All posts by Kenna

About Kenna

Kenna McHugh is an established freelance writer living in California. Her writing credits include the published book, BREAKING INTO FILM, Film Production book for inner-city kids, three screenplays, seven produced plays and hundreds of how-to videos on the Internet. "I love the challenge of writing because the end does satisfy the means. The writer is a valuable being. If the words aren't there the message isn't received. It is as simple as that. Give me a circumstance, a theme and away I go at my keyboard."

17 Documentaries Expand Your Thought Process

classic, documentary,

What is a Documentary?

Nick Fraser is a British documentary producer. He devoted 17 years at the BBC to creating and running the international documentary series Storyville, which showcased documentaries from around the world. He said, “The best documentaries are independent. They don’t exist to serve interests, philanthropic or otherwise.”

I agree with Frazer because most documentaries I’ve seen today are slanted to suit a particular vested-interest group connected to the filmmaker, who twists the facts.

The following documentaries may not be factual, but I found their production value high because they got me thinking and expanding my intellect.

1. “Pavarotti: Genius Is Forever”

Oscar-winner Ron Howard takes viewers on a journey through the life and times of Luciano Pavarotti, the opera singer who brought opera to millions worldwide. The trailer explores Pavarotti’s legend and voice. Wherever the man went, and he sang and made history. Howard’s movie is intimate with interviews and sacred footage.

2. “Kusama: Infinity”

The movie is a visual introduction to one of the world’s most talented artists. Heather Lenz takes us on an extraordinary, truthful, emotional journey with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s six-decade career. She left Japan, arrived in New York City, and developed her artistic signature. She persevered and has created artwork ranging from painting and sculpture to installation art.

3. “Love, Gilda”

Director Lisa D’Apolito spins a sad story based on Gilda’s journals, recordings, and scrapbooks. Despite D’Apolito’s demoralizing content, Love, Gilda captured my attention from the very beginning.

The documentary shows Gilda growing up and becoming an Emmy winner. I found that worth watching. The younger versions of the original Saturday Night Live cast sparked my interest because Bill Murray was as handsome as Chevy Chase. Gilda’s talent shone through.

4. “Jay Myself”

Jay Maisel lived in “The Bank” for 48 years. The renowned photographer reluctantly moved from the 35,000-square-foot building in New York City. But the documentary is about his life and shows many photos taken by Maisel, a gifted photographer. Photographers or artists should find this movie fascinating.

5. “Rebound”

The documentary Rebound follows the lives of three wheelchair basketball players. They undergo hardships and never give up. They are gifted athletes who mainstream sports have yet to recognize.

6. “The Landing”

The Landing is a parody of documentaries because they are no longer about capturing the truth. They are propaganda similar to Hitler’s Triumph of the Will.

It’s a fake documentary about one of the Apollo missions going wrong, and NASA covered it up.

The Landing received awards as Best Director 2017 Boston Sci-Film Festival – Best Thriller 2017 Burbank International Film Festival, and Best Feature 2017 Escape Velocity, Washington, D.C.

7. “I Am Big Bird”

The documentary is a treasure of clips and anecdotes about the Muppets creator and super-talented Jim Henson. Openly, a great friend of Caroll Spinney’s, seeing Henson is touching. The documentary shares footage and memories of working with Henson. A poignant scene unfolds in an overcrowded cathedral at Henson’s funeral, where Big Bird sings “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”

8. “Science Fair”

Award-winning documentary directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster present Science Fair. The documentary won the audience award at Sundance and SXSW 2018.

The movie trailer is fun to watch because I understand why Science Fairs are worthwhile experiences for intelligent kids.

9. “Perfect”

Directed by Jeremie Battaglia, Perfect is an award-winning documentary. The movie focuses on the Canadian synchronized swimming team.

The story goes beyond the beauty and shows the challenging journey to secure the qualifying spot as the team for the Rio Olympics 2016. The movie won the Best Documentary at the Winter Film Awards.

10. “Pick of the Litter”

My family lived near the guide dog training facility in San Rafael when I was just a toddler. My mother told me I loved the guide dogs. They put a smile on my face, and I wanted to see them all the time.

With that, Pick of the Litter received several accolades for being a documentary that tells the truth or offers an insight into what it takes for a cute, cuddly puppy to become a guide dog for the blind.

Dana Nachman and Don Hardy directed the movie that follows a litter of puppies from birth, as they begin their journey and develop into guide dogs for the blind.

Nachman wrote the screenplay, covering two years of the dogs’ training, culminating in their most rewarding responsibility: protecting their blind masters from harm.

Watching the documentary trailer gives you a good idea of what these dogs go through. Not every dog becomes a guide dog. However, you will cheer for them as they try their best. We can only wish they develop into the pick of the litter.

11. “Whitney”

The poster for the documentary Whitney says “all the answers,” but I disagree. Whitney Houston’s talent leaped no bounds yet, like a Shakespeare tragedy. Her life was a roller coaster ride.

Watch the movie trailer, and you will see poignant moments that are almost too hard to watch. If only Houston made better decisions. Her voice, music, and talent would still be with us today.

12. Fahrenheit 11/9

I worked with Michael Moore on Bowling for Columbine. He and his crew came to my hometown and designated me the driver, craft services (he loves chocolate), and all-around production assistant. I can honestly say he is a nice guy. He is a professional who knows his vision and gets it. With that, I had no idea I was working on an Academy Award movie.

Fahrenheit 11/9 is another documentary by Michael Moore, and I recommend you study his style to see how he conveys his message. That is what he does with all his documentaries. He gets his message across by making his movie provocative, thought-provoking, and funny. It focuses on the 2016 United States presidential election. He takes a stab at the subsequent presidency of Donald Trump.

13. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

Mr. Fred Rogers told kids they were special, unlike anyone else in the whole world, each unique. I remember when my daughter watched his show, and he played a video about how crayons are made. We both learned something new.

I highly recommend you watch this documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Directed by Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, it follows Rogers’s life and work. The movie explained how he is known as America’s cherished neighbor.

The documentary follows a man who wore zip-up cardigans and lived in the land of make-believe. In watching this movie, I discovered something unique about him. Sure, he played a big part in educational TV and was an ultimate genius. He influenced so many lives that there is more about the man worth finding out.

I watched the trailer, and tears formed in my eyes. Mr.Rogers was such an inspiration to the world.

14. “Maria by Callas”

If you are a lover of opera or a fan, you will enjoy this documentary about the life of Maria Callas. She led a life read in headlines. The media played along with her tumultuous life, reporting the conflicts and scandals that plagued her life.

She dominated the opera scene as the world’s greatest opera singer ever to live. Regardless, her career failed to last a long time, with an early death by a heart attack. Posthumously, her story scandalized the newspapers with conflict over her trust.

15. “Amazing Grace”

Waiting 40 years for the technology to advance enough to sync the music with the footage, Amazing Grace finally arrived in the movie theaters and is now available on disc or streaming. Directed by the late Sydney Pollack and finished by Alan Elliot, Aretha Franklin sings with the New Bethel Baptist Church choir, recording her live “Amazing Grace” album in 1972.

Watch the trailer and get a glimpse of a young Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

16. “Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins”

The documentary tells the story of a woman who evolved with the times over the decades she spent as a journalist. She not only changed physically but also spiritually. She had the passion and a definite purpose in life that took its toll. Even though her message resonates with me, we need to vote and hold firmly to what we consider substantially important. Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins is a movie you want to see to understand the history and a mortal woman’s ability to tell the truth and shame the devil.

17. “Roadrunner”

Morgan Neville brings us Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, a documentary about Chef, provocateur, adventurer and writer. Neville also brought us Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and other worthy documentaries.

Neville creates an intimate portrait of a man who became a cultural icon. His extensive research includes interviews and an unflinching look at Bourdain’s thunderous presence and his indelible influence on the world.

Documentary Best

The list of documentaries stands considerably varied by subject and genre. I hope you get a chance to watch one or more of them. All in all, I am impressed with the documentarians. These movies are not for the light-hearted or for those who strictly want entertainment. They expand your mind and show you a world you’ve most likely never seen until now.

Screenwriting: Scenario Construction

book, film careers,

Screenwriting: Scenario Construction

Writers need to master their craft by studying and practicing screenwriting. One of the first books on screenwriting is The Photoplay Handbook of Scenario Construction. It was published in 1923, during the silent film era, a time before the term “screenwriter” was in use. The advice in this early screenwriting book still applies today:

“Our ultimate purpose, as a photo playwright, is to arouse the emotions of the audience–to make them weep, to grip their hearts with pity, to thrill them, to make them laugh, and fear; and shed tears of joy. We strive to achieve these things by leveraging the actions of the people we create. We make our characters struggle, suffer, and win and lose in their fight for happiness. Every act of every character may be regarded as an effect.”

