The Fat Man Bruce

Blockbuster movies are extremely expensive to make, involving big named stars and costly special effects. Literally millions of dollars are spent on them with the hopes that the returns will more than make up for their cost.

It’s these movies that studios depend upon to keep the money flowing and a bad movie can cost the company dearly.

The success or failure of a movie is often determined by the sales of tickets during the first weekend it’s premiered. In an effort to pump up these sales, many studios do, “advanced screenings”, to get positive feedback that they can use for advertisements. These screenings also let the studios know what to anticipate in public reviews.

With the rising cost of movie tickets, a lot of people hesitate to go see them, so the studios employ high profile, expensive actors to lure the public in. They also use special visual effects to dazzle the audience and suspenseful plots that will hopefully keep them riveted to their seats.

Most movie studios know what the public wants to see when they go to the movies. Some studios have been pleasantly surprised by movies that cost little to make in comparison to the blockbusters, but have developed a “cult” following, such as the black and white movie, “Night of the Living Dead” or the still popular, “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. In an effort to continue to profit from old popular movies, they often try to make remakes of them but usually without the same result. One such movie was “King Kong”, which was done several times. People go to see these movies with the hope that they will be as good as the original one, or to let their children experience them the way they did when they were children.

Another tactic that the studios are using is to make sequels of popular movies. The Matrix trilogy brought in a lot of profit, as did the, “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Harry Potter movies are anticipated long before they come out and the movie studios know that they will be able to count on making huge profits from them.

Another way that studios profit from these movies is by selling merchandise that represents the characters in them, which can range from dolls to videogames. They also make money on the DVD sales and rentals and employ popular music artists to record soundtracks, so they can sell the CDs and increase their profits even more.

Blockbuster movies will always be a form of entertainment that the multitudes will walk away from their televisions to go see. There is nothing like getting a box of popcorn and losing yourself in a great movie that’s shown on the silver screen.

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Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as exclusive movies at www.exclusivemovieclub.com

Even though Disney has produced myriad movies, it is more popular for its animated ones. After starting the animated journey with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the winter of 1937, Disney movies have not looked back.

One can obtain a list of more than 150 animated Disney movies that have been produced and distributed to add to the joy of children across the world.

After a certain age, kids grow out of Sesame Street, Tellytubbies and BooBaahs. At this time the next level of entertainment that attracts them generally are the Disney movies that appeal to a slightly older age group. The great thing about these movies, which has probably led to the huge popularity of the Disney movies, is the fact that they appeal to adults and children alike. A mother does not mind sitting through a Disney movie with her child but an episode of Tellytubbies can be wearisome.

To the uninitiated, it may be a surprise that each Disney movie comes accompanied with a Disney movie book. These books are published under the Mouse Works banner and contain a simple version of the story. This can help in encouraging children to not only see the Disney movies but also to read books, which hopefully will extend to other forms of reading at some time.

Though the company is proud of all its Disney movie productions, some of them have attained the stature of classics based on their popularity. Abound with simple, yet meaningful songs these Disney movies can expose the child to emotions, morals and ways of the world while telling a story. Toddlers seem to enjoy the light evilness of some of the characters like the witch in Snow White and Cruella De Vil in the 101 Dalmations. Alternately, some of the most endearing characters that Disney movies have created are Tramp in The Lady and the Tramp and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. But most of the leading characters in Disney movies inspire awe and amazement aided by the color, grandeur and dazzle.

Some of the Disney movies that have become all time favorites of most kids are The Lion King, Toy Story, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book, The little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and of course Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Some of the less known but equally enticing Disney movies are the sequels to the Lion King, Dumbo, Lilo and Stitch, Pooh and Kim Possible series.

In spite of the high levels of endearment that the Disney movies enjoy among most people, there are rumors galore about how there are countless hidden references to perverted things in the animated movies. The most known references are made to the tower on the cover of The Little Mermaid that resembles the male genitalia, the apparent erection of the priest in the wedding scene of the same movie and the dust taking the form of the word ’sex’ in The Lion King. Hearsay has it that Donald Duck has used vulgar words umpteen times during angry outbreaks.

