#but i think very few creators thrive in a world where everyone wants their content immediately and immediately after the release date

[wetcatspellcaster]

ok i don't normally make 'crotchety old lady on porch' posts. but i just saw someone on another social media website say they were feeling 'nostalgic' for their bg3 pairing and??? ....how????? it's not even been a year since release????? fan creators are still churning out content????

i know fandoms seem to cycle way quicker these days, but it's always so funny to me when people start to wonder why. the posts about 'the fandom is dying' are starting to circulate for bg3, and - not in a shaming way bc everyone is entitled to find new interests and new hyperfixations and also REST!! I'm not holding anyone hostage!!! - but... maybe it's because you barely gave it a chance to live??? by the time it had started to gather momentum you had already left it behind???

[sparkledfirecracker]

Deeds For The Big Screen

I see writing as a form of creative artwork with everyone having its own liking or preference to it.

Do not interact if you are uncomfortable with any of the given warnings or if you are a minor. 

Your media consumption is your own responsibility, proceed to read with care. Warnings have been up and mentioned, if I missed any please feel free to let me know. 

Warnings: 18+, explicit sexual content, explicit language, sexwork, porn industry, vaginal fingering, unprotected sex, oral receiving (f), swearing

Rating: explicit

Pairing: Ari Levinson x Female Reader

Summary: You’re taking power into your hands when your actors don’t seem to do their job and are wasting expensive production time.

Word count: 3006

 A/N: This might be a little rusty, I haven’t done this in a while, but some creators have inspired me to pick up writing again! Fairly new to Tumblr, despite having an account for years and having done zero with it. Apparently me dreaming about different story ideas has become a thing now. So bear with me here. As said; if I missed any warnings please feel free to let me know.

@punani​ ’s ‘The Fluffer’ was inspiration for the chosen work field. So thank you for writing that magnificent piece.

English is not my native language; my grammar mistakes are purely my own. Constructive criticism is allowed and appreciated, I won’t bite unless you’re being rude.

I do not consent to have my work copied, reposted or translated on any other platform. Reposts on any given platform have been reposted without my permission or consent. By reading this, you agree that you are at least 18 years old!!!

Please do feel free to comment, like or reblog.

ENJOY!!!

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Deeds For The Big Screen

Irritation bubbling underneath your annoyed expression, your lips tightly pressed together. Fingernails tapping aggressively on the armrests of your director’s chair. Your legs crossed, bouncing with frustration at the sight in front of you. It seemed liked the actors onsite were on a mission to make everyone’s life on set hell. Your hands grabbing the armrests your knuckles white from the intense grip of the edges of your chair.

You were a visionaire, adultery was your passion, you had been in the business for year before starting your own company. Focusing on the female friendlier porn demand had paid of well for you, your company was your pride and you thrived on the success. You ran a tight ship, time was money and currently both actors were wasting every second of it. The current creative project was not being envisioned at all. It had been meticulously drawn out on a storyboard, it seemed like everything that had been discussed and rehearsed was thrown out the window.

You let out an annoyed huff, it had been hours on end anything between action and cut. Your million-dollar superstar was propped on his elbows towering over the fragile body underneath him. His hips franticly pumping in and out of the actress underneath him, who was clawing her nails into his skin desperately. Was he really the problem or was it the useless woman caged underneath him. Her super loud moans that probably could be heard at the other side of the world and the quantity of clawing at his skin.

 “CUT!!!” you yelled and everyone in the production stopped, heavy sighs heard across the studio. Your hands rubbed your face slightly not wanting to yell or lose control of the raging thoughts running through your mind.

“What’s wrong this time?” your most prized possession asked, the annoyance clearly dripping of his tone. He stood up facing you, his hands falling to his hips, sticking out his chest while his thick muscle stood proud against his pelvis. You couldn’t help but take in the sight, his cock was red and he was painfully hard. You licked your lips and took in a deep breath, trying to refocus on your thoughts.

“Alright let me make myself very clear here. The crew is TIRED and I am tired of fucking repeating myself” you took another deep breath as you felt anger rising “was I not clear enough when we had a table read yesterday and when we rehearsed this morning?” your eyes switching between the actors. No response “An answer would be nice, because that storyboard on the wall contains every movement of where body parts go during every fucking scene”

“Get the fuck out Y/N, you know storyboards only contains the major outlines of a grand story being told, it is different when you are pumping in and out of a body you know. You don’t always get to choose where a hand, leg or cock lands”

“Ari, we are in the god forsaken porn industry, that thick throbbing dick better end up in the fucking dripping vagina, between her lips or even in that nice and tight puckered hole” you could hear a few supressed snickers from the crew. Ari just kept staring you down “Right now all I see is stiffness, no passion, no fire and absolutely nothing that was on the fucking board or script”

“Whatever Y/N” Ari huffed, you rolled your eyes breaking the tension that was clearly building between you and Ari. You turned your gaze to Edie, who just sat there uncomfortably.

“Edie, can you just tone down on the moans, I know this is your first gig and a step up from the amateur adultery films you have done, but we are not in the cheap kind of porn. This is exclusive, sensual and soft sex. We make porn for the ladies and if it happens that men love it too so be it-” you clapped your hands together trying to get through to the actors in front of you “Also ease up on your facial expressions too they are just too much and stop clawing at Ari, we are not feral wolves in the outskirts of woodsy valley…” you pointed at her, the hostility evident in your voice, she just nodded your way she almost looked too scared to speak. Your attention turned to Ari, just by looking at him you knew he wouldn’t be able to take a lot more of your antics “-And for you mister, I need more open posture. We want to see those muscles work underneath that toned skin of yours. Flex them a little, you want the person watching this to drool from their mouths while their vaginas or arseholes are begging for your majestic cock. Yes, we can do this all rough and tough, but with this project we want fire, passion and mind-blowing sex. Understood?”

Both pornstars nodded your way and you sat back down in your chair. The actors taking their spots again, you raised your hand, cues being called across the room.

“ACTION!” Edie tried her utter best to contain her excessive sounds, but she looked like she was about to take a dump “CUT!”

“Y/N, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Ari yelled, jumping of the small platform, grabbing his robe from the floor, storming your way while putting on his robe, you got off your chair.

“Is it really that hard to do what I am asking? Edie you look like you are about to take a dump right in front of the camera” you lost control of the anger that had been boiling inside of you. Ari bumped into you, almost knocking you down, it must have been on purpose as you could sense his anger “where the fuck do you think you are going?” he spun on his heels

“I have been edged for hours on end, I need some form of release and it looks like our director is not going to let us get any release for a few more hours” Ari spat your way

“GET BACK HERE!!” you definitely lost control, watching Ari on a mission to march out of the studio “ARI I SAID GET BACK HERE”

“I AM NOT YOUR FUCKING A DOG!!!”

“YOU ARE MY FUCKING TOP DOLLAR DOG, SO YOU BETTER GET THE FUCK BACK BEFORE I FIRE YOU MYSELF” it was true, Ari was your million-dollar star, your company couldn’t have grown without him. He had been there from the beginning, you had him to thank for the success of your company and in return he had you to thank for his stardom.

Your words had made Ari stop in his tracks and turn around, the temperature in the room increasing quickly. You had started to doubt if the room had been that hot the entire time or if it was the arousal creeping through your veins caused by Ari’s deep angered gaze.

He charged your way his finger pointing at you and his mouth was moving, but your hearing seemed to have vanished. You contemplated if you should just show them what you meant or just call it a day. Things were getting heated and the crew was already exhausted enough. Your thoughts interrupted as your mouth started to speak.

“Do I really have to do everything around here?” you muttered under your breath “Edie get off the sunbed and put your robe on” she complied to your order, getting of the stage and putting on her silk robe. You took a moment to analyse your thought, to see if the voice inside your head would protest of what you were contemplating. Nothing came to mind, so instead you unbuttoned your sundress quickly before regretting your decision “Last attempt to film this guys, start rolling. Ari off with the robe, we start from the beginning. Edie take notes” you ordered around the room. Your sundress and underwear falling off your frame piling up next to your director’s chair.

“What are you doing baby girl?” Ari whispered in your ear as you walked backwards his hands holding your hips guiding you towards the double sunbed. His anger seemed to have disappeared and replaced with intrigue.

“Showing you what I want, but mostly taking what I need right now” you replied, he quirked an eyebrow, a smirk plastered on his face in approval “Let’s give them the show they want”

“The show you want” Ari chuckled as he corrected you, before narrowing his eyes a little “The big boss in action, I like it…” Ari whispered as he took in your naked body “I like it a lit” His confident spoken words made you a little insecure, but you hid it well trying to hold your nerves together.

You climbed on the sunbed laying back, your eyes wandered over Ari’s toned chest, his cock aching, your pussy throbbing. You licked your lips and the muscles in your core tightened with the exciting thought of him filling you up to the brim in a matter of minutes, you being at his complete mercy.

“ACTION!” you yelled

Ari crawled on top of you, your hands roamed freely over his arms and chest, his lips crashing on yours briefly before moving on to your neck and your upper torso. Your hands finding their way onto his shoulders, caressing the bare skin. You arched your back at the delight feeling when he sucked on your nipples, a low moan left your lips. Ari’s hands cradling your frame as he peppered kisses further south.

Your eyes following him, he looked back at you through his long lashes as two of his fingers tease your entrance, running gently through your folds. One thing was for sure, you were hot and bothered, all because of the eye candy encaging you in his porn play. He dipped two fingers in your aching core and pumped three times before they stilled inside you. His face coming up to meet yours, his eyes darkened and stole another passionate driven kiss.

His fingers starting pumping you faster earning a few unexpected deep moans. Your lips parting, your lust blown eyes were completely taken by the current moment. Your mind completely forgetting everything was being recorded. Ari’s fingers left your soaking cunt as he lowered his head and settled himself between your legs.

His mouth sucked your clit, you took in a sharp breath. His tongue firmly stroked downward on your slit, enough pressure for a controlled yet obscene moan to escape you. His tongue entered your dripping hole before returning his attention back to your clit. Ari’s fingers rejected as your vaginal muscle had tightened from the attention your clit was receiving. His mouth eased off and he pushed his fingers inside you, your cunt accepting, sucking them in.

The pleasure was almost too much, your hands caressing your upper body finding your breasts. With a feathered touch you rubbed your index fingers over your nipples, biting your bottom lip at the pleasure. Your touch made your nipples erect, the sensation spreading like wildfire through your entire body. Ari increased his pace and your moans and whimpers became more frequent, but in a more wanting and loving way.

Your back started to arch up and you were about to cum, when Ari stopped all his actions. Your eyes shot fully open to protest, but he shushed you by placing two of his fingers in your mouth allowing you a moment to taste yourself before retracting them. You watched him pump his hard cock with his hand, before he gripped your hips as his member slowly pushes down in your sopping cunt.

“Big enough for you princess” Ari grunted as he pushed fully into you.

“Y-Yes” the response was short and simple, your brain not functioning anymore when the pleasure had taken over from the thoughts. His tempo made your eyes roll backwards, your hips meeting his rhythm as he held a firm grasp on your hips helping and guiding you up and down on him. Without warning Ari stopped and flipped you over. A fistful of hair grabbed pulling you back, his grasp wasn’t harsh and only intensified your lustful awakening.

His left arm snaking around your waist finding your right boob, giving it a sinful squeeze, pinching your nipple between his fingers. He held your back close to his chest while his lips sucked pleasure marks on your neck and breathing heavily into your ear, whispering nothing but obscenities to you. Your arms lifted up and your hands fisted his hair, your fingernails scraping his scalp a little. He growled in your ear, you repeated your actions and he gave your hip a single firm squeeze.

His cock slowly being dragged in and out of you, your walls coating his thick veined cock. The squelching noises pulled from the juices being pulled from between your legs. Ari’s hands running freely over your skin setting it on fire. You felt fucked out and your orgasm was building rapidly. 

Ari must have felt it as his hips started bucking up into you even faster, making is his mission to finish you. Your moans of sin becoming frequent again, Ari’s wandering hand slid in between your folds, rubbing your clit gently, pushing you even closer to the edge. One of your hands held onto his wrist holding it in the pleasurable place whilst the other placed on the nape of his neck, fingers gripping the hairs at the bottom.

Your orgasm washed over you as Ari let you ride out your high before pulling you off, laying you flat on the double sunbed. As you tried to calm your breathing he straddled you underneath him, pumping his member faster. The white strings of sin faltering out of his cock, you leaned up on your elbows and opened your mouth while he decorated your face and chest. 

Licking your lips with his salty cum, you swallowed and stared back at Ari who seemed to enjoy the fucked out sight in front of him. When he had finished squirting his load on you, he cradled your head in his large hands, his thumbs running over your lips before leaning in to steal one last fiery kiss. You separated from the kiss and kept staring each other in the eyes for what felt like hours.

“Happy boss?” Ari questioned still holding your head gently as you nodded your head

“CUT!” you yelled, Ari climbed off of you and helped you up.

“WOW, that was amazing” Edie clapped being stunned by the scene that just had taken place.

“Thanks, hopefully a great lesson for you on what to do next time” you spoke, she smiled widely back at you when you walked towards your chair, picking up your clothes from the floor “Well done everyone, I think we all need a break and we’ll continue with fresh eyes tomorrow” a relieved cheer was heard “I’m off to have a shower, since I have become a Picasso art piece” you started walking towards the dressing room

“Worth millions” Ari spoke after you, you raised your middle finger at him without looking back at him. His loud laughter filled the room.

 -----------------------------

You walked out of the building, rolling your eyes at Ari as he leaned against your car, one leg propped up on the tire, his arms folded and a cocky grin beaming back at you.

“There she is, my million dollar star” Ari clapped his hands before raising up his arms slightly and bowing down “I bless the ground you walk on peaches”

“Oh shut it Ari” you felt your cheeks burn, embarrassment bubbling underneath your skin. It was ridiculous, but you felt a little insecure “Hopefully good enough for what I want to get done” you continued walking towards the car, halting in front of Ari. 

“Hopefully?” Ari raised an eyebrow “Peaches you were wonderful, you are in my top 3 ‘the best fucking sex I ever had’ so I guess for a retired pornstar you still possess your magic” you shoved him a little and his head fell back letting out a laugh “Don’t be embarrassed, I liked it a lot” his hands found their way on your waist pulling you into a hug, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Thank you Ari, but can you move out of the way, I want to go home, I am little worn out” “Must be because of my majestic cock” he laughed

“Don’t flatter yourself, it doesn’t suit you” you giggled “Why are you still here, I thought you left a while ago”

“Couldn’t stay away from you peaches, since you performed so well today” Ari wiggled his eyebrows

“Had to show you guys somehow, you were costing me a fortune” you pointed out, opening the car door, tossing your bag on the backseat.

