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How Proxies are Helpful in Film Editing

“It ain't the picture and it ain't the camera - it's the operator.”

― Jordan Hoechlinchlin

Films are a beautiful part of human innovation. The ability to tell stories through a moving picture - an opportunity to share emotions and lessons. It takes many things to make a great film, writing, directing, acting, lighting, and editing.

Editing films in post-production is often underrated. These are the final stages that turn a draft into a legitimate movie. The final touches before releasing a masterpiece.

Due to the significance of editing, it is important to take note of the different tips to help in this process. Ensuring that you have the best opportunity to polish every scene to the best of your ability.

What are Proxies?

When you attempt to access a website, you end up sending your IP to the server for them to process your request. This IP can lead to personal information and  could end up in the wrong hands. The IP can be compared to a physical home address and you don’t want that kind of information simply floating around.

Proxies are programs that serve as a bridge and a shield between you and the virtual world. They help you access more of the internet while remaining safe. There are different kinds of proxies which protect you in their own ways.

This happens by proxies asking for your request on your behalf – all without them sending your IP and other information. They act as your Spartan spear and shield as you poke through the powerful and dangerous world of the internet.

How Can Proxies Help in Film Editing?

Film editing is a very complicated task that requires a lot of experience, resources, and time. Proxies act as an intern to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Leaving you alone with the work you need to finish (and a little help if you want some).

Search Optimization and Security

Editing films isn’t just cutting and cropping scenes, sometimes you need to look for different information online. You might want some editing tips or maybe facts about the environment your film takes place in. 

Whether you want to know about the background information of a setting for accurate representation or you just want to see how other films tackle such scenes - proxies can help.

Different proxies can help optimize your search and make sure you get what you are looking for. If you find yourself frequently returning to the same website for information, certain proxies remember these requests and save them for you. Giving you the information right away without having to request for the website’s server. 

Though saving requests proxies give you a minor boost in loading time. A good example of this is residential proxies that act as a server for multiple users in your area and have that be your shield.

Rotating residential proxies also mask your IP making sure you can search for inspiration and edit freely without being worried about hackers. This kind of proxy is also very reliable as they provide websites with their IP connected to a physical location so other parts of the internet that have higher security won’t stop you from sending in that request. 

Additionally, rotating residential proxies are effective because they provide a new IP every time a request is made.

Keeping Your Work a Secret

Depending on who you work for, certain films need to be edited quietly and have no leaking of information. From spoilers to competitors who want to steal work or maybe sabotage the film; staying anonymous online is a gift. 

Proxies let you access the virtual world anonymously; they don’t just stand in front of you as they do your requests. They have you stay in bed at home as they brave the virtual world and act as your spokesperson.

With proxies as your spokesperson all of your personal information can be kept a secret. All the servers see is a spokesperson sending requests from an anonymous user.

Keeping your identity a secret may seem like paranoia but in this day and age, you can’t be too careful. Especially since the film is in its final stages, it isn’t just about keeping you safe but the film safe as well.

Working in Peace

As mentioned, proxies serve as your assistants making sure you get the alone time you need with your work. Proxies can block ads and stop other sites from disturbing you. 

Some advertisements are a minor convenience while others are a waste of time but proxies can get rid of both for you. Proxies also have the power to block sites that you simply do not want to see.

Other advertisements carry malware and act as a trap hoping for your mouse to slip. Getting rid of these advertisements as a whole protects you and your film.

Whether an inconvenience minor or major is irrelevant, it still impedes on your work and proxies can take care of that for you.

Getting Additional Access

Some information or services are blocked depending on your location. Proxies can help you go around that and make you appear in a whole other continent. Proxy servers make sure you have access to all the resources and information that you need.

Getting around a geolocation block to stream Netflix is one thing but learning about the other side of a story or accessing various pockets of information is another. You may not need that extra bit of access but what if you do end up needing it.

