Why Do We Love The Sopranos? Part 2

I'm continuing to think aloud on the puzzling question of... why do we exactly love the brutal Sopranos?

Sopranos know how to "take care of business." When a guy bumps their car from behind and refuses to take any responsibility for it, and challenges them with a self-righteous "sue me!", they don't sue anybody. They settle the score through their own means. And since we had lost untold amounts of time and money in the past in either suing someone or getting sued, we understand the simplicity and "beauty" of the concept.

We know that their kind of "score settling" is not legal. But still we cannot help but take a shine to the kind of "direct justice" dished out by the Sopranos. It is a world in which no legal reforms are needed since everything is settled by brute force. We are aware that civilization cannot survive even for a single day if EVERYONE settled their problems like Sopranos do. However, we still derive a vicarious satisfaction from justice delivered quickly, without any ambiguities.

We also like the "honor code" that Sopranos manage to maintain despite all that depravity and violence, a code that values friendship and loyalty above anything else. Living in a relativistic world in which everything depends on what your lawyer can do against mine, that kind of ABSOLUTE ethics appeals to a primordial sense of morality encoded perhaps into our DNA. We like that too.

We like the guilty pleasures as well, for sure. Expensive dinners in expensive restaurants, fantastic cars, young mistresses, vacations, outings to the race track, and the whole works. Good life.

Last and certainly not the least – we even like the violence, don't we?

We have to admit it. We watch it for the same reason we watch a bloody boxing match or an even bloodier free-fighting competition. Or, watch the car and train wreck and cop chase videos…

There is always something fascinating about the mystery of death and violence that we try to decipher by vicariously going through the experience, through the agency of others like actors, writers, and directors. The Sopranos provides us with that kind of roller-coaster scream of an hormonal experience as well. (Where else are you going to see a guy stuff the severed head of one of his closest friends into a bowling ball bag?)

When The Sopranos is off the air this summer, we'll spend at least a few more years watching its past episodes on DVDs and wondering what happened to Tony, Carmela, or the others who brought us such forbidden and truly sinful pleasures for the last six years. They'll be missed.

11 Jobs That Can Help You Stay Focused On Your Acting Career

1. Try to get work in a casting director or an agent's office. Sometimes in the industry trade papers agents and casting directors advertise for assistants and people to work a few hours a week opening mail and doing office chores. It's a great way to learn what goes on in their offices. You get to see the kinds of mail other actors send in, overhear telephone conversations, and just basically see what it's like first hand.

2. The Actors Connection is an organization in New York that provides a great service to actors by giving them the opportunity to meet and audition for agents, casting directors and other industry professionals who are not always the easiest people to be able to meet. They do this in the form of seminars every evening and often even on Saturdays. During the seminars there are what I call "gate keepers" who keep the time and ensure that all the participants get an equal share of the industry professional's time who is conducting the individual session.

At times AC is looking for people to work, usually flexible hours as one of the "gate keepers". That is also a great way to meet first hand casting directors and agents, listen in on the question and answer sessions before the individual, one on one sessions take place. A great way to learn!

3. In addition, there are other acting schools around the city that look for assistants.

4. Theater companies looking for stage personel and production assistants often with no experience necessary. Prerequisite is to be responsible and a fast learner.

5. There are also a host of casting websites and organizations, such as Actors Access, Breakdown Services, NYCastings as well. If you do a Google search, you will find a slew of others. Why not see if they need help or could use your services?

6. There are also showcases and industry events that are organized to help actors promote their careers. It's a great way to meet casting directors and agents. The organization of those events is a big to do and they need hosts and hostesses to help the event go smoothly. You can find information about such events by simply keeping abreast of what's going on in the industry. Read the trade papers regularly and check the top acting/casting websites.

7. Why not see if the local union offices of SAG, AFTRA and EQUITY could use some help? Find out where their offices are. See if you can find out what they might be looking for. Find out who the person is you need to contact and if your approach is to send a cover letter, then address the person by his name as opposed to "To whom it may concern."

8. Do you have skills that one of the trade papers could be interested in, maybe to work in one of their offices? Could be an idea to contact Backstage, Ross Reports, probably the most read of the industry papers. Have a look on the internet or in the Drama Book Shop in New York to see some of the other possibilities that exist.

9. There are many production companies who are looking for good people with skills.

10. Do you have the skills to form a production company? I know someone, a fellow actor, who has done just that. It's a great way to make industry contacts with people who could also help you further your career as an actor.

