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enmasae · 9 months ago

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Desire of the fittest - Part 2

Self Aware Genshin Alternate Universe - Guide AU (my own take on sagau)

Previous - Next

Warnings :

Adult content (such as violence, bullying, toxic relationships, cursing, angst, nsfw, and others) and yandere behavior (such as obsessive and possessive display)

Theories and lore informations

Since this is my take on an alternate version of Genshin Impact, I've taken the liberty to include elements that may not align with the game's lore but will make sense in this particular story.

Content : And they were roommates, Totally not illegal business meeting, Casual conversation between a pigeon and a dog, How to deal with your partner's ex

"-and that concludes our coverage of the catastrophic disasters currently happening around the globe. On a brighter note, it was recently announced that the renowned game Genshin Impact will explore new horizons to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Today, we have the co-creator and current CEO of Hoyoverse, Mr. Wei, to discuss this highly anticipated event."

The small crowd attending the live show applauds as the CEO makes his entrance. Despite being in his fifties, the man retains a well-preserved appearance under the studio lights, his bright and confident smile illuminating the room. He nods in acknowledgment to the camera and extends a handshake to the TV host, who accepts it. Gesturing for his guest to do the same, they both proceed to take a seat on comfortable sofas.

"Thank you for having me."

The host eagerly clasps her hands together and leans forward, keen to gather more information about the plans for one of the most popular games in its genre. Even with the passage of time, Genshin Impact continues to serve as a source of inspiration for many and boasts a substantial player base worldwide.

"Mr. Wei, we're delighted to have you here with us."

The company's CEO offers a gentle smile, his composed demeanor standing in stark contrast to the energetic TV presenter.

"The feeling is mutual."

Immediately delving into the topic, the host follows the interview script he was given, narrating the current situation for his viewers and initiating a conversation with his guest.

"Several years have passed since Genshin Impact's main storyline came to a close, leaving fans eager to uncover the reasons behind the event announced on social media. While virtual reality has been, indeed, quite the talk in the gaming community since the release of the new AETHERAL&LUMINUS technology, we're curious to know why Hoyoverse decided to enter the world of cyber technology. What led to such decision ?"

Aligning with the host's expectations, the man in his fifties softened his features, conveying a sense of sadness to emphazise his point.

"You may call it nostalgia but the team and I wanted to provide players with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Teyvat one last time before the server's shutdown-"

"Boring..."

As the television screen dims, the ceo's voice fades into silence. Setting aside the remote, you find yourself drawn back into the embrace of your current companion, reveling in the affection he showers upon you. His lips delicately trace a path from your collarbone towards your throat, eventually meeting your own. As your eyes lock with his, you feel him whisper against your breath, anger kindled by your earlier statement.

"I allowed you to have fun with that descender, isn't that enough ?"

Maintaining eye contact, you seize his shoulder and skillfully shift positions, placing yourself atop him. Taking control, you lift his hands from your waist and secure them above his head. Aroused by the demeanor you display, he decides to let you to enjoy yourself and refrains from attempting to escape your hold. Savoring the moment, you slowly bring your face closer to his, allowing your lips to meet once more in a gentle union. As his lips moves forward to taste yours again, you assertively seize his jaw and unhinge it.

"Since when do I need your approval ?"

He escapes your grasp, emitting a painful cry. Clutching his jaw, he quickly realigns it with an audible crack and assesses its movement. Surprisingly, he doesn't appear overly shocked by your swift anger. He has to admit that he provoked it when he brought up your vessel. Well, former vessel, much to his satisfaction. He never held much fondness for the boy, believing he consumed too much of your time. He sighs while reclining on the couch, bringing you into a tight embrace. His gentle hand runs through your hair as he relish in the scent of your cosmetic products. While he remains unfazed by your unpredictable behavior, he doesn't hesitate to flatter you for forgiveness.

"You don't, but I appreciate when you consider it."

You dismiss his sweet words, recognizing them as mere attempts to please you, yet you accept them despite knowing him. He's an adept at manipulating others, appearing to have their best interests at heart while exploiting them. He creates an illusion of comfort and understanding, yet beneath it all, he harbors disdain for emotional displays. Even while knowing that, you prefer to believe in the distinctiveness of your relationship. You hope that he genuinely cares, even though your own feelings are uncertain. While you're not exactly friends, there's a sense of comfort in being your authentic self with him. Though not lovers, you find solace in holding each other during chilly nights, making the mutual loneliness less impactful.

Neither of you can define what you are in each other's eyes. That's why treating him the way you do comes more naturally, it spares you from overthinking.

"I'll play along, but only if you give me a little favor."

He notices the quiet sadness in your eyes but decides not to mention it. Smiling against your lips, he offers a gentle peck, silently seeking permission to go further. Forehead touching yours, he inhales your essence as you part your lips. Confident yet respectful, he explores your mouth at a measured pace, allowing brief breaks between the playful twirls of your tongues.

"Name it, and it'll be yours."

As you gradually pull back, you notice the man pouting, clearly yearning for the warmth you bestowed upon him. Although his clinginess strokes your ego and you enjoy feeling desired, it occasionally becomes irksome. The aftermath of the previous night speaks volume of how long it has been since both of you engaged in such passionate activities. Given your shared affinity for dominance games, perhaps it would have been wise to dial it down a notch.

"I want to be part of your project."

Instantly, the dark-haired man rejects the idea with disdain, his pout transforming into a disapproving snarl, and his nose scrunching in distaste at the mere thought.

"Out of the question."

Even if you saw coming this outcome, it doesn't prevent the surge of anger rising in your chest when he dismisses your request. In a swift motion, he seizes your forearm right before you could reach for the nearest empty alcohol bottle. While his hold lacks strenght, it effectively hinders you from shattering the glass against his head. Closing his eyes, he delicately brings your hand to his lips, placing a tender kiss on it.

"Losing you would drive me mad."

He might have intertwined his own existence with yours, yet, sometimes, it doesn't seem enough to keep you by his side. The intensity of your fascination for his domain unnerves him. While he had hoped for you to hold a similar affection for the present world you both inhabit, he acknowledges that these dying lands can never exude the radiance of Teyvat. Perhaps it was his error to entrust you with its care in his absence. He should have foreseen it. Even if you claim otherwise, he can only witness how your need for excitement is akin to theirs.

However, the issue resides within him, as he cannot bear witnessing the disappointment reflected on your face. With a sigh, the one who calls himself primordial release your arm and speak in a subdued tone, avoiding direct eye contact.

"Hypothetically speaking, if I were to allow you to blend in among them, what's in it for you ?"

In response to your silence, the man peeks in your direction, observing your bewildered, crunched-up face. Baffled, he lacks the time to react as you seize the hem of his partially unbuttoned shirt, propelling both of you upward. Guiding him to the rolling chair behind his desk, you swiftly pull him into it. Vaulting over the desk, you perch on its surface, placing your feet on either side of the chair's armrests, leaving him nowhere to run.

"You're joking right ?"

Seizing a knife lodged in the table, you extract it with a resounding crunch of the desk's wood. Positioning it beneath your partner's chin, his shaved face provides no shield against the blade. The man chuckles dryly, raising his hand leisurely to grasp the weapon's tip, casually creating some distance between it and his neck.

"Sadly, i don't do jokes."

Releasing the knife, you allow him to toss it aside, observing its slide on the floor and joining your collection of 'toys'. He rises from the chair and gently guides your back against the desk. His hands trace the contours of your body, scarcely concealed by the remaining clothes he didn't ripped apart. His touch eventually lands on your hands, leading them to his face. His colorless eyes delve into yours, restraining unspoken feelings in the air, akin to words on the verge of being uttered. Relinquishing your gaze, his lips caress your ears, whispering his anguish.

"Tell me why you're so eager to go there when you can stay here with me."

Running your fingers through his lengthy ebony hair, lazily gathered in a disheveled bun, you pull his head in front of yours. Removing the hairpin securing his hair, you let it cascade down, framing both of your faces.

"Freedom, Attention, Love, Entertainment... All guides are driven by their desires."

Your thumb glides down his lips, parting them and revealing the piercing on his tongue.

"I'm no exception, Phanes."

The ancient being chuckles softly, his laughter resonating deeply. He allows you to lead him towards your lips, his own already parted and eager to savor the taste of yours once again.

"We both know you're more than that."

While it's true that at times you remind him of those bastards, he can't fault you for it as it's in your nature to act this way. He just needs to make sure you never consider returning to your roots. Despite being the divine one of both, he'll gladly worship your entirety to ensure you remain by his side.

"My sweet partner in crime~, why won't you let me take care of you ?"

You know that if he was given the chance, Phanes would drive you to the brink of insanity day and night, ensuring you forget everything else but him. Unfortunately for the man, you're not interested in such fate. He won't be the one to stop you from pursuing what you want.

"If you truly cared for me, you'll let me go."

At your words, the primordial one rolls his eyes and deliberately collapses on top of you, relying on you to carry his weight. Despite his slender build, you struggle to pry him off from yourself as his arms hugs you close. Unfortunately, all you manage to achieve is getting his hair out of your face. As he rests his head in the crook of your neck, he examines the hickeys he bestowed upon you as gifts from the previous night. Relishing in the fact he has matching ones on his own neck, he yelps in surprise when you tug on his hair and push him to your right. He grunts and sighs, his palm massaging his scalp, irritated with your behavior.

"Oh, yes. Why didn't I think of that earlier ? Allowing you to dive headfirst into an unfair game specifically designed to trap and torture your kind will truly show how much I value you."

You chuckle at his sarcasm, then hop off the desk to head towards your belongings.

"And here I thought you couldn't be funny."

The gentle sound of your laughter coaxes a shift in his grumpy demeanor, replaced with a heartfelt smile. He takes pleasure in the melodic tones and reciprocates with a contented hum. If he were to pick a favorite sound, it would undoubtedly be your laughter, closely followed by the lovely way you scream his name in ecstasy. Yet, his grin quickly vanishes when he realizes what you're holding. Closing the distance in the blink of an eye, he tries to snatch the small device from your grip. You skillfully dodge his attempts, refusing to let him have his way. Seizing his hand, you twist it with a resounding crack, forcing him to drop to his knees.

"Isn't this fascinating ? That such itty-bitty trinket supposedly holds all the rights you wield over Teyvat. Must be so tiny because, you know, there's not much to brag about."

Having an idea of how you got it, he mentally scolds his shades for being too lenient with you. While you marvel at the tear-sized pearl, you remain oblivious to Phanes breaking into a nervous sweat. You might not grasp its usage yet, but he harbors no doubt that if he doesn't reclaim it soon, you'll figure it out eventually.

"I am the sole reason for Teyvat's current state. It's only thanks to me that those fools can enjoy their meaningless life."

He frees himself from your grasp, swiftly snatching back in place his wrist. Glancing up at you, he watches as you casually toy with the device, spinning it around with the chain and frame-like ornement keeping it secure.

