#the golden age of streaming

[tomorrowusa]

We stand with WGA and SAG-AFTRA!

The highly profitable studios with their grossly overpaid CEOs are the epitome of avarice and hypocrisy.

All they can do is make essentially the same movies and TV shows over and over and over again. Their production of cliched formulaic blockbusters is falling flat with audiences. Instead of spending $250 million making one film they could use that to make ten $25 million films. And the irony is that they would probably make more money and wouldn't have to treat actors and writers like livestock.

Parasite (2019) was out of the ordinary in many ways. It was not another predictable and flashy superhero sequel. It cost just $15.5 million to make but has brought in $262.7 million – so far. That lesson is lost on Hollywood which is in a deepening creative rut and wants to make things even worse by stifling imagination with AI.

Daring to be different and relying on quality can be quite profitable. Star Wars and Game of Thrones were not typical sci-fi and fantasy works but they paid off amazingly well.

Perhaps it's time for writers and actors to start their own studio and give the bloated big guys some badly needed competition.

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For those who still don't get what these strikes are all about, the bottom line is fair pay for honest work.

The 1 cent paycheque: here’s the awful truth about being an actor in the 'golden' age of streaming

[if-we-are-free-tell-me-why]

Do you know how much media has been produced in the last decade? This really was the era of overstimulation where you never really could watch all the stuff there was.

So when people complain that TV will be bad now, so? Go back and watch all the stuff that's just rotting on streaming platforms it's not like it's 2007 and linear TV is your only option.

But most importantly just support the strike so that the people who make all the stuff you like can keep making it :)

[divinetheatre]

independence day, ethel cain

[illustratus]

Arcadian Landscape with a Bust of Flora by Jan van Huysum

[forsty]

It always makes me so sad when I see people complain about the lack of interesting tv shows these days like.... brother there is 4 decades worth of actually incredible and fun tv shows if you only dared open your eyes and look beyond the confinement of netflix...

I will add I totally understand it's also a Taste™ and Interest™ thing and that it may just boil down to a Special Interest™ thing but... just consider... The world is filled with SO many tv shows and they're all at your finger tips all you gotta do is dare reach out and touch the stars

[hegodamask]

can't believe the new series of pachinko is out and i had no idea until yesterday because i've seen no promotion for it at all

[circuses-and-childhoodtrauma]

Tommy Walker making the album Golden Age with his band years before Henry Danger has even premiered: This is going to encapsulate my character Drex so perfectly...

[cantsayidont]

August-September 1947. One thing that made Batman's posthumous accusations about the JSA rather strange was that the Golden Age Batman had had only limited involvement with the Justice Society. In the late '70s, the JSA origin in DC SPECIAL #29 established him as a founding member, but, barring a very brief cameo in ALL-STAR COMICS #7, the only Golden Age story in which Batman (and Superman) actually participated was this one, "5 Drowned Men!" in ALL-STAR COMICS #36. Moreover, the late Jerry Bails argued that this story (whose author remains unknown) originally featured the Atom and Johnny Thunder, whose chapters were redrawn at the last minute to substitute the higher-profile characters. The Earth-2 Batman later appeared in only two JLA/JSA crossovers, and was generally described as being in "semi-retirement" as a costumed hero.

This issue was the first time Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman all appeared together in the same comic, even on the cover, and the only one until the debut of the Silver Age Justice League more than a decade later. The "Trinity" concept that DC tries to push today with those characters had no Golden Age precedent to speak of, although Superman and Batman appeared together on the covers of WORLD'S FINEST COMICS (years before they actually shared any of the stories inside) and by this time were occasionally costarring on the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN radio show.

[cloama]

I need to speak to a long time user of Vudu by Fandango because I noticed it has really stood strong as a way to buy digital media via service online.

Is anyone here a Vudu user? Do you like it? Any downsides?

[countesspetofi]

I'd like to start Pride Month out with a recommendation for a documentary I saw recently. Montgomery Clift was a top movie star in the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for his sensitivity and vulnerability in an age when leading men were expected to be macho and stoic, and his off-the-charts chemistry with leading ladies like IRL best friend Elizabeth Taylor.

Since his untimely death at the age of 45, Clift has attained the status of queer icon. Biographers and the popular press have painted a picture of him as a tragic, St. Sebastian-like figure: stunted by an unconventional upbringing and an obsessive mother, tormented by life in the Hollywood closet, and broken by substance abuse and the 1956 car accident that scarred and partially paralyzed his famously beautiful face.

Monty's nephew, filmmaker Robert Clift, turns that image on its ear in his 2018 documentary Making Montgomery Clift. Robert's father, Brooks Clift, kept extensive journals, meticulously saved his correspondence, and even recorded and saved his phone calls. Robert dug into his father's archives and learned how Monty's official biographers had intentionally ignored Brooks's input and overlooked key information in service of the sad narrative they wished to create.

