Back in the days of Shakespeare, theatre was one of the most widely accepted and talked about means of spreading cultural capital and ideas, with the working man or woman able to find out more about how their rulers ticked on the stage than perhaps anywhere else.

These days, theatres have become places where rich people like to hold business meetings during the interval and where a miniature tub of ice cream costs more than a three course dinner, although there are some shows which still try to keep things fun and entertaining.

Fortunately, there are plays that manage to buck the trend and include aspects that will still appeal to the masses rather than only the well-heeled few. One of these is games, whose application in a stage play can vary from symbolism all the way through to bringing about a plot twist.

Here are some of the world’s most famous stage plays that featured or were based around popular games.

All of these plays managed to weave game dynamics into a piece of compelling drama

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead – Tom Stoppard

This Stoppard masterpiece is one of the great stage plays of the 20^th century and is still revered to this day by theatre goers and critics alike. 

Classic games are used in the play in order to toy with the question of whether the fate of people, and the world they live in, is predetermined, ruled by chaos, or if there is a half-way house that means things can be predicted through probabilities and equations. 

This makes for a gripping and challenging play which is actually a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The message being conveyed to onlookers can be construed in many ways, but the main one seems to be that as much as peoples’ live are defined by determinism, it is man’s innate desire to compete and throw caution to the wind that throws up life’s chaotic nature. This point is poignantly put across by Stoppard in a scene where two characters ponder the sort of calculations and probabilities that modern day blackjack and craps players face every time they are dealt a hand. 

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead still regularly plays at some of the top theatres around the US and, indeed, the world.

Sit back and enjoy the show

A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams

Card games are at the very heart of this American stage play classic, which was set in the bustling city of New Orleans.

As was the case in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the games in this play are largely symbolic, often revealing the motivations and personalities of characters rather than being pivotal to the plot or story arcs.

The game that the two protagonists Stanley and Blanche tend to play is poker, with a game being played in one of the play’s very first acts as well as in one of the final acts.

One of the best runs of the play took place at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 1988, with big names like Alec Baldwin, Jessica Lange and a budding James Gandolfini of Sopranos fame lighting up the boards.

Modern Immersive Theatre Plays Borrow Video Game Conventions

While the two plays above are classics which very clearly used games to get their intended messages across to the audience, there are now contemporary theatre plays which are borrowing other aspects of gaming culture to not only enhance their stories but also the way in which their plays are viewed and interacted with as a whole.

Immersive theatre has been a booming trend in recent years and has altered the role of the audience member, turning them from an inert observer into an active and intrinsic part of the play itself.

The Drowned Man, a play set in Hollywood but which ran at London’s Temple Studios, was a perfect case in point, pretty much turning audience members into active parts of the story they were watching, as if they were themselves an avatar in a video game.

There is no doubt that, as gaming culture proliferates, audience members will become less willing to sit back and be passive observers.

Mergers and takeovers are hardly news in the tech industry. Indeed in any industry with strong competition and great economic opportunities, the prospect of mergers every now and then is more or less a foregone conclusion. However, all mergers are not the same, some are minor with little or no impact in the industry, and some are major with great implications within the industry. 

The takeover of ZeniMax Media Inc by Microsoft is unlike most takeovers. It is a monumental one that will greatly impact the industry. It is one that could completely topple the power equation in the industry. For context, ZeniMax is one of the largest game developers in the world with different subsidiaries such as Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online Studios, Tango Gameworks, Arkane and MachineGames. The company has a large retinue of games designed to be played on consoles, handheld devices and PC. 

The deal, which is worth a whopping $7.5 billion dollars and due to be completed by 2021, will see Microsoft secure ownership of ZeniMax popular games such as:

• Wolfenstein
• DOOM
• Fallout
• Quake
• Dishonored
• The Elder Scrolls
• Starfield

A Potential Knockout Punch to Sony

Most industries comprise different categories of stakeholders spread across various tiers. This categorization is usually determined based on the size, commercial success and financial clout of the companies involved. Even for a company the size of Microsoft, this deal automatically becomes the biggest acquisition in its gaming section. This is because it dwarfs the $2.5 billion paid for the acquisition of Mojang, the Swedish company that developed Minecraft. 

This deal was a masterstroke for Microsoft because Minecraft was popular prior to taking over their parent company. This popularity hasn’t reduced even after the takeover as the game eventually sold over 200 million copies, thereby sealing its place as the best selling game ever produced. 

There is no doubt that ZeniMax’s takeover will produce a similar result in terms of commercial success for Microsoft both in the short and long term. This perhaps explains their willingness to shell out 7.5 billion dollars in cash for the deal. It may not be common practice for deals of that magnitude to be completed with all the monetary value of the transaction paid upfront. 

Microsoft vs Sony Studios

As implied above, this deal is a major power move by Microsoft as it gives them the outright advantage over Sony and automatically crowns them as the reigning king of the gaming industry. Prior to this takeover agreement, for quite a while, Sony had positioned itself as the overall king of the gaming industry due to its possession of 14 studios with a retinue of popular games under its umbrella. 

This dynamic was changed last year when Microsoft increased the number of its studios to 15, thereby overtaking Sony. Whereas Microsoft’s initial 15 studio teams were already higher than Sony’s 14, the takeover of ZeniMax will further bring about an additional 8 studio teams which will increase Microsoft’s creative studio teams to a whopping 23! Hence, with the magnitude of the ZeniMax deal and considering the popular titles that will be coming under Microsoft control, it is hard to see any commensurate response from Sony in the nearest future. For a start, it doesn’t possess the financial war chest at the behest of Microsoft. Hence, taking over a big studio similar to ZeniMax would have been a credible option, but they are likely to be priced out of the deal for most of the big studios available. 

Another sweetener to the deal is the report that Bethesda has started working on two exclusive games by GhostWire: Tokyo and Deathloop. Prior to the announcement of the Microsoft ZeniMax deal, it was touted that these two console games could be featured under Sony console games, now with the latest development, all of this has changed. Quite literally, Microsoft will potentially become the new fixation of gamers worldwide due to the release of two of the most anticipated games for next year.

Microsoft and the Future of Gaming

The symbolism of this deal would not be enough without paying homage to the success of Microsoft Xbox Game Pass, which would now be able to include the lineup of games previously under Bethesda among its vast gaming options. In takeovers such as this, the projection is not always about immediate results. The future projections are another key determinant. Just as in investment, the immediate value of the stock is not the major motivating factor behind the purchase; it is more about the potential future value. The projection of Microsoft is that Xbox unit subscriptions will increase further this year. 

Xbox Game Pass, which has already proven to be a more valuable alternative to Sony’s Playstation now, is also primed for a steep rise in subscriptions. Already, it offers players the option of downloading titles directly on the Xbox one as against Sony’s option of streaming PS3 games via different servers available on the network. The disadvantage with Sony’s offering is that streaming bandwidth and the strength of internet connectivity would impact gameplay, and this could be a turn-off for gamers willing to indulge their passion for gaming uninhibited. 

Additionally, players on Xbox Game Pass could purchase their preferred games when their subscription expires in order to enjoy unfettered access to it.  

Interestingly, this deal was sealed at a time the coronavirus pandemic started ravaging the world. As lockdowns and social distancing measures are being implemented, social contact reduction can only spell more time for gaming enthusiasts. Microsoft has leveraged this to boost its impressive customer base further. 