Some opine that these subtle references have become a tradition at the Disney studios. This tradition started due to the fact that Walt Disney did not assign relevant credits to the creative animators. These animators, then, took to including hidden codes in the animation scenes to get back. One such example is that of the shorts that Goofy wears. If you look close enough, you will probably see names of artists written on these shorts. Though the given instance seems possible, the inclusion of debauchery in the animated Disney movies is debatable and it remains a question as to whether it is a fact or the Rorschach effect.

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Professionals do not content themselves with making plans. They implement them and follow through on them.

Writing the script is not exactly planning.

However, the resulting script forms the basis for all decisions that have to be made to prep up production. Having no script will prevent you from costing the program, designing its look, determining the crew and equipment needed, listing the locations or sets, budgeting the production or setting a schedule. Only a true script can provide the means to plan as opposed to an outline no matter how long it is. Non-fiction programs typically use a two-column (audio and video) formatted script to include complete narration and essential audio as well as the visuals.

Contrary to popular belief that special effects belong in post production, the most convincing effects are fully planned in pre-production so that every detail can be seamlessly integrated by implementing the plan. That is why it is important to develop these special effects before you start scouting for locations and budgeting props. Compositing and computer graphics can only do so much without the right foundation.

Budgeting and scheduling come together. Whereas scheduling brings the right cast members, crews and equipment to the right location at the designated time, budgeting is equally crucial no matter if the people are paid by the hour, day or simply donating their time. Good planning allows for considerable savings as being able to shoot all scenes that require the use of a prop that costs $200 a day back-to-back so that it can be returned as soon as possible.

A contingency plan should always exist. This is about being able to shoot something else if certain problems are encountered such as inclement weather or absence of an actor. Good production planners budget the show on an itemized scale. Very few people have the luxury of having unlimited funds and even if you do have such funds, it is not wise at all to be spending it on unnecessary things.

Through experience, you will find out soon enough that not everything happens exactly the way we want it to. That is why it is very important to pay attention to other details that might lead to some unwanted effects on the finished product and the budget. Mistakes mean lose of money. Always check your subjec background, foreground, balance, tension and consistency. The color composition is a major part of many motion pictures and it is a bad idea to neglect to put it to good and maximum use.

The size of the project and the budget determines the type and source of talent. Another consideration would be the demands that are to be placed on the talent in terms of acting ability, memorization of lines and other artistic needs. There are about 5 major pools of talent from which to get one from. These are family and friends, members of the organization for which the project is being done, professional in the fields being portrayed, theatre and media students from local schools and theatre groups and professional actors and voice talents.

Friends and family is the cheapest and most convenient option but not necessarily the easiest group to work with. The use of members of the organization for which the project is being produced can be rewarding, successful and easy on the pocket. Extreme care should be taken when selecting the talent as he /she should be one who can accept direction and occasional criticism. Casting real people engaged in the profession supposedly played by the character is always a good option. They can probably provide real characterization to the role instead of training an actor to do the work.

Community theatre groups, high school and college theatre groups are usually willing to work on projects at a lesser cost, a copy of the finished product or even for gas money. A thing to remember about theatre students is that they tend to project their voices and gestures to an audience that is far away. Adjustments may have to be made to adapt to the intimacy of the video screen.

Professional talents are paid to do the work they do. Thus, there is an often an implication that they are more experienced and more talented. However, there are some that actually do not even have the experience of local theatre members but are nevertheless considered professional talents by virtue of their membership to an Actors Guild. You can take the time to check their performance credentials just to be sure.

Casting can be a very tedious process especially if you do not go in prepared with an idea of what you want. There are times that you may need to give in to certain compromises if what was originally desired cannot possibly be had under certain circumstances. Hiring a good voice talent is just as important as the on-camera talent. The voices used in the film can make or break your production.

While youre at it, why not do some camera exercises to help make your work more professional looking. The key lies in practice. Running a camcorder is a tricky balancing act that demands a wide range of skills both physically and mentally. The first thing to practice is how to have the camera rolling in time for the big moment. The next is to simulate a classic trouble situation by running an obstacle course just to see how steady your grip remains. Finally, get some practice with manual focusing for advanced variations.

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Simon Dumville is a Senior Consultant and Art Director for Valio / YourBroadcaster with over 10 years experience in Project Management/Marketing in the internet industry.
YourBroadcaster.com

There is a general perception amongst the public that the art of filmmaking these days belongs to Wall Street and major studios with giant budgets. But the fact of the matter is that you really do not need millions of dollars to make an independent film.