Those words were accurate in 1923, and they remain so today.

Screenwriting is writing your story with vision and action.
Screenwriting is writing your story with vision and action. | Source

Writing the Picture

Another great book about screenwriting is Screenwriting: Writing the Picture by Robin Russin and William Missouri Downs. It is a virtual screenwriting class for a fledgling screenwriter who wants to enroll in a college screenwriting program but can’t for whatever reason.

The college textbook begins with a professional perspective on how screenplays can be read and valued in the industry. It proceeds to chapters that deal with the character, theme, and story environment.

Then, there are six complete chapters on story structure, from historical approaches to how genre influences screenwriting form.

The book also devotes chapters to pitching, rewriting, and creating a career in television and playwriting as viable alternatives or adjuncts to writing for movies.

Top Screenwriting Program

Russin and Downs both received their Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from UCLA. The university’s screenwriting program is considered one of the top programs in the country, boasting notable alumni such as Michael Webb, Michael Colleary, Jonathan Hensleigh, and Ed Solomon. Russin and Downs each won the Jack Nicholson Award for excellence in the field.

Russin wrote, produced, and directed for television, theater, and movies. Downs, an award-winning playwright, has sold feature screenplays and written as a freelance and staff writer on TV.

I spoke with both Russin and Downs about screenwriting and invited them to share their vast knowledge of the subject. I took copious notes while we kept ourselves pumped with drinks.

Talking with Robin Russin and William Missouri Downs

Both working writers and teachers, “Bill and I were frustrated by the many books out there that approached the process of writing from an ‘after the fact’ standpoint,” explains Russin. “They attempt to show how a script should be written by taking something finished and assuming that by critically dissecting it, a writer can then figure out how to create something new.”

Russin believes this approach is helpful and can be used to some extent. “It doesn’t really get at the core problems encountered by someone who is approaching the blank page, trying to get a handle on what and why and how they should be writing. There’s far too much ‘if you write it, they will come’ pie in the sky cheerleading, and far too little hardcore advice on how to make sure your script will not only be artistically successful but survive in the marketplace.”

Royce Hall is the defining image of UCLA.
Royce Hall is the defining image of UCLA.

Create Characters, Dialogue, Environment, and Structure

They wrote the book because of the numerous subpar screenwriting books available. “We wanted a book that concentrated on all techniques, not just one method of writing a screenplay. Our book covers just about anything you want to know about screenwriting,” explains Downs.

Russin agrees, “Probably the most valuable aspect of the book is that we go into much more specific detail than most in terms of how to create characters, dialogue, environment, and especially structure.”

The heart of our book is a six-chapter section devoted to explaining how the structure works on a deep level, rather than a superficial, put a plot point on this page approach. “Most books out there push a specific formula to be imposed on the screenplay. After years of both writing and teaching, Bill and I came to realize that in fact, no formula–even the hallowed three-act structure applies to every screenplay, or even to most of them,” explains Russin.

Familiar Movie Formulas

“These are straitjacketed approaches to a fluid, organic process, and so we wanted to come up with something that would free the writer to create in new and inventive ways. But we also included a very detailed description of the various familiar formulas, both because it’s important to know the terminology and expectations of producers who are familiar with those formulas and because our philosophy is that whatever gets the job done is the right approach.”

“The book is a graduate-level college textbook on screenwriting. It covers the whole spectrum. That is the book’s most valuable aspect,” concludes Downs.

Start Writing Screenplays

It’s up to you to decide whether to go to college and get your degree in screenwriting or start writing screenplays. Either way, you still need to write a script to be a screenwriter. The more you write, the better you will become as a screenwriter.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Screenwriter?

book, film careers,
Learn for Goldman's book because he is the best.
Learn from Goldman’s book because he is the best.

“Nobody Knows Nothing”

Screenwriter and novelist William Goldman wrote “nobody knows anything” in his bestseller, Adventures in the Screenwriting Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting. Hollywood jolted, agreed, and repeated those words as rites of passage for any fledgling screenwriter.

Thus, a fledgling screenwriter might ask, “Do I need a degree in Screenwriting to be a screenwriter?”

If you read Goldman’s book, you might be inclined to think not. However, there is no harm in inquiring about UCLA and USC Screenwriting programs. The programs launch careers and attract hopefuls.

Screenwriting, How to Do It

Adventures in the Screenwriting Trade was written in 1982 and is dated. It’s worth the read for anyone considering a career in the film industry, whether as a screenwriter, producer, or director. Goldman is the wise mentor in his book on navigating Hollywood.

Goldman places you in his shoes and walks you on a journey — an adventure where you observe, learn, and realize the hard work it honestly takes to succeed in Hollywood.

Be it on the set of Marathon Man with Lawrence Olivier and Dustin Hoffman or catching an unforgettable and poignant moment between the famous, then divorced, Hollywood couple Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood — their ingenious scene was written as a screenplay.

Is Luck and Timing Learned in a Classroom?

Goldman defines who is who in Hollywood and the instrumental role in getting a film made or not made. Their roles in bringing the movie to life. Something you most likely will not learn in a classroom.

He even mentions legends such as Joseph Mankiewicz, John Huston, Billy Wilder, Sydney Pollack, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Norman Jewison.

He discusses the difficulties of writing and rewriting notable movies, including All the President’s Men, a Grand Hotel remake (which never materialized), and The Right Stuff. Losing deals and the sheer timing of getting the jobs back. Which raises the question: “Is luck and timing learned in a classroom?”

“Her heart was like a secret garden, and the walls were very high.”— “Princess Bride” by William Goodman

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

Goldman includes his popular script, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, along with a five-chapter dissertation on its strengths and weaknesses. Any screenwriter who reads these chapters learns multitudes of screenwriting tips.

Nevertheless, there is more. Three chapters strictly focus on adaptations in which Goldman uses one of his short stories as a model, with critiques from major Hollywood players — all the better for writers.

Goldman resonates with such words as, “And in movies, the screenwriter is the odd man out.

But there is a trade-off. That beginning lap we run, regardless of what happens later — that lap is ours. We have the privilege, if you will, of the initial vision. We’re the ones who first get to make the movie…”

I sensed a bit of cynicism, but who can’t help but detect such skepticism if you had walked in his shoes?

Sundance: I can’t swim!

Butch: Why, are you crazy? The fall’ll probably kill you.— “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” by William Goldman

The Princess Bride: An Illustrated Edition of S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

The Princess Bride: An Illustrated Edition of S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Goldman wrote The Princess Bride, a 1973 fantasy romance novel, and it is considered his best work. The story combines elements of romantic love, comedy, adventure, fantasy, and fairy tales. The names of the characters alone bring great delight to my imagination. With names such as Buttercup, Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Prince Humperdinck, it’s fanciful. However, Westley is a common name. I am awed by his talent because he not only writes screenplays but also novels. He writes in various genres, not just Westerns or political thrillers, which has made him famous. His work inspires me to write and to write well.

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18 Best Horror Movies On Demand

cult movie, horror,
Marrowbone - Lions Gate International
Marrowbone – Lions Gate International

“Horror – painful and intense fear, dread, or dismay”— Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Horror Movies to Watch

Horror movies stimulate physical and emotional responses, such as drawing your knees into your chest and placing your fingers in your mouth as your eyes widen. Some even include Halloween as a premise.

The producers and directors of horror movies aim to evoke fear and shock, prompting the audience to respond in kind. They employ themes such as supernatural, macabre, fantasy, and thriller. When people watch scary movies, they feel disgust, terror, and fear and experience nightmares.

Essential components of a horror movie are evil witches, ghosts, demons, extraterrestrials, monsters, zombies, fierce animals, vampires, evil clowns, werewolves, torture, psychopaths, serial killers, and cannibals. The following list of movies offers enough choices to choose the ideal film to dare watch on Halloween.

1. “Pet Sematary”

The cast alone drives horror fans to the movie theaters, with the added benefit that Pet Sematary is based on one of Stephen King’s most horrific novels. This demonic movie stars John Lithgow, Jason Clarke, and Amy Semietz. It is a remake of the 1989 film, and a sequel followed in 1992.

2. “Overlord”

Produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by Julius Avery, Overlord is a horror movie set during World War II. It follows two American soldiers who parachute behind enemy lines on D-Day and get into a lot of trouble.

The horror trailer is fun to watch because it’s intense and scary. Scripted by talented screenwriters Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith, the movie will move quickly, featuring suspense and thrilling action.

Billy Ray wrote incredible screenplays, including Shattered Glass and The Hunger Games. Mark L. Smith’s most notable screenplay is The Revenant.

Avery helmed other movies, including Jerrycan and Son of a Gun. His directing credits are unlike those of the screenwriters, but watch the trailer. Overlord is a good horror movie.

