Tags: fusion music / music

What Is Fusion Music?

- Thursday, 27 August 2015 No Comments

What is fusion music? Well, you don't have to be an atomic scientist to understand fusion music. Let's look at a basic definition of fusion; 'the union of different things by or as if by melting; blending; coalition.' This definition is from the New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition. So, in music, different musical elements, often from different musical genres are put together. Here are some examples of fusion music:

•     Reggae Rock
•     Rap Rock
•     Jazz Fusion
•     Gypsy Punk
•     Gypsie Jazz
•     Folktronica
•     Folk Metal
•     Folk Punk
•     Celtic Punk
•     Country Rap

From most of these titles, you can see what genre has been mixed with what other genre; 'Country Rap' is obviously Country Music mixed with Rap Music and 'Folk Punk' is Folk Music mixed with Punk Music. This is only a partial list, of course, since the combinations are pretty much unlimited. Being of Germanic heritage, I have attended a number of Oktoberfests and heard 'Umpah Bands' playing rock songs. One of the more successful types of fusion music is Country Rock.

 
Another term applied to fusion music is 'cross-over.' You have probably heard the term 'Cross-Over Hit,' referring to a song that captured the attention of listeners in different genres of music. Fusion music often originates from the desire of a band to reach a broader audience but it can also come from the effort to establish a unique or new sound.

Most musical artists who have stood out have had a unique sound of their own and this is actually the end product of this fusion process we are talking about. Whereas some fusion efforts are very obvious, that is to say they have combined a very identifiable musical element with another very identifiable musical element, some fusion processes are much more subtle and involve a larger number of musical elements.

To illustrate this point, I will share a short story of when I heard a lecture by the late, great author Ray Bradbury. He knew that he was addressing an audience of young writers and he said, quite simply, if you want to be a writer, you just read and read and read and it starts coming back out. Somehow, I understood just what he was saying which was that, in being a writer, you don't shut yourself off in an ivory tower but you get as much exposure as possible to the writings of other authors and then this starts to come across in a mix that reflects your own personality.

You can take just about any great musical artist and trace his personal favorite musical artists in his music. In Beethoven, for example, we can find Mozart, Haydn, Handle and Bach, not ripped off verbatim, but present stylistically in the mix that is uniquely Beethoven. When we really look, we see that no musical genre has popped out of the blue but is a product what is fusion music.

If you like this article, you will probably like the most original new music on the web.

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Tags: film-making / movies

Beginner's Guide to Filmmaking

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As a college student life on a budget is my middle name. As a film major no-budget is my last name. I've learned quite a bit about what works and what does not work when you have limited funds. I'm going to discuss the basic equipment needed as well as what happens in the different phases of production. If you have an interest in making movies or maybe you've just embarked on your journey to film school, here are a few basics to starting your film making journey.

First, you need a camera and depending on if you're looking to make films professionally or home videos, they can be pretty pricey. Red Epics and Black Magic cinema cameras are great finds, for a pretty penny that is. DSLRs are perfect for beginner filmmakers because they're inexpensive compared to the thousands of dollars spent on cinema cameras. You should choose a camera that shoots in 1080pi at 24 frames per second. For a cheap find I recommend the Canon Rebel EOS T3i with a basic lens kit. A basic lens kit usually consists of an 18-55mm lens. After you've purchased your camera it's time to invest in a 3 point light kit which consists of your key light, fill light, and back light. You will also need to purchase sound equipment such as a shotgun mic that you can mount on the hot shoe mount that is on most DSLRs. You may not think lighting and sound are important to a film, but they can make or break your film. Would you rather watch a movie with a good story line but you can't see the actors' faces or actions and can't hear what they're saying? Or would you rather watch a movie that's story line isn't the best but has adequate light and sound. You should be able to see the actors and their actions clearly and you should be able to hear footsteps if the actor is walking. When you are ready to write your script start with the treatment. The treatment will help conceptualize your idea from beginning to end. Once you have done that you can start your script.

There are three phases of production: pre-production, production, and post production. Pre-production is crucial to any film as it can fall apart without it. In pre-production actors are cast, locations are scouted and secured, costumes and sets are designed, and a shooting schedule is created. If a film is a period piece such as World War II, procuring locations and costumes are an essential part of the pre-production phase since it helps place a time frame on the film. Next comes production when the film is being shot. Director and director of photography of a film is hired during pre-production but more than likely if you are a film student or a hobbyist you will be directing and filming your own movies. After everything has been filmed it's time for post-production where the film is edited into its final product. I recommend Final Cut Pro for Macs and Adobe Premiere Pro CC or the Adobe Creative Suite for editing.