Editing Your Film

Some films have been edited on a rusty old computer while others have a whole team of machines behind them. You can settle with the limited resources around you and still edit a good film but that doesn’t mean you should.

Maximizing resources isn’t just about making do, it's also about grabbing the opportunities that you can. Proxies help you to take what is around you safely and use every bit of it. Film editing isn’t a walk in the park but proxy servers make a great travelling buddy. It isn’t the picture or the camera but great tools do help.

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PODCAST: Episode 11 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For our eleventh episode, our hosts dance around all kinds of points and obstacles to talk about La La Land from 2016. 25YL film critics, honored dads, and summer freedom school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan come from completely different places when it comes to the optics and results of Damien Chazelle's award-winning movie. For this show, these two guys go heady and long on those divergences. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

My full review of "La La Land"

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Ruminations Radio Network website Spotify iTunes Transistor

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EDITORIAL: Has The Online Box Office Shift Been a Success?

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Has The Online Box Office Shift Been a Success?

This past weekend saw the latest release of Cruella which has already been received relatively well sitting at a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes after a week, but also a continued doubling down from Disney to have premiere access on Disney+ as well as the theatrical release. It did come as a surprise to many at the end of 2020 when Warner Bros had announced their partnership with streaming platform HBO Max to deliver some of the biggest titles of the year directly to online streaming, however, and although many of our favourite forms of entertainment through the likes of gaming options in new slots right through to sporting now being represented with the likes of esports, it was something almost inevitable, but has it been a success?

With subscriber figures being a key metric, the answer early on has been a definitive yes – HBO Max announced back in January that it had already exceeded their subscriber goals two years ahead of when they had expected to, and lately upping their targets even further showing that releases this year with the likes of Wonder Woman 1984 and fan favourite Mortal Kombat have clearly had the impact hoped – there’s still bigger names to come too with Dune and The Matrix 4 amongst others set for release later this year that may only continue to bolster those numbers. 

Similar had already been seen with the previously mentioned Disney+ having reached over 100 million subscribers in just 18 months showing the clear demand, particularly with the cinematic universe that falls under Disney’s belt. But now may also come the real challenge, with much of the world on the path back to normalcy, cinemas and theatres looking to fill the sits once more may be in for a spot of luck as the suggestion largely leans towards a growing desire to return to the silver screen and may somewhat take the wind out of the sails for online streaming – either that or the alternative that streaming will only double down in the growth that it shows. 

Another question has yet to be answered too, and that’s whether or not other big studios will jump aboard and find their own streaming platforms to follow suit – the difficulty with this is that if studios spread themselves too far, and the growing costs of remaining subscribed to multiple services could lead viewers to continue what has become a growing trend of cancelling subscriptions at a growing rate as the libraries update too slowly or what’s on offer isn’t of the biggest interest. It’s a pivotal moment for the movie industry as a whole, and there are plenty of lessons to be learned throughout this upcoming period of time as to what the future of the movie industry as a whole could be.

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 of the Best Crime Movies Ever Made

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5 of the Best Crime Movies Ever Made

by Kevin Gardner

Crime movies, when made well, can be wildly entertaining. Although the subject matter may be disturbing or difficult to watch, these films are often worth the effort. If you're looking for a good option to stream, here are five of the best crime movies ever made.

1. The Godfather

The Godfather is, indisputably, one of the best crime movies of all time. Not only does it depict a ruthless mob family (whose acts would be wildly entertaining for court reporters Spokane), but it also has fascinating character development. Michael Corleone, one of the main characters, doesn't undergo a regular arc. Instead, Michael devolves from a moral figure to a corrupt crime boss. It's a unique and engaging plotline. However, the best part of The Godfather is probably Marlon Brando's pitch-perfect performance as Vito Corleone. Brando, who had cotton balls in his mouth the entire time, portrays an eerie emblem of power and betrayal. While the film is glamorous at times, it mainly displays how menacing the mob world can be.