“Would it make a difference if it was done on purpose?” Ari questioned, climbing into the driver’s seat. Your mouth had fallen open from the shock and your brain scrambled for words and phrases to throw Ari’s way. You opened the door on the passenger’s side and got into the seat.

“Are you telling me you put on an entire show so you could get your dick wet on the clock?”

“Had to fuck the brat right out of you somehow” his cocky grin beamed back at you. You knew he was taunting you if it wasn’t for his sunglasses shielding his eyes “You have always been such a perfectionist, so I knew you would fall for my well thought out trap”

“Well next time ask me to eat a snickers instead” you rolled your eyes as Ari started the car.

“Might need another round of fucking the brat out of you peaches” Ari grabbed your hand, pulling the intertwined hold to his lips and placing a kiss on top. Your cheeks flushed with heat at the thought of how intense your fuck session had been and what kind of ways you both would fuck one another later.

YIKES, that was a true adventure!!!

[that-lieutenant]

Of the relationship between Mairon and the orcs

An assortment of various of my HCs in one shot format i guess

[This is my first time writing fanfic (whaaat) and i sadly don‘t have an ao3 account yet (but i‘ll get to it once my personal life isn‘t hell anymore) so please consider giving this some love :) ]

Also: this is heavily influenced by @lemurious writing (because all my silm interpretations nowadays are, i just love their content ahh)

His people.

His headstrong, steadfast, steel hard, loyal, ingenious, beautiful people.

When he first came upon them, their bodies had already adapted perfectly to the cold northern tundra of their homeland. Thick grey skin, heavy hair, stocky build.

The wars would add countless scars and burns and limbs of metal.

But that was later.

When he first met his people what was war to them? To him? Who knew then about the horrors they would be forced to face at the hands of the other species of Arda? At a time when they did not even know there were other species.

When he first came upon his people he thought they were the firstborn children Eru had shown the Ainur in their vision. He thought he had been successful in discovering them first, before the other Valar could. He had been so relieved that they would be spared a life in the stifling superficial horror that was Valinor.

And they really are the firstborn. These other, warm skinned, bright eyed, spindly thin creatures that came pouring back from west a couple centuries later, who were they but Valarin lackeys, transformed beyond recognition? And then they demanded land and loyalty and called their primogenitors disfigured and corrupted.

He knows now that he should not have been so surprised back then that these usurpers had shown themselves to have come with the blessing of Illuvatar. After all what were firstborn to Eru? Truly, what had been He Who Arises In Might, the firstborn of the Ainur, what had been his people, the firstborn of his children, to Eru?

The actions of this absentee god would speak clear words in the following millennia, they would come to learn.

When he first came to meet the true firstborn, when he lived among them, when he learned their customs, their language, their love and he found connections so deep they would fuel him for ages to come, that was when he knew he had found his people. And together with their leaders and his own brethren they were able to lay the foundations for a culture that would thrive in spite of its creator and the eternal war this creator perpetuated.

In merely a few centuries, together they were able to develop technologies that would not be seen again the following age.

And then?

The wrath and unquestioned self-righteousness of their enemies erupts over Beleriand and the years of intense warfare lead to brutal massacres. On both sides – he is nowhere close to being without fault; that fierce love of his people has lead him to commit some of the most heinous acts of violence over and over again – but even now he remembers climbing down into the ruins of their underground cities after their defeat. He remembers the protective bunkers filled with civilian bodies and standing in their spilled blood.

The ones that got out in time were mostly soldiers because they had been evacuatable once the defeat was imminent. But the workers, the engineers, the caretakers, the children, those who they had wanted to keep safe in the bunkers? It was too late for them by the time they realises that nothing they could do would stop the fortress from being taken. And then the Valar went on and slaughtered them all.

It is his fault. And at the time it seemed like the worst one he would ever make.

As a nuclear firestorm destroys Beleriand, as the remnants of an entire continent drown in the sea behind them, and he and what is left of his people loose everything, the only thing he can do is lead them away, further and further east. Until he can‘t even do that anymore.

Because at that point everything just collapses in on him. His work has been shattered to pieces, all his brethren and most of his trusted generals killed, his lord, his partner, his lover, his pillar was taken and with that he just stops functioning.

In their hour of greatest need he abandons his people. After all, the only thing he ever seems to bring to them is war and death.

For a millennium he just… There is no purpose, no responsibility. Distantly he hears of the hardships his people are facing now in the East. How slow civilisations develop without the energy of a Vala or three radiating stones to power them. But he shuts it all out. He becomes numb to it.

And strangely, when he stumbles upon the new settlements of the second firstborn he isn‘t filled with unadulterated unstoppable rage. He is just tired. After all, what, truly, are these creatures but the Valar‘s playball in their game of who-is-the-most-despicable-without-realising? And strangely, these Eldar do not recognise who he is.

So why not, he thinks. Why not live in easy expedients for once, why not push away the past and continue to abdicate any responsibility he has to his that people? He crafts a name and a lie to start his new life of ignorance is bliss.

Oh, sweet Tyelpe. How easy it is to share the discoveries they had made in the first age with this ellon when the reward is all eyes big of wonder and desperation to discover more of this „Valinorian“ technology. It is so much like in the old days when he and his brethren and the best scientist of his people would find new methods and formulas to describe the world around them that he can‘t help but loose himself in the intelligent conversations of their workshop, the peaceful thriving of their city, the warm tenderness of their embrace.

They work to create better methods of gaining and storing energy then until they eventually develop the rings that can provide enough power to sustain entire cities.

They plan to make rings for the strongholds of dwarves and men and Eldar. But what about his people, he finds himself thinking. These technologies that are now used in the elvish kingdoms, they are only a small part of what was developed by and for him and his people in the first place. So what about his people?

He feels restless now. Old anger at injustice and blind self-righteousness arise in him again. In secret he starts travelling to the settlements his people have made in a country they call Mordor. The conditions there are rough and the technology now primitive compared to their glorious past but he sees a lot of recent progress.

All of the generals and leaders of old are long dead now and it takes a lot of time and effort to convince his people to trust him again, that he can and will help and that he won‘t abandon them again. They start building an underground city and a fortress once more, Barad-dûr, where the energy will be harvested. He creates a ring more powerful than any of the ones before. It has to supply the entire population after all.

When he returns to Eregion something has changed.

He can feel a strange charge in the air. Are the Eldar suspecting something? They all seem very worried at the sudden surge of activity in Mordor and he is starkly reminded that these Eldar, at the end of the day they still view his people as an ultimate but also undignified threat.

He knows something is wrong when Tyelpe suggests that their rings might also be used as a weapon. One of mass destruction. Mass destruction of his people that is. Tyelpe leaves that unsaid but it is clear as day what he means.

He doesn‘t need to worry about the rings for the elven cities anymore, Tyelpe tells him then and smiles.

A primordial fear settles into his bones. The horror at what is to come turns his stomach. What has he done? How could he have given all this help, all this power to the Eldar when they would only turn around and use it against his people?

He remembers sitting outside on some steps, pulling at his hair, his entire body shaking, growing increasingly mad at all the options that seem to slip out his hands one by one. And when Tyelpe comes to meet him there the only thing left for him to do is to push the ellon against a pillar, knife to his eye and demand the elvish rings he devised in secret. But Tyelpe laughs bitterly and spits in his face.

So it is truly you, the abhorred one, the dark foe‘s torturer, his whore.

This time it is his own wrath that razes cities to the ground. His people are ready for war. They have to be. And the next centuries are dictated by mindless destruction and production lines of battle machinery being the first thing that is re-introduced into the city of his people.

But still the population grows again, the conditions improve, their underground civilisation expands and he finds that he can make alliances with some of the human tribes and kingdoms that they had given rings of power to.

He and his people once again find ways to live in perfect symbiosis with the harsh climate of their land. Volcanic soil is fertile, air and water can be filtered and the ring offers them enough power to sustain artificial lights for growing crops underground and more.

It‘s progress but one that they keep secret. Because just like he is fuelled by the fear of elvish development, the Eldar would surely bring about another war of wrath if they knew about the advancements of his people.

The whole Numenorean ordeal that followed some centuries later was a mess. When that conquerer-king and his armies march upon Mordor he has no choice but to give in quickly. They cannot risk being invaded. Luckily these men are self-complacent enough to take their smugness and their ‚victory‘ and leave again. Though they also feel the need to drag him to that forsaken island of theirs.

Ar-Pharazon truly was a conquerer. He stretched his hands further and further for more colonies on the continent while his nation corroded away with by civil war. The golden king took and took from everyone around him and the displays of subjugation he was continually forced to perform to this king were manifold and in all kinds of ways.

Of course the wrath of the Valar that they unleashed upon the island as soon as they felt slightly threatened in their superiority was in the end blamed on him. He only ever indulged the Numenoreans‘ fantasies. When they brought him to their island it was already on the brink of collapse with conflict and misanthropic ideologies. Sure he, too, lost himself a bit in that collective insanity; he was complicit, so was everyone else. And then Eru felt they could cast judgement upon all these individuals and drowned yet another continent.

He laughs in the face of such insolence. It‘s hysterical, maybe more so a scream.

Then the water hits his body. It presses all the air out, breaks his ribs, crushes his lungs.

When he awakes again he is floating on a piece of driftwood, endless blue stretches around him. His body is raw and for some reason he finds himself unable to shift form anymore. He starts to panic, tries to force his particles to regroup in a way that forms a bird, a fish, something, he needs to get out of this blue emptiness now, he needs to – what is happening??

There is another war at the end of that age, but by that time his memory has turned into an indecipherable blur. It leads to yet more massacre. But worst of all, they take the ring.

For him it is as if all the tissue that holds him together suddenly loosens. He falls to his knees, sacks into himself. He can feel his spirit oozing out of the leaks that now penetrate his form. He stumbles back.

In the underground city the lights go dark, the industrial production comes to a standstill, the water and air filters turn off. His people pour out of their homes once they start to starve, once they realise that their military has lost the war and that their government has no way of dealing with the catastrophe.

They are in need but once again he is abandoning them. He is just so tired.

In the tower there is a large tank with cooling liquid for the energy production of the ring that he now lies in. In the pitch-black darkness his bones have started to shine with a dim fluorescent green. His body has started to disintegrate.

Outside he can feel the remnants of his peoples civilisation fall to ruin a second time. It takes only a few decades for them to return to the primitive conditions of their life without a secure energy supply.

And then suddenly it‘s not only his body that disintegrates anymore but the heavy elements in him too. At a faster rate than is normally used to power an Ainu‘s body that is. The heat of the nuclear fission that has set in brings the coolant to the boil and he had just barely enough mind and willpower left to set off the steam turbine. With a thudding noise the whole energy plant slowly comes to life again.

And for the next millennia Mairon lies submerged in the coolant tank, his body glowing and radiating and falling apart, his atoms splitting and powering a city that has been abandoned and he can only hope that his people will come back and reclaim what is theirs by right and rebuild their lives, their culture, their technology with the last energy that he has to give.

[tooweirdforyou]

Why are you acting like anywhere is safe? In reality, there will always be darkness where there is light. I don’t understand why you believe that protesting about anon hate will stop it. Anon hate will live, as long as creators thrive. There is a balance in the world for a reason. Honestly, I don’t understand why people care about anon hate like it hasn’t been around for as long as human roamed the earth. I’m not calling you a baby, but I am asking you to look at it from a deeper level. Y’all can scream and shout about this issue, but nothing will change. The cycles of life are fun. Educate yourself chickadee

Hi Anon!

I do agree that there is darkness everywhere, I find it intriguing on how life is like that and often think about it. Please don’t assume that just because I don’t talk about it, I don’t think about it. :) I can assure you I think about this topic very deeply.

“I don’t understand why you believe that protesting about anon hate will stop it.”

I don’t. I’m not protesting. I’m spreading awareness. You may not see there is a difference but I believe there is.

At least talking and addressing about it will help let others know about the issue as plenty of people are also unaware of this stuff. They haven’t experienced it or witnessed it in the real world quite yet.

I’m not going to state my opinions on these topics anymore but do know that I fully understand the balance of life as it is.

Poor vs Rich.

Success vs. Failure.

Top of the food chain vs. Bottom of the food chain.

Predator vs Prey.

I don’t believe everywhere is safe. I know there isn’t a truly safe spot, some are just less dangerous than others.

I simply wished to make this one, this fandom and blog, a less dangerous place for people, to let them talk, express and act freely without too many restrictions.

I’m sorry if I offended you.

-

“Maybe you and your friends are getting hate because you guys have been on your thrones for too long. Let other content creators shine! You call it a fandom but support each other’s shit instead of those who are trying to climb the ladder of success. I witnessed some really good writers leave because they weren’t receiving as much attention as your Mean Girl friends. It you gonna support, support EVERYONE. Y’all got your fame, let someone else have it.”

-

I find it funny that you think that’s the reason. Though I do understand that my mutuals are rather popular, but that’s really no reason to hate for it. Besides, some of them are multi-fandom so them writing for other fandoms actually help with that.

Both new and experienced old writers have worked hard and undoubtedly deserve the attention, but there’s tags, there’s no doubt a few people who definitely read their work and show their support and I try to do my best to reblog others, and not just the ‘popular’ ones.

I don’t consider myself popular at all. I have no experience writing for one piece or on tumblr, but I love to write.

“Climb the ladder of success”?

This isn’t even a competition.

My mutuals all write for fun. They write because they love to do so and want to share and express this creative experiences with others.

This isn’t a game or a contest of superiority. Fame? Seriously? It’s just writing for something they love because they love doing so.

They are just real people who simply want to write for their love. I don’t appreciate you insulting my friends like that and assuming such a thing.

By the way, don’t assume genders either. A few of them are they/them and he/him.

And I do support everyone. And also,

Tumblr isn’t the only platform for writing. There’s Ao3, Fanfiction, Wattpad, Quotev, etc.

There’s room for everyone. No one is hogging one place.

Thank you for your input but please stop.

-

I wasn’t going to respond to this but you insulted my friends and I wasn’t going to leave that alone.

If you actually try to talk to them kindly, you’ll know they are absolutely the nicest, sweetest people I’ve met.

Sil, Nette, Sea, Z, Meli, Kimi, Ash, Nico, Abhi, Roze, Bas, Nille, Ruki, Hazel, Cookie, Emilia, a couple anons, and much, much more.

They all have been so kind to me when I first interacted with them when I first started, and they share their support for me endlessly and I try to do the same of them.