If you're college students you are probably relying on your college's theater department for actors looking for experience. Your crew members probably consist of friends or fellow film majors or enthusiasts. You may not be able to afford to pay your cast and crew, but make sure to provide them with craft services i.e. food and beverages to keep them happy. Something to look out for with your film, especially if your actors or crew members are not paid, is never trust talent. I can't tell you how many times actors have not shown up on shooting days because they didn't make the film a priority since it was essentially a volunteered service. You may have to remind your actors that what they are being paid with is more valuable than money: experience.

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Tags: entertainment / films / movies and tv / the lunch box

"The Lunch Box" - A New Film Report

- Wednesday, 26 August 2015 No Comments

Conjure up a housewife, who's a pretty good cook-- with a husband that's forgotten marital affection is something he provides. What does she do? Quaint wisdom has it that the secret to a man's libido is through his taste buds... And, in Mumbai, where she now resides, there moves a vast lunch service that feeds thousands of workers each day. The way it works is fantastic to observe: Every day, men on bicycles collect prepared lunch meals from restaurants as well as single chefs (mostly house wives); and through an archaic but effective system of conveyance these box lunches get delivered to folks working in the city.

Thus the housewife in this film has contrived through this service that her husband shall eat a lunch that should fetch some "results". But-- and here's the film's foil-- her lunch gets delivered to a man who's not her husband. His name is Saajan, and he is played by Ifram Kahn. The housewife, Ila, is played by Nimrat Kaur.

...So here's Saajan-sitting at his desk in a cramped office warren-- one day opening up interlocking food cups that make him slump back with surprised pleasure as he takes in their aromas. Next comes a bemused smile as he savors each delicious spoonful. (How is this happening?) He guesses there's been a mistake. Meanwhile, Ila soon learns that it's not her husband who's the one whose heart she has touched.

Ila and Saajan start writing to each other. Ila shares with Saajan that her husband is treating her with cool distain. Saajan shares the loveless life that he leads- as a widower who shortly will retire.

The director, Ritesh Batra, has given us a gem of a virtual match that leaves us at the end-puzzled whether or not these two really get together. But, regardless, we see two hearts longing to be fulfilled-- yet, not knowing whether they're really fit for each other-- cautiously risking crushed disenchantment should their paths never quite meet in accord.

Into this film there strides a young man who is meant to take the place of Saajan, once he retires from his accounting position. His name is Shaikh, (Nawajuddin Sidoliqui); and he brings a freshness to "THE LUNCH BOX"--as an orphan might who has had to fight to make a place for himself and develop some astute moxie. Saajan rebuffs him but Shaikh refuses to let him succeed; and slowly Saajan comes to see there is fresh courage in his outlook. Shaikh even tells Saajan-neatly spilling the beans of what the theme of the film is: "Often the wrong train takes you to the right station!" (In Mumbai it's an apt saying.)

Mumbai has a population of twenty million souls. There is no question that companionship isn't lacking, but that special contact with one's own inner self is not allowed to flourish much- and even special one-on-one intimacies are hard to come by, since locals tend to mostly be in crowded situations or singular bewilderment. That these two folks find each other haphazardly in the midst of such a city counts as a miracle. Of course, there's danger, too.

I noticed with earnest surprise just how both Saajan and Ila processed their roles by showing their charged emotions through the silent movements of cautious breath-taking. I could almost see what they were singly going through by the way they were breathing.

This film is a bit slow-moving, yet it might be one for you to spend some time with.It's not an eight, but I wouldn't hesitate giving it a reflective SEVEN. You'll feel something that's "real" in it.

Creator of "The Wizard's Outrageous Scheme For Stopping Smoking", Humbler Acts reports one film every week as relaxation from his speaking and writing on stopping smoking through dream use and Seven Forces. He's American, English-educated, residing in St. Louis, MO (USA). He can be reached: humbleracts@aol.com or telephone: 314-574-7681.

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Tags: movies and tv / sherlock holmes

Sherlock Holmes in Real Life - A Character Analysis

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My name is Jenine Silos and I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes since time immemorial. And here I am thinking, what if Sherlock Holmes is real? Okay, I think that's scary. I really do.

The character of Sherlock Holmes is pretty amazing, and I must say, that the honorable writer of this fictional detective, none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is purely genius! He has written his character very well and totally impressive, even Sherlock's flaws are quite daunting. But that's for a fictional character only-no personal feelings.

