#Gold Coast Indie Filmmakers | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

delightfulchildfart · 1 year

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Unlocking Opportunities: Extra Work on the Gold Coast and Actor Work in Australia

Welcome to Actors and Extras Sites, the premier Australian resource for aspiring actors and extras.

Actor Employment in Australia

The film and television industries are growing in Australia, a country known for its varied landscapes. It has become a sought-after place for performers worldwide thanks to its beautiful scenery, talented staff, and internationally acclaimed shows.

Acting Opportunities: Australia provides a variety of acting opportunities, including parts in films, television shows, plays, and advertisements. The range of productions includes low-budget indie films and high-profile blockbusters. You may access auditions, casting calls, and industry connections by utilising Actors and Extras Sites, increasing your chances of getting a part that matches your skills and career goals.

Training Programmes and Schools for Actors:

The right training is essential if you want to succeed in the demanding field of acting. Reputable acting schools and training programmes that offer thorough education and guidance are located throughout Australia. In addition to honing your acting abilities, these institutions provide networking opportunities and exposure to professionals in the field.

Extra Work on the Gold Coast

Australia's Queensland state is home to the thriving film and television production centre known as The Extra work Gold Coast. It has been a popular destination for aspiring extras due to its breathtaking beaches, exciting nightlife, and flourishing entertainment sector.

The Gold Coast Film Industry: Thanks to its stunning scenery and adaptable locations, the Gold Coast has established a reputation as a top filmmaking site. Due to the beauty of the area, films like "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Aquaman" have made use of it, making it a desirable location for both domestic and foreign filmmakers.

Extra Opportunities: Working as an extra is a great way to break into the entertainment business. You can participate in high-profile film and television productions as an Actor work Australia and useful on-set experience. To fully immerse yourself in the world of filmmaking, The Gold Coast offers a broad variety of supplementary work, like as crowd scenes, background roles, and stand-ins.

Networking and Connections: Casting directors, agencies, and production firms on the Gold Coast can be reached through actors and extras websites. You can boost your chances of finding additional extra employment and possible speaking positions by developing relationships inside the business.

Conclusion

Australia offers many possibilities for performers and extras to follow their goals due to its growing film and television industries. Actors and Extras Sites is your go-to resource for finding success, whether you're looking for acting employment all over the country or want to launch your career as an extra on the exciting Gold Coast.

Don't pass up the chance to show off your skills and join the intriguing Australian entertainment industry, aspirant actors and extras. Actors and Extras Sites are a great place to start your quest!

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onestowatch · 3 years

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The Top 21 Artists to Watch in 2021

In a world where the only universal certainty seems to be opening every email with “hope you’re doing well,” the only other surefire guarantee is that there will continue to be new music worth discovering. And, we figured with the start of a new year, what better way to say to spend the waking hours of 2021 than introduce you to a few of the artists we currently have a close eye on. Often genreless and belonging to Gen Z, these are the 21 artists we are watching in 2021.

spill tab

youtube

Where to Start: “Calvaire”

In her breakout single “Calvaire,” spill tab sings in French over an intoxicating backbeat. The effect is akin to a spell, ushering into existence something inherently danceable and transfixing, like an Angèle B-side finding new life as a Billie Eilish cut. It is a standout moment that would be followed by similar standout moments in the form of a series of varied singles, culminating in spill tab’s debut EP, Oatmilk. Short and sweet, the four-song collection holds all the promise of a 2021 artist to watch.

Joesef

youtube

Where to Start: “The Sun Is Up Forever”

Emerging from the fog of Glasgow, Scotland, Joesef’s marriage of heartbreak, desire, regret, hope, and sublime joy is nothing short of intoxicating. Immediately making an impression with his tender, heartfelt croon, the Glasgow artist’s songs soon give way to emotionally rife personal recollections–some beautiful in their understated minimalism, some breathtaking in their expansive scope. Whatever the setting, the result is always the same–a passionate, shared moment you will not be forgetting anytime soon.

brakence

youtube

Where to Start: “dropout”

Self-described as “self-care punk,” brakence effortlessly pairs the unmatched energy of punk with an impressive showing of vulnerability. While the past few years saw the Ohio native experiment over a range of singles and on his debut album, 2020 was without a doubt the year he found his sound in the noteworthy punk2. Blending Midwest emo, trap production, hip-hop, and alternative, brakence’s sophomore effort is a masterclass in infectious emotional catharsis.

Mustafa

youtube

Where to Start: “Stay Alive”

Few artists embody the sentiment of music as poetry as emphatically as Mustafa. First leaving a mark with 2020’s “Stay Alive,” Mustafa introduced himself to the world with a breathtaking, earth-shattering ballad rife with impassioned emotional imagery. Soft-spoken but never lacking for impact, the poet, activist, filmmaker, and songwriter brings to life the lived realities of Toronto’s Regent Park, a public housing project that shaped Mustafa into the once in a lifetime artist he is today.

Holly Humberstone

youtube

Where to Start: “Falling Asleep At The Wheel”

In her 2020 debut EP, Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Holly Humberstone proves herself a master at crafting a palpable atmosphere. Rife with emotional highs and cathartic lows, all backed by Humberstone’s magnetic and graceful songwriting, the British artist lays her heart on her sleeve and in turn lays the groundwork for a debut offering poised to stand the test of time. It is no mere hyperbole to say that Humberstone is an artist to watch out for not only in 2021 but in the years to come.

AG Club

youtube

Where to Start: “Memphis”

The initial comparison of AG Club to collectives like BROCKHAMPTON and A$AP may be an easy one to draw, but a single listen tells another story. While the genreless Bay Area collective may radiate the same rapturous energy of the aforementioned groups, AG Club is clearly riding high on their own wavelength. Aiming to make hip-hop but not as you know it, the idiosyncratic collective made their vision clear with the release of 2020’s Halfway Off the Porch, an electrifying amalgamation of disparate genres, sights, sounds, and moods.

347aidan

youtube

Where to Start: “Dancing in My Room”

Euphoric, difficult to perfectly define, and haphazardly brilliant, aidan347 embodies the adventurousness and inventiveness of Gen Z. The project of 17-year-old Aidan Fuller, the Cambridge, Ontario native has spent the past five years making music. Yet at the beginning of 2020, the Cambridge artist had less than three thousand monthly listeners; now, that number sits well above five million. A testament to 347aidan’s tenacity, his devoted fanbase, and the power of a TikTok-fueled viral hit–arriving in the form of “Dancing in My Room”–it really feels we are only witnessing the prologue of what’s to come.

Frances Forever

youtube

Where to Start: “Space Girl”

When thinking of music’s future stars, what better place to look than to the galactic, lovelorn musings of Frances Forever. Making less of a splash and more of a tidal wave with the release of “Space Girl” late last year, the Boston bedroom artist’s ode to intergalactic love has been rapidly climbing the TikTok and indie charts. Now signed to Mom+Pop records, Frances Forever is more than ready to shoot for the stars and beyond in 2021.

Hope Tala

youtube

Where to Start: “Lovestained”

Hope Tala is impossible to ignore. A West Londoner to her core, the UK singer-songwriter finds inspiration in everything from ‘90s movies, classic literature, to the constantly changing world around her. Transforming what feels like a lifetime, and some, of inspiration into an undeniably spellbinding fusion of R&B and bossa nova, Hope Tala’s musings of daydreams, heartache, and fear are the sort ready to define a generation’s ails, joys, and mundane triumphs and anxieties. Universal in scope yet deeply personal, Hope Tala is without doubt an artist to keep your eye on in 2021.

youtube

Where to Start: “Take Me Your Heart Is”

Q, much like his name, is an anomaly. Releasing one album a year since 2018, the ineffable soul and R&B artist has somehow coasted under the radar in spite of releasing some of the most breathtaking music out there. And with the release of 2020’s The Shave Experiment, Q feels like he’s finally stepping into the much-deserved limelight. Leading with the striking “Take Me Your Heart Is,” Q brought to life a nostalgic, hyper-emotive track sure to stop you in your tracks. Hopefully, it’s one of many to come.