Autonomy to ZeniMax?

More impressive is the fact that Microsoft plans to grant autonomy to ZeniMax to continue operating independently. This move is designed to help sustain their creative impetus rather than bringing them under undue influence and control by Microsoft. So they get to continue to produce their games under the platform of Microsoft. 

Bethesda will come with significant experience garnered over the 34 years the company has been operational. Cloud gaming service seems to be the future of gaming, and Microsoft has already positioned itself strongly in that field. With Xbox Game Pass options gaining more titles, subscribers to Microsoft gaming services are only likely to increase further. With a staggering 15 million subscribers already, the sky appears to be the limit for Microsoft as their upward progression seems sealed, at least for the time being.  

Growth Opportunities for Microsoft’s Competitors

As massive as it is, this acquisition is not a death knell for others in the industry. Gaming is a quite expansive industry with abundant opportunities for growth. It is also an industry where innovation is a survival skill; hence, without a steady flow of new titles with exciting and innovative features, the stock and value of a company may dwindle significantly within a short time. Therefore with more efforts, Microsoft’s main competitors can also grow and develop. The industry is big enough for everyone. However, presently, Microsoft is the pathfinder and the top dog in the industry as they have just upped the ante and further distanced themselves from the rest of the competition. 

It is highly unlikely that the ZeniMax acquisition would be last by Microsoft. Within the next few years, Microsoft is believed to also acquire or collaborate with online casino software developers in a bid to unify their gaming collection. Can you imagine some new types of slot games like MegaWays slots developed by Big Time Gaming or NetEnt in collaboration with Microsoft? Would it be possible to get to play Spartacus or Ted Megaways demo on Microsoft official site? Who knows. By virtue of acquiring more studios and gaining more exclusives, an average gamer may have no choice than to either subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for easy access to some of the AAA titles or be forced to make a one-off sum for access to a particular game.

All in all, gamers are the winner in all these as they will continually be regaled with new products. This is a clarion call for the other stakeholders in the industry to work towards maintaining their market share.

The nights are drawing in and the mercury is dropping as we hurtle rapidly towards the holiday period. This means we’re putting away the garden furniture, hanging up our summer clothes, and turning on the heating in our homes.

As we move indoors for several months, many of us will be turning to games as a form of entertainment. If you’re one of those people, and you’re looking for something new to play this winter, then look no further than these.

Grand Theft Auto Online

Despite being more than seven years old, Grand Theft Auto V remains in the top-ten best selling video games list. This is thanks to the constantly-evolving world of Grand Theft Auto Online, with Rockstar Games regularly adding new missions and features.

GTA Online is available to anyone who owns a copy of Grand Theft Auto V on Xbox, PlayStation or PC. It’s free-to-play, though you can buy additional in-game cash to use on buying weapons and other items.

With GTA Online, you can do just about anything from car parkour to open-wheel racing, and from bank heists to playing card games in the Diamond Resort Casino. The possibilities really are endless.  

Poker

Poker is one of the most popular card games played today. It’s a great game to enjoy with loved ones over the holiday period, no matter whether you’re a seasoned player or complete beginner.

The basic poker rules are easy to pick up, so you can be up and running in minutes, and because you only need a deck of cards, that’s no fiddly setting up like with other board games.

Alternatively, you could always play online via your computer or smartphone. That doesn’t mean you can’t play with your friends though. Many online poker sites now also give you the ability to set up your own poker room and invite people to it.

Minecraft

Minecraft has beaten GTA V to the top spot in the list of best selling video games of all time. The nine-year-old game has been released on practically every platform ever in the last decade and offers a blank canvas for players to release their creativity.

In Minecraft, you have the freedom to build just about anything you can think of and the game even includes its own programming language to help you make your creations interactive.

There’s also an AR mobile version of Minecraft that lets you bring your creations into the real world by using your phone’s camera.

Monopoly

Monopoly is a board game that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for the best part of a century. It’s a classic that’s often played during the holiday period, though it has been known to be the cause of the occasional tantrum and argument.

If you enjoy this property trading board game, then you have hundreds of different options, with many regional and special editions of the game being released in the last few decades.

There’s now also an official mobile app that you can buy to play on your own or with others, without the need to set up and tidy up the board. It has two multiplayer modes. One that lets you compete against people over the internet and another where you can pass your device around, with each person taking their turn on the same device.

These games should keep you going through the winter months!

Employee recruitment is an important stage to bring in talents to any organization. Whether a popular brand is seeking to bring in employees or an organization that is just coming up, it can be a huge task to bring in people who are a fit for the job.

While different companies rely on different strategies to source their talent, some basic tips can be applied to all such strategies on a fundamental level. We have come up with ten comprehensive tips for picking out the best brains for your business. 

Put these on your checklist before you “OK” a candidate for the next stage. Follow these ten tips for an easy and successful employee recruitment process:

• Have crisp job descriptions

The first and foremost important thing to do is have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in a candidate. Chalk out a clear job description so the candidates can apply only if they match the required skills and qualifications laid down by you. Make sure you don’t consider people that don’t fit the bill right from the get-go, so no time and resources are wasted searching in the wrong direction. All this is only possible when you have a detailed and clear job description for reference. 

• Use Social Media platforms

The Internet is a hub for finding people’s truest passions. You can use social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to find candidates who hold a true passion in the field. Using Nuwber can be a great way to get hold of their contact details for proper interviewing. Find your desired candidates, while also having a look at what they’re working on currently!

• Use Employee referral programs

Employee referral programs give a lot of insights about the candidate that you typically wouldn’t find elsewhere. When an employee of an existing company is referred to you, it almost certainly guarantees a good candidate as the reputation of the company referring them is one stake! Employee referrals are, thus, a sure-shot way of getting candidates who already have some job experience on their resume.

• Read resumes in detail

Many hiring teams make the mistake of not reading through resumes in detail. Read the candidate resumes in detail to see what they are highlighting in their achievements. This can be corroborated at a later stage during interviewing so you can figure out which candidate is truly genuine. You can also direct some questions from their areas of interest, as mentioned in their resume, and build a one-on-one rapport with your would-be employee. 

• Interview in an easy-going environment

Sometimes, interviewers tend to be of strict demeanor to be taken seriously. However, an easy-going interview where a little cheek and tongue is present can help bring out the true nature of the candidate on the longer run. Candidates can ease out their nerves and show their true talents in an environment where they are not too stiff.

• Look into candidates from previous years

Your company can significantly benefit by referring to candidates from previous years. Even though they were rejected in the past, they are likely to have accumulated some experience, and the company can contact them readily without any investment made in reaching out. Find out what they have worked on in the year and consider if these achievements play a part in their current role at the organization.  

• Look for candidates at industry-related events

Any industry-related events and meet-ups that you’re a part of can be a great place to find excellent candidates. These places will bring in candidates who are actually experienced with fieldwork and show an active interest in applying their skills. You can also gauge their personalities in a professional environment, which will speak much more than what you can pick up from a candidate’s behavior in an interview. The next time you’re at an event, remember to keep an eye out for a potential candidate. 

• Have candidates interact with some peers in the company

Peer level interactions are another way of getting the cat out of the bag. Assign the task of candidate interaction and briefing to some younger employees who the candidate is more likely to be comfortable with. Some really unique insights can be collected from here, in terms of how candidates for briefing instructions and are open to ideas, even before the actual interviewing can begin!

