Choosing Music For A Short Film Project

A film would not be complete without the incorporation of production music. Music is crucial in setting the tone, dramatising certain points, and evoking different emotions from those who are watching. Therefore, picking the right production music is pivotal and should be given a lot of attention to. After all, if a song or tune seems misplaced, then it can seriously deter from the successfulness of the film. There are lots of aspects you need to consider when it comes to picking the best music and this article will reveal exactly what those are.

What is your budget for your film’s production music?

Most short films do not have massive budgets. Either way, you need to make sure you define a budget from the outset. There are lots of different methods of acquiring production music – you could choose someone in an audio school program so the can get experience.

Is the music relevant to the action on screen?

This sounds like an obvious point. However, sometimes some people are so desperate to incorporate a certain track that they ignore how relevant it is. You need to ensure the mood of the song is parallel to the mood of the characters on the screen. The other way of picking a song is if the short film you are producing is showing a character listening to some music. In this instance you need to get in the mind of your character and ask yourself what he or she would listen to on this occasion.

Remember viewers are only going to hear the song once

More often than not people’s favourite songs have grown on them. They listen to the tune in question over and over again and end up falling in love with it. You don’t have this luxury when it comes to putting together a short film. You need to find music that creates the right impression upon first hearing. Thus, when you are picking a track you need to determine your feelings on it the very first time you listen to it. Don’t listen to the tune 20 times and then decide that yes you like it.

Try to find original production music

There is nothing wrong with taking influence from other films. However, an issue can arise when a particular song is played in several films and thus automatically gets ingrained in your mind. Because of this, any other song you come across feels somewhat not good enough. It’s a bit like when you go shopping and you have a set picture in your mind regarding what clothes you want and thus nothing matches up to your ideal. When it comes to production music, you obviously have the option to use the popular tune in question. After all, if it has been used several times then it must be a great track. However, it is always better to try and be original. People are going to be much more impressed if you have the capacity to wow them with a song they have never heard before rather than play something that is popular at present.

If you consider the four points mentioned in this article whenever you are considering a certain track then you should have no trouble finding the perfect production music for your short film. Remember that the most important thing to do is define a budget from the outset so that you are looking for your music in the right places. This will make the process a lot quicker and easier. When considering different tracks try and look for something that is original, make sure that it is relevant to the action on screen, and think about the influence of the song upon first hearing only.

Learning From the Past: How Our History Can Shape Our Future

There are plenty of sayings that describe how humans have to push on and move ahead in order to grow and prosper. While the sentiment makes sense, it’s not actually the most useful piece of advice. Instead, what we should really be talking about is how we can use the past in order to shape our future–but how exactly does that work?

Our past is a collection of our mistakes

When we make mistakes, it’s fairly normal to bury them in the past so they never rear their head again. Unfortunately, hiding your mistakes like this isn’t progressive. Instead, what we should be doing is analysing these mistakes and attempting to find the cause and the effects it had, then use that knowledge to prevent it from happening again. We can also use those lessons to avoid similar problems and improve our future.

Our past shows our progress

People that study the past or at least have a grasp of it will often tell you just how much progress we’ve made as a collective. This is because understanding and embracing the past can show us just how much progress we’ve made. Whether it’s using statistics and facts or simply realizing that we’ve changed, it’s a great way to understand how far we’ve come and also gives us predictions on where we’re going.

We’ve included a fantastic example of a study of the past involving American women in war and how their role evolved. Using this, we can see just how progressive our society has become and it even gives some indication to where we might be going.


Design by Norwich University

The Extensive Impact of Oil Spills

Oil spills are one of the unintended consequences of the oil industry. But while they might not be intentional, they can still be devastating. An oil spill, even when it’s small, can affect the environment and society in a number of ways. It can cause long-term damage that often takes years to recover from.

Wildlife and the Environment

Most people are aware of how an oil spill can affect the environment, and particularly the marine environment. You have likely seen seabirds covered in oil or dead fish caused by oil spills. Oil spills are difficult to clean up and minimizing their impact on the environment can be difficult. They can affect marine mammals, birds, fish, beaches and other aquatic environments, and wildlife habitats and breeding grounds.

Health

Human health can also be affected by oil spills. The effects of an oil spill can vary depending on various factors, including the type of oil and the amount of exposure to it. It can lead to skin problems, breathing problems, and stress. There are potentially long-term health effects of oil spills too, but not much is known about them if there are any.