The cast includes Bokeem Woodbine, Wyatt Russell, and Pilou Asbæk.

The movie trailer shows several Americans dropping from a plane, parachuting into the occupied German countryside, and facing a Nazi experimental lab. The lab holds some scary and brutal work by a psychiatrist.

3. “Halloween”

Jamie Lee Curtis is, once again, Laurie Strode. She never gave up on finding Michael Myers, the knife-carrying, masked figure. He’s haunted her for 40 years because she barely escaped his killing spree on that dreadful Halloween night.

Now, it’s payback time, and she needs to protect her granddaughter.

4. “The Little Stranger”

I’m thrilled about this horror movie adaptation of a bestseller. It is a quintessential British suspense film, featuring a dynamic storyline that also doubles as a horror movie.

Lenny Abrahamson directs the suspense-horror film, with the story focusing on Dr. Faraday, played by Domhnall Gleeson. Dr. Faraday made a name for himself despite being the son of a housemaid. He put together a respectable life and practiced as a country doctor.

In the summer of 1948, he calls upon a patient of his mother’s former employers, Hall, the home of the Ayres family for over two centuries.

Surprisingly, the doctor finds the former Hall in decline, and its inhabitants—mother, son, and daughter—are haunted by something more sinister than death itself.

He takes on the new patient without realizing how intimately and dreadfully the family’s past twists around him.

5. “A Quiet Place”

The movie stars Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Noah Jupe, and Millicent Simmonds. A Quiet Place is a horror movie in the supernatural sense. Directed by Emily Blunt’s husband and co-star, John Krasinski, the movie’s synopsis says, “If they can’t hear you, they can’t hurt you.”

That line sends chills up my spine. I am a fan of Blunt. The movie is scary but in a suspenseful way. I recommend seeing A Quiet Place because it is a unique story that holds my attention. The direction and acting are a perfect fit – seamless and tight.

Scenes in the movie promote American Sign Language (ASL) through the use of deaf actress Millicent Simmonds. She is not aware when her younger brother makes a noise. Noise kills the family and causes the aliens to attack humans.

Emily Blunt said in an interview that the script was so good that she asked her husband if she could play the mother in the film. She was delighted that he said yes. Her husband, John Krasinski, is a co-writer, director and the husband in the movie. Don’t forget to catch A Quiet Place Part II. The sequel includes the background story of how the alien creatures arrived.

6. “Hell Fest”

Gregory Plotkin directed Hell Fest, focusing on three teenagers who attend a local Hell Fest. The teenagers are played by Amy Forsyth, Reign Edwards, and Taylor-Klaus. Because it is an amusement attraction, everyone believes all the scary scenes and death-threatening antics are fake.

Once they get through the gauntlet of horror, it will be just a horrific memory of fun. That is not the case because of an urban legend where a teenage girl was killed last year during Fest.

Plotkin is known best as an editor for Get Out and Happy Death Day. He cut his directing teeth, helming one of the Paranormal Activity movies.

7. “Ready or Not”

Co-directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Ready or Not is impressively cast. The story follows newlyweds who undergo a deadly ritual rooted in the groom’s family’s traditions.

His family is not only eccentric but wealthy. The cast includes Adam Brody, Andie MacDowell, and Henry Czerny.

8. “Suspiria”

From the director of Call Me by Your Name, Luca Guadagnino guides three strong female actresses —Dakota Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Tilda Swinton — in a horrific yet fantastical and mysterious film called Suspiria. The story takes place at a prestigious dance company. The mysterious movie focuses on the artistic director, a determined young dancer, and a wretched psychotherapist.

The movie is about those who surrender to the nightmare, while others will wake up decisively.

Johnson has a massive following from the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.

9. “Hereditary”

Ari Aster wrote and directed Hereditary, and it stars Toni Collette, who played the mother in The Sixth Sense. She plays a daughter whose mother passed away and left frightening secrets about the family. The whole family becomes immersed as the mystery unravels. As they discover more about their ancestors, they realize the ominous fate they must inherit.

This movie is Aster’s feature debut as both the writer and director. Watch the movie trailer because the film is a complete nightmare, severely disquieting. The story pushes horror into a nerve-wracking depiction of heritage departed to hell.

The movie also stars Alex Wolff, Gabriel Byrne, and Milly Shapiro. Shapiro is genuinely creepy as the daughter. In the trailer, she is both horrifying and entertaining.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the best scary or horror movie you haven’t seen yet, because you have seen them all.

10. “Don’t Breathe”

Directed by Fede Alvarez, Don’t Breathe is an award-winning horror movie. It is not your particular horror story, as it is about three young people, played by Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto, who attempt to pull off an easy heist from a wealthy blind man.

The blind man, played by Stephen Lang, is not what they expected, and they are in for a horrific and challenging undertaking. Lang is so believable and horrific. Lang has amassed a remarkable list of acting credits, spanning from the stage to the movie screen. He celebrated the most for his role in James Cameron’s Avatar. He also has earned a Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in The Speed of Darkness.

11. “Slender Man”

The premise of this movie is a tale of urban legends. Slender Man arrives from the imagination of Eric Knudsen, who created a pen name, Victor Surge, to keep Slender Man alive. A fabled creature formed through Surge’s visualization and introduced via the Internet platform Something Awful.

That is as far as Knudsen goes with the storyline, which is nothing compared to American Horror Story. David Birke penned the movie. He is known for scripting Elle and 13 Sins.

Directed by Sylvain White, Slender Man introduces four high school girls living in a small Massachusetts town. The girls gather and conduct a ceremony to uncover the lore of Slender Man.

One of the girls vanishes suddenly, and her three friends are suspicious and believe she is indeed Slender Man’s newest victim.

12. “Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare”

Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare gives me the creeps. Jeff Wadlow directed the movie that focuses on Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) and Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) as young women playing a deadly game of truth or dare.

The undercurrents drive the movie, turning it from an innocent “Truth or Dare” diversion among friends into a scary horror movie. The game spins fatally when something unknown punishes the characters who fail to tell the truth or decline to do the dare.

If you are a super fan of horror, you will enjoy this one because it is unrelenting in its campy material.

13. “Winchester”

It doesn’t seem like a horror movie, but it is scary with some horrific undertones. The Spierig brothers directed Winchester, starring Helen Mirren as Sarah Winchester.

The elaborate story is genuine, as it focuses on Sarah Winchester (Mirre..). Sarah Winchester was a real person who was quirky.

She resides on a remote stretch of land, 50 miles beyond San Francisco. Today, it is in the heart of San Jose on a busy street in Silicon Valley. Reportedly, Winchester lived in one of the most haunted houses in the world. The heiress to the Winchester fortune of the Winchester rifles never stops building her home and continues for years and years.

Ms. Winchester continues building the house for her niece (Sarah Snook), but it is unclear whether that is true. She could be constructing it for Eric Price (Jason Clarke) – her doctor. It would have been helpful if the directors had clarified this.

The story focuses on her constructing the house to imprison hundreds of revengeful ghosts. The worst of the spirits want to get even with the Winchesters’ family because of the firearms they make. They harmed and killed thousands and thousands of people through wars and such.

Not because it’s haunted, since I never considered it haunted. I don’t like tourist traps.

14. “The Strangers: Prey at Night”

The Strangers: Prey at Night is about a family road trip that turns horrific. Johannes Roberts directed the scary movie, with a script by Bryan Bertino and Ben Ketai. The family arrives at a mobile park that reminds me ofBatess Motel in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Too bad the movie isn’t as good as Psycho.

Prey at Night focuses on the family, who plan to stay with relatives at a mobile park but discover the place abandoned, which is amateurishly scary as the movie unfolds to its conclusion.

Three masked psychopaths jump out from the shadows and lash out at the family in the darkness with spine-chilling music. The family fights back on the edge of madness as they thrash out to stay alive.

The horror movie follows the same theme as the 2008 horror movie The Strangers, with a similar story concerning a young couple being stalked by three masked murderers. Interestingly, Bryan Bertino helmed Prey at Night and co-wrote its screenplay.

15. “IT”

I hope you don’t freak out when you see this trailer. IT tells the story based on Stephen King’s book of the same title.

King is a master at writing scary stories. This movie appears to be just as frightening. While watching the trailer, I was compelled to look over my shoulder about five times to see if I was alone, and no one was sneaking up on me. Even the sounds of my house were unsettling and playing with my mind.

At this point, you are witnessing a quintessential horror movie from King’s classic book of horror.

16. “Happy Death Day”

Happy Death Day is similar to Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day and Zoey Deutch’s Before I Fall. Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies, where a weatherman keeps living the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over again. Before I Fall is about a high school girl. She relives her day over and over again after dying in a car crash.

