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Useful Tricks To Increase Your Chances Of Winning In Online Slot Gambling

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Useful Tricks To Increase Your Chances Of Winning In Online Slot Gambling

Slot games are popular with online casino players around the world. While some people play these games purely for entertainment, there are others who prefer to play for real money. Either way, you can significantly increase your chances of winning by following certain guidelines and using useful tricks that will help you gain an edge over other players. Here are useful tricks to increase your chances of winning in online slot gambling. 

Check Slot Payout Percentages

Before deciding which online casino to play at, make sure it has some of the best slot machines available in the market. The folks at MPO API Slot explain that you should always play at an online casino with the best payout percentage if you want to boost your chances of winning. Another thing that you should do is to check out the payouts of different online slots before deciding on one. Different casinos will have different percentages, which means that while some might give you a 97% payout (meaning they will retain only 3% of all bets placed) for a certain slot machine, others could offer 95%. 

Use A Good Slot Machine Simulator

Trying out different slots to find one that suits your taste is very important if you want to boost your chances of winning. While this option is available to players who use land-based casinos as well as those who play on regular online casinos, it's advisable that you try out the games using a good slot machine simulator first. Some of these simulators can let you spin the reels for free while others will require you to make a small initial deposit before allowing you to test drive the slot machines. This will help you choose a slot that has a high RTP percentage and isn't rigged against the player in any way.

Play With Bonuses

Many people like playing online slots because they can get some really good bonuses based on the amount of money they are willing to deposit. While you should always pay attention to the terms and conditions before accepting any bonus offer, this is a trick that can help you win more often. If you're lucky enough to hit a big win while playing with a bonus attached, you could walk away with an even bigger sum than what you would have got if no bonus was involved.

Watch Out For Variance

Many beginners tend to think that slot games are just bonus rounds where you can win easy cash without putting too much effort into it. While this may be true in rare cases, most slots have a high variance attached to them. This means that you'll need good luck to be able to win on a regular basis. You can reduce this variance by playing games that have more pay lines and betting on higher amounts per line.

Stick To Your Budget

While it's all fun and games when you're just starting out, it's important that you stick to your budget while playing online slots. While some people would recommend setting a daily or weekly limit for themselves, others prefer using a bankroll management system where they divide their total bankroll along with their stakes and play accordingly. By sticking to this method, players ensure they don't end up broke before they even get started. 

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So there you have it – useful tricks to increase your chances of winning in online slot gambling. Slot games are easy to play but they require money and time if you want to become good at them, especially if you aim to win big every now and then. You can greatly boost your chances of success by following some simple guidelines mentioned above. Good Luck! 

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MOVIE REVIEW: Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures

VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE— 2 STARS

The subtitle of Venom: Let There Be Carnage jabs its clawed fists at the Holy Bible’s “Let there be light” command from Genesis 1:3. To follow in the heavenly progression, the problem is it’s up to us moviegoers to see how good it was and separate the light from the darkness. Best of luck with that vision and division. What’s good is a shoddy farce. Only the comedy is light while too much of the melee is muddled darkness. And the carnage, well, is granted a meaningless body count without an ounce of palpable terror to be found.

This is a comic book movie that centers on and attempts to broaden two of the most violent, powerful, and deadly villains ever to grace Marvel Comics, and what do you get? Asininity instead of menace. Venom: Let There Be Carnage feels like the cinematic equivalent of a young teenager who just learned to be brash for brash’s sake where the consequences haven’t kicked into gear. The kid curses a bunch, breaks stuff, and tries to sound all tough only to always come out looking like a clown, complete with a retreaded Iron Man 2 party scene of stage-stealing and mic-dropping cringe.

Taking place a year after the events of the 2018 film, former down-on-his-luck blogger Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) has become the handpicked interviewer of San Quentin death row inmate Cletus Kassidy (Woody Harrelson). The eccentric serial killer teases telling Brock all of the secrets burning to get out of him before his date with the needle. Little bits of his asylum history come to light, including the lost-and-found love for his incarcerated soulmate Francis Barrison (Naomie Harris, also appearing in No Time To Die). However, none of those nuggets are what the authorities, led by Detective Mulligan (Stephen Graham of The Irishman), want to hear as they still fail to find the bodies of Kassidy’s victims. 

Brock’s scoops start to make a difference, and the popular content raises his professional profile closer to his former standing. Yet, it’s not enough to right his life and win back his girl Anne (the returning Michelle Williams), especially while hiding and battling the inky and fanged beast within that is always trying to get a word in mentally and physically. When Cletus gets a literal taste of that very monster, he transforms into something even worse and breaks out of prison to free Francis and wreak havoc in Baghdad by the Bay.

For many, there will be fun to be had with all of the banter-filled chicanery directed by performance capture superstar Andy Serkis. The fan loyalty to this type of silliness from 2018 is what earned the box office to get this movie made. Tom Hardy, showing off his dirty, thirsty stubble inside his Axel Foley wannabe Detroit Lions jacket, is given (by his own hand as a credited writer) more scenes and opportunities to put his darting eyes and twitchy sweat to good work selling the growled internal monologue and the wrestling of psyches within the double-sided character.

Likewise, this kind of smiling violence is Woody Harrelson’s wheelhouse, even if he’s a shade too old under that awful wig work. He can drip his drawl at the shallowest level of his acting depth and still get a rise out of an audience. Tom and Woody count as the dynamic presences to watch in Venom: Let There Be Carnage and they get their laughs. Anyone else, though, including the overqualified Michelle Williams and one-note Naomie Harris, are merely exposition drivers, joke setters, or future rescue bait.

The visual effects from supervisor Sheena Duggal (The Hunger Games) and producer Barrie Hemsley (The Martian) bring the familiar whirling tentacles to animated life, creating formidable looks for the two linked combatants. Backed by a wannabe operatic score from Marco Beltrami, what is digitized however against sets and human bystanders often moves way too fast to comprehend or appreciate. That’s a surprising and disappointing visual result considering the presence of three-time Oscar winning cinematographer Robert Richardson who is normally so incredibly good at shooting action that glides and lingers. Too much of Venom: Let There Be Carnage plays like a child bashing action figures together more than true mano-a-mano showdowns that stoke suspense and excitement.  

That’s the kind of dippy, inconsequential intellect at work in Venom: Let There Be Carnage from the writing team of Fifty Shades of Grey’s Kelly Marcel and Hardy himself. The titular hellion laments to his host that “we can do so much more” which here means becoming a crime-fighting do-gooder who happens to orally decapitate the perpetrators who cross him. Much like the first movie, too much of this anti-hero vibe is devaluing and uprooting the traits of what made the character an icon on the graphic novel page.

