industry
Revolutionary industry developments in the geek sphere.
The McGuffin Problem. Top Story - January 2019.
We’ve all heard of it before, the plot device, the McGuffin, or the Deux Ex Machina. It’s that one story element that the protagonists are searching for, trying to activate, kill for, or even destroy. But in the end, it ultimately serves one purpose, to move the story forward.
By Jose Gabriel7 years ago in Geeks
We Should Take the Golden Globes Seriously
Sunday’s 76th Golden Globes had one of the most interesting slate of winners yet. Between Alfonso Cuaron’s win as Best Director for Roma, Olivia Colman’s big win as Best Actress in The Favourite, and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s "Shallow" pulling away with Best Original Song, the Golden Globes really put into perspective how the rest of awards season could go. Unless the trends from past years hold true, and the Globes end up being “the constantly drunk Uncle” of awards shows and aren’t actually indicative of the big winners for the PGA Awards (Producers Guild of America) and the Oscars.
By Roman Arbisi7 years ago in Geeks
Juggernaut for Good
The mystery and intrigue dripping from the screen is what is at the crux of the Amazon Video series Homecoming. Based on the podcast by Micah Bloomberg and Eli Horowitz, the show is an eerie, slightly funny, engrossing work helmed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail. But what stands out in the series is the contrast between corporations and government. Already a skeptic at best and a severe critic of business at the worst, Esmail pits the bumbling bureaucrat Thomas Carrasco (Shea Whigham) and the uber-eccentric, fast-talking, abrasive Colin Belfast (Bobby Cannavale) against each other. In the middle are the two people who form the basis of the main plot. Julia Roberts, at once steady, frazzled, and assured plays Heidi Bergman who is tasked with addressing the concerns of returning veterans under the Homecoming program, a subsidiary of the agency surrounded in secrecy suggested in its title, Geist. Stephan James offers his talents as the thoughtful, grounded, and playful retired serviceman.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Geeks
Why You Should Support Independent Film
Independent films equal unique and thought-provoking stories. Indie films are driven by artistic vision, not the box office. They are more likely to tell stories of the human experience and how we get by in this crazy world we all live in. Their stories dig deep down inside of you and make you feel emotions that big-budget blockbusters only scratch the surface of.
By Dee Simone7 years ago in Geeks
So You Want to Work in Film and Television...
I taught my first high school drama class in 1993. Back then, I was an English teacher with one year as a performance major at Kent State University and a few weeks of experience as technical director in the proscenium theater in my hometown. To say I was unprepared for the curriculum would be an understatement, but I tried my best and even managed to direct a one act play for competition. I soon discovered that I was a much better director than English teacher.
By Fred Bobbitt7 years ago in Geeks
Hollywood Should Stop Making Superhero Movies
We all know that superheroes are the root for younger audiences in the cinema world. Each superhero has their own perk, their own backstory, and many kids love an action-packed good guy. However, there are other ways to influence kids, even adults, too, and milking superhero movies—especially the ones who’ve had ten different movies and versions already—isn’t the way to go. Not only do the superheroes change drastically, like Superman per se, where he’s now addressed as the “Man of Steel,” along with his suit, but their plots and their villainous competitions are DULL.
By Lexi Cowie7 years ago in Geeks
Wanna Make a Movie???
And action! So you wanna make a movie? Being a first time director of a low-budget film, I can pretty much guarantee you have no idea what you're in for. I know I didn't. And as you can imagine, hilarity, fear, and utter craziness ensued, but in the end, we were able to make a pretty cool film.
By Tony Germinario7 years ago in Geeks
How America Almost Ruined Aardman Animation
Wallace and Gromit still to this day stand as Aardman’s crowning achievement; an innovative animated duo that would not only become pop culture icons within British society, but instead icons the world over. The eccentric Northern inventor, with a fondness for Wensleydale cheese and his smart silent dog, has been said to have done “more to improve the image of the English world-wide than any officially appointed ambassadors” (Marriott, 2015). The stories of Wallace and Gromit could quickly be excused as being ripped from the pages of a Hollywood DreamFactory script—Missions to the moon, robotic trousers and humanistic animal spies. Despite this, the truth and Britishness of Aardman’s claymation films doesn’t come from the plot, but instead the feel of their cosy terrace house, cups of warm tea and the evident love for a cheesy snack, almost a revival of the traditional links to nine Nineteenth Century satirical cartoons; satirising the truthful stereotypes of the modern (and particularly Northern) Brit (Oxford, 2018).
By Connor Luke Simpson7 years ago in Geeks
