#casting hub video blog

[fountainpenguin]

🚥 Pixels Imperfect AU 🚥

A great read if you like drama, moral ambiguity, and 3rd Life series. Focuses on life and worldbuilding in a digital universe where all players are hybrids born of dragons, their bodies are made from pixels, and hybrid mob behavior increases when the moon is full.

3rd Life SMP & Adjacent Series

More MCYT AUs

#ridwork guides

What Is This AU?

A series of slice-of-life stories themed around life in the Between dimension, which hybrids can explore when their human players exit Minecraft.

The lawless landscape has been griefed by anarchy players for years. New Star Station - perhaps the last non-anarchy hub left - is hidden underground, with hybrids playing on servers to distract themselves from the ever-approaching threat that one day, their safehaven will be discovered and griefed too.

Dog's Life builds tension with the encroach of anarchy players drawing ever closer. Mayor Scott | Smajor1995 will do anything to keep his beloved home safe... even if that means locking everything down.

AO3 Series

Blog tags - #Pixels Imperfect & Dog's Life art

Subseries - Grian, Scott, Etho, Martyn, and some others change a lot over time. Find subseries dedicated to their arcs here.

Meta Spreadsheet - List of characters and their hybrid species.

Tone

Mostly drama with fluff, angst, romance, and comedy mixed in.

- The vibe here is "children on the playground who never had to 'grow up and get jobs,' so they continue this playful behavior into adulthood and it's important in their culture.'

- The main longfic is Dog's Life, which is a dramedy- defined by "telling serious stories ... [about] real life situations, grounded characters, and believable situations [plus] jokes and situations intended to make you laugh." (Cambridge Dictionary & Wikipedia)

- But tbh, the whole series is one big dramedy. Buckle up!

Characters

Heavy focus on Life Series SMP characters- specifically, the Last Life SMP cast. I've written each member several times. Lots to read!

-> Also, their camera accounts, who are treated like people (All the accounts I could confirm + some OCs).

-> Did you know PiglinMyNose is actually Joel's cam account? Now you do!

-> Minor appearances from other SMPs (such as Hermitcraft and Empires), some lesser-known characters (like NPC_Grian), and some OCs to flesh out the world.

Ships

The vibe here is "A lot of relationships are roleplay, but some affect characters deeply. Everyone is friends and co-workers despite their drama." People date and separate throughout the series. We have:

- Post-3rd Life Scott and Jimmy dating in the hub (until Last Life).

- Post-Last Life Martyn and Mumbo married for a while (until Mumbo's Season 9 hiatus).

- Post-Double Life Grian and BigB dating in the hub (Relationship under light strain during Dog's Life).

- Drama due to Grian cheating chronically on the wife he was betrothed / arranged married to (i.e. the character Jimmy used for Grian's wife in his Superflat video, 14:19)

- Grian/Bdubs as the Jungle Duo while on the Dog's Life server, flirting and flouncing while roleplaying as archaeologists. Of course he's cheating on BigB too; what do you take me for?

-> Zombiewoodn't - Some Pixels Imperfect works overlap my series of one-sided Martyn/Cleo content.

- Etho teased for being "obsessed with Joel." Is he? You decide!

- Etho acting clingy towards SnifferMyFeet, who's "just like Joel, but without having to share him."

-> Sniff hates being perceived as "Joel or Grian 2.0," but he also has a lot of their memories, so it's confusing to him. He's my favorite and for this, I will not apologize.

And more... (Also, I have notes about common fandom ships that are platonic in this AU; click the Read More.)

Setting

Our story is set supposedly 11,000 years into the Between dimension's existence. The land's been heavily griefed and both the Cluckshroom Dragon and Allay Dragon have been slain, leaving their mob and hybrid offspring on the verge of extinction.

Some works explore Between at large, but most take place in New Star Station, which is hidden underground.

- Herobrine's Guide to the Between Dimension (T) describes the world and its biomes before they were griefed.

- One and a Half Birds (T) is a 15-chapter story (113,700 words) that takes place entirely in New Star Station, showcasing the living situation there (and hub life in general).

- "The Man He Sets His Spawn With" (T - 11,800 words) occurs late in the timeline and contains minor series spoilers, but it's a great look at the social culture. Everyone takes their skins off so they (in their glowing soul forms) can rinse the Secret Life mod from their code. Grian sprays his friends down with a power washer; it's great :)

-> Heads up for Joel and Etho having a huge fight about trust violations.

Is It For Me?

- This AU moves between on-server play and server hub life. If you like hybrid biology and game mechanics, you might like this AU. Characters explode into pixels when they die; no blood or gore.

- This series is Life Series-focused, but there are Hermitcraft elements (Ex: Mumbo eating Grian's soul)

- Lots of characters are recovering from drama in their pasts, such as the EVO crew. In this AU, EVO was a non-anarchy hub with super strict rules that still haunt the characters after they left.

- Characters parallel their creators in many ways. Ex:

-> Mumbo is a wandering trader who loves his llamas, paralleling IRL Mumbo's love for travel and cars.

-> Tango is married to a character based on Mrs. T's character and she puts silly hats on him like she does when he streams.

-> IRL Netty is on break from YouTube to raise her kids. In-universe Martyn doesn't know that and is sad his Netty's not around.

- Lots of drama in this series, but at the end of the day, they're friends and co-workers and they care about each other <3

Major Themes

Complicated relationships, community, trust, heartbreak, secrets, consent, recovery, growth, power, choice, friendship, love, acceptance, found family, and trying to do the right thing.

Plot Highlights

One for each character, just for kicks.

- Allay hybrids Scott and Scar pushing through life in the wake of their mother's death. Their species is prone to vex data corruption, slowly going extinct, and any death in the Between dimension will be their last.

- Imp and Skizz leaving their life of anarchy behind, but still haunted by their past... I think. One of them can't seem to remember.....

- BigB clinging to the illager culture that was stripped from him after he gained Bad Omen and went into hiding.

- Scott, Scar, and Tango running for mayor, each with drastically different visions for New Star Station's future.

- NettyPlays logged out 288 in-universe years ago and never came back. Martyn is unraveling, longing for her return and wondering if he should date again.

- Jimmy accidentally becomes captain of a pillager mob patrol. What do you mean they'll shoot him dead if he puts the banner down?

- Joel and Lizzie plan a ceremony to renew their wedding vows... and find a body in the decorations closet.

- The Grian born in Pix Impf AU and the Grian born in Neighborhood Watch AU switched places after EVO. They're both fumbling, trying to figure out each other's worlds.

- Cleo searches for their beloved cluckshroom eggshell, which was stolen after they placed it in New Star's museum.

- Ren goes on a date with a dragon. Also his hands get dissolved in a corrupted river after PiglinMyNose left him for dead, but it's fine.

- Etho finally cracks and goes shopping for new clothes. Bdubs introduces him to the latest fashions.

- Mumbo comes out of smuggler retirement to hunt down more hybrid eggs. Also, he falls in love with water skis.

- Pearl discovers a special item, once believed erased from the world, that could change all of Between.

- Newly spawned SnifferMyFeet searches for his own identity, haunted by Joel and Grian's memories that feel like his.

Ongoing?

Drafts for this AU began summer 2022, with the first work posted August 2023.

This series is ongoing, with over 1 million words to read at the time of posting this, and many more works on the way.

Warnings, notes, and explanations below so readers can learn more about this AU. Don't like? Don't read.

👀 Take a Peek

New here? You might like to start with these:

"Dogwarts Lullaby" (G - 2800 words) - Short 3rd Life character study for Martyn and Ren, with Martyn wandering the map while Ren wonders if he ditched him.

"Grian's Room" (G - 2900 words) - Short 3rd Life piece where Scar realizes he can't feel the softness of Grian's blankets. Grian, shocked that Scar came into his room, tries to shoo him out.

"Yes, And?" (G, 5600 words) - Early in Limited Life, Etho isn't sure how he feels about being assigned dad by the narrative. He visits Cleo late at night to share his concerns. A fan-favorite (and one of mine as well).

"Only Borrowed" (T - 5700 words) - A Last Life piece about Joel barging into the Scottage. After Pearl kills him, she's a bit shaken up, so Scott helps her take off her skin so he can wash it while she rests. This was the first piece to depict the "skins are like onesies" lore and I think it does it well.

- "You Can Sleep While I Drive" (T - 13,500 words) - Ficlets for each Double Life pair with one soulmate watching the other sleep. Good way to glimpse my take on many characters in a single 'fic.

- "Here's to the Health of Married Men" (T - 42k words) - Ballroom 'fic about the Double Life pairs at a post-game party. Scar feels numb and confused about his relationship with Grian. Ren discovers Grian is BigB's secret admirer and challenges him to death, which will have severe consequences in the server hub. Fun read, longer than my one-shots, but one of my shorter multi-chapters.

Start Reading

Recommended ways to get into the full AU

🌄 First Written - Dog's Life & Recap Doc

Longfic that reveals pieces of the worldbuilding slowly over time. The story opens with Session 1 of a new Life Series game with two gimmicks: you gain the traits of the most recent mob you killed, and every player is assigned a quarry to hunt, whom they can steal lives from to boost their own count.

This work explores both the game and life in the server hub (New Star Station between sessions, with underground New Star one of the last non-anarchy hubs in a griefed, anarchy-ridden world. Tensions rise as the game leaves its mark even on server hub life.

- T-rated, 536k words and counting at time of posting this.

- Watch everything come together in this piece (as opposed to snippets of worldbuilding across other works).

- Shifting POVs, with each Life SMP player in the story getting their turn. Enjoy many characters and the individual ways they perceive the drama around them.

- I consider this the best starting point for the AU since you get to see the worldbuilding develop as I myself discover it, but due to length and drama, it may not be for everyone.

-> If you're okay with spoilers, you may like the recap doc, which summarizes each chapter in detail (with links to each chapter in case you only want to read a few that catch your eye). Each chapter is separated by a spoiler guard page.

📅 Chronological Start - Criminal Experience

A story about Mumbo, Impulse, Skizz, and BigB before they went into hiding underground. Specifically, Mumbo is a wandering trader assigned to carry allay spawn eggs to a creeper city, with Impulse escorting him through a rugged landscape. They cross paths with BigB: an illusioner on patrol.

- Depicts the world in an early state of anarchy, before the landscape was further destroyed

- Tosses you in with the POV of a character who is factual and straightforward about his experiences.

- I'm planning to write one-shots about characters living with their dragon moms when they were new to the world, but Crim is probably the better start to the chronology.

🗺️ Worldbuilding - Herobrine's Guide to the Between Dimension

A comprehensive overview of the worldbuilding, covering all the meta I could think of in great detail. Topics include hybrid biology, hybrid behavior, Between's unique biomes, and a bestiary ft. mob biology and behavior.

- This piece was written mainly for me to keep my facts straight and direct people to if they have questions. It's likely overwhelming to read with no context, but it might be fun. Lots of digital art to look at.

- Contains meta notes behind spoiler dropdowns. This is to show examples of that worldbuilding in story context.

📋 AU Notes & Warnings

All characters are hybrids born of dragons. Many suckled when they were newborns while some were fed mouth to mouth. Hybrids perceive dragons as mother figures.

Some dragons carry their babies in their mouths. There's one scene where the Slime Dragon tosses PiglinMyNose into the air and "eats him," though he later oozes back out of her slime. He's fine.

- Canon-typical violence and canon-typical character death (Yes weapons, yes whacking people, yes deaths and respawn, no blood or gore)

- Body Horror (A little somethin' for the ladies)

-> Skins can be removed like clothes.

-> People glitch, exploding into pixels when they die.

-> When dragons die, the person who killed them gains a star on their hand, which passes to whoever kills them afterwards. The Allay Dragon's star passes through the hands of some major characters. It allows people to manipulate their surroundings and even shapeshift into a small dragon.

-> Anivores (soul-eating species) can use their fangs to pull souls from bodies [while in the Between dimension]. Generally, this is played as a one-hit KO, especially from phantoms who swoop from above, but there are occasional pieces with slower logouts.

