Showing posts with label A Closer Look. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Closer Look. Show all posts
Rising From Infancy
TOLO TV runs like any other TV network, but to imagine that it just launched in 2004 and in Afghanistan...well that is just amazing.
As Afghanistan was developing, the first independent television station was born. A family that left The Network has the unique opportunity to follow a television company that grows from day 1.
the country during war was back to return to their roots and bring them programming that they found in the rest of the world. After launching in 2004,
The infancy has people who started in radio, transitioning to become TV personalities.
The growth includes the hiring of outsiders to help train the Afghan people about what it takes to grow.
And during the current growth cycle they are now employing over 800 Afgahns and producing news, current affairs, dramas, comedies and music and lifestyle programs. But trouble is looming for TOLO TV as foreign troops are beginning to leave the country and before the film is over, the fledgling network will be confronted head on by the changes by issues that many United States television networks don't need to confront.
I really found it eye opening. As someone who has done television appearances for years now, The Network shows an operation that at it's heart has TV people in charge, but has such a diverse group of challenges that are unique to their situation.
The change in women's rights in Afghanistan has women taking on non-traditional roles for a country that has made women secondary (roles that those in America take for granted).
They not only struggle to keep the best and the brightest, but they struggle to keep them in Aghanistan period!
And on top of that, the middle of a war torn area leads to challenges that will breakdown even the hardest nosed reporters.
Media fans, and fans of this unique type of film need to check it out. I found myself enthralled with the story and the ability to look at a kind of birth to teen type of feel. Check out The Network in NY and LA now, and on VOD on 10/8.
The Network
Director: Eva Ormer
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TOLO TV runs like any other TV network, but to imagine that it just launched in 2004 and in Afghanistan...well that is just amazing.As Afghanistan was developing, the first independent television station was born. A family that left The Network has the unique opportunity to follow a television company that grows from day 1.
the country during war was back to return to their roots and bring them programming that they found in the rest of the world. After launching in 2004,
The infancy has people who started in radio, transitioning to become TV personalities.
The growth includes the hiring of outsiders to help train the Afghan people about what it takes to grow.
And during the current growth cycle they are now employing over 800 Afgahns and producing news, current affairs, dramas, comedies and music and lifestyle programs. But trouble is looming for TOLO TV as foreign troops are beginning to leave the country and before the film is over, the fledgling network will be confronted head on by the changes by issues that many United States television networks don't need to confront.
I really found it eye opening. As someone who has done television appearances for years now, The Network shows an operation that at it's heart has TV people in charge, but has such a diverse group of challenges that are unique to their situation.
The change in women's rights in Afghanistan has women taking on non-traditional roles for a country that has made women secondary (roles that those in America take for granted).
They not only struggle to keep the best and the brightest, but they struggle to keep them in Aghanistan period!
And on top of that, the middle of a war torn area leads to challenges that will breakdown even the hardest nosed reporters.
Media fans, and fans of this unique type of film need to check it out. I found myself enthralled with the story and the ability to look at a kind of birth to teen type of feel. Check out The Network in NY and LA now, and on VOD on 10/8.
The Network
Director: Eva Ormer
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| Submit The Documentary |
We all think our kids are safe.
We all think that our kids online friends are tame and do nothing wrong.
We are wrong.
Submit The Documentary takes a look at bullying. Not the kind of bullying that occurs with a punch or a slap. This is the kind of bullying that gets inside of a kids head. And this can be lethal.
Behind the anonymity of a computer screen it is easy to become something you are not. Look at the numbers of adults that get scammed daily with a "Send Me Money" email, or "You are a winner, just send me $500 to claim your prize" emails. They get taken even though they know better.
Now look at your 12, 13, 14 year old sitting next to you. They have much less general street sense than a 45 year old individual. And they are getting taken by people posing as their friends, and then turning to bully them.
In the film we meet more than one parent with children that were bullied so bad online that they have met the ultimate demise.
We meet experts that desperately try to impart the knowledge that this bullying exists AND that it is more threatening than a push on the playground.
And we meet kids that think it's ok to post things online that aren't true. Things that they wouldn't say in person to someone get typed on a computer screen and get seen by more people than ever before.
Submit The Documentary is on a mission. A mission to enlighten parents and kids around the world.
They believe in their mission so much that they are doing everything they can to get the word out about this film.
I count myself privileged to have been able to experience the film. As a parent of a 9 year old daughter - this time is approaching my life at warp speed. I'm grateful to have had my eyes reopened. I know the online wilderness - but not every parent does. And Submit The Documentary will help EVERY parent become more vigilant and aware of the pitfalls of social media.