LESSON #1: WHAT WOULD VENOM DO-- Eddie Brock has a moment later in the film where he is free of the symbiote only to find that he needs some of its granted abilities. Frazzled and pondering his next action to save the day, Hardy actually drops this line like it’s going to inspire silicone bracelets and charitable causes in Venom’s name. The answer is what’s problematic. This Venom would flail with quips and be censored by a PG-13 rating. The classic comic Venom would plot something bloody and devastating with every sinister alien molecule of his ebony husk.

LESSON #2: YOU STILL CANNOT HAVE VENOM WITHOUT SPIDER-MAN-- Besides the graphic edge, the biggest ingredient of it all remains missing in this cash-grabbing sequel exercise of putting the cart before the horse. Thanks again to impatient studio blindness and creative hubris, an incredible character continues to be pushed down audience throats too soon and with zero connection. Whenever Tom Holland’s web-slinger shows up (and he will soon), he’s going to fight a pre-softened buffoon instead of a wildcard badass built with bitter history, personal ties, and dramatic stakes. 

Grabbing the smallest possible enjoyment of slapped-together gags instead of developing the greater potential of absolute danger primed for our universally-loved hero, Venom: Let There Be Carnage goes camp. All of this “lethal protector” schtick would have been a better fit down the road after victories and losses elsewhere. While there’s a place for camp in the comic book movie genre, it’s an unfortunate turn here because, once you go camp, you can’t go back without stripping it all back down to the studs. Sony and company are not going to do that, so we’re stuck with the immature, cussing adolescent version that’s funny for five minutes and dismissed in the next five.

11067016 - Venom: Let There Be Carnage
11067016 - Venom: Let There Be Carnage
11067016 - Venom: Let There Be Carnage
11067016 - Venom: Let There Be Carnage
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LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#901)

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How To Dedicate Yourself To Your Fitness Like An A-List Star

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How To Dedicate Yourself To Your Fitness Like An A-List Star

When actors prepare for a role, they go all out. Well, the ones who are serious about their work do. It’s an impressive sight to see someone’s transformation to truly become the character they embody on screen. From Christian Bale to Chris Hemsworth, there are some inspiring A-list fitness transformations to learn from.

But is it only the Hollywood elite who are capable of these impressive results, or are there lessons you can learn from them? 

Here are some tips to help you dedicate yourself to your fitness like an A-list star.

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Set goals

Setting goals is a must to help you stick to your fitness routine. Being able to set a goal and make a plan for how you’ll get there can give you the motivation you need that may have been lacking before.

Most A-list actors will have a target in mind when preparing for a role. So whether you’re looking to gain muscle or you want to lose weight, set yourself an achievable goal and think about how you’ll get there.

Build a workout routine you can stick to

You may think that launching yourself into a challenging fitness routine is the way to achieve your goals. However, if you go too hard, too fast, you run the risk of injury or finding it too difficult to continue.

Fitness is something you work towards, so having a workout routine you can stick to is a must. Check out the ultimate workout routine here to give you some inspiration: https://steelsupplements.com/blogs/steel-blog/the-ultimate-bowflex-workout-routine-15-exercises. Having something you can stick to, that will allow you to adjust and push yourself over time, can help you reach your goals in a steady and realistic way.

Nail your nutrition

Achieving your fitness goals isn’t just about the exercise you do. Your nutrition is also important for getting to where you want to be and helping you feel energized and healthy. There’s a lot of great nutrition tips you can learn to help give you the nutrients you need. A healthy balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats can help fuel your body, so you can get the most out of your workouts and keep your body strong too.

Get help from a trainer

It’s no secret that many Hollywood actors work with a trainer to help them get into shape for a role. While a trainer is a wellness essential for many actors, some might just hire a trainer for a specific role. Hiring a trainer could be what you need to get on the right track with your fitness, setting you up with a routine and helping you to avoid injury. Having an expert by your side could help you get there quicker, benefiting from all kinds of knowledge and training expertise.

While A-listers might have the time and money to train day-in, day-out, that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great results with your own tools and drive. Take inspiration from Hollywood and get a plan together to dedicate yourself to your fitness goals. 

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GUEST COLUMN: Top Car Movies of All Time

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Top Car Movies of All Time

by Lewis Robinson

For most people, cars are primarily a way to get around, but they can be so much more. We ascribe aspects of our personalities to them. A car that is featured in a movie can become a character in itself. Sometimes this is the intention of the filmmakers, but other times, it is a consequence of the vehicle's strong, unavoidable presence. Here are some of the top movies that are either about cars or feature some really cool models.

Ford v Ferrari

The first movie on the list is also one of the most recent, having been released in 2019. "Ford v Ferrari" sounds like a commercial but it is actually inspired by a true story of an auto racing underdog. The film features major stars, such as Christian Bale and Matt Damon, but the cars themselves take center stage during the racing sequences. Of course, if you wanted to purchase a mighty machine like those featured in the film you would have to take out a hefty auto loan. Though made in the CGI age, filmmakers swear that all the driving scenes are authentic.

Duel

Released in 1971, "Duel" was the directorial debut of legendary director Steven Spielberg. Though not quite as flashy as some of his later blockbusters, it is a taut psychological thriller featuring an extremely high-concept plot centered around cars. "Duel" isn't about road rage as we understand it today; rather, it is about the cold, calculated fury of the driver of a tractor-trailer against a mild-mannered salesman who committed some minor infraction against the truck driver. In an act of disproportionate retribution, the truck driver (or perhaps the truck itself) attempts to hunt the salesman in his Plymouth Valiant down and run him off the road to his doom. The salesman, played by Dennis Weaver, finds himself in a fight for his life, David to the truck driver's Goliath. Spielberg famously created suspense in "Jaws" by not showing the shark until the second half of the movie. He employs a similar technique in "Duel," never showing the truck driver's face.

Highwaymen

The tractor-trailer in "Duel" features multiple license plates on the bumper, implying that the driver is a serial killer who likes to collect trophies. "Highwaymen," released in 2004 also features a serial killer who uses a vehicle, in this case a 1972 Cadillac El Dorado, as a deadly weapon. This automotive murderer specifically targets women. Jim Caviezel plays the husband of one of the murdered women who jumps into his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda to seek revenge. Though criticized for a lack of realism, "Highwaymen" certainly delivers thrills as a game of cat and mouse culminates in a climactic chase scene.

Road House

Released in 1989 and starring the multifaceted, and much lamented, Patrick Swayze, "Road House" may be more famous for its fight scenes. Nevertheless, cars are very important to the plot as well. Impressive automotive feats in "Road House" include a Big Foot Ford F-250 driving through a car dealership and a Mercedes-Benz 560SEC making a jump. Protected headlights convince the hero to make a surprisingly practical purchase of a 1965 Buick Riviera. Ultimately, there is something for everyone, including car enthusiasts, in "Road House."