Claire Rosinkranz

youtube

Where to Start: “Backyard Boy”

16-year-old Claire Rosinkranz has been making music for the better part of her life, and 2020 was the year that scribbling down lyrics and helping her father compose music for TV shows and ad jingles paid off in a major way. The California native’s single, “Backyard Boy,” taken from her debut EP, BeVerly Hills BoYfRiEnd, soon became a TikTok hit, racking up over 80 million streams to date, on Spotify alone. If there are two things to look out for in 2021, make sure it’s your mental wellbeing and Claire’s euphoric self-dubbed “alternative-blues-pop.”

KennyHoopla

youtube

Where to Start: “how will i rest in peace if i'm buried by a highway?//”

KennyHoopla is nothing if not electrifying. The alternative, punk, and ‘80s new wave-evoking artist moves through each track with a sense of world-ending hunger, jumping from one ensuing mosh pit to the next. It is a balancing act of new wave nostalgia and genuine inventive alternative that results in a maelstrom of palpable excitement. To best experience this cathartic form of self-expression firsthand, look no further than his debut EP, last year’s how will i rest in peace if i'm buried by a highway?//. No one is quite making music like KennyHoopla, in 2021 or beyond.

MICHELLE

youtube

Where to Start: “THE BOTTOM”

New York collective MICHELLE deftly imbues the sincerity of soul and R&B into a uniquely tender pop outlook, and the result is nothing short of infectious. The project of six predominantly queer POC individuals, the group originally earned widespread critical acclaim for their 2018 album HEATWAVE, but it was arguably their subsequent signing with Atlantic Records last year that has them set to be one of 2021’s most promising acts. Quickly making the most of their newfound major label status, MICHELLE released “Sunrise,” the sonic equivalent of the first rays of light breaking through the clouds, signaling the end of a rainy day. It’s safe to say the future is looking bright for MICHELLE.

glaive

youtube

Where to Start: “eyesore”

Few artists define and defy the label of hyperpop as readily as glaive. Falling somewhere between 100 gecs and the second coming of mid-2000s pop punk, the newly-signed Interscope artist released his major debut label EP, cypress grove, earlier this year. Yet before finding a home at Interscope, glaive’s official discography only stretched back as far as 2020. Making the most of a year we all would rather soon forget, the 15-year-old wunderkind showcased to the world a continual musical evolution that is looking to only further pick up steam in the coming year.

Claud

youtube

Where to Start: “Wish You Were Gay”

From opening for Clairo to releasing a steady stream of resonant singles, Claud has spent the last couple of years making a name for themselves in the indie music world, but 2020 saw arguably their biggest breakthrough moment yet. With the release of “Gold,” Claud became the first artist signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records. Arriving as the first taste of their upcoming debut album, Super Monster, 2021 is looking absolutely golden for Claud. And not to mention the fact they recently started a band with Clairo and friends.

María Isabel

youtube

Where to Start: “The 1”

Where has María Isabel been all our lives? First making herself known with the release of “The 1,” an ode to long-distance relationships, which soon became more prophetic than we ever could have imagined, the debut single served as lovely an introduction as they come. Thankfully, we would not have to wait too long to hear more dreamlike R&B from María, who graced us with her debut EP, Stuck in the Sky shortly thereafter. Uniquely heartfelt and velvety smooth, María’s voice is just the thing to carry you through 2021.

Remi Wolf

youtube

Where to Start: “Photo ID”

The past couple of years have seen avant-garde pop wunderkind Remi Wolf test the waters with one out of this world single after another, and 2020 felt like the year everything finally fell into place. Arriving on the Bay Area native’s sophomore album, I’m Allergic To Dogs!, “Photo ID,” and its unafraid, in your face anti pop mentality cemented itself as a surefire hit, and TikTok soon took notice. Serving as a testament to Remi Wolf’s mainstream appeal in spite of her outsider approach, “Photo ID” merely set the stage for what is to come.

PawPaw Rod

youtube

Where to Start: “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS”

PawPaw Rod may be the only artist on this list with only one single to their name, but in no way does that disqualify him from being an artist to watch in 2021. Releasing his debut single, “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS,” out into the ether, the Los Angeles artist immediately landed on something special. Blending elements of hip-hop, funk, and alternative under a mellow, syrupy flow, PawPaw Rod wasted no time in setting himself apart from the pack. And with godmode–the same development company that brought us Yaeji, Channel Tres, LoveLeo, and more–it is safe to say that this is only the beginning.

Evann Mcintosh

youtube

Where to Start: “WIYULD”

In her dreamlike take on alternative R&B, Evann Mcintosh attempts to capture the turbulent act of coming-of-age. At times delicate to the touch and at times emanating a self-assured confidence well beyond her 16 years of age, Evann Mcintosh’s 2019 debut album, MOJO, laid the groundwork for an act whose promise knows no bounds. It was a promise she made good on during the tail end of 2020, with the release of singles “WIYULD” and “BULL$HIT.” Showing off two different sides of her continued musical growth, 2021 has us all the more excited for what Evann has in store.

Serena Isioma

youtube

Where to Start: “Sensitive”

In her breakout single, “Sensitive,” Serena Isioma fuses modern-day R&B and woozy indie pop with reckless abandon. The outcome is a song that not only sounds quite unlike anything else out there, but one whose own vibe seems to shift and evolve from one moment to the next. It is an electrifying opening moment that begins to define the Isioma’s artistry and her debut EP, Sensitive. The first of two EPs the Chicago-based artist would release in 2020, it is hard not to feel like Isioma is already in the process of creating a one-of-a-kind discography.

Blu DeTiger

youtube

Where to Start: “Figure It Out”

Whether you know her as the touring bassist for acts like FLETCHER and Caroline Polachek or as the TikTok famous bassist, the fact of the matter is that Blu DeTiger is an artist you need to know. A bassist since age seven and crowned the “coolest DJ around” by Vogue, the New York native’s music skirts the realms of funk, indie, and dance. Unmistakable, nonchalantly cool, and unsurprisingly bass-heavy, you deserve doing yourself the favor of diving headfirst into Blu DeTiger’s music. Just be sure to come up for air, when you’re ready.

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maryxglz · 7 years

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LOS ANGELES—“I always wear leather these days,” Tom Hiddleston quipped with a laugh as he strode in, tall and resplendent with long, flowing hair and Loki’s blue and black soft leather costume, complete with a cape.

He was on a break from filming “Thor: Ragnarok” at the Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland in October last year. Earlier, we watched Tom and Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster) shoot a scene in a colorful set.

“This is not my own hair, no,” he clarified with a grin. In contrast, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) surprised us with a short haircut in his return as Thor. “Chris doesn’t have to come in as early in the morning as I do,” Tom said. Is he jealous? “Chris just gets an hour more sleep than I do, but that’s OK,” he answered.

The London native sat down for a chat as he ate an orange and drank bottled sparkling water. There’s a playful mood in the studio which Tom credited to director Taika Waititi and costar Jeff Goldblum. The New Zealand filmmaker, noted for his small movies, is a refreshing choice to direct this third installment of the “Thor” franchise.

Tom and Chris are joined in the cast by Idris Elba, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tessa Thompson, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.

Excerpts from our conversation:

Since we are on the set, what has been this day like for you, so far? Do you thrive in a grueling shooting schedule? I love what I do. I’m lucky to call this a job. In the scheme of things, a day’s work as an actor can’t be called grueling. I do get up very early, but that’s just the nature of how things are run because with Taika on this particular film, we like to shoot between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

I have to be ready to shoot at 7:30 a.m. so I’ve got to get all of this (hair and makeup) on before then. I get up to train because that’s the only time I have. So I get up at about 3 a.m. but I go to bed early.

At what time? Oh, it depends. If I’m shooting regularly, it’s easy to put myself to bed at around 8 p.m.

How long does the hair and makeup take? It takes a while because I don’t look like this underneath. There are little intricacies. I’m supported by the most incredible team that has done my hair, makeup and costume for some time. They take pride in their precision, and I depend on them. It takes about two and half or three hours. We’ve all seen films where a misplaced wig will take you out of the film.