Social Media is NOT inherently bad -- but it can be used for both good and bad. It's up to the adults to help kids navigate the minefield and express our love for them. We need to support and be nosy where it is needed. But the key is we need to educate those kids!
To the boys out there -- no girl really wants to see your junk, DON'T text it / instagram it/ Vine it/ Facebook it / Tweet it or ANYTHING ELSE.
To the girls out there -- EVERY BOY really wants to see your junk, DON'T text it / instagram it/ Vine it/ Facebook it / Tweet it or ANYTHING ELSE.
Be good to each other! Together we can make the online environment a better place.
And THANKS to the folks behind Submit The Documentary for a really enlightening piece that is easy to understand.
If you have kids on social media, you NEED to see this film.
Visit the film's website at SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTARY to see upcoming screenings and other ways to get the word out on this important film.
I’ve seen a number of colleagues that I trust and read on a regular basis wonder aloud how a sensational title like Warrior couldn’t stand up to its box office competition.
While I don’t have all the answers, I can offer at least one possible reason – with a little bit to back things up.
Despite all the raves from my friends in the film business on both costs, Warrior was not show to those of us in Middle America. For some reason folks forget that there are a lot of us in the middle of the country that buy a lot of movie tickets.
It’s funny, but despite the large word of mouth population out here, studios sometimes think they don’t need the middle of the country.
Sure I do TV and radio in multiple markets, including the bigger markets of St. Louis and Seattle, and yet there are a number of films that aren’t offered for review.
It isn’t a perfect plan, but let’s look at the opening weekends.
Warrior opened to $5.2+ which would be a smaller number than over 80 other films saw during their opening weekend. (That is just a number, doesn’t talk to how good or bad the film is, just that it seems to have missed the opportunities it may have had).
What other movies didn’t screen for middle America? Mr. Popper’s Penguins ($18.4 million), Water for Elephants ($16.8 million) and The Lincoln Lawyer ($13.2 million) were all movies that did ok, but could have done better with some additional exposure. In fact they were, as of this writing, the 32nd, 35th and 36th highest grossing films of the year.
But then there were those that really missed the boat. Colombiana ($10.4 million), Season of the Witch ($10.6 million), Monte Carlo ($7.4 million) and Glee The 3D Concert Movie ($5.96 million) all got some return, but were all films that would have been helped the working class middle of the country crowd.
In fact I saw very little promotion for Warrior here in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. No screenings, no free press, no reviews leads to little box office. Well at least Warrior beat Bucky Larson (another non-screened film, but probably for traditional reasons). Bucky got to 1.41 – million that is for it’s opening weekend.
I love movies, and no film needs to screen for me or anyone in middle America. I just want the good ones to do well, and it seems that screening the film is a good idea for the bottom line and well being of the best that are out there.
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A Closer Look – The China Question
So with the 4th of July just in our rear view mirrors, I thought it was the perfect time to post a closer look at the new DVD, The China Question from filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga.
When the topic of China comes up, many people immediately tune out. Anything to do with foreign relations is an immediate disconnect with an entire group of people. But even that group of people could understand and find The China Question interesting.
Silva-Braga does a slick job of making foreign relations and trade interesting. And that’s not an easy thing! He takes things into account with the perspective of his mother. After noticing that everything she looked at was made in China, even an Uncle Sam doll, she makes the conscious decision to stop buying things made in China. It’s her one way to make a difference, but will she?
The Director begins a more than one year journey between the plants and facilities in China and the former plants and facilities in the USA. He asks regular average people simple questions like, “Where do you think your hat was made?” Hats that proclaim Texas pride, US pride and some of the biggest US consumer products all have the same result, made in China. But it wasn’t always that way. There have been US hat makers as well, but their presence has dwindled when compared to the Chinese dominance of the consumer product.
The film also looks at simple things that are the difference between Chinese and American politics. The different controls of the media and so much more are covered in this tight documentary. Sure now that I’m even talking about this, I may have diminished my abilities to be read in the massive country.
But the questions are real and fair? What is the influence of China on the USA and what can anyone do about it?
How can we engage a population that doesn’t want to deal with real questions?
Brook Silva-Braga does a solid job of making a tough topic enjoyable and interesting. With the global marketplace that we live in, it makes sense to at least sneak a peek at this fascinating documentary. Maybe you too will take a stand much like that of Nancy Silva or maybe not, but you owe it to
yourself to get informed on the situation.
The China Question
Visit - http://thechinaquestion.com
Not Rated – 86 MIN
Directed by: Brook Silva-Braga
Narrated by: Brook Silva-Braga
Available NOW on Blu Ray and DVD.