The Triplets of Belleville

"The Triplets of Belleville" is a French movie nominated for an Academy Award in 2003. It is a full-length animated feature, but not for kids. The bad guys in the movie drive a series of Citroen 2CVs which, because it is a cartoon, are comically stretched out. The heroes of the movie are on bicycles, which allows them to elude the bad guys and escape, while the cars get amusingly smashed up.

Gone in 60 Seconds

Many people do not realize that 2000's "Gone in 60 Seconds" was based on a previous film from the 1970s. It may be confused with, and overshadowed by, the juggernaut that is the "Fast and Furious" series that started around the same time, but "Gone in 60 Seconds" features arguably better actors and a more interesting plot as a car thief attempts a heist of epic proportions in trying to steal 50 vehicles.

All these films demonstrate how cars can enhance plot, characterization, and scenery.

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PODCAST: Episode 25 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For our 25th episode and the final fourth bit of their epic in-person series, 25YL film critics, scruffy dads, and sarcastic school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan conclude their united recording meeting for the second edition of a new segment style. Targeting some deep cut discussion on the resumes and legacies of actors and actresses, our hosts discuss one more Chicago-born actor: Robin Williams! They work around the easy and obvious to peer further down the late and beloved gentleman's sterling resume. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

Cinephile Hissy Fits is a 25YL media podcast, brought to you by RuminationsRadioNetwork.com. Please visit, rate, review and subscribe. If you enjoyed this show, we have more where that came from, with interesting hosts, and wonderful guests. All available on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite shows. Follow the show on Twitter at @CinephileFit and on Facebook. Also, find both Will Johnson and Don Shanahan on Letterboxd as the accumulate their viewings and build their ranks and lists.


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PODCAST: Episode 26 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For our 26th episode, 25YL film critics, ill-informed dads, and svelte school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan team up on another "Deep Cut" discussion on the legacy of another celebrated performer. Suggested by Will Johnson, the duo compared their love/hate takes and viewing recommendations for the unlikely chameleon that has become Woody Harrelson, one of the hardest working actors of this generation. They work around the easy and obvious to peer further down the career resume. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

Cinephile Hissy Fits is a 25YL media podcast, brought to you by RuminationsRadioNetwork.com. Please visit, rate, review and subscribe. If you enjoyed this show, we have more where that came from, with interesting hosts, and wonderful guests. All available on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite shows. Follow the show on Twitter at @CinephileFit and on Facebook. Also, find both Will Johnson and Don Shanahan on Letterboxd as the accumulate their viewings and build their ranks and lists.


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GUEST COLUMN: 7 Tips to Enhance the Production Quality of Your Music Video

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7 Tips to Enhance the Production Quality of Your Music Video

by Lewis Robinson

A music video is more than a fun way to promote your band. It’s also a vehicle for additional storytelling, visuals and textures to complement the music you worked hard to create. Music videos provide an additional artistic layer to sonic productions, and a well-produced music video increases the likelihood that your work will engage new and different audiences. From start to finish, the production process is an art form with many moving parts. Heed these tips to guide your choices every step of the process, so that when all the pieces come together, you will have produced a video you’re guaranteed to be proud of. 

1. Know Your Editing Software

There is much debate surrounding the superiority of different video editing software options, and they each have their unique strengths. Whether you invest in an Adobe Creative subscription or opt for Final Cut, take time to get to know the interface of whatever software you’ll use in post production. When you’re aware of the capabilities of After Effects vs Premiere, for example, you can set up shots while filming with certain effects, transitions or color grades in mind. 

2. Create a Storyboard

The talent may be charismatic and great at improvising on camera, but a comprehensive storyboard will help you clarify your vision and develop a shot list to make the filming process more straightforward & efficient. A storyboard can be as detailed or simple as you’d like. Regardless of how in-depth you go with storyboard particulars, make sure you have a plan for each section of the song, and try to plan out camera angles, lighting needs, transitions, story continuity and crew responsibilities for each shot. 

3. Use High-Quality Equipment

While many excellent videos have been produced using bare-bones, these are more often the exception than the norm. Fortunately, a well-produced music video doesn’t require costly camera rentals or expensive dollies. Just be certain you have at least two cameras, a tripod or stabilizer to ensure smooth and stable camera movement, speakers loud enough to play the song while rolling and adequate lighting for your subjects. High-quality equipment doesn’t always guarantee high-quality results, however, and it’s important to know the ins and outs of whatever equipment you’ll use on set. 

4. Build a Crew

Your music video may not have a large cast, but it’s important to have a crew to take care of the nitty gritty details behind the scenes, too. The filming process will go a lot more smoothly with more hands on deck. Designate a director, camerapersons, a choreographer and a few production assistants to help with set up, lighting, music and any other various needs while on location. 

5. Shoot the Hardest Scenes First

Chances are, there are a few moments in your music video that will take a bit longer to film than others, and your workflow will benefit from tackling the more complicated shots at the beginning of the process. Choose scenes that will be filmed at a potentially difficult location, a challenging time of day or otherwise with several moving parts to consider. When you make it a point to get these scenes out of the way, you give yourself more time to work through any difficulties or risks that may come up while filming, and make the rest of the shooting experience seem like a breeze. 

6. Get Multiple Takes

You may have absolutely nailed a shot on the first take, but it’s a good idea to give yourself some options. Even seasoned filmmakers often notice a stray hair, an error in the background or that what they thought was a perfect shot actually ended up with soft-focused subjects. With every shot, do as many takes as time, and your crew, will allow. 

7. Take Time with the Edit

Much of the magic happens after filming wraps and the footage is finally placed on a digital editing timeline. There are thousands of ways to tweak and edit footage, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different cuts, overlays, animations, transitions or keyframes to enhance the visual intrigue of your footage. Put some thought into the edit. With time and effort in post-production, you’ll have the impressive, well-executed visual story you'd always envisioned. 

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Want to Become a Movie Critic? Here's What You Need to Know

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If you are interested in becoming a movie critic, there is an extensive amount of work that goes into the profession. You need to know what you are getting yourself into before making this decision. What does it take to become a movie critic? How much do they make? We will answer these questions and more in today's blog post.

What does a movie critic do?

A movie critic writes reviews of movies to be published in magazines, newspapers, or online. They give their opinion on the quality of a film, how well it is made and what they think audiences will enjoy about it. Movie critics like Michael DeNobile are often expected to have extensive knowledge of cinema past and present so that they can easily reference them when preparing for a review. This also helps them avoid appearing biased towards certain genres or directors, which would otherwise influence their work negatively.

What qualities and skills should a movie critic have?