-> These souls are consumed, which forces a player out of Between and onto their AFK server. Particles leave the anivore's body through the skin. When the refresh cycle is complete, the player can exit their server and their body will be fresh, meaning dirt, scratches, and chipped nails are gone.

-> Zombies (Cleo), phantoms (Bdubs, Martyn), and vex (Scar, Cub) are anivores. This lore reflects Scar and Cub's early lore that their characters eat people, plus Mumbo (an omnivore) eating Grian's soul in Hermitcraft Season 8.

-> In One and a Half Birds, Mumbo asks his husband Martyn to chew on his soul, which he finds sensual, as he's already become contaminated and "it can't get much worse" :') ...

-> I personally don't find it gruesome in the main series, but I'm working on a piece called "Moonwild," which is a zero-dialogue series of ficlets about hybrids with their mob instincts at max. This one focuses more on animal-like hunting and soul-eating.

- Pixel bodies (Players lack collision and phase through each other, so it's hard to hug or pick people up. No human reproductive parts. Breasts are understood only vaguely and mostly in the context of dragons)

-> Golden carrots increase collision with other players. However, eating too many will put you into love mode (See below)

-> Their digital bodies differ from human bodies. The only characters who've heard of sex (or kissing) are those who've heard about it from Grian, who switched universes.

-> Grian's arc revolves around him feeling upset that he'll never experience sex since he switched universes, so he sometimes discusses such things or asks to kiss people (who respond with confusion).

-> Shout-out to the mini arc where Scar misinterprets Grian's off-screen explanation of sex as "lovers punching each other in private." Comedy of errors...

- Love mode could be seen as dubcon (Players having love hearts acting like mobs, who try to reach other mobs with love hearts and produce baby mobs)

-> I emphasize consent in my work, but the idea of players desiring babies when their love hearts are up may be uncomfortable to some readers

-> "The Leftovers" (T - 10k words) depicts Cleo eating carrots so she can carry narcoleptic Martyn to bed after the phantom hybrid fell asleep at Box. Cleo is in control, but Martyn is embarrassed to look at her even though he isn't in love mode.

-> Dog's Life Chapter 30 depicts a love mode scene with Bdubs explaining to Grian that he may need to be pinned down so he won't run off and spawn babies with a random stranger. Grian scoffs at this, believing he'll have full control, and is embarrassed when he doesn't.

-> All my love mode works are tagged #Golden Carrots | Love Mode. Browse or avoid it as you wish.

-> If you'd like to post your own love mode work for this AU on AO3, I suggest this exact tag so people can find it if they click this tag on one of my works!

- Hybrids can't produce hybrids, but they can poof sparks into existence through love mode, provided there's an available bed. Sparks grant sentience to mobs or blocks. Grumbot is a sparked build and Hermes is a sparked armor stand.

-> Love mode requires golden carrots, which are extinct in Between. They're only available on servers.

Non-human characters with mob-inspired biology and behavior. For this AU, this means YES:

-> Body parts like wings, fangs, claws, gills, antennae, and tails.

-> Some creatures (like allay) are fey and adhere to specific social rules, or have certain abilities (such as allay having the ability to gather memories).

-> Preening, biting people, hunting prey, bats hanging upside-down, body language such as beating wings, rolling around on the ground while scratching and nipping, and enjoying things that humans are not inclined to, such as Cleo liking to bury herself in dirt.

-> All hybrids hatch from eggs. Baby mobs poof into existence, as do sparks (See below). No pregnancy or graphic births.

-> You could pick SnifferMyFeet up by his scruff; he hasn't grown into his skin yet and has newbie flab back there.

-> Mild interspecies bickering or mob hybrid racism, but there are no humans in this world. Everyone is a hybrid, so interspecies conflicts come from things like Nether species having a unique style of rest that isn't technically sleep, which really bothers local phantom hybrids who want them to go to bed.

-> Mob behavior increases when the moon is full and decreases when it's new. Ex: a blaze hybrid is more likely to attack using fireballs than a sword when the moon is full, and fox hybrids may prefer to dig a lot or hide in "dens" to soothe their skittishness.

This AU does NOT have: Heats/ruts, hybrid litter births, hybrid litter lactation, or mobs as romantic partners. To clarify: Dragons can have litters, but hybrids are infertile. In fact, hybrids have 0 teats and no reproductive anatomy, so all birth and lactation is dragon-exclusive. Also: Love mode (The love hearts that show up when mobs are bred) does exist for hybrids, and is prompted by golden carrots. Some people may see this as similar to heats/ruts, but it's not technically animal behavior, so it's discussed more below. Also: It's not unheard of for mobs to hang out with you, such as villager mobs settling in your village, or illager mobs joining a patrol of hybrids. They're treated as companions and/or their own species. -> On rare occasion, a mob might think your wings, colors, or fighting skills are cool and hit on you (like how birds sometimes express courtship behavior towards humans IRL, especially pet birds who get pet and fed by a human), but hybrids are encouraged to shut such behavior down. -> This doesn't really come up (atm it's only been mentioned in Herobrine's Guide as a warning to watch for such behavior), but worth mentioning in case that's someone's deal-breaker.

- Allogrooming (Ex: licking or nibbling to groom someone).

-> Can be platonic, romantic, or parental. Usually done with fur or feathers, but other things like hair work too.

- Allofeeding (Ex: Dragon moms may feed their young mouth to mouth. Also, hybrids can do this too).

-> Not normally done with physical food; usually reserved for souls, which are carried in a throat pouch and difficult to carry with hands

-> Can be platonic, romantic, or parental

-> Phantom hybrid Bdubs used to feed Martyn souls before his adult fangs came in

-> Zombie hybrid Cleo hunts souls and offers them to phantom hybrid Martyn in exchange for favors (Namely, sneaking out with her so they can bury themselves in dirt and pretend to be dead)

-> In Dog's Life, parrot hybrid Grian puts a chunk of bread between his teeth and offers it to someone he's flirting with

- Ableism plots (Ex: Scar is very frustrated that the practice of unthreading is banned in New Star, because unthreading guarantees people gain a chronic glitch)

-> Scar himself is unthreaded, as is SnifferMyFeet. They both see unthreading as the best thing that happened to them because this state allows them to move in and out of servers freely, which most hybrids can't do. Scar is frustrated that society tends to view unthreading as harmful... people tend to focus more on the glitch and less on the ability to exit servers without your outside player.

-> Scar and Sniff ARE disabled; they both experience sensations like pain (and phantom pain) due to their chronic glitches. The glitches move around their body, affecting different areas throughout the day. Scar usually has a cane, but sometimes uses his wheelchair. Sniff spends early Dog's Life without a mobility aid since he's unthreaded in Chapter 7, but when Scar introduces him to aids later, he's excited to learn about them and daydreams what he wants his to be.

-> Since unthreading is banned in New Star, it's not always accessible to mobility aids. Scar was an emergency rescue unthread and Sniff was done under the radar and against the rules. Scar is very annoyed about this and increasing mobility is one of the main things he wants to do if he can win the mayor election in Dog's Life.

-> Grian is studying for his unthreading license throughout the series (and is due to receive it after Dog's Life). Scar is very anxious that Grian will unthread his wife (who can't leave their AFK server) and he's worried that Grian will be ableist towards her.

-> There are some subtle sideplots as well, such as Impulse being unable to hunt because he lost his ability to aggro on people when he had life-saving surgery. He drinks from a thermos, but usually needs to be fed mouth to mouth. Impulse was born a phantom hybrid, but feels disconnected from that community because he can't hunt.

-> The other phantom hybrids pity him (despite, y'know... life-saving surgery) and sometimes comment on "his terrible loss" or how he'd "definitely be flock captain if he hadn't lost his aggro" without realizing the ableist implications of what they're saying.

-> Ableism is a topic in this series and I do my best to handle it with care. Are you suggesting my society of underground people who cut themselves off from the world may have skewed, flawed views? le gasp.

- Some Hermitshipping/Trafficshipping (Usually this means characters in a relationship during some parts of the timeline, but separating later).

-> For example, Mumbo and Martyn still being married after Last Life until Mumbo left the hub during his Hermitcraft Season 9 hiatus. One and a Half Birds portrays them flirty during that point in the timeline, but they separate down the road when the initial playful buzz fades.

-> Many characters consider a relationship that starts while on a server to be roleplay. Some live with other partners when at home. The general vibe is that a "real relationship" should have serious talks in Between, reducing the possibility of outside player influence distorting feelings.

-> Tango in "Shack Up Like It's Summer 2022," is a good example: he playfully fawns over Jimmy in that story, but acknowledges his wedding ring. Tango finds value in his relationship with Jimmy even though he considers it roleplay. At home, he's married to Cocoa, who's based on the MC character owned by Mrs. T (Tango's wife).

- Relationship negotiation and status quo changes (This series is a dramedy; relationships take many twists and turns).

-> Enjoy fluff and shippy moments while they're there, but prepare your heart for a bumpy ride. At the end of the day, everyone is still friends.

- Some non-consensual implications (Jimmy's canary biology was forcibly modded on during his time in the EVO hub).

-> Many people view anarchy players as lawless, wild, and aggressive. They fear anarchy players will forcibly mod them for a laugh, which is scary to them.

-> Joel (an ex-anarchy player) disagrees with this view, as he saw that life as one of creativity, self-exploration, and freedom. He doesn't think it's likely anarchy players carry mods with them or give them to random people, since mods take a long time to make and are usually custom; he's not afraid of this happening to him. However, he doesn't like discussing his positive anarchy experiences because he feels it's insensitive to his friends.

- Mind and memory manipulation (Ex: People changing behavior based on their life color during Life games, with yellows being more defensive and reds more aggressive).

-> SnifferMyFeet spawned in with Joel and Grian's Double Life memories. He's convinced he's married to Etho and Scar, and lashes out when told he isn't. His plot follows him discovering his own identity (and trying to separate himself from Grian and Joel). Etho and Scar are confused by Sniff dropping into their lives and try to figure that out as best they can.

-> At one point, a character is attacked and loses some memories. Another character loses some memories after experiencing a flashbang at close range, damaging the cameras in their eyes.

-> There's a scene where Scar, in the heat of the moment, plants one of his own memories in SnifferMyFeet to convince him that Sniff's Grian memories are implanted and aren't real. Sniff gets upset.

-> And more... Keep your eyes out!

I thiiiink these are all the topics worth warning for. If you think of anything else, send me an Ask and I'll add it :)

This AU plays these popular ships as platonic. Here's what to expect:

Grian & Scar: My first encounter with them as a duo was 3rd Life and "servant swearing loyalty and committing" has long been one of my all-time favorite platonic tropes. So... here we are!

-> Grian's arc focuses on him being cupioromantic and panicking due to his struggles with attraction, especially after his discovery that this world has no sex (Grian swapped places with the Grian native to this AU; this Grian came from the NW AU).

-> Grian tends to be anxious, push people away, and chase what he thinks he wants. One day boy's gonna get septuple dumped :')

-> Grian was betrothed to Scar [Oscar Goodchild] in the NW universe. Lots of messy feelings to unpack and he's not sure he's ready for that can of worms.

-> Grian is paranoid that since Scar "conveniently forgets things" and regularly ignores him, Scar won't care about his boundaries

-> Scar is dealing with a lot of hurt from Double Life, like Grian's comments of "Why does everyone else get a real partner except me?"

-> Scar is recipromantic. He clocked Grian as not being interested in him, so doesn't consider him a suitor. Grian gives mixed signals sometimes, which is confusing to Scar.

-> This AU plays Grian with emphasis on being pushy, disrespectful, or mean, such as a scene where he asks Scar to be his partner, then lashes out when Scar says no. They're coworkers and friends, but romance isn't their natural inclination in this AU.

Grian & Mumbo - My vision is that they're committed to the bit above all. They'd never date because it would be too on the nose... A bit must be silly and a little unpredictable. Yes, they'll claim Grumbot as their son because it's hilarious. Yes, they go home to separate living spaces and no, they don't cuddle much because that's not funny. Do you see my vision?