11. Do you have the skills to start and run your own small business, form your own company? What do you love to do? Could you turn your hobby into a business? If so, do you know other responsible and reliable people who share your same passion and who have good business skills? If so, maybe you could form your own company together with those people. Why not? As time goes on, you could gradually distance yourself from the daily business of running your small company and dedicate more and more time to acting and promote your acting career.

The whole point of this article is to help you think. If you don't have a steady stream of residual income that will permit you to focus 100% of your time on your acting career and you have to work in the traditional sense to make ends meet, then at least do something that will keep you connected to the industry and at the same time help you grow in some way as an actor.

3 Doors Down "Seventeen Days" Rock Music CD Review

Not sure what's happening with me on this one, but it seems like the more I listen to it, the better Seventeen Days gets. Seventeen Days simply put is one of 3 Doors Down's best CDs to date.

Seventeen Days opens with an outstanding track, Right Where I Belong, that I suspect will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you've got one of 3 Doors Down's most impressive releases ever.

Overall Seventeen Days is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definetly a worthy addition to any Rock collection. Truly an outstanding Rock CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1, Right Where I Belong, track 3, Let Me Go, and track 6, The Real Life.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 4, Be Somebody. Outstanding!

Seventeen Days Release Notes:

3 Doors Down originally released Seventeen Days on Feb 08, 2005 on the Universal Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Right Where I Belong


2. It's Not Me


3. Let Me Go


4. Be Somebody


5. Landing In London - (with Bob Seger)


6. The Real Life


7. Behind Those Eyes


8. Never Will I Break


9. Father's Son


10. Live For Today


11. My World


12. Here By Me

3 Doors Down: Brad Arnold (vocals, drums); Chris Henderson, Matthew Roberts (guitar); Todd Harrell (bass guitar). Additional personnel: Bob Seger (vocals).

Learn The Basics Then Pick Up Your Guitar And Play

Every year many people want to learn to play the guitar. A few succeed but many more fail. Learning to play takes some skills that most people can master if they really try. The whole idea behind playing guitar is actually picking up the guitar and playing. It is all too easy to get hung up in details and forget about the big picture.

You need to get comfortable if you to learn this instrument. Next you should learn the right way to hold your guitar and pick. Learning to tune is one of the most important skills you will need to master. Then you can jump start your playing by learning to read tablature. This article will take a look at a few essential things you need to think about when learning to play a guitar.

When starting your guitar learning adventures it is wise to get comfortable. It is hard to learn how to do anything if you are not in the right state of mind. Find a place to play where you can have some privacy so you will not drive your family nuts when you play that G scale for an hour at a time.

Take the time to learn the right way to hold your instrument. Bad habits are hard to break so take the time to learn the basics. It is a lot easier to learn the correct way than it is to have to start over.

Ask anyone who has had to listen to someone playing an out of tune guitar if learning to tune your guitar is important and you will probably get a quick answer. You cannot tell if you are playing the correct notes if the guitar is out of tune. With the modern technology available today anyone can learn to tune the guitar. You can buy an electronic tuner that will tune your guitar very accurately.

Learning to read music is certainly not for everyone. It takes many hours to learn to read music and most people just want to get on with playing. Fortunately there is an easier way to learn. Reading tablature is a method a lot of folks really like. Most people find reading tablature to be a better way to learn.

Use the method that suits you best to learn to play guitar but stay with the reason you started learning in the first place. Get your basics right and make sweet music by picking up the guitar and playing. That is what learning to play guitar is about.

Why I like Blockbuster's Online DVD Film Rental

Online DVD film rental companies allow a person to rent and buy DVD movies on-line through the mail. Normally, a customer interacts with the DVD rental company via the Internet and recieves the films ordered via regular mail.

How DVD film rental works

DVD film rental companies operate on the following model:
A new customer joins the DVD rental service and creates a list of good movies they will like to rent, next the DVD rental company sends movies from the customers list by regular mail, finally the customer receives the films, views them and sends them back and receives another film from list.

The best-known DVD film rental company today is known as BlockBuster.

Blockbuster DVD Film Rental

I am in love with Blockbuster's DVD rental service, Its easy to use, quick and affordable. Another popular Film rental company is Netflix.

The reason i don't use Netflix and won't advice anyone to use its service is because their service is expensive, DVD delivery is slow and they don't provide coupons as often as Blockbuster does.

Another reason i use Blockbuster to rent and buy DVD movies on-line is because they provide free movie and game rental coupons to users each month.

