52 Tips for Improving your Skills
Also by Daniel Coyle - The Talent Code
What follows is a collection of simple, practical tips for improving skills, taken directly from the hotbeds I visited and the scientists who research them. The advice is field-tested, scientifically sound and most important concise. Because when it comes down to it, we're all navigating busy, complex lives. Parents or teacher, kid or coach, artist or entrepreneur, we all want to make the most of our time and energy. When it comes to developing our talents, we could use an owner's manual, comething to say Do this, not that. We could use a master coach that tucks in our pockets.
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
Part One: Stare, Steal and Be Willing to Be Stupid (Ideas for igniting motivation and creating a blueprint for the skills you want to build.)
Part Two: Find the Sweet Spot, Then Reach (Improving Skills: methods and techniques for making the most progress in the least time.)
Part Three: Embrace Repetition, Cultivate Grit and Keep Big Goals Secret (Sustaining Progress: strategies for overcoming plateaus, keeping motivational fires lit, and building habits for long-term success.)
1. We all possess talents
2. We're unsure how to develop those talents to their full potential.
You are born with the machinery to transform beginner's clumsiness into fast, fluent action. That machinery is not controlled by genes, it's controlled by you. Each day, each practice session, is a step toward a different future.
Always exaggerate new moves; Shrink the practice space and Take lots of naps.
Small actions, repeated over time, transform us.
This ain't magic, and it ain't rocket science. It's about working hard and working smart.
We are often taught that talent begins with genetic gifts - that the talented are able to effortlessly perform feats the rests of us can only dream about. This is false. Talent begins with brief, powerful encounters that spark motivation by linking your identity to a high-performing person or group. This is called ignition and it consists of a tiny, world-shifting thought lighting up your unconscious mind: I could be them.
#1 Stare at who you want to become
If you were to visit a dozen talent hotbeds tomorrow, you would be struck by how much time the learners spend observing top performers. When I say "observing", I'm not talking about passively watching. I'm talking about staring - the kind of raw, unblinking, intensely absorbed gazes you see in hungry cats or newborn babies.
We each live with a "windshield" of people in front of us; one of the keys to igniting your motivation is to fill your windshield with vivid images of your future self, and to stare at them every day. Studies show that even a brief connection with a role model can vastly increase unconscious motivation. For example, being told that you share a birthday with a mathematician can improve the amount of effort you're willing to put into difficult math tasks by 62 percent.
#2 Spend Fifteen Minutes a Day engraving the skill on your brain
What's the best way to begin to learn a new skill? Many hotbeds use the engraving method which is basically they watch the skill being performed, closely and with great intensity, over and over, until they build a high-definition mental blueprint. Emulate Emulate Emulate
#3 Steal without apology
Sunday, July 28, 2013
This is How they Kiss
Here is how they kiss ....
Japanese Kiss doesn't have any hard and fast rules. It's just normal kissing which involves variances of all other kissing. Japanese kiss also refers to smooching without widening the lips or without involving any saliva exchange.
It refers to a long and passionate kiss without a spit or snot, not by using the lips but by dense ass muscles. The partner sits on the face and tense their ass muscles and try to kiss with their anus or rim. It also refers to French kissing the penis.
As smooth as a French kiss, but does not involve the lips of both the partners. The couple involved in French Canadian Kiss stick out their respective tongues out and kiss. It also involves an act of inserting the tongue of one partner into another and kissing the teeth.
Better than a French-kiss, A Russian-kiss is similar to a French-kiss in that it involves the tongue, but a Russian-kiss is about French-kissing with food in mouth. It involves continuous exchange of some edible product from one partner to another. Usually Russian kiss is done with ice, candies or alcoholic beverages.
Are you someone who wants to kiss every women on street. There is of course a way to do that. Chinese show their love for countryman by kissing them. Go Chinese!! Now you can kiss whoever you want , just to show that you really care.
It refers to either kissing an animal or kissing the way animals do. Animals generally kiss by fondling their tongue with partner. There are lot of passionate animals lovers out there who do it with their pet. To train your pet to kiss you, you would probably have to allow your pet to take its feed from your mouth and later on your pet starts enjoying it.
Australian kiss is just as same as French Kiss but in the pubic region. Girls if you really want an Australian kiss, here's how; if you wax, go Brazilian or super short. Make sure you shower and you're super clean. Lie down, use your hands to open yourself up and there's the little tip that sticks out. He'll lick it and you'll go mad.