-> The vibe here is that they're close friends who are comfortable joking around. They both like that and have no desire to change.

-> One and a Half Birds examines their relationship as Grian struggles with secrets from his past, Mumbo prepares to eat his soul, and Grian is willing to do anything for his best friend.

-> I like this piece because it shows Grian's anxiety around the soul-eating, even pushing Mumbo away when he comes on too strong. Even Mumbo can make him fret his boundaries will be forgotten; nonetheless, he allows him to continue.

-> I feel like Pixels Imperfect Grian envisions himself with Mumbo more easily than Scar, but he's also more likely to ask Scar out since he assumes Mumbo isn't interested in being touchy-feely.

-> Ex: It was quite a shock to Grian when he found out Mumbo and Martyn brought their married life roleplay from Last Life into Between, and until it was confirmed, Grian denied it at all turns (Outright ignoring Martyn's claims that Mumbo was his husband & even refusing to believe they were married despite seeing them share a bed).

Character Grian has a pretty black and white view of things. Honestly, I think that defines him completely and I'm surprised I didn't think of it sooner.

Etho & Bdubs: I watched Last Life with no context for their Mindcrack or Hermitcraft pasts. Team BEST always gave me a college roommates vibe (especially after Bdubs divided the castle), and that's always stuck with me. They're long-time friends and trust each other deeply, but don't flirt (apart from the occasional nudge-nudge in jest).

-> Fun fact, that vibe is also why I play Bdubs as an aggressive phantom hybrid who pushes people around and Etho as a more passive, skittish fox... Bdubs was certainly the one to put his foot down about staying in the snow fort.

-> Bdubs visits Etho most nights to log him out [i.e. eat his soul]. It's "their thing," but Etho struggles with feelings that Bdubs only visits to make a meal of him.

-> Sometimes Bdubs feels unappreciated and unwanted. Etho has a mini-arc of changing his view of the logout dynamic, exploring why it's important to Bdubs.

-> Bonus: Etho is only attracted to warm souls, but he doesn't know that :') It's a nod to the Etho in NW AU, where him coming to grips with that attraction is a much bigger part of his arc. The two worlds exist in parallel, so he's the same here.

Etho & Cleo: I write a lot of Clocker family in various AUs. In Pixels Imperfect, the Clocker dynamic is roleplay. No strong romantic connection, though they're sometimes playful (when they're not self-conscious). The dynamic still tails them and they fall into the roles sometimes because they enjoy it.

-> My vision is that Etho is nervous around Cleo. After Limited Life, he tries to convince himself he likes her, again playing into that idea that he doesn't know he's attracted to warm souls (Cleo's is chilly).

-> The vibe here is family dinners and friendly chat about deep topics, like identity and boundaries, while maintaining that platonic vibe. No cuddle sessions or sleepovers (that I know of, anyway).

-> They'd probably date a little if one asked the other out, but neither is dying to make a move. They like their friendship as is.

-> Of my Clocker AUs, Pixels Imperfect is notable for Cleo and Etho coming together after a divorce bit was established. In other AUs, their past romance makes things extra complicated.

Martyn & Ren: I always read them platonic, especially in 3rd Life with Martyn wandering around and Ren saying things like "Martyn has to feed his kids," so that's what this AU leans into.

- Friends who are on and off between platonic and queerplatonic. They admire each other aesthetically. Ren especially likes that Martyn is an undead monster who could eat him (and plays along with his dramatic bits) and Martyn thinks Ren is cool and creative and fun.

-> Ren is dating a dragon btw. Specifically, Martyn's mom because I thought the bit in Double Life Ep 2 where he asked her out was very funny sdflk;

-> Martyn is a hot soul who only likes cuddling cool and chilly souls. He admires Ren, but prefers high-fives since Ren is also a hot soul (and they'd both overheat).

-> "Business partners" is probably the best way to describe their vibe in this AU. In this canon, they were queerplatonic in 3rd Life and Martyn gets huffy if anyone acts like that's unimportant.

You're welcome to read your favorite ship as romantic! Just don't get your romantic expectations too high :)

- More MCYT AUs

- Want more info? Send an Ask!

You can create works based on this AU. Please cite me and/or the AU as appropriate (i.e. for things very specific to this AU). You are free to expand on ideas you've thought of thanks to my AU as a jumping off point. I'd love to reblog or link things to my AO3 works if I see them!

I write content with morally gray characters. Please don't portray my story events or worldbuilding out of context with intentional malice. As in, I request you do not post things created for the specific intention of bashing me or the AU

[miloscat]

This was 2022

What did I do in 2022? The year in review, from me to you.

2022 has been eventful for me. I got a new job and seemingly a new chronic illness?? So it’s been up and down. As far as my hobbies go w/r/t this blog, things have been a little slow, perhaps due to the aforementioned factors.

In my capacity as a scanlator of video game comics, I did publish that holy grail manga that I’d been longing for: the comic adaptation of the 1993 Super Mario Bros movie. There was also the Famicom Manga mini-comic for Zelda 1. And that’s it. I’ve been gradually working on a Diddy Kong Racing 4koma volume, which might be released next year but at the rate it’s going I don’t want to make any promises. My filehosting account being taken down was a setback for making my work on comics available but I managed to get all of it up in various places, in particular maintaining my page on Mangadex. Also, recently my incredible spouse has helped me establish my own website! It’s a work in progress (and not really ready for public viewing just yet) but I wanted it primarily as a convenient way to browse my scanlations as well as a hub for my other hobbies. This Tumblr is not going away, I just felt I needed something more permanent.

I’ve continued creating pixel art cast portraits and posting them here as well as on DeviantArt. This year I did some Zelda, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings along with a few shows, as well as updating the big Donkey Kong collage (now up to 327 characters!).

Podcasts? Just a few. 1 new episode of the Donkey Kong Arcade Era Power Hour with Gibbon, and 3 Eurovision commentaries. I kept a consistent streaming schedule, with 48 almost-weekly streams of various retro and indie games. Doing these makes me happy, and I covered a few queer-themed Itch bundles, cracked DSiWare emulation, continued delving into Donkey Kong fan works and bootlegs, and explored the fringes of Sonic and Lord of the Rings games, among many others. The streams are all archived here.

In my regular gaming habits, I did a big bonanza of Lord of the Rings-adjacent games. This was really interesting and culminated in a month spent in the still-running MMO originally from 2007. Aside from this I played the modern Doom games, a selection of cat and primate games, all of the 2D Dimps-developed Sonic games, more Picross, and some cool LCD and self-contained game units (more on that in the new year as well). I’ve also just hacked my 3DS in the last few days, which opens up possibilities for some region-exclusive titles becoming available to me.

And now the awards show. “Best not-Donkey Kong game”: Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (also wins “best post-launch update” for adding a new free world). “Best open world”: Lord of the Rings Online with the surprise upset; in my hot take opinion, Elden Ring would’ve been better without an open world...! Middle-Earth: Shadow of War was also a runner-up. “Most improved sequel”: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King console game. After playing The Two Towers for the first time this was a big step up. Runners-up are Shadow of War again, Anodyne 2, Sonic Advance 2, and Sonic Rush Adventure. The Toejam & Earl games were too different to compare fairly. “Best co-op game that we haven’t finished yet so I haven’t reviewed”: Darksiders: Genesis. Runner-up is Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga. The “Thoughts and Emotions” award: Anodyne 2. Runners-up are Stray, Elden Ring, and Gibbon: Beyond the Trees.

Thanks for reading, and see you next year!

[oysterswimmingclub]

Lights, Camera, Action! Exploring the Comprehensive Film Production Services in Noida

The world of film production is a fascinating journey that brings stories to life, capturing emotions, action, and creativity in every frame. Noida, a thriving city on the outskirts of the national capital, has rapidly emerged as a hub for film production services, offering a wide array of professional solutions for filmmakers, producers, and content creators. Whether you're working on a big-budget feature film, a music video, a corporate commercial, or a documentary, Noida’s film production services are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, talented professionals, and versatile locations to meet your needs. In this blog, we delve into the dynamic world of film production services available in Noida and how they cater to various aspects of filmmaking.

1. Pre-Production Services: Laying the Foundation

The first step of any film project is pre-production, a phase that sets the tone for the entire filmmaking process. This stage involves planning, budgeting, location scouting, scripting, and casting. In Noida, film production companies offer comprehensive pre-production services to streamline your project:

Concept Development and Scriptwriting: A solid script is the backbone of any film. Skilled writers in Noida collaborate with filmmakers to develop scripts that are engaging, captivating, and tailored to the project’s vision. Whether you need assistance with a screenplay, dialogue writing, or creative ideation, Noida's professionals have you covered.

Budgeting and Scheduling: Efficient budgeting and scheduling ensure that your project stays on track without unnecessary delays or cost overruns. Production experts in Noida work closely with you to create a detailed budget and schedule, ensuring every aspect of your film is well-organized.

Location Scouting: Noida boasts a diverse range of locations suitable for various genres and styles of film. From urban landscapes and modern architecture to lush green parks and serene lakes, location scouts help filmmakers find the perfect backdrop for their scenes.

Casting and Talent Management: Finding the right actors and crew members is crucial for a successful production. Casting services in Noida connect filmmakers with talented actors, models, and extras who bring the story to life. Additionally, they handle talent management to ensure seamless coordination throughout the project.

2. Production Services: Bringing Ideas to Life

The production phase is where the magic happens, as cameras start rolling and the vision begins to take shape. Noida offers top-notch production services that cater to projects of all sizes, from small independent films to large-scale productions:

High-Quality Equipment Rental: Noida’s film production services provide access to the latest camera equipment, lighting gear, sound equipment, and other essential tools required for filming. This ensures that your project is captured in high definition with top-quality visuals and audio.

Cinematography and Direction: Experienced cinematographers and directors in Noida bring a wealth of creativity and technical expertise to the table. They work closely with the crew to capture scenes with precision, using advanced techniques and equipment to achieve the desired visual aesthetic.

Art Direction and Set Design: Creating the right ambiance is crucial for any film. Noida's production services include talented art directors and set designers who meticulously craft the look and feel of your scenes, transforming ordinary spaces into captivating visual experiences.

Sound Recording and Audio Engineering: Crisp, clear sound is as important as stunning visuals. Noida’s sound engineers use cutting-edge recording equipment to capture dialogues, background sounds, and effects, ensuring that every audio detail is perfectly in sync with the visuals.

Drone Videography: To add that extra layer of cinematic brilliance, drone videography services are available to capture breathtaking aerial shots. These drone operators are experienced in maneuvering their equipment to achieve stunning footage, providing a unique perspective for your film.

3. Post-Production Services: Refining the Final Product

Once the filming wraps up, the post-production phase begins, where the raw footage is transformed into a polished, seamless film. Noida’s post-production services are equipped with skilled editors, sound engineers, and visual effects artists who refine every frame:

Video Editing: Editing is where the film truly comes together. Expert video editors in Noida use advanced software to cut, rearrange, and assemble footage, ensuring that the story flows smoothly. They pay close attention to continuity, pacing, and transitions, creating a visually engaging experience.

Color Grading and Correction: Color grading enhances the visual tone of the film, giving it a distinctive look and feel. Professionals in Noida use advanced techniques to adjust colors, contrast, and brightness, ensuring each scene appears as intended.

Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation: For filmmakers who want to add a touch of magic or create fantastical worlds, VFX and animation services are available. Noida’s skilled artists work on integrating visual effects seamlessly into live-action footage, enhancing the film's visual impact.

Sound Design and Mixing: Sound design involves creating and adding sound effects, background scores, and ambient sounds to enrich the viewing experience. Expert sound designers in Noida ensure that the audio complements the visuals perfectly, while sound mixing brings everything together in a balanced, cohesive way.

Subtitling and Dubbing: To make your film accessible to a broader audience, subtitling and dubbing services are available. Noida’s professionals offer accurate translations and voice-over services, ensuring your film reaches viewers from different linguistic backgrounds.