The last reason i love Blockbuster's service is their fast and efficient delivery of DVD rentals, they have an arrangement with USPS that enables Blockbuster to electronically register DVD's refund before they actually arrive their office. This saves time for both Blockbuster and their users benefit from greater turn-around time for their next DVD rental.

If you are looking for an efficient, reliable and affordable Online DVD film rental service, I highly recommend Blockbuster online DVD rental.

Celebrity Homestyles - Helen Mirren

Their shotgun-style house in New Orleans' lower French Quarter is as polar opposite as Helen Mirren's palace digs in her Academy Award winning role portraying Queen Elizabeth ll in the 2006 blockbuster hit; "Queen". Mirren shares her home here with husband Taylor Hackford, director of many successful films. Unassuming from the street, the intimate side courtyard draws you into the open living, dining and kitchen space. One with high ceilings to marginalizes the steamy heat, broad, luxurious moldings and period antiques that say "stay and let's catch up with all that's new."

An eclectic blend of artwork ranging from old portraits to African busts complement the hand woven rugs, wrought iron tables, cushy day beds and sofas. Warm and light paint colors provide a backdrop for Mirren and Hackford to unwind from professional demands that span the globe. French doors with transom windows are a recurring architectural feature in the bedroom wing, where a love of dramatic color surfaces. Vintage beds found on vagabond trips into the southern countryside are focal points and contrast starkly against the Hunter Green and Sunshine Yellow walls. Mirren and Hackford's New Orleans' low-key refuge from the formality of England speaks more about their sensibility, which here in the deep south is nothing but pure American style.

Enjoy more Celebrity Homestyles featuring: Hannah Storm, Princess Marie-Chantel of Greece, Sofia Coppola, Meredith Viera, Pamela Anderson, Giorgio Armani, Anjelica Houston and more. Do you have a celebrity that would like to be featured in an upcomming Celebrity HomeStyles article? Include the celebrities name, home location, along with photos of the exterior, gardens, living spaces and master bedroom.

© Copyright 2007 Mark Nash

Guerilla Promotion Strategies for Independent Filmmakers

Although acceptance to a film festival is regarded by many filmmakers as the key to major exposure and recognition, this only marks the beginning of the most important phase for your independent film. Acceptance into a festival is only an opportunity for you to compete with dozens (or possibly hundreds) of other films for the attention of festival-goers, distribution agents, and other media. In other words, take this event not as the moment of arrival, but a starting point.

Film festivals are typically surrounded by a whirlwind of hype. Newspaper reporters and television cameras try to follow the buzz of the next big thing. The whole entertainment industry is on prominent display as well. Festival sponsors, distributors, and movie studios are trying to capture a share of the exposure in a film festival.

This intense competition might be overwhelming for an independent filmmaker who wants to promote his film. Here are a few guerilla marketing techniques of low budget productions you can use to make hip, effective, marketing campaigns.

Design and Materials

Consistency is the key as you develop your marketing materials. Make sure you develop consistent colors, themes, and designs. Don't be afraid to devote care and attention to your design. Clean, eye-catching designs are very important—when you have the choice between clutter and simplicity, always opt for simplicity. Use glossy color reproduction—do not cheap out and use black and white photocopied materials.

Handbills

Handbills and postcards are cheap to print in large quantities and easy to distribute. Hire a few volunteers to stand in the street and pass out bills and cards to passerby. Festival-goers will rarely refuse the handbill, which at least earns your film a brief glance. Always remember to include contact information, URL for your website, and other relevant information on the handbill.

Stickers

Stickers are another cheap way to market your film. However, stickers have the potential to be used by vandals on inappropriate places (stop signs, etc) and you could be hit with a vandalism charge if you're not careful. Consider the festival demographic carefully before deciding on stickers.

Posters

Putting up posters is probably one of the standard aspects of a movie marketing campaign. Posters measuring 8.5 by 11 are acceptable, considering the expense of printing anything larger. Try not to run with the herd; target other festival locations to distribute your posters. You will have the advantage of reaching your target audience (movie goers) while not competing with other movies at your film festival. This should be done in conjunction with advertising near or on-site as well. Be smart and use a combination of both. Be sure not to over-saturate sites with your posters. Covering up other posters will put you at a risk of being criticized and might add up to bad publicity for your film.

High Definition TV and the Makeup Artist

With the onset of High Definition television, many make-up artists are being confronted with pictures that are so clear and vivid.We recently held a workshop for make-up artists and hairdresser to come along and see their work through a High Definition Sony 750 camera, then view it on a HD monitor and also a home receiver Plasma screen TV.