"Says the one who prefers to live in isolation while 'his' world steadily erodes itself after each little 'cycles' you make it goes through."

Before Phanes can respond, a loud whistle pierces the air, catching both your attention and his.

"Man, they got you there."

As the primordial one sees one of his shades making himself comfortable on the couch, munching on some junk food he found somewhere, he groans in annoyance.

"Ugh, Istaroth, don't you have better things to do ?"

The man appears to ponder for a moment as he reaches the bottom of his snack bag. Upon realizing the absence of treats, he deftly snaps his fingers, causing the bag to replenish itself as if it had never been touched. Propping his cheek on his fist, he grabs a handful of snacks, shoving them into his mouth and chewing audibly. Observing the snack bag mysteriously being propelled toward the trash can, he hastily gulps down the remaining food, sighing in disappointment. Nonchalantly inspecting his nails, he brushes off the snack's crumbs, seemingly unfazed by the threatening glare from his boss.

"Apart from watching the two of you acting like animals in heat ? Not really."

While you prefer to remain clueless about how long he's been lurking unnoticed, you see that Phanes doesn't share your point of view. Gesturing angrily at his subordinate, his eyes betray a poorly concealed anger as his lips curls in disdain.

"First off, how dare you disrespect our privacy. Secondly, get your mind out of the gutter, we're not fucking, it's just-"

Phanes comes to a sudden stop, taking in the situation before him. With him on his knees, perfectly positioned to reach your pelvis, one could easily think he's about to give you a head job. You chuckle at the sight of him swiftly rising to his feet and hastily adjusting his partially undone shirt. The shade appears unfazed by his boss's embarrassment, having witnessed and heard far worse.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm not paid enough to deal with your abandonment issues."

The dark-skinned man reaches for a bottle on the floor but decides against taking a sip of whatever's left after some consideration. While Phanes busies himself searching for the remainder of his clothes, you saunter over to the shade in a seductive manner. As the divine being catches sight of your approach, he curses under his breath and feigns interest in the bottle in his hand. He flinches when you place your hand on his shoulder, while the other begins to caress his cheek.

"Hands off, sweetheart. I've got a keen sense of hygiene, and I know you didn't wash those hands of yours."

He swats your hand away from his cheek and pinches the other as if discarding trash, tossing it aside. You hum and flop onto the couch beside him, eliciting a grunt from the shade.

"Such perfect timing, Istaroth."

"With all due respect, which is none, screw you."

Glancing at the jewel in your hands, a mischievous impulse seizes you. Tossing the pearl towards Phanes, you watch as he dives to the floor to catch it, exhaling with relief upon success. With his head conveniently positioned at the perfect height for you to lift it with your bare foot under his chin, you compel him to look at you.

"Would you mind persuading your boss to let me do as I please ?"

Taking advantage of your momentary distraction, the primordial one signals to his shade to refuse, mimicking a throat-slitting gesture. Despite being molded from Phanes' flesh, he lacks the soft spot his creator seems to have for you, preferring to keep a safe distance from your antics. Even if his boss were to order him to indulge your whims, he would most likely flat-out refuse.

"Hard pass, sweetheart."

You glance at the divine being sprawled at your feet, examining his little trinket for any cracks. You rise to your feet, causing him to lose his head support and bonk his chin on the unforgiving floor. As the pearl slips from his fingers and starts its daring escape, he's on it like a squirrel chasing a nut, scrambling to catch up. Unfortunately for him, you reclaim it before he has the chance.

"And here I was expecting you'll be the first to want me out of here~."

Istaroth tumbles on his fist and then reluctantly straightens up, a smile spreading across his face's features. Rising from the ground, Phanes approaches you. While his arms gently embrace you, his gaze remains fixed on the jewel you're holding.

"Wait a minute... You want to leave ?"

As his gold-like eyes sparkled with excitement, he might sound a tad too pleased to your liking but you'll gladly take whatever enthusiasm you can get. You firmly press your palm against the primordial one's face, preventing him from reclaiming the symbol of his authority. The sound of his nose yielding under your palm reaches your ears, evoking a high-pitched grunt from him, not that you cared. With determined strikes, you approach the shade, affectionately pinching his cheek as one might do with a child.

"Exactly ! How clever of you ! Good job on figuring it out !"

You grab his hand and swap positions, flopping onto the couch and sending him stumbling towards the god, who's still inspecting his crooked nose in a mirror after you intentionally crushed it. As Phanes shoots a disapproving glance at his subordinate without even turning his head, the shade doesn't get a chance to speak, only receiving a grunt of warning from his boss.

"Not. A. Chance."

With no further resistance, Istaroth raises his arms in surrender and turns around. Displeased with how quickly he gave in, you shoot him a disappointed stare as he flops back onto the couch next to you. Feeling uneasy under your accusing gaze, his eyes avoid yours, darting away.

"Listen, sweetheart. If he didn't listen to you, he certainly won't give a shit about what I say."

Every gaze converges on the desk when Phanes' phone, emitting a distinctive ringtone, disrupts the room, prompting a weary sigh from you. Despite your expectations that he would have gotten rid of it by now, it becomes evident that the voicemail you recorded for him long ago still remains. A cringe washes over you as you hear your own voice trashtalking Phanes to answer the call. Istaroth appears equally displeased, emitting a grunt and burying his face in one of the couch's pillows.

"-fucking bitch ! You better pick up your goddamn phone if you don't want me to shove it down your throat and making you gag like the slut you are-"

A breath of relief escapes you as the deity declines the call upon checking the caller's identity. Unfortunately, the relief is short-lived as the persistent dialler triggers the ringtone once more, demonstrating a fervent desire to speak with Phanes. Having no intention of talking with this particular individual, he forcefully crushes his own phone, ending the incessant ringing. Tossing the damaged device into a nearby bin, he gestures towards his personal notebook to remind him he will need a replacement. Istaroth grumbles into the pillow, clearly irritated but reluctantly acknowledge the directive.

"Noted."

With a tilt of your head, you silently inquire for more information from the god. Phanes, in response, takes your hand and gently guides you to stand, initiating a comforting embrace. Creating a bit of space between the two of you, he delicately retrieves the jewel from the tips of your fingers, all the while maintaining an unwavering gaze with you.

"Don't you fret about such a thing, [Name]. As for your heart's desire, let me take a little while to think it over, and I promise to return with a delightful response just for you. In the meantime, I must have a talk with Istaroth. Would you be a darling and wait for me outside? It won't be long, I assure you."

Skeptical, you emit a doubtful hum, not entirely swayed by his sickly sweet display. Contrary to his anticipations, you don't put up a fight and merely leave the room with an nonchalant wave of your hand. As the appartment's door closes, Istaroth rolls onto his back, casually inspecting his nails as he typically resorts to when boredom sets in.

"Perhaps, it's time for you to let them go."

Regret floods Istaroth swiftly as his blood begins to congeal within his veins, causing him to gasp for breath and emit painful grunts. Collapsing from the couch, he struggles to lift his gaze towards his creator, his vision blurring with the intensity of his suffering.

"And I think it's about time you remember your place. Don't delude yourself into thinking that I've forgotten how you used to help them sneaking around with their ex vessel while I was looking the other way."

The shade gasps for air, sensing his body liberated from the torturous grip Phanes had on it. Coughing, his fist clenches as he swallows down any words that might further sour the mood of his creator. Over time, he has grown indifferent to such torment, losing the will to care or worry about his condemned immortal existence. While there is no hope left for him, there's still a chance for you to embrace the freedom he yearns for. Unknown to the primordial one, he is determined to help you achieve that.

"On the subject of discussion, I better mention this before it slips my mind."

Kneeling down, Istaroth keeps his head bowed, concealing the faint smile playing on his lips. Don't waste the opportunity he's granting you, because even he recognizes that time is running thin.

"Asmoday got killed."

Upon learning the demise of one of his shades, Phanes seizes his subordinate by the neck, pulling him up to his own eye level. Hindered by the contrast in height, Istaroth struggles to breathe, his feet flailing in the air as his creator seems to blame him for the distressing news.

"And by who ?"

Baring his teeth in response to the pain he endures, Istaroth chuckles drily as he struggles to breath.

"I believe- that the fourth descender- actively searching his lost guide within our quarters- is enough of an answer-."

A heavy silence falls upon the room, the air thick with tension. Istaroth's feeble attempt at breathing gradually fade as his creator's grip tightens around his neck. Shortly after, the only audible sound for the shade becomes the echoing reverberation of his own heartbeat in his ears. With adrenaline coursing through him, he looks in horror at the wide and contemplative eyes of his master, engulfed in anger prompted by memories from a distant era. An abrupt gasp resonates as the shade is released, collapsing at Phanes's feet. His heart pounds wildly, eyes wide with fear as his body trembles under the lingering tension.

"You're fired."

As the apartment door slams shut, Istaroth gradually allows his nerves to settle.

"Hourray... vacations."

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　　˚　　　　 . ★⋆.

　　　. 　　˚　　　　*　　　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　　　　　　 ✦

"Well, look who it is ! The one and only [Name]. Still on a leash, I presume ? I guess some things never change."

Glancing at the dame lounging on your left, flaunting her arms on the rail, she grins with a wickedness that could make gods blush. You emit a dismissive grunt and slump against the fence, both hands shielding your eyes briefly before giving your face a vigorous wipe, as if hoping to erase her existence. Unfortunately for you, she has no intention of leaving you be. Even though you wish you hadn't, you've mastered recognizing her bewitching crimson gaze, no matter the vessel she assumes. Before you stands Valefor, one of your fellow guides fueled by an insatiable thirst for power. It's not that you despise her more than the others, she's simply an unnecessary pain in the ass right now. Given her impatience, you opt to ignore her until she decides to leave on her own. No need to make a fuss over someone undeserving of such attention.

"Come on, lighten up ! That's not how you should treat your best friend~."

After a nudge from her elbow, you grab your drink and navigate the mezzanine alongside the fortunate few selected players. The sight of their camaraderie before the competition sickens you. Guides, by their very nature, don't blend seamlessly. They never have, possessing too much pride for such alliances. True friendships among them are scarce. Typically, collaborations are brief, driven by mutual benefits before one inevitably betrays the other.

As you weave through the crowd, you notice flickers of recognition in the eyes of some attendees, coupled with hushed comments. Despite the revival of unpleasant memories under their scrutinizing gazes, you maintain your pride, holding your head high. You don't hesitate to reciprocate their side glances, forcing them to avert their eyes. As you head toward a more secluded area of the reception room, you notice Valefor trailing after you, engaging in a few greetings with others along the way.

"Wait- Listen, I really need to talk to you, alright ?"

You sigh at her persistence and come to an abrupt stop, causing her to bump into you. Seizing her wrist, you pull her into one of the VIP rooms and throw her inside, making her stumble before finding her balance. Unfolding a small piece of paper, you ignite it, strange symbols manifesting in the air with a golden hue. Running your fingers together, you cast a brief glance back at the frozen crowd before shutting the curtains of the room. Valefor watches in amazement as the curtains defy the laws of physics, their movement ceasing once you release them.

