressed.I had about 80 bucks to my name and the bitterness of an 80-something-year-old cat lady.
I remember the first time it happened. I had been working minimum-wage retail jobs for 4 years and quite frankly, I was sick of it. Most college-aged kids gladly accept work in the hopes of scraping enough money together for books, food and if you're a commuter, transportation.
Traditional media such as newspaper, radio, and magazines have always been around for the past few decades to bring the most up-to-date information to readers. But as technology advances, so does media. New trends of digital media are overpowering the use of traditional forms of media, and sometimes it might begin to threaten its place of survival in the market.
SPOILER ALERT: The contents of this article are not intended for those who didn't tune in last night. Spoilers galore. After an intense, hour-long session with the return of Olivia Pope on #ScandalThursdays, Shonda Rhimes, Grey's Anatomy executive producer and creator of Scandal, has blessed us with yet another drama that had us biting our nails.
DISCLAIMER: SPOILER ALERT ** Aminata Diallo. Say her name. And never forget it. Those who followed the mini-series The Book of Negroes participated in the incredible tale of Aminata Diallo, the girl who found her way home. And for those who missed it, well, I'm sorry to hear.
We've come to yet another end of a year and - you guessed it - it's time to reflect! This year has been one of the most turbulent years of my life, and while I can only speak for myself, here is just another list (to add to the already existing lists of lists on Thought Catalog) of every cliché I've experienced over the past 12 months.
I spent more years than I'd like to admit being...myself. If you know me, you'd know that means an amalgamation of bad jokes, lame interests, and awkward encounters. This also at one point included anime, video games (Spyro the Dragon to be exact), tinkering around with my mini toy microscope and spending all of my free time daydreaming about my alternate life as a mermaid.
Now, before I get started let me first start off by saying that this post is in no way meant to promote ableism/offend those who suffer from disorders and/or disease**. BUT if buying books were an actual disorder, well, I'd definitely have some sort of irregularity going on.
The summer following my graduation from a competitive program in a somewhat-dying/constantly-changing industry was probably one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. They often say that university has its own way of "showing you who you are." How you operate. What your work ethic is like.
MEDIA
When I learned about the CRTC's recent decision to change their regulations for private broadcasters, I was disturbed by the relative silence on social media platforms. Despite a quick burst of outrage from music industry heavyweights last month decrying the potential loss of MuchFact as a funding source, this time there was no mass swell of anger, no rallying around a hashtag and no cries of protest.