How do hair, costume and makeup help you? The costume is always helpful. They’re big, structured, heavy costumes with capes, shoulder blades and body armor. It makes you stand in a different way—you stand up straight so you carry yourself differently than when you’re wearing jeans and a T-shirt. All of it is helpful. There’s something about these gloves—they feel like fighting gloves. It’s like armor. Loki is so protected.

The hair and makeup is helpful, too. It helps put me right back into place. The costumes are so brilliantly designed in this film because the designers have to replicate two-dimensional comic-book art, which is very colorful and often practically impossible. And yet, they manage to do it.

I’m not just standing in the costume, but fighting and running in it, doing tumbles and somersaults. They’ve found a way to make the costumes practical, so you can wear them for 10 hours, and they become a part of the performance.

In the scene that we watched on the set, we saw that Loki was delighted his brother was going to be in the gladiator match. Then, it was announced that it’s the Hulk he’s going to compete against. Loki goes, “Oh, sh*t.”

Loki hasn’t seen the Hulk since he lost “Infinity War One” in the first “Avengers” film, so the idea for Loki to be in the presence of the Hulk is immediately terrifying. He knows what happened last time

Also, in that scene, there seems to be a little buddy thing going on between Loki and the Grandmaster. Can you talk about that relationship? The fun thing about the Grandmaster and Loki is that they’re both outsiders, mischievous spirits who probably both feel like they never belong. They have big egos and an anarchistic sense of humor. They recognize each other’s traits.

The Grandmaster has fashioned his own kingdom, which is a tyranny, basically. It’s where people dance and play music, but he’s a despot.

How is it working with Jeff? Jeff is absolutely one of the most consummate actors I’ve ever worked with. He’s so prepared and professional and, at the same time, relentlessly playful. He finds new ways to do it every single time, and he’s given so much. Every one’s been on the floor laughing.

He’s only been here for 10 days, but he’s been shooting every day. When I think of his career, there’s nothing he hasn’t done. But he’s still so fresh and energetic. It’s a real pleasure.

Can you talk about how refreshing it must be to have an indie filmmaker like Taika Waititi direct this? Earlier, Taika said the producers weren’t interested in a director who knows how to blow things up. The thing about directors is that they bring their own fingerprint to their films. I’d say that about any director I’ve worked with on this character—Kenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon, Alan Taylor and now, Taika. His particular artistic fingerprint is one of humor and humanity. He’s very funny and smart. He has injected into this film and into the world of Thor this incredible, light heart and sense of fun.

As Loki, I’m the god of mischief. I’ve always had fun, but every single character is having a great time in this. Chris Hemsworth is loving the fact that, now, people are starting to realize how funny he is. Taika and Chris together are a match made in heaven. This movie will have a lot of laughs in it, and that all comes from Taika. He’s fantastic.

Taika’s independent films are miraculous, truly. I saw “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” before I came here. It was shot in 18 days, which is an amazing achievement

Obviously, you don’t want to repeat Loki as the same evil brother who tries to sabotage Thor. You want to add dimension. But now, we have Cate Blanchett playing the ultimate devil. What are the new curves for Loki in this film?

Loki has always been unpredictable. The most fun thing about him this time around is that I don’t have the responsibility to play the villain or antagonist. Cate is the villain, and she does an extraordinary job.

As for Loki, he has this mercurial presence. All Thor films are about family. There’s some sense of this family with enormous power—the father and two sons. The relationship between the two brothers is something that always evolves. It evolves in this one, as well, without giving too much away.

#tom hiddleston #loki #thor: ragnarok #tompocalypse 2017

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deadlinecom · 4 years

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pkstudiosindia · 4 years

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Gold Coast more than a mini Hollywood – Mirage News

The Gold Coast has lengthy been related to the filming of Hollywood blockbusters, and town’s display business has consequently been seen as a service business for movie and tv productions created by firms from elsewhere.

However, current analysis into Gold Coast-originated display manufacturing occurring unbiased of the Village Roadshow Studios reveals town is now a rising hub for native characteristic movie and on-line display content material manufacturing.

The research was performed by researchers from QUT’s Digital Media Research Centre and was supported by the City of Gold Coast.

Associate Professor Dr Mark Ryan, Distinguished Professor Stuart Cunningham, and Dr Phoebe Macrossan interviewed native producers, writers, administrators, and on-line content material creators creating movie, tv, documentary, and digital/on-line content material manufacturing.

Associate Professor Dr Mark Ryan

“Home to the Village Roadshow film and television production studios, the Gold Coast is an enormously popular location for large-scale US blockbusters and high-budget Australian feature film and television production,” mentioned Dr Ryan.

“This has been the case for more than 30 years, with the brand new Baz Luhrmann movie Elvis the newest excessive-profile profile challenge to reap the benefits of town’s world-class manufacturing amenities and huge workforce of expert technical display staff.

“The City of Gold Coast has contributed to fostering this manufacturing via its licencing and permits for capturing. It’s additionally the one council in Australia to have a movie attraction program and actively promotes the area as a excessive-worth location for filmmakers.

“Since the early 2000s, a small group of content material creators based mostly on the Gold Coast have produced native content material, largely characteristic movies and documentaries each in and outdoors the area.

“Yet till 2009, the variety of Gold Coast-based writers, administrators and producers creating mental property and creating initiatives was small, manufacturing was rare, and expertise-drain was frequent.

“A key discovering of the research is that there was robust development in Gold Coast-originated display manufacturing over the past decade, from the killer-shark film Bait (2010) and the alien invasion movie Occupation (2018), to the documentary Nothing on Earth (2013) and the online collection Stage Mums (2018).

“It’s now a productive hub for domestically produced low-finances indie characteristic movies, on-line content material and business company manufacturing. Scripted net collection and on-line content material exercise can also be rising and feeds the ever-hungry platforms of YouTube, different social media channels, subscription video on demand, and net-collection, in addition to quick type commercialised content material.”

Dr Ryan mentioned between 2009 and 2019, 35 unbiased movies had been filmed on the Gold Coast outdoors the Village Roadshow Studios. Gold Coast-based manufacturing firms produced 17 (49% of the full), 9 had been shot by Brisbane-based manufacturing firms and a additional 9 by largely Sydney-based manufacturing entities.

“Between 2015 and 2019, the number of active ABNs in the Gold Coast film and television industry grew from 608 to 921. Many of these companies employ dozens or even hundreds of people,” he mentioned.

“This development has been pushed by a robust improve within the variety of key content material creators similar to producers, administrators and writers dwelling and dealing within the metropolis.

“Other components embody the rising variety of freelance display staff working within the metropolis more usually; the reducing of manufacturing limitations as a result of filmmakers’ means to movie on low-price and excessive-definition digital video; and the expansion in on-line platforms stimulating better ranges of manufacturing in digital/social media content material and net collection.

“However, the business nonetheless faces appreciable limitations, particularly because the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“There is a lack of established producers concerned within the formal display business and huge manufacturing firms with important and ongoing slates of core display content material. Indie productions can lack professionalism in monetary practices and business networks are weak.”

Dr Ryan mentioned the important thing suggestions of the report included the institution of a producer growth and mentorship program, in addition to a program to assist confirmed business company producers make the transition into inventive manufacturing.

“The Council’s Film Attraction program, while an excellent initiative, is not necessarily designed to support lower-budget Gold Coast-originated projects. We recommend the $1.5M threshold be lowered to support local low-budget and Indie production,” he mentioned.

The Report and its findings will likely be detailed and mentioned at an business occasion that will likely be held on Monday 21st September at HOTA on the Gold Coast. To register to attend the business occasion, please contact the Gold Coast Film Festival staff on [email protected].

The full report might be seen at: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/203607/.

The post Gold Coast more than a mini Hollywood – Mirage News appeared first on Pet Food India.

from WordPress https://petfoodindia.com/gold-coast-more-than-a-mini-hollywood-mirage-news/

#Pet Food India Latest News #aquaculture #Aquarium #aquarium india #aquatic animals #Aquatic Food #be

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twh-news · 7 years

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On the ‘Thor’ set with Tom Hiddleston in Australia

“I always wear leather these days,” Tom Hiddleston quipped with a laugh as he strode in, tall and resplendent with long, flowing hair and Loki’s blue and black soft leather costume, complete with a cape.