A movie critic should be able to think analytically and critically when watching a film. In addition, they need excellent communication skills in order to share their opinions with others which can sometimes spark controversy, especially if the content is negative towards the popular opinion of the time period. It also helps if they are knowledgeable about films so that they have an understanding of what goes into making one before reviewing it. 

A person who wants to become a movie critic needs good research skills as well since most reviews require them to present some background information on what inspired or influenced its creation, along with other relevant facts regarding any lawsuits associated with it, etc. Lastly, being passionate about movies is important because although criticism can be emotionally taxing at times, you still need enough enthusiasm for your job in order to continue doing it.

What are the pros and cons of being a movie critic?

The benefits of being a movie critic include the fact that it is a job that allows you to have an influence on what movies other people watch and how they perceive them. You also get to see advance screenings, meet celebrities, and attend interesting events as part of your profession.

On the other hand, critics are not always well received by filmmakers or their fans, who may sometimes take offense at reviews where they feel misunderstood or unfairly judged. Even if this happens relatively rarely, it can still be difficult for some critics since public shaming online has become more prevalent over time with things like social media. In addition to personal attacks from angry readers, publishers often feel pressure about deadlines, which puts even more stress on those working in the field.

How much money do movie critics make?

A movie critic earns an average salary of $40,000 a year in the United States. There are many qualifications and skills needed to become a movie critic, which is why you should do your research before making this choice. 

If you believe that becoming a movie critic would be right for you, consider what it takes to truly make this career possible to enjoy it in the long run!

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From the 19th Century to Today: The Evolution of Free Slots

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From the 19th Century to Today: The Evolution of Free Slots

Slot machines are the most well-known casino games of all time. Regardless of whether you are playing on the web or land-based, there are thousands of options to select from. The effortlessness of the game makes it easy for everybody. However, you should play only if you are above the legal age. Before becoming what, they are today, slot machines have gone through a much longer evolution journey of their own. Casino games have an ever-increasing number of devotees, and this is one of the areas that have been encountering the most interest as of modern time. Free slot machines are quite possibly the most famous amusement game that is appreciated by a huge number of gamblers around the world.

The Beginning 

Toward the beginning of the journey, they were machines with three discs revolving around them. It is Schultze who was the founder of this machine. It was not until the end of the 1800s and Charles August Fey, a German of emigrant’s origin in the United States, developed an automatic payout slot machine with real metal reels. By adding just five symbols to his invention, like spades, hearts, diamonds, horseshoes, and particularly the Liberty Bell, Fey's slot machine came to be known as the Liberty Bell.

The machine was produced using cast iron. This Liberty Bell highlighted a chime that would ring if the player hit a winning sequence. The one thing that stood out in this machine was its notable reel symbols. Charles Fey devoted numerous hours of his time to deliver a further developed rendition of his slot machine, which included 3 and 5-row reels. Its design depended on five drums joined by a sum of 50 cards.

The fifty playing cards used as symbols were also switched with five characters:

  • Hearts

  • Spades

  • Diamonds

  • Horseshoes

  • Liberty bell

The origin of slot machines goes back to the end of the eighteenth century when they were commercially created by the Sittman and Pitt Company in New York. These machines, which were created in 1891, showcased features similar to present-day video poker games. The slot machine seemed as though a little box comprised of five drums containing fifty playing a card game from a round of poker. These poker machines were famous in bars, and each round would cost a nickel to play. Players needed to insert a coin, pull a switch, and wait for another combination of cards to be uncovered. The game didn't work with a withdrawal device, so players needed to gather their rewards in the bar. Typically, the bars paid as free beverages and cigars rather than cash.

Why these slot machines were so famous in those days is not difficult to understand. It was because the players simply needed to move a switch and got the excitement of having the option to impact the process of the game. The popularity of the machines spread rapidly, and their presence could be seen in numerous cafes. A couple of years later, gambling was prohibited in numerous nations, and slot machines were replaced with chewing gum features. Rather than cash payouts, chewing gum was given as winnings. Since the images showed fruits the player won, they got a piece of chewing gum of a similar flavour.

Updating To the Modern Age

In the first part of the twentieth century, very little changed for slot machines, aside from the lifting of the prohibition on real money payouts in 1908. The games remained simply mechanical, with a switch as a mechanism that controlled the game. This switch was appended to a spring inside the machine, which extended and made the rollers roll until they stopped, uncovering arbitrary signs. In 1964, Bally Technologies created an improvement of past mechanical machines with Money Honey, the main gaming machine to run altogether on power. The game was electromechanical; it kept the switch as a mechanism to begin the game. It was felt that eliminating this feature would make the game excessively new for players. This game additionally included automatic payouts of up to 500 coins, which expanded its prevalence. The switch was ultimately eliminated when more electromechanical pokies were created.

The Arrival of Video Slots

Fortune Coin drove the following large advancement for pokies in 1976 when it made the first real video slot. The game was played on a nineteen-inch Sony TV. The Sin City-based organization made the game accessible only at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The gadget went through various adjustments, the majority of which were pointed toward making it fraud-proof and was in the long run confirmed by the Nevada State Gaming Commission. Large-scale manufacturing started after that. Worldwide Game Technology moved in to secure Fortune Coin after understanding its potential in the business. This was another stage for these machines that were so fruitful in casinos today.

Also, it is that the combination of video permitted international suppliers to create animations and graphics. Lastly, new functionalities were added that implied that in the '90s, this kind of gaming machine arrived at the gaming clubs and was exceptionally advantageous for players; they could have more opportunities to win cash in a solitary round.

Online Uprising 

The innovation of the Internet during the 1990s was the main advance for slot games since its origin. Toward the start, in 1994, the online club concentrated on giving traditional games like blackjack and roulette. 

In 1996, Williams Interactive delivered the absolute first slot with a second screen bonus. At this point, when the move was performed, players were turned to another screen where the bonus was executed. This laid the groundwork for the popular incentives found in modern slots such as free spins, re-spins, selection rounds, gamble features, and mini-games.

Recap of the Timeline

Early-mid 1800s: Schultze founded the slot machine

1891: Commercialization

1964: Creation of machine that ran on electricity

1976: Introduction of video slots

1996: Introduction of the first slot with second bonus screen

Free mobile slots are the biggest type of revenue for online gambling. A huge change has occurred in the free slot game since 1996, from expanding software suppliers to presenting VR technologies, exceptional free spin varieties, and a large number of interesting slot game titles. Free slots have come a long way!

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The Greatest Video Game Series

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The Greatest Video Game Series

Everybody has the taste. Video games are a relatively new leisure activity for the masses. Hence, the cult status in this sphere means something different. Of course, the early consoles also had a core audience, but it was not that numerous. The gaming hits are more popular and can be a part of pop culture, not a geek pleasure.

