Tag Archives: media

Is big Hollywood a thing of the past? Or is Speilburg’s history just unpopular?

In a joint pep-talk to impressionable young filmmakers, Speilburg and Lucas put on a sour face and predicted the “implosion” of the film business.  That’s a way to encourage them kids! They weren’t the first filmmakers to go curmudgeon when … Continue reading

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America’s answer to bombs, then and now.

When I heard about the Boston bombing, I didn’t know what to think.  I was reminded of a high school history class, when we learned why Americans don’t like socialists. You ever notice that in the USA they don’t celebrate … Continue reading

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How crowdfunding is changing the way we make films.

Big budget movies have long been about gimmicks.  Since the success of Star Wars, it seems that nearly every children’s movie starts with how well the character would play out as a toy. But the micro-budget movies we grew up … Continue reading

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Chavez was loved by his people, why?

Whatever you say about Chavez, one thing is certain. He won elections. He was popular. He is genuinely mourned. In other words, his people loved him. That may not be true for all his people.  Some voted against him, and, … Continue reading

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When will we learn that sanctions just don’t work?

“North Korea is already tied up in layers of sanctions. They don’t seem to have have any impact. ” Says Lucy Williamson for the BBC. Little does she know, the sanctions do have an impact, and a big one. The … Continue reading

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Historical documentary up for award, after failing to get its budget

The first time I heard of “To Say Goodbye“, it was looking for money for its all-or-nothing Kickstarter Campaign. I wrote an article about writing history before it’s too late when it their campaign was in its final hours.  Time … Continue reading

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2012, the worst year for movies ever?

From applying to film school to networking with filmmakers, it seems the new standard question is “which movies moved and inspired you.” Trying to pick a movie from any given year is usually difficult because out of 800 or so … Continue reading

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Interview of a job hunt: from Pizza Hut to the Ben Franklin of the 21st century

In the past Ptara interviewed documentarians and historians, those who have been published and won awards. We’ve had some interesting viewpoints from those who’ve studied history and used it for work. This time, we questioned an entrepreneur, and the Employee … Continue reading

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Lesson from history: only a madman would write for a living

It started as a story on the Hokusai Manga, for the 1812 timeline, and it turned to the study of an inconvenient truth. Okay, some writers are billionaires. I’m ready for your list of best selling authors and other freaks. … Continue reading

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Baltimore Democrats attack Republican Newspaper, kill 2

Baltimore: July 27 1812.  The war of 1812 is a done deal.  Most of the surrounding “Democrats” support war with Britain, over stained honor from an attack of the USS Chesapeake.  They want to fight because Britain is supporting guerrilla … Continue reading

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