Excerpts from our conversation:

At what time? Oh, it depends. If I’m shooting regularly, it’s easy to put myself to bed at around 8 p.m.

The Grandmaster has fashioned his own kingdom, which is a tyranny, basically. It’s where people dance and play music, but he’s a despot.

He’s only been here for 10 days, but he’s been shooting every day. When I think of his career, there’s nothing he hasn’t done. But he’s still so fresh and energetic. It’s a real pleasure.

Taika’s independent films are miraculous, truly. I saw “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” before I came here. It was shot in 18 days, which is an amazing achievement.

#tom hiddleston #interview #article #thor ragnarok #thor: ragnarok #on set

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mfmagazine · 5 years

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Ross Thomas

Article by Lauren Weigle

Photo by Josh Madson

He’s a lover of travel, sports, and the great outdoors. Above all else, though, is family… with love following shortly behind. But, if you’re looking for some juicy details in that area, you may be a little disappointed. This strapping young actor doesn’t kiss and tell. What he does do, however, is entertain! Whether he’s tearing up the floor for the Wayans Brothers, getting you to laugh out loud in the movie theater, making you drool on General Hospital, or capturing your attention in his more serious roles, one thing is for sure; he’s having a great time. And why shouldn’t he? Good-looking, smart, talented, energetic, with a good head on his shoulders… make sense.

You were in the movie Dance Flick… What was it like working with the legendary Wayans brothers?

The Wayans brothers are comedic icons. I grew up watching In Living Color, so I've been a big fan of their work for quite some time. When I was a kid, my mom would say, "Ross, time to turn that off and do your homework," and I would respond, "yo, homie don't play that!" Of course that didn't fly so well with El Jefe. When I got the call from my agent about "Dance Flick" I thought, "yes! This is my Jim Carey moment...I have to show these guys I can hang with their comedy". I made it past the first couple auditions, all the way to the final test, which would be in front of the entire Wayans family at Paramount. I was amped to get in there and do my thing, but also a bit terrified to bomb in front of such prolific comedians.

I can only imagine. So, how did you overcome your fear?

I decided to let it rain and just go as far with the material as I could. They surprised me in the room and told me I would have to B-boy dance to some old school track. So I threw some Michael Jackson spins with a bit of pop n' lock and proceeded to slide down the table that they were all sitting at. Needless to say, they were in hysterics. That was a surreal moment...making the legendary Wayans laugh! I've never laughed so hard making a movie! Every day we came to set was like going to a dance party and cracking jokes. The Wayans are all about family and loyalty, so the whole production had a very familial feeling to it. The director, Damien Wayans, would let us improv as much as we wanted and if it was funny, he'd keep it in. It was a very liberating experience working with these guys...they realize that comedy happens in the moment and a lot it of you can't plan or write for.

I guess you wouldn’t really call it work then. Was it just one big blooper reel?

We laughed all day long on this movie. I found myself not wanting to go home at the end of the day because we were having too much fun. During our lunch breaks, rather than sit in our trailers, we'd go out into the parking lot and blast the music and have giant dance battles. We had some of the best dancers in the world working on this movie, so we got to watch them battle it out and cut rugs every day. Each one of them had different styles and techniques...it was like seeing the movie Wild Style up close! It was definitely a unique experience being a part of a film where I was also getting the chance to see the inner circle and culture of the professional dance scene.

Well, you've won numerous festival awards. Can you tell me about some of the projects behind the awards?

I've been fortunate to have worked on some really extraordinary independent films. I enjoy working on these types of projects because I feel there is often more room to push the boundaries and take risks. Independent film is usually harder to get financed and made because it generally doesn't fit the Hollywood model for big monetary return. That being said, the filmmakers and

actors involved don't have giant studios and executives dictating their every move, so there is freedom to push the envelope with the art. I played a deaf man trying to start his own business while facing the obstacles that presents with his handicap, in the movie What's Bugging Seth?. I've worked with acclaimed indie directors Jonah Markowitz on Shelter and Christopher Landon on Burning Palms… just to name a few.

When you were in the sequel to 1992's The Cutting Edge, I hear you did your own stunts?

In my work, I try to do as much of my own stunts as the director will let me do. For The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold, I had already known how to rollerblade on half-pipes and I could hold my own on ice skates. When I was eleven years old, my mom finally caved in and allowed me to get a half-pipe built in my backyard. I learned how to skateboard, BMX, and rollerblade on

the half-pipe and soon my house became the after school "go to spot" for all the neighborhood kids. I'm sure at the time, my mom was worried I was going to break my neck on the thing, but all these years later I was able to say, "See, Mom! The half-pipe paid off...I was able to do a lot of my own stunts in the movie!" Of course there are always going to be certain tricks that are just too risky for the lead actor to attempt and, for that, we have really amazing stunt guys who are the best in the biz at what they do. One of the challenges that CE2 presented was learning to be graceful on ice skates. Sure I could hockey skate, but the role called for me to go from progressive street skater to finessed ice figure skater. To train for that, Christy Romano and I had a really great coach that worked with us on ice to prepare for the movie. We weren't doing our own Triple Sow Cow Lutz's, but we did quite a bit. The director, Sean McNamara, and I have gone on to work on many other projects together, Soul Surfer being one of them. Sean always knows that I am game to take on any challenge and rock my own stunts!

Even with all the training involved, were there any major injuries?

There was a pretty substantial amount of training involved in preparing for this film. A lot of it, though, we learned on the fly with the help of the fantastic real life figure skaters that worked on film. The only injuries I suffered were a few bumps and bruises here and there, and a consistent black and blue arse.

Okay, let's talk about your steady gig on Beyond The Break. Give me a little run-down of the show.

Beyond the Break was a television series shot on the West Coast of O'ahu in Hawaii. The series revolved around the world of the competitive surfing and the drama that comes with that territory. I played Bailey Reese, who is the equivalent of a Kelly Slater type professional surfer. Bailey's life was fueled by his strong passion for women and waves.

Was it fun working on the show since you're already into surfing "outside the office"?

Working on a show like this was a blast. We got to go to work on the beach and surf all day...not too shabby. Since I loved to surf already, being able to pay my bills doing so was pretty epic. Not to mention, we worked with some of the best world class surfers and watermen in the game. I also took part in once in a lifetime opportunities while I was there, like paddling out with Brian Keaulana and other pro surfers into Waimea Bay; plus being a part of the circle in commemoration of the infamous Eddie Aikau.

What else do you like to do outside of acting?

I love to be active in the outdoors. I am an extreme sports adrenaline junkie, so whether it's a wave, glacier, or motorcycle...I'm on it! I also love traveling to remote regions and spending time with indigenous people. Some of the most influential teachers in my life have been from tribal communities and I take every opportunity I have to learn from their supreme wisdom. As a result, I have also become a strong advocate for the protection of indigenous rights and territories. I spend a lot of my free time campaigning against various forms of globalization on the rainforest and its inhabitants. Last year, I made a short documentary film called Extraction: The Plundering of the Amarakaeri Reserve, which provides first-hand accounts from the indigenous Harakmbut tribe, living in the shadow of seismic exploration on their land deep in the heart of the Peruvian rain forest. I also enjoy reading non-fiction adventure books, writing, playing music and spending time with my family.

Do you get enough time to focus on your personal life to do all these things?

I am one of those people who goes nonstop around the clock. It's a blessing and a curse. Being this way has helped me accomplish many goals and helped propel my career. But at the same time, I always have to remind myself that I need to take time and meditate and be still. I think in order to be clear and centered, we owe it to ourselves and to spirit to quiet the mind and

simply be. This is not something that comes easy for me, but something I constantly work on.

So, tell me about how you got onboard with General Hospital.