4. Additional Film Production Services: Going the Extra Mile

In addition to the core production services, Noida offers a range of supplementary services that enhance the overall production experience:

Photography and Behind-the-Scenes Shoots: Capture the journey of your film’s production with professional photography and behind-the-scenes videography services. These visuals not only serve as promotional material but also document the making of your project.

Digital Marketing and Distribution: Once your film is complete, you need to reach your target audience. Noida’s production services often include digital marketing strategies, promotional campaigns, and distribution planning to ensure your film gets the attention it deserves.

Film Studio Rental: If you need a controlled environment for filming, there are multiple film studios available for rent in Noida. These studios come equipped with green screens, lighting setups, and other essential gear to create the perfect setting for your scenes.

Why Choose Noida for Film Production?

Noida has steadily emerged as a go-to destination for filmmakers, thanks to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and skilled workforce. Here’s why Noida is an ideal choice for film production services:

Access to Cutting-Edge Technology: Noida’s film production services stay updated with the latest technology, ensuring that your project benefits from advanced equipment and software.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Compared to some other production hubs, Noida offers cost-effective film production solutions without compromising quality.

Versatile Locations: From urban landscapes and contemporary settings to scenic natural spots, Noida provides a wide range of locations for diverse filming needs.

Final Takeaway

Film production is an art that requires a perfect blend of creativity, technical skills, and meticulous planning. Noida, with its burgeoning film production industry, offers comprehensive services that cater to every aspect of filmmaking. Whether you’re a budding filmmaker or an experienced director, you’ll find the support, resources, and expertise you need to bring your vision to life. With its dynamic blend of technology, talent, and creativity, Noida is quickly becoming a preferred destination for film production projects of all scales.

[elsie--young]

Discovering Cocoa Beach: A Realistic Guide to Sightseeing!

When I first arrived at Cocoa Beach, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Sure, I had read all the brochures, watched a couple of YouTube videos, and browsed some travel blogs, but nothing prepared me for the real experience. Cocoa Beach, known as the "Space Coast" due to its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center, offers so much more than just a typical beach day. If you're planning a visit, let me walk you through what I experienced, so you can make the most of your Cocoa Beach sightseeing adventure.

Problem: Overcrowded Tourist Spots

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced during my travels is dealing with overcrowded tourist spots. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good crowd, but sometimes it can ruin the experience. I had heard Cocoa Beach could get busy, especially during peak season, so I was worried about missing out on the authentic charm of the place.

Agitation: Missing the Real Cocoa Beach

When a place gets too crowded, it’s easy to miss out on what really makes it special. The true essence of a destination can get lost among the throngs of tourists, long lines, and overbooked attractions. I didn’t want my Cocoa Beach experience to be just another stop on the tourist trail. I wanted something real—something that would give me a true sense of what this place is all about.

Solution: Cocoa Beach Sightseeing—The Real Deal

So, what’s the solution? I decided to dig a little deeper, explore beyond the typical tourist attractions, and find the Cocoa Beach that the locals love. And let me tell you—it was worth it.

Early Morning at the Cocoa Beach Pier

My day started early at the Cocoa Beach Pier, a historical landmark that dates back to 1962. I arrived around 7:00 AM, just as the sun was rising. The pier stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, and at that hour, it was peaceful and serene. The pier is more than just a place to fish or grab a bite—it's a hub of activity with restaurants, shops, and even live music on the weekends. But in the early morning, it was just me, the ocean, and a handful of locals casting their lines.

Exploring the Kennedy Space Center

Next on my list was the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, just a 30-minute drive from Cocoa Beach. This place is a must-see, especially if you're a space enthusiast like me. I spent about four hours here, and it wasn’t nearly enough. The highlight? Definitely the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit. Standing inches away from a real space shuttle was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The visitor complex also offers a bus tour of NASA’s launch facilities, which is a great way to see where history was made.

Taking a Break at Lori Wilson Park

After the Kennedy Space Center, I needed a break. I headed back to Cocoa Beach and found my way to Lori Wilson Park. This 32.43-acre park offers free parking, which is a rarity in beach towns, and a beautiful stretch of beach that’s far less crowded than the main strip. The park also has picnic areas, a dog park, and nature trails, making it a great spot to relax and recharge.

A Quick Stop at the Florida Surf Museum

Being in Cocoa Beach, the “Surfing Capital of the East Coast,” I couldn’t resist stopping by the Florida Surf Museum. Located inside the Ron Jon Surf Shop, the museum is small but packed with history. I spent about 45 minutes here, learning about the evolution of surf culture on the East Coast. It’s a quick stop, but definitely worth it if you’re interested in surfing or local history.

Wrapping Up the Day with Sunset at the Thousand Islands

I wrapped up my day with a kayaking tour of the Thousand Islands, a group of small mangrove islands in the Indian River Lagoon. The tour lasted about two hours, and it was the perfect way to end my Cocoa Beach sightseeing adventure. As the sun set, the water turned a deep shade of orange, and we even spotted a few dolphins playing in the distance. It was a moment of pure tranquility that perfectly captured the natural beauty of Cocoa Beach.

Conclusion: Cocoa Beach Sightseeing is More Than Just a Beach Day

In the end, my Cocoa Beach sightseeing experience was everything I hoped for and more. It wasn’t just about soaking up the sun—although I did plenty of that—it was about discovering the unique character of this beautiful part of Florida. From the historical Cocoa Beach Pier to the awe-inspiring Kennedy Space Center and the peaceful Thousand Islands, there’s so much to see and do. So, if you’re planning a trip to Cocoa Beach, I highly recommend going beyond the usual tourist spots. You won’t regret it.

Remember, the key to a great Cocoa Beach sightseeing experience is to explore, stay curious, and take the time to enjoy the little moments.

[hsdigitalmedia]

Ad Film Production House in Goregaon East

HS Digital Media: Your Premier Ad Film Production House in Goregaon East

Are you on the lookout for a reliable and professional ad film production house in the bustling locale of Goregaon East? Look no further than HS Digital Media. In this blog, we’ll delve into the realm of ad film production in Goregaon East and showcase why HS Digital Media is your ultimate choice for creating captivating ad films that leave a lasting impact.

Discovering the Vibrancy of Goregaon East: An Ideal Setting for Ad Film Production

Situated in the heart of Mumbai’s entertainment industry, Goregaon East is a bustling hub of creativity and innovation. With its proximity to film studios, production houses, and post-production facilities, Goregaon East provides the perfect backdrop for bringing creative visions to life through ad film production. Whether you’re looking to create a TV commercial, online video ad, or promotional film, Goregaon East offers the infrastructure and resources to support your ad film production needs.

HS Digital Media: Your Trusted Ad Film Production House in Goregaon East

HS Digital Media is your premier ad film production house in Goregaon East. With a team of seasoned professionals and state-of-the-art production facilities, we have the expertise and resources to transform your brand’s vision into captivating narratives on the screen. Whether you’re a startup looking to make a splash or an established brand seeking to refresh your image, we collaborate closely with you to understand your brand identity, values, and objectives, ensuring that each ad film embodies your brand’s essence and resonates with your target audience.

Crafting Compelling Ad Films: Our Approach

At HS Digital Media, we believe in a collaborative and creative approach to ad film production. Our team works hand-in-hand with you throughout the creative process, from concept ideation to post-production, to ensure that your ad film encapsulates the essence of your brand and effectively communicates your message. From script development and casting to filming, editing, and sound design, we meticulously craft each aspect of the production to deliver ad films of the highest quality and impact.

Elevate Your Brand with HS Digital Media

Partnering with HS Digital Media means partnering with a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping your brand succeed. With our strategic insights, creative expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence, we possess the capabilities to elevate your brand through impactful ad film production. Whether you’re aiming to launch a new product, promote a service, or enhance your brand’s identity, HS Digital Media is your trusted ally in achieving your advertising goals and standing out in the competitive landscape of Goregaon East.

Contact Us Today

Ready to elevate your brand with captivating ad films in Goregaon East? Contact HS Digital Media today to explore our ad film production services and discover how we can help you realize your marketing aspirations. Let’s collaborate to craft ad films that captivate your audience, drive engagement, and elevate your brand’s stature in Goregaon East and beyond.

[avtechnologysworld]

Future-Proofing Your AV System: Tips for Long-Term Success

For any home theatre design, you want your audio-visual (AV) system to stand the test of time. Technology is constantly evolving, so how do you build a system now that won't be outdated in a few years? In this blog, we'll provide tips on future-proofing your AV setup for long-term success. We'll cover components, connectivity standards, and ways to future-proof your entire home theatre design.

Cable Management and Connectivity

The first thing to consider is cable management and connectivity. How your various components are physically connected can determine how future-proof your system is. Use high-quality cables that allow for future upgrades. Consider the following:

HDMI Cables

HDMI has become the standard connection for video and audio transfer in home theatre design. Make sure to use HDMI 2.0 or higher certified premium cables that can support the latest video and audio standards like 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos. Monoprice, Mediabridge and Blue Jeans Cable make quality, future-proof HDMI options.

Future-Proof HDMI Connections

Consider leaving extra length on HDMI cables or installing cable grommets/hiding places where you can easily access cables to swap them out later. Label all cable ends clearly so future upgrades are simple. It's also a good idea to leave at least one open HDMI port on each component like the AV receiver or TV in case you need to add devices down the road.

Digital Optical Audio Cable

Optical audio cables are commonly used to transmit surround sound formats from compatible components to your AV receiver. Monoprice offers fiber optic cables that can reliably transmit audio formats up to 192kHz/24-bit. This covers all current and many future audio standards.

Networking and Wireless

Networking and wireless capabilities will play an even bigger role as smart home technologies evolve. Make sure your router, switches and any components with network capabilities support the latest wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6 for bandwidth-heavy applications. Consider running an Ethernet cable if possible for more stable, higher bandwidth connections versus wireless.

AV Receiver: The Heart of the System

The AV receiver is the central hub that controls audio and video signals in a home theatre setup. Future-proof your system starting with the receiver. Consider the following tips when selecting a receiver:

HDMI 2.1 Support: Look for HDMI 2.1 and higher which supports the latest video standards up to 8K resolution, 4096p dynamic HDR including Dolby Vision. Future-proof for the next 5-10 years.

Audio Formats: Support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Music casting and high-resolution audio formats ensures compatibility with future audio technologies.

Network Streaming: Built-in streaming apps, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, streaming codecs like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X for direct streaming.

Expandability: Future-proof with sufficient HDMI inputs/outputs, pre-amp outputs for future amplification, subwoofer and speaker connectivity.

Room Correction: MultEQ-X, Audyssey or similar room calibration/EQ for the life of the receiver.

Regular Software Updates: Brands like Denon and Yamaha regularly support older AV receivers with feature/format updates.

Display and Video Processing

For a truly future-proof home theatre design, focus on the video display and processing. Consider these tips:

4K & HDMI 2.1 Ready: Televisions and projectors that support 4K/8K and HDMI 2.1 or higher for bandwidth-intensive formats.

HDR Compatibility: HDR10, Dolby Vision compatible displays future-proof for wider adoption of high dynamic range content formats.

Contrast and Peak Brightness: OLED or high-end LED/LCD with wide color gamut and 1000+nits peak brightness.

eARC Support: Enhanced Audio Return Channel on TVs improves compatibility with external audio components.

Video Processor: If projecting, a high-end video processor can help future-proof through scaler/switch upgrades to support new resolutions. Processors like Lumagen Radiance have long upgrade cycles.

Future-Proofing Speakers and Subwoofers

While it may seem the most difficult and expensive to upgrade, speakers can actually last longer than other components if selected carefully:

Flexible Placement: Choose speakers that can maintain good sound regardless of placement changes over the years.

Future Formats: Audiophile speakers with wide frequency response support the latest surround sound formats.

Amplification: Bi-amplified, powered, or upgraded amplifier compatibility ensures speakers reach their full potential for many years.