The French Kiss is the first thing that comes to our mind, when we think about kissing. A French kiss is the culmination of a building tension and growing intimacy. Make sure you keep your head tilted so that you don't end up bumping noses and just before you make contact, close your eyes. Kissing with eyes opened is considered as dishonesty and insecurity.
From:
http://aff55.toptentalk.com/how-they-kiss-around-world-8
Japanese Kiss doesn't have any hard and fast rules. It's just normal kissing which involves variances of all other kissing. Japanese kiss also refers to smooching without widening the lips or without involving any saliva exchange.
It refers to a long and passionate kiss without a spit or snot, not by using the lips but by dense ass muscles. The partner sits on the face and tense their ass muscles and try to kiss with their anus or rim. It also refers to French kissing the penis.
As smooth as a French kiss, but does not involve the lips of both the partners. The couple involved in French Canadian Kiss stick out their respective tongues out and kiss. It also involves an act of inserting the tongue of one partner into another and kissing the teeth.
Better than a French-kiss, A Russian-kiss is similar to a French-kiss in that it involves the tongue, but a Russian-kiss is about French-kissing with food in mouth. It involves continuous exchange of some edible product from one partner to another. Usually Russian kiss is done with ice, candies or alcoholic beverages.
Are you someone who wants to kiss every women on street. There is of course a way to do that. Chinese show their love for countryman by kissing them. Go Chinese!! Now you can kiss whoever you want , just to show that you really care.
It refers to either kissing an animal or kissing the way animals do. Animals generally kiss by fondling their tongue with partner. There are lot of passionate animals lovers out there who do it with their pet. To train your pet to kiss you, you would probably have to allow your pet to take its feed from your mouth and later on your pet starts enjoying it.
Australian kiss is just as same as French Kiss but in the pubic region. Girls if you really want an Australian kiss, here's how; if you wax, go Brazilian or super short. Make sure you shower and you're super clean. Lie down, use your hands to open yourself up and there's the little tip that sticks out. He'll lick it and you'll go mad.
The French Kiss is the first thing that comes to our mind, when we think about kissing. A French kiss is the culmination of a building tension and growing intimacy. Make sure you keep your head tilted so that you don't end up bumping noses and just before you make contact, close your eyes. Kissing with eyes opened is considered as dishonesty and insecurity.
From:
http://aff55.toptentalk.com/how-they-kiss-around-world-8
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Undead Race in Singapore
The Undead Race is on ... and in Singapore!! Pursued by costumed zombies, runners conquer military-style obstacles
from monkey bars to a mud mountain en route to the post-race party
Date: 26 and 27 October 2013
Time: 8am - 8pm
Venue: Sentosa
For more infomation:
http://www.racethedead.sg/race.php
Runners will have to maneuver and traverse a string of obstacles that makes "challenging" sound like a walk in the park, at the same time having to dodge and outrun zombies awaiting their next meal.
Make your way to The Fort, the last remaining safe haven that is quarantined and kept safe from the zombie hordes. Armed military personnel will be waiting for you at the gates to ensure your survival, but getting there is the challenge.
There were many legends and myths surrounding the origin of that ominous name. One version stated that the island was once a place of piracy and bloodshed, and the victims of the murders still haunted that place. Another account revealed that the island was once a fishing village that had half its population wiped out by a viral outbreak. The bodies were never found, and the remaining population moved out of the island for fear of their lives.
Many conspiracy theorists believed that the authorities had a facility located below the island which housed the once missing bodies to determine the cause of death and develop the virus into an enhancement that they can use on living persons.
That did not turn out well.
Run For Your Lives (Official)
http://youtu.be/eKEVbC0GiUg
http://youtu.be/A4XvnVz9qDQ
RACE THE DEAD (Teaser #1)
http://youtu.be/tECO3kgbz10
ZOMBIE INVASION! THE WALKING DEAD STRIKES NEW YORK CITY 12:00PM
http://youtu.be/aemLXRnEeuc
http://youtu.be/tXWD2ZzBT2g
Outrun the Zombies!
Date: 26 and 27 October 2013
Time: 8am - 8pm
Venue: Sentosa
For more infomation:
http://www.racethedead.sg/race.php
Concept
Brace yourself for a 5K
dash that will set your heart-racing faster than you can run. Standing
in your way, every corner and every turn, will be hordes of zombies
waiting to grab a hold of your beautiful faces to tear them open and
consume what's beneath. The apocalypse is closer than you think, and
if you think all you've got to be is fast, you've got another thing
coming.Runners will have to maneuver and traverse a string of obstacles that makes "challenging" sound like a walk in the park, at the same time having to dodge and outrun zombies awaiting their next meal.