• Make yourself available for interaction

When you expect a candidate to give it their all, you must too! While some company seniors prefer to maintain a distance from trainees and new hires to maintain respect. However, you will be surprised by what you can discover by being available for your trainees. Answer their queries and make them feel welcome to collaborate. Making yourself available for such interactions can help your candidates open up to you and show more interest in the interviewing process. 

• Treat candidates with respect

Last but not least; remember to treat your candidates with the same respect that you would like. Creating an environment of respect and harmony is not only professional but also significant to bring out the best from your candidates. As they say, a little bit of respect can go a long way!

Conclusion

Irrespective of the channel you use to source your talent, whether they are from inside the company or absolutely new, these are some pointers you can keep in mind for the screening of your candidates. A clearly defined job description and accurate markers for selection can make the recruitment process infinitely easier! Stop wasting your time in filtration and focus on what kind of a candidate you really want.

It is important to remember that even the most knowledgeable candidates wouldn’t be perfect for the job if they aren’t savvy with the practicality of tasks. Make sure your evaluation metric is comprehensive and open to different personality types that can be extremely productive in the considered job roles. Keep an open mind, and you never know what gems you’ll find on your hiring journey. Happy recruiting!

Some people like the idea of investing in an asset and letting it simmer for quite a while. Others prefer to take a hands-on approach and trade every day. If you belong to the latter group, you know how important it is to be able to make moves at all times. Luckily, if you use a trading app, you can have access to the trade market 24/7. While these apps have been around for a while, they’re still a relatively new concept and some traders are yet to adapt. In case you’re looking for some help, here are five key things to remember when using a trading app.

You can trade the news

Trading is all about making use of momentum. The best time to buy or sell assets is right after an economic event has taken place. With trading apps, news trading has never been easier. All you need to do is make sure you stay up-to-date and you’ll know exactly what kind of moves to make. Another great thing about it is that all economic releases are scheduled. This means that if you’re able to come up with a schedule similar to those of trading tycoons, making profit from news trading shouldn’t be tough. This is because you can learn everything you’re supposed to know about inflation rate releases and trade balance reports right on your mobile device. Make it a habit of checking all announcements once they’ve been made and go on to trade on your app right away. As long as you make trades on your app in a timely fashion, this strategy will prove to be effective.

Getting assistance is easy

There’s a chance you still haven’t tried trading on an app because the entire process seems a bit complicated and you’re used to trading the old way. This makes sense but once you give trading on an app a go, you’ll see that this type of trading is even easier. Once you get used to it, there will be absolutely no reason not to make moves from your mobile device. Even if there’s something you don’t understand about it, there’s no need to panic. People behind these apps know how important it is for traders to have someone who can help them with the technical side of it all. This is why they offer quick and efficient customer support. Some of them even offer multilingual customer support, something traders from across the world will like. Opt for the right app and you’ll know you’ll get top-notch customer support whenever you need help.

You don’t need money to get started

The amount of money you need if you want to start trading from an app is zero. Most of the time, trading on your mobile device is absolutely free. In other words, you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees when making a switch to a trading app. However, keep in mind that some apps require payments if you want extended functionality. So, if you’re just entering the world of trading, all you need to do is find the right app and identify the type of asset you want to trade with. Finding the best stock trading app for beginners shouldn’t be tough, especially if you know where to find out more about them. When starting out, it’s usually a good idea to opt for an app with no fees. That way, the amount of money you need to start trading on your app is only determined by the asset you want to trade with.

Setting stop losses has never been easier

Did you ever wonder why mobile apps in general are so popular? It’s just that the convenience these things offer is unmatched by computer programs. Well, now you can enjoy such convenience when trading. You probably already know how important it is for traders to set the stop-loss order. When markets go down, they go down fast and dealing with it is a must. Not so long ago, if you wanted to set stop losses, you had to do it manually. Now, the app can serve as your defensive mechanism and help you avoid margin closeouts. Let’s say you decided to go at $12,750 Bitcoin and you want you stop loss to be at $12,250. All you have to do is set the amount on your app and once the price reaches $12,250, your position will close automatically.

You can use any device you want

Some investors are yet to transit to trading on an app simply because they believe mobile trading works only on some devices. This couldn’t be any further from the truth and it shouldn’t stop you from trading on an app. Of course, there are some trading apps that only support IOS and Android devices. While that may be enough, some traders prefer apps that are also compatible with Windows. The good news is that such apps exist and if you want to have an option to trade on your desktop, there are apps you can opt for. With one of these apps in your arsenal, you can trade on your mobile device when you’re not home and still make all your major moves on your desktop. It might take you some time to find the right app but once you do, being able to trade from any device you want will definitely be worth it.

The bottom line

Trading with stocks using an app comes with a number of benefits. What’s more, adjusting to trading on an app isn’t tough and it’ll make the entire process even easier. Learn more about the apps available right now, find the one that suits all your needs and you can begin trading more than ever.

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most amazing wonders. It’s home to different rock formations and rivers that can’t all be traveled within the day. One of the reasons why people love this Canyon is that it’s also home to many rapids.

River rafting is one of the activities you’ll be doing in the Grand Canyon. If you didn’t know, rapids in the Grand Canyon are rated in levels from I-X with X (or Class X) being the most difficult rapids. It’s important to know what levels of rapids you’re only allowed to go in especially when you’re not a seasoned river rafter. At the end of the day, it’s your safety that matters.

So what are the different rapid levels you can find in the Grand Canyon?

Class I: Easy

For a large Canyon, there are still several rapids that even kids can enjoy. If there weren’t, families won’t be able to raft through the Grand Canyon. Class I rapids have very few obstacles and when they do, you can spot them a few meters away. The water is still fast-moving, but there aren’t any obstructions to hit, so it’s really kid-friendly.

Class II: Novice

Compared to Class I rapids, Class II rapids are a little more challenging but not to the point that you’ll struggle. For this level of whitewater, there are a few obstacles and boulders that you have to avoid. The waves are medium-sized so you’ll feel a few bumps along the way. If you have children, your guide might have to give extra assistance for additional safety. Don’t worry, injuries and accidents are rare for this level of rapids.

Class III: Intermediate

Intermediate rapids already include having eddies and large waves. While they’re noticeable from afar, it’s still not as easy given that you have to maneuver around them or risk getting turned over. The water is fast and strong, and it’s ideal that you are able to maintain control of your raft easily for a safer trip.

Class IV: Advanced

Class IV rapids require more advanced skills when it comes to handling eddies and waves. For this level, kids are not allowed given that the whitewater is already powerful. Turbulence may also occur. Sometimes, even adult beginners in rafting are not given leave to go through Class IV rapids.

Class V: Expert

Class V rapids require experts and skilled rafters to go through this type of rapids. If you’re not one of them, then you won’t be allowed to take this route. Rapids in the Class V level means there are unavoidable waves that you won’t be able to see right away. There are several obstructions, but the more challenging parts are the steep holes and congested areas.

Class VI-VIII Extreme

The Class VI-VII rapids are extreme rapids. This means that there are big and long waves. Strength and endurance are key traits required to pass through these types of rapids. There is also unpredictable danger all the time, so even the slightest error can cost your life. What’s even more difficult in rapids like these is that rescue, when needed, is not always guaranteed.