Thank you for your understanding. :)

[dreamhot]

I think the weirdest thing for me is how twt seems to have people learning and changing?? Like they keep bringing up past mistakes and not letting people grow and change. It's like they expect everyone to be perfect since the beginning, which is not possible! People come from different places, countries, cultures. They aren't bad because of that. And in 99% of cases they want to learn, but are scared.

okay this turned into something a bit off the path from what you said, but it got me thinking

plenty of people have made this comparison before, but twt is very much going through the same growing pains that tumblr did back in 2014ish. it's been a lot more chill here ever since the mass exodus after the n.sfw ban (at least, this is where i find the site sort of dropped off), so while it's certainly not perfect here by any means, we don't tend to pull as many new, younger users as we used to

twt on the other hand has become The social media zone in the last several years. this means a few things: 1) there are a lotta young people on there who are still learning, both about the world and how to express themselves 2) a lot of nuance gets lost because of the character limit, so quick takes and gotchas tend to thrive 3) you have this relatively accessible archive of every dumb thing a person might have said since joining the site, no matter how many years ago you're looking back

and while that last point is true for many social media sites, twt is a bit unique in that it wasn't always a creator hub but is now the home of parasocial relationships (rivalled only by twitch, maybe). verification wasn't always a thing. christ, when i first joined, retweets literally did not exist, let alone qrts. you had to copy paste someone else's tweet onto your own timeline...... dark days. in any case, all that to say that there are probably a lot of people who used twt in a far less controlled, professional fashion before suddenly turning it into their public-facing account. thus ... you might find old, dumb, tasteless or ignorant jokes that were made to like. their handful of friends/followers back in the day. not that this excuses everything that's been said, but i think it's an explanation for old tactless content that people might not consider

thus, when you have this raucous echo chamber thirsting for blood, so to speak, there can be a lot of fodder for their anger. and, unfortunately, the mob tends to favour tear downs over actual growth. the quest for accountability has gotten a bit twisted over time

anyway. what you said is also true, so sorry for using your ask as a springboard lmaooo i have many thoughts on this subject

[culturedsociety]

Culture Talks with Carolyn Blackmon

Carolyn, in English meaning Joy and Song of Happiness.

Over the last decade she’s been on a journey of healing and transformation. It’s been Incredible to look back and see how beauty does actually flourish through the ashes. What happened in her life; most definitely was birthed out of struggles, hardships, loss, depression, despair, and hopelessness. Looking back at her experiences and being In complete awe because of it. Her faith and belief in God changed when she realized that “the Creator Is ultimately in control and has the ability to take what Is broken and make It brand new.”

Her life verse Is Isaiah 61:1-3 “The spirit of the sovereign Lord Is upon me because the Lord has appointed me to provide for those who grieve, to bestow on them a crown of beauty Instead of ashes, the oil of gladness Instead of mourning, and a garment of praise Instead a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the lord for the display of his splendor.”

In her early twenties, she was extremely lost. Battling a severe eating disorder, alcoholism, depression, and sadness. She worked and pursued many things to distract herself from reality and to try to fill voids. The more destruction that she caused to her body, mind, and spirit’ the harder life became. One day after a big awakening, she had to make the choice and ask herself the hard question “Carolyn Do you want to live?” She knew at that very moment; she was not living, she was just surviving. 

She made the bold decision to pack her car and move alone from WI to AZ. The land of the sun became a place of healing for her. She found yoga there. She began her vegan plant based eating, and learned to nourish her body again after starving it for so long of vital nutrients it needed to thrive. She found joy through volunteering and serving. She found god again and was re-baptized. But most importantly, found her self again.

Reflecting back to Fall of 2015 when she lost her best friend and mother to Cancer. It was as though her entire world and perspective changed about the value and gift that each day offers. She started to travel more and continued doing mission work that her mother supported the few years before she passed. She began seeking more and wanting more lead to healing the parts of her that were still broken.

In 2017, she traveled to Hawaii for her first yoga teacher training; which led her to step into a more passion and purposed filled path. This became a daily mission and allowed her the ability to circulate her gifts more responsibly. Her hope is to bless lives and help others heal, love, grow, and live their best life. To inspire them to live a life that brings an Abundance of joy, fulfillment, and higher purpose.

Take a deep dive into Carolyn’s mind:

RM: What is your Life’s Philosophy? CB: (Philosophy is an overall vision or attitude toward life and the purpose of it. Human activities are limited by time and death). I believe that we were all created in the image of God and we are each placed on Earth with our own individual and unique purpose. We are here to connect with nature, humans, animals, and to enjoy all of what God has created. We are here to not only soak in the beauty and light and spread it to others but to also use the darkness (whether it be our own struggles, lessons learned, trails, pain, suffering, etc) and use it to Glorify God? What does that mean? To use the wisdom gained, lessons learned, and the power of our testimony and story to shine the light of awareness upon all giving birth to Hope and helping others receive the healing power of Forgiveness.

RM: How has that philosophy evolved over the years? CB: Yes. I tell people that there was a line I drew that separated my old life and my new life. My old life included a long season of walking down the wrong path that ultimately was leading me down into hole. When I fell on my knees and surrendered and “woke” up. It hit me that I wasn’t living the life God planned for me. I was doing many things that I do believe helped me grow and get educated and led me to where I am today. I was drowning in depression, shame, low self esteem, and I didn’t practice self love.

Moving to AZ was the acceleration I needed to begin my rebirth process. I began serving others and finding joy in giving back for it made me realize that others had it harder than myself. I had a lot to be grateful for that I took for granted. Fast forward a few more years and I lost my Beloved Mother to Cancer. It made me realize that there is no time to waste. We are not promised tomorrow. We have a responsibility. Going through that loss changed my perspective on life and our time here on Earth.

I felt urgency. I felt my calling knocking on the door. I had to loose to gain so much more. I feel that my philosophy included being a good person, and working for what you want was so general….but over the years it’s evolved and things have been added and my life’s philosophy has gotten so complex. Creation. Calling. Service. Travel. Community. Collaboration. Healing. Purpose Filled Life

RM: How has your upbringing and circle of influence impacted the way you live and think about life today? CB: I grew up in a loving Christian home. My family members on both sides had good morals in their and the way they lived their lives was simple and consistent. I spent a lot of time in the Church. My parents Marketing business taught me so much as a young adult and I really absorbed a lot of it. My Grandpa Bood was my giver of Wisdom.

My circle of influence has really shifted in the last few years to be non-family members. Those that are where I want to be and who are doing what I am doing in their own way with their own talents. My circle of influence has been students, strangers, people I have met on travels, social media, and those that are in my tribe. It’s interesting to see how my relationships have changed and the type of people I have attracted and also been gravitated towards has changed as I have evolved and transformed and grown. My inner work has changed the way I function in relationships and I am still exploring how to have healthy boundaries as one who tends to be naïve, vulnerable, and who pours her heart and soul into everything.

RM: Do you believe that your line of work infects our society with positivity? How so? CB: When I am doing my work as a yoga instructor I try my best to step into the spaces where I am Leading classes and spread good energy that is uplifting and positive but I also know that people arrive on their mat with all different things that they are struggling with and going through and I never want to diminish that. I try to share themes that are relevant and helpful and inspiring because I really want everyone who interacts with me to leave with something that they can take with them. When they gain and grow and are blessed then so am I.

When I nanny and work with kids they give me an abundance of Joy and so I always try to pour back into the parents and thank them for the opportunity to enter into their home and spend time with them. I’ve worked jobs where felt like at the end of the day I was complaining about what I had to deal with or contend with and then I would wake up in a bad mood and that’s really a horrible cycle. I am thankful grateful that I am now an Independent Contractor and get to choose who I work with so that makes it easier but aside from that we all have a choice to make in regards to our attitude!

RM: How do you stay relevant, unique, and true to who you are as a person? CB: Let go of Comparison. It’s interesting because over the years as I became more at rest and confident in who I was and accepting of who God created me to be it made it easier to accept my path which is a lot different than many as well as accept my timeline which was not what I anticipated. I have started to become more of my own person….my tendencies and quirks have come to the surface unapologetically. Yes I am still Single…Yes I get excited over the Big Bowl Of Greens I eat everyday. My music selection changes drastically with my Mood. I could care less about TV and Material items….and I could go on and on.

The morning ritual I do sets the tone for my day. I tap into a passage or quote and scripture that I need to tell myself it’s like a treasure hunt and I get my coffee fix and take the time I need for myself and that way I’m more grounded and not shaken up or swayed or torn up by whatever may come at me and I feel that has given me the opportunity to respond better and hold my ground and keep healthy boundaries. I use to operate on not enough sleep and being stressed and hurried and then I would cave in to many things that ultimately didn’t serve myself or others well.

RM: Do you believe that the work you do everyday is aligned with your calling and higher purpose? CB: Absolutely and I want more and I am committed to continue to learn and grow and gain a deeper understanding and have more knowledge in the realm of yoga. The more spaces and places I enter and the more people that I connect and collaborate with the more lives I can touch and the more inspired I will be. This last year I started to share my content on a podcast and that was something I never imagined I would do and for a girl that use to be incredibly shy I never thought I would be on the stages I am on. It blows my mind and I am soooo appreciative.

What practices do you implement to stay grounded and divinely connected to self? CB: Guided Meditation. Yoga Nidra. Yoga. Nature. Travel. Writing. Music. Sharing wisdom with the world. Dancing. Music. Balance Healthy Clean Eating. Sharing Feelings and openly communicating with my support system. Spending a lot of time alone, while remaining connected with others.

Connect with Carolyn: Facebook Instagram

Collaboratively Written by: Carolyn Blackmon and Rebecca Muñoz

Grow this Channel & Circulate the energy of LOVE by donating: Paypal Cash app Venmo

[rooneywritesbest]

The Last Of Us 2 Review: Humanity At Its Lowest By Brendan Rooney

In all honesty, did the Last of Us feel like it needed a sequel? The answer may shock you. In my opinion, it’s complicated, to say the least. No matter what side you supported; Naughty Dog still heard your cries of all emotions, from tears of joy to even the lonesome complainants. And the unthinkable happened; a sequel was in the works.

The Last of Us 2 was now in the sole possession of newly appointed director Neil Druckmann. He was previously a writer and co-director on the series. So Druckmann knew about the direction he wanted to take the series going forth into the future. 

The Last Of Us 2 is a highly decorated sequel that feels very reminiscent of a blockbuster film from elements such as the aesthetic of the gameplay, or the even solemn cinematography.  When you first start the game, you don’t hear an echo of sound. It’s clear to see that Naughty Dog is trying to lure you into a world devoid of all human connections. 

A contributor mentioned that the atmosphere feels reminiscent of the film I am Legend (Patrick Rooney). He explained to me that he was viewing a streamer and, he noticed the mannequins, lying in the decaying buildings, while no one was in sight.  The discovery in his eyes were truly a horrific spectacle to behold.

Another thing he told me that was disturbing to witness was the massacre of dogs. “Seeing the simple and easy pattern of the slaughter of dogs was a tough pill to swallow”.(Patrick Rooney). I mean I do agree with the comment but at the same time, Druckmann and Naughty Dog did go on fact and state that no animals were harmed in the making of the sequel.  

In addition to the cosmetic and narrative choices, Naughty Dog has made. The sequel picks up about 5 years after the events of the first one. The premise and narrative have switched from moral compass Joel to our humble, yet broken Ellie. In, many ways the role reversal was an interesting choice by the studio, but it was a welcome one. 

I feel the Last Of Us 1 was Joel’s perspective. And the DLC from that title was the birth of Ellie’s journey beginning to take form so it was only natural that the sequel would be from a more mature Ellie; Considering the time jump of five years.  

Joel is brought to life once again by Troy Baker. Baker still carries every ounce of heart from the original and ups his performance to an oscar worthy level. Then, of course, Ashley Johnson returns as Ellie. Johnson has a tough job of portraying Ellie at two significant portions of her life, but honestly, she nails it.

It’s clear to tell that the events of the Last of Us 1 are still shackled and imprinted into both characters. However, for once we are greeted with a mirage of peace and tranquility. Something that is a clear departure from the tone and apocalyptic world of the series. 

We finally see growth in Ellie over the span of the five-year time jump.  She is no longer the scared little girl Joel found in Boston. She’s tough, rugged, full of grit and always out to prove herself. Ellie toes the line of walking the straight and narrow in this sequel. There was an instance of gameplay with her that had me to the point of not wanting to press the action button. I was conflicted with the choice. I had to make it, but to continue the campaign I did it anyway. 

One interesting discovery was we even come to learn; that she has fully come to terms with her sexuality. No doubt in this new sequel, Ellie’s character is fleshed out to the point of her feeling almost life-like. The character of Ellie is fleshed to extreme length in the sequel and it’s only logical considering because the 2nd is her story. In fact, in this case, the studio really did exceed expectations. 

I give a clap on the back to Naughty Dog because it felt like it took great efforts for the inclusion of our time period and everything going. In many ways, the studio went above and beyond.

I will go on record and say that The Last Of Us 2 was very supportive of the LGBTQ community. The only snippet of information I will dispel is that Ellie feels comfortable with her feelings. To the point of you as the player are almost a conduit for the picture the studio is trying to promote and embrace. 

In addition to the spotlight and clarity of cultural representation. The studio also has a few other characters that will appeal to certain groups.  However, to name them would be treading into spoiler territory. Due to the fact, The Last Of Us 2 is an experience that one should not have spoiled. Because the integrity of the title would be severely tainted. 

With that being said, The Last Of Us 2 thrives on simple yet tender moments. Especially at the beginning where you are partaking in a snowball fight. Of course then at the last minute, the bubble of time pops around you from a heavy dose of reality hitting you in the face. The tone of the game quickly changes from happy and upbeat to the cold; dark; a mellow world we as players love to explore.

Then of, course spoilers come into effect and the story starts painting a one-sided picture for those who have played you will know what I mean.

 For those who have never had any exposure to the series. I will go on record and say that The Last Of Us is not designed and built like a game. In all honesty, it is in the same vein of the a motion picture film. The cast has undergone full-on motion capture to achieve every ounce of entirety and realism. 

It felt for the longest time, Naughty Dog was playing with me as a person and the choices I was about to make were going to feel real and have a dramatic impact going forward even after the completion of the game. I will say one aspect about The Last Of Us 2 is that it feels raw and definitely full of emotion. 

In all truth, this game is going to split and divide the community as a whole. The verdict will be either you love it or hate it. The sense of a middle choice will never feel real or tangible. The best way to convey this premise of narrative would be is “The story is about loss and hate, and revenge. However, it’s also a story about learning how far you are willing to go to achieve your passion for revenge and the justification of when enough is enough”(Chris Miller) 

The quote my fellow content creator Chris made is actually a deep symbolic representation of the theme that the Last Of Us 2. The sequel is trying to imprint a message of complexity and the process of how we as a species processes certain feelings and thoughts. With being said the series veterans will probably be disappointed in the decision of a character’s certain fate.

At first, I was torn but the more you invest in the narrative you get a serious dose of juxtaposition. In all honesty, playing this game from beginning to end it was an emotional roller-coaster ride. I did and experienced things as a player that would terrify me if I was part of this fictional dystopian universe. 