Though Happy Death Day is different than Murray’s or Deutsch’s movies, it still has the same premise as a horror movie about a college student who relives the day she gets murdered with the intent of finding her murderer.
The movie is not original, as it copies elements from Groundhog Day and Before I Fall.

Still, watch the trailer and get your fix of scary and horror with a touch of humor.

The producer and director were pleased with the box office return, and the director wrote and directed a sequel, titled Happy Death Day 2U, immediately. It is just as good with a similar premise.

17. “XX”

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why are horror movies so popular?” Watch the collection of short horror movies about mothers, and they give you the answer.

XX comes as a DVD helmed by four talented female directors. The shorts give you a chance to evaluate the popularity of horror movies, as they are not your typical horror movies. They are awkward and confusing at times.

The movies will catch your interest because each short is intelligently produced and acted. The fourth one is the best. It’s called The Box and makes the whole collection a scary, fun time to be shared with your friends. The movie is profound and meaningful. The kids grow up and become who they are, and she can only be their mom. What they do to her is unbelievably horrific.

Only Living Son is my next favorite choice out of the four shorts. The story follows a mother, and she’s left on her own at a stressful party. She continues this experience for the rest of her life. It’s a mother’s nightmare for real. The production is good, and the acting is believable.

Being a horror fan, you will want to see these four shorts.

The overall theme weaves through the movies – motherhood nightmares – fears of what could happen to you and your children. Each director has a distinctive and modern-day expression.

“‘The Ranger’ is one of the most punk horror movies that has ever punked.”— Bloody Disgusting

18. “The Ranger”

The teaser horror movie trailer is entertaining, with its retro look evoking the 1950s or 1960s camping aesthetic. Directed by Jenn Wexler, The Ranger follows a group of punks. The cops confront them, and they head for a national park. Chelsea, played by Chloe Levine, and her pals bolt from the city. They decided to lie low in an old cabin that Chelsea’s family had abandoned.

They fall prey to the watchful eye of an obsessive park ranger, played by Jeremy Holm. He holds a secret concerning Chelsea’s past.

The horror movie is about surviving in the forest while someone is chasing and killing your friends. Humor and glitter mix with the gore to keep the pace moving.

Best Scary Movies

I recommend all these horror movies and hope you get a chance to see each one. Some had higher budgets than others, but they are entertaining to watch.

How to Get Work in the Film Industry

film careers,

Why Work In Film?

Why try to build a career in film as a professional?

A good reason to have a career in the industry is that it continues to grow. The resources for showing a movie seem endless. We have movie theaters, the Internet, streaming, and Blu-ray/DVD—significant companies distribute films. Many film jobs are available in California and other parts of the country, both in front of and behind the camera.

Periodically, the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) conducts a study of filmmakers’ economic impact. Its findings are rewarding for those eager to work in the film or entertainment industry, particularly those interested in roles that do not involve the financial and emotional risks associated with fields such as acting and film crew work.

Hey, there is nothing wrong with being an actor or a member of a film crew. AFMA’s study reports that the industry is mature and growing. An industry that needs dedicated professionals in various trades is an opportunity for you.

Internet and Streaming

Filmmakers- independent and major studios- account for over 408,000 jobs nationwide. The report primarily includes those who work as consultants or freelancers. The bulk of the workforce is pretty much contract workers. The film industry’s “total U.S. economic effect” is over $12.5 billion.

Total production costs of network prime-time television, first-run syndication programs, and streaming platform offerings are enormous. Who gets all that money? You guessed it — film and television professionals who worked hard to make it in the business. That’s you.

The AFMA study concludes that there is a growing demand for films and entertainment. With the added benefit of many new formats like streaming and opportunities provided by emerging telecommunications and computer technologies, the industry is growing by leaps and bounds. It is most likely to continue to do so.

Nothing feels better than working in film because it's such a creative industry.
Nothing feels better than working in film because it’s such a creative industry.

Seventy-five percent of the people polled: Do you think you could make a successful career in film? Said, “Yes.”

Entertainment Industry

If you read the trades, you learn about the industry and how its growth is increasing and will continue to grow, verifying AFMA’s reports. Among the most validating reports on expansion in the film industry is CBS.com reporting that most Americans are streaming movies. Most of that streaming happens on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Disney. As the list grows, so will the number of job opportunities.

Of course, figures like this rise and fall, and the business of film can have its shifts, even some of the large and most successful companies with hardly any warning.

Because the entertainment industry is creative, you have to be innovative to work in the industry. Reading the trades and studying books about the business will help you get your foot in the door. Once you are in the door, you need to maintain your foothold by acting professionally and learning more about the industry.

Breaking into Film is a book you should read to learn about the business. It is an easy read but dated. The bulk of the career book offers advice, tips, and fundamentals for getting your foot in the door and building a long career in the entertainment field.

The book offers samples of resumes and letters, which are vital to this industry. The book also discusses the dress code. How are you supposed to dress for an interview versus for a set? It dedicates a whole chapter to the importance of networking and establishing relationships.

Film producing lasts forever because it's an endless industry that keeps evolving.
Film production lasts forever because it’s an ever-evolving industry. 

Industry Publications

Reading the trades is a vital part of being in the business and will help build your career. Some other publications to read are Film & Video, Filmmaker, Film Comment, Cinefex, and Cinefantastique. Each publication focuses on an aspect of the industry. Cinefex covers special effects, while Cinefantastique covers fantasy, science fiction, horror movies, and television.

Entertainment insiders tend to read publications that fans read to see how their competition is doing. They primarily read the “Calendar” sections of newspapers, the Los Angeles Times business section, and the Sunday edition of The New York Times.

Guilds, associations, and other unions distribute newsletters to their members. These newsletters are also available for non-members at a price. They specialize in current and upcoming events that interest you for networking purposes.

For the most part, these publications are available online.

United Talent Agency List

The best source for film job openings is the United Talent Agency List. This printout, published once a month or so, lists jobs that are important enough to pursue in the industry.

For over 30 years, the list has been where all the significant players place the job openings. The big hurdle is that the list is practically impossible to obtain unless you are one of the agency’s clients or connected to an industry insider.

Anonymous Production Assistant is a website that publishes the agency’s list. Reports say people get film jobs from the webmaster’s postings. If I were you, I’d give it a try and see what happens.

First Job in Film

Breaking into the entertainment industry is not easy, but it gets easier once you have your first job. It’s vital that you persevere and don’t give up. Each job leads to the next job offer, which takes time and effort.

How to Manage Your Film Budget

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Financing a movie requires a producer who understands the different production management tools.
Financing a movie requires a producer who understands the different production management tools. | Source

Checks and Balances of Budgeting a Film

As a filmmaker, it is essential to understand how to control money while making a film. Not everyone in the production is concerned about the money, but someone has to ensure the money is used correctly and supports the overall production. Sure, the line producer is watching the costs, but it is not just his responsibility. It is also your responsibility as the producer. Here are some key points to consider when taking control of the production money.

Above-the-Line

This article has touched on this area of budgeting, but a closer look would help gain a better understanding of the cost and should help the filmmaker. Above-the-line covers all costs associated with the writer, director, producers, cast, and stunts. The costs are controlled by competition, including other studios, production companies, and financiers. This aspect of the budget comes into play at the early stages of the project and rarely influences cost-control decisions once the film is in production. However, stunt performers often face unpredictable problems, and if a filmmaker can avoid using them, all the better. When a script calls for a character to be injured on camera, a stunt performer is required. The producer needs to control this production area because significant savings can be achieved by effectively managing stunts.

The casting budget is one of the trickiest costs to predict because so many variables come into play with on-screen talent. The Screen Actors Guild bargains for pay for actors in the industry. Some production companies agree only to hire SAG-AFTRA actors, who are signatory companies. But filmmakers should not be intimidated by working with only SAG actors. The guild is approachable and willing to work with independent producers because they want their actors to work; the production agreement changes based on the shooting location. For example, a scale actor in Los Angeles will earn $859.00 a day, with ten percent going to the agent on top of the day rate. Extra actors or general background performers, represented by SAG-AFTRA, earn $ 152 per day, plus all fringe benefits. These wages can vary.

Fringes

There are additional payments to governments and unions for every dollar spent on casting and stunt work. On average, it is approximately 32% on the fringes, similar to the payroll of any company. Such costs include state, local or federal-mandated requirements. Pension, health, and welfare payments for members of guilds and other fringe groups might also be considered, including employer-funded disability and medical programs. But fringes can’t be overlooked when a filmmaker looks at ways to cut costs.

The producer needs the agreement of the line producer to stick to the shooting schedule.
The producer needs the line producer’s agreement to stick to the shooting schedule. | Source

Shooting Timeline

The film’s shooting period influences the budget. Do the math. The longer it takes to shoot a movie, the more it will cost the filmmaker. An example of the cost of producing a film with a one-day small unit “pick up” shot is about $20,000. It includes the location and rates for above-the-line and below-the-line crew, excluding principal actors and background extras.