My manager, Allan Grifka, had received a call from General Hospital casting director, Mark Teschner about a role he thought I might like to do. Mark and I almost worked together the summer before on a film he was casting, but I was already involved in another project that filmed at the same time, so I couldn't do it. Mark kept me in mind down the line and sure enough, thought of me for the role of Brandon on GH. It was a character I'd get to really sink my teeth into and play with. Brandon is a bad guy and really a disgusting person, so getting outside myself and tapping into that was a challenge I was intrigued by. I was offered the part and two weeks later I was on set wreaking havoc on Port Charles.

How does working on a Soap Opera differ from acting on regular television series'?

I have a lot of respect for Soap Opera actors. These people have to learn incredible amounts of material and in an extremely small amount of time. Often times, you are literally getting pages upon pages the night before you shoot. It takes discipline and technique to thrive in this genre of work. For me, it was a real learning experience and one that forced me to be on my game. You have to be on point because nine out of ten times you are only getting one take. I am used to working in film where you spend the entire day working on five pages and perfecting the scene to the best it can be. In the Soap Opera world you can literally be shooting over a hundred pages a day. It's intense, but exciting and a lot fun.

Let's switch over to film again. How about some of your most recent projects? Let’s go back to Soul Surfer.

I am very proud to be a part of the film Soul Surfer. Soul Surfer is the inspirational story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a Tiger Shark attack when she was just thirteen years old. SS portrays the heroic and courageous comeback of Bethany as she perseveres above all the odds to get back on the board and once again do what she loves so passionately. I play her older brother Noah, who is an important part of Bethany's life and story. Noah has been a strong proponent of Bethany's talent for surfing and her quest to become a professional in the sport, since they were little kids. Rather than focus on his own surfing, Noah generously and selflessly helps propel and support Bethany to stardom. He is also her personal photographer and helps manage her career. When Bethany loses her arm, Noah's world, along with the whole Hamilton family's, feels as though it is crashing down. However, with Bethany's unbelievably positive and optimistic attitude, she has an infectious charm on the whole family and they are able to bond together and ultimately use what happened to her to spread the message of hope, faith, courage, and determination to people all over the world.

So, preparing for anything right now or just laying a little low?

I am preparing for a new role in a movie I am starting at the end of this month. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose details at this point, but there is exciting stuff on the horizon!

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falkenscreen · 4 years

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Film Festival Frontiers

“We want as big an audience Australia-wide as possible as this is our contribution to pushing back against COVID-19.”

The best anyone can do right now is keep each other busy at home. For some this means sharing a movie with friends; for others, it means making that happen.

“We were gutted that this iconic year in the life of BOFA should be cancelled and so we looked around to find a solution” continued Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival Director Owen Tilbury. “We reached out to our distributors and asked if they would join us online; all of them said it was a good idea and most have been able to offer films and we’ve searched the archives for some great BOFA Retrospectives.”

“The difference between watching movies and being at a Film Festival is conversation. The conversations in a queue while waiting for a film and the conversations after a film. An online Festival needs to keep the conversations going and we will. We have created 9 Conversation opportunities online via Zoom; there is a tenth Anniversary online celebration and seven film Conversations mostly referencing COVID-19 and our reactions to it. And of course a closing night party – it’s all about connections.”

To be staged online via streaming platform Dacast over three weekends commencing May 1, crucial to BOFA emerging freely accessible was sponsorship via corporate partners and the Tasmanian Government. With most Film Festivals managed by volunteers who depend entirely on short term revenue to stage a Film Festival or buttress a run against personal liability for a net loss, Federal and State Government intervention and lack thereof has proved critical in Directors determining whether Festivals can run at all. With volunteers nationwide fairly occupied with confirming personal and primary sources of income divorced from Festivals, for those lacking technical expertise and/or resources the absence of financial intervention has and will prove prohibitive.

Another free yet entirely self-funded platform, Static Vision will this Friday manage their fourth weekly interactive live-stream. Dedicating the collective to delivering the events free of charge, the organisers have asked for donations where possible and encouraged patrons to purchase custom e-motes for use in the group chats which on average have attracted over 100 simultaneous viewers.

“We’ve had a great response to our online live-stream events so far and are excited to continue our experiment for the foreseeable future; we have a few huge announcements to make over the coming weeks and are very excited to share them once all the details are finalised,” said Static Vision Co-Founder Felix Hubble. “Being able to interact with some of our viewers in real-time in a casual, virtual setting has been a big plus.”

“We’ll try to keep our events frequent (weekly, if possible) and will continue to approach a diverse range of filmmakers, performers and other industry figures who aren’t generally accessible to Australian audiences for interactive Q+As and other conversations, alongside our curated shorts programs and feature screenings, to tide us over until physical cinema spaces are open again. “

Too critical to cinemas and Film Festivals recurring in 2020 (and indeed running in subsequent years) are the extent to which Government relief and most necessarily JobKeeper payments can support continued exhibition. It’s not simply a matter of relaxing the financial strain for organisations and individuals (volunteer or not) so the latter, whether the impact be related to their Festival or wholly personal, can manage. Moreover, it’s about maintaining the organisations’ structures of personnel, ensuring these institutions do not fold and can indeed propel future programs beyond those immediately shelved.

With access to the payment restricted to those who have worked for an employer for longer than 12 months “on a regular and systematic basis,” the current legislation does not account for many of these casual employees in the Festival space. Given Festival employment is often sporadic, seasonal and spread across multiple forums, numerous devotees will not meet the criteria following amendments to extend funding to freelance workers and establish a package for the arts sector’s recovery being defeated in Federal Parliament.

The status quo has too affected many in the film industry who routinely rely on freelance commitments who, alongside temporary visa holders, many of whom rely on the Festival circuit, do not stand to benefit from the JobKeeper subsidy. Cinemas, a number of which manage Festivals intrinsically tied to the venue, will neither be able to immediately distribute the JobKeeper amounts to needful employees as requested and to be subsequently reimbursed by the Federal Government given ticket revenue has halted and the payments won’t be forthcoming from Canberra for weeks.

“While we’ll be hit in box office, we’ve been as pro-active as we can be in responding to COVID and I feel we’re taking a leading and positive position nationally,” said Revelation Film Festival Director Richard Sowada. “We’re utlising every resource we have to be of service to the entire screen sector and community where we can and refuse to be paralysed.”

“Our immediate response includes developing an online festival which will hopefully take place over our traditional July dates, developing film production initiatives across organisations to provide work and output and initiating an ongoing series of online talks and workshops analysing all sectors of production, distribution and exhibition. These will be rolling out within 3 weeks.”

Revelation, which has rescheduled its Perth-based run to September, are also seeking out WA filmmakers in an effort to highlight their work and sustain artists through the crisis.

“We’ve built a WA section of our own streaming portal REVonDEMAND to support the exhibition of locally developed content,” continued Richard. “We’re adding 6 new international titles per month to that portal and we’ll be building talks and Q&As with filmmakers internationally around them.”

Revelation’s advents come at the time of, following the postponement or cancellation of several dozen Fests, the Melbourne International Film Festival’s August cancellation in days past; the first in MIFF’s sixty-nine years. Far from a surprise yet no less a disappointment to thousands of casual and dedicated film fans alike, the emphasis on and reliance by the Festival and its ilk on major titles and pre-releases via distributors adverse to piracy and consequentially online exhibition has meant that such forums, or at least much of the material they’re accustomed to distributing, have not immediately transitioned online.

A Night of Horror, having planned a return to the indie and genre Film Festival circuit in May following a hiatus, are exploring opportunities for streaming segments prior to a planned resumption of the Festival later in 2020.

“We’re not going entirely virtual as most filmmakers have issues with piracy and copyright,” said A Night of Horror’s Craig Walker, noting that prospective digital outlets are typically designed for promoting clips and trailers rather than showcasing completed works.

“I do indeed want to see the shorts program streamed for those who cannot make the screened session, as well as the TV/Web program.”

With avenues like MIFF too constrained by the practical and security limitations of placing something even close to the scale of customary operations online, Melbourne’s dedicated ‘open-mic’ film collective Filmonik pulled off a first by utilising broadcast, video, chat and streaming software between multiple sites, with the New South Wales sister cell too hosting a novel screening.