READ MORE
So with the 4th of July just in our rear view mirrors, I thought it was the perfect time to post a closer look at the new DVD, The China Question from filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga.
When the topic of China comes up, many people immediately tune out. Anything to do with foreign relations is an immediate disconnect with an entire group of people. But even that group of people could understand and find The China Question interesting.
Silva-Braga does a slick job of making foreign relations and trade interesting. And that’s not an easy thing! He takes things into account with the perspective of his mother. After noticing that everything she looked at was made in China, even an Uncle Sam doll, she makes the conscious decision to stop buying things made in China. It’s her one way to make a difference, but will she?
The Director begins a more than one year journey between the plants and facilities in China and the former plants and facilities in the USA. He asks regular average people simple questions like, “Where do you think your hat was made?” Hats that proclaim Texas pride, US pride and some of the biggest US consumer products all have the same result, made in China. But it wasn’t always that way. There have been US hat makers as well, but their presence has dwindled when compared to the Chinese dominance of the consumer product.
The film also looks at simple things that are the difference between Chinese and American politics. The different controls of the media and so much more are covered in this tight documentary. Sure now that I’m even talking about this, I may have diminished my abilities to be read in the massive country.
But the questions are real and fair? What is the influence of China on the USA and what can anyone do about it?
How can we engage a population that doesn’t want to deal with real questions?
Brook Silva-Braga does a solid job of making a tough topic enjoyable and interesting. With the global marketplace that we live in, it makes sense to at least sneak a peek at this fascinating documentary. Maybe you too will take a stand much like that of Nancy Silva or maybe not, but you owe it to
yourself to get informed on the situation.
The China Question
Visit - http://thechinaquestion.com
Not Rated – 86 MIN
Directed by: Brook Silva-Braga
Narrated by: Brook Silva-Braga
Available NOW on Blu Ray and DVD.
A Closer Look – Fubar: Balls to the Wall
I get emails constantly on a variety of films, some of which I get a chance to look at, and others that I do not. When the note showed up in my inbox on Fubar I jumped on it.
Fubar: Balls to the Wall is the story of Terry and Deaner. They are two friends that are always up to rock the house and drink everyone under the table. But when reality starts to set in on these friends, it’s time to get a job. So they set off further into the great white north and realize this work stuff may just lead to a future change in direction.
Fubar is not for everyone. Language is harsh and frequent from the get go and could turn off those who aren’t willing to give the film a chance.
I went to school with Terry and Deaner. I know the type, and always wondered what happened next. Terry and Deaner try to show us a possible solution to that question. I felt right at home with the characters that were created for this film. They really resonate with me in this film. The trials they encounter make a lot of sense to anyone who knows characters like these two rockers .
Fubar stats slow, but gains steam as the film progresses. The jokes are raw, and harsh at times. But the emotion feels real and unfettered, and for that it serves as a success. Plus the music is truly Balls to the Wall, so much so that I can imagine Accept singing to Terry and Deaner.
The new release Blu Ray gives you a slew of deleted scenes and a commentary track.
Fubar: Balls to the Wall
Rated R – 85 MIN
Directed by: Michael Dowse
Starring: Dave Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Terra Hazelton
Available 4/19 on Blu ray Disc and DVD.
READ MORE
I get emails constantly on a variety of films, some of which I get a chance to look at, and others that I do not. When the note showed up in my inbox on Fubar I jumped on it.
Fubar: Balls to the Wall is the story of Terry and Deaner. They are two friends that are always up to rock the house and drink everyone under the table. But when reality starts to set in on these friends, it’s time to get a job. So they set off further into the great white north and realize this work stuff may just lead to a future change in direction.
Fubar is not for everyone. Language is harsh and frequent from the get go and could turn off those who aren’t willing to give the film a chance.
I went to school with Terry and Deaner. I know the type, and always wondered what happened next. Terry and Deaner try to show us a possible solution to that question. I felt right at home with the characters that were created for this film. They really resonate with me in this film. The trials they encounter make a lot of sense to anyone who knows characters like these two rockers .
Fubar stats slow, but gains steam as the film progresses. The jokes are raw, and harsh at times. But the emotion feels real and unfettered, and for that it serves as a success. Plus the music is truly Balls to the Wall, so much so that I can imagine Accept singing to Terry and Deaner.
The new release Blu Ray gives you a slew of deleted scenes and a commentary track.
Fubar: Balls to the Wall
Rated R – 85 MIN
Directed by: Michael Dowse
Starring: Dave Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Terra Hazelton
Available 4/19 on Blu ray Disc and DVD.