"Time stopping, uh ? Neat. Is it a little trick from one of your newfound friends ?"

Settling onto one of the cushions, you take a sip of your drink and dismissively ignore her comment.

"I was told by Istaroth that you were advised to maintain a low profile. Guess it was too complicated for a meathead like you."

Taking residence on a couch opposite you, she flops onto it like a toddler and begins playing with the electrical device that allows the couch to transition from a sitting position to a reclining one. Despite of the unsettling noise, you only angrily sip on your drink, at least for now. You're confident that someday you'll get the chance to annoy her in return.

"I'm a guide, I do things my way. Anyway, the little birdie didn't say much about what all the fuss is about."

After finishing your drink, you spit out a small gem resembling a pearl but shaped like a tear, retrieving it from your tongue. At this sight, Valefor mutters a quiet "gross" under her breath before recognizing what you're holding. As you place it on the table, the guide shifts position, perching at the edge of the couch with a broad smile on her face.

"Holy. Fucking. Shit. You're fucking nuts, you know that ?"

You're not crazy enough to snatch the real deal from one of the most powerful gods and keep it for yourself. The little act you staged earlier was merely a ruse to make him believe you'd attempted to steal it and coax him into doing what you wanted. Unfortunately for him, you knew he'd never give in to your demands. That's why you had Istaroth retrieve it for you, but from a far away future. And this is the one you're showcasing now, although she doesn't need to be privy to that detail.

"Phanes expects me to follow his rules, but I couldn't care less about what he wants. So, here's the deal. I'll hand over the little trinket, and in return, you use it to send me to Teyvat."

Doubtful as she should be, or you might have lost all hopes for her, she squints before bringing her face closer to it for a better look. When she glances back up at you, she raises an eyebrow, sensing that something is amiss.

"Why not just use it yourself to get there directly?"

You scornfully scoff and regard the jewel with disdain.

"You think I haven't tried ? It recognizes the one trying to use it, and unfortunately, it only listens to that slut. Even Istaroth couldn't get it to submit to him."

From what she knows, you're more of a whore than he'll ever be, but she refrains from mentioning it.

"And what makes you think I can when not even a shade could ?"

Well, you didn't have much of a choice to begin with. Even though seeking help from one of your kind implies you've hit a low point, you won't allow her to mock you.

"It's a bit of a gamble, but I figured someone with your abilities could tame this little thing. Or is your desire for power nothing more than a joke ?"

As her eyes twitch, you know you've won. There's nothing more effective than challenging a guide to get them to do what you want.

"Deal. But I'd like to ask a question before."

Intrigued about what she might ask, you tilt your head slightly as a silent approval for her to proceed.

"At the very least, was he good in bed ?"

A smirk plays across your face. You hate to admit it, but he's got some skills when it comes to giving pleasure. Not that you'll vocalize it, though.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　　˚　　　　 . ★⋆.

　　　. 　At the same time 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　　　　　　 ✦

In one of the storage rooms within the same complex building, an elderly woman joyfully dances to classic hit that was popular in her time. Unfortunately, her little dance session is abruptly interrupted when a star-shaped portal unexpectedly materializes, tearing through the fabric of reality and remaining open long enough for its creator to tumble into the small room, dislodging multiple boxes in the process. Having served as a janitor for the company that owns the building for quite some time, she has grown accustomed to the unusual events that tend to unfold, allowing her to remain unfazed by the recent occurrence. With a frown directed at the spilled cleaning supplies, she removes her large music headset and exhales in mild irritation.

"Really ? This is the end of my shift."

The woman with platinum hair grunts in pain as she slowly rises, her eyes fixed on the prominent wound in her belly, her hand barely covering it. Growing irritated by the raspy voice of the janitor, she flicks her hand, silencing the elderly woman's chatter. The janitor's eyes lose their spark, becoming dull and lifeless, even though she's still breathing.

Limping her way out of the storage room, the injured woman curses under her breath. She loathes the fact that this puny descender caught her off guard, and she vows to ensure it never happens again. But for now, her priority is to get to Phanes. She needs to warn him that a greater threat is looming.

"Asmoday, don't you look terrible."

Disregarding her fellow shade, she attempts to walk past him, only to be halted by a hand on her shoulder. She hisses in pain and bats away Istaroth's hand, her golden eyes cautioning him not to mess with her, even in her weakened state. With an expression of utter disgust, he wipes the blood from his skin, staining his handkerchief, then meticulously inspects his nails for any lingering traces.

"Not that I give a shit, but you might want to consider changing styles. Let's be real here honey, red just ain't your thing."

Not in the mood to get caught up in her colleague's petty quarrel, she limps down the corridor, leaning on the wall for support and leaving gory and bloody marks in her wake. Hearing a snap of fingers, she grunts as she finds herself back next to Istaroth. Noticing the choke marks on his neck and the burnt skin causing his veins to protrude, Asmoday returns the animosity with a venomous retort.

"Have you seen yourself, asshole ? You look like shit that has been stepped on."

The shade dismisses her comment with a shrug as he gazes upward, the corridor lights flickering as if on the verge of fading completely.

"Well, that's what happens when you piss off our big guy upstairs."

Feeling a bit unsettled upon learning their master's sour mood, Asmoday glances at her fellow shade, puzzled about why he's acting like it's the best day of his life. It's been a while since she's seen him so genuinely joyful and carefree, almost seeming out of character. As he looks down at her while she coughs up a little blood, she can feel shivers going down her spine. A cheerful Istaroth is an unpredictable one.

But beyond fear, it unnerves her to see the typically grumpy god sporting such a crappy grin.

"Oh, please. You really thought he'd cut you some slack because you decided to wake up with a dick between your legs ?"

"And yet, you believe that playing the obedient lapdog will save your ass. I wonder who's the delusional one here."

As he peeks at one of the watches on his wrist, his smile tightens slightly. Confused about what he might be expecting, Asmoday's senses sharpen as the building begins to rumble. Glancing at her fellow shade, she realizes it's not just any ordinary earthquake.

"You didn't, you fucking pigeon."

Assuming a fighting stance, Asmoday grits her teeth to push through the pain as more blood seeps from her wound. It's solely due to her powers that she can still draw breath after losing so much fluids. Despite knowing she's not capable of defeating him in her current condition, even with his own bruises, she refuses to meet her end at the hands of a treacherous traitor like him.

"Oh, but I did. Though you're giving me too much credit. I simply distracted the infatuated fool with a threat he couldn't overlook."

The wounded shade struggles to comprehend why he would betray them after all this time. While she understands his disdain for Phanes and anything associated with him, and acknowledges that time holds no significance for him, she still wonders why he would sacrifice everything for you.

"Why go such lenght for them ? They're just a guide."

Istaroth's smile dims slightly as the lights in the corridor begin flickering once more. Glaring down at Asmoday, the shade shows no hesitation as he has already made his decision.

"You see, as for now, Phanes believes you're six feet under. Wouldn't want to disappoint him, now would we?"

With a snap of his fingers, Asmoday collapses to her knees, gradually turning to ashes with a betrayed look in her eyes. Brushing off the remaining dust from his pants, Istaroth hopes that she'll appreciate the scene reminiscent of Hiroshima back in 1945. He hadn't anticipated her survival after what that descender did to her, she's definitely tougher than she appears. Snapping out of his thoughts, he stumbles as the entire building trembles once more. Chuckling, he rejoices in your success.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　　˚　　　　 . ★⋆.

　　　. 　　A little earlier　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　　　　　　 ✦

Inspecting his bloodied weapon, Aether pays no heed to the bodies of the guards who attempted to halt him. Displeased with the fact that the weapon you blessed him with is dirtied by the blood of nobodies, he proceeds to meticulously clean it. Though not entirely satisfied with the results, he glances at the neon loosing their brightness. In the darkness, he assumes a fighting stance, prepared to slay anything in his path.

As the lights flicker back to life, none of the guards' bodies remain to the eye, only the slender figure of the man, seemingly waiting. The cold neons accentuate his thin face and well-nourished black hair flowing along his body. His silver eyes, almost devoid of color, scrutinize him up and down in a judgmental manner.

"You should not be here."

With chills coursing down his spine, Aether takes a step back and tightens his grip on his sword. With just one sentence, Aether realizes that he's facing something far greater than the shade he fought to reach this point. Even if Aether can feel he's at a disadvantage, he's not one to back down. Unfortunately for him, he fails to grasp that this man isn't merely annoyed by his presence in his domain. For he had become the target of all the primordial one's frustrations and anger, he should consider himself lucky he's still able to breathe.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

In the midst of preparing to strike, Aether is stunned by the sudden disappearance of his sword. Startled, he lifts his head to find the man's face mere inches from his own. With a defiant tilt of his head, Aether faces the towering man head-on. Swiftly reaching for a spare knife at his belt, he lunges forward with his weapon. Yet, he staggers forward as the blade slices through empty air, the man vanishing in a blink. Surveying his surroundings, Aether notices that all exits have vanished, leaving the room illuminated solely by a solitary neon light above. Alert, Aether startles as a cold whisper brushes against his ear, sending a shiver down the blond boy's spine.

"You could hurt yourself."

Glancing back, Aether takes a close look at the necklace adorned with a small jewel around his neck. Unable to shake the familiar feeling he gets from the man, he scrutinizes his features while searching for any apparent weakness.

"You remind me of someone."

The man scoffs, straightens his back, and puts some distance between him and Aether. While he kows that the descender is simply dragging out the conversation to buy time, Phanes decides to indulge him. Being quite picky about his conversational partners, he isn't normaly the type to engage in small talk with his enemies. However, he supposes he can make an exception for this one.

"Humph, do I ?"

Left with no more weapons to spare, Aether clenches his fists and attempts to think of a way to breach his opponent's defense. Sometimes, nothing works better than a little provocation.

"I know they're here. And I need to talk with them."

"Oh, you won't, not on my watch."

Aether charges towards the man, poised to strike him down. Just as he's about to land a blow, the man dissipates into black sand upon impact, causing the descender to tumble and fall to the floor. Confused as to why the tiles has transformed into the same sand the man turned into, the blond traveler is left in shock as the scenery completely changes. Emerging in a boundless black desert bathed in the light of three moons against a starless sky, he fights to regain his footing.

"How did it feel ?"

As the man's voice echoes through the air, Aether begins to panic, finding himself getting pulled into quicksand. Unfortunately, the more he struggles to escape, the further he sinks. The moons high in the sky appear to mock him, as if he's to blame for his predicament. Taking a final breath before being completely submerged, the descender has no time to react as he suddenly falls into what seems like an endless void. However, it isn't truly limitless as he swiftly touches the bottom, landing on his back.

"To be unwanted."