“This was our first time live-streaming Kino Sydney without an audience,” said Kino co-coordinator Bryan Fisher. “As expected, there were a lot of technical problems but the films themselves were fantastic as always and the online audience were very supportive, which was extremely uplifting for us. It was fantastic to see some films were made in isolation and we hope to see more during our next live-stream. As our next screening falls on May 4th, we fully expect Star Wars themed isolation films.”

“We’re super happy with the result of our forced transition from a lively screening party at Loop bar to a live-stream show shot in a living room with housemates – our regular screenings are quite warm and loose so broadcasting from a couch wasn’t going to throw the vibe off too much,” said Filmonik co-ordinator Olivier Bonenfant. “The biggest bonus was having viewers from different countries and from sister group Kino Sydney.”

The highlights of the night included an opening ode to isolation (a personal favourite of this author) and a closing flick dedicated to Melbourne’s great outside, with the next screening scheduled for April 28.

“Our main principles stayed intact; we kept the open-mic/open-screen non-competitive format with a lineup picked at random during the show and without real curation (with surprisingly great results month after month),” said Olivier. “Interviews with filmmakers were a priority and I was amazed that nearly everyone made it to their interview with only one instruction email sent 2 days before.”

“It wasn’t the tightest show ever overall but I think it made some of us feel close to each other in this period of isolation. It’s this presence that’s important and we were all able to share a great evening of short films and be as passionate about it as ever. I’ll be thrilled to be back in the world with the rest of the team soon(?) but for now the novelty of it makes it fun.“

Seeking to bring patrons and the industry together, the Gold Coast Film Festival just concluded its six-day online Shorts in Paradise Film Festival (SIPFest) with a filmmaker cash prize set to be conferred in light of an audience poll. Following the cancellation of the traditional April run, the GCFF Screen Industry Gala Awards will too nonetheless be granted tonight and streamed (for free) online.

The SCINEMA International Science Film Festival, set for June, are likewise preparing to deliver this year’s run digitally and with an extended playlist. Having too placed a range of features and shorts dating back to SCINEMA 2016 in the Festival’s accessible archive, SCINEMA joins Lorne Film and numerous Festivals in showcasing, recommending or otherwise highlighting previous programs’ fixtures online.

The Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival, previously scheduled to take place in July, will actually be reaching audiences sooner via hosting a virtual screening of the appropriately titled The Show Must Go On (featured image), free of charge, on April 30. Conveniently covering the matter of wellness in the creative industry, CDFF, joining many other Fests in reckoning with the centrality of conversation and togetherness in the Festival experience and no less in this time of isolation, will be featuring a Q&A and discussion with the filmmakers following the movie.

Streaming of one’s own volition, something many have available to us via Stan, Netflix and else can be a joy, but not near so much as being told to switch off our mobiles or even hear someone speaking too loudly absent, for so many, being close to any other. There’s something greater in watching something, anything together and it’s not just having to focus the mind knowing that it will only be before us for a while, but knowing it’s enhanced by every grunt, cheer, or even silence accentuating our best and sometimes lesser stories.

We miss that, and these spaces not just bringing but fostering communities online that may only grow when this is all over are providing a service needed now more than in many viewers’ living memories. Another seeking same is Monster Fest and having screened its first weekly feature this Friday past, the crew will revisit some horror upon us this coming weekend. This author tuned in for The Windmill Massacre and bumping into a friend in the group chat I hadn’t seen in some time was no small joy – we’re catching another flick this Sunday.

“In the last few years Fangoria x Monster Fest has created a very tight-knit community around our theatrical releases and regular event screenings across Australia; the horror and genre community in Australia is extremely passionate and connected so with that in mind our aim with the Friday Fright Night online screenings is to bring a sense of community back to watching films to fill the void created by the cinema closures,” said Monster Fest’s Grant Hardie. “With these screenings we are looking to engage our audience to interact and share the online viewing experience in a live situation. They’ll feature talent intro’, Q&As and other specialised content all designed to give the audience a unique and interactive experience from the comfort of their homes and connect with each other .”

on Festevez

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topfygad · 5 years

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Quintessentially Quito | Nat Geo Traveller India

Boutique hotels and Novo-Andean cuisine are reaching new heights in Ecuador’s capital.

Culture Ecuador | POSTED ON: August 23, 2019

An Ecuadorian cowboy, or chagra, from Hacienda El Porvenir rides by the Cotopaxi volcano. Photo By: William Hereford

Wedged into the folds of the Andes, the world’s second highest capital city (surpassed only by La Paz, Bolivia) contains the best preserved Spanish colonial core in the Americas. Despite this, travellers tend to overlook Quito as they make their way to the country’s Pacific islands treasure, the Galápagos. But times are changing, and this city of two million is having a moment.

A burgeoning food scene, new boutique hotels, and a subway slated to open by year’s end are encouraging visitors to explore this modern city with an ancient soul. “Quito is best understood as a collection of diverse neighbourhoods united under a volcano,” says Jorge Vinueza, of Ecuadorian travel magazine Ñan. “These elements give it a unique energy that you only have to walk its streets to feel.”

The city’s UNESCO-designated centre is a rabbit hole of riches, but don’t stop there. Take the teleférico to the top of the volcano. Stock up on textiles at the Artisanal Market. And on weekends, make like the Quiteños and head out of town.

—Norie Quintos

La Floresta

A barrio with everything essential: coffee, culture, and chismes (gossip)

Ahacienda estate until the early 1900s, this wildflowered area was one of the first neighbourhoods to emerge as the city expanded beyond its colonial borders between the World Wars. There are ornate Italianate mansions, low-slung early modernist houses, and high-rise apartment buildings. Artists and creatives began moving in some 20 years ago to give it the alternative, indie vibe it has today. “The first inhabitants of La Floresta brought with them the spirit of the historic centre, the panaderías, cafeterías, lavanderías, sastrerías—what we call oficios, or trades,” says Vinueza. “Along with the more recent graffiti artists, musicians, and filmmakers, it’s what gives this barrio its aliveness.”

You don’t need an elaborate plan. Just wander. You might decide to take in an art film at the pioneering Ochoymedio theatreor visit the offices of travel magazine The Ñan to purchase some authentic souvenirs the staff picked up during their sojourns throughout the country. Scoop up designer-made decor from Libertina Tienda GalerIa or sample superfoods like quinoa at Vegano de Altura and chocolate at Hoja Verde. Time for uncafecito (a black coffee)? Head to Jervis or Botánica. For a free guided stroll of the neighbourhood, check out Quito Street Tours.

Panama hats were born in Ecuador, where they’re still woven by hand from toquilla straw. Photo By: Robert van der Hilst/Getty Images

Room Check

Le Parc Hotel

This sleek spot in New Quito’s Benalcázar neighbourhood is walking distance to crêperies, cafés, and high-end shopping, as well as La Carolina, the city’s version of Central Park, ideal for strolling and jogging. Well-appointed rooms feature mid-century modern furniture. en.leparc.com.ec

Hotel Mama Cuchara

One of the city’s newest boutique hotels grew out of an old house in the traditional working hood of La Loma Grande, near many of the sites in the historic centre. The house once harboured conspirators of the 1875 assassination of President Gabriel García Moreno. Now remodelers have reversed years of neglect and incorporated contemporary architecture to create a structure that evokes history without replicating it. Ecuadorian art adorns the rooms, and the restaurant’s menu changes daily to highlight dishes from different provinces. https://ift.tt/2L1zF3h

Casa Gangotena

With its prime location on Plaza de San Francisco—the heart of the historic quarter—this is undoubtedly the best address in the city. The former palace home of presidents and landowners was rebuilt in art nouveau style with art deco touches and eventually turned into a 31-room hotel. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace for unfettered views of the old town. www.casagangotena.com

Buen Provecho

Four ways to eat well, from street food to Novo-Andean.

