SoundCon, LLC announced that it is working with MTV Games’ Harmonix Music Systems, developer of Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and The Beatles: Rock Band, to bring two days of training sessions on how musicians can create and publish original music in the Rock Band Network to GameSoundCon 2009 in Los Angeles. The Rock Band Network, announced in July, is a ground-breaking initiative that gives musicians, publishers and record labels the ability to author their original recordings into gameplay files and sell their music as playable Rock Band tracks through the newly created Rock Band Network Music Store.
The Rock Band Network training sessions at GameSoundCon, facilitated by Harmonix employees, will be one of the first live public sessions to demonstrate how musicians, record labels and publishers can author their original recordings into gameplay files for publication on the Rock Band Network. Once published and approved through a peer review process, tracks uploaded to the Rock Band Network Music Store will be available for download and purchase by millions of Rock Band players.
Further sessions will cover uploading your song for peer review, and publishing and promoting your song within the Rock Band Network. GameSoundCon attendees who sign up for the Rock Band Network training will be at a huge advantage when the Rock Band Network publicly releases these tools later this year.”
In addition to the new Rock Band Network training sessions, GameSoundCon features two days of seminars and panels on video game music composition, video game sound design, and breaking into the video game industry, focusing on the unique technical, creative and business challenges of creating music and sound for video games.
Just opened up the globeandmail.com this morning and started skimming some articles.
Disney has forked over $4 billion dollars for the rights to the entire Marvel Collection. The agreement see’s characters like The Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Spiderman coming under the giant umbrella of Disney. It makes me wonder if we’ll see a some guy dressed up as Spiderman climbing up the Disney Castle at Disneyland in the coming months. I do hope so. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/disney-buys-marvel-for-4-billion/article1270467/
Here’s a nice comment piece on Much Music – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/when-muchmusicmattered/article1270220/ - and how it’s gone downhill. Which I whole heartly agree with. Most of the stuff on that show is scripted filth, and shows that feature metal, punk, indie, french, and any other style of music that isn’t mainstream, is slotted to a half hour at some ridiculous time of the night. I would love to see MuchMusic and MTV for that matter, do some kind of election coverage for the next federal election, maybe it’ll end voter apathy.
An interesting side of Harper here – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/gods-verdict-outranks-historys-pm-says/article1269229/
And a huge change in international politics, the Democratic Party of Japan defeate the Liberal Democractic Party in an amazing showing. The winners captured 300 out of 480 seats in parliment. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/in-historic-shift-japanese-vote-for-change/article1269747/ This is pretty nifty as the LDP had ruled for something crazy like 54 years. Maybe this change will spark some changes for the global society.
I am a huge fan of Rock Band. I play it almost daily, but not as a social function like many who play the game; for me, it’s a solitary experience that I find both relaxing and stress relieving. I do some of my best thinking with a plastic fake guitar in my hands.
It was during one particularly long session of Rock Band late into the night that I came to a pretty shocking realization: not only have I not purposely listened to music outside of the various music rhythm video games for several months, I also hadn’t even realized this fact until that moment.
Rock Band and its ilk have completely changed how I purchase, consume, and think about music.
A few months ago, a few members of the band Styx were in-studio at “The Bob and Tom Show,” which is a very popular morning radio program that I listen to through subscriber podcasts. I had been somewhat familiar with the group but had never really paid attention to them. However, I was very impressed with many of the songs they performed and decided to look into buying a few of the band’s tracks. I could have done this by going to the iTunes Store built into my iPod Touch, surfing to Amazon.com, or by visiting a nearby bookstore. Instead, I went home and bought an entire pack of their music through the Rock Band music store for a significantly higher per-song price than the other options. This method was also less convenient compared to the others and requires a bulky plastic guitar in order to enjoy the music.
Truth be told, I didn’t even think of the other options at the time. At some point, “listening to music” became synonymous with “playing Rock Band.” There are many possible reasons for this. For one thing, I’m a podcast fiend. During any given week I might listen to 30 or 40 hours of spoken audio content. If I’m walking to class or playing a video game, I am likely listening to podcasts at the same time. Podcasts are cheap and the discussions in them might inspire me in ways that music simply cannot while requiring a similar amount of concentration to enjoy.
Another possible factor is, while I had previously held music as little more than background noise and a means to help pass time, Rock Band requires more attention to the music. Seeing the visual representation of the music, however inaccurate or simplified it may be, helps me appreciate technical aspects of the music that I, as a complete musical idiot, would never notice through just listening. The game is almost educational in that regard. Additionally, the video game clichés of arbitrary points, difficulty progression, and winning and losing really appeals to the part of me that has been conditioned from childhood to work towards earning high scores and overcoming challenges. The new downloadable songs keeps me engaged with the Rock Band platform, and the small number of new tracks per week introduces me to new songs and artists that would otherwise be swallowed up by the din and chaos of iTunes or Amazon stores. All these factors come together to make Rock Band more compelling on multiple levels than simply passively listening to my iPod.