I will say in closing, The very thought of thinking everyone is righteous or full of morality in a world such as The Last Of Us is hypocritical. Especially a reality that is a dark memory and remnant of what our beautiful Elysium used to be is an interesting sight. 

In many ways, Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog feel like they are trying to establish a commentary on the world and how our very conflict incites our destruction. A studio once known for a younger audience appeal has created a game that is more adult and story-driven.

I felt after the completion of the game. The very essence of gaming has been changed forever in the time being. It holds a position in the present and that being said the very choice of making this magnum opus will have a lasting effect drifting into the future. 

So in all truth, the best way to process this ride and film of an experience. Is to play it yourself and then construct your own opinion. 

Final thought, The Last Of Us 2 is a game that will divide many but it’s also one that reveals an image of humanity at its lowest and that being said the debate is far from over. 

So if I had to put a grade on this title. I would rank it as B+. The reasoning behind that choice is that it had a strong start, but it fell short through the middle. Then it felt confused at certain story beats, and the ending was powerful and it was real. 

However, that being said the chapter came to a close, and the tale of Ellie and Joel was put to rest for the time being. Now we wait for naughty dog to make their move. But I feel that forcing a sequel would taint the lore of these two games that felt like a personal journey. 

It's honestly sad to see it come to a close but all good things must come to a close.  Of course, Naughty Dog should be proud of the work they achieved on this sequel. Because, As a player, the series was a pivotal one; that gave me a new perspective on the value and symbolism of life. 

[blehbleehhhh]

Isis and Osiris 💕🦂(ft. EreMika)

Another lovely reader suggested I do a piece involving mythology of some kind! I've always been really into Egyptian Mythology (Ancient Egypt anything though so so fascinating) Anyway, I was super quick to decide on these two. What I did was write my interpretation of The Osiris Myth with their names in it instead. A few facts that are necessary to know before you continue: the original gods of ancient Egypt were Osiris, Isis, Set, Horus, and Nephthys. The myth is basically Set tricks Osiris to his demise, Isis revives Osiris, etc. ancient.eu is a great website, I recommend if you're interested in learning more! Greek Mythology is amazing too, don't get me wrong, just, idk, enjoy the story. Keep requesting and thank you for the lovely comments💕

ps: I LOVE Jean, lol, so this was hard! But he and Eren always fucking fight so.

pps: dedicated to anyone who catches the Supernatural references ;)

Cast:

Eren - Osiris

Mikasa - Isis

Jean - Set

Hitch - Nephthys

"All seems to be going well." Mikasa smiles as she comes up behind her loving husband while he sits in a chair on the balcony overlooking their flourishing kingdom. The sun is low as it rests on the horizon and reflects its dazzling rays across the mighty Nile River. Egyptian citizens stand in the shallows with pails gathering fresh, clean water for drinking and cooking. "Humanity has a perfect, stable climate to thrive in and resources are always bountiful." She slowly moves her hand down the front of his exposed muscular chest that's still deliciously lean. As gods they have their duties and obligations, all of which lie with maintaining that perfect climate and the plentifulness of resources. Everything has been a paradise since the power couple were crowned as King and Queen of Egypt because they take their roles so seriously. It's undeniably their purpose.

"We must maintain this, my queen," Eren relaxes back in his seat from her touch and sighs with content. "They're counting on us to watch over and keep them safe."

"And we will." She assures as gracefully walks around the chair to sit in her husband's lap and rests her cheek on his shoulder. He wraps an arm around her back and reaches up to carefully play with her soft black hair. "Nothing is more important than maintaining this order so there remains no injustices and everyone stays equal."

"That is why we rule together," He chuckles softly into her hair and kisses the top of her head. "We have the same goals when it comes to caring for our people."

"Must we go to that party this evening? I think I'd rather stay here.." Her finger traces small patterns on his chest and he smiles, amused at the way she's speaking so innocently.

"Unfortunately, yes. Jean mentioned he had something important to show me, though I would much rather be in bed with you. Maybe we can leave right afterwards and return to messy up the clean sheets?"

"I would love that." Mikasa lifts her head to look into dazzling emeralds and places her hand on his cheek, then bumps their foreheads together gently.

"Oh, how I love you."

"And I you.." She smiles and presses her lips to his to share a deep, loving smooch that's slow and tender. Tongues collide between kisses as her fingers slide up into his hair and he rests his arm over her legs, allowing his hand to slowly wander on soft skin not covered with the skirt of her dress. Words cannot describe how much the couple crave each other, they've never been able to keep their hands to themselves when they're together, but there's quite a time constraint because of the large dinner party they have invitations to this evening. It's not as if they don't have practice stowing their sexual tension on the back burner to make something more important their first priority, whatever that may be. In this case it's a celebration being thrown by Jean, who wouldn't normally bother to invite the one guy he despises more than anything. But the envy in his heart is real and it's all because of his brother's undeniable success - humanity is thriving under Eren's powerful rule as a just, generous, and giving god of life, so the decision to take him out was an easy one. Especially after his wife later became pregnant with a baby that wasn't of his seed, though he still isn't aware that Eren had been tricked into this with a cruel spell that made her appear to be Mikasa. It wouldn't matter if he did know anyhow since his brother is dead to him now and all he wants is revenge.

Perhaps that's why Jean went to all the trouble of having a coffin constructed with his brother's exact height. He plans to do the unthinkable and kill his own flesh and blood because if anyone is going to be Lord of Life, it's going to be him, certainly not Eren. "And so anyone who can fit in this beautiful coffin shall receive it free as a gift." Jean gestures to the box made from stone, the thin gold sheets that were beautifully pressed into it reflect the glimmer from candlelight. The necessary symbols have already been painted on its entirety so his brother's soul has the directions it needs to navigate the afterlife. Many party guests lined up to participate including the one this coffin is intended for and his wife, who cuddles into him drunkenly while he keeps a protective arm around her shoulders. She smiles and rests her cheek on his bicep while he speaks with other attendees, both of them blissfully unaware of the events that are soon to take place. And just as anticipated, Mikasa very quickly became the one most horrified when the coffin's lid was slammed shut and fastened so tightly, that its a guarantee his victim won't be able to escape.

"Jean! What in the name of all creation are you doing?!" Mikasa cries as she grabs onto him desperately and uses all of her strength to throw him off, hoping that if the coffin was dropped that perhaps it would crack open. "Have you lost your mind?! That's my husband! Release him immediately!" But a few of Jean's friends were waiting on the sidelines for his cue to restrain her, something that wasn't an easy task by any means because she insists on throwing herself around, kicking, screaming, and crying hysterically. It was necessary for him to get the coffin outside, however, and she did manage to get away long enough to reach the outside of the palace. She watches with blurry eyes, screaming for her husband as the coffin is cruelly tossed into The Nile River to be carried out to sea, where it was eventually lodged in a mighty tamarisk tree in Bybalos that grew to consume it rather quickly.

The King and Queen of Bybalos walk together along the beach shoreline. They were drawn here during their daily stroll by a sweet scent emanating from the tamarisk tree and ordered it to be cut down and made into a ornamental pillar for the palace. Unbeknownst to the royal family, a goddess mourns terribly over her husband's death and, after following the river, she has found her way to Bybalos. She's already in a new form in order to disguise her true identity - an elderly woman who wails in grief over her missing love. His body is somewhere nearby, she can feel it, and her heart calls to him whether he's alive or not. Little did she know, there were a few young women standing nearby watching her with sad eyes. "Excuse me, madam?" One says sweetly, and Mikasa immediately turns to see the two of them wearing looks of true concern. They are clearly handmaidens from their attire. "Are you alright?"

"Have you a home to live in?" The other asks.

"Oh, I-I don't want to be a burden.."

"Nonsense! We insist!" And so The Queen of the Throne, disguised as a normal, elderly woman, was kindly taken in by the King and Queen of Bybalos. She was asked to be the nursemaid for their three young boys who had really taken a liking to her, a task that she rather enjoyed and took very seriously. Mikasa favored the youngest son in particular, though, and decided that she would make him immortal through a bath of holy fire. But the lady of the house caught such a terrifying act right before the ceremony could proceed and she was understandably horrified.

"What are you doing with my baby boy?!"

"Please, this is not as it seems." She says calmly as she transforms into her normal form, a sight so beautiful and mighty to behold that they were afraid for their lives. "I am the goddess, Mikasa, and I truly mean you no harm."

"W-well, what is it you want?"

"I only want my husband. The tree you made your beautiful ornamental pillar from was the one he died in and his body is still trapped."

"Oh, dear!" The Queen says, stepping back from the doorway leading out into the parlor where the pillar is displayed. "Please, help yourself. Our condolences for King Eren's passing.."

"Thank you. You're all very kind." Mikasa gently touched her palm to the foreheads of each family member and cured them of all ailments to show her gratitude, one of them had been stuck in bed for years with crippling pain that is now gone. She doesn't even do it for the praise, it's never been about that for her and Eren. In fact, that's why they were paired together by their creator, because he knew this power couple will put the needs of humanity before their own. But just this one time, Mikasa chooses to be selfish and shuts herself out from that world to focus on carrying her husband's lifeless body back to Egypt. She assumes her half falcon form and carries them both through the air as tears stream down her face. "No, no, no, no..." Not him, not my Eren. She says to herself and swallows hard as she looks down at his face, paler than before with slightly blue lips from suffocating. "I can't go on without you.." Mikasa whispers to him, and her voice quivers as she lands gracefully in the fertile Nile River Delta with him in her arms. Her wings slowly fade as she carefully sits with him on the ground, his upper half resting in her lap. She kisses his forehead and wraps her arms around his shoulders, sobbing and wailing in agony like she has been torn in half. It hurts deeply to see him lifeless. "You were alive an hour ago! This can't be!"

"Mikasa?" Hitch calls from behind her. "Is that Eren?! What on Earth happened?!" She approaches slowly and crouches down beside her sister with a look of horror.

"Jean happened. I must revive my husband so, if you'll excuse me, I have herbs to gather."

"Of course, anything you need. I'll stay here with his body and make sure nothing happens."

"Thank you." It was strange how Mikasa can look at her with teary eyes but such a cold expression. Though she and Eren have always been inseparable, so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise that she's so heartbroken. They were supposed to be together until the end of time, and perhaps this can still happen if she is able to gather the herbs she needs for a spell that will bring him back to her. I can't live without him by my side. She thinks as she searches desperately for supplies, tears rolling down her cheeks and falling to the ground, creating little flower buds that sprout from the ready Earth below.

Meanwhile, Jean had gotten wind of his brother's return and Mikasa's intentions, so he went out to search for them. He came across his wife Hitch, who was pacing impatiently along The Nile's coastline clearly feeling bothered by something. And he's pretty sure that he knows what it is. "Thinking about how you cheated on me?" Jean asks plainly. A simple question and yet she found herself unable to speak. "So, where's his body?" He studies her eyes and takes note of the hesitation that makes her avert his probing gaze.

"Where's whose body?" Hitch cracks her knuckles anxiously and looks down at the ground, only for him to gently grab her chin and force her to look into his eyes.

"Don't. I know you know where Eren's body is, so where is it?"

"I-"

"Where is his body, Hitch?"

"Jean.." Her eyes fill up with tears. Perhaps if she apologizes, this will all be over. "I'm -"

"I love you and I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I need to. So I'll ask you one last time, where did you and Mikasa hide that dirt bag's body?" Jean repeats much louder than before but just as emotionless. She eventually caves in and guides him to the hiding spot, not at all anticipating what her vengeful husband proceeded to do next. The body was hacked into multiple pieces then scattered throughout the land and dumped into The Nile River. Jean simply walks away without even looking at her because he finds that he doesn't care what she thinks anymore. Why put in the effort if there clearly isn't anything there? Mikasa strolls by carrying a basket full of herbs intended to bring her husband back to life and was angered to see his murderer. When she realized that he was covered in blood but his own body was absent of any wounds, it's understandable why she feared the worst. Much to her rel͏i͏e͏f, Hitch is very much alive and in one piece, but that also means something horrific has happened to Eren's body to make her sister look like that - shaking, paler than a ghost, and weeping after she's already cried a great deal.

"You were supposed to protect him!"

"He just..I-I didn't think that he would..."

"We must hurry and find every part of Eren's body!" Mikasa cries as she sets the basket of herbs on the ground. The twin sisters sprout their wings and take off in a frantic search for all of his body parts. Unfortunately, the way that the power couple had originally intended to conceive will now be impossible once Eren is revived, because all but one body part was successfully recovered. They return to the fertile Nile River marshes where his body is sewn back together and buried in the wetland up to his chin. Mikasa creates her concoction and with help from her sister, they performed the powerful spell, sending visible waves of energy brighter than the full moon into his body. The raven's tears fall to the Earth and he takes a sharp inhale before he sits up to cough aggressively, the marshland falling from his body. "Oh! Eren! My love!" She sobs into her hand as she watches him turn and meet her eyes, emerald green orbs so bright and lively that they took her breath away.

"Mikasa!" Eren says with genuine shock to his voice and opens his arms for her to embrace him tightly. He looks over her shoulder at Hitch with tears in his eyes and wraps his arms tightly around Mikasa's waist. "What the hell happened?"

"We revived you!" She sits back and gazes into his eyes, smiling and chuckling softly in disbelief. "I-I didn't think it would take because you were hacked to pieces, but here you are..."

"But my body, I feel it is not complete?"

"I'm afraid it's not, I'm so sorry, I couldn't find your -"

"Our creator..." Eren cuts her off, looking down at his body to see the sutures. "I met him. He said that our future son will be strong enough to defeat Jean and restore order to the chaos he has caused."

"But without your..." Mikasa sighs and wipes tears from her eyes, wracking her mind for some sort of a solution that could bring her husband peace. It is her duty as his wife, after all.

"The ritual...flying form," Hitch suggests as she places her hand on Mikasa's shoulder. "Perhaps it'll work?" She offers a small smile to her sister and watches her stand to sprout her beautiful, colorful wings once more. Soaring through the sky in rapid circles over his body, the seed is drawn out and brought into her own so she could become pregnant with their first and only child. With the power of the gods, a baby boy was now growing rapidly inside of Mikasa as she kneels beside her husband, trying desperately not to burst into tears because he is insisting that he has work to do in the afterlife.

"Our little boy will grow to be a warrior with or without me because he has you. You're just as fierce as I am. More so, even."

"Let's get you back to the palace, love, I'll take care of you.." Mikasa repeats for a second time as tears fall down her cheeks.