Class IX-X: Turbulent

Is there anything more difficult than extreme? In the Grand Canyon, there is. The Class IX-X rapids are for those who are skilled and professional but find the Class VI-VII rapids too uneventful. At this point, these rapids are only for those who are looking for an adrenaline rush and the thrill of risking life and limb.

There are different rapid levels found in the Grand Canyon. Hopefully, this guide will help you in identifying what type of rafting trip you’ll take with your family or friends.

Experts and sports fans are used to terms such as the box office, Hollywood, and thriller. These are the words used when describing a hallmark moment. You can attend one or two sporting events to have a first-hand experience of this undeniable fact. There is a high likelihood of hearing similar words in a pitch, ring, or court at least once. Sport can be defined through various attributes such as dramatic, visceral, and unpredictable.

The silver screen lights up at the combination of such factors. A feature-length movie can be designed through the blueprint of the narratives, arc, and redemption stories following specific players and teams all through the season. It is hardly surprising that the cinema industry has made several attempts to distill the stories. IMDb has 4,385 film titles that are based on sports. There is a lot of moment in the sports film making business. The greatest ten sports film hits on IMDb have collectively made $1.9 billion.

Even though the subject matter attracts good cash, it is a bit more complex to make a film. For sports films like Goal III: Taking on the World, there will always be a Rocky. In this case, you may want to know the magnificent from the apparent absurd aspects of it. Towards this end, this article has looked at the top sports movies listed on IMDb and explores the exceptional anatomy in some of them.

The realism factor is one that cannot go unattended. There needs to be a possibility of the events depicted in the film happening in the real world. The movie needs to inspire real emotions to meet the popular choice criteria set by makers in the film industry. Winners and losers are two sides of the same coin. It is probably the fact that it creates some similarities between sports film and an online casino. There will be various emotions when you throw in the probability of a defeat.

When done correctly, you can create the perfect sports film guaranteed raw emotions from the audience. For you to sell this aspect in a sports film, you must convince the audience of the realism degree in your story. You could end up with a parody if this side of the show becomes a miss. Amateur setups still have a lot to learn when it comes to achieving a realism level. On the other hand, professional sports are making the cut here with top thirty IMDb sports films going the extra mile to center their stories on professionals.

It is impossible to spot the difference when this is done to perfection. A lead character, Tom Hardy, was involved in fight scenes where he suffered from real physical injuries on his ribs and right arm during filming. Developing stories that have happened in real-life is also another strong selling point for the silver screen. Nothing can be as convincing as something that happened. It is a strong suit exploited by thirty-one films on the list. Real-life stories with a perfect execution are the real jackpot.

Might Hollywood be on the brink of change? Irrevocable change that goes beyond the rescheduling of celebrity awards events.

The 93^rd Annual Academy Awards have been pushed back while the film industry continues to grapple with the massive upheaval brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic. A return to normal can’t come too soon.

Hollywood understands only too well that the show must go on, that adapting is the only course before it. To what extent though is it prepared to go before the old ways are lost and long-established business models and practices are irrevocably changed?

It’s anybody’s guess.

The 2021 Oscars have been pushed back by two months, the latest celebrity event to be directly affected by the on-going global coronavirus pandemic after both the Golden Globes and Baftas settled on postponement next year.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) announced it was moving the star-studded event from February 28 to April 25, a move that requires similar proportional extensions to the eligibility period (moved from December 31 to February 28) and the relaxing of some of the Academy’s stringent qualification rules.

President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said jointly in a statement by the Academy, “Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone’s control.”

Whether the coronavirus crisis will cooperate with the new timetable is impossible to say. There is genuine speculation about all the big celebrity events actually going ahead as planned next year. Then, if and when they do go to plan, the question becomes logistical.

How will they go ahead? Will it be back to normal? With the usual pomp and ceremony of the red carpet and the whole shebang. Or will it be the “Zoom” Oscars? Forced into the virtual realm, with Academy members and nominees zooming into the event while sat at home in all their designer finery.

The only thing certain these days is uncertainty. But the Academy nevertheless remains optimistic. Somehow, someway, the show will go on.

Like many other industries the film industry was hit particularly hard by the public health crisis. The shuttering of cinemas wreaked havoc on film release dates and the shuttering of studios put a stop to films that were in pre-production, mid-production and post-production. Everything ground to an abrupt, screeching halt.

The verb “to adapt” is, arguably, the underlying theme of 2020 – a most trying and tough year thus far. Working remotely, Zoom meetings, virtual social gatherings, sheltering and social distancing–are just of the many bywords representing the new normal that many people around the world have had to accept.

That Hollywood studios would do their own adapting during this unprecedented time was inevitable, but few could have anticipated the magnitude and implication of some of the measures.

Hollywood studios took the pandemic as an opportunity to experiment with digital-first outputs. For the most part, small to mid-size budget titles skipped cinema release dates in favour of streaming services – motivating this move is the fact that film studios get a larger percentage of the revenue when going direct-to-digital than they do at the box office.

The defining moment, however, came when Universal studios decided in May to give Dreamworks-made Trolls World Tour a digital release at $19.99, instead of delaying its box-office release as some other films have done. The film made $100 million in its first three weeks in the United States. To illustrate the significance: the first instalment of the Trolls film needed a five-month sojourn at the box-office to gross $120 million.

With Disney now announcing it too was taking its big-budget film Mulan directly to digital next month, bypassing cinemas entirely and offering it for $29.99 on its Disney+ channel, a seismic shift has occurred.

Mulan, which was projected to be a $1bn-plus blockbuster, is among some of the early odds-on favourites for the 2021 Oscars Taking it out of the hands of box offices is a big deal.

Suppose, the Academy relaxing the rules for qualification and giving entry to films that would have otherwise qualified but were forced to go to digital outputs was the first significant step towards change. One that may be provisional due to the unprecedented pandemic but, equally, may not be easily undone in a post-pandemic world. This may be the cusp of whole new era in the film industry.

Whether you are a filmmaker, cinephile, or anything in between, you can appreciate the value of great sound design.

I mean, what is Star Wars without Ben Burtt’s sound effects? Is The Lord of the Rings as impactful without Howard Shore’s soundtrack? Would Jurassic Park have become such a hit without the magic of its sound design?

Sound design brings imaginary worlds to life. It takes us — as viewers — out of our normal lives and immerses us in whatever we’re watching. SciFi films become believable dramas, travel videos become windows to remote corners of the world… You get the picture.

Great videos are about more than just the visuals, and top content creators know the value of background music and sound effects. So if you want to build a successful YouTube channel, you can start by taking a page from successful content creators and double down on sound design.

Why Sound Design Matters For Content Creators

Before diving into a shortlist of things you can work on, let’s look at the impact sound design has. And to do that, we’ll have to look at some research on how sound influences people.

Studies done by Scientific American established that sound has a huge impact on how we think and feel. Sound specifically impacts five different regions of the brain, including our emotional response center (which is why a powerful soundtrack will give us the feels, even if it plays during a boring scene).

In fact, sound can trigger our brains to produce dopamine in the same way that it would after exercise, sex, or drug use. And that physiological reaction makes it pretty clear that sound design is a tool filmmakers use to blur the line between fact and fiction.

Boosting Your YouTube Channel’s Sound Design

Now, knowing that sound design matters is great and all. But if you don’t know where to start, how are you supposed to make any meaningful changes to your content?