Subwoofer Extension: Dual integrated subwoofers or separate subwoofers with amplifier headroom give low-end extension for bigger movie sound.

Upgrades and Future-Proofing Your Design

No system can truly be future-proof, but with careful consideration and flexible design choices, your home theatre system can stay relevant far longer. Some final tips:

Save Receiver Presets: Back up custom setups so any future upgrade paths are smooth.

leave Space for Growth: Leave room for new components in your physical layout like Atmos heights or wireless surrounds.

Cable Management Access: Ensure any added runs can integrate seamlessly behind walls or in cable trays/raceways.

Test Future Formats: Try demoing newer resolutions, formats to see where your system need upgrades first.

Upgrade Selectively: Focus on Video, then Audio quality as higher-end standards emerge over several years instead of a complete overhaul.

With the right equipment choices and flexible system design, your home theatre can provide outstanding performance for many years to come as technologies evolve. Future-proofing ensures long-term success so you can enjoy your movies and music well into the future.

[freelancing-with-aditi5654]

" Harnessing the Power of Digital Marketing"

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of business, the digital realm has emerged as a powerful force that can shape the success or failure of enterprises. Digital marketing, in particular, has become an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to thrive in the digital age. This multifaceted approach leverages the vast reach and capabilities of the internet to connect with audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. In this era of constant connectivity, harnessing the power of digital marketing has become not just a strategy but a necessity for businesses looking to stay competitive and relevant.

One of the key advantages of digital marketing lies in its ability to level the playing field for businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional forms of marketing that often require substantial financial investments, digital marketing offers cost-effective channels that can be tailored to fit any budget. Social media platforms, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and email campaigns are just a few examples of the diverse tools at the disposal of businesses in the digital space. This accessibility allows small and medium-sized enterprises to compete with larger counterparts, creating a more democratic business environment.

A fundamental aspect of digital marketing is its ability to target specific audiences with precision. Unlike traditional advertising methods that cast a wide net, digital marketing allows businesses to define and reach their ideal customer profiles. Through data analytics and advanced targeting techniques, businesses can tailor their messages to resonate with the interests, behaviors, and demographics of their target audience. This not only increases the efficiency of marketing efforts but also enhances the overall customer experience, as consumers are more likely to engage with content that is relevant to their needs and preferences.

The real-time nature of digital marketing is another significant advantage that sets it apart from traditional forms of advertising. With tools like Google Analytics and social media insights, businesses can track the performance of their campaigns in real time. This enables quick adjustments and optimizations based on the data received, ensuring that marketing strategies remain agile and responsive to changing market dynamics. The ability to measure and analyze campaign performance empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions, ultimately improving the return on investment (ROI) for their marketing efforts.

Social media platforms, in particular, play a central role in the digital marketing landscape. These platforms serve as hubs of connectivity, bringing together billions of users from around the world. Businesses can leverage social media to build brand awareness, engage with their audience, and create a sense of community around their products or services. The viral nature of social media also allows content to be shared rapidly, amplifying the reach of marketing messages far beyond traditional boundaries. By harnessing the power of social media influencers and user-generated content, businesses can tap into the trust and credibility built within online communities.

Content marketing is another pillar of digital marketing that focuses on creating valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a target audience. Through blog posts, articles, videos, and other forms of content, businesses can position themselves as industry authorities and thought leaders. This not only enhances brand credibility but also contributes to better search engine rankings, driving organic traffic to their digital assets.

In conclusion, harnessing the power of digital marketing is essential for businesses navigating the complexities of the modern marketplace. The cost-effectiveness, precision targeting, real-time analytics, and the amplifying potential of digital channels make it a versatile and indispensable tool for businesses of all sizes. As technology continues to advance, businesses that embrace and master the art of digital marketing will find themselves well-positioned to thrive in the digital era. The key lies not only in adopting digital strategies but in continuously evolving and adapting them to meet the ever-changing demands of the digital landscape.

[mayhighfilms]

 Product Video Maker In Mumbai

In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, where creativity and innovation thrive, businesses are constantly seeking new ways to captivate their audience and stand out in the competitive market. Ready to make your product shine? Create compelling videos that captivate your audience with our top-notch Product Video Maker in Mumbai .One powerful tool that has emerged to make a lasting impact is the use of product videos. These dynamic and engaging visual assets can help businesses showcase their products and services effectively. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of product video makers in Mumbai and how they can elevate your brand's presence in this dynamic city.

Why Product Videos?

In today's digital era, consumers are flooded with information, and their attention spans are shorter than ever. Product videos offer a compelling way to convey your brand's message and demonstrate the unique features of your products. They have the power to grab the viewer's attention and deliver a memorable and persuasive message.

The Role of Product Video Makers in Mumbai

Mumbai, known as the entertainment and media hub of India, is teeming with creative talent. This vibrant city is home to numerous production houses, filmmakers, and multimedia experts who excel in producing top-notch product videos. Here's why partnering with a product video maker in Mumbai is a smart choice for your brand:

Access to Creative Talent: Mumbai is renowned for its creative talent pool, which includes directors, cinematographers, scriptwriters, and editors. Collaborating with professionals who understand the art of storytelling is an advantage that can transform your product videos into compelling narratives.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: Mumbai's production houses are equipped with cutting-edge technology and facilities that can ensure your videos are shot and edited with the highest quality standards.

Cultural Sensitivity: Mumbai is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, making it easier for video makers to create content that resonates with a diverse audience. Understanding the cultural nuances of this city is essential for connecting with the local market.

Local Expertise: Product video makers in Mumbai are well-versed in the city's aesthetics and can leverage its picturesque locations, vibrant streets, and iconic landmarks to add depth and authenticity to your videos.

Steps to Creating a Compelling Product Video in Mumbai

Define Your Objectives: Before you start the video production process, clearly define your goals and what you want to achieve with your product video. Whether it's increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or educating your audience, a clear objective will guide the video-making process.

Concept and Script: Work closely with your chosen video maker in Mumbai to develop a compelling concept and script that aligns with your brand's identity and message.

Pre-production Planning: This phase involves organizing the logistics, casting, and location scouting. Mumbai's diverse landscapes offer numerous possibilities for shooting captivating product videos.

Production: This is where the magic happens. The chosen professionals will shoot your video, ensuring that the vision outlined in the script comes to life.

Post-production: Skilled editors will refine the footage, add special effects, and ensure that the video is of the highest quality. This stage is crucial for creating a polished and engaging final product.

Distribution and Promotion: Once your product video is ready, make sure to strategically distribute it on platforms like YouTube, social media, and your website to reach your target audience.

Conclusion

In a city known for its creative energy and dynamism, Corporate Video Production Company In Mumbai can play a pivotal role in elevating your brand's visibility and connecting with a diverse and discerning audience. With their expertise, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and a deep understanding of the local culture, Mumbai's video makers can help your brand create compelling and memorable product videos that leave a lasting impact. So, if you're looking to boost your brand's presence, consider the power of product videos and the talent of Mumbai's creative professionals to help you achieve your goals

[studioaudio]

Unleashing Online Voice Acting: Opportunities, Techniques, and Services

The landscape of the entertainment and communication industry has seen a seismic shift towards the digital realm in recent years. Within this evolving landscape, the craft of voice acting has found a robust presence online, offering a multitude of opportunities for both aspiring and seasoned voice actors. This blog is a comprehensive exploration of the world of online voice acting, unveiling the myriad possibilities it holds, the essential techniques, the process of creating voiceovers online, the strategies to find voiceover work in the digital domain, and even insights into starting a voiceover service. Additionally, we’ll delve into Studio52, a prominent player in the voiceover industry, highlighting its contributions to this dynamic field.

Can Voice Acting be Done Online?

The unequivocal answer is yes, voice acting can thrive in the online sphere. The advent of high-speed internet connectivity, coupled with the proliferation of digital platforms, has ushered in a new era for the voice acting industry. Online voice acting involves the art of delivering voiceovers for diverse media such as animations, video games, audiobooks, advertisements, e-learning modules, and more, all from the comfort of one’s home or a dedicated recording space.

Several key elements enable online voice acting:

Technology: Embarking on an online voice acting journey necessitates essential equipment including a computer or recording device, a high-quality microphone, headphones, and audio recording/editing software. These tools are indispensable for capturing, enhancing, and delivering professional-grade voice recordings. 

Internet Connectivity: A stable and high-speed internet connection serves as a lifeline for remote collaboration with clients and studios. It facilitates real-time communication and seamless file transfers, ensuring a smooth workflow. 

Online Marketplaces and Platforms: A multitude of online platforms, encompassing freelance marketplaces, casting websites, and social media networks, act as pivotal hubs for voice actors. Here, they can showcase their skills, establish connections with clients, and unearth lucrative voiceover opportunities. 

Home Recording Studios: Crafting a suitable recording environment at home is paramount. This involves soundproofing the recording space, investing in acoustic treatment, and employing a top-notch microphone to capture crystal-clear and professional audio.

How to Make Voice Overs Online

Creating voiceovers online is a methodical process, commencing with preparation and culminating in recording, editing, and delivering the final product. Below, we delineate the essential steps:

Training and Skill Development: Prior to embarking on an online voice acting career, honing one’s craft is essential. Enrolling in voice acting classes or workshops can impart the requisite techniques and nuances of the profession. Regular practice across diverse vocal styles and characterizations expands one’s range and proficiency. 

Equipment Setup: As previously mentioned, procuring the necessary recording equipment is imperative. This entails investing in a high-quality microphone, headphones, and recording software. Equally critical is ensuring that the recording space is well-prepared, with optimal acoustics and sound isolation. 

Script Analysis: In the pre-recording phase, thorough script analysis is vital. This helps in grasping the context, characters, and emotions inherent in the material. A comprehensive understanding of the script is the bedrock of delivering a convincing voiceover performance. 

Recording: The recording process involves setting up the recording equipment, including microphone placement and sound settings. Multiple takes should be recorded, allowing for experimentation with pacing, tone, and delivery until the desired outcome is achieved. A focus on clear articulation and precise pronunciation is paramount. 

Editing: Post-recording, audio editing software comes into play. This step entails cleaning up the recorded audio, eliminating background noise, pops, and extraneous sounds. Volume levels are adjusted, effects are added if required, and transitions between takes are smoothed out. 

Delivery: Once the voiceover is polished and ready, the final audio files are delivered to the client. Depending on their specifications, voice actors may need to provide files in specific formats and adhere to stipulated deadlines. 

Feedback and Revisions: Openness to client feedback is crucial, as it fosters collaborative relationships. Being amenable to making revisions when necessary is a hallmark of professionalism in online voice acting.

How to Find Voiceover Work Online

Locating voiceover work online involves a strategic blend of networking, marketing, and harnessing the capabilities of online platforms. Here are effective strategies to secure voiceover opportunities in the digital realm:

Create a Professional Online Presence: Building a website or portfolio that showcases your voice acting skills is pivotal. Include a compelling demo reel that accentuates your versatility and proficiency. Ensure that your contact information is readily accessible. 

Join Voiceover Marketplaces: Registration on reputable voiceover marketplaces such as Voices.com, Fiverr, or Upwork is advisable. These platforms serve as conduits connecting voice actors with clients actively seeking voiceover services. Detailed profiles replete with work samples enhance visibility and credibility. 

Networking: Actively connect with fellow voice actors and industry professionals on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Engage in relevant conversations, share your work, and become an active participant in online communities. 

Participate in Virtual Auditions: Keep an eye out for virtual auditions hosted on casting websites. These auditions typically provide specific scripts and guidelines for prospective voice actors. Timely submission of audition tapes with a professional touch is vital. 

Collaborate with Content Creators: Reach out to content creators on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and podcasting networks. Many creators require voiceovers for their content, and establishing collaborations can lead to ongoing partnerships. 

Leverage Voiceover Directories: List your services in online voiceover directories and databases. This simplifies the process for potential clients searching for specific voice types or specializations. 

Engage in Email Marketing: Build an email list comprising potential clients and industry contacts. Periodic updates about your services, recent projects, and special offers can set you apart. Personalized emails foster connections and garner attention. 