Make your way to The Fort, the last remaining safe haven that is quarantined and kept safe from the zombie hordes. Armed military personnel will be waiting for you at the gates to ensure your survival, but getting there is the challenge.
Story
Before it was known as
Sentosa (isle of tranquility), the island had gone by another name that
many have chosen to ignore or hush away, Pulau Belakang Mati (isle of
death from behind).There were many legends and myths surrounding the origin of that ominous name. One version stated that the island was once a place of piracy and bloodshed, and the victims of the murders still haunted that place. Another account revealed that the island was once a fishing village that had half its population wiped out by a viral outbreak. The bodies were never found, and the remaining population moved out of the island for fear of their lives.
Many conspiracy theorists believed that the authorities had a facility located below the island which housed the once missing bodies to determine the cause of death and develop the virus into an enhancement that they can use on living persons.
That did not turn out well.
This Halloween, brace yourself for a 5K dash that will set your
heart-racing faster than you can run. Standing in your way, every corner
and every turn, will be hordes of zombies waiting to grab a hold of
your beautiful faces to tear them open and consume what's beneath. The
apocalypse is closer than you think, and if you think all you've got to
be is fast, you've got another thing coming.
We hope you’re a morning person, because the post apocalyptic playground you’re about to brave offers no protection. At the starting line, you’ll come across a flipped tanker, the source of the toxic compound. After the first kilometer, you’ll enter into a military-controlled apocalypse zone. Beware, this is where your dash from zombies will begin. Around kilometer 3, you’ll make it to a vaccination hydration center. The vaccine will fail, and you’ll have to continue to sprint from zombies. The last 2 kilometers are a free-for-all, as you charge towards freedom. Zombies are everywhere. Helicopters circle overhead and military personnel distribute facemasks for safety during your final steps.
Runners have the option of wearing a custom, latex free “life-balloon”. Our brain hungry zombies will try to pop your balloon and take your life before your reach the finish line. But if you’re not fast, don’t worry! Our course is designed like a zombie movie set, so if you don’t wear your balloon or survive the race, you’ll still have a spooky run. Dead or alive, all runners get to complete the entire course and attend the Quarantine Party.
THE HUMANS
Are you ready to run? Register as an individual for $45 or as part of a team of 4+ humans for $40 per runner. In addition to the full-out apocalypse, runners will receive:
Don’t want to run from them? Become one. For $25, you can register to be an Official Zombie Run zombie and receive:
After you make it through the infestation of zombies during the race, you’ll enter the Quarantine Party. There will be a local DJ, food trucks, a zombie makeover station, photo stations to take pictures with our scariest zombies, and a store to pick up some merchandise.
GET INVOLVED
Putting on the zombie apocalypse is hard work. So, we’re always seeking ambitious humans to help spread the word of the impending apocalypse, to volunteer in our apocalypse zone on race day, and to help bring our event to life. We also have charitable partnership programs available to eligible non-profit organizations. For information about how you or your non-profit can get involved with The Zombie Run, contact our race team at info@thezombierun.com.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Think you’re up to the challenge? Then register for The Zombie Run as a human, zombie, or volunteer. If you can round up a team of four or more brave humans, then sign-up as a team and receive a special group rate. Then, just sit back, relax, and wait for the apocalypse. Once race day gets closer, we’ll email you with the details about race packet pickup and other logistics.
This will be the most exhilarating 3.1 miles of your life. Let’s get ready to run, New Orleans!
(Other Countries) http://www.runforyourlives.com/
During the heart-pounding Zombie Race on September 29, runners dart through 5 or 15 kilometers lousy with obstacles such as monkey bars, a rope climb over water, and a mud mountain—all the while fleeing costumed zombies. Each racer wears three health flags, which the pursuers attempt to rip off one by one. Those who choose zombie admission will be among the undead out for the runners' health tags. After the untimed race, participants celebrate at an after-party with barbecue and beer, a muddy dance party, and a turkey-leg-eating contest. Each of-age contestant enjoys a free beer. The race is open to everyone aged 9 and older. For more information, see the general race information.
Zombie Race
Miles of celluloid are dedicated to movie characters fleeing zombies, but during the real-world Zombie Race, evading flesh-feasting beasties is just one of the tasks. Racers must not only protect their three health tags—losing all three means not “surviving”—but they must also navigate the course’s military-style obstacles, such as winning the affection of a withholding drill sergeant. Refugees of the imaginary Ragnarok traipse along balance beams, slog headlong through a mud pit, or crawl, clamber, and sprint through any number of impediments. At the finish line, muddied survivors collect a finisher’s medal before entering an apocalypse-themed post-race party, complete with live entertainment, snacks, and beer.