"We will be together again," Eren says calmly and carefully cradles her cheek in his hand. "Death won't keep us apart forever, then we will have all of eternity to spend together." He gives her a reassuring smile and reaches up to gently push her hair back as she leans in and presses her lips to his. Although she was most certainly reluctant to let him go, Mikasa knows that this is something he must do. And if their creator has instructed him to be leader of the afterlife, to be the judge and the jury of every soul that will come his way, then who is she to tell him otherwise? It was only a single day after Eren descended down to take on his new role that their little boy was born. But Mikasa feared for his safety around Jean because he's half of the man he hates the most, so she hid with him in The Nile River Marshes. She took care of her son, a son of two powerful gods,  during the short time required for a youngster to become full grown.

The day that their son left his mother spelled the end for Jean, who had already become somewhat of a tyrant. It's understandable how he gained control so quickly, since the boy's powerful parents have been more than preoccupied lately with their own issues - ones that made it difficult to put their loyal, loving subjects first for once. This young man is powerful, very powerful, and his uncle doesn't stand a chance against him. He gets the ultimate revenge for his father's murder and kills Jean, though it seemed pointless because he knows that won't bring his old man back. But it truly didn't matter, because now his mother Mikasa, the great Queen of the Throne and mother to all pharaohs is back in power once more. They rule together as mother and son, and everything returns to the way things were when her husband was alive - no crimes of any kind, plentiful resources, plenty of jobs and money. It's a paradise.

Meanwhile, in the afterlife, Eren sits on his throne and listens to pleas for mercy from a poor soul whose heart felt so guilty, that the feather went up in record timing. The pleas don't matter, not with the efficiency that comes from weighing guilt. He was crowned as The Lord of The Underworld and now sports green skin to symbolize the mighty Nile River and the fertility of its mud. The afterlife is running smoothly under Eren's control and when his beautiful wife Mikasa takes her throne beside him after her time is up, they will be together again.

Until the end of time.

[smokeybrand]

Irreconcilable Differences

I touched upon this in my Knightmare Scenario post but there is a shift in how we, as moviegoers, consume film. The Wuha has shown us all that it’s not necessary to actually patron movie theaters to get our flick fix, that streaming services are a viable option for studios to release tent pole movies instead of in the major multiplex franchises. This sh*t could be a death knell for the entire theater industry and they’re lashing out violently. All of this stems from the fact that Trolls: World Tour did f*cking gangbusters on streaming and Universal, the studio attached to this corporate abortion of a film, mad about fur times the profit they would if it was released in cinemas. See, theaters pay for the license to screen films. To recoup that loss, they most of the ticket price. Some more powerful studios like Disney, can force a higher percentage for a shorter time. Maybe forty percent over opening weekend, but that’s it. Everything after that is all theaters until the Wuha f*cked that sh*t all up.

After Universal made more profit than any movie they have ever released, in the shortest amount of time they’ve ever run a film in theaters, they immediately altered their release schedule. They wanted to do dual release; Streaming and theatrical. Theaters, obviously, AMC specifically, we like f*ck all of that. People would definitely forgo the theater experience, with all of the sh*tty food, cramped spaces, and assholes disguised as patrons, to sit on their couch, in their draws, watching with people they actually like. There’s no way the theaters come back from that and, in a deluded effort to strong arm an industry that just realized they don’t even need their partnership, tried to strong arm Universal by boycotting their films. Okay. This sh*t lasted less than a week and the theaters came groveling back. I imagine there were some negotiations behind closed doors because, to give up four times the profit just to prop of a dying industry, ain’t something any business would do out of the kindness of their heart.

I like the simul-release model a ton. Don't get me wrong, i love the cinema. I love going to the theater, sitting in that AC eating my forty dollar hot dog, and taking in that big ass screen I love that whole experience and, before the Wuha f*cked it all up, i had planned to spend the entire summer in thee. I live down the street from the newest theater built in my area so they have all of the dope sh*t. More to the point, there re some films that absolutely must be seen on a theatrical screen. I cannot express to you how it felt to see Infinity War with a crowd of people. To experience the same emotions as hundreds of strangers was profound. After that film ended, the theater was dead silent. I saw that movie five times, with five different audiences, and the same silence followed each viewing. It was intense and there’s no way you get that on your couch, even is you have a streaming group showing. The experience is completely different. You don’t feel Pete getting dusted the same way you would with a proper audience. That energy is lost in home and you need it to fully experience a true blockbuster like that, properly.

A total shift toward streaming would do a disservice to filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, Denis Denis Villeneuve, Ridley Scott or Michael Bay. I hate Bay with a passion but i did watch a little bit of 6Underground and was profoundly underwhelmed. Bayhem needs the theater screen for it’s gratuitous levels of explosive, sexist, nonsense. It doesn’t work on a sensibly sized television. You’d lose too much of Scott's intimate detail and sweeping vista shots he loves to sprinkle in his films. Dude has a penchant for the nature porn and it is duly appreciated. Denis Villeneuve’s rich shot composition and breathtaking cinematography would fall flat if you’re first experiencing them in your f*cking living room. I should know. I actually have a fifty-two inch, 4k, UHD television and Blade Runner 2049 pales in comparison on my TV, to how I experienced it in theaters. Speaking of experience, anything Nolan makes would immediately be sh*t. His films need to be experienced in a theater, ideally IMAX. That’s how he shoots his films. You need that size. you need that overwhelming immersion. TeneT on the small screen will never compare to it on the screen it was shot for. You will never see that film the way its supposed to, if theaters are done in totally.

It’s not like only theaters see the benefit of a dual-release system. There area lot of great films that fester or languish in their runs because of they’re consumed by the Disney juggernaut or some Fast flick takes all of the screens. It took Ex Machina weeks after releases to make it into theaters out here because it was so niche. I waited for three weeks after the VVitch dropped and had to plead with a good friend of mine to get her manager just to screen it. Hell, Hereditary, one of the greatest performances i have ever seen captured on film, got to my theaters a week late and had only one screen in the basement. Thee were, like, fifty seats in there. Imagine if that thing had the buzz it did and dropped straight to Netlfix. Suspiria had a limited theatrical run and made it’s way to Amazon within months where it has had a pretty lucrative run so far. Imagine the shine it would have received if it had released there immediately instead of getting that niche nod in the actual theater. I mean, i saw all of these films in the cinema because that’s my thing but i can see why and how a streaming release strategy would benefit their visibility far more positively.

I think, though, this is more than anything, the establishment has the problem with this situation than anything. There is a system in place and no one wants to f*ck it up. Some of the best films i have ever seen were produced, funded, and released to streaming services. Beast of No Nation would have never been successful in theaters but it found life on Netflix. A Marriage Story is another film that i think would have floundered in the cinema. It’s an excellent film that as great performances and a very human tale that was overlooked by the Oscars because streaming isn’t seen as a medium viable for their highfalutin blessing over at the Academy. That sh*t smacks of stuffy, archaic, elitism and it’s a f*cking shame. It cheapens the Oscars and continuously proves that those awards are little more than an ego stroke for a dying Hollywood system. This streaming sh*t is a direct accusation at the old garb.

Recently, a film called The Lovebirds dropped on Netflix. It was supposed to release in theaters sometime this month but, since the Wuha has everything so f*cked up, it was sent directly to streaming where it has garnered an amount of success. With an African-American woman and a South Asian male as romantic leads, this probably wouldn't have flown all that well if it had a theatrical release. Considering it uses the fact that they are both brown as the reason for why they would run from the cops after a very obvious misunderstanding, kind of lends itself to me thinking this bad boy would have tanked with broader audiences. This thing’s home release, where certain individuals who might have a not-so-favorably a public stance on us darkies but secretly hate-love our stinky draws, could watch it without anyone knowing definitely contributed to that flick’s success. A success that may have eluded the movie if it was released theatrically because cats can’t be seen supporting certain films.

Movies that are driven by people of color not produced by that bojanglin’ Tyler Perry, flick that weave a small scale, human tale of frailty, lost love, and true emotion, or telling a proper, respectful LBGTQ love story, can thrive on streaming. These smaller, more actor driven, movies can side-step all of the political noise that goes along with such visible release dates, avoid conflict with mega-blockbusters, and be readily accessible for anyone curious about their pedigree while making the most money they can. Hell, why even exclude the big-budget fair? Cult films that did okay or even poorly in theaters, like Alita: Battle Angel, can get that big-budget sequel, drop on streaming, and turn a profit with a fraction of the viewership without having to worry about directly competing with an MCU Berserker or some sh*t. I would love to see Alita in theaters for a second round but, if the only way i can revisit this world theatrically would be on the small screen, i am okay with that. Everyone should be okay with that.

I think the people paying for these movie ARE okay with that. No one i spoke to had any issue with streaming a day-one release. No one I asked had a problem with checking out a summer blockbuster on their TV. We just need theaters and studios to be okay with it. We need theaters to accept the fact that they’re going to have to adjust what they show and how they show it. Studios are going to have to be okay with maybe missing a prestige award for a few years until streaming films become normalized. I think everyone wins in a duel-release scenario. We get more content. Studios can get back to taking risks and letting creators, create. Theaters have more screens to show the moneymakers. I like the position of cinema going in the future. I like the options. This is progress. This is growth. Now let’s just hope the divorce from the theater system isn’t as bloody in the end, as it was in the beginning.

[itsswimmingtragedycollection]

YouTubers are shitty people

First of all, deal with it, accept it, let it sink in so we can fix it like we should have done a long time ago. The more I get to know and learn about that community, the more I am convinced it’s specifically appealing to extraordinarily self absorbed, self important, egocentric, entitled people, and that’s no coincidence. I couldn’t put my finger on it for a long time, because it’s not until you come across a *few* actually decent youtubers that it becomes obvious. Reminds me of older generations and casual homophobia. They never see it as an issue because in their circles, everyone is doing it and it’s very well accepted if not even demanded.  The main reason I chose to call them collectively shitty instead of naming names, even though not *literally* every single one of them is shitty, is because they all (at least the very successful ones) seem to share certain character traits. But before we get into that, let’s discuss yt as a platform first. The best thing about it is also the absolute worst thing about it: ANYONE CAN DO IT. Politicians talk about farming as a low skill job, but that ain’t it, being a youtuber is. If you know how to film a video and have internet access, congratulations! Because that’s literally it. Now of course, some creators will put more time and effort and their additional skills into their work, but even if turning your camera on is all you got, it’s not an obstacle whatsoever. Just look at Tana Mongeau real quick. She sits in front of the camera, tells a whatever story, that could easily fit into THREE sentences, for half an hour, with minimal editing and bam! Hands down one of the laziest ‘content creators’ to this day, but still, in the yt world, she’s the 1%.  Other than Tana Mongeau, the more important problems with ‘anyone can do it’ are the factors determining who becomes the fairest of them all (which is what enabled her rise to fame in the first place). This is where we get political, but let’s get real, spilling the tea about who said what about who is so last year, in 2019 we’re looking at the bigger picture. The bigger picture would be, where we are as a society, which is not a good place at all. The situation is, a handful of people~the famous 1%~are fucking us in the ass for profit and effectively getting away with it.(Not really news) They are able to accomplish that with three main mechanisms: 1. Keeping people busy and stressed. If you have to get up early, work all day for shit pay and worry about paying your bills, debts, feeding yourself, keeping that job...you don’t actually have the time for much else. An average worker doesn’t have hours or days to spend on in-depth researching of socioeconomic trends, they’re mostly just going to rely on quick news they get from the media, which, as we all know, does not paint an accurate picture, to say the least. That middle class persona, who has a decent job, full 8 hours of sleep and some free time, with the rising rates of poverty and homelessness, is becoming a rarer and rarer occurrence.  2. Isolation. There’s this whole individualism thing that we got going on. You know the ‘We are all individuals for ourselves!! If you’re successful, it’s only because of YOU personally and if you’re a failure it’s because you’re stupid and unworthy!! Everyone is competition!! Asking for help is shameful!’ And also, belonging to a group (American, white, black, gay, straight, man, woman, trans...) is a part of our identity, but it’s almost like, identifying with a certain group means picking a side. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s great to know where you come from and to find a place where you belong, but individualism has us thinking that the differences between these groups are somehow irreconcilable, when, in reality, we have a lot more in common than not.  3. Providing you with an enemy. We all see this every day. ‘Mexicans are stealing your jobs! Immigrants are the biggest threat to national security! North Korea is our number one enemy!’ You know, usually people with virtually no political or decision making power in the country get to take all the blame. And if you’re an average person, stressed, depressed and isolated, and someone points a finger and says ‘This is the reason your life sucks’ instead of saying ‘Hold up, that’s not true, you’re the reason my life sucks, get that dusty dick out of my ass and let me take a break’ you end up throwing stones at people getting fucked just as hard as you.  (I would also like to point out that a big part of keeping this in place is fucking up the education system and rewriting history in a way that favors the existing situation so one feels less inclined to question it form an early age.) Now let’s get back to youtubers. The reason I wrote this long ass introduction is because youtubers come from the society and are very much a part of it. They don’t fall from the sky straight into our hearts, even though it might feel that way sometimes. In fact they are a product of it, because who thrives and who perishes is decided by the said society. People tend to gather around content that resonates with them, so just like a Trump supporter is very unlikely to endorse AOC, and vice-versa, we support youtubers that align with/represent our own beliefs and values the most. So upon taking into consideration the very shitty values and beliefs that we get shoved down our throats on a daily basis, it is only reasonable to assume they take part in deciding which youtuber we like and want to see succeed. And if we take a closer look at youtube’s it list, we will notice some pretty worrying similarities. First of all it’s rare to find one without a questionable past (and present) that ranges from racism, sexism, misogyny to bullying, lying, scamming...It’s so common that it’s not even that big of a deal anymore, it’s just a thing that happens. Kinda like apology videos. Who doesn’t have at least one these days? It’s hard for me to believe that out of hundreds of thousands of youtubers out there, we somehow accidentally cherry picked, almost exclusively, only the ‘problematic’ ones. And they are all ‘problematic’ in the same way.   Second of all, they are very self important. Also coincidentally.  When you make tons of money and have worldwide fame at a young age, and most of them are young, you start to think that you *must* be special. God must have put his finger on your forehead and made you better than everyone for all of that to happen to you. Sadly, this is encouraged by fans too. Even more so since today being rich is *the shit*  and the ultimate end game, so people will look up to them, admire them, idolize them etc. This leaves a very strong ‘you can’t sit with us’ aftertaste and frequent outbursts of entitlement whether it’s inability to take criticism, coming after regular people, letting fans tear them apart or  refusing to be held accountable for your bs and blaming other people. I think James Charles is an excellent example of an entitled youtuber. Even Gabbie Hanna handles criticism better. And he also categorically refuses to be responsible for any damage he does. Whenever a sister scandal occurs it’s either a) not his fault or b) he was a different person back then and has since done some personal growth so we can’t hold it against him.  Next, we gotta talk about that youtuber ego. We get to experience it any and every time someone asks ‘Why tf are youtubers getting payed insane amounts of money?’ They are a very easily triggered bunch and I can’t count all the times I heard ‘YOUTUBE IS A JOB NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE SO NEITHER DO WE JEALOUSY IS A DISEASE GET WELL SOON’  Here’s the thing though, no one disputes the fact that it’s a job. What is unfathomable to outsiders is, why would someone give a person five figures for saying ‘Buy this shit it’s really cool’ on camera? How is that possibly worth that much? Fact of the matter is, it’s not, but saying ‘By this shit it’s really cool’ to a shit ton of your followers, is. The youtuber ego is what happens when you can’t say ‘We earn money by exploiting the trust our fans put in us’ but you still have to justify your position so you say ‘First of all. We’re super special, original and unique. This is a very hard job, we work our asses of, if it was easy, everyone would do it.’ And then you star believing it. But more importantly, your followers believe it too. At the beginning I pointed out that anyone can to it because it’s a low skill job, so if you wondered why everyone is not doing it, it’s precisely because we’re constantly being told the opposite, and I gotta say, I don’t see anyone questioning it. Even though it’s not even remotely true. Take a look at any group, beauty gurus, entertainers, commentary channels, drama channels, whatever you choose, if you’ve seen five creators in a bunch, you’ve pretty much seen them all, not a whole lot of originality going on there. In fact, this ‘uniqueness’ is nothing more than some basic branding. Drinking coffee is so Emma Chamberlain, conspiracy theories are so Shane Dawson, racism is so Pewdiepie and so on.  Pewdiepie actually brings me to my last point. He illustrates what I want to say so incredibly well. As we all know, he’s been called out, multiple times, for blatant racism, antisemitism, sexism, overall regressive, aggressive, harmful standpoints. And absolutely nothing happened, he’s doing just fine. Why is that? Because, firstly, he never gets called out by his own fans. Like I said, we pick who we support, which means his fans gathered around him because they liked and shared his viewpoints in the first place. Not only did they not call him out, they defended him. How many times is Pewdiepie going to have a sister scandal and get away with it? As many as he wants. He’s never gonna be cancelled because the only people who have the power to do that, love his racism. He’s virtually untouchable. It makes sense why he acts like he’s got God by the balls. And, coincidentally, he is the most followed youtuber in history of youtubers with 80 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS. All the other shitty youtubers ™ stay relevant and slaying for the exact same reason. Their fans like them because they are shitty, it’s a vicious circle. Not ony are shitty youtubers ™ a reflection of how much we need to do better, they are to an extent preventing that from happening. ‘Such, such and such bad behaviour made this person rich and famous, so it must be good, and every time I watch their videos I am surrounded by people who think the same, which in turn, encourages me to glorify it even more.’  The whole reason I wrote this, is because we really, really, need to do better. I have seen people calling them out on things I mention here, but so far I never saw anyone connecting the epidemic of shitty youtubers ™  to our current circumstances as a society, which is definitely there. So instead of wrapping ourselves into the comfortable blanket of ‘as long as a lot of other people are thinking like me, everything is fine’ we should start asking for more from ourselves and others.  Pass it on, spread the good word. 