Café Society

Quiteños drink coffee all day long (and don’t even think about ordering decaf). Try the cafeterías in Plaza Grande for people- watching. Serious coffee lovers should head to Café Galletti Teatro Bolívar, a family-run business that works with small fincas. To warm up on chilly nights, select one of three popular hot drinks: canelazo (made with sugar cane alcohol), vino hervido (mulled wine), or chocolate con queso (yes, with cheese). Sip them with dazzling city views at Pim’s Panecillo or Cafe Mosaico.

At Quitu, chef Juan Sebastián Pérez prepares for an extravagant spread. Photo By: William Hereford

Chamomile ice cream sweetens any tasting menu in Quitu. Photo By: William Hereford

Getting Creative

Long overshadowed by Lima, Quito’s food scene is now making headway. Inventive chefs such as Alejandro Chamorro of Nuema are elevating Novo-Andean cuisine using products of coast, sierra, and jungle and reinterpreting indigenous and Spanish colonial traditions. At Chulpi, Carlos Saltos dishes out fresh takes on street food in a small house in the residential Las Casas neighbourhood. Don’t miss the pairing menu at Quitu, chef Juan Sebastián Pérez’s altar to Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Street Scene

For a dollar or two, you can feast like a king on Ecuador’s comida callejera, or street food. Different areas have their specialties, so make like a local and nosh on tripamishqui (chewy but flavourful tripe) at outside stalls in La Vicentina; quesadillas (more of a pastry, nothing like the Mexican dish) in San Juan; candies from Las Colaciones de la Cruz Verde (try the so-called caca de perro—”dog poop”); and cookies made by the Carmelite nuns at the Carmen Alto convent in the historic centre.

Hot Cocoa

Chocolate may well have originated in the Ecuadorian Amazon, but only in recent years have homegrown chocolate companies refined and developed the raw product. The most well known of them, Pacari, offers a two-hour minicourse in its historic downtown store that includes making and packaging your own organic truffles. Other chocolate houses worth visiting: República del Cacao, Chez Tiff, Hoja Verde, and fair-trade shop Tianguez (located under San Francisco church).

The High Points

Explore a city of historic splendour in a region of natural wonder.

Fine Arts

Quito has marvellous museums, including the Museo de la Ciudad and the Museo Nacional del Banco Central, but don’t overlook these two under-the-radar gems: The Casa del Alabado showcases the surprising and sophisticated workmanship of pre-Columbian art within an elegant Spanish colonial house. And Casa Museo Guayasamín displays paintings and murals at the home of Ecuador’s most famous 20th-century artist, Oswaldo Guayasamín.

The neo-Gothic spires of the Basílica del VotoNacional tower over Quito’s historic centre. Photo By: William Hereford

Fresh Air

Despite its notoriously fickle weather (keep a rain jacket in your bag), Quito often sees the sun. After you’ve acclimatized to the altitude, take the teleférico up the city’s volcano, Rucu Pichincha, for a look around. Loved by locals, centrally located Parque La Carolina has running trails, a man-made lake, and the orchid-filled Botanical Gardens. On Sundays, rent a bike and cruise Quito north to south on roads closed to traffic for the weekly Ciclopaseo.

Divine Sights

It could take weeks to see all of the city’s churches. If there were a people’s choice, it would be San Francisco church and plaza, its winged Virgin of Quito statue above the altar replicated to gigantic proportions on Panecillo Hill. But there’s also the gleaming, gold-leaf-plated interior of La Compañia, built by the Jesuits in baroque style. If you don’t fear heights, scale one of the towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional for heavenly vistas.

Out of Town

All the volcanoes and lakes within a 96-kilometre radius encourage weekend jaunts. North of Quito is the world-famous Otavalo market; stay at the new Otavalo Hotel and arrange a guide for the textile and music workshops. South of Quito, adventurers can climb the majestic (and active) Cotopaxi volcano or take in the views from horseback at Hacienda El Porvenir. Baños, at the base of another volcano, Tungurahua, is known for its thermal springs.

Walk the Line

Ecuador’s equatorial encounters.

The French-led Condamine expedition famously mapped the line between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres just 22 kilometres north of Quito, and visiting the official site, La Mitad del Mundo, is a popular excursion. A massive monument and bright yellow stripe of demarcation make for cool snaps straddling the line. The problem is the 18th-century explorers were about 800 feet off. To get closer, you’ll have to go to the nearby Intiñan solar museum, a hokey attraction with mock physics experiments. For the most accurate GPS readings and scientific explanations, head to Quitsato, near Cayambe, site of a large solar clock and the best place to appreciate the gravity of where you are standing.

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#IFTTT #Cheapr Travels

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blackcatfilmprod · 1 year

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Hi Guys,

I like to thank Brent McNae a fellow indie filmmaker for allow us to film some scenes for Prom Queen: the Mini Web Series at his home in Willow Vale. Thanks for support our film project and all the best with your own film projects.

#Prom Queen #Prom Queen the Mini Web Series #Film Locations #Gold Coast #Willow Vale #Filming #Indie Filmmaker #Brisbane Indie Filmmaker

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weownthenitenyc · 5 years

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Start planning your summer getaway with some of the best festival experiences for 2019

Whether it’s discovering new underground acts or indulging a travel buzz, music fans demand an extraordinary experience from festivals these days. A festival no longer means piling into a field for a weekend and accepting the meager facilities on offer. More often it’s a wallet-friendly trip to a different country, to combine music with local culture, nightlife, sightseeing, and gastronomic delights. From partying in a 17th-century Balkan fortress or an Icelandic glacier, to pool parties, beach raves or lakeside gigs, there’s something here for everyone.

SEA STAR FESTIVAL – SUPERSTAR DJs AND MEDITERRANEAN POOL PARTIES IN CROATIA

May 24-25 | seastarfestival.com

Acts Announced: Sven Vath, Nina Kraviz, IAMDDB, Illario Alicante, Enrico Sangiuliano, Petar Dundov live, Vojko V, Krankšvester, High5, Fox, DJ Jock, Lawrence Klein, Unique, Hazze, Buntai, Smoke Mardeljano

Sea Star is another coastal dance extravaganza hatched by the experts behind EXIT, so it’s no surprise that it’s been nominated in the Best Medium Sized Festival category in this year’s European Festival Awards – less than two years after its first edition (it was also nominated for Best New Festival last year). Sea Star will return this year to the idyllic Stella Maris lagoon in Umag, Croatia on May 24 and 25, with special opening and closing parties on the 23rd and 26th. With over 70 artists on six stages, from local Balkan heroes to international superstars, Sea Star is an event with high production values in a stunning Mediterranean paradise. And if you need a time-out from dancing, Umag’s historical Baroque and Renaissance buildings and winding streets are a hive of quaint bars and restaurants. Still, it won’t be long before you’re drawn back to the lagoon with that 4/4 pulse nearby… Sea Star festival takes place from May 24-25, with an opening party on May 23 and a closing party on May 26.

SECRET SOLSTICE – GLACIER RAVES AND SURREAL MIDNIGHT SUN IN ICELAND

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June 21-24 | secretsolstice.is

Secret Solstice is all about unique experiences – the most obvious being the fact that the sun doesn’t set for the whole 96 hours, so get used to midnight pool parties in bright sunshine. As well as an eclectic line-up of US, European and local acts, Iceland’s premiere music festival is a bucket list party in the capital Reykjavik during the magical summer solstice. The carbon-neutral festival prides itself on using Iceland’s stunning natural spaces and rugged landscape as a backdrop – while the main stage hosts many of the blockbuster acts, you can literally have an underground vibe, at exclusive raves in a glacier and a 5,000-year-old lava tunnel. Back above ground, catch DJ sets in naturally heated lagoons or at boat parties in the midnight sunshine – and marvel at glistening waterfalls, black sand beaches, caves and vast volcanic fields on special day trips. Secret Solstice is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and 2019 is set to be its biggest edition yet.