Gritting his teeth together at the pain, Aether refuses to give up and strengthens himself once again. Observing the new scenery, his eyes widen upon seeing you in the distance. With his first step, a crack forms at his foot and extends towards you. As he starts to run in your direction, shattering the stone-like floor like thin ice, you only move farther away, leaving him alone in this hellish environement.

"Not good, does it ?"

With the temperature rising, the floor finally gives up under his weight, causing him to fall once again. Using his broken wings to somewhat cushion his fall, he manages to land on his feet.

"I get it, you know. Out of all, I might be the one closest to understanding what you're going through."

Observing the fire ravage the lands around him, a strange itch stirs within him as he starts to recognize the scenery. It's an itch he cannot scratch, only indicating that something is wrong. As screams resonate, he remains paralyzed, unable to break down at the sight before him.

"Nowhere to call home."

He witnesses his sister weeping over thousands of corpses, her gut-wrenching screams breaking his heart. Before he can take a step in her direction and call out to her, her head unnaturally snaps 180 degrees. Under Lumine's hateful glare, he begins to notice the clammy sensation on his hands, his horror growing as he realizes they are smeared with blood. He shuts his eyes tightly and pounds his head repeatedly, desperately trying to convince himself that the man is merely toying with his mind.

"You know, it took me a while to discover what was going on."

Upon opening his eyes, Aether discovers that he is now bound to a chair, the furniture itself constricting his hands behind his back. Before him, Phanes lounges in a comfortable seat, casually playing with the shattered intertwining of fate that symbolized the connection between you and the renowned traveler. Upon realizing this, the descender struggles against his restraints. Yet, as he attempts to vocalize his desire to reclaim it, no sound escapes his mouth.

"They hid you well. However, once the secret was out, all they could do was to plead on your behalf, begging me to spare your life."

Seeing that his captive had much to express, Phanes impulsively snaps his fingers, only to regret it instantly as Aether unleashes a furious scream that pierces his ears.

"You're the reason they abandoned me- !!"

The primordial being hastily snaps his fingers once more, brushing his forehead to alleviate the headache induced by just one sentence. Truly, this descender possesses the ability to irritate him like no one ever has, and he considers himself a patient man. Disregarding the claims of the blonde traveler, he dismissively waves his hand, prompting the furnitures to move out of his way as he approaches Aether.

"No, no, no, no, I didn't do anything. You see, I merely allowed them to toy with you. Ultimately, it was solely their choice to discard you."

Watching Aether squinting his eyes, revealing his lack of faith in the god's words, Phanes laughs mockingly at the sight. It's pitiful to see the descender place so much trust in you, as if you could truly be concerned with his well-being. Despite the man's assertions, Aether believes there must be a valid reason why you had to leave him, which is why he is determined to find you. You wouldn't have casted him aside simply out of boredom, would you?

"There's much about guides that you seem unaware of... Quite surprising, considering where you come from."

Feeling the release of his restraints, Aether is abruptly pulled to his feet as the room is swept away by an unknown force. Upon opening his eyes after the wind dies down, he finds himself up in the sky, with floating pillars adorning the scenery. As the setting evokes memories of the place where he first engaged in combat with the sustainer of the heavenly principles, a bad chilling sensation runs down his spine as something seizes his shoulders.

"You're free to believe me or not, but I understand how difficult it is to live in someone's shadow. First, your sister, then, [Name]. Perhaps it's time for you to learn how to be yourself."

As the god takes a melancholic tone towards the end of his words, he snaps out of whatever memory he was recalling. Aether, still unable to move on his own, observes a door materializing out of nowhere before swinging open, emitting a bright flashing light.

"Whatever, who am I kidding ? You never learn from your mistakes."

Stepping aside, Phanes waves with a slight fake smile on his lips.

"Oh and, you might want to start running."

Glancing behind him, Aether witnesses the stone slabs breaking and tumbling down. Rising to his feet, he makes a run for it. With his wings shattered from his previous journey that was intended to be the final one, he can only rely on his legs to reach the door. Leaping through it, his consciousness fades away.

'Resetting complete'

...

{Words : 7387}

Heya, finally i managed to post part 2 ! Sorry to keep you all waiting. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did while writing this.

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@lilisette24

#genshin impact #genshin sagau #sagau #yandere x reader #yandere genshin #yandere genshin impact #genshin x reader #Istaroth #Phanes #Asmoday #Creator x reader #Aether #Aether x reader #genshin x you #genshin impact x reader #self aware genshin #self aware au

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rhysdarbinizedarby · 1 year ago

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Our Flag Means Death Season 2

The New Zealand Film Commission and Tourism New Zealand partner with Max for season two of Our Flag Means Death to showcase New Zealand to international audiences.

Fast Facts

96% New Zealand crew

78% New Zealand cast

Production based at Kumeu Film Studios

Post-production took place in Auckland

10 New Zealand HODs

67 shoot days

35 sets built

780 Crew

Our Flag Means Death is executive produced by creator-showrunner David Jenkins and Emmy��-nominated star and New Zealander Taika Waititi. In addition to his duties as showrunner, Jenkins directed the first two episodes of season two. Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, and Antoine Douaihy also serve as executive producers. Production for the show moved from Los Angeles to New Zealand for its second season.

Our Flag Means Death stars New Zealanders Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby and David Fane, as well as Madeleine Sami (most recently of the Australian mystery-comedy Deadloch) and Samoan-born Anapela Polataivao.

Many of the key creatives and department heads are New Zealanders, including writer Maddie Dai, production designer Ra Vincent, hair and makeup designer Nancy Vincent and art decorator Megan Vertelle. Together, this talented team elevated Our Flag Means Death, contributing their individual expertise to create a visually stunning and emotionally engaging viewing experience. Of the 780 crew contracted onto the show, 350 worked full time.

Creative talent and picturesque landscapes were key motivators for the move Down Under. Showrunner David Jenkins said “We were looking at the season two budget and asking ‘How do you get the most money on screen?’ New Zealand was the answer. I’ve seen more of our budget end up on screen than it did in the U.S. in season one.”

New Zealand also added a breath-taking backdrop to the swashbuckling adventures of the crew. The lush greenery and stunning coastline provided the perfect setting for the 67-day shoot in Auckland at the end of 2022. There were around 50 sets involved, including the 30-acre forest behind the Kumeu Film Studio, Piha Beach, Howick Historical Village and the wild, black sand Bethells Beach.

And there’s one returning figure impossible to miss on the soundstage: The Revenge, the stately ship that Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard (a.k.a. Ed) commandeered at the end of season one. In real life, it was carefully transported across the Pacific Ocean from the show’s original Los Angeles soundstage. The Revenge is approximately 7m x 28m and there were 3x boat sets that were used to create 10 different boats. The production shot in the Dive Tank at Kumeu Film Studios, built a floating market in the Republic of Pirates, and provided storm water effects for The Revenge.

vimeo

Virtual Production

Given that many scenes in Our Flag Means Death take place on the deck of a ship at sea, virtual production was the most practical and cost-effective way of filming.

Virtual production is the process of generating motion picture or computer-generated photorealistic imagery displayed on a dynamically active large scale LED wall to create a ‘virtual’ environment or location on a soundstage.

Surrounding the ship was a giant “volume” wall comprised of 1700 LED monitors displaying a photorealistic ocean background with rolling waves. As a crane-mounted camera weaved around, the images on the digital display moved with it, creating a seamlessly integrated backdrop.

The New Zealand vendors that worked on the screen were NEP Sweetwater, NEP Big Picture, Riggaz with Attitudes, Theatrical Solutions, Xytech and Disguise.

The creative benefit of shooting on the volume wall was that the production could shoot in multiple locations and times of day all within just a few hours. Additionally, the actors could interact with what they are seeing and the lighting shifted in real time.

Careful planning of scenes and shots resulted in the rapid and efficient deployment of a select number of pre-processed moving plates (backgrounds) on set. Paihia, Bay of Islands, Mercer Bay Loop and Waitakere were among the New Zealand locations featured in the plate shots.

The New Zealand Screen Production Rebate - (International) and 5% Uplift

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) partnered with Max on season two of the show as a part of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant 5% Uplift.

The partnership recognised the significant economic, cultural and industry benefits the Our Flag Means Death production brought to New Zealand. This included a marketing partnership with TNZ and NZFC to promote New Zealand as a tourism and filmmaking destination. It also included a knowledge-sharing programme related to the LED Volume Wall used during production, and collaborations with New Zealand-based virtual production companies and a wider industry workshop.

The 5% Uplift has now been redeveloped:It’s simple to navigate, and the criteria is clearer and more objective. Has increased opportunities to earn points in the test. Has increased weighting on New Zealand screen workforce development and production activity. Recognises repeat business to encourage studios and productions to return. Introduces sustainability criteria to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s shift to a low-emissions economy.

Applications open for the redeveloped 5% Uplift on 1 November 2023, documentation and guidance will be provided before this date.

The New Zealand Film Commission administers the NZSPR for International Productions on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The purpose of the NZSPR for International Productions is to incentivise the production of foreign and domestic large budget films, television and other format productions in New Zealand in order to provide economic and industry development benefits to New Zealand. More information here.

A domestic rebate is also available to New Zealand productions and Official Co-productions. Click here for more information.

About Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death is based (very) loosely on the true adventures of 18th century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby). After trading the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede became captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes changed after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). To their surprise, the wildly different Stede and Blackbeard found more than friendship on the high seas…they found love. Now, they have to survive it.

In New Zealand, season two debuts on Neon on October 6 and is coming soon to Sky Open.

Source: New Zealand Film Commission

#rhys darby #taika waititi #ofmd #our flag means death #david jenkins #nzfilm #new zealand film commission #Vimeo #ofmd s2 spoilers

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grantgoddard · 8 months ago

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Mister Soul Of Jamaica … and Thamesmead : 1938-2008 : reggae artist Alton Ellis

The first record played on the first week’s show of the first reggae music programme on British radio was a single by Alton Ellis, a magnificent singer/songwriter too often overlooked when reggae legends are named. I immediately fell in love with his soulful voice, his perfect pitch and his beautifully clear enunciation, rushing out to buy ‘La La Means I Love You’ [Nu Beat NB014], unaware it was recorded two years earlier. Like many of Ellis’ recordings, this was a cover version of an American soul hit (despite the label’s songwriter credit), though Ellis distinguished himself from contemporaries by also writing his own ‘message’ songs with striking lyrics and memorable hooks. My next single purchases were noteworthy Ellis originals:

‘Lord Deliver Us’ [Gas 161] included an unusual staccato repeated bridge and lines that demonstrated Ellis’ humanitarian pre-occupations, including “Let the naked be clothed, let the blind be led, let the hungry be fed” and “Children, go on to school! Be smarter than your fathers, don’t be a fool!” Its wonderful B-side instrumental starts with a shouted declaration “Well, I am the originator, so you’ve come to copy my tune?” that predates similar statements on many DJ records.