We hope you’re a morning person, because the post apocalyptic playground you’re about to brave offers no protection. At the starting line, you’ll come across a flipped tanker, the source of the toxic compound. After the first kilometer, you’ll enter into a military-controlled apocalypse zone. Beware, this is where your dash from zombies will begin. Around kilometer 3, you’ll make it to a vaccination hydration center. The vaccine will fail, and you’ll have to continue to sprint from zombies. The last 2 kilometers are a free-for-all, as you charge towards freedom. Zombies are everywhere. Helicopters circle overhead and military personnel distribute facemasks for safety during your final steps.
Runners have the option of wearing a custom, latex free “life-balloon”. Our brain hungry zombies will try to pop your balloon and take your life before your reach the finish line. But if you’re not fast, don’t worry! Our course is designed like a zombie movie set, so if you don’t wear your balloon or survive the race, you’ll still have a spooky run. Dead or alive, all runners get to complete the entire course and attend the Quarantine Party.
THE HUMANS
Are you ready to run? Register as an individual for $45 or as part of a team of 4+ humans for $40 per runner. In addition to the full-out apocalypse, runners will receive:
- Official Zombie Run t-shirt
- Zombie Run eco-water bottle
- Admission to the Quarantine Party
Don’t want to run from them? Become one. For $25, you can register to be an Official Zombie Run zombie and receive:
- Gory, movie-quality zombie makeover
- Exclusive zombie gear
- Admittance to the Survivor Party
After you make it through the infestation of zombies during the race, you’ll enter the Quarantine Party. There will be a local DJ, food trucks, a zombie makeover station, photo stations to take pictures with our scariest zombies, and a store to pick up some merchandise.
GET INVOLVED
Putting on the zombie apocalypse is hard work. So, we’re always seeking ambitious humans to help spread the word of the impending apocalypse, to volunteer in our apocalypse zone on race day, and to help bring our event to life. We also have charitable partnership programs available to eligible non-profit organizations. For information about how you or your non-profit can get involved with The Zombie Run, contact our race team at info@thezombierun.com.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Think you’re up to the challenge? Then register for The Zombie Run as a human, zombie, or volunteer. If you can round up a team of four or more brave humans, then sign-up as a team and receive a special group rate. Then, just sit back, relax, and wait for the apocalypse. Once race day gets closer, we’ll email you with the details about race packet pickup and other logistics.
This will be the most exhilarating 3.1 miles of your life. Let’s get ready to run, New Orleans!
(Other Countries) http://www.runforyourlives.com/
During the heart-pounding Zombie Race on September 29, runners dart through 5 or 15 kilometers lousy with obstacles such as monkey bars, a rope climb over water, and a mud mountain—all the while fleeing costumed zombies. Each racer wears three health flags, which the pursuers attempt to rip off one by one. Those who choose zombie admission will be among the undead out for the runners' health tags. After the untimed race, participants celebrate at an after-party with barbecue and beer, a muddy dance party, and a turkey-leg-eating contest. Each of-age contestant enjoys a free beer. The race is open to everyone aged 9 and older. For more information, see the general race information.
Zombie Race
Miles of celluloid are dedicated to movie characters fleeing zombies, but during the real-world Zombie Race, evading flesh-feasting beasties is just one of the tasks. Racers must not only protect their three health tags—losing all three means not “surviving”—but they must also navigate the course’s military-style obstacles, such as winning the affection of a withholding drill sergeant. Refugees of the imaginary Ragnarok traipse along balance beams, slog headlong through a mud pit, or crawl, clamber, and sprint through any number of impediments. At the finish line, muddied survivors collect a finisher’s medal before entering an apocalypse-themed post-race party, complete with live entertainment, snacks, and beer.
Run For Your Lives (Official)
http://youtu.be/eKEVbC0GiUg
http://youtu.be/A4XvnVz9qDQ
RACE THE DEAD (Teaser #1)
http://youtu.be/tECO3kgbz10
ZOMBIE INVASION! THE WALKING DEAD STRIKES NEW YORK CITY 12:00PM
http://youtu.be/aemLXRnEeuc
http://youtu.be/tXWD2ZzBT2g
Outrun the Zombies!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Football Commercials
Nike Football Commercial - Good vs Evil
https://youtu.be/9IKOFzw6ReU
(More football commercial) -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qlyJXHdgRZ7p2w7c15U_A
(Transforming to your Football stars) style
BEST COMMERCIAL EVER!! Nike Football - Winner Stays ft Ronaldo, Neymar, Hulk, Rooney, Iniesta etc
https://youtu.be/Bv09DRd4lsM
#GALAXY 11 VIDEO COMPLETO (FULL MOVIE)
https://youtu.be/RfcWxM4Daqo
Medieval fight: Beckham, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Totti...
https://youtu.be/AYWAq0AbU-E
Lionel Messi vs Kids, Amazing New Ad!!!
https://youtu.be/QarsixZigs8
Monday, July 22, 2013
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan
A master of the thinking person's thriller, and the filmmaker who saved Batman.