First of all, who is Sherlock Holmes?

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective character created by Scottish writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock is a consulting detective, well, that's how he calls himself. Ever since his character publication in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has become one of the most historic fictional characters in the history of literature and even in mankind. Okay, that's quite exaggeration. Sherlock has then appeared in many series, short stories, and even in the movies. He has become a classical fictional celebrity.

The latest hit series, Sherlock, aired on BBC, has even become one of my favorite Sherlock series of all time. By the way, if you haven't watched it yet, you must-I'm telling you. Haha.

He's not real. That's the deal. He's just a fictional character.

But what if Sherlock is real? (a Character Analysis and Real Life Comparisons)

He's a case-freak

Sherlock Holmes loves nothing but criminal cases, well, he does care for Doctor Watson though. He can't live without a case. Imagine if you have a friend like that, or someone from your family members, I think that's a problem... it will be really awkward inside the house. Every single day he will look for a new case, and when he's bored, it's thunderstorm!

He's unsociable

I have some friends who are quite unsociable at times, but I can tolerate them. But if Sherlock is my friend then that's different story, he's unsocial skills are beyond my imagination. I might be able to tolerate a friend like Sherlock but, I really don't know how long it could last. I might end up pushing him to come out of his shells, and he might not like it.

High-functioning sociopath

In the Sherlock BBC series, Sherlock Holmes considers himself as a high-functioning sociopath. If a real person is like that in real life, I think that will be the end of my private life, goodbye my secrets-Sherlock person is here. I can't imagine my life with a person like Sherlock, who upon seeing my face will immediately deduct what has happened in my house, and that's a total bizarre.

Mind reader

It's connected to his high-functioning skills, and because he has ability like that, it is possible that he can read your mind, your thoughts. Not literally read the thoughts, but by observing your facial expressions and mannerisms, he surely can read you effortlessly. A friend like that in real life sounds amazing, and I have one in my list, and I'm telling you: it's quite scary to hang-out with this kind of person! Other people may think that having a Sherlock friend is amazing, that it's cool and awesome, however, I think the opposite. It will make you uneasy, especially of course, if you have inner secrets that no one should know. It's uncomfortable for sure!

Has a strong fascination with violins

Okay, of all Sherlock talents, this is the only thing that I have no complains in real life. Sherlock Holmes loves to play his violin, especially when he's thinking, or depressed, and I think that in real life this should not be a problem. I have a friend who is a Sherlockian, and he too, has a strong fascination with violins, and I find it: cute, cool, and simply awesome. I have a strong admiration with violinists, anyway, Lindsey Stirling to name!

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Tags: cinemas / movies / movies and tv / watch cinemas

5 Movies to Watch After a Breakup

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Break-ups are by far some of the most unpleasant situations. Regardless of whose fault it is, they leave a bitter taste. I have the perfect recipe for broken hearts: a box of ice cream, a bowl of popcorn, alcohol and these three movies:

1. The First Wives Club

 
Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton are three women who have been deserted by their husbands for younger and more beautiful women.

Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the three decide to take revenge on their unfaithful husbands. So, the deserted wives found The First Wives Club and hit men where it hurts most: the budget.

2. 500 Days of Summer

 
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel are Tom and Summer. She does not believe in soul mates and true love. He is a hopeless romantic and falls madly in love with Summer.

The two eventually get together but their relationship becomes so complicated that Tom, despite his idealism, is forced to make a choice. Even if the film does not shows their relationship chronologically, it captures the sweet beginnings of a relationship, confusion and tension and the often inevitable end.

3. Heathers

If you have not seen before Heathers with Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty you will be at least stunned. Note to self: crime is not the best way to heal a broken heart.

This film does not ooze romance, but it can teach you a very important lesson when you go through a breakup: even the nicest people that are part of your life may be very toxic and you need to get rid of them.

4. She-Devil

Ruth (Roseanne Barr) was never a beautiful woman. Instead, she was a devoted mother and wife who did everything for her husband. He leaves her for Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep), a blonde version of Sandra Brown.

Initially, Ruth is devastated, but wipes her tears and devises the perfect plan to get revenge on Bob. She makes a list of the most valuable assets of her former man and destroys them methodically, step by step: home, family, career and freedom.

Before anything, Ruth sets fire to the house and takes her kids to their "new mom". Then she gets a job at a nursing home where Mary's mother is hospitalized and here she will meet Hooper, who will help her get one step closer to her plan.