2. Pulp Fiction

If you enjoy crime movies, you don't want to miss Pulp Fiction. This movie is a classic that, while admittedly confusing, will certainly leave you entertained. The ensemble cast, including John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames, provide astounding performances as wildly quirky characters. There are also several iconic scenes in the movie. For instance, you've probably heard of Travolta and Thurman's famous disco dance. In terms of crime, the film will definitely keep you guessing. Stay on your toes and get ready for the end.

3. No Country for Old Men

If you're looking for a terrifying crime movie, look no further than No Country for Old Men. Even if you haven't heard of the film before, you probably know something about its antagonist. Anton Chigurh is one of the most frightening movie villains ever portrayed. Played by Javier Bardem, Chigurh is a hitman that has his intended victims flip a coin. The result of this coin toss reveals whether or not the victim will be killed. In the film, Chigurh is sent to retrieve money from a Vietnam War veteran. Alongside Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones plays a sheriff attempting to investigate the issue. The directing and acting is magnificent, and you are almost sure to be on the edge of your seat.

4. Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde is one of the most well-remembered crime movies of all time. While it wasn't completely accurate or even highly lauded by critics, the film is extremely iconic. As the title suggests, the movie follows Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The two were real-life criminals who pulled off numerous robberies in the 1930s. Eventually, the robbers were ambushed and killed in an extreme manner. This, combined with the romantic nature of the criminals' relationship, is what makes both the story and movie of Bonnie and Clyde so memorable. While the movie has been criticized for glorifying Bonnie and Clyde's crimes, it's a mesmerizing look into the lives of a famous criminal couple.

5. Knives Out

While Knives Out is a very recent film, its originality and style can't be ignored. The film, starring Daniel Craig and an extremely talented ensemble, centers around a dysfunctional and wealthy family. After the patriarch of the family dies under mysterious circumstances, a detective (Craig) must determine who is to blame. The film, like any good crime movie, is full of shocking moments and huge twists. If you think you know what's happening, chances are that you don't. The crime itself is highly interesting and well portrayed. It's also important to mention that the movie, while suspenseful at times, is hilarious. If you're a fan of twists and dark comedy, this movie will probably be a good choice.

Picking a movie to watch can be hard, especially if you're unfamiliar with the intended genre. Luckily, any of these films are almost sure to be fulfilling. Sit back, relax and enjoy watching well-directed crime.

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GUEST COLUMN: 6 Fantastic Con Artist Movies

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6 Fantastic Con Artist Movies

by Lewis Robinson

While becoming a con artist may not be advisable, watching these individuals in action can be highly entertaining. Because of this, there's a multitude of movies depicting various cons. These films generally leave the audience feeling awed and, oftentimes, tricked. If you're looking to get this experience, here are six fantastic con artist movies. 

1. The Sting

If you're thinking about con artist movies, the first one that probably springs to mind is The Sting. This is because the film is a masterclass in slyness and trickery. The movie follows Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), two grifters who are in trouble with a mob boss. There are several twists and turns, although the ending is truly the most memorable part. It's also set in 1936, which brings an added element of suspense to the piece. While the con artists may not be able to use robocalls, there's a lot the characters can get away with in that era.

2. The Usual Suspects

Similar to Fight Club and Psycho, The Usual Suspects is a movie that's known for its twist ending. Fortunately, this reveal is given away a lot less than others, so you may not know what's coming. The movie centers around the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint. This interrogation is taking place after a massacre occurred on a boat in Los Angeles. Kint was one of the few survivors. Kint's story lays the framework for the movie, meaning that a lot of it involves flashbacks. The audience sees his criminal group work under a powerful crime lord throughout the runtime. It's an engaging watch that'll leave you guessing, especially if you don't know the end.