First things first: No matter which part you want to work on, the most important takeaway is to include sound design as part of your pre-production process — think about how sound can play a role in the stories your videos tell or the experiences you want to deliver.

The easiest way to break it down is to think of sound design as three component parts: music, effects, and quality.

Music

When we think of music for YouTube, we’ll think about the song or clip you include with your intros and outros. And that’s a pretty important part of establishing a brand — a consistent sound gives us an opportunity to associate laughter or wonder with your channel, and that’s how you build a community.

But “music” also includes background music. In some ways, the songs that play behind the scenes are the things that carry most of the weight in your videos, even if all your work is on recording and editing the visual component.

YouTube is a unique channel. Most of us watch videos with the sound off and subtitles on…but YouTube combines news, entertainment, humor, and every other topic imaginable. And that means each viewer will approach a video with a different need.

Some people want a good story. Others want to laugh. Maybe some people want to learn something new. Background music gives you a way to set expectations and control the experience, adding upbeat or sad music to steer the viewer’s emotions over the course of a video.

Effects

Sound effects are where the “magic” of sound really comes into play. They are like the wizard behind the curtain, pulling the strings and plugging holes before the audience ever has a chance to realize that the make-believe story on screen is just actors, lighting, green screen, etc.

When one of our senses takes in some information (like our eyes watching a film), our brain uses the other senses to try and confirm or reject that data. And regardless of what content you share on YouTube, you are asking viewers to step out of their lives and experience something new. Sound design can help their brains make that jump.

Whether it is adding sounds to smooth out transitions, ambient noise to provide texture, or dropping in humor, you can use sound design to add depth and production value. And that is on top of making everything more believable.

Quality

Here’s the no-brainer point on this list. The fact that you’re reading this article means you’ve created content for YouTube. And that means you know that sound quality matters. 

Nothing will turn off viewers faster than bad mic quality, according to a study by USC and the Australian National University. And that goes for your music and sound effects too.

You may want to download songs or effects from free sites, but you get what you pay for. And if what you’re getting is subpar, low-quality stuff, then it’s going to drag down the overall quality of your channel.

In other words, if you’re putting in the effort to improve sound design and strengthen the content on your channel, don’t cut yourself short. Hold yourself to a particular quality standard, and apply that to every part of the videos you make.

How To Actually Use This Information On Your Channel

You want to grow your YouTube channel. (Because let’s be honest, what kind of content creator isn’t always pushing themselves?) To do that, you need to make it as easy as possible for people to love your content and want to keep coming back for more.

That’s why you brainstorm ideas, teach yourself new editing techniques, and study your competition. You know that YouTube is a tough place to succeed, and you’re willing to put in the work to make that happen.

Well, if you’re serious about growing your channel, sound design is an easy place to start. And all you really need to do is study the “masters” of content creation and see how they use background music and sound effects to tell stories.

Filmmakers and YouTubers prioritize sound design during pre-production and post-production. So while you might not have Peter McKinnon’s audience or the budget of an MCU film, you can still deliver the same engaging, immersive experiences that sound design helps create.

Drew Gula is the copywriter at Soundstripe, a company that makes royalty free music and sound effects to help content creators produce better videos.

Japan has accepted online casino gaming, and it has been growing in the last few years. The truth is that the market has been growing since then, and this has given room for an increase in the number of sites that offer Japanese friendly gambling services.

While the online gambling laws in the country have remained strict, it does not prevent the fans of online gambling in casinos from enjoying the fun they crave. There are many online casinos that do not fall within the Japanese government’s jurisdiction, which gambling lovers in the country can enjoy games on, because these platforms have successfully found ways of working around the betting regulations in the country to find favourable grounds. The online casino guide 6takarakuji have reviewed all the popular casino games in Japan.

Haven said that it is also good to inform you that it is easy to play games in the regulated and licensed offshore online casino platforms that accept Japanese players without hesitation. This makes it possible for online casino players in japan to have the chance to play and enjoy fun without any qualms about going against the law of the land.

The Most Popular Casinos Games in Japan

One great thing about online casinos is that through them, players get the chance to enjoy the games that they cherish with a single click of the mouse. These sites offer both worldwide favourites and Japanese favourites at the same time, so you are covered if you are here to enjoy online casinos that are Japanese friendly, and with a huge number of games on offer. All you need is to get to casino rank, and you will have a list of them. This saves you a lot of stress and time, as you don’t need to conduct your own research again. From the list, you can jumpstart your online casino experience effectively.

When it comes to the most popular online casino games in the country, the names on the list below take precedence over the others.

Slot Games

This is similar to the Japanese indigenous game named Pachinko, and it is the most popular online game in the country. In every online casino of today, they stand as a staple, and you will find them in their hundreds in the best casinos. They are normally the top-notch real money and free play games found in the best casinos. The slot machines are very easy to play, and you can quickly play them without the need for any special skill. It is interactive and slot lovers will have many to choose from, including different versions like 3D slots, video slots, multiple payline slots, progressive slots, and classic slots.

Baccarat

High rollers in Japan are normally more attracted to baccarat among the table games. They are among the oldest card games ever, and they come with very few rules. The major objective of baccarat is to get the number 9 or the number closest to it. Whenever a player gets 9 or the number nearest to 9 before others, he wins the game. There are several bets that players can choose here, and they include the tie, banker, and player. In the best online Japanese casinos, players will be treated to a lot of baccarat variations including the Baccarat Banque, Chennin De Fer and Punto Banco.

Poker

Many avid casino players in Japan enjoys online poker. In the game of poker, the person with the hands that rank highest after the players have shown their cards at the end of each game wins.  This is not just a game of luck, but of skill too, and that makes it more exciting. Punters can enjoy different variants of poker games in Japan online casinos. The available variants include Razz Poker, Omaha High, and 7 Card Stud Poker, Five Card Draw Poker and Texas Holdem Poker.

Roulette

This is one of the games that come with the highest ease of play, because it is a pure game of luck. This, as expected, places it among the most loved games in Japan online casinos. It is a game where the players predict and bet on the colour or number or the colour and number that the ball will settle on when spun. This is one game that new players are encouraged to start with. It comes in different variants, including the French, European and American versions.

Lottery Games

This could be played very easily, and it pays amazing jackpot prizes. So, online casino fans in japan love it and enjoy playing it. In japan online casinos, the popular games include jumbo lottery, mini lotto, lotto 6, numbers 4, numbers 3 and the scratch cards.

Dragon Tiger

This could be described as the Japanese version of baccarat, and many players in the country like and enjoy the gameplay. The major goal of the players in this game is to wager on the one to win among the available two hands, and they include the tiger and dragon hands. The hand that wins among them is the one that gets the higher card. When you make the guess and it pans out right, you win. It’s as easy as that. But when the two hands end with the same value, you will be given back half the amount you wagered.

Live Dealer Games

The iGaming industry is now buzzing with live dealer games. These are dealt by professional croupiers in the bid to bring in physical casino-like experience to the online casinos. Here, you are dealt authentic roulette balls and wheels and cards are really shuffled. Players can also interact with the croupiers and other players as they wish, and most Japanese casino lovers cherish it.

Instagram is the next big thing in 2020. The platform is a hot favourite among millennials and Gen Z kids. A recent report by Sprout Social reveals how 64% of Instagram’s user base is between 18-29yrs.

Business holdings are continually trying to capitalize on the traffic generated by Instagram. And hashtags can make or break your social media game.