So, what does “great” mean? You can talk about a cult classic by some different criteria:

  • The selling numbers. Not the most relevant reason but still a strong point. Even average new mobile slot games have marketing studies based on spent money;

  • Active players. It is also a disputed thesis. When we talk about Steam, GOG, and other popular game stores, we should include an offline person also. Also, advanced statistics can’t be general. Some publishers have exclusive launchers and different algorithms;

  • A cultural impact. The most proved argument for the greatness measurement. The new hit titles also can be counted. We are living in a time of meme culture. So, the new game can give us several cultural phenomena.

The size of the development crew or the aggressive advertising are not counting at all. Big conglomerates often propose bland, uninteresting titles that are so easily forgotten. Little indie games can be heartwarming and offer you a way richer experience. Though, the old franchises became AAA games pretty quickly. For example, the first part of the Witcher is a good game that wasn’t played well. It was a rough masterpiece for Sapkowski’s fans. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt became a mainstream hit with millions of new users.

So, what does a digital legacy prepare for us? 

The famous and glorious ones

We will talk about all genres. The most important is the impact on an audience.

1. Mario

The Golden Goose of Nintendo. An Italian plumber with mustache and mushroom issues makes the Japanese gaming publisher crazy rich. The start of the series was about a simple arcade, but today Mario has funny RPG games, fast and jolly kart races, and much more. It is one of the most recognizable game mascots of all time.

2. Call of Duty

“The WWII action game” became a separate genre just because of this franchise. Today we are tired of the Normandy assault for the bazillion times in different games. But in 2003, it was a breath of fresh air in the time of a total lack of epicness. Captain Price hates the doors and loves cigars. Oh, and he is a SWAT mascot even today.

3. Fallout

War never changes, and the cult role-playing classic transformed a lot. The first part was about tough survival in the retro-futuristic post-nuclear world. The second one is the most beloved, but hardcore fans obstructed it for cheesy jokes and a completely different mood. Then producers from Bethesda happened. The franchise still has a lot of unique features. Now it gives us more Hollywood action than role-playing elements. Though, we still love the ruins of the future world.

4. Warcraft

And Starcraft too. Blizzard is the father of real-time strategy games of modern times. Warcraft III was a giant leap forward. The lore became rich and complicated, and Azeroth became a unique world, not a generic fantasy kingdom. Later, Blizzard produced another titan of the industry – World of Warcraft. A gorgeous, pompous, epic MMORPG about famous and new heroes. It is popular even after almost two decades after release!

5. GTA 

The first parts of this mighty franchise were the simple simulators of car robbers. With San Andreas and Vice City, a new era comes. This cult franchise has a rich multiplayer and tremendous potential for role-playing. Also, the original characters are charismatic and recognizable. Also, every new game is an enormous satiric escapade from the British developers to an American style of life.

6. Metal Gear Solid

The glorious path of Solid Snake started in 1987. The tactical espionage action game about the Cold War and hidden societies are sometimes overcomplicated. Still, Hideo Kojima delivers strong characters, exciting combat situations, and various ways to battle against enemies. The storyline itself is widely considered one of the greatest narrations in gaming history. The plot twists here are astonishing. And the cutscenes are directed like a good dramatic movie.

7. The Elder Scrolls

It is the best fantasy sandbox RPG ever known. Tamriel is one of the most detailed and beloved artificial worlds. The Arena - typical hero action. Well, we abolished an old emperor, not a juicy princess. Daggerfall is the heavier place for RPGs even now: a size of Britain and above a million NPCs. All of them were computer-generated, but the game itself is colossal. Morrowind gave us a unique fighting system, great music composed by Jeremy Soule, posh flora, and the fauna of Vvardenfell. 

Oblivion has innovative radiant quests and improved physics. 

Skyrim is one of the biggest RPG hits. And this game was published ten years ago! 

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GUEST COLUMN: Date Ideas Inspired by Our Favorite Movie Scenes

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Date Ideas Inspired by Our Favorite Movie Scenes

by Adrian Johansen

We’d be willing to bet there isn’t a single person who hasn’t, at least once, watched a romantic scene in a movie and thought about how great it would be if that was what reality was like. While we use the silver screen to “escape” sometimes, there’s no denying that some classic romantic movie scenes can (and should) be brought to life. 

Imagine how many points you’ll score on your next date if you use a classic romantic film as inspiration. Or, if you surprise your partner by setting the stage of your date to look like their favorite movie. Whether you take advantage of a top romantic movie or think outside of the box, it’s never a bad idea to get creative with date night, especially if you’re both movie buffs. 

Movies can offer a great base for fun and romantic ideas. So, let’s take a look at a few scenes you can try to recreate, and how to make sure your inspiration is a memorable one that goes off without a hitch.

No, not that Hitch

Make it Private and Personal

Okay, so we can’t ignore Hitch completely, especially when the cooking class date is such a fun idea. While taking a class with your partner is a great way to learn something new together, you can also switch the narrative and go for something a bit more private. Plus, unlike Hitch, you’ll be able to control the ingredients and won’t experience any untimely allergic reactions. 

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or even go out on the town to have a memorable, romantic date. Take some ideas from your favorite movies for a wonderful date night in. You can even watch one of the films you’re trying to replicate. 

Stuck when it comes to ideas? Try some of these suggestions that movies got right: 

  • Turning your home into a private theater like Jesse and Becca in Pitch Perfect.

  • Recreate specific movie moments, like the “lift” from Dirty Dancing Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone try in Crazy, Stupid, Love.

  • Have a game night with your closest friends and enjoy hilarious banter, like the characters in Notting Hill.

Some of the best date scenes in movies are the simplest ones. They’re also the easiest ones to recreate from the comfort of your own home, so let your creativity shine through, whether you’re on a budget or just want a quiet night in. 

Have Crazy, Stupid, Fun

If you and your partner are more on the adventurous side, there are plenty of date ideas from movies that can inspire you to have fun and try something different. Recreate Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo & Juliet scene by getting steamy in a private pool or hot tub (though we recommend that’s probably the only cue you take from that movie). Or, get active and try a sport with your significant other, like:

  • Paintballing from 10 Things I Hate About You

  • Cricket from The Wedding Date

  • Soccer from She’s the Man

  • Football from Wedding Crashers

You can still be adventurous and want to have fun without getting too physical, too. Take a note from 500 Days of Summer, where the two main characters run around IKEA, pretending to “live” in the different room displays. If you and your partner have creative imaginations, a date that allows you to put them to good use will always end up being fun and memorable. 

Create a Classic Moment

Classic romance movies stand the test of time for a reason. While there are some stereotypes and tropes in romance films that essentially lie to us (the bad boy doesn’t always have a heart of gold, after all), you can really never go wrong with taking inspiration from movies that have made generations swoon. 