As a huge fan of Montgomery Clift, it made me so happy to learn that his life was not the all-consuming tragedy it's often made out to have been. While he did have his share of real problems, his life was more than that. He had loving relationships. He stayed connected with friends and family. He found fulfillment in his work, and he had hopes for the future. Hearing a recording of Monty's voice enthusing to his brother over his latest film project gave me such a warm feeling.

I highly recommend Making Montgomery Clift. It's currently streaming for free on several services, including Tubi, PLEX, and Crackle.

[thegreatshono]

12 Hour Twitch Stream!

Hey! We reached 1000 followers on Twitch. That's pretty cool right? We're celebrating with a 12 hour stream tomorrow starting at 10am eastern time. I'll be drawing your requests and other fun stuff! Twitch.tv/thegreatshono

There will secret content too which may or may not include tin foil hats, power point presentations, and music from a band I was in during college...

If you'd like to request an original character for me to draw, make sure you leave a reference image of your OC here in the comments so I can find it quickly when you're selected! (You must be present at the stream to request a character.)

It's going to be fun! I hope to see you tomorrow!

[sugar-hearts]

I'm thinking about how much of a shame it is that TV shows like Kawaii International and Tokyo Fashion Express don't exist anymore.

I understand it was because individual fashion influencers can post their content at any time. Ultimately, TV productions just couldn't keep up.

But.. I don't want to follow individual influencers. I'm not so interested in the specific people that wear the clothes; I just want to follow all Japanese fashion trends. One person (or even a selection of individual influencers) can't wear all the clothes from all the styles. And they're mostly on Instagram and Twitter, which are apps I hate using.

I do keep up with Tokyo Fashion photographs and their YouTube videos, and it does help with following along, but it's obviously not quite the same.

I guess I'll just have to accept that niche will remain unfilled, and resign myself to subscribing to jfashion influencers on YouTube.

[knifebucket]

middle school crushes don't usually last long but I do still want to lick Charlie McDonnell's face

[emilyofjane]

Streaming killed the New Golden Age of Television. And we should never stop giving them hell for it.

Inside Job didn’t just get canceled.

It had its first season split in two, a tactic animators said was used for Cuphead to let them pay staff less. Then, the show was renewed for a real second season.

And then the show was canceled before that second season anyway.

Final Space didn’t just get canceled on the most depressing cliffhanger ever. It was removed from all platforms before becoming a tax write-off, essentially meaning the only ways of really watching the show is through DVD or pirating.

The Owl House wasn’t just given a shortened third season. Disney, a company already known for a, let’s say, complicated relationship with its LGBT+ history, took a show created by a bisexual woman, filled with beloved LGBT+ characters, some of which were teenagers just like the audience, and told said creator to destroy her shows pacing so she could finish her story in just 3 45 minute specials.

I can go on about how Hollywood and television don’t respect animation and the like but this is endemic of a larger problem:

Capitalism destroys art.

The constant need for shows to be either the biggest thing in history or a complete failure, the constant need for a cash cow, leads to any show that doesn’t immediately become Squid Game or Stranger Things levels of popular, especially animated shows, getting scrapped for no reason other then it doesn’t make them enough money.

In our hyper capitalist hellscape, I worry we’re going to see more Inside Jobs, Final Spaces, and Owl Houses: shows made with love, that showcase potential, and dedicated fanbases, having a renewal reversed, or becoming a tax write off, or having its story rushed, so that the executives can save a few cents, while also fucking over employees.

I think that’s the part that always needs to be remembered too; the people behind these shows. Not just the creators or voice actors or well known animators, but everybody. As NewDeal4Animation illustrated, staffs on these shows are often underpaid and overworked. And to then, to not just lose a show you spent months, years of your life on out of nowhere, but to essentially lose a job… it’s terrifying. And every staff member, from the creators to the unpaid interns, deserves better.

So yea. That’s just my thoughts on the matter I guess.

[galleryofart]

Portrait Of A Woman

Artist: Thomas Gainsborough (English, 1727-1788)

Genre: Portrait

Date: c. 1750

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Collection: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

[maxlearnmicrolearningplatform]

The Second Golden Age of Audio: The Rise of Podcasts

Podcasts might bring to mind the nostalgia of yesteryear’s radio, but they have undeniably ushered in what many are calling the second golden age of audio. Since their inception, podcasts have evolved from niche hobbyist projects to mainstream media platforms, capturing the imaginations of millions. This surge in popularity, particularly noticeable after 2014, can be attributed to the rapid advancements in technology and the pervasive reach of the Internet. Today, people of all ages and from all corners of the globe are hooked on podcasts, finding them a convenient and engaging way to seek information, entertainment, and education.