"I didn't go to film school. I guess my whole experience has been just to make films."
The London-born Nolan began shooting super 8mm films - featuring an action figure cast - with his father's camera from an early age. Attending University College London, where he studied English literature, he advanced to 16mm filmmaking when he became president of the college film society, taking advantage of the camera and editing equipment at his disposal to make a number of short films. His English lit studies allowed him to consider the narrative freedom enjoyed by authors, and subsequently apply it to the art of filmmaking.
"At the time I did Following, I was looking at American ultra-low-budget model that didn't really exist in the UK."
After graduating from UCL, Nolan made a living producing corporate training videos. In 1997 he married his college sweetheart, Emma Thomas, who has since served as a producer on all of his films. Nolan wrote, directed, shot and edited the low budget black and white feature Following in 1998, which took a year to complete.
When it came to secure funding for his second film, Memento, Nolan approached the 1999 Hong Kong Film Festival audience, who were attending the screening of Following, asking them to donate. He secured the bulk of Memento's five million dollar budget on the day.
"Superheroes fill a gap in the pop culture psyche, similar to the role of Greek mythology."
For all his artistry and non-linear storytelling genius, Nolan will forever be associated his Batman blockbusters. As much as this would seem to be the result of their collectively massive box office haul, perhaps its also because of the similarities between Nolan and Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne. The filmmaker has an undeniably visceral connection to the spirit of the Batman legend. Both he and Wayne are millionaires, snappy dressers (Nolan famously wore a blazer in the heat of California's San Fernando valley while filming Memento) and find success easily, yet handle it with responsibility. Wayne inherited his wealth - Nolan has an uncanny knack for writing and directing films that produce returns on a scale more often associated with winning the lottery.
The '90s
"We've got a pretty serious claim on being the cheapest film ever made."
The themes and narrative structure that would define Christopher Nolan's later films are evident in his micro-budget, 16mm, black and white feature debut Following (1998), in which a bored writer decides to follow random strangers and spy on their everyday lives. A chance meeting with a thief allows him to take his voyeuristic pursuit to the next level...
Shot on weekends over the course of a year and featuring an amateur cast, Following can be considered a template for Nolan's next film, Memento - the characters and plot are fragmented, and it's up to the viewer to piece the puzzle together.
The 2000s
"I always find myself gravitating to the analogy of a maze".
Working from a short story by his brother Jonathan, it's a credit to Nolan's screenwriting ability that Memento (2000) pulls off its central conceit so brilliantly and successfully. Few thrillers are as cleverly constructed and intricately plotted as this tale of a man (Guy Pearce) seemingly determined to find his wife's killer and avenge her death.
The amnesiac protagonist doesn't know who he is or what is going on, and consequently, neither does the viewer. A critical and box office hit that was Oscar-nominated for Original Screenplay and Editing, Memento announced the arrival of a new and exciting filmmaker.
Nolan's next film, Insomnia (2002), was a remake of a 1997 Norwegian thriller. A gripping game of cat and mouse ensues when a pair of LA detectives (Al Pacino and Martin Donovan) investigates the murder of a teenager in a remote Alaskan town, where the sun doesn't set.
In 2005, Warner Bros. enlisted Nolan to revive the Batman franchise and the result, Batman Begins, was a character-driven superhero origin story anchored in reality.
"What I wanted to do was tell the Batman story I'd never seen," explained Nolan, "the story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman."
Nolan's new Batman, Christian Bale, returned for The Prestige (2006), alongside Hugh Jackman. The director's non-linear approach to plotting was also back in this period tale of a pair of rival illusionists who discover the true nature of magic.
The second Batman film, The Dark Knight (2008), proved to be Nolan's biggest hit to date. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won Sound Effects Editing and Best Supporting Actor for late star Heath Ledger's knockout performance as The Joker.
The 2010s
"I've been interested in dreams my whole life, really, and in the process of dreaming."
Inception (2010), Nolan's challenging, mind-bending journey into the dreamscape, is a wild and original sci-fi thriller that blends The Matrix with the espionage action of the Bond and Bourne films. But it's also much more than that.