Go for a piece of pie like Harry and Sally (though, you might want to keep it down in public), or dress up in your finest clothes and go to an old-timey jazz lounge to feel like you’re stepping into a scene from Casablanca

Whatever you decide for your date, make sure you’re present and in the moment. The goal of a great movie is to take your mind somewhere else for a while. So, when you’re trying to recreate a scene with your partner, you should have the same goal in mind. Silence your cell phone and don’t look at it every five minutes, dress your best, and give them your full attention. If there’s one note you should take from any romantic film, it’s to make every moment as magical as possible, even when you’re doing something simple. 

When you put in the time and effort and you give your full attention to your date, you can rival any well-produced scene from the big screen. Keep some of these movie ideas in mind for your next date, and think about some of your own favorite films to draw ideas from for the future. 

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GUEST EDITORIAL: 3 Things to Know About the Background of Disney Before Your Disneyland Trip

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3 Things to Know About the Background of Disney Before Your Disneyland Trip

by Kevin Gardner

The Disney dynasty has been the source of magical experiences for children and adults alike. The cartoons, movies and parks create endless hours of entertainment in a captivating and mesmerizing escape. We have grown up with Disney stories, and now our children do the same with even more movies. If going to one of the Disney parks is on your bucket list, before you go, dive into the background of Walt Disney for a better understanding of this amazing experience.

1. Walt Disney

You may be in a rush to start planning your trip to visit the Disney amusement parks. However, before you start searching for the best time to go to Disneyland, let’s learn a bit about the man who created it all, Walt Disney. Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois. He loved art from a young age and eventually became a commercial illustrator. Along with his brother, Walt started Disney Brothers Studio, where he developed his iconic character, Mickey Mouse, in 1928. Walt wasn’t afraid to take risks and explore new techniques. The result is an empire of movies that quickly became family favorites and a legacy that will last forever. Walt died December 15, 1966, at the age of 65.

2. Disney Animation

Disney started as Disney Brothers Studio. Steamboat Willie featuring Mickey Mouse was the first successful character created by Walt Disney. Walt Disney Animation Studios first released a full movie in 1937. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is still wildly popular today, decades after its release. The film grossed $6.5 million and was the most successful sound film of the time. This success started an era of animation obsession within the Disney studios. Pinocchio and Fantasia were finished in the same year but did not have stellar box office performances, and the company began racking up debt. Pay cuts, an animators’ strike and strained relationships in the studio led to many difficulties. Despite that, the company was able to create Dumbo on a delayed timeline inexpensively. Walt’s perseverance and dedication to his lifelong dream resulted in positive reactions and attention for the studio.

It’s hard to believe that this empire once had debts exceeding $4 million back in 1944. Walt never gave up on his dream. It took years to release the next feature film, Cinderella, but it was quickly followed by Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and live-action features such as Treasure Island. At this time, Walt began to focus on ventures other than animation, like building a theme park. As he shifted his focus, he was still present for story pitches, and the studio consistently created solid works. The Disney movies receive much attention, with Mary Poppins winning five Academy Awards.

3. Theme Parks

Walt Disney visited many theme parks and had very set ideas on what he wanted for his own. He hired the Imagineers to design and plan the park in Anaheim, California. This team went to every amusement park in the United States because Walt was determined to create a clean, well-functioning, enjoyable park experience. His designers drew off each park's successes while noting the areas that were not pleasant for consideration as they planned Disneyland. Construction began in July of 1954. One year later, Disneyland opened its gates, and within one year, more than 3.6 million guests had visited the park.

Over the years, numerous expansions and renovations have been completed to keep the park a top attraction. Well over 700 million people had visited Disneyland from the time it opened in 1955 through 2018, making it the most visited park globally. Walt Disney World was opened in Florida in 1971 to supplement Disneyland. Walt Disney World attracts roughly 58 million visitors each year.

Walt Disney poured his heart and soul into the creation of everything Disney-related. The visions he had were far ahead of his time. The result is a lasting legacy that will provide us with entertainment and enjoyment forever. As you plan your trip to Disneyland, you now have a glimpse into the perseverance and dedication that helped create this dynasty.

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GUEST EDITORIAL: 4 Behind the Scenes Facts About Filmmaking

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4 Behind the Scenes Facts About Filmmaking

by Kevin Gardner

When many of us go to see a movie, we take it in for the two or so hours that it plays, then go home. It's hard to wrap your head around the fact that whatever you just saw likely took months, and maybe even years, to be completed. From the writing to the directing to final edits, filmmaking is a complex industry. Here are a few cool things that go on behind the scenes of movies. 

1. Is Anything Real?

One of the best things about a good movie is the way that it takes the viewer into another world and makes them believe the story they're seeing. Most movie-goers are aware that what they're seeing isn't real, but you might not be aware of just how much you're seeing is fake. For example, most cigarettes you see being smoked on shows like Mad Men are fake cigarettes, because real ones just wouldn't last long enough to shoot entire scenes. Movie sets can be rough places, requiring a lot of special equipment like a rugged laptop and tarps to keep expensive cameras from being damaged. 

Most of the food you see on set isn't real, and actors will fake chewing to avoid having to really eat the same things over and over again. Items like cocaine, alcohol, sweat, and blood are replaced with harmless counterparts, and that mirror you saw being punched by a bare fist was probably plastic or even sugar glass. Of course, it might take less effort to have the real thing on set, but providing a true-to-life counterpart that won't hurt anyone and works for the movie is a big part of the prop master's job. 

2. Kid Actors

If you've ever seen a movie starring very young kids, you might have wondered how they got someone too young to understand the full context of a scene to cry or emote on command. Particularly in horror movies, it might seem like the child should be too scared or confused to know how to act. That's why on most sets, the scenes are presented to the child actor as a game. Rather than saying "stand here and laugh maniacally", they're told to run around and play in the hopes that it will conjure real laughter. Child actors may not even be aware of the genre of the movie they're in until they've seen it later on. Using GPS for fleet can sometimes help directors keep track of where their actors and crew are on larger sets. 

3. Sound Effects

One of the most fascinating parts of movie production is seeing how the sound effects are made. So many of the sounds you hear in a movie that seem 100% real are actually done in a studio by an entirely different person. Sound effect mixers will use tons of different materials to achieve the effect they want, experimenting until they get the sound just right. For instance, any time you hear bones breaking in a fight scene, you might really be hearing someone snapping a stalk of celery into the microphone. And the ominous sounds of someone walking down a long hallway were probably all done by the sound effect department, walking in time with the actor to achieve realism. 