Adding a hashtag or two to your pictures increases user interaction tenfold. The trick is to use them correctly. Brands which have successfully mastered the art of optimizing hashtags enjoy better visibility and customer engagement.

In fact, social media marketing is so relevant to modern times that most B-schools have also included it as part of their curriculum. Marketing students often get case studies and projects on Instagram marketing strategies.

Business graduates, swamped with deadlines, often each out to professional marketing assignment help services. Let’s find out some more tips and secrets about Instagram hashtags and how it boosts customer engagement.

Need for hashtags

Although Twitter birthed hashtags, it was Instagram that put them on the map. And since then, marketers are losing their sleep over this refreshingly new strategy. But before we get into all that, let me clear a few essential pointers.

What exactly are hashtags? And what purpose do they serve?

Well, hashtags comprise of a word or a phrase accompanied by a hash (#) sign. There are no spaces between the words, although you can capitalize some letters in-between.

These hashtags categorize your content and make it easier for viewers to identify your posts. Hashtags also create better brand engagement, SEO ranking and overall awareness about your product or service.

Hashtags now appear in multiple platforms. You can use them on blog posts, social media updates, Instagram captions, tweets etc. For instance, if you are a movie blogger, then adding cinema-relevant hashtags can give your website a big boost.

Instagram marketing tactics

Before we delve deeper into the multiple facets and perks of hashtags, let us first understand the relevance of Instagram. A basic SWOT analysis of the platform would highlight its key strengths and weaknesses.

For instance, Instagram has a user-friendly interface. It is intuitive, eye-catching and has an extensive database. However, brands need to be at the top of their game if they want people to find them.

As per a recent report by Forbes, Instagram has some great revenue-generation tools. About 80% of the accounts follow at least one business page. It contributes to a brand’s web presence, increases SEO ranking and helps people connect with influencers.

Relevancy and placement

Hashtags are useful only when they are used correctly. You cannot merely add random words with hashtags and expect to trend overnight. There are specific words, terms and phrases that are already trending on social media.

Also, these words and key phrases must be relevant to your line of business. For instance, if your brand belongs to the organic fashion sector, then hashtags like #OOTD, #natural, #organic etc. works well.

Conduct thorough market research. Know about your customers and their changing preferences. Also, keep an eye out on your peers. Analyze the kind of hashtags they’re putting up and the responses it generates.

Specificity and uniqueness

Hashtags double the scope of user engagement, putting you at the top of the game. But this is not an instantaneous process. New brands and business holdings need to find their voice, their niche, their USP in order to create unique content about your brand on social media. In order to grow your brand, it is important that you diversify your content across all social media platforms. Creating user generated content is also a very natural and yeilding method to create unique content for your brand.

Hashtags can be excellent marketing tools, and they set you apart from others. Develop hashtags that are catchy, chic and easy to remember.

A catchphrase, your brand name, an ad-line- anything can be a hashtag. Note that hashtags are not full-fledged sentences.

I would recommend readers to keep their hashtags small, compact and to the point. This is because hashtags don’t have spaces in-between. Long words and phrases become incomprehensible and difficult to decode.

Capitalize on existing hashtags

There are multiple hashtags on Instagram that already enjoy a large following. If your marketing team cannot come up with new hashtags, capitalize on the existing ones.

For this, you need insights on what your customers are searching for these days. These hashtags can crop up on a variety of topics.

Read up on current political, social, economic events, celebrity weddings, new releases, updates in the tech industry etc. And if you find a trending hashtag, try to incorporate it in your post as organically as possible.

Remember, there must always be a direct or visible connection between your post and the hashtag used. It makes it easier for Instagram to gauge your content and categorize it.

Research on the right set of hashtags

Hashtags add value to your brand, provided your content is readable and relevant enough. There is no point in adding great hashtags to your posts if they are of no expected value.

 Users tend to gravitate towards posts that enhance their experience and cater to their interests. The quality of your posts and the hashtags you use are interdependent to each other.

Merely having good content gets you nowhere unless you back it up with creative, trending hashtags. It also helps to learn how you can fund your instagram campaign while you are busy promoting it.

Similarly, a right hashtag is of no use unless added on to a great post. A smart combination of both these elements is what you need for a better SEO rank.

Don’t overdo it 

This is something I cannot stress upon enough. Too much of a good thing can turn bad for your business. And when it comes to social media marketing, balance is the key.

Don’t stuff your posts with multiple hashtags. It would only confuse the algorithm and irritate your viewers.

Instead, place a few unique, relevant, authentic and trending hashtags strategically for maximum impact. Learning from Hubspot blogs is a great way to learn more about social media marketing and this guide on instagram hashtags is why they are so highly spoken of in the marketing community. There are multiple platforms where you can find trending hashtags online. Check the SEO score of these tags before adding them to your content. On average I’d recommend you use 2-4 hashtags per post, not more.

The future of hashtag marketing

Hashtags are a crucial addition to any social media post. What’s more, you can add hashtags to pretty much every social media network.

Recently, even Facebook and LinkedIn are accepting hashtags with their captions. Facebook, in particular has some creative marketing  gimmicks up its sleeve that completely changes the face of hashtag marketing

As a growing brand, it is essential to keep up with these trends. Evaluate and collaborate with influencers, learn more about your market and use tools to check the visibility of the hashtags you use.

Instagram recently launched a new feature where users can follow trending hashtags and view all the posts tagged under it. It is an excellent initiative for business accounts to boost their reach and engage more customers.

Although, ensure that your content meets the community guidelines laid down by the platform. Failing to do so might get your post deleted or worse reported for abuse.

The bottom line

Everyone wants to project a filtered, picture-perfect version of their life on social media. Social media networks are a medium of self-expression and advertisement.

These platforms give us the space to share our experiences with the world. It can be something as trivial as posting a selfie or a serious post discussing the political issues of your nation.

And with more and more people joining the social media bandwagon, it has become a thriving marketplace for brands.

Author’s Bio 

Author Bio: As a technology enthusiast, Bella contributes to open-source projects. She is the co-founder at Top My Grades and delivers online marketing sessions at online tutoring platforms like Expert Assignment Help & Assignment Essay Help helping students with writing essays and assignments. Beyond work, you can find her gardening in her backyard accompanied by her dogs – Birch & Bailey.

Do you have to travel on a college budget? That is not a problem in 2020-2021, and here is why. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry will lose almost 35% from the previous year. That is why many companies in this sphere will have to cut prices, offering cheaper trips.

Some travel destinations will remain cheap, while others will have to reduce prices for tourists. We will cover the top travel destinations for students in 2020-2021.

Amsterdam

Despite the piquant details, this city in the Netherlands is a perfect destination for students from the US. Western European countries usually offer an expensive vacation. However, some countries and particular cities might be an exception. One of them is this capital.

The Netherlands, as the country, has a lot to offer to the brave and enthusiastic travelers. Most of the long flights over the continent take place in Amsterdam (or its airport serves as the transition point). You will easily find plenty of flights to this city at any time of the year. Schiphol is the main Euro hub (it is the local airport). Some of the city’s attractions arrive at no charge:

• Walking tours
• Gigs and events
• Canal cruises
• Museums

We recommend avoiding touristic agencies when planning your trip to the Netherlands. It is possible to find way better and cheaper offers on your own. It is friendly to the wallet.