Nolan's ability to juggle multiple narratives and the fresh and ingenious ideas he brings to the concept of manipulating the dreams of others is a triumph in storytelling and special effects.
A dense and cerebral thriller that only a filmmaker as highly regarded and respected as Nolan could have pitched to Hollywood - and then delivered on his promise.
Influences:
Christopher Nolan cites Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick as major influences. "I have always been a huge fan of Ridley Scott and certainly when I was a kid, Alien and Blade Runner just blew me away because they created these extraordinary worlds that were just completely immersive. I was also an enormous Stanley Kubrick fan for similar reasons."
Trademarks:
A Nolan script is frequently akin to chronology thrown into a whirlwind. Central characters and events arrive and unfold in a non-linear fashion that makes it impossible to predict an ending mid-stream. The Oscar-nominated (Best Screenplay) Memento exemplified both this approach and Nolan's propensity for afflicting his central characters with deep emotional conflictions or mental issues. The Prestige utilised similar narrative convolutions, and Nolan's flair for layered and labyrinthine storytelling reached its apogee in the mind-bending Inception.
A master of the thinking person's thriller, and the filmmaker who saved Batman.
"I didn't go to film school. I guess my whole experience has been just to make films."
The London-born Nolan began shooting super 8mm films - featuring an action figure cast - with his father's camera from an early age. Attending University College London, where he studied English literature, he advanced to 16mm filmmaking when he became president of the college film society, taking advantage of the camera and editing equipment at his disposal to make a number of short films. His English lit studies allowed him to consider the narrative freedom enjoyed by authors, and subsequently apply it to the art of filmmaking.
"At the time I did Following, I was looking at American ultra-low-budget model that didn't really exist in the UK."
After graduating from UCL, Nolan made a living producing corporate training videos. In 1997 he married his college sweetheart, Emma Thomas, who has since served as a producer on all of his films. Nolan wrote, directed, shot and edited the low budget black and white feature Following in 1998, which took a year to complete.
When it came to secure funding for his second film, Memento, Nolan approached the 1999 Hong Kong Film Festival audience, who were attending the screening of Following, asking them to donate. He secured the bulk of Memento's five million dollar budget on the day.
"Superheroes fill a gap in the pop culture psyche, similar to the role of Greek mythology."
For all his artistry and non-linear storytelling genius, Nolan will forever be associated his Batman blockbusters. As much as this would seem to be the result of their collectively massive box office haul, perhaps its also because of the similarities between Nolan and Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne. The filmmaker has an undeniably visceral connection to the spirit of the Batman legend. Both he and Wayne are millionaires, snappy dressers (Nolan famously wore a blazer in the heat of California's San Fernando valley while filming Memento) and find success easily, yet handle it with responsibility. Wayne inherited his wealth - Nolan has an uncanny knack for writing and directing films that produce returns on a scale more often associated with winning the lottery.
The '90s
"We've got a pretty serious claim on being the cheapest film ever made."
The themes and narrative structure that would define Christopher Nolan's later films are evident in his micro-budget, 16mm, black and white feature debut Following (1998), in which a bored writer decides to follow random strangers and spy on their everyday lives. A chance meeting with a thief allows him to take his voyeuristic pursuit to the next level...
Shot on weekends over the course of a year and featuring an amateur cast, Following can be considered a template for Nolan's next film, Memento - the characters and plot are fragmented, and it's up to the viewer to piece the puzzle together.
The 2000s
"I always find myself gravitating to the analogy of a maze".
Working from a short story by his brother Jonathan, it's a credit to Nolan's screenwriting ability that Memento (2000) pulls off its central conceit so brilliantly and successfully. Few thrillers are as cleverly constructed and intricately plotted as this tale of a man (Guy Pearce) seemingly determined to find his wife's killer and avenge her death.
The amnesiac protagonist doesn't know who he is or what is going on, and consequently, neither does the viewer. A critical and box office hit that was Oscar-nominated for Original Screenplay and Editing, Memento announced the arrival of a new and exciting filmmaker.
Nolan's next film, Insomnia (2002), was a remake of a 1997 Norwegian thriller. A gripping game of cat and mouse ensues when a pair of LA detectives (Al Pacino and Martin Donovan) investigates the murder of a teenager in a remote Alaskan town, where the sun doesn't set.
In 2005, Warner Bros. enlisted Nolan to revive the Batman franchise and the result, Batman Begins, was a character-driven superhero origin story anchored in reality.
"What I wanted to do was tell the Batman story I'd never seen," explained Nolan, "the story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman."