‘Sunday’s Coming’ [Banana BA318] has imaginative chord progressions, a huge choir on its chorus and lyrics “Better get your rice’n’peas, better get your fresh fresh beans’’ that locate it firmly as a Jamaican original rather than an American cover version. Why does it last a mere two minutes thirty seconds? The B-side’s saxophone version demonstrates how ethereal the rhythm track is and shows off the dominant rhythm guitar riff beautifully. It’s a masterclass in music production.

It was only after Ellis had emigrated to Britain in 1973 that a virtual ‘greatest hits’ album of his classic singles produced by Duke Reid was finally released the following year, entitled ‘Mr Soul Of Jamaica’ [Treasure Isle 013]. I recall buying this import LP in Daddy Peckings’ newly opened reggae record shop at 142 Askew Road and loved every track on one of reggae’s most consistently high-quality albums (akin to Marley’s ‘Legend’). It bookended Ellis’ most creative studio partnership in Jamaica when Reid had to retire through ill health.

What was it that made Ellis’ recordings so significant? Primarily, as the album title confirms, it was that his voice uniquely sounded more ‘soul’ than ‘reggae’, occupying the same territory as Jamaica’s ‘Sam & Dave’-like duo ‘The Blues Busters’. I have always harboured the sentiment that, if he had been able to record in America during the 1960’s, Ellis could have been a hugely popular soul singer there. Maybe label owner Duke Reid shared this thought, having recorded ‘soul’ versions of some of Ellis’ biggest songs for inclusion in a 1968 compilation album ‘Soul Music For Sale’ [Treasure Isle LP101/5]. However, at the time, reggae was a completely unknown genre in mainstream America, so Reid’s soul recordings remained unknown there. [The sadly deleted 2003 compilation ‘Work Your Soul’ [Trojan TJDCD069] collected some fascinating soul versions by Reid and other producers.]

Secondly, Ellis’ superb Duke Reid recordings were backed by Treasure Isle studio house band ‘Tommy McCook & the Supersonics’ whose multitude of recordings during the ska, rocksteady and reggae eras on their own and backing so many singers/groups demonstrated a tightness and professionalism that is breathtaking. Using only basic equipment in the studio above Reid’s Bond Street liquor store, engineer Errol Brown produced phenomenal results for the time, operating a ‘quality control’ that belied the release of dozens of recordings every month.

Finally, Ellis’ recordings displayed a microphone technique that was unique in reggae and demonstrated his astute knowledge of studio production techniques. At the end of lines, he would sometimes turn his head away from the microphone whilst singing a note. Because Jamaican studios were not built acoustically ‘dead’, Ellis’ head movement not only translated into his voice trailing off into the distance (like a train pulling away) but also allowed the listener to hear his voice bouncing off the studio walls. ‘Reverberation’ equipment to create this effect technically was used minimally in studios until the 1970’s ‘dub’ era, so Ellis seemed to have improvised manually. Perhaps he had heard this effect on American soul records of the time?

On one of his biggest songs from 1969, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ [Treasure Isle 220], you can hear Ellis use this effect during the chorus when he sings the words ��everybody knows”, particularly just prior to the fade-out. It is similarly evident on Ellis’ vocal contribution to the brilliant DJ version of the same song, ‘Melinda’ by I-Roy [on album Trojan TRLS63] recorded in 1972.

The same vocal technique is audible on other songs including ‘Girl I’ve Got A Date’ [Treasure Isle DSR1691] in which Ellis elongates the word “tree” into “treeeeee”, as well as “breeze” into “breeeeeeze”, whilst moving his head away from the microphone.

youtube

I had always been intrigued by Ellis’ recording technique but had not thought anything more of it until, entirely by accident half a century later, I found startling 1960’s footage recorded at the Sombrero Club on Molynes Road up from Half Way Tree, Jamaica. Backed by Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, an uncredited vocal group I presume to be ‘The Blues Busters’ performed their 1964 recording “I Don’t Know” [Island album ILP923] during which one of the duo (Lloyd Campbell or Phillip James) moves his head away from the microphone at the end of lines, similar to what can be heard on Ellis’ recordings.

This started me searching for 1960’s footage of Ellis performing live. Sadly, I found nothing (either solo or in his previous duo with Eddie Parkins as ‘Alton & Eddy’ [sic], similar to ‘The Blues Busters’) to see if he emulated this vocal technique on stage too. For me, it remains amazing that the smallest characteristics audible in a studio recording (particularly from analogue times) can offer so much insight into the ad hoc techniques adopted to overcome the limitations of available technology. The ingenuity of music production in Jamaica during this period was truly remarkable.

Prior to emigration, Ellis had toured Britain in 1967, performing with singer Ken Boothe. Whilst in London, he recorded a single ‘The Message’ [Pama PM707] in which he raps freestyle rather than sings, fifteen years prior to Grandmaster Flash’s hit rap track of the same name, and declares truthfully “I’m the rocksteady king, sir”. Its B-side pokes fun at 'English Talk' that he must have heard during his visit. The backing music is the clunky Brit reggae of the time, but Ellis’ subject matter is fascinating for its innovation.

1971’s ‘Arise Black Man’ [Aquarius JA single] includes the lyric “From Kingston to Montego, black brothers and sisters, arise black man, take a little step, show them that you can, ‘coz you’ve got the right to show it, you’ve got the right to know it”. The verses and chorus “We don’t need no evidence now” are backed by a big choir. It’s a phenomenal tune despite not even having received a UK release at the time. (Was the chorus a reference to Britain's 1971 Immigration Act in which a Commonwealth applicant was "required to present [...] forms of evidence" to "prove that they have the right of abode" in the UK?)

The same year, ‘Back To Africa’ [Gas GAS164] has the chorus “Goin’ to back to Africa, ‘coz I’m black, goin’ back to Africa, and it’s a fact’ backed by a choir once again. There’s an adlibbed interjection “Gonna stay there, 1999, I gotta get there” that predates Hugh Mundell’s seminal song ‘Africans Must Be Free By 1983’.

Again in 1971, Ellis re-recorded his song ‘Black Man’s Pride’ [Bullet BU466], previously made for producer Coxson Dodd [Coxson JA single], with it’s shocking (at the time) chorus “I was born a loser, because I’m a black man”. The verses are a history lesson in slavery: “We have suffered our whole lives through, doing things that they’re supposed to do, we were beaten ‘til our backs were black and blue” and “I was living in my own land, I was moved because of white men’s plans, now I’m living in a white man’s land”. I consider this phenomenal song the direct antecedent of similarly themed, outspoken recordings by Joe Higgs (‘More Slavery’ [Grounation GROL2021]) and Burning Spear (“Slavery Days” [Fox JA pre]) in 1975. If only this Ellis song was as well-known as Winston Rodney’s! [In initial recorded versions, “loser” was replaced by “winner” and the song retitled ‘Born A Winner’.]

I first discovered Ellis’ song ‘Good Good Loving’ [FAB 165] as the vocal produced by Prince Buster for a DJ track by teenager Little Youth on the 1972 compilation album ‘Chi Chi Run’ [FAB MS8, apologies for the language] called ‘Youth Rock’. At the time, I was crazy about this recording, combining a high-pitched youthful talkover with a solid rhythm and Ellis’ trademark voice in the mix. I will be forever mystified as to why the DJ (sounding like Hugh Mundell/Jah Levi) seems to refer to “Cool Version by The Gallows [sic]” in his lyrics!

In 1973, Ellis released the song I never tire of hearing, ‘Truly’ [Pyramid PYR7003], that benefits from such a laid-back rhythm that it feels it could come to an abrupt stop at times. It is one of Ellis’ simplest but most effective songs and has become a staple of reggae ‘lovers’ singers since, employing wonderfully unanticipated chord changes. It sounds like a self-production, even though UK sound system man Lloyd Coxsone’s name is on the label. This should have been a huge hit record!

There are so many more Ellis tracks from this fertile early 1970’s period that make interesting listening, recorded for many different producers and released on different labels. Sadly, no CD or digital compilation has managed to embrace them all. I still live in hope.

After Ellis moved permanently to Britain during his late thirties, he must have struggled in the same way as some of his contemporaries, trying to sustain their careers in the ‘motherland’. Despite UK chart successes, Desmond Dekker, Nicky Thomas, Bob Andy and Jimmy Cliff were very much viewed as one-off ‘novelty’ hitmakers by the mainstream media rather than developing artists. Worse, Ellis had never touched the British charts. Neither did the majority of reggae tracks produced then in British studios sound particularly ‘authentic’ to the music’s audience, let alone the wider ‘pop’ market. Ellis performed at the many reggae clubs around Britain but the rewards must have been limited.

Ellis’ British commercial success came unexpectedly when another ‘novelty’ reggae single shot to number one in the UK charts in 1977. Its story is complicated! The previous year, Ellis’ 1967 song ‘I’m Still In Love With You’ had been covered in Jamaica by singer Marcia Aitken [Joe Gibbs JA pre]. A DJ version by Trinity over the identical rhythm followed called ‘Three Piece Suit’ [Belmont JA pre]. Then two young girls, Althia & Donna, recorded their debut as an ‘answer’ record to Trinity on the same rhythm and named it ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ [Joe Gibbs JA pre]. Other producers released their own ‘answer’ records, rerecording the identical rhythm, all of which could be heard one after the other blaring from minibuses’ sound systems in Jamaica at the time. Unfortunately for Ellis, Jamaica had no songwriting royalty payment system in those days.

I remember first hearing ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ as an import single on John Peel’s ‘BBC Radio One’ evening show. Even once it had been given a UK release [Lightning LIG506], Ellis was still omitted from the songwriting credit by producer Gibbs. Legal action followed and eventually Ellis was rewarded with half of the record’s songwriting royalties (for the music but not the lyrics), a considerable sum for a UK number one hit then. The same track (re-recorded due to producer Joe Gibbs’ intransigence) was then included on an album that Althia & Donna made for Virgin Records the following year [Front Line FL1012] that had global distribution, earning Ellis additional royalties.

Also in 1977, Ellis produced twenty-year-old London singer Janet Kay’s first record, a version of hit soul ballad ‘Lovin’ You’, released on his ‘All Tone’ label [AT006] that, prior to emigration, he had created in Jamaica to release his own productions. Ellis’ soul sensibilities and music production experience inputted directly into the creation of what became known (accidentally) as ‘lovers rock’, a uniquely British sub-genre that perfectly blended soul and reggae into love songs recorded mostly by teenage girls. This ‘underground’ music went on to dominate British reggae clubs and pirate radio stations for the next decade, even pushing Kay’s ‘Silly Games’ [Arawak ARK DD 003] to number two in the UK pop singles chart two years later.

Into the 1980’s and 1990’s, Ellis continued to release more UK productions on his label, including a ‘25th Silver Jubilee’ album [All Tone ALT001] in 1984 that revisited nineteen of his biggest hits, celebrating a career that had started in Jamaica as half of the duo in 1959. I recall Ellis visiting ‘Radio Thamesmead’ in 1986, the community cable station where I was employed at the time. He was living on London’s Thamesmead council estate and was interviewed about his label’s latest releases.