This was most interesting; we had a mixture of very experienced professional make-up artists and some trainees. We all felt we learn a huge amount. Special training for HD is essential as clarity of picture is increased five fold. What you see to the eye is what you see on screen. Our school - the Hair and Make-Up Studio - has been training make-up artists and hairdressers for HD for just over a year. Our courses span 10 weeks and we take 6 students per course (next one starts in July) It is an intensive 5 day per week, 8 hours per day course with tutors that are all fully trained and are highly experienced in working on film and in television.

Their expertise will be passed on to new entrants on a one to one basis.We also run specialized courses for Air-brushing make-up, Special effects make-up as well as a period Hair Styling course with our Principal Hair Tutor.High Definition is the latest trend in television and film but one that we must all look forward to Some actors and actresses will be relying on their make-up artist more than ever before and we will be ready.

Macy Gray "Big" Soul Music CD Review

The exceptionally talented Soul artist Macy Gray has released her CD entitled Big. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Macy Gray fans, and Soul fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Big Macy Gray's artistic excellence is on full display as she has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be her best work to date.

Big kicks off with a great track, Finally Made Me Happy, that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.

Macy Gray is one of those musicians that has the ability to just bowl you over with her talent. The kind of artist it's really a treat to be able to listen to.

Listen to this CD and I believe you'll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Macy Gray's voice is in top form. Of particular note on this offering is her amazing rendition of Glad You're Here with Fergie. If you're even mildly into Soul music you'll enjoy this album.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 3, What I Gotta Do. What a nice track!

Big Release Notes:

Macy Gray originally released Big on Mar 27, 2007 on the Geffen Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Finally Made Me Happy - (with Natalie Cole)


2. Shoo Be Doo


3. What I Gotta Do


4. Okay


5. Glad You're Here - (with Fergie)


6. Ghetto Love


7. One For Me


8. Strange Behavior


9. Slowly


10. Get Out


11. Treat Me Like Your Money - (with Will.i.am)


12. Everybody

Semi-Tones And Tones On A Piano, Organ And Keyboard

Semitones and tones are distances from one key to another key on a keyboard. For example if we play middle C on the keyboard and then play the next white note to the right which is D then that distance is one tone. For those of you not familiar with a keyboard then get my Lesson 1 e-Book here, which will show a 61 note, keyboard with the correct notes names printed on each key.

The thing to remember when counting semitones and tones on a keyboard is to count the distances and not the notes. A semitone is the closest distance from one note to another note. So again, if we play middle C on a keyboard and want to move one semi-tone to the right the note you should be playing is C sharp that is the black note between C and D. When you first look, at the C and D keys they might appear to be closest to each other but the black notes are placed between the white notes, which make them closer. Now starting from middle C again if you move one semitone to the left, you will notice there is no black key between the white keys so the closest key is B.

Counting semitones on a keyboard is very useful especially for finding chords. For example if you wanted to find C chord which consist of a root, third and a fifth we use distances to find the notes. The distance from the root to the third is four semitones and the distance from the root to the fifth is seven semitones. Now since the root is always the name of the chord in this case C, count four semitones (distances) to the right from C to get E then count seven semitones to the right from C to get G and you have just found your C chord C, E and G and since all major chords (triads) use a root, third and fifth you can find all twelve major chord by counting semitones.

I personally count distances in semitones, that's just my preference. Instead of saying two semitones, you can of course say one tone. It's up to the individual. Remember to count distances and not notes.

Walter Beasley "Won't You Let Me Love You" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Not sure what's happening with me on this one, but it seems like the more I listen to it, the better Won't You Let Me Love You gets. Won't You Let Me Love You stated simply is one of Walter Beasley's best CDs to date.

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Won't You Let Me Love You has a pleasantly varied, mix of 10 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly superb artist. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are his own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

Overall Won't You Let Me Love You is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Smooth Jazz fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 6, Won't You Let Me Love You. Outstanding!