3. Ocean's Eleven

Ocean's Eleven, like many films on this list, makes con artists look cool. The film centers around Danny Ocean (George Clooney), an ex-con who plans to rob a Las Vegas casino. Ocean puts together a highly entertaining team of con artists for the job. It's this team that really makes Ocean's Eleven a classic. The dynamic between the characters and actors is thrilling, not to mention hilarious. There's also a classic con artist twist ending! If you enjoy the film, be sure to check out the two other entries in the franchise. 

4. Catch Me if You Can

Catch Me If You Can is partly unique because it's based on a true story. The premise came from an autobiography by the same name, written by the con artist that the movie depicts. Because of this, the cons that Frank (Leonardo Dicaprio) pulls off in the film are all the more impressive. The movie follows both Frank and Carl (Tom Hanks), the latter of whom is an FBI agent obsessively following the young con. This cat and mouse game is highly entertaining to watch. 

5. A Fish Called Wanda

While many of the films on this list have comedic elements, A Fish Called Wanda is one of the two that stand out by being pure comedies. It centers around a gang that loves to double-cross each other. After the gang pulls off a successful jewel heist, the double-crossing starts with a vengeance. This results in a series of wacky plot points, all of which are utterly hilarious. The cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cleese, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin is the cherry on top.

6. The Producers

The Producers, similar to A Fish Called Wanda, is a con artist film that's grounded in comedy. Directed by Mel Brooks, it centers around two producers. Max (Zero Mostel) and Leo (Gene Wilder) realize that a flop, when handled with some illegal accounting work, could make a lot of money. Therefore, the two set out to produce the worst show imaginable. The movie is downright hilarious, and it should be seen by any lover of con artist films.

If you're looking for a con artist movie, it's hard to go wrong. Simply take your pick and expect to be fooled!

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 Movies NOT to Watch With Your Girlfriend

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5 Movies NOT to Watch With Your Girlfriend

by Jake S. Splatt

Movie nights are a great way to spend time with your girlfriend. Regardless of whether you watch a romantic comedy or a drama, it will be an experience that will bring you closer together. Watching a movie is the perfect excuse to relax, get cozy with your girlfriend, and get away from the real world.

Although you could set the mood perfectly and prepare for the best movie night ever, the film you decide to watch will have a huge impact on your evening. The last thing you want is to watch a movie that will completely spoil the mood of a romantic night in. In case you’re planning a movie night with your significant other soon, here are some films that you should avoid at all costs.

1. I Spit On Your Grave

The original movie of this movie was released in 1978, but the 2010 is much more popular and currently on Netflix. It’s a horror movie that you shouldn’t ever watch with your girlfriend even if you both love the genre. I Spit On Your Grave is about a woman that survives getting raped by a gang of men in the woods and plots her horrific vengeance. This one can’t set the mood for anything except a quiet and awkward night with your partner.

2. Blue Valentine

Happy young couples shouldn’t watch a movie like Blue Valentine because it hits so deep that you might start to reevaluate things in your own lives. If you decide to see this flick, know that you’ll spend hours watching how what seems like a perfect relationship at first slowly deteriorates over time.

The film focuses on Cindy and Dean and how their relationship changes when affected by the pressures of real life. It highlights common fears and doubts that people about romantic relationships in general, which is something you shouldn’t think about when you’re trying to spend a romantic night with your partner.

3. Unfaithful

The great thing about movies is that you can almost always relate to some of the things the main characters are going through. This can usually lead to great discussions with your partner, especially if you have opposing arguments. However, one movie that you never want to discuss with your girlfriend is Unfaithful. On the other hand, college students often buy assignment online in the form of an Unfaithful movie review because it makes for interesting discussion in class.

Starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, this film tells the story about a married woman who isn’t happy in her marriage and becomes attracted to a handsome stranger. Women tend to take the side of Diane’s character, while men side with Gere’s character – and the conversations on this topic are never fun.

4. Revolutionary Road

When you see that a movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, your first thought is probably that it’s a good idea to watch it. Nevertheless, this is a movie that you should avoid if you’re looking to watch something with your girlfriend. Revolutionary Road is described in a review published in Vulture as the scariest horror movie of all time, despite it being a drama. It follows a couple as their seemingly perfect relationship completely falls apart.