Voice Acting Agencies: Consider aligning with voice acting agencies specializing in online talent representation. These agencies are adept at securing a steady stream of voiceover work and adeptly negotiating contracts on behalf of their talent.

How to Start a Voiceover Service

For those who have amassed experience and are ready to take their voice acting journey to the next level, the prospect of launching a voiceover service is worth considering. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to embark on this entrepreneurial endeavor:

Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan: A well-structured business plan is foundational. It delineates your business goals, defines your target market, establishes a pricing structure, and outlines marketing strategies. This blueprint provides a roadmap for establishing and expanding your voiceover service. 

Choose the Right Legal Structure: The legal structure of your business, be it a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation, should be chosen carefully. Registration of your business and the acquisition of necessary licenses and permits are essential steps. 

Set Up a Professional Recording Studio: To compete in the voiceover service industry, investing in a professional recording setup is imperative. Ensure your home studio boasts state-of-the-art technology, including high-quality microphones, headphones, and soundproofing materials. 

Curate a Portfolio: Compile a diverse portfolio featuring your finest voiceover work. This serves as a showcase

FAQs:

What is online voice acting?

How much do online voice actors make?

What are some tips for success in online voice acting?

What is online voice acting?

What are the benefits of online voice acting?

[serendipityscribbles1402]

Week 4: Tumblr Case Study

Welcome! I'm excited to invite you on an adventure into the intriguing world of blogging and digital communities. Get yourself ready for a journey that is both informative and entertaining, packed with thought-provoking observations, fascinating anecdotes, and a splash of comedy. We're about to enter the Tumblr cosmos, so grab your GIFs!

The emergence of blogging as a form of online self-expression and communication has significantly changed how people share their ideas, interests, and talents with the world. As the digital world changes, social media platforms' role in nurturing these relationships and online communities is becoming more and more crucial (Walters 2023). The number of users on the blogging platform Tumblr has recently increased. This blog will examine the world of blogging and digital communities, with a focus on Tumblr. We will discuss its history, distinctive qualities, applicability in the era of social media, and the measures necessary to build a thriving community.

Tumblr was created by David Karp in 2007 as a microblogging platform where users could express themselves through the submission of quick blog posts and visual content including images, videos, and GIFs. A wide range of people found it appealing due to its accessibility and visual emphasis, but artists, writers, and photographers in particular found it to be appealing. As of October 2021, Tumblr has 178.4 million blogs created and over 547 million monthly users, making it a vibrant hub for digital communities (Dixon 2022).

How is Tumblr different from other Social Media platforms?

Compared to other social media platforms, Tumblr is unique. Users can freely express themselves without restriction or repercussions by setting up and maintaining numerous blogs anonymously (Honeysett 2020). This aids marginalized communities that want to interact and exchange ideas. More so than Facebook and LinkedIn, Tumblr's reblogging feature facilitates content sharing and amplification, sparking discussions and fostering community. Themes, HTML coding, and widgets on Tumblr allow users to create unique blogs (Honeysett 2020). This sets it apart from Instagram and TikTok, which provide fewer layout customization options. Additionally, Tumblr develops subcultures and specialized communities that link individuals with comparable interests (Honeysett 2020). Tumblr prioritizes visual creativity above text-based posts and networking for professionals. In a nutshell, Tumblr stands out from Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok due to its emphasis on anonymity, content amplification through reblogging, customization options, niche communities, and visual expression, providing a distinct digital environment for users to connect, create, and belong.

Originally posted by Martin Beck

The rapid growth of other social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok casts doubt on Tumblr's continued significance in the current era (Jackson 2023). Although the number of users on Tumblr has decreased over time, the service still has a devoted following. People seeking a more private and artistic outlet keep coming to Tumblr for its specialty groups and one-of-a-kind features (Jackson 2023). Tumblr offers users a place to pause and reflect as an alternative to the quick-paced and usually theatrical nature of other platforms.

Iterative development is required to build a thriving community on a website like Tumblr. The first stage is "you," the blogger, to establish themselves by consistently posting unique, compelling content (Misman 2023). The second stage is when readers engage with you and express their interest and connection by leaving comments, liking your posts, and reblogging them (Misman 2023). The third stage involves participants engaging in conversation and developing friendships with one another (Misman 2023). The blog's community and reader devotion are strengthened in the fourth stage, when passionate readers known as "community evangelists" emerge and start actively promoting and contributing to it (Misman 2023). The fifth and final stage is known as "sustained engagement," and it is characterized by a community that thrives due to ongoing dialogue, disagreement, and the emergence of shared interests (Misman 2023).

In conclusion, blogging and digital communities have fundamentally changed how individuals interact with one another and discuss the issues that are important to them. Thanks to its cutting-edge design and vibrant user base, Tumblr has continued to serve as a hub for individual expression and niche communities. Tumblr differentiates apart from the competition despite not being the most well-known social networking site thanks to its emphasis on privacy, visual media, and community building. If bloggers are aware of the procedures needed to create a vibrant community, they can utilize Tumblr's potential and forge meaningful connections within their digital spaces. Prepare your metaphorical journal and gifs, and let Tumblr's creative community inspire you to create a blog!

For more information on what's Tumblr and how to use it, go onto this link! https://youtu.be/L8NPztGFLO4.

References

Ask About APPS 2021, 'What is Tumblr and how does it work?', 15 March, viewed 12 May 2023, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8NPztGFLO4>.

Beck, M 2014, 'While Facebook Lags, Tumblr & Pinterest Are The Fastest Growing Social Networks', MarTech, viewed 12 May 2023 <https://martech.org/tumblr-pinterest-outgrowing-facebook/>.

Honeysett, A 2020, 'Tumblr: The Social Media Platform You Should Be Using', The Muse, viewed 12 May 2023, <https://www.themuse.com/advice/tumblr-the-social-media-platform-you-should-be-using>.

Jackson, G 2023, 'How a social network falls apart', The Verge, viewed 12 May 2023, <https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/9/23629372/twitter-tumblr-livejournal-social-network>.

Misman, E 2023, 'MDA 20009 Week Three Tumblr case study_week 4_MsEl.pptx', MDA20009 Digital Communities, Modules via Canvas, Swinburne University of Technology, 13 April, viewed 12 May 2023.

Tumblr - Statistics & Facts 2022, Tumblr - Statistics & Facts, Statista, viewed 12 May 2023, <https://www.statista.com/topics/2463/tumblr/#topicOverview>.

Walters, C 2023, 'What is Social Blogging and Should You Be Doing It?', Copypress, viewed 12 May 2023, <https://www.copypress.com/kb/content-syndication/what-is-social-blogging/>.

[outofcontextgaki]

Thanks for 2,000 followers + useful links

Hi everyone, mod here (averyhallows is my main and i’m avery.ay on insta - don’t expect gaki posts on my other accounts though). This blog recently hit 2,000 followers and I have been regularly getting asks + DMs about where to find subtitled Gaki content, so I thought I would celebrate this milestone by making a big post I can link people to instead of privately answering each question

(FYI, all this info is in the blog’s ‘about’ page but I do understand mobile users can’t see or access that page easily; also FYI, the reason I don’t put episode links under my posts is because gaki episodes regularly get taken down due to copyright and so a) i would have to be constantly monitoring and replacing each link and b) me linking to the episodes - which are usually posted as private videos - would most likely contribute to them getting taken down even faster, and i don’t want to cause any extra hassle for the gaki teams)

Where can I find subtitled Gaki content?

Here, basically: https://www.reddit.com/r/GakiNoTsukai/

r/gakinotsukai acts as a hub for basically all the english-subtitled Gaki content available on the internet. The post Quick links to English subtitled content & useful information is a good starting point, but you can also navigate to certain episodes or categories (most popularly 24-hr No Laughing Batsu Games, Kiki and Absolutely Tasty) using the menu at the top of the page.

If you want to find the episode a particular clip comes from, just check the tags on my original post. I will always tag the name of the episode - and usually, that tag will be the final tag.

(in this case “Kiki Ham” is the name of the episode, and you can find the full video either by navigating through the Kiki episodes using the menu section, or just searching the words  “Kiki Ham” within the subreddit)

Where should I start?

As I said above, the most well-known Gaki segments are these:

The 24-hr No-Laughing Batsu Games: probably the most famous thing to come out of Gaki no Tsukai. Once a year, the Gaki comedians are put in a ridiculous themed environment for  24 hours, and if any of them laughs during that time - and there are skits and traps set up to make them do just that - then they get punished for it. Usually that punishment comes in the form of being smacked on the ass with a foam bat, but earlier instalments used burdock canes and even blowdarts (!!). My personal favourite is Hospital, but others often mentioned as key players are Newspaper Agency, Hotel Employee, High School, Spy, and Earth Defence Force.

Kiki: A popular recurring segment on Gaki. The cast will taste one specific food or product (e.g. ketchup, ham, toothpaste, orange juice, mayonnaise) while blindfolded, and are then tasked with picking it out of a lineup. This is where the vine of Matsumoto making a train nose (aka “Screaming Asian Man”) comes from. If you want the episode, it’s Kiki Natto. He was happy because he got the answer right. You’re welcome. #incontextgaki

Absolutely Tasty: Another popular recurring segment. This one has each castmember creating inventive new recipes on the spot by adding one wildcard ingredient to a well-known dish. Usually the results are disgusting, because those ingredients range from breath mints to pig heads, but sometimes they’re good. The cast rate them on a scale of skull-and-crossbones to ten. A quick, fun watch.

Other popular categories include:

Batsu Games: Still batsu games (”punishment” games - so basically dares), but without the no-laughing or 24-hour element. This is a pretty varied category, but it always features select castmembers who have lost wagers undergoing humiliating but entertaining punishments. If you’re looking for the one with all the whipped-cream pies, this is where you should be looking. It’s called “No-Reaction Pie Hell”.

Shichi Henge: Castmembers take it in turns to try and make one another laugh in a silent room. Whoever laughs loses money.

Silent Library (link on reddit header): This segment also revolves around grossout/painful punishments, but in a library setting where the contestants are forbidden from making noise. Often features celebrity guests. Had a very short-lived Western remake.

Other gems can also be found in the Other Subbed Episodes category; the episode titles tend to be pretty descriptive, so just have a read over them and take your pick - however, all these pages list episodes from oldest to newest, and Gaki has been running since the early 90s, so bear that in mind when you’re choosing. Some of my personal favourites are Lego Battle, Classic Retro Gaming, Bravery Bowling, the Negativity Prohibited! tours, and Let’s Play with Table Games from Around the World.

Who subs Gaki and how can I support them?

I do not subtitle any of my videos; they are all clips taken from full subbed episodes. There are quite a few teams + outliers who have subbed the various episodes collated on r/gakinotsukai over the years, but the most active subtitlers currently are:

Team Gaki

Tofu Panda Subs

and Shionの使い

PLEASE go support them however you can (each one has donation/ko-fi/patreon links readily available on their websites), because they’re the ones putting in the hard work to make Gaki accessible to English speakers.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for 2000+ followers!

[myyenlee]

Celebrating UK Black History Month: Learning Resources, a Read & Watch List, and Content Creation Tools

This year’s UK Black History Month theme, Proud To Be, is about celebrating the Black experience. As a distributed company with employees around the world, including the United Kingdom, we believe that the more perspectives we embrace, and the more we learn about our teammates, the better we are at engaging and helping our global community. 

This October, we encourage individuals and organizations to learn more about Black history, heritage, and culture in the UK. “Black British history is British history. It’s more than a month; it is interwoven in everything,” says Ama, a colleague based in Scotland. “We have changed landscapes in education, law, politics, work, and equality for all within the UK.” Black history is deeply embedded in UK culture, says Ama, from institutions — like the National Health Service — to music, sports, art, media, and popular culture.

Interested in learning more? We’ve compiled a list of staff recommendations:

websites and organizations on WordPress

books, films, and television by Black thinkers and creators in the UK

blogging and website-building tools

Explore these resources this month — or bookmark them for learning and inspiration anytime.