[expatimes]

Why is everyone talking about Clubhouse? Some say it’s FOMO

What is Clubhouse and why is the audio chat app so popular?

Clubhouse, the invitation-only audio chat app, exploded in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic when people could not get together in person – but now the once niche platform has far higher goals.

Launched less than a year ago, Clubhouse – which recently encountered a censorship hiccup in China – is looking to establish itself as the standard-bearer for digital audio.

The concept is simple: Once you are invited to join, you can start or listen to conversations in digital “rooms”, ranging from a major talk by someone famous to a chat within a small group.

No posts, no photos, no videos – just audio. Think of it as live podcasts, with the possibility for listeners to chime in.

To get invited to join Clubhouse, an existing Clubhouse user has to send an invite from their app, which adds to the exclusivity of the “club”.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg cropped up on the platform last week, talking about the technology of the future.

In fact, Clubhouse is so popular that Facebook is now building its own version of the chat app, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed up on Clubhouse late last month to talk about the GameStop trading frenzy.

In Germany, Minister President of Thuringia Bodo Ramelow admitted in a talk on Clubhouse to playing Candy Crush on his phone during online pandemic response meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But the app was quickly blocked in China, where unfiltered conversations about normally taboo topics, such as democracy protests in Hong Kong and the mass detention of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang, ran afoul of government censors.

Unfiltered talk on Clubhouse ran afoul of government censors in China, which banned the app

The app, available only on Apple devices, thrives on the concept of FOMO – fear of missing out. If you are not online when a conversation happens, you miss it.

“I was very active in April and May,” says Sheel Mohnot, a California investor with more than a million Clubhouse followers. “And then, you know, you get busy and other stuff was going on. And it’s just hard to make it a priority.”

“But once again, now, I would say, I’m back on pretty regularly,” added Mohnot, who even had a second date on the platform – with two dozen-odd people listening and a psychologist in the background to comment on how it went.

Beyond FOMO, Clubhouse – launched in March 2020 in Silicon Valley for the chosen few, but now used by about two million people every week – thrives on its portability.

Users can walk their dog or cook dinner while listening to talks on financing a start-up or the current state of education – or even tune in while playing trivia games.

Unlike podcasts, everything is live and users can participate – as long as they are invited to do so by chat moderators.

Star-studded user base

A Clubhouse chat can be mundane – but it can also be transformed into a must-hear event if someone famous shows up. In addition to Zuckerberg’s and Musk’s recent appearances, comedian Kevin Hart popped up in a chat last year.

For Musk’s appearance with the boss of trading app Robinhood, the maximum “room” capacity of 5,000 people was quickly reached, so secondary overflow rooms were opened.

“I didn’t get in the room. But someone that had gotten into the room was livestreaming on YouTube,” said Bobby Thakkar, a managing partner at Ampersand Ventures and an early Clubhouse adopter.

In the early days, Thakkar would spend 25 hours a week on Clubhouse, given how little he could go out because of pandemic lockdown measures.

“Everyone knew each other” when Clubhouse first launched, Thakkar told the AFP news agency. Now, he prefers chat rooms where he is just talking with his friends or about topics related to his business.

Mohnot says he is happy that Clubhouse is expanding so quickly.

“Think about it like a podcast, and having more listeners. If you have more listeners, it makes you more excited about doing the podcast,” he told AFP.

Last year, Mohnot participated in all sorts of conversations, including the public second date. He now hosts two weekly shows – one on advances in financial technology and the other on Indian American culture.

At the outset, Clubhouse was criticised for being elitist and not allowing enough users, but some of the initial communities – many of which formed around California investors – are nevertheless still influential.

Simply put, you have to be part of the club.

Audio’s big moment

For David Bchiri, the US director for the consulting firm, Fabernovel, “Clubhouse landed right on time as the platform where people could go vent their thoughts and emotions” about the pandemic and the summer protests against racial injustice in the United States.

The app now must face the usual challenges in the social media world, from how to monetise its popularity to how to pay content creators – to how to moderate that content.

“We now want to open Clubhouse to the whole world,” app founders Paul Davison and Rohan Seth said in late January.

Beyond the apparent problems in China, the app is flying high.

With the backing of more than 180 investors after a new round of fundraising, Clubhouse is valued at about $1bn, according to The Information, a publication for tech executives.

“The last go-round effectively put up a barrier to anyone trying to buy out the company,” Bchiri told AFP, noting that he believes investors are trying to shield Clubhouse from Big Tech.

Clubhouse is nevertheless definitely getting Big Tech’s attention.

Twitter is testing out “Spaces” – audio chat rooms where up to 10 people can talk to an unlimited number of spectators. Facebook is rumoured to be looking at a similar offering.

“We’re in the audio era,” says Bchiri.

“Our grandchildren will never have keyboards. They won’t need to interact with machines in that way. Everything will be done with voice commands or simply by thinking about a task.”

Read full article: https://expatimes.com/?p=17999&feed_id=33273

[tren-fraszka]

Chocolate Box Letter 2021

Dear creator,

Thank you for taking your time to check my requests. I know my requests can sound a bit tricky, but please don’t be discouraged. I wish you will have good time writing first and foremost!

My AO3 is Tren, if you wish to check it out.

Likes: comedy, casefics, canon compliants, AUs, time loops, bodyswaps, roleswaps, fantasy AU, urban fantasy AU, “being hoisted by your own petard” plotlines, snark, pettiness, rivals, enemies to friends to lovers, complicated relationship, violence, friendships, character bonding.

DNW: explicit sex (makeouts and fade to black is okay), A/B/O, mpreg, rape depicted as positive (so no “it’s okay, because the other person enjoyed it/it was what they truly wanted”), trans headcanons, soulmate AUs, stories ending with surrender to fate/destiny, fourth wall breaking in canons where that doesn’t occur, character has cancer or other real-life terminal disease AU, word “queerplatonic”.

Also, I included what ships I’m okay with in each fandom. Please do not include any ships that aren’t canon and I have not allowed in those sections (if you feel really strongly about a ship I haven’t mentioned, you can always ask through mods just in case).

Additionally, while I almost never request fanart as possible medium, because I prefer my main gift to be fic, I would be very okay with receiving fanart treats. On another note, feel free to use my old letters if you get your hands on them. I never stop being interested in fandoms, and if I requested something once I will still want it in the future.

                                           REQUESTS

FFF-CLASS TRASHERO| FFF급관심용사 (WEBCOMIC)

I’m caught to the current translation of webcomic. Feel free to include any new developments in webcomic, but please avoid spoilers for the original light novel.

Kang Han Soo/Nasus

Kang Han Soo is a terrible human being and I thrive on his sociopathy. I love the perfect mix of justification that we get for his action through his backstory and unrepentant self-serving attitude this webcomic has. I love that the elf prince is the only person Kang Han Soo seems to have any modicum of respect for and actually gets along with. At the same time Nasus is one of very few characters who seemingly saw through Kang Han Soo upon meeting, knowing exactly what to do to get him on his side. The way Nasus usurped throne with Kang Han Soo's help was great and I would love to see more of their teamwork. 

Maybe Kang Han Soo growing more and more fond of Nasus with each timeloop, because while the world is shit at least the overpowered elven prince seems to understand him a bit. I would love to see Kang Han Soo getting into compromising situations and being in utter denial about having a crush, because anything that doesn't fit his vision of the world can't be true. I can see him convincing himself that sharing long makeout sessions with elfish prince is totally a part of his strategy to get reputation points. He's just building a trust between the nations of elves and humans, okay?

On that note, I don't mind Kang Han Soo exhibiting internalized homophobia if you want to include it. I feel like it fits his character to be in denial about also being interested in men, but I'm also completely okay with different takes on that.

Feel free to abuse the reset mechanic to your hearts content. I love timeloops, so having one baked into the canon is just great. I would also love an AU where Nasus somehow becomes aware of the resets and also starts to retain his memories through them.

TALENTLESS NANA

I’m caught with manga up to chapter 56.

Hiiragi Nana/Tachibana Jin

I love that Jin is the first person on the island that actually has some understanding of Nana. I absolutely love their dynamic of Nana trying to kill him, but Jin always being one step ahead. There's just something fascinating in their back and forth, and constant mind games they have going on. Feel free to slip in any extra murder in between the canon to give them some extra opportunity to just be their terrible selves.

I would equally love some calmer moments between them. Maybe an AU where Nana starts to take care of cat!Jin and talks to him when no ones there to fight off the loneliness, since obviously a cat won't snitch on her. And well, he won't snitch, but not because he can't.

Or maybe Jin feels bored and promises to share some critical information with Nana if she goes on a date with him. And Nana is pretty sure he is just trolling her, but at the same time she has little to lose and everybody needs a day off from killing at some point. Bonus points for Jin constantly shapeshifting into Nana's classmates to hide his identity.

I would like to note that since we don't know Jin's true identity at this point, I'd prefer for it to be kept ambiguous for the purpose of this fic.

FATE/GRAND ORDER

I’m up to date with NA server. Please don’t include any spoilers for jp server.

Ryoma Sakamoto/Okada Izou

I love that the first we see of their relationship is Okada being absolutely pissed about Ryoma betraying him and leaving to die, and Ryoma being like "that's fair", and letting himself get stabbed because he has absolute confidence that Okada doesn't actually want to kill him. If that's not great ship material I don't know what is.

I love how thin the line between Ryoma caring about Okada and manipulating him into doing what he wants is. And that Okada is aware of it, but at same time he's completely unable to let go despite constantly proclaiming that he won't get tricked again. And yet he gets tricked. Every. Single. Time.

I would love both some shenanigans in Chaldea, as well as a look into their lives before they became Heroic Spirits. I'm not very versed in history of Japan though, so while I'd love a more history based story please assume you are telling it to someone who needs a quick history lesson at the same time. For Chaldea shenanigans I would enjoy Okada picking up fight with everyone who catches his attention and then inevitably getting his ass kicked, because he's used to being a big fish in small pond, while Ryoma tries to make sure he doesn't kill himself in the process. Or helps him get along with other Heroic Spirits. I would love to see Okada being pacified with some food. Maybe discovering liking for a dish he had never tried before.

Any mission gone wrong would also be fun. Maybe they Rayshift with Master (I'm fine with both male and female Master for this request) but end up stranded during the mission. Maybe they have to camp somewhere and it results in a lot of bickering. Or they very unsuccessfully try to stealth.

Inclusions of Oryou is welcome, and you are free to make it a threesome. Just please don't forget to include some flirty Ryoma and Okada interactions.

MAIRIMASHITA! IRUMA-KUN

I’m up to date with manga. Feel free to include any new developments.

Ami Kirio/Suzuki Iruma

There are many good ships with Iruma, but this one just has a lot things I like. I love enemy ships with both sides being way too emotionally invested into each other so this was inevitable. I love how this relationship starts as this really wholesome friendship and school festival preparation, except Kirio turns out to be a bit messed up and wants to blow up everyone. But then they both accept the outcome and go on with their lives still thinking about each other. Iruma goes through a lot of trouble to keep the club operating even though Kirio has been pretty much expelled. And then Kirio is now obsessed with Iruma as his anthitesis and perfect enemy. And probably wants to eat him. In which sense of the word is yet to be determined.

I’m okay with the potential story happening at any point in the canon. I would love both a story set before the festival while Kirio is still hiding his true colors or a story set after festival. Maybe Iruma runs into Kirio somewhere after he escapes prison and instead of calling an adult, he tries to stop Kirio from causing trouble on his own. Or maybe Iruma keeps accidentally preventing Kirio's terrorist plans without even realizing, while Kirio keeps pining and probably salivating from distance. As for pre-festival story. Maybe some upperclassmen steal important parts from the club and Iruma and Kirio set out to get them back.