Won't You Let Me Love You Release Notes:

Walter Beasley originally released Won't You Let Me Love You on Jul 11, 2000 on the Shanachie Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Babygirl


2. Comin' At Cha


3. Sideshow


4. Theresa


5. Sleep Tight


6. Won't You Let Me Love You


7. Tantam


8. I Wanna Know


9. Groove In You


10. Visions

Personnel: Walter Beasley (alto saxophone, saxophone, synthesizer); Michael Colina, Andrew Sherman, Phil Davis (keyboards, programming); Dow Brain (keyboards); Kevin Barry (acoustic guitar); Jeff Lockhart, Chuck Loeb, Tyrone Chase, Martin Estrada (guitar); Baron Browne, Chris Loftlin (bass); Ron Mahdi (acoustic bass); Mark Simmons (drums); Ricardo Monzon (percussion); Rhea Dummett, Tiffany Davis (background vocals). Producers include: Walter Beasley, Dow Brian, Kavin Hoo, Andrew Sherman, Michael Colina.

Where To Find A Superman Returns Poster?

Since the introduction of the internet it has become increasingly easy to find posters of almost anything and with so many internet stores around you will be sure to find a superman returns poster at a great price.

Where Can I Find a Celebrity Poster?

If you prefer to go shopping rather than trying to find one on the internet a great store in the USA is called Poster Planet. You will be able to find a celebrity poster and a superman returns poster at this store and they will also be able to deliver.
Poster Planet's available categories include that of: Audrey Hepburn, Batman, The Beatles, Bruce Lee, Buffy and Angel, Celebrity, Elvis, Harry Potter, James Bond, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Superman Returns Tim Burton, and more.

Another popular location which is a good idea to check out if you are looking for a celebrity poster is Celebrity Wonder, which offers posters of every possible celebrity you could think of. Also, their posters are available in different sizes and styles, so you can basically customize your poster to however you want it to look.

Another available option is that of All Posters which is our highly recommended choice, where you can choose from a selection of over 30,000 posters. Their online store allows you to quickly and easily browse through the incredibly vast and varied selections that they have to offer, and their most popular categories include that of: movies, music, sports, collage, vintage, photography, and film. There is also a customer service center available on their website, in case you have any questions that you would like to ask before purchasing one of their items. This can be incredibly useful, especially considering how quickly they will be able to respond to you over the internet.

Most posters come in all shapes and sizes and it has been known for posters to be custom made to fit an entire wall. They can also be framed or laminated to protect them.The great thing about celebrity posters and Superman Returns posters is that they are relatively inexpensive and can be found very easily.

Learn To Play Guitar Tab - Amazing Grace

Even if you never have played melodies on your guitar before the time has come now! You will learn to play guitar tab and a very popular melody even if you do not know sheet music notation. Pick up your guitar and let's start!

We will first take a look at the lyrics of the first verse:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!

That sav'd a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind, but now I see

First you have to learn to play guitar tab notation. Guitar tab or tablature notation is a way of showing how to play notes on your guitar with the help of numbers telling you on which fret to play and on which string:

1. ----------------------

2. ----------------------

3. ----------------------

The three lines represent the three first strings on your guitar. The line at the top named 1. represents the first string or E-string on the guitar.

Now you will learn to play your first guitar tab as we try the first line of lyrics together with the guitar tablature notation of the melody:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!

1. ------------0-------0-------------------------

2. -------1-------1--------3-----1--------------

3. --0----------------------------------2----0--

The numbers you see on the guitar tablature staff tell you which fret to play. The number 0 indicates that you shall play a string without pressing down a fret.P>

This is called to play on an open string.

As you can see from this guitar tab notation the first note is on the open third string on your guitar. The next note is on the first fret on the second string.

Time to learn to play the next line of lyrics with the melody on your guitar:

That sav'd a wretch like me!

1. --------------0-------0---------0----3----

2. ---------1-------1---------3---------------

3. ---0----------------------------------------

You can play the notes with your right hand thumb. It's probably the easiest way to pluck the strings for now.

Let's proceed with the third line of lyrics and guitar tab:

I once was lost, but now am found

1. ---0----3----0---------0-------------------------

2. --------------------1--------3----1----------------

3. -----------------------------------------2----0----

Maybe you are pressing down the guitar frets with your right hand index finger.

If you want to prepare for more difficult guitar melodies you can try to play the notes on the first fret with your index finger, the notes on the second fret with your middle finger and the notes on the third fret with your ring finger.

Now we will learn to play the guitar tab for the last line of lyrics and complete this guitar lesson:

Was blind, but now I see

1. ---------------0--------0---------------

2. ----------1--------1------- 3----1----

3. ----0-----------------------------------

We have now completed this guitar lesson and you have learned to play the melody to Happy Birthday To You!

You have also learned to understand the use of guitar tab notation. You can find many more popular songs written with tablature on the internet.

