DanielMichael

It’s a common subject for films to cover their respective countries’ events, especially if they take place on a global scale. Films like Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful are made in different countries, yet portray the topic of being in a concentration camp in WW2 differently. It would be interesting to analyze how films portray different parts of the world in other countries. It could help a viewer gain perspective on how filmmakers choose to depict these events.

This is a good idea. it would also be intriguing to build on this notion to try understand how certain catastrophes have affected a countries film industry. for example post 9/11 Hollywood has incorporated the falling sky scraper trope into many of its disaster films. – Iliasbakalla 7 years ago
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An interesting choice of subject matter and one that has a great potential for exploring alternate points of view - essential in these days of Hollywood biased 'Americanised' view of world events (no offence intended towards the American people). Regarding WW2, I would recommend viewing such films as 'Eien No O' (The Eternal Zero) [2013], an excellent Japanese film about the treatment of pilots in the Japanese Air Force towards the end of WW2; also the critically acclaimed 'Das Boot' [1981] (The Boat), a superb and harrowing film about the crew of a German U-Boat' to name just a couple. I would suggest including accounts from the ordinary men and women involved in such conflicts and wars; those who had to carry out the sometimes ludicrous orders of their so called 'superiors. It would also be interesting to include how propaganda was employed by all sides and the effect that had on its intended audience. – Amyus 7 years ago
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film

Special Effects

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Evolution and Regression in Special Effects

As technology marches on, special effects in movies have gone from being practical to doing everything on a computer. Now as far as convenience goes, going digital is for the better. However, some will argue that digital effects will never compare to something that’s in front of the camera. So is it necessary to keep marching onward and keep improving digital effects or should we take a step back and try to make practical effects an honored practice again? We would need to realize the advantages and disadvantages for both of these special effects if we are to bring out their full potential.

There's a lot that can be explored here. One thing I have noticed is a movement toward using technology to achieve a pre-technology effect in cinema and animation. I think this largely stems from nostalgia, or a population that mourns the loss of traditional effects. One startling example is the Disney Lion Guard series - the creators have actually engineered the animation to look hand-drawn, with digitally enhanced "pencil" strokes similar to its film forefather, The Lion King, years before Pixar. Some would argue that this is a regression, but maybe this is how we attempt to move forward digitally while still paying tribute to practical effects. This brings up more questions like, is artistry completely lost in the digital landscape? Will digital become the only artistic platform left for effects? Is nostalgia the only reason to cling to practical effects, or are we also missing essential artistic elements by going with cost and convenience? – wtardieu 7 years ago
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Very important movie is Mad Max: Fury Road, whose practical special effects are almost good enough without CGI enhancement - however some CGI added to make it perfect. – Kevin 7 years ago
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Latest Comments

Nov 13, 2016 DanielMichael I think that you did well expressing what exactly is right and wrong with the concept of DLC. On paper, it seems great that you can add extra content to a game, but when you have to pay for something that doesn’t seem like it warrants payment, it seems like a money grubbing scheme conjured up by the developers. It doesn’t help that some companies like Capcom have the content in the game itself when they easily could have just made them unlockables in the game. I just hope that publishers are smart enough to know what warrants as being DLC and what doesn’t.	From Expansion Packs to DLC: The Evolution of Additional Video Game Content
Nov 6, 2016 DanielMichael I think this article is a nice way for writers to open themselves up to new methods of overcoming writer’s block, even if some of them do seem self-explanatory. Nevertheless, you explained how Zen can help out writers. I do especially like the tidbit that writing should come naturally to you and writers should be more passive. The last thing your writing needs is forced developments that aren’t natural or believable.	Using Zen Philosophy to Improve Creativity and Overcome Writer’s Block
Nov 5, 2016 DanielMichael The thing about teaching someone to write is you can teach them how to write, but you can’t necessarily teach them “what” to write per say. Since there are so many genres and so many ways to write said genre, you can’t really teach one specific way. It’s up to the writer to fill in those blanks on their own. Publishers are always looking for unique voices that aren’t simply just people regurgitating what they’ve been taught. That’s how the authors that you’ve listed have succeeded in their field. They’ve found their own voice and readers gravitate towards new material rather than anything old. So you’re right in saying that writers can be taught, but it’s up to them to figure out what to do with their talents.	Can you Teach Someone how to Become a Writer?