Ruth and her friend establish Vesta Rose, a recruitment agency that helps disadvantaged women to find a job and get back on their feet. During this time, she successfully terminates her revenge plan against the unfaithful husband.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Mind Spotless

Joel is an introverted man who falls for Clementine, a free-spirited woman with a very strong personality. Despite the differences between the two, they love each other and make a couple. After two years, their relationship deteriorates after a big fight, they break up.

Filled with anger, Clementine turns to the services of a company specializing in erasing memory, as she wants to forget all the details of their romance. Disappointed by this, Joel does the same. However, somewhere in the subconscious, he regretted the decision and will keep a memory of Clementine and this will completely change the story.

The lesson you can learn from the movie is that you cannot remove anyone from your life, nor is it healthy. You have to accept the past and make peace with it, or else it will affect your future.
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Tags: movies / movies and tv / music / music band

The Fastest Way for a Singer to Form A Band

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You're a singer-songwriter with a new CD and a CD release party to plan, and the musicians on the CD aren't available. Or you're a jazz or pop singer with a polished repertoire, ready to play some gigs, have some fun and make a little money. You need a band, so you hook up with some part-time musicians probably friends or friends of friends]. Rehearsal space is expensive and, with amateur musicians, the rehearsal process is too inefficient and frustratingly long. But it's feasible to form a band with limited rehearsal time and space. First, you need to hire an experienced music arranger to assemble a "book" of written charts (sheet music) of your songs. Then you need to find competent, professional musicians who can sight-read your charts.

Putting The Book Together

The music arranger will listen to recordings of each song in your repertoire [MP3s, YouTube links or CDs and transcribe the form of the song, including the chords, rhythm section shots or punches, important bass or melody lines, intros and endings, metronome markings, visual cues and any other information necessary to the performance of the song.The music should be transcribed to notation software (Sibelius and Finale are the most popular) and can be exported to PDF files and mailed to you electronically. Once saved to software the charts can be easily modified by the arranger (changing key, for example). For a rhythm section-only band (guitar, bass drums, keys) a single rhythm section chart is often sufficient and far less expensive than scoring separately for those instruments. The arranger will send you one copy, and you print one for each instrument in the band.

Although many musicians can scratch out a chord chart, it's important to find an experienced music arranger to write your book. An arranger needs a good working knowledge of the instruments he's writing for, so as not to write something the instrument can't play. It's also important that the chart is easily playable for most professionals... too much info can make the chart hard to play.

A poorly written chart can be a disaster. Take care to find the right arranger. Ask for references, listen to audio samples of his/her work. Most music arrangers charge by the hour for custom music arrangements. An average rhythm chart should cost between $40-$50 Canadian.

Finding Qualified Musicians

First decide on the instrumentation of your band. I recommend you keep it small, i.e. a duo, trio or quartet. Start by finding a qualified pianist or guitarist as music director/ contractor (to hire the remainder of the band). Consult with him/her regarding the style of music you wish to play and the budget for the musicians. A jazz singer will often play as a duo with only the piano or guitar as accompaniment. This person will direct rehearsal (if there is one), and, on stage, count in the tunes, direct endings and lead the band through the performance (so you can just sing). He/she may also be helpful in finding a suitable sound system to rent, if need be. Your music director should be paid a leader's fee, Your local musicians' union can help you determine fees for the leader and sidemen.

Where to Find Your Musicians

Ask the union. The Canadian Federation of Musicians [or American Federation of Musicians] has a local office with jurisdiction in your region. Contact them for a list or referral of qualified players. Tell them what style(s) you're playing and what instruments you're looking for. They can also tell you what the pay scale is for rehearsal and the type of gig you've booked. Sometimes you can get away with an unpaid rehearsal, it doesn't hurt to ask your music director. In my region (Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec), side men pay is $100-ish for a 3 hour call in a bar or restaurant, $160 or more for a private function.

Hiring Musicians

Once you've found your music director/contractor, it's time to book the band. You can let your contractor make the calls to the side men or do it yourself. You can have them pencil it in until the date is confirmed (signed contract and 50% deposit with the client). Until it's official, the players are not committed to your gig, and you're not committed to pay them. But when it's signed and sealed and you've confirmed with the band, you're on the hook for their pay.

Ready to Go

Once you have your book together and have established a relationship with the musicians, you'll be ready to gig at the drop of a hat. As you play more shows the band will become more comfortable with the repertoire, and new songs can be added easily as your arranger charts new tunes for you. Of course, the musicians you've used in the past may not always be available, but they should be able to book qualified substitutes if they can't make a gig, and you'll get to know many of your area's best musicians.