4. CGI or Miniatures?

Today, it's almost expected that when you see an impressive view of a city from overhead, it's all done with CGI. But doing CGI can actually get too expensive to be worth it in every situation, so many studios will create miniatures of large scenes to create the same effect. You might be surprised at how many huge castles are actually the size of a dollhouse. And those scary, stormy skies over the big city might just be milk injected into water, then overlaid with whatever is going on in the scene.

Such effects might be going out of style, but it'll always be amazing to know what filmmakers have achieved in the past. Knowing these secrets should make us appreciate the art and hard work that go into producing a movie. 

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GUEST EDITORIAL: The Essentials of Health and Wellness for Actors

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The Essentials of Health and Wellness for Actors

by Kevin Gardner

Although the public tends to think of actors as a rather glamorous lot of people, it is in actuality quite a strenuous occupation. Actors work long hours, sometimes in difficult situations.

For film actors particularly, remaining fit and physically attractive is essential to their career. Stage actors too must remain fit in order to fulfill the demands of the high level of energy they put out for multiple shows throughout a typical week of performances. An actor's hectic schedule and the demands of their occupation can make staying healthy challenging. If you've wondered how all those beautiful people stay that way, here are a few ways that they maintain their health and fitness.

Getting Proper Nutrition

Although the idea of having access to unlimited food at the Kraft table during a film shoot sounds great, the food provided is not always the most nutritious. For professionals who are looking for long-lasting energy and low-calorie forms of protein, getting the proper nutrition can be difficult. After all, most actors have a moderate income and don't have personal chefs waiting on them at home. 

Beyond following a diet that consists of plenty of vegetables, fruits and lean protein, many performers turn to some form of supplementation to make sure they are taking in all the nutrients they need without overdoing it on the caloric intake. An easy and convenient product such as the Thrive patch can be an ideal solution for a busy actor. Additionally, they may turn to nutrient-packed smoothies, salads and bowls.

Engaging in Frequent Exercise

People often feel that they too could remain as fit as the stars if they had access to personal trainers and expensive equipment. You should remember that the superstars are a very small percentage of all the working actors in the world. Most actors don't have access to unlimited funds and have to figure it out on their own just like regular folks. 

Stage actors, especially those in musical theatre, spend their days in long rehearsals where they are constantly singing and dancing. Certainly, the work itself provides some level of fitness, but in order to excel, they must build their endurance and strength with outside workouts.

Many performers take dance classes to perfect their knowledge of different genres of dance as well as to increase their flexibility. Running or walking is also popular with performers as it helps build the cardio endurance they need for their performances. For film actors, dance is also popular for the fact that it builds strength without adding bulk to the body. Other exercises that build lean muscle are popular as well including pilates and the more vigorous forms of yoga.

Guarding Their Sleep

Even the best makeup artists in the industry will struggle to mask the effects of exhaustion. Getting sufficient sleep can be a real challenge for actors who tend to work odd hours, but it is crucial to their health and their appearance.

Actors frequently use tools like sleep masks and blackout curtains to block the sunlight as they are likely to work late nights and need to sleep late into the morning. Many use noise-blocking earplugs or sound therapy to block out sound and increase the depth of their sleep. Sound machines that play sounds of nature as you drift off to sleep can be found online or in most big box stores. Sleep apps can be great as well and many offer a variety of tools such as nature sounds, ASMR, sleep stories and guided meditations. These are all simple and inexpensive tools that anyone can use to increase the amount and quality of their sleep.

Being healthy and fit is essential for actors. Their job requires a high level of energy and it also demands that they look good while working. Actors use exercise, nutrition and sleep to keep themselves going strong and looking great. They often need to be creative in fitting wellness into their busy lives, but they understand how essential it is. For actors, their bodies and voices are the most important tools they have. They make the effort to take care of them.

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GUEST EDITORIAL: 5 Tips For Movie Theaters to Attract More Customers

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5 Tips For Movie Theaters to Attract More Customers

by Kevin Gardner

With the rise of streaming platforms and straight-to-streaming releases of big movies, movie theaters are struggling to find ways to attract the same level of attendance. Managers are having to find creative ways to sell tickets, and it's promising to change the way movie theaters operate. Here are just a few of the tactics movie theaters have turned to in an attempt to increase attendance.

1. A Luxurious Experience

Anyone who has been involved in the sales process before knows that attracting customers is all about providing them with a unique and luxurious experience. It's likely that many current customers of movie theaters have been there in the past and don't see a reason to leave the comfort of their own home for a cramped seat in a cold auditorium.

That's why movie theaters have started offering increasingly luxurious amenities like alcoholic beverages sold in the lobby, leather recliners, and increased leg space. Rather than finding popcorn all over the floors and seats, customers should have a seamless and streamlined experience. If customers feel like the movie-going experience is special, they might start to choose it over their couch once in a while. 

2. Quality Concessions

Another reason many avoid movie theaters is because of the incredibly high prices charged for basic items like water bottles and popcorn. Of course, theaters rely on this revenue to stay open, so a replacement has to be found to make a compromise that works for everyone. Some theaters have experimented with creating their own concessions with higher quality ingredients that customers might be willing to pay a higher price for.

Theaters like the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema attract an audience that wants to be served real food and beverages during their movie, rather than sneaking out to the lobby for a $5 bottle of water. A great way to build rapport with local customers is by offering concessions from local restaurants and bakeries. Partnering with local businesses to create unique items for the theater ensures that the theater sells a product customers can't get anywhere else. In addition, theaters could begin offering more daily specials on concessions as an incentive to make a visit to the movies on a weekday.

3. Loyalty Programs

Customer loyalty programs are a tried and true tactic that movie theaters have been using for a while. But customers will frequently accept a card at the theater, then lose it in their wallet. A big reason for this is because most loyalty programs require the customer to activate their account and set it up, meaning that customers have to do all the work if they want the rewards. Movie theaters can instead make the process much simpler by offering punch cards, where the customer can easily see when they'll earn their free item. It's a greater incentive to see another movie when you know you're getting close.

4. Personal Branding

So many theaters are nameless chains that all seem the same once you're inside. It's important for small theaters to set themselves apart by creating a personality for themselves. Whether you're advertising on the radio or with a social media account, it's important to focus on creating a personalized brand. Customers will begin associating your branding with the theater, and will be more likely to check it out on a whim. Plus, having an engaging social media appearance will attract more followers, ensuring that your branding casts a really wide net.

5. Contactless Options

Many theater-goers have been spooked in recent years by the tightly-packed theaters they remember. It's important for movie theaters to begin offering more contactless options for reserving seats, buying tickets, and even concessions if possible. Being able to do everything from your phone is definitely something today's movie-watchers are looking for, so theaters should be investing in quality apps and touchscreens. The next time you visit a movie theater, look around and see what changes have been made. 