The Evolution of Podcasts

The term "podcast" was coined in 2004, blending "iPod" and "broadcast." However, it wasn't until the technological advancements of the mid-2010s that podcasts truly began to flourish. The proliferation of smartphones, improvements in mobile internet speeds, and the development of user-friendly podcast apps contributed significantly to this boom.

Laptops and Mobile Phones: These devices have become the primary means through which people consume podcasts. With the advent of more powerful and affordable smartphones, access to podcasts became more widespread. Users can now listen to their favorite shows on the go, whether during a commute, workout, or while doing household chores.

Apps and Streaming Services: The rise of platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other dedicated podcast apps has made discovering and subscribing to podcasts easier than ever. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, personalized recommendations, and seamless integration with other media services.

Other Technologies: Smart speakers and voice-activated assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, have further expanded the accessibility of podcasts. These devices allow users to play episodes with simple voice commands, integrating podcasts into their daily routines effortlessly.

The Growing Popularity of Podcasts

As technology made podcasts more accessible, people's habits and preferences began to shift. The Internet's ubiquitous presence has fundamentally changed how we seek and consume information. Here are some factors contributing to the exponential rise in podcast popularity:

Convenience and Flexibility: Podcasts offer unparalleled convenience. Unlike traditional radio or TV, podcasts can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Listeners can choose from a vast array of topics and genres, fitting their consumption around their own schedules. This flexibility has made podcasts a favorite medium for multitaskers.

Diverse Content: The podcasting world is incredibly diverse. There are shows covering virtually every topic imaginable, from true crime and history to science fiction and self-improvement. This diversity caters to a wide range of interests, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Engagement and Connection: Podcasts create a unique sense of intimacy and connection between hosts and listeners. The audio format allows for personal storytelling and in-depth discussions, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust. This engagement is often more profound than what other media formats can offer.

Educational Value: Many podcasts provide educational content, making learning accessible and enjoyable. From language learning podcasts to deep dives into academic subjects, podcasts have become a valuable tool for lifelong learning.

Community Building: Podcasts often build dedicated communities of listeners who share common interests. This sense of community is reinforced through social media interactions, live events, and listener participation segments, further enhancing the podcast experience.

The Impact of Podcasts on Information Seeking Habits

The rise of podcasts has significantly influenced how people seek information and entertainment. Here are some key ways in which podcasts have reshaped these habits:

On-Demand Information: The on-demand nature of podcasts aligns with modern information-seeking habits. People are no longer bound by broadcast schedules; they can access the information they want, when they want it. This immediacy has changed expectations for content consumption.

Multitasking: Podcasts have become the go-to medium for multitaskers. Whether driving, exercising, or cooking, people can absorb content while engaged in other activities. This ability to multitask has expanded the time available for learning and entertainment.

Personalization: Podcast platforms use algorithms to recommend shows based on listening history, making it easier for users to discover new content tailored to their preferences. This personalization enhances the user experience and encourages continued engagement.

Depth and Detail: Unlike traditional media, podcasts often delve deep into subjects, providing detailed analysis and long-form discussions. This depth of content appeals to those seeking a more comprehensive understanding of a topic.

The Future of Podcasts

The future of podcasts looks incredibly promising. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which we create and consume audio content. Here are some trends and developments to watch for in the coming years:

Continued Technological Advancements: Advances in AI and machine learning will likely improve podcast recommendations and discoverability. Enhanced voice recognition technology will make interacting with podcasts even more seamless.

Monetization and Professionalization: As the industry grows, more opportunities for monetization will emerge. This could lead to higher production values and more professionally produced content, attracting even larger audiences.

Interactive Podcasts: The future might see the rise of interactive podcasts, where listeners can influence the direction of the content in real-time, creating a more engaging and participatory experience.

Global Reach: Podcasts are already popular worldwide, but as internet access improves in developing regions, their reach will expand even further. This global audience will bring new voices and perspectives to the medium.

Integration with Other Media: Podcasts are increasingly being integrated with other forms of media, such as video and social media platforms. This cross-media integration will create new ways for audiences to engage with content.

Conclusion

Podcasts have undeniably ushered in a second golden age of audio, transforming how we seek information, entertainment, and education. The combination of technological advancements and shifting consumer habits has propelled podcasts to unprecedented popularity. With their convenience, diverse content, and unique ability to engage listeners, podcasts are here to stay. As we look to the future, the podcasting landscape will continue to evolve, offering even more innovative and immersive experiences for audiences around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned listener or just discovering the medium, there has never been a better time to dive into the world of podcasts.