#PoweredByWordPress learning resources

From the official UK Black History Month hub to the website of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, these resources are great starting points for your journey.

Black History Month 2021

All year long, Black History Month publishes news, features, career and education information, and event listings across the UK. Make it your first resource for getting educated and involved.

Black Heroes Foundation

Focused on youth education and development, this London-based community charity raises Black cultural awareness of the general public, educating and uplifting youth in particular. The foundation envisions a world where Black heroes are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated.

Stephen Lawrence Day

The 1993 murder and case of Stephen Lawrence — an 18-year-old from southeast London who was killed in an unprovoked racial attack while waiting for the bus — led to a major shift in the UK in attitudes about racism, the criminal justice system, and the role of the police. The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation continues to tell Stephen’s story, offers resources for educators and organizers, and works toward creating a just society.

The National Archives

The National Archives is the official archive and publisher of the UK government, documenting over 1000 years of history. Researchers can browse the Black British history section of the website for a guide on social and political history in the 20th century, lots of blog and multimedia content, and records relating to British citizens of African and African-Caribbean descent.

Black History Walks

Partnering with museums, schools, and other institutions, Black History Walks offers a dozen walking tours throughout London, public monthly educational talks, and video courses and resources on Black history. Its diverse programming targets a range of people both in person and online, from students to travelers to businesses.

A read & watch syllabus

Looking for book, TV, and film recommendations about Black history and culture in the UK — or by Black scholars and creators — but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some of our nonfiction, fiction, and film and television picks.

Nonfiction

Black and British: A Forgotten History: Published to accompany the BBC Two series noted in the Film and Television section below, this must-read book by historian David Olusoga examines the shared history between the British Isles and the people of Africa.

100 Great Black Britons: In this book, Patrick Vernon and Angelina Osborne — founders of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign — celebrate Black British history and recognize key Black Britons who have helped to shape Great Britain.

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging: A hybrid of history and memoir, Afua Hirsch’s book “reveals the identity crisis at the heart of Britain today” and explores a nation in denial about its imperial past and present.

This Is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity: In a book that demands fundamental change, activist and lawyer Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu examines the roots of racism and anti-Blackness and calls for meaningful action.

The Louder I Will Sing: A Story of Racism, Riots and Redemption: In 1985, when Lee Lawrence was a child, his mother was wrongfully shot by police during a raid on their home in Brixton. Published more than three decades later, his memoir chronicles what it was like to grow up as a young Black man in England and how that day influenced his family.

In Black and White: A Young Barrister’s Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System: Experiencing a tragedy as a teenager pushed Alexander Wilson to become a barrister — a type of lawyer — so she could make a difference within an unjust system. Her debut book describes her experience as a mixed-race woman in a field lacking in diverse representation.

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire: In this book, author and hip-hop artist Akala blends biography and personal experience with an examination of race and class across topics — from education to politics and the police to the far right.

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto: This “coming-to-power manifesto” by Michaela Coel — the actress, writer, and creator of I May Destroy You — builds on an inspiring keynote address she delivered at the 2018 Edinburgh International Television Festival about resilience, empathy, storytelling, and growing up in public housing in East London.

What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower’s Guide to Why You Are Already Enough: In this illustrated self-help guide, author and influencer Chidera Eggerue, also known as the Slumflower, writes about self-love, empowerment, and creating your own narrative. The book also includes Igbo proverbs from Eggerue’s Nigerian mother.

I recommend David Olusoga’s Black and British: A Forgotten History. It’s a really important book, with new updates on the Windrush scandal and Black Lives Matter from the UK perspective.

—Victoria Jones, UK

Fiction

White Teeth: Published over 20 years ago, Zadie Smith’s debut novel focuses on the lives of two unlikely friends and their families in London. Considered a “modern classic of multicultural Britain,” the book is a window into the immigrant experience.

Girl, Woman, Other: Weaving a dozen narratives about different people across ages, backgrounds, and professions, Bernardine Evaristo examines topics of identity, race, and womanhood in modern Britain.

Love in Colour: This collection of short stories by author Bolu Babalola reimagines ancient love stories and folktales from around the world, from Greek myths to Middle Eastern legends, and centers Black women and strong female characters.

Queenie: This sharp and funny novel by Candice Carty-Williams is about the life of Queenie Jenkins, a mid-twenties British Jamaican woman living in London who’s struggling to find her place in the world.

Such a Fun Age: One night, a supermarket security guard sees a young Black woman, Emira Tucker, in the aisles with a white toddler. The guard accuses Emira of kidnapping, when in reality she’s the babysitter. In this novel, Kiley Reid takes a look at race, class, power dynamics, and privilege.

I’ve greatly valued Zadie Smith’s work. Her novels — especially White Teeth — are well crafted and offer a mix of comedy and realism that often focuses on social class in England. Her essays are things of beauty. She’s worth a read, no matter the month.

Daryl L. L. Houston, USA

Film and Television

Black and British: A Forgotten History: This BBC Two series by David Olusoga, composed of four episodes, looks at the relationship between Britain and people of African origins, slavery, and Black British identity in the 20th century.

Small Axe: In this anthology of five films, 12 Years a Slave filmmaker Steve McQueen brings to life the stories of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to 1980s.

Black Power: A British Story of Resistance: This hour-and-a-half documentary includes interviews with activists involved in Britain’s Black Power movement in the late 1960s. (The BBC’s larger collection of programming for Black History Month is also worth browsing.)

I May Destroy You: Michaela Coel’s recent Emmy-winning drama series is about a promising young writer, Arabella, who is sexually assaulted one night while out with her friends. The show explores consent and trauma, and stars a primarily Black British cast.

Black and Welsh: Cardiff-born filmmaker Liana Stewart brings together people from across Wales to highlight its multiculturalism and to share stories from community members about what it means to be Black and Welsh.

Hair Power: Me and My Afro: Irish writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri has intimate conversations with both men and women about their hair, digging into how and why Afro and Black hair is an important and complex aspect of the Black experience.

Highlife: This premium reality TV show follows the lives of eight successful, glamorous British West Africans and depicts a different angle of Black life in the UK.

Desmond’s: Originally running from 1989 to 1994, this sitcom was set in a barbershop in Peckham, southeast London, and featured a mostly Black British Guyanese cast.

Blog and website resources

Lean on these resources, tools, and organizations during UK Black History Month — and beyond — to publish content on your site that’s fitting for your audience, or to connect with and collaborate with others.

Stock illustration libraries like Black Illustrations.

Diverse stock photography sites, including free resources like Nappy, Picnoi, and CreateHER Stock, and premium photo collections at TONL, Eye for Ebony, Mocha Stock, and Raw Pixel. (Disabled and Here, a free stock image library with photos of disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), also publishes an interview series with disabled BIPOC writers and activists.)

Organizations at the intersection of tech and diversity, like UKBlackTech, which supports diverse innovation and equity, transparency, and representation across the UK; and TechUP Women, a tech training program for people from underrepresented communities.

Teaching resources across age groups, including a Black History Month resource pack, a BBC series of short films for primary and secondary school teachers, and The Times Educational Supplement’s Black experiences hub.

Would you like to recommend a website on WordPress, writing or media by a Black thinker or creator in the UK, or another resource? Tell us in the comments.

from Blogging Tips https://wordpress.com/blog/2021/10/04/uk-black-history-month-resources-recommendations-tools/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[vandorens-archive]

do you have any advice (what to avoid, things to keep in mind) for writers writing Pakistani characters? (it's for a character in the main cast, not the antagonist if it helps!)

Writing a Pakistani character: A three part guide

Part I: Dil, Dil Pakistan* — What makes a Pakistani a Pakistani?

[*The title of a patriotic song from the nineties]

— Provinces

Pakistan has four provinces and one federal territory. When making your character, I would recommend doing some more research into the specific customs each province celebrates, just to get an idea of your character’s family background. The regions of Pakistan are:

Punjab: The most populated province of Pakistan. Famous cities include Rawalpindi, Lahore and Faisalabad.

Sindh: Home to Karachi, the most populated city of Pakistan and the entertainment hub of the country.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Located in the north of Pakistan. Famous cities include Peshawar and Abbottabad. 

Balochistan: The largest province of Pakistan. Popular destinations include the city of Quetta and the Makran coast. 

Islamabad Capital Territory: The capital, also simply known as Islamabad (my home!)

— Languages

There are over a dozen languages spoken in Pakistan. Here are the seven major ones and the areas they’re spoken in:

Urdu: The national language

English: The official language (we were a colony after all)

Punjabi: Punjab

Pashto: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Sindhi: Rural Sindh

Balochi: Balochistan

Saraiki: Some parts of Punjab

— Religions

Around ninety five percent of Pakistanis are Muslims (plus the different sects of Islam), however, Pakistan is home to other religions too, such as Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism. You can find out more here and here. 

— General

Although some of our customs are defined by the region we’re from, at our core, all Pakistanis are nearly the same. When I think of my average, run-of-the-mill family living in Pakistan, I think about our intrinsic need to gather, whether it’s on Eid, or at weddings, birthdays or even just to watch the final of the cricket world cup. Take this scene from Bend It Like Beckham, for example, where Jess’ family and friends gather together in her sister’s pre-wedding celebrations:

This is something all South Asian households have seen at least once. We love to share our things — our happiness, our knowledge, our food. We’re prideful people, too, in our work, in our religion, and in our nationality. So when you’re writing your character, remember to weave their culture into their background! 

+ This post by @lilquill gives a wonderful insight on writing about a character of colour’s cultural experiences!

Part II: Log kya kahenge?* — The shortcomings of Pakistani characters portrayed in Western media

[*English translation: What will people say? Usually said by fearful parents afraid that you’ll do something that’ll make society shun you and your family and is very eye roll worthy—a bit like these stereotypes]

Growing up, it was rare to see a character like me—South Asian, Muslim, female—represented positively in media. We were background characters—the servile convenience store man, the taxi driver—or we were antagonists—the oppressive parent who tried to force their young daughter into marrying a man of the village, the religious man turned terrorists—or, we were adults trying to escape the choke-holds of our culture to marry someone white (I’m looking at you The Big Sick). And, sure, these people do exist. Of course they do! But where are our positive stories? We can be well rounded, nuanced, interesting protagonists too. We can be sidekicks. We can be love interests, and if you’re still desperate to make us background characters, please, do not make it dependent on the hackneyed idea of our cultures, or reduce it to nonexistence. Here is a list of common South Asian stereotypes if you want a list of what to avoid.

Part III: Scene On Hai* — The Pakistani/South Asian experience, as told through stories

[*A common slang term used to express excitement. Usually used by teenagers when plans are made]

Here is a short list of some Pakistani/Muslim centric media you can consume in order to get an understanding of our lives, or if you’re bored and have nothing to do. Enjoy!

Cake (2018) — Three estranged siblings reconnect in order to take care of their sickly parents. This film has a stunning cast, beautiful visuals, and is a kick punch of emotions. 

The Long Goodbye — A concept album and short film by Riz Ahmed, in which he talks about being Brown and British, and gives us the intimate details of his breakup with Britain. Trigger warnings for violence.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza — Focuses on the lives of an Indian-Muslim family living in America as they try to find a balance between tradition and modernism. 

From Apu to Master of None: how US pop culture tuned into the south Asian experience — An article in The Guardian

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King — A comedic look into the life of an Indian-American Muslims. 

Aakhri Station (The Last Station) — A seven-episode series following seven women as they travel across Pakistan in a train compartment. Trigger warnings for violence, drug abuse and forced prostitution. 

Ackley Bridge — What happens when two schools, a primarily White school and a South Asian school, are merged together? This show covers the general teen experience, while also tackling cultural issues, prejudice and sexuality. 

Nine Books With South Asian Characters — A list by Teen Vogue

George Ka Pakistan (George’s Pakistan) — Follows George Fulton as he explores Pakistan. This show is widely credited to be one of Pakistan’s first reality shows, with its logline being “The show revolves around George Fulton, a British journalist who has three months to become a Pakistani”. 