The shooting period encompasses everything related to the time spent filming, including the time required to wrap up production, which typically takes about two weeks after shooting is completed. The costs include labor for the entire crew, camera, grip, and electric equipment rentals, construction, wardrobe, transportation, and so forth. As mentioned earlier in this article, some producers refer to this section as part of the below-the-line. Below-the-line includes post-production costs as well.

Post-Production

After they complete the shooting period, the process is called post-production. This area of budgeting encompasses editing, visual effects, sound mixing, music, and other related expenses. If the film is in poor shape when it reaches post-production, the filmmaker, director, and producers do everything in their power to correct it. Everything could go well during the shooting period, but the climate might change once the project reaches post-production. There are endless stories about runaway productions happening in post. In their professional opinion, the studio and financiers want to create the best “look” possible. The film can look even better because technical experts can bring to life any image or idea the studio and financiers desire. If the filmmaker loses control at this point in the film’s budgeting, all the hard work is for nothing. The filmmaker must understand the importance of a tight, coordinated effort with all the key players, including producers, directors, editors, post-production supervisors, and financiers.

Other Costs

As a final point, they often overlook other costs when budgeting the project because they are not glamorous or creative. They include insurance, legal expenses, on-set publicity costs, and other related expenses. The financiers are familiar with this aspect of budgeting and typically know the different costs before agreeing to finance the production. Filmmakers should involve financiers, the studio, a bonding company, and the line producer when discussing additional expenses to protect themselves and gain insights from experienced opinions.

A filmmaker might come across a financier or studio head mentioning that an “overhead” account includes the contingency. Nowadays, it is hardly ever used. The key factor is securing financing, with the bonding company agreeing to provide a bond for the project. As a side note, there is no way to avoid a bonding company when a bank participates in the overall production. Obtaining a completion bond is not a bad idea because it guarantees investors or banks that the film, barring an Act of God, can be produced effectively and within the budgeted amount.

The Weekly Production Report keeps the executives and accounts updated.
The Weekly Production Report keeps executives and accounts up to date. | Source

Budget Points

All budget points can typically be found on the budget summary sheet. Once the filmmaker has the budget in place and approved, their attention needs to shift from budgeting to reporting expenses as they arise. The line producer and production accountant can help the filmmaker with the comparisons. The comparisons are traditionally referred to as the Weekly Cost Report. It is a progress report on the financial performance of production.

The Weekly Cost Report

The Weekly Cost Report brings a whole new meaning to being creative and is an adventure in discovering the many ways to bring cost reporting to life. The production accountant and line producer can be your allies when gathering expenses. Accounting can utilize a technicality that filmmakers need to know when reporting the Weekly Cost Report. It is all about how the filmmaker controls the money by learning how to direct the reporting process sufficiently and ethically, resulting in a decent yet dependable presentation of the production costs. The filmmaker is presenting the progress report to those backing the film production. Regardless, the report is provided to the studio executives, bonding company, and financiers every week.

Alternative Funding

Not having enough funds to finish a film is common among independent filmmakers and producers. The key is to keep going and find alternative sources of funding to see your production through to the end. Alternative funding campaigns offer a tremendous opportunity to leverage a financing route that involves the whole community from day one. As the producer or filmmaker, you must choose the best funding source for your production. It will take hard work and a dedicated team to pull it off. The hard work is doing your homework and learning how to do it successfully. The Internet is full of resources, and each funding platform offers directions and guidelines to achieve your funding.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a resource that has an excellent track record.

There are three reputable platforms: GoFundMe, Kickstarter and Indiegogo. As a filmmaker, you must study these platforms to learn how to get the best funds for your efforts. The key is to rally your team, from actors to production designers. Every individual who plays a role in your film should be involved in the crowdfunding project. The more players you have, the better the chance of reaching your funding goal.

Grants Help Funding

Funding a film production through grants is a resource that has been around for quite some time. They fill the Internet with endless resources for filmmakers to use in grant applications. They set most grants up for a particular quality or forte of the film being produced. For example, African Americans, Native Americans, or Women in Film are popular areas for grant applications. But one of the first things grant readers look for is “passion and connection to the project.” The readers view thousands of applications and know that the most essential ingredient in a proposal is the person’s passion for the project. It will still be there three years from now, as it may take too long to finish the film.

A resourceful producer or filmmaker will discover unique ways to fund their movie.
A resourceful producer or filmmaker will discover unique ways to fund their movie. | Source

Film Festivals

Film Festivals are another resource for funding a film production. The Sundance Film Festival and its institute are an excellent example of a film festival offering funding for filmmakers, from screenwriting to music. The institute’s website supports a dedicated page for its funding opportunities. Filmmakers can peruse the site and understand what they need to present to the institute to be considered a candidate. Filmmakers attending film festivals is another way to network and find funding.

Foundations Help Fund Film Productions

Foundations are another source of funding for a film production. These foundations offer grants, just like applying for one. Knowing who you are approaching is critical when applying for a grant. Who are the judges? What projects have you won before? Were they first-time filmmakers? Did they have a history of documentary films or feature films to win? Look at the prior winners to give you an idea of who you are applying to. Then you can direct your application to that person.

Barbra Streisand Sings Mainstream Jazz

legend,

Barbra Streisand the Love Inside

Listening to Barbra Streisand sing any song is pure joy. She takes singing to a level that few have achieved in their careers.

I have never seen her in concert. Something that I would like to correct. Even if I sit in the nosebleed seats, it is a memory I will cherish forever.

Filmmaker

Although she is a singer, she is also an actress-turned-filmmaker, singing songs written specifically for her movies. As a filmmaker, she is unparalleled. Surprisingly, they missed the Oscar radar a couple of times. Yentl comes to mind, and The Mirror Has Two Faces. Both films came from Barbra’s heart, which is clear.

Based on a bestseller, she directed and starred in The Prince of Tides. It might not be as personal as the others, but she still sings.

Love Is The Answer

It surprised me to hear that this is her only jazz release. It’s the only jazz album with Barbra singing so well.

“I hated singing. I wanted to be an actress. But I don’t think I’d have made it any other way.”— Barbra Streisand.

“Love is the Answer”

Listening to Barbra Streisand sing jazz standards is not a dream. You can hear her recording on her album Love Is the Answer. If you are a substantial Streisand fan, you know about this album. If you are not a fan but an admirer, this may be the first time you’ve ever heard that she is also a jazz singer.

Streisand’s Love Is the Answer arrived on the streets and radio airwaves in 2009. She sings as if the songs are part of her being, performing them with a passion for jazz. “It’s a toast to life,” Barbra explained in an interview.

Love Is The Answer

Love Is The Answer

Barbra Streisand’s album Love Is the Answer came out in 2009. When she sings, it’s like the jazz songs are part of her being performed with passion. “It’s a toast to life,” Barbra explained in an interview.

 Buy Now

Barbra Streisand Live in Concert DVD

Love is the Answer, followed by Live In Concert 2006. Not bad for a three-year break, Barbra sings the notes and lyrics like she is on stage in a cabaret. Each song is jazzy, like an emotional dream. The depth and maturity of her renditions are deep. It’s like cherishing the first dawn reflections of past sorrows, hoping for kindhearted comforts.

The jazz album offered Barbra the opportunity to collaborate with the Grammy-winning jazz pianist Diana Krall—her quartet, comprising bass, guitar, and drums, showcases finesse. The tenderness is in delicate and understated compositions. Barbra and Diana never worked together until this project. You cannot tell because the music flows seamlessly and blends.

Grammy Winner Arranger

Barbra experienced an exclusive pleasure during the studio recording of the album. Working with celebrated songwriter and Grammy-winning arranger Johnny Mandel completed the creation. Mandel had been in the studio before with Barbra in 1993 while recording her Back to Broadway album. He worked with Diane before arranging and co-producing. The outcome was Krall’s 1998 Grammy-winning jazz album When I Look in Your Eyes. The familiarity and talent in the studio make it easy to understand Mandel’s work. He brought his awe-inspiring orchestrations to their collaboration on Love is Answer.

Listening to the standards, some of them held my love for them. “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” was sung by legends like Frank Sinatra. “If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)” is a version of the Jacques Brel standard presented in English and French. “Spring Can Hang You Up” is one of those songs Barbra sang back in a St. Louis club when she was only 18. The same version is on the album, marking the first-ever studio performance of this standard.