The Economy

The economy is another concern if an oil spill occurs. In particular, an oil spill can affect coastal and marine economies. This can range from fisheries to coastal real estate, with long-term effects often occurring. Businesses can be disrupted by damage to the environment or even their own stock, and oil spills can affect the reputation of the area too.


Infographic Design By University of Alabama Birmingham

Summer Activities To Try With The Kids 100%

The summer holidays are just around the corner and with lots of warm weekends to enjoy, you’re going to need to make some plans. Although you may already have a rough idea of what you want to do with the kids on the days you’re not working, putting together a loose plan will help you feel much more organised. To help give you a little bit of inspiration and guidance when it comes to writing your plan, here are a number of summer activities you can try with the kids: 

  • Take A Walk To The Park

One of the best activities to try with your kids this summer is also one of the most affordable. Whilst you may want to treat your kids to some paid activities once in a while, nothing says summer like a walk to the park. Whether it’s five minutes away or thirty, your kids will absolutely love the walk as it will be filled with exciting thoughts of what they’re going to do once they get to the park. To make it even more exciting, why not play some games whilst you’re en route? 

  • Go On A Nature Walk

Another great way to get your children excited about walking this summer is to take them on a nature walk. All you need to do is head to your local nature reserve with a printed list of things your child needs to find. Give them lots of boxes and bags so they can collect their findings, encouraging them to identify different natural objects. For inspiration when it comes to nature walks, you can visit this site here.

  • Attend Your Local Church Service

Another great way to spend your summer days is to attend your local church service. Although they may not have an official service every day, you will be able to find a schedule that suits both you and your children. Often during the summer, you will find that they have family events and get-together. For more information about attending your local church service, you can visit Universal Church of the Kingdom of God here.

  • Join A Local Activity Group For kids 

If you’re looking for a way to make the most out of summer with your kids, why not encourage them to join a local activity group? Whether this means they join a sports group or they attend a day-care centre for school kids, they will enjoy being around other children in a non-school setting. If you’re unsure about attending activity groups for children, you can visit this site here.

  • Go To The Movies 

Finally, if you want to treat your kids, you may want to consider taking them to the movies. During the summer you will find movie theatres increase the number of child-friendly showings, making it the perfect time to book yourself some tickets!

Are you looking for summer activities to try with the kids? What can you do to make the days more fun? Let me know in the comments section below.

The Benefits of Religion

It’s no secret that today’s society can be a scary and depressing place. Things such as poverty, homelessness and war can plague our consciousness.

For many having a religion and faith can bring comfort and peace in an otherwise chaotic world. If you or a loved one are thinking of finding faith, we’ve put together a few ways that religion may be able to change your life for the better.

Religion Can Make You Feel Less Alone

Many people report being suffering from the silent epidemic of loneliness in today’s society. If you’re struggling with day-to-day pressures such as feeling down in the dumps or excessively worried about life, being able to connect to a religious higher power may be able to help. While it would always be advised to visit your health care practitioner to discuss your options, the social togetherness of praying and religion could make you feel better and less alone. It can be comforting to know that a higher power is looking out for you and your family.

Faith Can Give You Hope

At the core of most religions is the desire to spread love, be optimistic and to make the world a better place. Having hope that through your religion you can achieve these things can make you feel better overall.

Worship Can Help You Find A Community

Finding a church or another place of worship can be a fantastic way for you to discover new friends. Meeting like minded-individuals can also give you huge feelings of relief and peace. Churches like The Universal Church, pride themselves on being welcoming spaces for those interested in learning about the Christian religion. So whether you’re a lapsed believer, you’re interested in meeting some like-minded individuals, or you want to see what this religion stuff is about for yourself, head to your local place of worship.

Religious People Tend To Be Happier

Reports suggest that those who regularly practice some kind of worship and consider themselves religious \usaully report to having a happier and more satisfying quality of life.

Reasons for this could be having a busier, more fulfilling social life, a better outlook on life and a more settled family life.

Give Your Life Some Direction And Meaning

One of the most important reasons why people decide to follow a religion is that it gives them a stable blueprint on how to conduct themselves and live their lives. The guidance from many religions, helps people to live their lives in a way that they feel happy with and excited by the prospect of rewards for any suffering through the afterlife.

Overall, more and more people are finding religion or returning to religion. These benefits and tips can show you that faith has so much to offer your life and could possibly make it better and happier than it is now.