I hoped this helped nonnie! If you need clarity on something, feel free to send me some follow up questions! Note as well that my experiences as a Pakistani expat living abroad are different from the experiences of a Pakistani teenager living in Pakistan, so I’d recommend searching up blogs or videos made by and for the Pakistani youth if you need to. 

[webonli-blog]

How To Get Started With Facebook Retargeting

Now you know how custom audiences and retargeting work, the next question is how to go about setting up your own retargeting campaign and get it up and running. What’s important to recognize at this point is that Facebook is a constantly evolving platform and is constantly updating its UI, it’s systems, and its features. That is to say that while this instruction is accurate at the time of writing, it may well have changed by the time you get around to employing it. That said, the changes introduced are gradual and in most cases, it should be easy enough to extrapolate the information and work out where things have changed.

Getting Started With Facebook Advertising

Before you can get started, you will first need to have a Facebook account, and it is a good idea to set up a Facebook page as well. To do this, you first need to set up a Facebook Ads Manager account. One of the best ways to do this is by making a Facebook business page. We recommend doing this as it will provide a very powerful way to interact with Facebook’s 2.2 billion users, and provides a hub that will be very useful when used in conjunction with your advertising. Creating a page is very simple: just go to facebook.com/business and then click ‘Create a Page’ (it’s currently found in the hamburger menu on the left, or on the right from a drop down button where it also says ‘Create an Add’. You can then type of page you want to create (local business or place, company, brand etc.). From here, it is very easy to then set up your page by filling out the information prompted – such as a profile image, a description of your business, a link to your website, a call to action etc.

Setting Up Facebook Retargeting

From here, you can log into the Facebook Ads Manager. This will show you any live campaigns you have going on, which of course will be empty if you’re signing up for the first time. Click the button that says ‘Create’ in order to get started creating your ad. But we’re going to rewind for a moment, because there’s a little more you will need to do when creating a retargeting campaign specifically. To get this working, you are going to need to use what Facebook calls a ‘Facebook pixel’. This is simply the name of the cookie, and it works by storing information on the user’s computer as described. This will be a small snippet of code that you will need to paste onto the HTML of your relevant pages. But don’t worry – if you aren’t sure what that is then you can ask your website developer. Better yet, if you have a WordPress site, then you’ll be able to use a number of plugins to automatically add the pixels to every relevant page. The pixels can either be added to ad campaigns that are already live, or can be used to set up brand new ones – so it is up to you which order you do this in. To create a pixel, go to the hamburger menu on the left and then select ‘Pixels’ from the category beneath ‘Measure and Report’. From here, the next steps are fairly self-explanatory. You can then choose to ‘Create a Pixel’ and then name and create said pixel. The pixel itself is neutral and won’t in any way contain any information pertaining to your audience. This makes it very important that you choose a sensible name for your pixel, so that you can easily identify it when you’re looking at your list of pixels and thereby apply the correct one to the correct campaign. So, for example, if you want to identify visitors who have looked specifically at a brand of trainer, then you should call the pixel by the brand and the model of that product. If you want to identify all customers who have been to your site however, then you might use something more generic like ‘Site Visitor’. Or you might create a pixel for a specific category of product, such as ‘shoe shopper’. These aren’t either/or decisions. You can create a pixel for all these different categories and then use them in conjunction to cast your net far and wide, then hone in on specific members where you have enough information. Once you have made the pixel, you can then return to your ad manager to create your custom audience. Select ‘Website Traffic’ for this example, and then choose the parameters that the site visitor is going to need to meet. You can actually add some other interesting and useful metrics in order to get more granular information without making a million different pixels – for example you can look for visitors who have been to pages that contain the word ‘shoe’ in the URL! Once you have built your custom audience, you then need to create your ad. That is where you can apply the custom audience to the particular campaign. Of course, you will now also need to go ahead and copy and paste the Facebook pixel code onto the relevant pages of your website. Where do you place the pixel? The idea is that you’re trying to identify specific actions that the user has taken, which in turn gives you specific information about that user and what they may be interested in purchasing. There are generally considered to be 17 different standard ‘pixel events’ that you can use in this capacity. These are: Purchase – When someone buys a product on your website. After all, there is no lead that is more qualified than someone who has already bought from you. If they like the product, they may well be happy to buy from you again, and now they know they can definitely trust you. Lead – A lead is someone who signs up for a trial or perhaps a mailing list – though these can also be categorized in other ways. Complete registration – Someone who has completed any kind of registration form. This is another way you might categorize those who sign up for your mailing lists, but it can also include those who sign up to your site, or who create a profile for your forum. Ad payment info – Someone who has added their payment details to your website. This is a very ‘hot’ lead, as the person has demonstrated a clear interest in buying from you at some point in the future. Add to cart – Someone has added a product to their shopping cart. If someone does this and then leaves the page, you stand a very good chance of convincing them to buy at a subsequent time. Add to wishlist – Someone has added your product to some kind of wishlist function you have on your website. This is another very strong indicator that they are open to buying from you in future – and that they have interest in that product specifically. Initiate checkout – This person is about as hot as they come. These are the ‘ones that got away’ who added the item to their cart, then headed over to the checkout page. They might even have begun filling out their delivery address before something tore them away. So close! But thanks to Facebook retargeting, there is such thing as a second chance! Search – This means someone has used the search function on your website. That might mean looking for a specific product, or perhaps searching for specific information. View content – Someone has visited a particular page on your website. This could mean they read a particular blog post that suggests that have a particular interest, or it could be a category of product. Contact – Someone has contacted your business in any way. Customize product – A person has looked at a specific type of product, or in some way selected criteria. For example, they might have entered their shoe size. Donate – Someone has donated to your cause. Remember, these tools are not only for ‘for profit’ businesses. Find Location – Someone has looked for the location of your business. Schedule – Someone has booked some form of appointment or meeting with your business. Start trial – Someone has signed up for a free trial of a product, or a free trial membership to a service. Submit application – Someone has submitted an application for a service or product. Subscribe – Someone has subscribed to a paid product or service. While this list might seem to cover just about every possibility, it’s also possible to create your own custom events which can behave in any way you like and register any action you want. When creating your pixel, you will be given the option to choose ‘automatic advanced matching’. This is an option that will add hashed customer data from your website to Facebook profiles. This can be a useful tool for more accurately tracking conversions and building bigger customer audiences. The information will only be that which customers have already added. You can also test your pixel once it’s installed on your website. You can do this by entering the website URL and then clicking ‘Send Test Traffic’. If it’s tracking then congratulations! You’re ready to go ahead and take the next step. There’s also a Google Chrome extension you can add called the Facebook Pixel Helper. This extension will look for the pixel when you visit your pages and will show you how many pixels are live on that page if any. It can also let you know if everything is working properly.

Creating the Ad

With the ad now created, you can next head back to your Ad Manager and build the specific ads that you are going to use in conjunction with the pixels. Click the ‘Create an Ad’ button that is just by the ‘Create a Page’ button. Now you’ll be asked to choose an objective for your campaign. This of course is going to reflect what you plan on achieving via the use of your ads and there are several options here: Brand awareness – Help more people discover and become familiar with your company/products. Reach – Get your ad to reach as many people as you possibly can. Traffic – Drive traffic to your page or website. Engagement – Increase engagement by gaining more page likes, comments, return visits etc. App installs – Get more people to download and install an app Video views – Increase the number of views for your videos Lead generation – Get more prospects for your sales funnel Messages – Get more messages via Facebook messenger. A message is a lead and you shouldn’t underestimate its potential value. Conversions – Get people to make a certain action once they’re on your website. Of course this can include buying a product, which is going to be the number one action many readers of this book are looking for. Catalog sales – Show people the ads for products that they might want to buy (more on this in a moment) Store visits – Get nearby visitors to visit your actual store location. In many cases, a retargeting campaign will be aimed to driving conversions – purchases. However, you can also use this to increase engagement and visibility etc. After all, someone is more likely to read a blog post from you if they have read previous blog posts and enjoyed them. Keeping your brand foremost in the minds of your fans and followers is one of the most important ways to keep growing your business. Retargeting applies to nearly any goal. After you’ve chosen a goal, you’ll next choose a name for the campaign. Again, this can be an important way to identify specific campaigns you have previously created. You will also have the opportunity here to create an ‘A/B split test’ – this allows you to create two slightly different versions of the same ad in order to compare which performs best and adopt positive changes. The budget optimization option can help you to keep tabs on how much your spending across multiple campaigns. This is useful for the budget conscious, but also for anyone who wants to maximize their earnings by cleverly manipulating the numbers. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to fill out your details to create an ad account. Next, you can choose the audience – and this is where you can opt for the custom audience that you’ve just created with your pixel! Alternatively, you could use the lists that we discussed early to fill in this section. OR you can go ahead and choose the precise demographics and details that will qualify people to be suitable for your campaign. As mentioned, using a combination of retargeting and this traditional form of targeted marketing is the very best way to bring in the most possibly customers. You’ll this way be employing a one-two punch: bringing in new visitors who might be interested based on their age, location, interests, etc. Then keeping those new visitors engaged by retargeting to them when they leave.   Read the full article

[danganvoice]

so i realized when we made the announcement we never actually copied it from our server to the actual blog-

danganvoice as a project was discontinued quite some time ago. there were just not enough members to cover the workload, too many lines were forgotten & never sent in, and the mods here wanted to go in different directions with the project. it’s not something we took lightly, though; we talked it over for months before deciding closing this project was for the best.

that being said, a ton of our members are still active in the voice acting community, and i’d like to use this blog as a hub for danganronpa voice acting? i’ll reblog casting calls, videos, posts, etc. so if you’ve got something, send it over to @kaedeakamatsu! and good luck with all your projects, guys!^^

-kae💕

[smosh-stuff]

The Defy situation.

So, as most of you probably already know, there have been updates.

Last night, things looked hopeful for Smosh- but there was an update from Defy, which Joven explains fully in his update video. The termination that was meant to take place in January has been shifted to... right now. And because of that, Smosh and Smosh games will be forced to go dark.

Again, Joven explains this all fully in his video, and I highly recommend you watch it. But in case anyone cant view it at the moment or anything else, I figured I would kind of summarize the facts from his video.

Defy is forcing Smosh and its affiliated channels to go dark.

What this means is that, while all the Smosh channels WILL be up and their content won't be going anywhere, there will no longer be any new content posted on the channels.

Everyone at Smosh- at least 80 people- lost their jobs.

While this is an end to the Smosh brand, this is NOT an end to the Smosh family.

Each of the main cast will be continuing on with their lives, but they were always friends and they always will be. Joven talked about plans to work with all of the Smosh cast on personal projects in the future, and said that they have no plans to stop working with each other as independent creators. They have their own social media, many of them their own youtube channels, and you should definitely go check all of them out and follow to keep up with what they do next!

Now, the second question: What does that mean for this blog?

Broadly speaking, nothing.

This blog will continue to remain active. I will still be engaging in the fanbase and working on content related to all of the smosh family. The only major change will be that in addition to posts relating to their old content as a brand, I also plan to function as a sort of hub fanblog for all of the previous Smosh members going forward. No matter where they go, I will most likely be following them.

This is a heartbreaking event, but as Joven said, it’s not an end. It’s... a big change and the end of an era, but all of these people are still alive, still creating, and there are already bigger, brighter things in the future. 

I have been a fan of smosh for six years now, and I’ll be honest, I bawled at Joven’s video. Not only did this company give me hours and hours of laughter and joy, but it brought me together with some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. My closest friends, my chosen family, my girlfriend- I made all of these connections through this wonderful community, and I feel like crying again just thinking about it. But none of that is gone. Defy can’t take any of that away. The connections we’ve made, the emotions we’ve felt, the time we’ve had. Our family is still here, and it is still strong. We will all make it through this, together.

Anyone who wants/needs to talk- my DMs and ask box are always open.

Stay lovely, everyone.