“There is nothing more important in life than love.”— Barbra Streisand

Bossa Nova Movie

“Gentle Rain” is a tender bossa nova performance. Derived from Black Orpheus, a movie that presented the rhythm style of Brazilian music,” Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” is a pensively sad and melancholy standard. First written in 1933 for Roberta, an operetta on Broadway by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach, indicates the transformation of the rendition. Nat “King” Cole performed the song, as did the Platters and other great talents. “Some Other Time” is a jewel and is rarely presented with the music arranged by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden.

“Barbra Streisand is without a doubt one of the most honest people I have ever known. There is no doubt in my mind that she will not be doing any more concerts. Of course, she still will be making records and starring and directing in movies.”— Marvin Hamlisch. Composer

Jazz Standards

Jazz standards tickle my ears and fill my heart with delight. Barbra Streisand sings them on Love Is Answer, and I hear pure joy. Of all the songs on the album, I pick “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” my ultimate favorite. I praise Frank Sinatra’s version of this standard, and Barbra’s version is frothy, despondent and enchanting.

Stream the Films on Netflix or Amazon

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Source: JesShoots

Netflix or Amazon

Your family wants to watch a good movie, and you need help picking a good family movie. Without spending too much time searching, I found the following movies streaming on either Netflix or Amazon.

  1. Early Man
  2. Incredibles 2
  3. Five Fingers of Marseilles
  4. Christopher Robin
  5. A Quiet Place
  6. Disney’s Earth
  7. Alvin and the Chipmunks
  8. VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life
  9. Dolphin Tale
  10. The Sandlot
  11. Lady Bird
  12. Logan
  13. Kull: Skull Island
  14. Boss Baby
  15. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul
  16. Little Italy
If you liked "Chicken Run" and "Wallace & Grunt," you'll like "Early Man."
If you liked “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit,” you’ll like “Early Man.”

1. “Early Man”

Early Man brings laughter to the household because the movie is cute and filled with fun and likable characters. Dug, voiced by Eddie Redmayne, is a prehistoric caveman with goofy friends. The situation is hilarious, where the invaders are challenged to a game of soccer because Dug and his tribe need to win back their home.

The movie will capture your family’s attention because the kids relate to the innocence of the idiots, and adults will find the story funny. The undertone of humor in the situations makes parents chuckle. The claymation takes the story to a whole new level of brilliance.

"Incredibles 2" is just as good as "Incredibles" because Brad Bird directed both.
“Incredibles 2” is just as good as “Incredibles” because Brad Bird directed both.

2. “Incredibles 2”

Incredibles 2 is an ideal family movie because it is about a family of superheroes. Other superheroes are also enthralling to see how the family adjusts to being superheroes when mom, Elastic Girl, leaves the family at home with dad in charge. Jack-Jack’s superhero powers are totally out of this world. Brad Bird wrote and directed the movie. His screenplay flies along with tight dialogue and plenty of funny moments. I strongly recommend this movie for family movie night because it is pure entertainment and will satisfy all ages.

If you want to watch back-to-back movies, I strongly recommend the prequel, Incredibles. Again, Brad Bird directs a funny and action-packed film for the whole family.

My library includes both movies because, on family movie night, we all agree to watch Incredibles. I loaned the Blu-ray to friends who haven’t seen it yet. When they return it, they profusely thank me as we discuss our favorite scenes.

Any scene with Edna is my favorite. She is such a funny and quirky character. In Incredibles 2, she goes way out and befriends Jack-Jack.

All the voice actors’ return in Incredibles 2 shows how capable Bird is as a director. Pixar will not fail you because the voice actors create delightful characters.

Finding a well-made Western is pure joy.
Finding a well-made Western is pure joy.

3. “Five Fingers of Marseilles”

Five Fingers of Marseilles is a western set before and after Apartheid in South Africa. The inhabitants of Marseilles are under the oppression of a corrupt police force, and Five Fingers is a group of rebels that stands up to it.

Tau executes two police officers, and he flees the town. The Five Fingers breaks up, and Tau chooses a life of crime and gets arrested.

Two decades later, he is discharged from prison as the dreaded outlaw known as The Lion of Marseilles.

He returns home wanting comfort and reconnection with those he had disregarded. Tau is entangled in another injustice and rebuilds the Five Fingers. Together they fight for justice.

Scripted by Sean Drummond, the story is believable and moves along quickly. Directed by Michael Matthews, the movie is in English with subtitles.

It's a unique story about growing up, but not too seriously.
It’s a unique story about growing up, but not too seriously.

4. “Christopher Robin”

Winnie the Pooh, along with his best friends of the Hundred Acre Wood, leaves home for the big city to help Christopher Robin, who is now a father and in the workforce, become the loving and playful boy he used to be.

The journey is delightful, with silly Pooh and friends trying so hard to help Christopher. The movie will capture your heart.

Directed by her husband, Emily Blunt is so believable in "A Quiet Place."
Directed by her husband, Emily Blunt is so believable in “A Quiet Place.”

5. “A Quiet Place”

A Quiet Place trailer is an intense and scary movie. The story follows a family who must be quiet. Directed by John Krasinski, the supernatural thriller stars Krasinski and his wife, Emily Blunt. The film is enthralling and made so much money that the studio is producing a sequel.

Disneynature opens the world of nature to kids of all ages.
Disneynature opens the world of nature to kids of all ages.

6. Disneynature’s “Earth “

Disneynature celebrates each Earth Day with the release of a documentary celebrating Earth, the environment, and animals. The first of the series was Earth, released in 2009. The movie set a documentary opening-day record, grossing $4 million from 1,804 theaters.

The concessions person explained that the movie theater had four loaded school buses for the 10:00 am showing. He talked about the kids swamping concessions with orders of sixty kids’ treat packages. Disney conducted an all-out campaign to encourage schools and families to attend the Earth Day opening, a wise move on their part.

Three Animals Tell the Story

In the movie Earth, we are introduced to a mother polar bear and her two cubs as we first catch sight of their snouts peeking out from their winter den. The movie charts several other animals, but the documentary focuses primarily on these three animals to tell the story of Earth: the polar bears, humpback whales, and African elephants. It is by far an epic film, giving the attention this endangered planet deserves.

Any movie night can become your own special Earth Day by watching a Disneynature film or one of the older Disney films about nature called True Life Adventures. Adventure movies focus on wildlife, and an Oscar-winning series initiated by Walt Disney himself. He truly loved wildlife and saw the importance of conveying the message to keep your planet sustainable. Once your family views a Disneynature documentary, you can discuss the need to change our living habits and help preserve our planet Earth, and the importance of keeping it intact for many generations to come.

7. “Alvin and the Chipmunks”

Alvin and the Chipmunks were super popular in the late 1950s and then returned in 2007 as computer-generated images, known as CGI. The three little rascals look more real than ever now. Like the movie poster says, “Things are going to get messy.”

JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, a former college roommate, rejected his most recent song. To make the story even more interesting, Dave had, at one time, a relationship with Claire Wilson, his next-door neighbor.

Favorite Scene

Alvin and his two buddies sing “Only You And You Alone.” Dave realizes he discovered three diamonds in the rough.

The movie takes off, and the Chipmunks sing the songs he writes, and he keeps them fed and sheltered. The singing and montages in the film are brilliant. Jason Lee does a fantastic job of playing off the little CGI animals.

One of my favorite scenes is when Theodore wakes up in the middle of the night, scared from a nightmare. Dave helps him feel safe by letting him sleep in his bed. Very cute; any parent or child will relate to this scene, later revisited with Uncle Ian in a rather poignant scene.

Little Rascals

But the chipmunks, being little rascals, cause some problems for Dave. But they are so adorable you can’t help but laugh, which makes this an ideal family movie. A cute scene is when Alvin tries to create the mood for Dave’s reunion dinner with Claire. The dinner becomes odd. She bails on Dave when he confesses, “My life is being sabotaged by talking chipmunks.”

Alvin and the Chipmunks want to make up for the blunder, so they record a song and get a record deal with Ian Hawke. Now, Alvin and the Chipmunks are more famous than the Jonas Brothers. The little animals are working so hard to keep up with the demand. Dave worries about them and tries to get control over the situation. With missed opportunities and Hawke’s underhanded scheme to steal the chipmunks, Dave lets them go. Hawke tells the chipmunks to call him Uncle Ian. He wants to make money off them without their well-being in mind. The little guys are overworked. They miss Dave, and Dave misses them.

Family Can Watch Together

Directed by Tim Hill, the movie is fun for anyone, but it’s one the family can watch together without worrying that parents will get bored or that jokes will go over the kids’ heads. The talented cast and voice actors make the movie. Some of the cast members are Jane Lynch from Glee, Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, Jesse McCartney as Theodore, David Cross as Ian Hawke, and Jason Lee as Dave.

Behind-the-Scenes

The Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD has a behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how they created the chipmunks’ singing. It is well worth the look, and you will discover the real singers of the movie.

VeggieTales are pure magic for the little ones.
VeggieTales are pure magic for the little ones.