Nolan's new Batman, Christian Bale, returned for The Prestige (2006), alongside Hugh Jackman. The director's non-linear approach to plotting was also back in this period tale of a pair of rival illusionists who discover the true nature of magic.
The second Batman film, The Dark Knight (2008), proved to be Nolan's biggest hit to date. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won Sound Effects Editing and Best Supporting Actor for late star Heath Ledger's knockout performance as The Joker.
The 2010s
"I've been interested in dreams my whole life, really, and in the process of dreaming."
Inception (2010), Nolan's challenging, mind-bending journey into the dreamscape, is a wild and original sci-fi thriller that blends The Matrix with the espionage action of the Bond and Bourne films. But it's also much more than that.
Nolan's ability to juggle multiple narratives and the fresh and ingenious ideas he brings to the concept of manipulating the dreams of others is a triumph in storytelling and special effects.
A dense and cerebral thriller that only a filmmaker as highly regarded and respected as Nolan could have pitched to Hollywood - and then delivered on his promise.
Influences:
Christopher Nolan cites Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick as major influences. "I have always been a huge fan of Ridley Scott and certainly when I was a kid, Alien and Blade Runner just blew me away because they created these extraordinary worlds that were just completely immersive. I was also an enormous Stanley Kubrick fan for similar reasons."
Trademarks:
A Nolan script is frequently akin to chronology thrown into a whirlwind. Central characters and events arrive and unfold in a non-linear fashion that makes it impossible to predict an ending mid-stream. The Oscar-nominated (Best Screenplay) Memento exemplified both this approach and Nolan's propensity for afflicting his central characters with deep emotional conflictions or mental issues. The Prestige utilised similar narrative convolutions, and Nolan's flair for layered and labyrinthine storytelling reached its apogee in the mind-bending Inception.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Kelly Saks of Kelly's Kloset
All about Kelly:
Kelly Saks, the blogger behind Kelly’s Kloset, is a fashion and beauty expert based in Miami, Florida. Kelly posts daily musings on outfits, beauty tips, and local happenings. She has successfully transformed blogging from hobby to career, landing styling gigs with brands like Bloomingdales, Swarovski, and Macy’s.
How she did it:
Kelly always shares her blog posts from her personal Google+ profile and the Miami Fashion Bloggers Google+ page, a page she contributes to with almost 400,000 followers. “The option to share on Google+ helps keep my fans up-to-date whenever I post something new,” says Kelly.
Kelly has broadened her audience and built a strong online community using Google+. Google+ has also helped her connect with other bloggers, fans, and even celebrities by live streaming the events she hosts using Hangouts On Air: “I can easily interact with fans even if they can’t come to events in person”.
If you’re also looking to grow your audience, Kelly uses several Google+ plugins that are easy to add:
Click here to learn more about Google+ and Blogger.
Posted by Diana Golduber, Google+ Marketing
Kelly Saks, the blogger behind Kelly’s Kloset, is a fashion and beauty expert based in Miami, Florida. Kelly posts daily musings on outfits, beauty tips, and local happenings. She has successfully transformed blogging from hobby to career, landing styling gigs with brands like Bloomingdales, Swarovski, and Macy’s.
How she did it:
Kelly always shares her blog posts from her personal Google+ profile and the Miami Fashion Bloggers Google+ page, a page she contributes to with almost 400,000 followers. “The option to share on Google+ helps keep my fans up-to-date whenever I post something new,” says Kelly.
Kelly has broadened her audience and built a strong online community using Google+. Google+ has also helped her connect with other bloggers, fans, and even celebrities by live streaming the events she hosts using Hangouts On Air: “I can easily interact with fans even if they can’t come to events in person”.
If you’re also looking to grow your audience, Kelly uses several Google+ plugins that are easy to add:
- The Google+ badge on Kelly’s Kloset shows her presence on Google+
- The +1 button lets fans share her blog
- The Google+ followers gadget displays her growing follower count and allows fans to easily add her to circles
Click here to learn more about Google+ and Blogger.