On 10 October 2008 at the age of seventy, Ellis died of cancer in Hammersmith Hospital. He had been awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaica government in 1994 for his contributions to the island’s music industry. I continue to derive a huge amount of satisfaction from listening to his many recordings dating back to the beginning of the 1960’s and wish he was acknowledged more widely for his outstanding contributions to reggae music.

Now, when I think of Alton Ellis, I fondly recall my daily car commute into work at KISS FM radio, Holloway Road in 1990/1991 with colleague Debbi McNally, us both singing along at the top of our voices to my homemade cassette compilation playing Alton Ellis’ beautiful 1968 rocksteady version of Chuck Jackson’s 1961 song ‘Willow Tree’ [Treasure Isle TI7044].

“Cry not for me, my willow tree … ‘coz I have found the love I’ve searched for.”

[I have curated an Alton Ellis playlist on Spotify though many significant recordings are unavailable.]

#Grant Goddard #Jamaica #London #lovers rock #music #radio #radio station #Radio Thamesmead #record shop #reggae #Youtube

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inkadeals · 2 years ago

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#ProForm #Pro2000 #Health #Wellness #Exercise #Fitness #Equipment #Cardio #Treadmills

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vpsets · 2 days ago

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Beyond the Green Screen: The Rise of Virtual Production Cinematography

Every decade has seen a revolutionary change in the way stories are portrayed in the quickly changing world of film. Filmmakers have consistently pushed the limits of visual storytelling, from the heyday of practical effects to blockbusters that primarily use computer-generated imagery. The emergence of virtual production cinematography, a ground-breaking fusion of real-time technology, digital surroundings, and real-world sets that is revolutionizing the whole filmmaking industry, is now one of the most fascinating developments in the field.

What is Virtual Production?Fundamentally, virtual production involves incorporating visual effects (VFX) and real-time technology into the filmmaking process. Virtual production enables filmmakers to construct and manage digital worlds and assets in real-time, frequently during the shot itself, in contrast to traditional post-production visual effects, when CGI is applied after filming.

This technology eliminates the need for conventional green or blue screens by fusing large, fully realized virtual backgrounds with actual actors and objects.

The usage of LED volumes and enormous walls of LED displays that project ultra-high quality digital worlds is one of the essential elements of virtual creation. With real-time backgrounds that alter in response to lighting, camera movements, and other dynamic elements, these LED walls take the place of green screens and fully immerse performers in the action.

The Technology Behind the MagicModern game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity enable virtual production by immediately rendering high-fidelity 3D environments. Originally created for computer games, these engines have been modified to produce visuals of cinematic quality for TV and movies. They enable filmmakers to shoot in virtual worlds, allowing them to instantly alter lighting and sceneries.

The Mandalorian, one of the first big projects to heavily use virtual production, is a great illustration of this technology in action. The filmmakers created immersive sets using enormous LED walls rather than using green screens for intricate VFX scenes or shooting on location, which allowed for a more seamless integration of digital and live-action aspects.

Key Benefits of Virtual Production

1. Immersive Environments for Actors

The lack of actor immersion in green screen work is one of the main complaints. By immersing them in the environment they are interacting with, virtual production alters this. Actors are able to react to their environment more organically rather than imagining what's behind them, which results in more genuine performances.

2. Real-Time Adjustments

The setting, lighting, and camera angles can all be altered in real time by directors and cinematographers. Do you need to change the illumination during a sunset? No issue. Do you want a winter scene instead of a desert as the background? Completed. This versatility eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming reshoots, saving both money and time.

3. Reduced Production Costs

Virtual production technology can save a lot of money over time, even though it involves a large initial investment. It is quite helpful to be able to shoot in several locations without having to leave the studio, which lowers travel and logistics costs. Additionally, it lessens the need for sizable VFX teams in post-production, enabling more work to be done while filming.

4. Environmentally Friendly Filmmaking

Virtual production provides an eco-friendly substitute in a time when sustainability is increasingly important for many industries. This technique helps reduce the carbon impact of film productions by eliminating the need for large-scale set constructions and on-location filming.

#virtual production assets #virtual production cinematography

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naderi9 · 14 days ago

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Green Screens vs. LED Walls

In today’s world of digital content creation and video production, choosing the right background solution can be crucial to your project’s success. Green screens and LED walls are two of the most popular technologies used to create dynamic, engaging backgrounds. But which option is best for your needs? In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of green screens and LED walls to help you make an informed decision.

What is a Green Screen?

A green screen, also known as chroma key, is a backdrop typically made of green fabric or paint that allows editors to replace the background with virtually any image or video in post-production. This technique has been widely used in film, TV, and photography for years.

Advantages of Green Screens

Cost-Effectiveness Green screens are generally more affordable than LED walls, making them a great choice for smaller budgets. A simple green backdrop and the appropriate editing software are all you need to get started.

Post-Production Flexibility With green screen technology, you have virtually limitless options in post-production. You can replace the background with any still image, video, or animation, which opens up creative possibilities that might be harder to achieve with physical sets.

Lightweight and Portable Green screens are relatively easy to set up and move, making them ideal for smaller studios or on-location shoots where space and time are limited.

Disadvantages of Green Screens

Lighting Challenges Lighting a green screen properly can be tricky. Uneven lighting or shadows can result in poor keying, leading to a less professional look. It requires a controlled environment and skilled lighting techniques to get the best results.

Post-Production Time Removing the green background and inserting a new one takes time and technical expertise. For projects with tight deadlines, green screen editing might slow down the process.

Limited Interactivity Actors and presenters interacting with the background can be challenging with green screens. Actions like picking up virtual objects or physically engaging with the environment are less feasible.

What is an LED Wall?

An LED wall is a high-resolution video wall made up of interconnected LED panels. These walls display images or videos in real-time, creating immersive backdrops that don’t require post-production editing.

Advantages of LED Walls

Real-Time Backgrounds LED walls allow for dynamic, real-time backgrounds that actors and presenters can interact with immediately. There’s no need for post-production editing, which can save time and streamline workflows.

Enhanced Immersion LED walls create an immersive environment by providing real-world lighting and reflections. This is particularly effective for high-quality productions that require realistic lighting and high fidelity between actors and backgrounds.

Flexible for Live Events Unlike green screens, LED walls are effective for live events where instant background changes and real-time visuals are needed. They are commonly used for concerts, corporate events, and live broadcasts.

Reduced Post-Production Needs Because the background is displayed in real-time, LED walls can significantly reduce post-production requirements. This means that what you see on set is what you get in the final product.

Disadvantages of LED Walls

Higher Costs LED walls require more substantial upfront investment. The cost of the panels, hardware, and installation, as well as maintenance, can add up, making LED walls a premium solution.

Space Requirements LED walls are typically larger and require more space than green screens. For smaller studios or tight locations, setting up an LED wall might not be feasible.

Power Consumption LED walls consume more power than a green screen setup, which can lead to higher operational costs. For long filming sessions or extensive use, this may be a significant factor to consider.

Comparing Green Screens and LED Walls

FeatureGreen ScreensLED WallsCostMore budget-friendlyHigher upfront and operational costsPost-ProductionExtensive editing neededMinimal to no editing requiredPortabilityLightweight, portableRequires significant setup and spaceInteractivityLimited interactivity with virtual backgroundsAllows real-time, interactive environmentsLighting ControlRequires careful lighting setupProvides realistic lighting and reflectionsSuitabilityIdeal for smaller projects or budgetsIdeal for high-budget or live productions

Which Option is Right for You?

Choosing between a green screen and an LED wall ultimately depends on your production’s specific needs, budget, and goals. Here are some final recommendations:

Use a Green Screen if:

You are working with a limited budget.

You have a controlled environment with adequate lighting.

You don’t require real-time backgrounds and can allocate time for post-production editing.

Use an LED Wall if:

You need real-time, interactive backgrounds for live events or broadcasts.

Your project requires realistic lighting and immersion for a high-end production.

You want to save time in post-production by capturing the final background in real-time.

Megahertz LED Wall rental

Conclusion

Both green screens and LED walls offer unique advantages for digital content creators. Green screens are a great option for budget-friendly projects where post-production is feasible, while LED walls provide a more immersive and interactive experience for real-time applications. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, you can choose the backdrop solution that best suits your creative vision and production needs.

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jonaleddelhi · 1 month ago

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Jona LED Innovation-Crossing Facets of Industry with the Versatility of LED Displays

As a technological innovation, LED screens deliver dynamic and interactive visual content in diverse applications. Among its product lines, the company Jona LED has provided various products specifically designed for each industry to cope with target needs in providing good performance and quality. From virtual studios to shopping malls, restaurants, and schools, Jona LED digital displays have revolutionized the different ways in which we are relating to digital content in both public and professional environments.

LED Display for Virtual Studios by Jona LED

High-definition visualization is still one of the most essential requirements for virtual studios in which the outside or real world is simulated for broadcasting, filming, and live events. HD backdrops that do not lag at all would make the production quality really top-notch. High color accuracy, real-time rendering of visuals, smooth refresh rates will allow filmmakers and content creators to get very realistic, dynamic sets with minimal post-production work.

Jona LED offers virtual studio solutions in flexible indoor and outdoor locations, allowing directors to be fully in control of lighting and scenery. With features like HDR support and ultra low latency, LED walls can combine real-world objects with a virtual environment to create visually appealing scenes enhancing storytelling and the audience's interest in the movie.

LED Display for Restaurant & Bars by Jona LED

In a high-energy restaurant and bar environment, clearness in communication as well as visible appeal are top priorities. The LED Display for Restaurants & Bars is a multifunctional aesthetical device which creates catchy digital menu boards, advertisements, entertainment content, to attract attention and create a high-impact visual experience for any establishment.

With features such as the reconfigurability of screen layouts, high-brightness screen displays, and energy efficiency, Jona LED displays ensure that the message is clear and sharp, even in dimly lit or high-lit settings. From showcasing daily special deals to live sporting events or other dynamic content, the robustness and long life of Jona LED displays offer many benefits for businesses looking to transform their customer experience and impact engagement.

LED Display for Schools by Jona LED

Digital learning tools are crucial in the education sector for teaching/learning improvement and student involvement. Jona LED's LED display for schools is an innovative solution for modern classrooms, auditoriums, and campuses. Interactive learning environments are further supported by clear visuals that are useful to facilitate instruction, presentations, and virtual events.

With user-friendly software and high image resolution, these LED displays are suitable for digital signage in corridors in schools, real-time announcements, or even large presentations in school auditoriums. Jona LED pays specific attention to the requirements of the educational institution, providing energy-efficient and long-lasting displays that support dynamic learning environments at minimal operating costs.