Disney Latino Juegos - Enjoy Disney Games In Spanish

Spanish speaking fans of the Disney Channel shows, movies, and characters no longer have to feel left out. DisneyLatino.com the Spanish Disney Channel website, gives them a chance to play all the most popular Disney online games in their own language. The Latino Disney website is constantly growing in size as well as popularity and will soon have as many features as the regular Disney site.

Some of the games included on the DisneyLatino.com pages include favorite movies of both yesterday and today. Play games with Cinderella, Jasmine, and the Disney Princesses. Other games feature heroes like Tarzan or Hercules. Famous Disney Channel stars like Hannah Montana and Zack and Cody can also be found on the site. All of the features and games on the site are solely in Spanish for those who speak this as their native language.

Other things you can find on the Disney Latino website besides games are informational pages about different Disney shows and movies. Find out all the historical facts about every classic movie that Disney has put out or learn about the cast of the newest shows that are featured on the Disney Channel this year. Everything you want to know about Disney animation, as well as the best Disney Latino games are right here waiting.

You can even plan a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland while surfing around the site; book a hotel and plan your flights from anywhere in the world. You can purchase tickets for the parks at a discounted rate from those that are found at the gate. You can even get a jump on your souvenir shopping on this wonderful website. All of this is in Spanish, thus making it even easier for you to understand exactly what you are booking or purchasing.

Home Recording In 2007 - What Every Musician Needs To Know For The Current Music Scene

It's the late 2000's and we're in a technology-driven era. There's no getting around it and the world we live in is only going to grow more dependent upon technology. For people interested in recording (and this applies to pretty much every musician too), this is a blessing! We now have an amazing amount of power at our fingertips to make recordings more easily, cheaper and quicker than ever before.

There Are 6 Things That Anyone Considering Making Recordings Must Know.

Knowing and understanding these six key points will make a huge difference for everyone interested in recording. If you are a musician, they will help you decide whether or not to record yourself. If someone who's interested in making recordings, this is the perfect starting point for learning the basics and moving forward.

Here are the six important facts you must know.

1. Because of advancements in technology, making recordings is so easy almost anyone can do it once they understand of a few key ideas and concepts behind the recording process.

2. Creating your own studio to record in is far cheaper than most people are aware. It can even be cheaper than paying for studio time when you know what to buy and how to buy it.

3. Acquiring the proper equipment is simple and does not have to be confusing, when you have a reliable, honest, and unbiased source to tell you what you need and what you don't need.

4. If you happen to be a musician, you should realize that having your own studio will give you ultimate artistic control over the whole process. You won't be limited by time or money constraints when you have your own studio.

5. You don't need to go to a recording school to quickly become skilled at recording. Between the push-button ease of newer technology and all the tutorial information available on the internet and in books, recording schools will waste your time and money. You'd be better off putting tuition money towards your own studio.

6. Lastly…. You don't need a "real studio" to make great recordings. There's a huge myth that if you don't have some building specially designed for recording, you won't be able to make good ones.

If you'd like to learn more about this, visit my websites.

The Epic Called Ben Hur

The MGM Studio was founded on the success of the original in 1925 and then in 1958 a then huge investment of $15m was risked on the remake of 'Ben Hur'. MGM risked their name and the financial future of the studio with this 'Epic' movie. The reward for taking this risk was enormous with over $80m flowing back into MGM's coffers.

It received collossal critical acclaim and won a then record of 12 Academy Awards, these were best picture, best director ( William Wyler), best actor (Charlton Heston), best supporting actor (Hugh Griffith), Cinematography (Robert Surtees), scoring (Miklos Rozsa), editing (Ralph Winters and John Dunning), costumes (Elizabeth Haffenden), art direction (William Horning and Edward Carfagno), sound recording (Franklin Milton), visual effects (Arnold Gillespie and Robert MacDonald) and last but by no means least sound effects (Milo Lory). The special effects brought a modern look to the movie, especially in two scenes the chariot race and the wonderful sea battle.

The cast which at times reached 50,000 was headed by the king of the 'Epic' movie Charlton Heston who as always showed his great physical and spirtual strength. It had a very strong and powerful supporting cast including Stephen Boyd and Jack Hawkins. It had over 3000 sets and bringing this together proved to be the final straw for Sam Zimbalist the producer who unfortunately died before the completion of the film.

In 1971 it had the largest audience of any film ever, with over 32 million Americans watching on television.

Was this the best 'Epic' of all time or just an over budgeted monster that should never have been made.