Short Motion Studios

Now is a great time to go to the movies. In the last weeks of 2008, the Hollywood studios released their best pictures of the year so that these films would be uppermost in people’s minds during the awards season, which is already under way. These high-quality movies will also likely stick around in theaters a little while longer than they might at other times of the year, which makes it easier to get out to see them.

1. Slumdog Millionaire is billed as the feel-good movie of the holiday season, but you shouldn’t show up expecting instant gratification from this film. In fact, the movie has some pretty grim aspects, from a police-inflicted torture scene early in the film to gritty portrayals of Mumbai slum life. I thought the torture scene could have been left out of the movie, but the depiction of two young brothers and how they manage to fend for themselves is exhilarating. The boys as young adults are less interesting, and the film’s end is pure fantasy, but that’s Bollywood. It worked for me.

2. I read some negative reviews of The Reader that almost kept me away. But I vaguely remembered that I had read the book years ago, and I like Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, so I took a chance, and I really liked the film. I think the performances by the three primary actors are good, and the exploration of the male character’s conflict was interesting to me.

3. I went to Doubt to see the always good Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman and to see how Amy Adams would do with a less-perky role. Knowing only the outlines of the plot, I expected the movie to be a somewhat formulaic tale about a priest suspected of molesting a child. Early on in the movie, Streep didn’t convince me of the integrity of her nun/school principal character-she just seemed like Meryl Streep playing cranky. However, as the film proceeded, the details of the alleged victim’s situation became more clear, and the story and the characters gained complexity. I ended up finding the movie more thought-provoking than anticipated and thinking that all the actors did pretty well, although I’d still rather have seen Cherry Jones than Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius.

4. I had read a lot about the making of Milk and some about the history and principal characters, so there weren’t many surprises while watching the movie. I liked the grainy look of it, which I thought did give it a ’70s feel and blended well with the bits of real footage that the filmmakers incorporated. I thought Sean Penn did a great job portraying Harvey Milk, based on the few clips I’ve seen of the real man. Thirty years after the assassination and a few months after the passing of Proposition 8, this movie is a very timely reminder that California still has some work to do to secure equal rights for all its citizens.

5. Watching the Watergate hearings and Nixon resigning are my first political memories, so Frost/Nixon was a must-see for me. While I wouldn’t call this a life-changing movie, I enjoyed Frank Langella’s portrayal of the disgraced president and the glimpse of what life might have been like for him after leaving the White House. The timing of this movie is impeccable-playing as it does against the backdrop of another Republican president and administration leaving the offices that many think they’ve abused.

6. The Wrestler is probably not for everyone. I’m no fan of professional wrestling (or boxing, for that matter), and I had to look away from the screen during a couple of the fight scenes, but I’ve always liked Mickey Rourke’s characters, so I wanted to see his latest work. He does do a great job, and the story is a pretty convincing take on what the end days of a pro wrestling career might look like. Marisa Tomei is also very good.

I didn’t see the purpose of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – I thought it was just boring. Still on my list to see is Revolutionary Road.

Ah the joys of live broadcasting. To some producers the words incite fear; whereas for others members of the team, it offers the opportunity to work on-the-fly and generate some uniquely challenging, realistic television.

For every outside or live broadcasting team though, there’s always the obligatory checklist to consider. Have you got enough mics for the presenters? Is your generator working? Is your production unit compatible? These are all very genuine concerns that teams have to prepare for each time they leave the building for the van.

So, as a very basic overview, do remember to bring the following when on the road.

Microphones

Deciding which mic to bring out on the road is wholly dependent – like most broadcasting equipment – on the environment in which the broadcast will take place.

If your presenter is just doing a piece to camera in a quiet environment, then a fixed-camera mic will probably be suitable. For busier environments it’s going to be a better idea to keep a localised mic attached to your presenters lapel. For multiple participants in a piece, you will need to bring more radio mics! However, if there are only two-or-three people to a single, quiet room, then a boom should suffice.

Cameras and cables

Hardly needs mentioning does it? Make sure that you carry enough DV tapes – or whatever storage solution you decide to use – and keep plenty of batteries! Battery life is generally awful, but it could help you out in a pinch if your cables fail.

Which comes on to the second point: cables. Bring lots of them. Make sure that you have all kinds of lengths available and the correct adapters as necessary.

Production unit

You also be needing a powerful and highly portable production studio. A unit that includes a HD/SDI switcher with four inputs or more is ideal for this chore. That’s because you’ll easily be running at least four cameras at any one time, some of which may be in high-def, others standard def; either way, it pays to be prepared for all situations!

Want a job that will make use of your speaking, organizing, and people skills.

Become a Cruise Director!

A cruise director or cruise manager is the one responsible for all activities and entertainment on board the Cruise ship. The job is high paying and experiences are very rewarding. You are in the spotlight and if all goes well, the credits are usually given to you. At the end of the cruise, if there is only one person the guests can remember, it will be the Cruise Director!

The cruise directors’ main objective is to give an enjoyable experience to patrons aboard the ship by planning and coordinating social and cultural events. They are constantly in contact with guests giving them valuable information and ensuring their wellness. They are always on the spotlight armed with great public speaking skills.

Cruise directors are also very knowledgeable about the travel routes and destination locations of the cities where the boat docks. They are also equipped with the skills to handle difficult and even emergency situations. Their interpersonal skills are not limited to guests but also implemented in managing ship personnel as well.

Considering the responsibilities and skills involved, it is no surprise that Cruise directors are paid well. At first glance, the job can be very overwhelming but if you are passionate about entertaining people and traveling, this is a dream job for you.

How to become one:

The best way to get this job is by starting from the bottom first. Cruise Companies won’t just give these responsibilities to someone who doesn’t have on board experience. Cruise directors are usually promoted from lower positions. So, the best way is to nail entry-level positions first and slowly work your way to the top.

However, competition for this position is extremely stiff. You must get ahead of the competition. If you have already secured a staff position, always do excellent work and learn as much as you can. Always strive to get any experience and learn from it!

Observe and study the current cruise director and the intricacies of his job responsibilities. As much as possible, always offer assistance to the Cruise Director. It is not brown-nosing, it is learning and researching.

Never miss out on any training that the company may offer. If you have to pay then, pay. Most likely, these trainings are required to qualify you for the position in the future. If you can add further training not offered by the company to your credentials, then do so. Who knows it may become the deciding factor to eventually make you nail the job. Your co-workers may also have the same training as you but when you have something more like for example, a certificate in CPR or short courses in public speaking then you will most likely get the job.

Once the position becomes available, apply for it. Emphasize your experience and credentials. Be confident. Cruise directors always rise above any occasion.

If for some reason, you are not hired. Always ask how you can improve your hiring chances.