LED Display for Shopping Malls by Jona LED

Shopping malls are a set of competing individual brands and business showcase their offerings to the customers. Jona LED developed an LED Display for Shopping Malls, such as massive video walls or interactive displays, through which their offerings can grab shoppers and retail campaigns while creating an overall enhanced shopping experience.

That these LED displays can present high-resolution content in both indoor and outdoor mall settings, flexibility to locate and arrange, is capable of leveraging them by retailers for their product promotions, interactive advertisements, even wayfinding. With vibrant color quality, robust construction, and easy-to-update software, Jona LED displays stay as a central feature for the modern retail spaces while engaging the visitors by showcasing the businesses visually potent presentation of their offerings.

Conclusion

Jona LED's varied range of LED display solutions is transforming businesses with powerful, flexible, and innovative products for given environments. Whether it would be the creation of an immersive virtual studio experience, the enhancement of ambiance in restaurants and bars, support of interactive learning capabilities for school children, or elevating marketing strategies inside the walls of shopping malls, Jona LED displays provide excellent performance and value.

With flexibility to adapt to the specific demands of each sector, displays by Jona LED are not just a matter of attractive visual presentations but a way to revolutionize how people interact and experience their digital content. In an ever-growing market for highly versatile and impactful visual solutions, Jona LED stays on par with the times and keeps on rolling out products where functionality and creativity harmonize to perfection.

#LED Display for Virtual Studio #LED Display for Restaurant & Bar #LED Display for Schools #LED Display for Shopping Mall

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rashapofessional · 1 month ago

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XR LED Wall by Rasha Professional: Elevate Your Visual Experience

Transform your events and presentations with the XR LED Wall by Rasha Professional. This cutting-edge display offers stunning clarity and vibrant colors, perfect for immersive experiences in any setting. Whether for concerts, conferences, or exhibitions, the XR LED Wall delivers unparalleled visual impact, ensuring your message resonates with your audience.

#xr led wall

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hawaiiled · 2 months ago

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As virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) continue to evolve, how might LED screen technology adapt to provide more immersive experiences for users

As VR and AR advance to more immersive levels, the role of LED screen technology is progressing at a fast pace in comparison to higher efforts that are more intensive and lifelike. As strong resolutions and colorful colors are adaptable from second to second, it will soon help in positively enhancing the visual environments of VR and AR and offer unmatched realism and interaction for their users.

1. Excellent Display Capability for Immersive Experiences The most intuitive way LED screens address VR and AR at present is through pixel density and refresh rates increase. A virtual or augmented world is critical to clarity. High-definition LED displays with superior refresh rates reduce motion blur and latency, creating a very seamless transition between reality and the world being created on the screen. Objects, whether projected by a VR headset or created via an AR overlay, are highly realistic and razor-sharp with advanced LED technology.

In the VR environments, LED screens further the frontier because they come in curved and bendable displays that can afford 360-degree views all-around panoply-that is to say, 360 degrees. These screens are apt for VR arenas, immersive game settings, or virtual training programs where users ought to be fully wrapped in the digital world. Flexibility of these LED displays makes them wrap around users with enlargement in depth and scope of an experience.

2. Integration of LED Displays with Mixed Reality Graphics Mixed reality, the blend of both AR and VR, is best suited for adaptive LED displays. Imagine semi-transparent LED screens that allow an audience to engage with digital overlay on top of their physical environment. These are the types of displays that will increasingly contribute to the rapidly expanding AR market as consumers weigh real-world input through the surroundings with their augmentations of virtuality. For example, transparent LED displays on shop windows or the back of buses enable a projection of AR information over any view of the actual worldfor improving customers' experience or even navigation systems.

3. Immersive Shared Spaces with LED Screens As experiences in VR and AR graduate from an individual setting to shared, social environments, large-scale LED displays are going into VR theaters, immersive entertainment venues, and virtual collaboration spaces. Expansive LED walls can surround users to create a holographic effect or synchronize virtual elements with real-time movements. For example, in VR-based training or simulations, a 360-degree LED video wall can carry a user through a realistic scenario, vastly enhancing the experience.

Retailers can integrate augmented reality with LED video walls that can detect the presence of customers; this will give an ambient visualizing of personalized content or interactive advertisements. When motion-sensing LED screens will be an innovation in AR technology, it will be a fever: users can project themselves into a physical space to continue touch with virtual elements in an immersive and interactive shopping or entertainment experience.

4. Collaborative and Interactive Applications Another major area where LED screens are opening up is in their usage as collaboration surfaces for mixed-reality applications like collaborative VR and AR. For example, the LED video wall installed in a control room or in a design studio will act as a collaboration device that enables teams to interact with the data or the 3D model in the mixed reality. In this case, with the touch-sensitive nature of the LED screens, users can flip objects and designs around in real-time as means of building that bridge between digital and physical interaction.

This would be helpful in industries related to architecture, engineering, and medicine since they can work together in real-time; teams can project a life-size 3D model from an LED display wherein the users wearing AR glasses can interact with designs, simulate change, or raise problems together.

5. LEDs in Future Immersive Experiences Micro-LED technology is likely to dominate in the future. Micro-LEDs are brighter, with higher contrast, and consume less energy than their contemporaries; they are ideal for use in the case of outdoor VR or AR wearables due to lighting conditions. The transparent micro-LED screens will be revolutionary in HMDs both for VR and AR, as more "real" and unobstructed visuals can be experienced by the user.

We can see holographic LED displays in the future as well. In this, there will be screens which project 3D visuals into physical space without requiring anyone to wear VR headsets or AR glasses. This can revolutionize sectors like education, gaming healthcare, and retail with fully immersive experiences in open environments.

LEDs become a critical piece of even more immersive, interactive, and engaging experiences built for users as VR and AR evolve. From flexible, curved displays through transparent panels to large video walls, the development of LEDs will form the core of these emerging technologies. With adaptation to demands from VR/AR applications, LEDs are poised to redefine the experience of virtual worlds and interaction with digital information in everyday life.

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szledworlddavid · 2 months ago

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RGBLEDWORLD's Fine Pitch LED Display

In spaces where every pixel counts, fine-pitch LED displays are the ultimate solution for delivering stunning visual clarity and detail. RGB LED World is a leader in fine-pitch LED technology, offering displays with incredibly tight pixel pitches that deliver razor-sharp images, even at close viewing distances.

Fine-pitch LED displays are ideal for indoor settings such as control rooms, broadcasting studios, luxury retail environments, and corporate presentations. These displays provide an unmatched level of detail, making them perfect for applications where viewers are up close and demand high levels of precision. Whether displaying intricate designs, high-definition videos, or complex data visualizations, fine-pitch LED displays from RGB LED World deliver exceptional performance.

What sets RGB LED World's fine-pitch LED displays apart is their modular design, allowing businesses to create displays of virtually any size or shape without compromising on image quality. The seamless panels ensure that visuals remain uninterrupted, giving a smooth and cohesive viewing experience.

With energy-efficient designs and low heat output, these displays are not only powerful but also eco-friendly, making them a smart choice for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

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tamanna31 · 2 months ago

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Virtual Production Market Segments and Key Trends 2024-2030

Virtual Production Industry Overview

The global virtual production market size was estimated at USD 2.11 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2024 to 2030.

Virtual production enables filmmakers to interactively visualize and explore digital scenes, such as realistic virtual characters, three-dimensional graphics, and a real-time virtual interactive background environment within the studio. Vast developments in the field of virtual production over the years have led to the introduction of solutions that allow filmmakers to transfer the motion-captured movement of an actor to virtual characters, which are then previewed in real-time, in combination with live-action footage and virtual set extension elements. Such solutions help filmmakers plan and communicate their creative ideas in new and more intuitive ways. The increasing demand for visual effects (VFX) in movie production studios worldwide and rising application scope of virtual production in commercial ads are likely to drive market growth.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of theVirtual Production Market

During the pandemic in 2020, prominent Hollywood filmmakers, including NBC, MTV, and ABC, began adopting Virtual Production using cloudbusting, which involved using a robotic camera like the Solo Cinebot, to shoot the actors remotely. The increased adoption of LED video wall technology is augmenting the implementation of virtual production across the media and entertainment sectors. LED video walls display computer-generated graphics in the background and enable filmmakers to capture visual effects in real time. The LED video wall technology has substituted a green screen, making film production more accessible after the break of COVID-19. For instance, in April 2020, ABC's show SkyLine filmed all their real-life scenes in a 360-degree camera and displayed them on the LED screen instead of the green screen. LED video wall screens create a realistic background visual that replaces an actual shoot location while saving the entire crew time and money.

For instance, The Mandalorian TV series has extensively used semicircular LED video walls for the in-house shoot and virtual production technology for overall production, eliminating the need for on-location shoots. Disney used LED walls of dimensions 20 feet high, 75 feet wide, and 270 degrees, which made it possible to present the movement of the 3D image concerning the camera's movement. The rising popularity of web series containing visual effects and three-dimensional graphic environments encourages video-makers to implement virtual production technology in their video content. Popular web and television series, such as Games of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, Black Mirror, and Outlander, have extensively implemented visual graphics to create epic and historical scenes. VFX helps produce high-quality video content with realistic graphic characters and artificial scenes that enrich the viewing experience.

Moreover, virtual production technology helps reduce video production costs by eliminating the need to shoot at expensive sites and bringing pre-visualization (a part of the pre-production process) on set. Pre-visualization creates a first three-dimensional representation of the final visual effects action sequence to help movie-makers plan out camera placement and other creative/technical requirements. For instance, in April 2022, HTC VIVE, a computer and electronics manufacturing company, released a virtual production technology named VIVE Mars CamTrack. It accelerates, simplifies, and lowers the cost of virtual production software by combining the complete camera tracking workflow into a small plug-and-play module with professional-grade functionality.

Browse through Grand View Research's Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

The global artificial intelligence market size was estimated at USD 196.63 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 36.6% from 2024 to 2030.

The global machine learning market size was valued at USD 36.73 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.8% from 2023 to 2030.

Key Companies profiled:

360Rize

Adobe

Arashi Vision Inc. (Insta 360)

Autodesk Inc.

BORIS FX, INC

Epic Games, Inc.

HTC Corporation (VivePort)

HumanEyes Technologies

Mo-Sys Engineering Ltd.

NVIDIA Corporation.

Panocam3d.com

Pixar (The Walt Disney Company)

Side Effects Software Inc (SideFX)

Technicolor

Vicon Motion Systems Ltd.

Key Virtual Production Company Insights

Key virtual production companies include Adobe; Autodesk Inc.; Epic Games, Inc.; HTC Corporation (VivePort); Mo-Sys Engineering Ltd.; NVIDIA Corporation.; Pixar (The Walt Disney Company); and Technicolor. The market's competitive landscape is fragmented and features the presence of several players. In recent years, the market has witnessed several mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. For instance, in March 2020, Epic Games Inc. acquired Cubic Motion, a highly detailed digital facial animation provider for both films and video games. The acquisition would further enrich visuals and three-dimensional graphic environments for the users of Epic Games Inc. solutions. Also, in December 2022, the most significant LED wall virtual production stage in the U.S. was unveiled by Amazon Studios.