Posted by Diana Golduber, Google+ Marketing
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Ideas for shooting events
Halloween Party @ idarts Gold feat DJ Angelina Zhang
http://youtu.be/43RsfXPu1TM
Posted on 2 July 2013
Don’t Turn Your Video Into a Glorified Slideshow: 3 Rules for Animators
Playing with the camera in a scene is a place where I see a lot of funny business going on. A camera should be treated like any other real world object. Sure, you could do things with a virtual camera that you couldn’t with a real one. But try and limit those things to accessibility, such as placing a camera where it wouldn’t normally fit — like inside the human bloodstream — instead of unnatural movement. Use the camera like you would in real life. It could have precision movement as if on a dolly, crane, or steady cam, or could be chaotic, as if handheld, or some combination of the above. Unless you are purposefully trying to to unsettle the viewer, stick to what works. Causes.com (http://vimeo.com/74935552) from jot Reyes (http://vimeo.com/jotreyes) on Vimeo. (https://vimeo.com/) Great motion animation is what separates a motion graphic from a glorified slideshow. You can easily learn the technicality of production through tutorials (believe me, if I could do it, anybody can), but what really makes motion graphics great is MOTION. When you know WHY you want something to move, it’s easy to learn HOW. Master that principle and you’ll already have a leg up. (From: http://blog.visual.ly/dont-turn-your-video-into-a-glorified-slideshow-3-rules-for-animators/ )
http://youtu.be/43RsfXPu1TM
Posted on 2 July 2013
Don’t Turn Your Video Into a Glorified Slideshow: 3 Rules for Animators
Playing with the camera in a scene is a place where I see a lot of funny business going on. A camera should be treated like any other real world object. Sure, you could do things with a virtual camera that you couldn’t with a real one. But try and limit those things to accessibility, such as placing a camera where it wouldn’t normally fit — like inside the human bloodstream — instead of unnatural movement. Use the camera like you would in real life. It could have precision movement as if on a dolly, crane, or steady cam, or could be chaotic, as if handheld, or some combination of the above. Unless you are purposefully trying to to unsettle the viewer, stick to what works. Causes.com (http://vimeo.com/74935552) from jot Reyes (http://vimeo.com/jotreyes) on Vimeo. (https://vimeo.com/) Great motion animation is what separates a motion graphic from a glorified slideshow. You can easily learn the technicality of production through tutorials (believe me, if I could do it, anybody can), but what really makes motion graphics great is MOTION. When you know WHY you want something to move, it’s easy to learn HOW. Master that principle and you’ll already have a leg up. (From: http://blog.visual.ly/dont-turn-your-video-into-a-glorified-slideshow-3-rules-for-animators/ )
Travelling Video
I've always wanted to do a travelling video.
Here are some examples of what I meant by travelling videos:
蔡依林 Jolin Tsai - A Day in Paris - iConcerts exclusive 獨家專訪
2013 水女孩抗夏大作戰【第一回合】
台中夜店 ｜X CUBE｜2013｜四月DJ Jessie And Harlem Shake Party http://youtu.be/8dWsxxCXduM
Documentary Style:
Film like this also can Nightlife in Beijing (english subtitles)
http://youtu.be/6Ilt8Dnj7OY
Enjoy!! Videos are a nice way to share what you see.
Here are some examples of what I meant by travelling videos:
蔡依林 Jolin Tsai - A Day in Paris - iConcerts exclusive 獨家專訪
2013 水女孩抗夏大作戰【第一回合】
台中夜店 ｜X CUBE｜2013｜四月DJ Jessie And Harlem Shake Party http://youtu.be/8dWsxxCXduM
Documentary Style:
Film like this also can Nightlife in Beijing (english subtitles)
http://youtu.be/6Ilt8Dnj7OY
Enjoy!! Videos are a nice way to share what you see.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Michael Lau
Michael Lau is one of my favourite illustrators. I like the way he uses markers and earth toned colours. His style is also very sketchy and raw.
Here are some:
http://www.michaellau-art.com/
Cute Motor Figurine
Links:
Check this out, http://hypebeast.com/tags/michael-lau
Here are some:
http://www.michaellau-art.com/
Cute Motor Figurine
Youtube: michael lau
http://youtu.be/hXRQ26OAcIU
Links:
Check this out, http://hypebeast.com/tags/michael-lau
Jon Lau's Illustrations
Jon Lau's illustrations have a very magical feel to it...how should I describe it ....
Jon Lau’s illustrations are simple ones but have a feeling of exoticism to them - that is - there’s some quality to them that is just beyond the norm which I find enticing. Like the search for truth. See more of Jon’s work:
Here are some Links to check out more of his works:
http://chee-man.tumblr.com/
http://supersonicelectronic.com/post/54442480573/jon-lau
Jon Lau’s illustrations are simple ones but have a feeling of exoticism to them - that is - there’s some quality to them that is just beyond the norm which I find enticing. Like the search for truth. See more of Jon’s work:
Here are some Links to check out more of his works:
http://chee-man.tumblr.com/
http://supersonicelectronic.com/post/54442480573/jon-lau
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