8. “VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life”

The VeggieTales, in general, are great family movies because they are light and fluffy. The jokes are clean, and the situations are hilarious. Sure, the tales bring in the Christian faith, so what? They are fun, and kids and parents have a good time watching the veggie characters interact with each other without legs or arms, yet they still move things around in the air as if they have extremities.

They carry books and a football. The veggies don’t walk with legs. They bounce to and fro because they are vegetables.

One such VeggieTales movie that went directly to DVD is It’s a Meaningful Life – A Lesson in Being Content. The story is somewhat like Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. The classic movie follows a sad businessman as he reflects on how his life has turned out, and he wishes he had never been born. An angel guides him to the right path by showing how important his life is. The movie boasts James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, and Donna Reed.

Would Life Be Better?

The VeggieTales character Larry the Cucumber plays Stewart, who loves playing football and wants to play in the Salad Bowl. He wants to be famous for all the fortune that goes with fame. But he gets injured in a game, and his dream ends. Many years later, silly-but-sweet Stewart cares for his family and friends. He loves his job at the toy train factory.

He ponders what he would be if he weren’t injured, had become a famous football star, and had made lots of money. Would life be better? He changes the past to show Steward what it would be like if it had happened the way he wanted. A moral is learned through Christian teachings, and Stewart learns a lesson about life.

Multi-Grammy Winner – Steven Curtis Chapman

What the movie is really about is the song “Meant to Be,” produced by Steven Curtis Chapman, a multi-Grammy winner as well as a Dove Award winner. Of course, It’s a Meaningful Life has the traditional new silly song called “Goodnight Junior.”

You can even visit the VeggieTales website and download some excellent activities from the movie for kids and parents to do together. The DVD includes cool family bonus features, such as sing-along songs, interviews, audio commentary, and the Meaningful Family Life Guide.

9. “Dolphin Tale”

Dolphin Tale is a true story that follows a teenage boy, Sawyer, played by Nathan Gamble. Sawyer meets his best friend, a dolphin, washed up on Clearwater Beach in Florida. Dolphin is named Winter, who loses her tail after being snagged in a crab trap. He decides to take responsibility for Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and his life changes.

The dolphin plays herself in the movie, making it realistic for families to watch. The Blu-ray/DVD offers several perspectives on the dolphin’s story. The featurettes are entertaining but educational at the same time.

Sawyer helps find a prosthetic expert to fit Winter with a prosthetic fin—a fantastic and unbelievable feat – never been done before. I encourage families to watch this movie together because it is one of the best family movies I have ever seen. The film will tug at your heartstrings, featuring a talented cast including Morgan Freeman, Ashly Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.

10. “The Sandlot”

The Sandlot is a movie everyone in the family can enjoy because its story has both tension and apprehension, making it a film kids can watch with their parents. The film is about kids growing up in the 1960s, when kids could play on the streets and have more freedom. They didn’t need permission to go places or to stay in touch with their parents. They just played and had fun all day.

Scotty, a new kid in the neighborhood, tries to make friends with the kids who play baseball on the sandlot. It’s hard at first, but the boys come around, and the adventure begins. Scotty learns to play baseball as the story follows him and his buddies on an adventurous summer quest to retrieve a baseball with a Babe Ruth autograph. The movie entertains audiences of all ages, featuring some of the wildest moments, scary situations, and a first kiss. All nine boys grew up that summer and became best friends. The film is enchanting and a fun comedy.

Director Greta Gerwig is from my hometown.
Director Greta Gerwig is from my hometown.

11. “Lady Bird”

The movie is not only filmed in my hometown but also about it. I marvel at the phenomenon of connection. That’s the feeling I have toward Lady Bird because it’s set in my hometown.

Greta Gerwig’s movie follows a teenage girl, played by Saoirse Ronan, who calls herself “Lady Bird” and goes to a Catholic school similar to Gerwig’s High School.

The story is charming, no matter where you live, because it is about being a teenager with a prominent dream to go to college and be away from home.

She tries to be who she really is while contending with the crazy life of high school and her relationship with her mother.

And, Lady Bird received esteem at festivals, from the public, and the industry.

12. “Logan”

Hugh Jackman stars under the direction of James Mangold. Mangold’s notable credits include Walk the Line, which he co-wrote; The Wolverine; Girl, Interrupted; Cop Land; Knight and Day; Ford v. Ferrari; and 3:10 to Yuma.

An operation run by the government turns mutant kids into killers. Logan begins mentoring a mutant girl with two claws rather than his three. The movie is dark and gets more serious, but laughs and merriment appear toward the end.

A Harry Potter alumnus, Tom Felton, looks mighty mean, suntanned, and ready to be the wicked, bad guy.

13. “Kong: Skull Island”

Being promoted as a reimagining of the beginning of the mythic Kong, an exciting, creative venture, I acknowledge that remakes are not original. Yet, the movie is supposedly original, so don’t name it Kong.

The movie follows a diverse group brought together to research an uncharted island in the Pacific. The island is stunning, but dangerous. The group adventures into a strange and unfamiliar island, and they are unaware of exploring the realm of the mythic Kong.

14. “The Boss Baby”

The Boss Baby is a hilarious movie that the family is sure to like. The impact of a new baby’s arrival is told from a delightfully unpredictable narrator, a heatedly creative 7-year-old named Tim.

The voice of Alec Baldwin dons a suit and speaks in a sly, animated way. The movie’s heart-filled message about the meaning of family should appeal to the whole family.

15. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul”

The last Wimpy Kid movie has a new cast, and it looks entertaining, although a road trip? I could be amusing. Watch the trailer, and you might see some familiar faces from the earlier movies.

Hayden Christensen played young Darth Vador.
Hayden Christensen played young Darth Vader.

16. “Little Italy”

Little Italy focuses on two childhood friends, Leo (Hayden Christensen) and Nikki (Emma Roberts). The movie is directed by Donald Petrie, who brought us Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock.

As in a classic story, Leo and Nikki become attracted to each other when they are adults. Their parents’ own contentious pizzerias put a bite on their passionate romance. If you are familiar with the story, this particular one is not a tragedy. Some classic stories end unhappily, but this romantic comedy is safe for a blossoming romance.

Streaming Movies are Rewarding

Watching a good movie with the family can be rewarding on many levels. They are upbeat, funny, and honorable. Whether you rent them on Netflix, Amazon, or cable, the stories share a message that the whole audience can relate to, refreshingly.

Film Career Building: Steps to Success

film careers,

Know the Film Industry

Whatever profession you decide to be in the film industry, whether in front of the camera or behind the camera, the more you study and learn about the industry, the more likely you will be successful. Study it thoroughly and gain a deeper understanding of your profession.

Understanding your profession helps explain why some directors are one-hit wonders. They direct a hit movie or two and are never heard of again. They couldn’t continue working in the right direction because they hadn’t studied their craft enough to understand why their film was a hit.

As you gain experience, you will become a professional, working as a director or a camera person. You may find yourself in the exact place you have dreamed of your whole life.

If you maintain your integrity, your industry knowledge will keep you stable. And you will work into your golden years.

Whatever you do in the film industry, whether in front of the camera or behind the camera, you need to know about the industry and study it thoroughly.

Dress for Success
Dress for Success | Source

Dress Code

People who work behind the scenes in the film industry do not dress formally, but they can’t look careless or ineffective. So, wearing down is the style for film crews. Lawyers, lobbyists, stockbrokers, and executives dress for success. But Hollywood is a little more extreme in images.

To determine your dress code, observe what the top professionals in your chosen field wear. There are different looks for different jobs. Studio producers and agents don’t look like cinematographers or gaffers.

The jobs in Hollywood are creative. The aim is to look expensive while wearing play clothes. It is both costly and casual, yet hip. Fashion is being in step with the times.

Hollywood is almost inconceivably conscious of looks. It is not surprising, given how the industry produces visual imagery.

What to Wear to Your Job Interview

What about traditional wear? When a suit and tie walks onto the set, there are murmurs of “Heads up. There are suits on the set.” It is not a complimentary term. However, typically, many creative executives and most business executives, as well as agents, lawyers, and accountants, are considered “suits.”

You must pay attention to the fashionable attire of the top individuals in your chosen field. But it is also beneficial to develop a look that is all your own. Then, people remember you because you stand out from the crowd. Personal image consultants in the film industry or costume designers can help you find a look that suits you because you certainly would not want your “new” look to backfire.

Hollywood is almost inconceivably conscious of looks. It is not surprising to consider how the industry produces visual imagery. When you attend the interview, you will be judged by what you wear, so it’s best to present yourself carefully and in the way you wish to look. If you apply for a production assistant position, you are not required to wear a suit or tie. Decent shoes, clean jeans, a clean t-shirt, and a flannel are appropriate.