You can make a movie for a fraction of what most Hollywood films cost if the right people and film production methods are employed. However, if you want to make a quality low budget movie on a shoestring budget you must immerse yourself in the world of independent filmmakers.

Most people who watch movies never even consider the fact that they could actually make a film themselves. When they hear that Spiderman 3 cost about 250 million dollars to make and the latest movie about Billy The Kid starring Brad Pitt cost around 40 million, a low budget movie by Hollywood standards, who can blame them.

There are ways to circumvent the traditional movie making process to get your film made. For instance, if you can assemble a tight cast and crew of talented people who are just as passionate about independent filmmaking as you and are willing to do more than they are being paid to do, then your film production costs can be reduced dramatically. They keys to making an independent film with a small amount of money is finding people who love to make films and then selling them on your story.

To find independent filmmakers who are willing to give you more work for less pay in the name of artistic freedom, or just because they need work you need to go to places where they hang out. This can be done online at any of the film production based websites out there that post job listings and information about the film industry. You will find many of them by doing a Google search with keywords like independent filmmakers, independent film, or film production. These sites list jobs, production companies, cast and crew available, post production houses, film labs and just about anything that has to do with making movies.

You can find most of the information you need to make a low budget movie online, but if you really want to find a quality cast and crew you need to get down in the trenches where the independent filmmakers work. You need to go and meet them in person.

The best place to find potential crew members is to visit the equipment rental houses in your area. You can get their addresses by doing an Internet search using the keywords film equipment rental with the name of the nearest major city. This is where the camera people, sound people, grips and the like all go to pick up and drop off equipment for projects they are working on. Many of the people working behind the counters are also people who have their own equipment packages. They would love to get out from behind the counter on weekends to work on an independent film. Spending time at these places, whether you are renting equipment or posting your business card on their work board is a sure way to find quality crew members to work on your low budget movie.

The best way to find quality actors who are willing to work for much less than they are worth is to spend time at professional acting classes. You can find many of them by doing a Google search using the keywords acting classes with the name of the nearest major city in your area. Contact the teachers of some classes and ask them to allow you to sit in on a couple of their classes. Be up front and tell them you are looking for quality actors to be in your low budget movie.

If you really want to get to know potential actors for your film then it would be a good idea to enroll in a class or two yourself. You can forge a working relationship with the actors on a much more intimate level if you are in a class with them. If the class is large enough, you are always going to find at least a few good actors who would love to work on your independent film for very little pay. You may even learn a thing or two about how to act yourself. If you can play one or more of the roles in your movie then that will also save you money for it means less actors to pay.

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Michael P. Connelly is an Author, Artist and award-winning Filmmaker who writes on a variety of topics that effect people in their every day lives.
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Scientific Models that support religious symbols help us understand who we really are. The Real Da Vinci Code, the Da Vinci Man (Vitruvian Man), is a very important bridge between scientific models (the material world) and religious symbols (the spiritual world).

This was exactly Leonardo’s intention:

“The outstretched arms and legs of a man form a square and a circle: the square symbolizes the solid physical world and the circle the spiritual and eternal. Man bridges the gap between these two worlds.”
-Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Magical Proportions of Man”

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (the Da Vinci Man with four arms and four legs in a square and circle) is the most popular secular symbol in the world. My ten years of research suggests that the Vitruvian Man is a universal symbol for greater love, relationships, success, health and the new age 21st century paradigm of indivisible wholeness, the paradigm for world peace. A New Renaissance!

The Da Vinci Man is a universal translator between scientific models (represented by the Da Vinci Man in the square) and religious symbols (represented by the Da Vinci Man in the circle). Therefore, the Vitruvian Man (Da Vinci Man) is a bridge between science and religion. There are amazing similarities between the sacred geometry of the Da Vinci Man, Yin-Yang, Star of David,Tree of Life, Christian Cross, Angels and Kabbalah.

Over the last ten years, my intention has been to discover a way for individuals to accept their experiences of higher states of consciousness, unity and indivisible wholeness. My research compares amazing similarities between higher states of consciousness, modern scientific models and ancient religious symbols or art. This comparison of scientific models, conscious experiences and religious symbols can be referred to as Sacred Studies.

Sacred Studies is the study of the convergence between Science (S), Consciousness (C) and Religion (R). The first letter of each word creates the letters SCR, an acronym for the word “Sacred.”