EXIT FESTIVAL – PARTY IN A 17th CENTURY FORTRESS OVERLOOKING THE DANUBE IN SERBIA

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July 4-7 | exitfest.org

For four days every summer, the 17th century Petrovaradin Fortress opens its gates for EXIT – the award-winning music festival in Serbia’s second city, Novi Sad. EXIT began in 2000 as a student protest fighting for political change, and over the years it’s grown into one of Europe’s biggest festivals, with [thousands] partying in the stunning citadel perched high on a cliff overlooking the River Danube. The positive activism remains in the air, and each year has a specific theme (it was ‘Freedom’ in 2018). EXIT has possibly the most diverse line-up of any European festival, with 20 outdoor stages that feature everything from death metal to pop, indie, reggae, and techno – among cobbled paths, courtyards, grass verges, ramparts and underground tunnels. The Dance Arena is the festival’s energetic hub, with 20,000 raving in the fortress moat waiting for the awe-inspiring moment when the sun rises above the ancient walls. Many DJs say the Dance Arena is the greatest place in the world to play, and after Nina Kraviz closed EXIT 2018 with an extended set until 9am, she called it “one of the most special places on Earth.”

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE – WHERE YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE WHEN NO ONE CAN SEE YOU

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July 5 – 7 July | rabbitresort.nl

Down The Rabbit Hole says adventure, confusion, surrealism and psychedelics, which has been an inspiration for (psycho) rockers, DJs, artists, designers, and filmmakers ever since the rise of the pop culture in the uncurbed 1960s… Good company, so get ready to tumble! We have all the time in the world, there’s no rush. Take your time to dine in dozens of restaurants from all corners of the earth, go meditate in the forest, lie down in the green pasture, swim for a bit, strum by the campfire, discover hidden discos… Have a ball with brand-new bands or finally see that classic artist in full swing. We’re out and we’re loose! Build your own party and celebrate, enjoy what you do, all with an open mind and in a sustainable way: we’ll keep it green & clean. A trip to Down The Rabbit Hole is a perfect summer getaway! Bring your own camping gear or rent luxurious accommodations at our Rabbit Resort at Groene Heuvels – Beuningen (near Nijmegen).

OFF FESTIVAL – A VOYAGE OF UNDERGROUND DISCOVERY IN POLAND

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August 2-4 | off-festival.pl

OFF is a unique boutique festival that values experimentation and diversity above everything else – with founder and organizer Artur Rojek’s hands-on vision an inspiration to ambitious promoters and dreamers worldwide. OFF takes place in ‘Valley of Three Ponds’, Katowice – a beautiful green hideaway in the industrial Silesia region, with a huge choice of bars, restaurants, and cultural centers to explore in the city close by. OFF ignores popular trends in favor of an expertly curated programme of esteemed artists – with the festival bringing many acts to Poland for the first time. It was created in 2006 as a way for Rojek to indulge his “dreams and passion for sharing music”, even if that means a black metal band can play next to a techno DJ, a post-punk act, avant-garde noise-rock, hip-hop, jazz, post-rock and beyond. From the greatest international underground heroes to essential forward-thinking Polish artists, OFF is an inspirational meeting of minds.

LOWLANDS – MUSIC, ART AND CULTURE CLASH AT THE DUTCH CAMPING PARADISE

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August 16-18 | lowlands.nl

A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise is the Netherlands’ most prestigious music festival that’s been a rite of passage for the Dutch since 1993. It takes place in rural Biddinghuizen – only an hour away from Amsterdam, so there’s even a chance to add in a city break either side. It’s a true music, arts and culture weekender, featuring the world’s biggest headliners on the circuit, as well as installations, theatre, comedy, film, debates and even science workshops. Each of the uniquely designed stages are covered so you can party rain or shine, and the iconic ‘Armadillo’ area is the festival’s power station, quirky bars, DJ booths and artisan restaurant areas that surpass regular festival food stalls. The Dutch are world-renowned as expert festival organisers, and Lowlands is a perfect smooth operator, from the intuitive layout to the lack of queues for bars, food and bathrooms – with the best campsite facilities of all the big European festivals. It’s a proper lost weekend too – Lowlands doesn’t do day tickets, so once you arrive on the Thursday you’re on a journey with your fellow happy campers until Sunday. This vibe was picked up by 2018 headliner Nile Rodgers, who posted: “Lowlands was fire! This was an amazing f-ing crowd! Truly insane, and that’s how we like it!”

SEA DANCE FESTIVAL – PARTY ON THE STUNNING ADRIATIC COAST IN MONTENEGRO

August TBA | seadancefestival.me

Acts announced: David Guetta, Robin Schulz, Ofenbach, + many more coming soon

Sea Dance in Montenegro is an extension of the EXIT family – a gold standard guarantee in the festival world. Like EXIT, Sea Dance is also an award-winner, and was voted Best Medium-Sized Festival at the European Festival Awards after its first edition in 2014. The festival bottles some of the magic of EXIT’s dance stages and transports it to the alluring golden sand beach of Budva on the Adriatic coast, with narrow medieval streets just a short walk away. EXIT’s famous No Sleep Novi Sad stage is repackaged for Sea Dance, with over 100 performers shared around numerous other stages. Evan as a relatively new addition to the festival scene, Sea Dance already has reputation for securing the biggest names in electronic music. Montenegro was recently listed by Skyscanner as the number one cheap holiday destination, with mountain biking, hiking and watersports available for those with energy left after dancing all night to the world’s biggest DJs.

AMSTERDAM DANCE EVENT – IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ELECTRONIC MUSIC CULTURE

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October 16 – 20 | amsterdam-dance-event.nl Acts to be announced soon

Amsterdam is world famous as a hub for nightlife and electronic music, and every October it becomes the centre of the electronic music universe for five days during the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). Some 400,000 people hit the Dutch capital every year for ADE, which features more than 2,500 international artists performing in over 100 of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues including Melkweg, Gashouder, Claire, Shelter, Paradiso, the NDSM Docklands and De School. But it’s not simply a five-day rave – ADE offers an inspirational conference programme that covers all aspects of dance music culture and the industry. By day, across Amsterdam’s five main districts, there are dozens of seminars, workshops, exhibitions, artist interviews, feature and documentary screenings, DJ showcases and tech classes. Amsterdam Dance Event takes place over five days every October and is the ultimate festival for electronic music fans, who can even learn more about the culture between the parties.

Festival Guide 2019: Start planning your summer getaway with some of the best festival experiences for 2019 Start planning your summer getaway with some of the best festival experiences for 2019

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betseyleeson-blog · 7 years

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blackcatfilmprod · 3 years

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Red Carpet photos from our Film Premiere for Attack of the Cat People. Photography by Dave Fox from Dave Fox Photography Gold Coast

#Photos #Photography #Film Premiere #Dave Fox Photography Gold Coast #Attack of the Cat People #Film Events #Events #Red Carpet #Wellington Point Events #Redlands Events #Brisbane Indie Filmmakers #Brisbane Filmmakers

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topfygad · 5 years

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Quintessentially Quito | Nat Geo Traveller India

Boutique hotels and Novo-Andean cuisine are reaching new heights in Ecuador’s capital.

Culture Ecuador | POSTED ON: August 23, 2019

An Ecuadorian cowboy, or chagra, from Hacienda El Porvenir rides by the Cotopaxi volcano. Photo By: William Hereford

—Norie Quintos

La Floresta

A barrio with everything essential: coffee, culture, and chismes (gossip)

Panama hats were born in Ecuador, where they’re still woven by hand from toquilla straw. Photo By: Robert van der Hilst/Getty Images

Room Check

Le Parc Hotel

Hotel Mama Cuchara

Casa Gangotena

Buen Provecho

Four ways to eat well, from street food to Novo-Andean.

Café Society

At Quitu, chef Juan Sebastián Pérez prepares for an extravagant spread. Photo By: William Hereford

Chamomile ice cream sweetens any tasting menu in Quitu. Photo By: William Hereford

Getting Creative

Street Scene

Hot Cocoa

The High Points

Explore a city of historic splendour in a region of natural wonder.

Fine Arts

The neo-Gothic spires of the Basílica del VotoNacional tower over Quito’s historic centre. Photo By: William Hereford

Fresh Air

Divine Sights

Out of Town

Walk the Line

Ecuador’s equatorial encounters.

source http://cheaprtravels.com/quintessentially-quito-nat-geo-traveller-india/

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