Recent Developments

In July 2023, ROE Visual announced a partnership with Illusion XR Studio, Pixotope, and AVI-SPL, aiming to orchestrate an XR broadcast in Dubai to provide immersive experiences and valuable insights. The event was specifically designed for participants such as content creators, professionals in TV and film production, broadcasters, and esports enthusiasts keen on exploring the latest technology

In July 2023, Mo-Sys unveiled the StarTracker Max with best-in-class features and real-time camera tracking capabilities. This new solution is designed to augment camera tracking precision and performance, making it an important tool for virtual production, film production, and broadcasting applications

In June 2023, Mo-Sys announced its collaboration with 3LR Lighting and Bendac. The collaboration was aimed at showcasing the company’s latest solution the StarTracker Max

Order a free sample PDF of the Virtual Production Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

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govindhtech · 2 months ago

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2024 IBC: ASUS Launches ProArt Displays, Laptops, and PCs

IBC 2024

ASUS will exhibit at 2024 IBC under the theme A Glimpse into Tomorrow’s Tech.The ASUS booth will host ProArt Masters’ Talks with industry experts from Adobe, NVIDIA, and Scan Computers, as well as professional filmmaker Bas Goossens, senior trainer Leon Barnard, and Redshark Media co-founder and CEO Matt Gregory.

ASUS will also showcase a variety of cutting-edge technology for professionals at 2024 IBC from September 13-16, 2024, including ProArt Display PA32KCX, the world’s first 8K Mini LED professional monitor; ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM, which brings 4K QD-OLED to creators; ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV, which has a stunning 5120 x 2880 resolution for unparalleled clarity; and ProArt Display PA32UCE and PA27UCGE, the latest 4K monitors with built-in The latest ASUS AI-powered laptops and workstations will be displayed.

All attendees can experience the future of content creation through hands-on activities and innovative demonstrations.

IBC 2024 Release Date

Be inspired by ProArt at IBC 2024

ProArt Masters’ Talks will feature industry experts at 2024 IBC on September 14 and 15. Distinguished speakers and topics:

Leon Barnard, Team 2 Films senior trainer and workflow specialist, will discuss DaVinci Resolve HDR monitoring.

NVIDIA Enterprise Platform/Studio Tech Marketing Sabour Amirazodi will discuss ASUS ProArt and GeForce RTX GPU-accelerated AI video editing.

Adobe Product Ecosystem Manager Eliza Tan will discuss Adobe Video Ecosystem improvements.

Ministry of Frames director Bas Goossens will help you master 8K video capture and editing.

Generative AI hardware considerations will be discussed by SCAN Computers Director of Collaboration Daniel Parkinson.

RedShark Media Co-Founder and CEO Matt Gregory will discuss 3D volumetrics in virtual production market insights.

Innovation at its best

The new ASUS ProArt Display PA32UCE and PA27UCGE 4K displays feature professional-grade color accuracy. With 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, these 32-inch and 27-inch 4K HDR monitors with 600 nits produce vibrant, true colors. Their factory calibration ensures an average ΔE value below one. These two monitors have ASUS LightSync ambient-light and backlight sensors. On starting, the backlight sensor illuminates the screen for bright images and accurate color. The ambient light sensor adjusts the monitor’s color gamut for accurate colors in any setting. Both monitors support HLG and HDR10. ProArt Display PA27UCGE also has a 160Hz refresh rate for pleasant viewing.

The built-in motorized flip colorimeter makes it easy to maintain the displays’ professional-level accuracy over time, and both models feature auto/self-calibration to prevent color variation from disrupting creative workflows. ASUS LuxPixel technology, which includes anti-glare and low-reflection (AGLR) technology, makes ProArt Display PA32UCE and PA27UCGE extremely comfortable to watch. LuxPixel technology lets creators follow their creativity and assure pixel-color fidelity and crisp details for long creative sessions.

Multiple connectivity choices, such as DisplayPort over USB-C with 96W power delivery, HDMI, and a USB hub, enable smooth workflow integration.

ProArt Display 8K PA32KCX, the first 8K HDR Mini LED monitor, is on display at the exhibit. This 32-inch wonder offers 8K resolution (7680 x 4320) and a Delta E value below one for unequaled color fidelity. Participants can color grade 8K material on DaVinci Resolve Panel and preview it on ProArt Display 8K PA32KCX. The creator-focused 4K QD-OLED monitor, ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM, and ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV have a dazzling 5120 x 2880 resolution and 218 PPI display for unmatched clarity and color accuracy.

ProArt Display PA16USV adds SDI monitors. This 15.6-inch 4K monitor offers 282 PPI with 12G SDI. Real-time previews and playback are possible with its adjustable kickstand, two tripod holes, and VESA wall mount. The ASUS ProArt booth at 2024 IBC will feature a comprehensive on-set workflow demonstration featuring live footage from a RED V-RAPTOR 8K camera, video grading in DaVinci Resolve via NUC, and real-time previews on the ProArt Display PA24US and PA16USV.

ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi

AI-powered technologies aid engineers, designers, videographers, animators, and game developers. ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi may suit these people.This powerful motherboard has cutting-edge features for makers. With its huge bandwidth, lightning-fast speeds, and remarkable power efficiency, next-generation DDR5 RAM accelerates productivity. ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi supports the fastest next-gen SSDs and GPUs via PCIe5.0. This motherboard has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots. They support x8/x8 configurations, letting users use two graphics cards. This board has four M.2 slots, two of which are wired for PCIe 5.0, so creative projects and AI-powered programs can use the quickest transfer speeds.Image credit to ASUS

ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi has many networking possibilities. Marvell AQtion 10G Ethernet ports allow ultra-high-bandwidth access to local network resources like NAS devices. Wi-Fi 7 and Intel 2.5G Ethernet are also supported by this board.

Creators use many workstation peripherals. For such a setup, ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi has two onboard USB4 ports, a wide range of high-speed USB ports, and a header for a front-panel USB 20G port with 30W Quick Charge 4+ and USB Power Delivery 3.0 capable.

Artists need their PC to appear professional to clients. Subdued colors and simple design give ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi a refined, attractive look. It works with all ProArt PC cases, AIO liquid coolers, graphics cards, and more.In addition, trusted partners of the Powered by ASUS program, such as Azerty, Alternate, and Scan, will demonstrate how their builds meet varied creative needs at the ASUS booth.

Attendees at the ASUS booth can view a static demo of the ProArt ecosystem design language, the latest ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi motherboard, and the compact ProArt GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER graphics card for AI content creation workflows.

Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE

The fast, compatible, and stable Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE motherboard is ideal for content creation, software development, machine learning, and more. AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-series processors, with up to 96 cores and 32+3+3+3 power stages, provide professionals with the performance they need for cutting-edge applications.Image credit to ASUS

Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE supports a variety of scenarios and industries with inbuilt PCIe power connectors for numerous graphics cards, active cooling on the VRM heatsinks, USB 40Gbps ports, SlimSAS, and BMC. Seven PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, dual 10G LAN ports, four M.2 slots, two rear USB4 40Gbps Type-C, and SlimSAS NVMe support fast communication.It supports up to 2TB ECC R-DIMM DDR5 memory modules (1DPC) and features a robust power and thermal design with power stages with two 8-pin CPU power connectors, large Chipset, M, VRM cooling.Two fan-driven heatsinks with M-2 thermal pad.

Advanced AI laptops for creativity

The 2024 ASUS ProArt AI laptop family empowers regular users, outdoor content makers, and professionals to turn life’s priceless moments into lasting memories. Users can create anywhere, faster, and smarter with the lightweight, sturdy, and powerful laptops.

Copilot+ PCs with ASUS-exclusive StoryCube and MuseTree apps provide smarter and more streamlined creative workflows with fully-local AI on the new ProArt laptops.

ProArt P16 laptop

A compact 14.9mm black chassis and 1.85 kilograms make the 16-inch ProArt P16 a powerhouse for mobile creative. A 50 TOPS NPU in the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU provide 321 TOPS for advanced AI workloads. The RTX 4070 GPU accelerates 2D, 3D, video editing, and streaming applications, including NVIDIA AI products like NVIDIA Broadcast, RTX Video, and ChatRTX.

ProArt PX13 convertible laptop

The 13-inch ProArt PX13 weighs 1.38kg and has a 360° hinge for laptop, tent, stand, or tablet modes. It performs similarly to the P16. Its 3K ASUS Lumina OLED display looks great. Wi-Fi 7, twin 40Gbps USB4 for charging and external displays, HDMI 2.1 FRL, and a UHS-II MicroSD card reader for action-cam transfers are among the I/O connections.

Laptop ProArt PZ13 detaches

The 0.85kg ProArt PZ13 is ultraportable and powerful. A Snapdragon X Plus processor, 3K ASUS Lumina OLED screen, and Copilot+ PC AI are included. Switching between tablet and laptop modes is easy with the detachable keyboard. This gadget is ideal for creative mobility because to its 70Wh battery, IP52 dust and water resistance, and SD slot with microSD adaptor.

Each of these laptops uses AI to deliver top-notch performance for creatives. At IBC 2024, ASUS booth visitors may sample the two new ASUS-exclusive AI apps StoryCube and MuseTree on ProArt notebooks powered by AI NPUs and GPUs. Innovative one-stop smart file management solution StoryCube. It supports importing, exporting, searching, filtering, and cataloging media. AI can distinguish scene types or faces, speeding up footage analysis or searches. Also, an AI-powered smart editing and generative feature can automatically produce engaging videos from files and trim and crop footage and photos in bulk.

Another useful creativity software is MuseTree. ASUS-exclusive generative AI tool can inspire, design, and store resources. It boosts creativity without a cloud connection by using the built-in AI processor to access generative AI.Image credit to ASUS

ExpertCenter Pro ET900A X9

Image credit to ASUS

ExpertCenter Pro ET900A X9 is a professional workstation with AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-series processors, DDR5 ECC R-DIMM, twin 10G LAN, and up to four NVIDIA Quadro RTX graphics cards Up to four PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, four SATA 6Gb/s connections, 40Gbps and 20Gbps USB Type-C, 2000W Titanium power supply, and ASUS Control Center Express are supported.

A small AI powerhouse: ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI

ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI revolutionizes AI NUC mini-PC technology. It achieves 120 total-platform TOPS using the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) and multi-architecture CPU, GPU, and NPU arrangement. Its strong NPU delivers up to 48 TOPS and triples AI performance for cutting-edge applications compared to earlier Intel processors.

The ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI, with a system height of 34mm and a sub-0.6L chassis, is ideal for business and edge computing applications because to its excellent performance and space-efficiency. Doubled graphics and revolutionary embedded LPDDR5x design deliver high-speed performance and stability in a variety of IoT applications.