For example, the scientific description of electrons surrounding the nucleus of the atom seems very similar to descriptions of angels surrounding the throne of God.

This experience of angels surrounding the throne of God has been the experience of saints and seers throughout the ages. It is illustrated in the beautiful drawing of “The Saintly Throng in the Form of a Rose,” described by Dante and beautifully drawn by Gustave Dore. This also resembles “The Unity of Creation” with the nine Choirs of Angels surrounding the Throne of God as drawn by Saint Hildegarde of Bingen in the 13th century.

Furthermore, the three-in-one description of quarks at the center of the nucleus seems very similar to the descriptions of the three-in-one aspect of God found in most religions (Jewish Mysticism or Kabbalah, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism).

There are other amazing coincidences between modern scientific models and ancient religious art and symbols. For example, scientists believe that all creation began from a cosmic singularity. Most religious traditions also believe that nature arose from a cosmic singularity. This is the Keter of Judaism (Kabbalah), Easter egg or Cosmic Orb held by Jesus, the Yggdrsl of Norse and the Bindu Golaka of Hinduism.

The Ten Dimensions in Science and Religion
Most religions believe in a three-dimensional cosmic being (a holy trinity) as well as the angelic realm, which also consists of three dimensions. Our material existence also consists of three dimensions of length, width and height. Time is allotted the fourth dimension. All together, these comprise ten dimensions.

Scientists also believe that there are ten (or eleven) dimensions. There seem to be very interesting similarities of these dimensions as described by scientists and the experiences of saints and seers of all religious faiths throughout time.

By good fortune, I happened to see the Da Vinci Man placed in the O of Google on the anniversary of Leonardo’s birthday, April 15, 2005. This gave me the confidence that the world was ready for a book on the true significance of the Da Vinci Man as Leonardo’s real secret code–to help us understand that the Cosmic Person we really are, created in the Image of God, is connected to the whole universe.

From here we feel one with the Divine, Divine Creation and all humanity. From here we experience our neighbor as our self and can, therefore, love our neighbor as our self. This experience of interconnectedness is espoused by religion and now validated by science.

David Bohm and the Paradigm Of Indivisible Wholeness
John Bell was inspired by his teacher, David Bohm. Proof of Bell’s Theorem indicates that subatomic creation, the subatomic particles which make up our body, is interconnected and indivisibly whole. Indivisible wholeness is the paradigm for the 21st century. Feeling connected, no longer feeling separate, we find inner peace. This will lead to greater peace on earth and good will towards all.

The current paradigm in science is based upon atomism and creates an artificial duality between man and nature. This results in a feeling of separation and is responsible for man trying to dominate nature and others. This also leads to environmental destruction and war. The new paradigm of wholeness began with Einstein’s unified field and continued with David Bohm’s proposal for a paradigm based upon the undivided wholeness of creation.

David Bohm discovered that plasma, the operation of fluids at very high temperatures (like those found on the sun), was a fourth state of matter (in addition to solids, liquids and gases). As a result of this work, Bohm also discovered that matter not only exhibited energy (as in E=mc2), it was also imbued with intelligence! Bohm discovered that many electrons seem to be able to work as one whole and are able to detect the previous existence of a magnetic field.

David Bohm was an assistant to Einstein. Einstein considered Bohm to be his intellectual heir and proclaimed, “If anyone could discover a unified field, it will be David Bohm.” In 1967 David Bohm’s student, John Bell, proposed an experiment that could prove the existence of indivisible wholeness. Proof of Bell’s Theorem was demonstrated by Alain Aspect in 1987. This has been proven time and again and has shaken the very foundations of quantum physics.

Like the Yin-Yang, Star of David and Christian Cross, the Da Vinci Man is a universal symbol for this indivisible wholeness. Deep within the atom is a powerful field of indivisible wholeness. From here, with the help of the Da Vinci Man code, we can experience the essential unity of all creation and humanity.

I have spent over ten years comparing the amazing similarities between modern scientific models and ancient religious art and symbols. There are incredible coincidences between the findings of modern scientists and the experiences of ancient saints and seers.

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Allen Rubin is author of “The Da Vinci Man Code: Leonardo’s Real Secret Code” with 400 illustrations. View entire article series and sample chapter at www.davincimancode.com Please review the New Renaissance Project!