Madrid

Even though most experts in tourism recommend visiting Barcelona and Catalonia in general, arguing that Spanish capital is less breathtaking, Madrid can still be a perfect stop for an average student looking for nightlife, entertainment, and attractions. This location is a perfect place for larks (meaning those guys who go to bed late and rise late). The lunch alone is available only starting from 4 p.m.

Most of the clubs are opened until the sunrise. Madrid is home to scores of restaurants, casinos, and concert halls. You can find gigs for all music tastes. The bars are full of menus of all types. As for your excellent wake-up, experts recommend having the local breakfast made of churros with chocolate for breakfast.

London

Perhaps, you’ve all heard that song with the words, “London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down…” Samuel Johnson used to admit that people who get tired of the UK capital get tired of life, too. This location is a must-see place for people interested in music, as it is the heart of many genres of rock and heavy metal legends.

A melting pot of cultures is one of the main reasons to attend this city. There are many hot spots to view. Do not forget to dedicate some time to such places of sightseeing as:

• Oxford Street
• Buckingham Palace
• Piccadilly Circus
• Tower
• Brick Lane
• Southbank

Among the most famous shopping malls, one can name Spitalfields and Portobello. The city is also renowned for its atmospheric pubs and cafes. We recommend attending Irish pubs to feel the culture. Once again, even such options as London will become more affordable within the next couple of years due to the range of changes, as can be seen from this Forbes article.

Morocco

Yes, we’ll say a few words about the entire country, not just parts of it, as it is hard to choose one. This country became widely famous after “The Clone” series premiere. It has most of the tourists from Latin America every year. This region of Northern Africa contains the entire coloring of the Arabic culture. When choosing the right place to visit in this country, come up with a table with the pros and cons and prices for different hotels and attractions (or ask for Excel homework help to speed up the process).

It is impossible to ignore the beauty of Essaouira with its amazing opportunities for windsurfing. The local touristic agencies sell tickets for different excursions that cost way less than in Egypt. One of the most popular destinations is the Sahara Desert, the largest one in the world. It is an opportunity to see places where “Star Wars” were filmed.

Except for sightseeing, tourists can try camel and jeep riding. Another option is star-gazing. One more place of interest is the Atlas Mountains. You’ll enjoy the craggy mountain passes. Do not forget to take your camera and take some cool pics during your trip!

Albania

One of the poorest European countries still can boast magnificent nature and places of sightseeing. Besides, at any time, you can cross borders to see Macedonia or Montenegro – two other beautiful countries with plenty of water and mountain chains. Albania might belong to the undeveloped countries, but the local tourism is at the same level as Greek and Italian.

An average student would love Albania and almost see no difference with Italy and other more popular yet expensive regions. The remains of ancient empires can be discovered in Albania, and that is a great advantage for students interested in history, anthropology, and geography. There are many cheap hotels and hostels there. The country used to share culture and history with Ancient Greece and Rome. The best yet affordable beaches are located in the Southern part of Albania (a.k.a. Albanian Riviera).

Who doesn’t love a good thriller? 

Sometimes, we watch, and it’s okay, and other times, we catch a good one, and we’re tense and terrified the entire time!

That’s the effect The Invisible Man had on everyone. 

There were many moments in this film that left us on the edge of our seats with our hands buried in our hair—just stressed out. We desperately wanted to figure out how Cecilia was going to beat something she couldn’t see!

With that in mind, let’s get into the four most terrifying moments that left us cringing in suspense. 

[SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT!]

Cecilia Trying to Escape From Her Home

The movie starts with Cecilia trying to leave her husband and the extravagant fortress of a home they shared. We can tell she’s already planned this “escape”, but watching her try to get out of the house is enough to make the hair stand up on your body. 

Perhaps, the tensest moment in this scene is when she accidentally kicks the dog bowl and makes a lot of noise. Still, then as a viewer, you were probably annoyed that she almost got caught up trying to take the dog along with her. 

Leave the dog—save yourself!

Her attempt to save the dog allowed the husband (Adrian) to nearly catch up with her. Right as she hops in the car with her sister, he smashes his hand in the window as they drive off. 

She Finds Adrian’s Phone in the Attic with Recent Pics 

If you think your husband’s dead but you find his phone in the attic buzzing, it’s only natural to be a little creeped out!

There were already some strange occurrences that she didn’t pick up on like the handprint on the shower door, or his breath behind her when she was standing outdoors. 

When she locates the phone, she notices that it’s Adrian’s phone with a text message that reads “surprise.” This is a pivotal moment in the film because it’s the moment that she realizes that he’s around in some capacity.

Then, it only gets more insane when she ends up pouring the can of paint and sees the outline of a man!

The Infamous Restaurant Scene with Her Sister

At this point in the film, her sister has had it with her because she believes that Cecilia sent her a nasty email, but it was Adrian (of course). 

Suddenly, when she’s sitting at the table with her sister at the dinner table, a knife rises in mid-air and quickly slices her sister’s throat! Of course, Cecilia is terrified, shocked, and in a state of paralysis. There’s no way she can prove her innocence at this moment. 

The audience feels more for her because it seems like Adrian has won with all of his carefully pre-meditated antics. 

The Final Revenge

When Cecilia’s in the mental hospital because everyone thinks she’s completely lost her mind, she gets a visit from Adrian’s brother, who drops a bomb on her. He tells her that Adrian switched her placebo birth control pills and she could be pregnant!

At this point, could you imagine being pregnant with the seed of a psychotic, abusive man? 

His brother tells her that she should consider going back to Adrian because he’s not dead! Ultimately, she agrees to meet with him, only to give him a taste of his own medicine!

She plays the victim and cries a bit to excuse herself to the restroom where she secretly puts on the invisible suit. Can you believe she comes back out and slices his throat, goes back to take the suit off, and then perfectly positions herself to scream in disbelief in front of the cameras? 

Oh, and the police were outside. 

Smart girl. 

She got the money and her freedom, even though she lost her sister. 

Love Thrillers, But Hate the Anxiety It Brings? 

Some of us love scary movies of all sorts. However, the intense emotions that some films bestow is a little much for some people. 

Besides, who says your stomach has to be tied in knots the entire time?

Some people want to watch thrillers without the added anxiety that the jump scares bring to the table. 

We bet you didn’t know that CBD pairs exceptionally well with scary movies and thrillers because the compound encourages full-body relaxation—making it the perfect product that’ll lighten the mood when needed. 

Sure, specific product selection is up for debate because there are so many amazing products on the market, but CBD capsules give you all the CBD you need to kick back and enjoy whatever comes your way. 

Even if it’s a psycho, abusive husband who created an invisible suit to torture his wife!

The nominations are out for the 72nd Emmy Awards, which will be presented Sept. 20 with Jimmy Kimmel serving as host.

Who got the love? Who got the snub?

All of those questions were answered Tuesday when the nominees for this year’s best of television were unveiled.

As one cutdown day passed, the toughest cut of all loomed large over the surviving candidates – which one will be the ultimate winner when the envelopes are finally opened on Emmy night?

Let’s look at some of the favorites and other contenders to consider, with BetOnline sportsbook providing the current odds.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Favorite: Schitt’s Creek (-125)

The critically acclaimed Canadian series wrapped up its sixth and final season, as the viewing audience said farewell to the Rose family. Schitt’s Creek drew 15 nominations.