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 Secrets Behind Well-Produced Movies

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5 Secrets Behind Well-Produced Movies

by Lewis Robinson

Making movies is no easy task. It takes years and millions of dollars to produce blockbuster hits. However, there are some things that movie producers do that you can replicate at home. The five things you need to focus on to bring your home video to professional status are the backgrounds you use, extras you choose, any models you make, the use of special effects, and the costuming in your film.

Background

Unless you have an endless budget, it's unlikely you can shoot on location for every scene. Well-produced movies typically shoot on location for some scenes, but in front of a blue or green screen for most of the scenes. The biggest perk of filming on location is that it looks real, which allows the actors to really get into character. However, blue and green screens are a cheaper and more versatile option for produced movies. You may be curious about the difference between a blue screen vs green screen. While both work well to digitally overlay backgrounds, blue is better if you are filming dark, night scenes. Green is best when you are filming daytime scenes. This is due to the luminescence of the color green. It is more luminescent than blue, making it require less lighting on set.

Extras

If you are creating a video or film that needs extras, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In large blockbuster films, hundreds of people can be used as extras. Anyone who performs in the background in a nonspeaking role is considered an extra. The most important part of this is the fact that extras can't speak. In a produced movie the microphones on the set are very powerful. They can pick up if an extra were to laugh, talk, or even cough. This can ruin the feel of the moment and therefore ruin the movie. Instead, extras pretend to have conversations with each other, laugh, and carry on while ignoring the camera.

Models

Depending on the scale of your video or film, you should consider making models. Creating lifelike replicas, specifically of buildings or towns, can help both the actors and the movie. By creating a model of buildings, actors and producers can get a clear and visual idea of exactly what the scene is prior to filming. In some cases, movies even take close-ups of the model and put it in the film. A good example of this was in the Harry Potter franchise. In these movies, a replica of the castle was made to help establish scale in both tight cuts and in wide angle shots. The filmmakers actually took videos of the model castle for the feature films, creating the iconic sweeping shots of the Hogwarts castle. If this was done through computer graphics it would be more expensive and take more time in the long run.

Special Effects

Everyone is aware that special effects are a large part of well-produced movies. What people don't know is that you can replicate some of these effects on home movies as well. Blood can be imitated by mixing corn syrup and red food coloring. Breakable glass, used in fight sequences, can be made with sugar allowing it to be breakable without actually injuring anyone. To mimic beer, you can use apple juice and gelatin cubes can be used instead of ice. 

Costumes

Assuming you are creating a video without millions of dollars and unlimited resources, you have to be thrifty. Many major motion pictures reuse costumes. Costumes can also come from many places. For example, some of the capes in Game of Thrones were actually small rugs the costume designers bought at IKEA. When it comes to costuming you just have to be creative and think outside the box. There is inevitably a way to make what you need in a cost effective way.

Making a video or movie is not for the faint of heart. If you want your video or film to stand out, try using some of these movie secrets. With these movie secrets under your belt, you are bound to create the next hit.

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Tips on How to Enjoy Watching Your Favorite Movies Through a Laptop

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Tips on How to Enjoy Watching Your Favorite Movies Through a Laptop

Most people prefer watching movies from theaters because of the fantastic experience. However, if you are looking to watch the same films but spend less and stay comfortable, you should try watching them at home. Watching from your laptop gives you the advantage of enjoying your favorite movies under the duvet or while in the kitchen cooking. Who wouldn’t want that?

However, the movie experience requires preparations and specific adjustments to ensure that you stay comfortable. These activities usually make people joyful, but your movie experience might get ruined with the wrong practices. The following tips can help you if you are struggling to have a fun movie experience while watching from the laptop:

Ensure that Your Laptop Works Perfectly

If you are watching from your laptop, it has to be working perfectly! It would be best if you replace your battery if the one you have drains too fast. This way, you can finish a whole movie while moving your laptop around. You can also install Netflix or other applications that would enable you to stream the movies you like. The computer should also have a clean screen for good viewing.

Get Your Favorite Snacks

If you are watching alone, you can get the snacks you enjoy eating from the store around you before movie time. Most people prefer to buy popcorn because of the quantity and usually associated with this event type. Bites and cupcakes can also be the perfect movie snacks. You can also get drinks like smoothies after eating the snacks. However, must the end of the snack be when the movie ends or before? You will have to find out!

Get in Your Cozy Wear

Wearing cozy clothes means you get to enjoy your movie time to the fullest! These clothes need to be as comfortable as possible so that you don’t have to be pulling them all the time. Your cozy clothes can be a sleeping gown, bikini/shorts, or pajama sets. These clothes should all be easy to wear and made of soft fabric.

Some people have specific outfits for movie-watching sessions. If you do not have any yet, you can consider picking out or purchasing from any stores around you. However, choosing a cozy outfit from your wardrobe should not be hard since most people have pajamas and sleepwear!

Watch With Family or Friends

Watching movies with family and friends can be a lot of fun, whether you plan on it or not. It is the opportunity you get to experience a fun moment with the people close to you. Some individuals do not value these moments, but they can be priceless! A crucial thing to consider is scheduling the movie time to ensure that everyone is free from work or house shoes. It is also essential to create a comfortable space for the movie.

You can also decide to put any technological devices like smartphones or tablets away to avoid destruction. This way, you get to enjoy every tiny moment with your friends or family. If the family members are siblings, you can decide on watching movies that encourage love and patience, whereas, with friends, you can watch movies that give you friendship date ideas. Whichever film you choose, always try to make it educational and fun.

Choose the Right Movies

There are several movies you can watch while streaming from your laptop. Choosing a movie you watch alone always depends on your mood. However, it would be if you always decided on films that have a happy ending to avoid sadness or heartbreak. College movies are always fun to watch alone! Movies like Accepted always seem intriguing, and their adventurous plot can keep you glued to your laptop screen. If you feel sad or let down, you should try watching a movie with an encouraging story like Legally-Blonde.

You can also search for the best recent movies on the internet according to the type you prefer watching. Movie thrillers can also be helpful if you want to see how the plot gets directed before deciding which movie to watch. The thrillers will also help you decide which movie to start with if you are conflicted between a number of them.

Create a Comfortable Space

A comfortable space may mean where you place your laptop or where you sit while watching. It would be best to put your computer on a flat table or stand not close to the edge to prevent it falling on the floor. As for where you sit or lie, you can choose anywhere you feel comfortable, the couch, dining seat, or on the bed.

Make Your Movie Experience Worthwhile

Watching movies from the laptop may be underrated because of the televisions everywhere in the house. However, it would be best to make your laptop movie experience unforgettable since it is more comfortable because of the smaller screen size.

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