5. Closer

Relationships sometimes seem perfect from the outside looking in, but in reality they’re falling apart. Closer is a powerful reminder that relationships can quickly fall apart even when things are going great. It shows that personal insecurities and doubts can damage a bond that two people create over time. This is a movie that you should never watch with your girlfriend because it will definitely ruin the mood throughout the rest of your night.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jake S. Platt is a professional content writer with a master’s degree in marketing and years of experience in writing. He wrote his first short story at the age of 15, and has since published work in magazines, books, and on various popular websites. He also dedicates a portion of his time to working for an essay writer service because he likes helping college students with their assignments.

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GUEST EDITORIAL: How the Fast Saga Has Changed Over Time

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How the Fast Saga Has Changed Over Time

by Kevin Gardner

The Fast & Furious series is massive with 10 films to its name, including spin-offs like Tokyo Drift and Hobbs & Shaw, and 4 more films are currently in the works. That’s not to mention an animated TV series, Fast & Furious Spy Racers, as well as two short films. This begs the question: does this series suffer from franchise fatigue, something that’s all but inevitable if a series carries on for too long, or does it defy these expectations and trends? While you might not call these films art as such, it’s worth noting that art is necessarily subjective, so mileage may vary. However, the general consensus is that, by and large, the newer films in the series betray the spirit of the older movies.

The Best and the Worst

There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, 2 Fast 2 Furious is generally regarded as one of the worst films in the franchise, despite being the direct follow-up of the original, beloved classic. Likewise, Fast Five is one of the more recent films and is widely considered to be one of the best. Interestingly, Tokyo Drift falls into spin-off territory, but it remains a fan favorite to this day, potentially because it carries on the traditions of the series roots by being all about street racing. One of the biggest problems with the series, if you choose to view it as such, is that the street racing premise of the first few films gradually gave way to a more general, action-oriented plotline. This kind of thing is not uncommon. In much the same way that modern technology continues to expose problems that it then must solve, such as the current IT incident response concerns, action-oriented media must continue to provide bigger thrills, even if it starts to feel out of character.

Compared to the Original

For a clear understanding of this shift in focus, it helps to take a look back at the original film. The Fast and the Furious focuses on an undercover cop trying to infiltrate a gang of car thieves and prominently features illegal street racing. For contrast, the most recent film in the main series, F9, features more ludicrous plot elements such as a long lost, evil brother (who is also an assassin seeking revenge), and using a car with rockets attached to it to fly into space to disable a satellite. These two ideas are fine in isolation, but they seem to be utterly unrelated outside of featuring recurring characters. These are essentially two different films for two different audiences.

However, it’s also worth noting that this discussion of how the series has changed and whether the old movies were better is subject to that same subjectivity regarding art. This kind of escalation is almost a necessity for long-running action franchises, so one might consider it a necessary evil. For comparison, consider the arc of the Die Hard franchise, a series also known for starting with a more grounded premise and eventually going off the rails. On the other hand, general audiences don’t seem to mind this more recent delve into the absurd. The more recent films in the series are still highly reviewed by audiences, although critics have more mixed feelings about them.

The General Public Loves Them

Simply put, mass appeal often trumps artistic merit when it comes to making a profit, and these films have mass appeal in spades. Even many fans of the series outright embrace the soap-opera-like plot twists and over-the-top action set pieces of the most recent films, because you can still have a good time with “bad” movies. At the end of the day, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Many people don’t generally consider the ramifications of movies being part of a long-running series, so each film is then judged on its own merits. Likewise, casual moviegoers might not be consuming these films critically, so plot contrivances that feel out of place compared to the more grounded films earlier in the series often go totally unnoticed. At the end of the day, what these films have always offered is fun, and the newer movies in the franchise do not disappoint in that regard.

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