Last year Schitt’s Creek was nominated for four awards, including Best Comedy Series and acting nods for Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, but didn’t win in any category.

Value Bet: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (+125)

The clever, innovative comedy about housewife-turned-comic Midge Maisel has been nominated in each of the past two years, winning in 2018. This year, they deserve a better fate but how do you beat an iconic show that’s bidding adieu?

Outstanding Drama Series

Favorite: Succession (-150)

Now that Game Of Thrones has gone to the vat of reruns, is this appropriately-named series the heir to the Thrones throne as best TV drama? Succession garnered a total of 18 nominations, including its second straight Outstanding Drama Series nod.

Value Bet: Ozark (+200)

The gritty American crime drama will be hard-pressed to beat Succession for the Emmy, though. However, next year, Ozark can play the Schitt’s Creek card. Netflix recently announced that Season 4 will be the last for the show.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Favorite: Eugene Levy (-500)

It’s all coming up roses for Johnny Rose. The patriarch of Schitt’s Creek is going to go out on top and win his first Emmy.

Value Bet: Ted Danson (+300)

Danson won this award twice for his portrayal of Sam “MayDay” Malone on Cheers but he won’t need to find room in the trophy case this year.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Favorite: Brian Cox (-250)

Cox has already received a Golden Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for his portrayal of Logan Roy, founder of media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar Royco on HBO’s Succession. This year, he gets an Emmy to go with it.

Value Bet: Billy Porter (+1200)

Porter won this award last year for his portrayal of Pray Tell on the FX Series Pose. He was the first openly gay Black actor to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Catherine O’Hara seeks to win her first Emmy. Photo by: Jeremy Avenaim (Wikimedia).

Favorite: Catherine O’Hara (-350)

It should be a clean sweep for the SCTV alums from Schitt’s Creek. O’Hara’s portrayal of Moira Rose is as brilliant as it is over the top. 

Value Bet: Rachel Brosnahan (+250)

Broshnahan won this category in 2018 for her role as Midge Maisel. She’d be a worthy winner again this year but O’Hara is destined to go out a champion.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Favorite: Laura Linney (-175)

Linney is a four-time Emmy winner, although she’s never won in this category. This is her second nomination in a row for her work as Wendy Byrde on Ozark.

Value Bet: Olivia Colman (+300)

Colman won an Oscar for her role as Anne, Queen of Great Britain in the 2018 film The Favourite. She’s up for the Emmy for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, for which she’s already won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series.

Anyone else sensing kismet here?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Favorite: Tony Shaloub (-600)

Is there anything that Shaloub touches that doesn’t turn golden? He was nominated as Abe Weissman from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in 2018 and won the award in 2019.

Value Bet: Andre Braugher (+3300)

The 1998 winner of the Best Actor Emmy in a drama for his work as a serious cop on Homicide: Life On The Street, Braugher is nominated for the fourth time for his work as a comedic cop on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Favorite: Billy Crudup (+125)

The closest call of any category, Crudup is up for his role as backstabbing TV producer Cory Ellison on The Morning Show.

Value Bet: Kieran Culkin (+125)

Roman Roy on Succession, Culkin is nominated for his first Emmy. His portrayal has also earned him two Golden Globe nominations.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Favorite: Alex Borstein (-700)

Borstein has won this two years in succession and it’ll be her personal property for as long as she chooses to portray Susie Myerson, Midge Maisel’s caustic manager. There’s no value in betting anyone else.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Favorite: Helena Bonham Carter (-600)

Bonham Carter is one of those actresses who dominates the screen no matter her role. Her work as Princess Margaret in The Crown is the latest example of this trend.

Value Bet: Laura Dern (+800)

There’s two past winners nominated in Julia Garner and Thandie Newton. But Dern’s already won the Emmy for her role on Big Little Lies as the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie.

The world of education expects the biggest changes soon. Now, when society finally understands the benefits of technologies, colleges worldwide start implementing various digital solutions across the globe. Tutors experiment with new approaches to educating their students.

63% of K-12 teachers apply technologies in the classroom every day. This number keeps on growing with each year. No one knows how far it will go, but here are the main reasons for implementing tech in class.

Getting Ready for the Real World Cases

It is hard to imagine an industry nowadays that survives without technologies. They are everywhere! Digital literacy has already become a part of the overall literacy. Often, technical skills that students obtain in their IT lessons are not enough to meet the real-world cases. Only 40% of adults in the US today answer questions on digital literacy correctly.

If digital devices can be added to the general curriculum, students will obtain more chances to get ready for their future careers in almost every sphere. To succeed beyond school, it is recommended to attend extra courses in computer science or programming. Some of the basic skills to master include:

• Crafting PowerPoint presentations
• Using Microsoft Word
• Mastering Photoshop
• Creating emails
• Setting up online campaigns
• Developing profiles in social networks
• Editing videos, etc.

More Skills That Will Serve in Real Life

Students can develop not only tech skills when implementing digital tools in class. With the help of computers, tablets, smartphones, and an instant internet connection, they can gain and improve communication, time management, decision-making, adaptability, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Some classes like English 101 and literature are aimed to train such abilities. However, teachers will benefit from allowing students to use various devices during the class. It will make the students work as the team easier. All of the contemporary recruiters expect applicants to have a set of both soft and tech skills. Thus, mastering some digital devices will help with the job application process.

Ensuring Full Participation of the Class

It is impossible to keep an eye on every student in the class, especially when it is a class of 40 or even more people. Some students may be yawning or even falling asleep, and, as a result, their productivity will fall. Tutors can control the situation in class with the help of digital devices and special programs.

One of the effective methods involves online polling and various questionnaires and fun quizzes for class engagement. Some learners may simply feel shy and unsure about answering and performing in front of the class. Different apps will help them to become more confident or, at least, to avoid the stress associated with responding in front of the class.

Many colleges today have successfully implemented interactive engagement systems. Also, they have added grading rubrics and online evaluation for simpler estimation of test and exam scores. Some software is there to collect student’s feedback to understand which type of homework is not effective or seems too complex for young people. It allows adjusting the assignments as well as the entire study plan quickly and effectively.

Student response systems assist young people with detecting weaknesses in the learning process and make their studies more efficient. Most of the systems like that offer multiple-choice questions or simply “yes-no” answers. In a single click or few, a student, as well as their teacher, may retrieve plenty of useful information and correct the educational program.

Getting Acquainted with Different Types of Software

To use different software for education and training, students should have instant internet access and the ability to use their digital devices. As admitted above, many applications assist in studying and grading students. Many free online tools today even allow creating personal websites and blogs without having to know how to code.

On the web, students can find help and support that they need but cannot get from their teachers or families for different reasons. The main one is the lack of time. On the Internet, learners may always find homework assistance by entering keywords like “write my essay” or quick counseling on basically any subject.

Remote Education to Replace Traditional One

On the whole, it is not even necessary to attend physical schools to obtain certification. Students can even receive MA and Ph.D. degrees online, living in a completely different region of the world. Most often, you can find online programs for MBA as business degrees are extremely popular nowadays. They also include plenty of computer-oriented subjects. It is possible to simply combine courses in programing, SMM, and copywriting with the basic business disciplines.

Gamification Element for More Fun

The apps used for learning should not necessarily be serious, and all about academics. Some fun apps like games motivate the educational process as well, but it is hidden. Students may learn a lot when playing various games that improve strategy and logic.