I would definitely love an AU where rather than getting summoned to demon world, Iruma accidentally summons Kirio into the human world. Maybe Iruma’s parents try to use him as an offering, but instead he ends up bound to a demon. I would love to see Kirio excited to unleash suffering (even if his weak powers severely limit him in that regard) onto human world just to discover that he made contract with the biggest pacifist possible.

If you want to explore Kirio's hunger for Iruma I would prefer if it turned out to be that something got lost in translation through all those centuries and it's less about literal consumption and more about intense lust for humans.

TALES OF CRESTORIA

Velvet Crowe/Milla Maxwell

I thrive on the twisted codependency those two have in Crestoria. I will take both good, tragic and/or ambiguous ends for this relationship. Whether Velvet decides to forgive Milla or kill her it will be great. Give me all those twisted emotions, the hesitation, and pain both of them are carrying.

For straightforward approach, maybe the two of them stop in a town while chasing the last Incarnation and Milla decides to throw a party (because it's some sort of festival, or maybe she found out it's Velvet's or Laphicet's birthday and wants to make some amends however small). Or maybe one of them gets hurt during the fight with an Incarnation and the other ends up nursing them to health.

For some more levity, maybe Velvet and Milla ran out of money and pick up some side-job to have enough money for an inn. Maybe they work as waitresses and are both great and terrible at it at the same time. Or they have to take care of kids. Any other amusing job is also good.

Feel free to include other Tales characters. My faves are the cast of Xillia, Symphonia and Graces, but feel free to include others (I would appreciate proper introductions in that case, I still haven't played some of the games, so I might not recognize everyone just by their name).

[smokeybrandreviews]

Irreconcilable Differences

I touched upon this in my Knightmare Scenario post but there is a shift in how we, as moviegoers, consume film. The Wuha has shown us all that it’s not necessary to actually patron movie theaters to get our flick fix, that streaming services are a viable option for studios to release tent pole movies instead of in the major multiplex franchises. This sh*t could be a death knell for the entire theater industry and they’re lashing out violently. All of this stems from the fact that Trolls: World Tour did f*cking gangbusters on streaming and Universal, the studio attached to this corporate abortion of a film, mad about fur times the profit they would if it was released in cinemas. See, theaters pay for the license to screen films. To recoup that loss, they most of the ticket price. Some more powerful studios like Disney, can force a higher percentage for a shorter time. Maybe forty percent over opening weekend, but that’s it. Everything after that is all theaters until the Wuha f*cked that sh*t all up.

After Universal made more profit than any movie they have ever released, in the shortest amount of time they’ve ever run a film in theaters, they immediately altered their release schedule. They wanted to do dual release; Streaming and theatrical. Theaters, obviously, AMC specifically, we like f*ck all of that. People would definitely forgo the theater experience, with all of the sh*tty food, cramped spaces, and assholes disguised as patrons, to sit on their couch, in their draws, watching with people they actually like. There’s no way the theaters come back from that and, in a deluded effort to strong arm an industry that just realized they don’t even need their partnership, tried to strong arm Universal by boycotting their films. Okay. This sh*t lasted less than a week and the theaters came groveling back. I imagine there were some negotiations behind closed doors because, to give up four times the profit just to prop of a dying industry, ain’t something any business would do out of the kindness of their heart.

I like the simul-release model a ton. Don't get me wrong, i love the cinema. I love going to the theater, sitting in that AC eating my forty dollar hot dog, and taking in that big ass screen I love that whole experience and, before the Wuha f*cked it all up, i had planned to spend the entire summer in thee. I live down the street from the newest theater built in my area so they have all of the dope sh*t. More to the point, there re some films that absolutely must be seen on a theatrical screen. I cannot express to you how it felt to see Infinity War with a crowd of people. To experience the same emotions as hundreds of strangers was profound. After that film ended, the theater was dead silent. I saw that movie five times, with five different audiences, and the same silence followed each viewing. It was intense and there’s no way you get that on your couch, even is you have a streaming group showing. The experience is completely different. You don’t feel Pete getting dusted the same way you would with a proper audience. That energy is lost in home and you need it to fully experience a true blockbuster like that, properly.

A total shift toward streaming would do a disservice to filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, Denis Denis Villeneuve, Ridley Scott or Michael Bay. I hate Bay with a passion but i did watch a little bit of 6Underground and was profoundly underwhelmed. Bayhem needs the theater screen for it’s gratuitous levels of explosive, sexist, nonsense. It doesn’t work on a sensibly sized television. You’d lose too much of Scott's intimate detail and sweeping vista shots he loves to sprinkle in his films. Dude has a penchant for the nature porn and it is duly appreciated. Denis Villeneuve’s rich shot composition and breathtaking cinematography would fall flat if you’re first experiencing them in your f*cking living room. I should know. I actually have a fifty-two inch, 4k, UHD television and Blade Runner 2049 pales in comparison on my TV, to how I experienced it in theaters. Speaking of experience, anything Nolan makes would immediately be sh*t. His films need to be experienced in a theater, ideally IMAX. That’s how he shoots his films. You need that size. you need that overwhelming immersion. TeneT on the small screen will never compare to it on the screen it was shot for. You will never see that film the way its supposed to, if theaters are done in totally.

It’s not like only theaters see the benefit of a dual-release system. There area lot of great films that fester or languish in their runs because of they’re consumed by the Disney juggernaut or some Fast flick takes all of the screens. It took Ex Machina weeks after releases to make it into theaters out here because it was so niche. I waited for three weeks after the VVitch dropped and had to plead with a good friend of mine to get her manager just to screen it. Hell, Hereditary, one of the greatest performances i have ever seen captured on film, got to my theaters a week late and had only one screen in the basement. Thee were, like, fifty seats in there. Imagine if that thing had the buzz it did and dropped straight to Netlfix. Suspiria had a limited theatrical run and made it’s way to Amazon within months where it has had a pretty lucrative run so far. Imagine the shine it would have received if it had released there immediately instead of getting that niche nod in the actual theater. I mean, i saw all of these films in the cinema because that’s my thing but i can see why and how a streaming release strategy would benefit their visibility far more positively.

I think, though, this is more than anything, the establishment has the problem with this situation than anything. There is a system in place and no one wants to f*ck it up. Some of the best films i have ever seen were produced, funded, and released to streaming services. Beast of No Nation would have never been successful in theaters but it found life on Netflix. A Marriage Story is another film that i think would have floundered in the cinema. It’s an excellent film that as great performances and a very human tale that was overlooked by the Oscars because streaming isn’t seen as a medium viable for their highfalutin blessing over at the Academy. That sh*t smacks of stuffy, archaic, elitism and it’s a f*cking shame. It cheapens the Oscars and continuously proves that those awards are little more than an ego stroke for a dying Hollywood system. This streaming sh*t is a direct accusation at the old garb.

Recently, a film called The Lovebirds dropped on Netflix. It was supposed to release in theaters sometime this month but, since the Wuha has everything so f*cked up, it was sent directly to streaming where it has garnered an amount of success. With an African-American woman and a South Asian male as romantic leads, this probably wouldn't have flown all that well if it had a theatrical release. Considering it uses the fact that they are both brown as the reason for why they would run from the cops after a very obvious misunderstanding, kind of lends itself to me thinking this bad boy would have tanked with broader audiences. This thing’s home release, where certain individuals who might have a not-so-favorably a public stance on us darkies but secretly hate-love our stinky draws, could watch it without anyone knowing definitely contributed to that flick’s success. A success that may have eluded the movie if it was released theatrically because cats can’t be seen supporting certain films.

Movies that are driven by people of color not produced by that bojanglin’ Tyler Perry, flick that weave a small scale, human tale of frailty, lost love, and true emotion, or telling a proper, respectful LBGTQ love story, can thrive on streaming. These smaller, more actor driven, movies can side-step all of the political noise that goes along with such visible release dates, avoid conflict with mega-blockbusters, and be readily accessible for anyone curious about their pedigree while making the most money they can. Hell, why even exclude the big-budget fair? Cult films that did okay or even poorly in theaters, like Alita: Battle Angel, can get that big-budget sequel, drop on streaming, and turn a profit with a fraction of the viewership without having to worry about directly competing with an MCU Berserker or some sh*t. I would love to see Alita in theaters for a second round but, if the only way i can revisit this world theatrically would be on the small screen, i am okay with that. Everyone should be okay with that.

I think the people paying for these movie ARE okay with that. No one i spoke to had any issue with streaming a day-one release. No one I asked had a problem with checking out a summer blockbuster on their TV. We just need theaters and studios to be okay with it. We need theaters to accept the fact that they’re going to have to adjust what they show and how they show it. Studios are going to have to be okay with maybe missing a prestige award for a few years until streaming films become normalized. I think everyone wins in a duel-release scenario. We get more content. Studios can get back to taking risks and letting creators, create. Theaters have more screens to show the moneymakers. I like the position of cinema going in the future. I like the options. This is progress. This is growth. Now let’s just hope the divorce from the theater system isn’t as bloody in the end, as it was in the beginning.

[marrincostello]

How to Make Videos People Will Watch on Social Media : Social Media Examiner

Want your videos to make a bigger impact on social platforms? Wondering how to create videos that grab and hold people’s attention?

In this article, you’ll discover three techniques to produce video people will watch on social media.

Note: This article assumes you have the basics in place for filming and producing social media video. To learn more about looking better on camera, improving production quality, and more, click here.

#1: Hook Social Media Video Viewers and Incite a Shopper’s Pivot

There are all kinds of stats online about how long viewers will stick around to watch a video on social media. Some claim 15 seconds, some claim 3 seconds, and others 5 seconds.

I don’t like these stats. They fill video creators with fear and dread. Viewers won’t sit with a stopwatch in hand waiting for you to impress them and then leave after 5 seconds if you haven’t.

What’s important is to hook them as quickly as you can and then unpack that hook. This introduction could take 60 seconds, but if you get the hook right at the very start, it’ll be impossible for them to look away.

Script Social Media Videos for a Shopper’s Pivot

Imagine you’re walking through a busy shopping center exhausted from a long day, and as you push through the crowd of people in your way, you notice something out of the corner of your eye inside a shop. You walk past it, stop, do a double-take, and then walk back toward it and check it out.

That’s a shopper’s pivot.

In video, you can achieve a similar effect to pull people into your content.

The majority of films you’ve seen start like this: You begin watching and think to yourself, “What’s going on here?” Then a few minutes into the film, things start to make sense. The very fact that you’re thinking about the point of the intro makes the content more engaging and leads you to want to know more. The rest of the film unfolds from there.

It’s almost like you missed the first part of the story so you scramble to keep up and try to work out what’s going on. This in turn creates the engagement required to keep viewers engrossed.

The good news is that several techniques will help you mimic this effect in your social media videos.

To start, you need to give people context. This happens in the thumbnail image and the written post. People don’t tend to click play on a video if they have no idea what it’s about so this is where you set up your video’s content.

Tell a story. Stories create engagement and pull people in. People can’t help but picture what’s being described. In my earlier story about walking past a shop window, you probably pictured the shopping center in your mind, which made you pay attention. Then I unpacked the point I was trying to make. Intros like this are attention gold.

Use metaphors. A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison. You take information someone might not understand and relate it to something they’ve likely experienced. Again, this forces people to engage. I used this technique earlier when talking about the shop window.

Get straight to it. Lots of videos start with introductions. The person on the screen says who they are and what they plan to talk about. But viewers are selfish; they only want the information they came for—what was promised to them in the post.

If your video is called “5 Tips to Sell More Shoes” and you start with, “Number one: Price” and then hit viewers with your best point to start with, they’ll be shocked by your efficiency and hang on longer. You might even get comments thanking you for not wasting their time.

Remember, people don’t want to get to know you online at first; that comes over time and through multiple videos.

Share a surprising stat. Stats get thrown around all the time but if you have one that will surprise people, lead with it and let the rest of the video go on from there.

The key to all of this is to remember you’re not just competing against other people in your niche for attention on social media; you’re competing with everyone. A creative and well-planned intro is a must.

When you’ve hooked your viewer, the battle isn’t won, although you’ve made a better start than most. There’s one thing that can (even with an amazing shopper’s pivot) destroy your engagement, and that’s delivery.

#2: Captivate Social Media Video Viewers With Panto Mode and Chunking

You could have the best video content in the world but if it’s delivered in a dull, nervous, monotonous tone, you’ll lose the viewer’s attention, and worse, damage your credibility. People are attracted to confidence and charisma. Even if you don’t have either (although I’m sure you do), here’s how you can fake it.

How to Use Panto Mode for a More Engaging Presentation

The moment you stand in front of a camera, something strange will happen to you. Even if you’re a professional who’s used to public speaking, you’ll struggle to think, let alone talk, and you’ll lose a ton of energy. This means the social connection you need on camera will sink.

In fact, the camera alone will suck out about 20% of your energy. This means you need to overcompensate and put it back. Here’s how.

Start by filming a line or two as a test; 20 seconds or so should work.

Then watch it back. You won’t like the sound of your voice and you’ll probably think you look awkward and wonder what you should be doing with your hands. Don’t worry; that’s normal.

Now film the same section again, but this time, use an over-the-top delivery like a pantomime performer. (In the UK, these are theatrical events for children and the performers in them are always very over the top.) Your delivery needs to be ridiculous. Remember, no one is going to see it so have fun!

That’s panto mode.

When you’re done, watch it back and compare it to your original take. You should find that the version of you with 120% energy works!

If you think your delivery is too over the top, dial it down and try again. Not enough energy? Add some.

It will feel uncomfortable to start. However, once you see how confident and credible you appear on camera when you find the right level of energy, presenting on camera will become an enjoyable experience for you and your viewers.

How to Shoot and Edit With Video Chunks

Trying to create a video in one long take is difficult and you want to make the process as easy as possible to ensure your content works. This is where chunking comes in. It’s a technique that makes presenting easier and video content more visually stimulating. It involves recording your video in segments (or chunks) and then piecing those segments together.

Start by filming a few sentences. Stop when there’s a natural pause or change in information. You might want to do a few versions of this take. Or if you think you nailed it, move on to the next chunk.

Before you start recording the next section of content, zoom in or move the camera a little closer so you appear about 20% larger on the screen. Film the next few sentences and stop. Then move the camera back and shoot again.

Become the Social Media Marketing Rockstar for Your Business

Meet your secret team that makes you look like a social media genius and empowers you to embrace change! We’re a genuine community of marketers from your friends at Social Media Examiner. And we’re here to support you. Think of us as your career insurance policy. We keep you focused on what matters. We make sure you won’t be left behind as the changes keep coming. Join the Social Media Marketing Society. Get access to monthly online training, expert support, and a thriving community of marketers who will empower you to succeed.

Pro Tip: Make sure you move the camera rather than yourself; otherwise, the background will stay the same size and it’ll look odd. It would take another article to explain why so you’ll have to trust me on this one.

See how the frame size changes in these images each time we cut and move the camera?