Peter Foret is a music arranger, composer, guitarist and singer based in Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec. He has written charts for dozens of jazz and pop vocalists, horn section arrangements for rock bands and orchestral arrangements for theater shows. Peter creates beautiful custom written music arrangements for clients from around the world.
For more information about the writing process, and to see and hear examples visit http://peterforet.com/wp/index.php/music-arrangements-for-vocalists/

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Tags: movies and tv / multi dimensional cinemas

Multi Dimensional Cinemas - The Technical Edge

- Tuesday, 25 August 2015 No Comments

The turn of the century has given entertainment gurus plenty to be happy about. With more innovations being bundled together by the day, the entertainment industry has seen a surge in technology that offers a whole new experience to the audiences. Multi dimensional movies have become the latest to tag in line with this in the present - day. With state of the art technology being used, the quality of cinema viewing has been enhanced multi folds.

The Experience

Marketing is all about how you make someone feel and this is very evident in the entertainment industry as well. 7 D cinemas have been created having this concept in mind which makes the audiences feel the video on the screen rather than making it just another viewing experience. High definition multi dimensional cinemas work with experience as the focal point and hence have been successful in making an impact with their audiences.

Innovative Seats

The experience begins with the comfortable seats that have six degrees of freedom control with 12 directions, 36 combinations and 72 movements in all. Just by the look at these numbers, one can understand the kind of impact these hydraulic movement seats can offer to the audiences. This offers the experience that the audience looks forward to - they move with the video shown on the screen, a flying experience is made more realistic with the seat movements that offer the feel of a true flight. Sudden jerks, swaying movements to imitate those of the waves, the experience of hanging on the top railing of a giant wheel or walking on the edge of the canyon, is made more realistic thanks to these seats.

The Stereo Effect

If the seats are a wonderful experience then the sound is no match. The stereo effects in a multi dimensional cinema offers some add-ons that makes the experience more thrilling and entertaining. The digital effects enhances the physical experience of the seats and with synchronization with the video and the seats, it offers a complete package. Though the stereo in the present - day regular movie viewing is enhanced, the experience is completely different in a 7 D cinema theater as the audiences are relatively lesser here and hence the stereo effect is enhanced.

Environmental Effects

In the digital age, there is seldom anything that creates an impact unless and until the target audience senses it. With the innovative designs of multi dimensional cinema, this feature is enhanced. The environmental effects are a definite add-on to the digital cinema experience. It offers a complete package with special effects such as the water sprays, snow fall, air turbines, seat vibrations, etc. all adding value to the viewing audience. These environmental effects are synchronized with what is being shown on the screen thereby offering an unbelievable and realistic effect.

Sudden light flashes in the theater hall followed by heavy sound, imitates lightning and thunder. Water sprays replicate rain drizzles and milder sprays are used to experience sneeze. The air turbines work wonders at making the audiences feel the gust of wind on their faces during a walk at a high mountain peak or a parasailing or parachuting experience. The seat vibrators and ticklers are used to imitate effects of walking through tall grass, or a pit of slimy snakes, a very old house full of cobwebs, pushing through the bushes in a garden, being part of a road accident, etc.

The special snow effect where there are tiny pieces of snowflakes falling into the theater can replicate a walk in one of the higher peaks of the world. The bubble machine helps to create bubbles all over the theater hall replicating a bath tub or the bubble land. The environmental effects make 7 D and 5 D cinema viewing a whole new experience for the audience. All this is synchronized with the plot of the video that is screened making it very realistic for the viewers. It is said that the human body remembers muscle and sensory memory more than emotional memories. Hence those effects that triggers the sensory organs puts cinema viewing on a pedestal.

The Edge

Such experiences are yet to be replicated on the silver screen and hence it can be said that the 7 D and 5 D cinema has a definite technical edge over it. It may not take too long for the big boys of the entertainment industry to follow suit. On an investment perspective this offers definite returns and is also business conducive. Any businessman who wants to do something special in the entertainment industry, while ensuring healthy returns on investment multi dimensional theater can be a blind fold choice.

Space constraints are never a problem here which is a huge and definite advantage as a small hall is good enough to host one screening. It is important to know all the options before choosing to commence a multi dimensional movie theater. A quick look at websites such as http://www.bca.co.in/blog/ can help in understanding the options on hand. With shopping malls becoming entertainment venues in the present day, a small space is good enough to house a multi dimensional theater unlike the regular theater models thereby offering an edge in more ways than one.

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