People who work behind the scenes in the film industry do not dress formally, but they can’t look careless or ineffective either. So, wearing down is the style for film crews, but wear down with style.

Learning on the Job
Learning on the Job | Source

Working at Movie Lab

Growing up, Brian was never really into movies. He was more into soccer and the Boy Scouts. After high school, Brian got a job in the shipping department at Technicolor. He handled packing and shipping. Then, he got another job in the shipping department at Movie Lab.

After working at Movie Lab for a while, Brian heard about an opening for an optical timer assistant. They needed someone to take notes on the timer. He would go to the screening and write down what people said and what happened in the film. He worked with the timers for about three years.

Optical Effect Timing

From there, Brian got a job as a timer. He ensured that the dailies matched the rest of the film. Now, he is timing the optical effects for movies.

There are no optical effect timing classes in schools. According to Brian, you can’t learn how to do it by reading a book. Like most jobs in the movies, you know on the job. However, if you are determined, you can enter this field.

Brian started with an entry-level position. While he worked, he observed what was happening around him and asked questions. This tactic worked for him. It could work for you.

She told the first casting directors she met while on a film that she was available day and night. She didn’t care about the hours.

Working as an Extra
Working as an Extra | Source

Things to Know

So, you want to know what it is like to work as an extra in a film. Well, there aren’t too many Film-Extra Gurus in this world because it’s not all that glamorous or lucrative. I have worked on a few movies, but it doesn’t make me an expert. However, I can tell you there are some things you should know.

  1. When you attend the casting call, make sure to list your experience, even if it’s not specified. For example, if you have worked on films, include the film title, the number of hours you worked, your training, credits, and so forth.
  2. If you get the callback, make sure you get to know the casting directors/agents. One woman I know, who worked as an extra, made sure to meet with the casting director. She told the first casting directors she met while on a film that she was available day and night. She didn’t care about the hours. They considered that because she had filmed for three straight nights, from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. She went back and shot eight times after that.
  3. Always be prompt for the casting call. I know for a fact that this matters. One extra told me he learned on his third day filming that if they say 7:30 a.m., they mean 7:30 a.m. He arrived at approximately 8:40, and they had already begun filming. He didn’t get to work on the film until they finished shooting, which can sometimes take all day.
  4. Have the right attitude about it. I never look tired or bored. Make sure you don’t complain. Especially if you were in the shot, but they moved you, so now you aren’t. Always follow directions. If they say “QUIET ON THE SET,” they mean quiet. You get pulled off the set if you don’t follow these rules.
  5. Finally, have fun and smile. It’s supposed to be a fun experience. Plus, you get to meet the stars.
Casting Directors

Casting Director

The casting director is another preproduction job that requires a strong understanding of the script and a keen eye for talent. Directors set guidelines for the “types” they are looking for, and the casting director selects actors and brings them to audition for the director, who makes the final selection. The casting director must be familiar with the actors’ abilities and effectively communicate them to the director. In turn, the director must provide feedback to the casting director, so the casting director knows whether they are on the right track.

Casting directors need to be actors’ best friends. If an actor hits it off well with a casting director, it could determine whether they will get a part in a feature film.

The casting director is another preproduction job that requires a strong understanding of the script and a keen eye for talent.

Supervising Extras on Set

Casting directors must have excellent people skills, as they often work with large crowds on a one-time basis. Sometimes, casting directors are looking for temporary workers, such as when they have a big production coming to town and need someone in the office to sit at the desk and make a thousand calls to recruit five hundred extras for a significant scene in a couple of days.

Additionally, casting directors must supervise extras on set, ensuring that background actors remain in their designated holding area and behave appropriately throughout the shoot. When an actor plays an extra, there is a lot of waiting around, and sometimes that waiting can lead to trouble. The casting director must ensure that all extras understand what it takes to be an extra in a film and behave appropriately.

Clean Hands

If you want to build a career in the film industry, it’s essential to understand the business. Study, listen, network, and build bridges. You will get there as long as you follow the rules and keep your hands clean.

Don’t forget to have fun!

Film Jobs: Become a Movie Animal Trainer

animals, film careers, ,
Even animal actors walk the red carpet premieres.
Even animal actors walk the red carpet at premieres. | Source

What are Animal Actors?

Animal actors are animals who act in movies, on television and on stage. Animal actors have been around since the inception of the entertainment business.

Jesters, storytellers, troubadours, and acrobats used animals for entertainment as far back as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Animals performed tricks at court, parties, taverns, and carnivals. Animal acts consisted of dancing bears, acrobatic dogs, and agile monkeys.

“There is that thing about not working with animals and children – I don’t think that’s true. Although you should never work with donkeys.”— Emma Thompson, Academy Award-Winning Actress

Paws for Effect

I helped one of my readers break into the movie business. She started as a production assistant and continued working on several movies. Then she began working as an animal trainer on her days off.

Became a Full-Time Job

She trains animals to be actors in movies. Working with animal actors is not easy because you are dealing with animals all day, and you have to like animals to do the job. I mean animals that are actors, too.

Although she didn’t disclose the earnings of animal actors, she did indicate that they earn a good income without the trainers receiving equity or residuals.

She worked at a place like Paws for Effect, a ranch for animals used in acting. They have offices in Los Angeles, Florida, and Vancouver. Film career folks in Florida and Vancouver can jump at the opportunity.

You can find your way into the film business working for them if you live in these cities. Apply at these offices to gain work experience and build a strong resume before relocating to Los Angeles and settling in Hollywood as an animal trainer for film.

“A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.”— Groucho Marx

Animal Actors Agency

These agencies even house reptiles, including snakes, frogs, lizards, and Gila monsters. If you want to see the type of animal actors, go to Paws for Effect and check out the creatures’ headshots.

They represent all species of cats, including felines. I wonder if they got lucky and were discovered like Lana Turner—Hollywood’s famous Top Hat. I can’t forget the movie Cats & Dogs. One of those cats in the movie got discovered while mewing in an alley. A representative from Paws for Effect spotted the beautiful cat in an alley near a local soda fountain. And well, you know the rest of the story.

Acting with an animal takes patience and respect for the animal trainers.
Acting with an animal takes patience and respect for the animal trainers. | Source

All Types of Animals

Paws for Effect represents a wide range of animals, including lions, tigers, and bears. Oh, my!

Let’s not forget livestock for movies made for episodic shows like Outlander, The Crown, Downton Abby, and Victoria.

The Paws for Effect credits are pretty impressive. Read their credits from well-known movies or television shows and catch their names.

Some notable movies are Ocean’s 11, The Princess Diaries, and Charlie’s Angels. On Television are former and current series like The West Wing, Judging Amy, and C.S.I.

“I love working with horses. People say you shouldn’t work with animals and children; that’s wrong. You must only work with children because you only work eight hours a day and I love working with animals. Animals have an honesty that human beings reach to find in their lives at the best of times.”— Colin Farrell, Actor

Animal Actor Agencies Hiring

Paws for Effect is not the only animal actor agency. There are others you can reach out to and get a job.

  • Animal Actors International Animal Talent Agency
  • Hollywood Paws
  • All Animals Actors International
  • Top Dog Talent Agency
  • Animal Talent Time
  • Le Paws
  • Urban Paws UK
  • Arizona Animal Actors
Animals can upstage an actor, but that's part of working in the industry.
Animals can upstage an actor, but that’s part of working in the industry. | Source

Retired Animal Actors

There are issues with animals that can earn a bad reputation. They don’t work well with the director. The breed is no longer in demand. They are too old to work and can no longer work. My friend, who works at Paws for Effect, says these out-of-work but appreciated animals are free to a home that is willing to care for them.

They are all without fleas, neutered, healthy, and make great pets. You must promise to provide them with a home. The animal is yours, and you have a celebrity living in your home.

“All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”— George Orwell

Survey: Would you like to work with animal actors?

Some animal lovers were asked if they’d like to work with animal actors, and 80% of them said, “Yes. I love animals.” Twenty percent said, “If that is the only way I can break into the business, yes.”

Working With Animals on the Film Set

Andrew Simpson worked on John Wick: Chapters 3 and 4. His interview offers some insight into what it’s like to work with a dog in action, particularly in high-adrenaline films like the John Wick franchise.

Helping Animals

I reached out to Paws for Effect and told them I was writing this article. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how a fledgling film worker could apply for a job working with animals.

They didn’t reply after several weeks, so I suspect that they were busy milking the cows and sorting the eggs. But this doesn’t mean you can’t give it a try. If you go to their website, you can email them or call their toll-free number to network or pitch yourself. Good luck, and if you get a job, please let me know how it all turns out, so I can help animals get their big break in the movie business.

“The cat will mew, and dog will have his day.”— William Shakespeare