When you finish filming your video, put each chunk into your editing timeline and piece them together.

Every time the viewer sees one of these cuts, it’s another visual prod that keeps their attention focused on you. It also gives your video more energy and instills confidence. The viewer won’t even notice it’s happening.

#3: Publish Social Media Video With a Scroll-Stopping Thumbnail

If you film a video and nobody hits play on it, did you even make a video? Getting your video noticed and clicked is the initial battle on social media. Forget the content right now; this is all about first impressions and sticking out on timelines.

No matter what social media platform you’re using, the written post with your video plays an important role in persuading your audience to watch (as we discussed earlier). But the image or thumbnail that comes with that post is what people will notice and it needs to grab their attention.

This is an example of a bad thumbnail image:

Here’s why it doesn’t work:

Now let’s look at an example of a good thumbnail image:

Here’s why it works:

Prada doesn’t cover their store windows with cheap stickers. Instead, their window displays convey pure quality to potential shoppers. Your video thumbnail needs to do the same.

If you can include a person’s face (preferably conveying emotion) and some text in your thumbnail, you’re more likely to get clicks (based on findings from YouTube). It makes sense—people love interacting with human beings, especially on social media.

If you’re not able to include an image of a person on your thumbnail, make sure you use quality stock images. Tell a story that hints at what the video is about.

Once you have an eye-catching image, here’s how to share it when posting your video.

Load Thumbnail Images to LinkedIn, Facebook, and IGTV

To choose the thumbnail for your LinkedIn video post, click Start a Post and select the Video icon.

Navigate to the video you want to share and then click Edit.

Now click Select File and choose your image.

To upload a thumbnail with your Facebook video post, click Create Post and select Photo/Video.

Click Thumbnail on the right side of the screen and then click Add Image on the left. Now select the image you want to use.

To select a thumbnail for an IGTV post, upload your video to Instagram and select IGTV.

Then tap Add From Gallery and choose your image.

Embed a Thumbnail Image in Your Video

Alternatively, you can add the thumbnail image you want to show up on social feeds as the first frame in your video. It will then display as the video starts to autoplay.

When someone hits play, they won’t notice it flash for a split second if the video starts from the beginning again.

Note: For Instagram videos, this is the best way to show a thumbnail image because you can only choose a frame from the video.

Video Thumbnails for Paid Ads on Social Media

If you’re creating thumbnails for paid ads on Facebook and Instagram, avoid using too much text in them to ensure optimum reach and results. The text should not take up more than 20% of your image. Otherwise, it will either be rejected or the reach will be impacted significantly.

Here’s an example of a thumbnail for a YouTube video that contains too much text for Facebook.

To reuse this thumbnail in a Facebook ad, you’d have to simplify it with less text, as in the example below.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a designer, Canva has some high-quality free and paid templates you can use to create thumbnails for your social media videos or you can turn to a platform like Fiverr or OnlineJobs.Ph to hire a designer to do it for you.

For too long, video has been touted as the answer to all of a marketer’s problems. It’s not. While video once had a novelty factor, now it’s expected as part of your regular communication.

But it’s not something you’ll be good at right away. You’ll often hear people say “done is better than perfect.” While that’s generally correct, “done” still needs to be good. If you review your video and don’t think it’s any good, you’ll need to put in some more work.

I’ve used all of the techniques above on thousands of occasions and I’m confident that if you trust in the system, you’ll make highly engaging videos you’ll be proud of.

What do you think? Are you inspired to try any of these techniques to improve your next video? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Join thousands of fellow marketers. Receive the training and support you need to accomplish your marketing objectives!

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This content was originally published here.

[clarencenicholsonata]

6 Types of Video Ideas to Supercharge Your Social Media

At its core, social media engagement is always a two-way street. Yes, part of your success will depend on your ability to continue to put relevant, compelling content out into the world. But that content also needs to invite participation from your users. If their relationship with your brand is a passive one, you may get a lot of impressions on your content... but very few of those people are going to be motivated to the point where they take that critical next step and make a purchase.

This is why video content has always been a great way to supercharge your social media engagement. According to Twitter, video tweets are 6x as likely to be retweeted as photos. Not only are 75% of all video plays taking place on mobile devices, but about 92% of people who watch a video on a smartphone will share it with someone else.

But at the same time, none of this will matter if you're not leveraging the right types of video content in the first place. With that in mind, there are five key video formats that you'll definitely want to explore to help you supercharge your engagement on social media and beyond.

1. Live Videos

Live videos are one of the most powerful and effective types of content on social media these days. Not only will viewers generally watch a live video for approximately three times longer than a pre-recorded one, but about 59% of people actually prefer watching live videos over live TV.

Live videos work great on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn that already have their own "live" video solutions built right in, and so long as it's compelling, they can be any length you want - even an hour or more! For the cherry on top, most social media platforms notify your followers when you go live, which can create a big spike in your engagement!

To get a good sense of just what you can do with the live format, check out this recording of a live broadcast from video marketing coach Owen Video on his Facebook page where he discusses all things video marketing:

2. How-To Videos

According to another recent study, about 65% of people say they actively use online videos to help them solve a problem. People actively want to broaden their horizons, and if your brand is the one to provide them with that insight, you'll come out all the better for it.

Generally speaking, these videos are great on Facebook and Twitter and should be much shorter than live videos. Think three to five minutes, or maybe slightly longer -- up to 10 minutes if you really want to go into great detail on an important task. A great example of this type of videos comes from Matt D'Avella. In this video, Matt talks to Thomas Frank, the Productivity Guru, on how to be more productive:

How-to videos are exceptionally good at keeping viewers engaged. How-to videos are also the best format to boost your views on YouTube and other social media channels.

3. User-Generated Videos

If you really want to grow an engaged community on social media, you need to make people feel like they're a part of something bigger. This is why user-generated content works tremendously well on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media sites - because community members can see and enjoy videos being created by other real community members, making everyone involved feel like they're a genuine part of something unique and special.

Take GoPro's user-generated content campaign, for example:

Not only did this supercharge the brand's engagement on social media, but it also gave them access to an endless array of short (one to two minute) videos that they didn't actually have to create. The users did all of the hard work on their behalf AND it deepened their larger relationship with the Fitness brand at the same time.

Even if you’re not looking to make more money in fitness online, there are still many ways you can leverage user-generated video content. A great way to entice your followers to create videos and submit them to you, is by creating a social media content.

Social media contests are simple and extremely effective at boosting your engagement. Your contest can be anything, but it should be something that your followers are actually interested in. You can then ask your followers to submit their videos for a chance to win an awesome offer.

4. Product Announcements

Product announcement videos are a great way to raise awareness ahead of an upcoming release, but they're also a perfect chance to increase social media engagement. Consider the fact that according to Marketing Land, about 62% of people say they are actually more interested in a product after seeing a video about it in their Facebook Story.

Here’s a great example of this type of video content from Buffer, on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Buffer (@buffer) on Jan 11, 2019 at 8:02am PST

For best results, keep your announcement video under one minute and focus on teasing the excitement of the launch, not on "giving the entire game away," so to speak.

5. Company Culture Videos

One of the major reasons that brands often struggle when growing their online community is because they don’t give consumers something to rally behind that goes deeper than a logo or a set of products.

People don't really engage with inanimate objects on social media - they want to feel a real, human connection to a brand. Company culture videos are your perfect opportunity to do exactly that, in a format that works great on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and even more business-centric social media sites like LinkedIn.

These videos can take any shape you need them to - from short, five-minute interviews with key employees to a "birds-eye view" of your daily operations and anything in between.

The key value you're offering with these videos is a sense of perspective - people should walk away with a better understanding of what your brand does and who you are. It can be silly or informative or both at the same time.

Take the short videos that Vidyard always does in their monthly "Meet Vidyard" series, as an example:

They're never more than two or three minutes in length - but they also give people a chance to talk about their favorite part of their job, in a way that is relatable and friendly.

This type of video content tends to generate high levels of engagement on social media, in part because it gives people a sense of your organization’s values, but also because your target audience gets to understand why your company is different.

6. Behind the Scenes Videos

Similar to the company culture videos, BTS videos take your followers behind-the-scenes, and show a different look at your brand and business. People love these types of videos.

In this video, you can share your exclusive insight into a process, or a project, that your followers would be interested in. BTS videos are often less polished than your traditional online videos and incorporate lots of raw footage.

Here’s a great example of a BTS video from ConvertKit, an email marketing company:

Wrapping this up...

The types of video content listed here are only a few ideas: the only limit is your imagination., However, of all the types of videos that you can use to boost your engagement, these have proven time and time again to be among the most effective types to help achieve your engagement goals.

Keep in mind that you should never rely too heavily on one particular format. Switch things up and focus on creating varied, high quality, relevant and engaging content for your audience.

I hope this guide to the different types of engaging videos for social media inspires you to build an engaged online community around your business. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments!

About the Author

Amir Shahzeidi is the digital marketing manager at Uscreen, an all-in-one video monetization and live streaming platform that empowers video entrepreneurs and creators to monetize their content and build thriving communities and businesses around their videos.

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[pebblesandjamjam]

Critical Jam #11: What We Talk About When We Talk About Scanlations

Welcome to Critical Jam, J.A. Micheline’s monthly column on criticism.

I don’t write about unlicensed Japanese comics. I’d like to. There are some incredible BL cartoonists and books that I’d like to tell you about, for example, but the thing is: no English-language publishers have picked them up for translation, so as far as the English-language critical world is concerned--they don’t exist.

I mean, they do, obviously, but then we get to the tougher questions from readers, namely: “Oh cool, where do I read it?”

One answer is “pick the book up in Japanese.” I do this with some frequency, but this is more practical an answer for me than a large swath of manga fans, as (1) I live in a city with Japanese booksellers--yes, Amazon delivers almost everywhere, but their selection of Japanese titles is much narrower than what’s available in a full fledged bookstore--and (2) I can read Japanese, so the investment becomes much more worthwhile.

But for everyone else, there is another answer that is only spoken in the privacy of DMs, in the back alleys of cons, in the ghost town IRC channels of the world: scanlations.

Despite conventional wisdom with regards to unlicensed comics--it is absolutely understood that scans of One Piece and Naruto are illegal--there is essentially no legal caveat for comics that have yet to have an official translation, independent of whether the scans are non-commercial or non-profit. A particularly intrepid defense attorney might have success arguing scanlations fall under fair use or fair dealing against a particularly incompetent prosecutor, but given the the purpose and character of the use--the writing’s pretty much on the wall. Creative copyright extends to the right to translate and copyright protections extend internationally to all 172 signatory countries of the Berne Convention--172 countries that include the US, the UK, Australia, and Japan. Scanlations, in all their forms, are illegal.

So, what does that have to do with us? What responsibilities do we have when it comes to scanlations, as critics?

Weirdly, for anything that’s incredibly illegal, i.e., a licensed comic, our impact is minimal. In general, critics don’t tend to discuss the specifics of where we acquired the work unless it’s particularly relevant to the criticism; we just talk about the work. I may write about Full Metal Alchemist, and it may be that I have read that comic in scans instead of purchasing the licensed version, but this will never really be known in one way or another--and does not really push business towards scanlations anymore than it does legal avenues.

But for unlicensed comics--still definitely illegal, but also unable to be acquired in English legally--the jig is immediately up, so to speak. I may have an out in that I can write about Ogeretsu Tanaka’s The Proper Way to Write Love and you can assume (or not, depending on how much you trust me) that I bought the comic in Japanese--but for that other cohort of critics that I mentioned, who presumably do not read Japanese, it’s essentially immediately known that the writer read a scan and perhaps is also implicitly encouraging others to do so.

That last phrase is where the ethics become interesting. In both of the last two paragraphs, I have touched upon the concern of pushing business towards scanlations or implicitly encouraging others to do so--in essence allowing an illegal practice to thrive. This concern positions criticism as de facto advertisement or support, independent of its content. The “all publicity is good publicity” model. But should you, for example, be accused of endorsing scanlations if you write a highly negative piece about a scanlated comic? Is it only a problem if your criticism positions the source text as something a reader should seek out? And in general, does a critic have any financial responsibilities to their subject’s industry and/or creators?

That is: is it even our problem if the scanlation industry thrives secondary to our work?

Maybe. Criticism is, first and foremost, a thing that is done for ourselves rather than for any other end--but to deny the relatively common downstream effects of that action is willfully naive, after a certain point. While I may never explicitly say ‘buy this book’ in any of my positively-inclined criticism, there is an inevitable leap between ‘this book is good’ and ‘you should buy it.’ There is no denying that a critique can result in financial outcomes. But the thing that has always held true, at least for me, is that so long as you are doing critical work without the specific aim of a financial outcome, you are conducting yourself well.

But what does that mean here? For most, writing about an unlicensed comic is a tacit admission of engaging in illegal activity--but going beyond that, what is the action’s significance? Beyond the implicit confession, what does it do to the critical community? What does it do to the comics community?

Summarily: what is our role in piracy?

I can certainly imagine a universe in which a publisher, noting a series of positive reviews of a yet-to-be-licensed comic, decides to look into it and acquire the license. I can also imagine a universe in which a publisher, noting these reviews, assumes the comic is either already licensed or has already been distributed for free elsewhere and would therefore not have much of a paying market.

I can imagine a universe in which a reader, realizing they can only acquire a book in scans, only ever reads comics for free. I can imagine a different one, though, where the reader’s realization leads them to other paying avenues--buying the book in Japanese, buying a creator’s other licensed comics, waiting for the licensed version to finally be available, etc.

I also have no way to know which universes are real at which point to weigh their likelihood appropriately. My general sense is not just that ‘pirates gonna pirate’ but also that people who want to buy legally will do so. And, what’s more, that there is a huge cross-section of people who exist in both categories.

Other questions: what if I--and others capable of this task--take on this particular responsibility and try to have our cake and eat it too. Any critic able to read Japanese should have carte blanche to review unlicensed comics. But, naturally, this only solves the acquisition problem. If I read a comic in Japanese and wanted to review it, despite there being no English translation, am I to be held accountable for any readers who decide to read the scans upon reading my work? Am I actively contributing to the success of scans by discussing a work that can’t be acquired legally in English if I acquired it legally in Japanese? If the answer is no, then how is it functionally any different than an English-speaking critic reviewing a comic from a scan?

And to the extreme: what if everybody just lied?

I usually pride myself as being that kid with all the answers, but on this particular subject, just based on the series of questions I have posed--it seems I have very few. I can tell you what I wish would happen, but that’s very much based upon what I wish to be true, rather than any hard numbers one way or another.

My desired outcome is a robust critical discourse about unlicensed comics that led to their wider legal availability to the general public as soon as possible. And maybe, in time, I will think about flexing my particular abilities and platforms to get some amazing comics seen by a larger audience.

But for now, in truth, I don’t know what to do.

Do you?

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