Depending on one’s view, there may be a significant downside to my attachment to the music rhythm genre: namely, that my taste in music is evolving based on what I enjoy playing, rather than solely based on the merits of the songs themselves. I love the band Dream Theater, but there is no way I will ever be able to properly enjoy the songs “Panic Attack” or “Constant Motion” due to the painful and crippling difficulty. Instead, I find myself more attracted to relatively simple songs that are infectiously catchy such as the ones by Paramore, Maroon 5, or Kings of Leon. These bands aren’t what I would traditionally listen to, but my constant exposure to their songs in Rock Band have created a certain amount of enjoyment whenever I play them. Whether or not a song is “good” is almost irrelevant to me anymore. Instead, how fun the music is to play is the prime motivating factor for what songs I decide to purchase and experience.
At this point, I keep music on my iPod out of habit more than anything else. There are quite a few artists that I wish would appear in Rock Band, or even Guitar Hero, such as Murder By Death and Metric. But these glaring omissions are offset by the huge number of new bands that I’ve encountered in a way that appeals to me more than any other way possible. Maybe one day I’ll drift away from Rock Band and start relying on my iPod as my primary music player again, but I don’t see it happening any time soon.
O guitarrista do Oasis, Noel Gallagher, anunciou nesta sexta-feira, 28, através de uma mensagem no Myspace, que deixou a banda.
“É com muita tristeza e um grande alívio que conto a vocês que deixei o Oasis nesta noite. Simplesmente não poderia mais trabalhar nem mais nenhum dia ao lado de Liam (Gallagher). Desculpas a todos que compraram ingressos para os shows de Paris (França), Konstanz (Alemanha) e Milão (Itália)”, diz o comunicado.
O Oasis já havia cancelado o show que faria nesta sexta-feira, 28, no festival Rock En Seine, na França. O New Music Express informou que testemunhas contaram que os telões do festival diziam que o concerto havia sido cancelado “como resultado de uma briga dentro da banda”.
A cantora escocesa Amy McDonald, que também se apresentou no evento, postou uma mensagem no Twitter afirmando que “Liam destruiu a guitarra de Noel”, e que uma “grande briga” tomou conta do backstage. No domingo passado, o Oasis havia cancelado, em cima da hora, a apresentação no V Festival, alegando que o vocalista Liam Gallagher sofria de uma laringite viral.
COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County’s notorious “Junk Man” got out of prison after being jailed for refusing to clean up his messy yard, but Alan Davis will face the code enforcement board once again. Alan and Aileen Davis refuse to comply with the county’s code enforcement rules, so they’re scheduled to be back in front of Seminole County’s code enforcement board Thursday.
The Davis’ latest problem is their jungle-like, overgrown vegetation in their backyard. Also, there is still junk, which the Davis’ call artwork, all over their property.
If your in the North texas area and this happens to you Call Garbage King at 877-674-2722, we can help you with your clean up needs.
My favorite part about finally having sat down and watched “Twilight” — other than not hating it, and subsequently inspiring the ire of you Twilighter readers — is that I have some context now, for both the characters and the situations they face. Not that it matter when I thumb through our now complete image gallery of “Eclipse” actors. That’s two books/movies ahead of where I’m at, and there are a lot of new faces, characters I don’t know a thing about.
I’m in the minority compared to most of you readers of course, and that’s why I’m writing up this post. Click on the image below to check out our full “Eclipse” gallery, now 30 pictures strong. If you need a refresher on who’s who, hit the jump for the text of Summit’s original cast announcement press release, issued last week.
Vancouver, BC – August 18, 2009 – Summit Entertainment announced today that it has commenced principal photography on THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE directed by David Slade (30 DAYS OF NIGHT, HARD CANDY) from a screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will reprise their roles as Bella Swan, Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. The third film in the studio’s TWILIGHT film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster book series, will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Along with director David Slade, several new actors are joining the TWILIGHT family including Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria, Xavier Samuel as Riley, Catalina Sandino Moreno as Maria, Jack Huston as Royce King, Julia Jones as Leah, BooBoo Stewart as Seth, and Jodelle Ferland as Bree.
Also continuing in the saga as The Cullen Family are Ashley Greene as Alice, Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Kellan Lutz as Emmett, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, and Jackson Rathbone as Jasper. Billy Burke also returns as Charlie Swan. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is filming on location in Vancouver, BC.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE brings back members of the Quileute Indian Nation; the classmates of Bella and Edward; and the legendary Volturi, a venerable coven of vampires who weigh and impose the laws of the vampire world. A cast list for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE appears at the end of this document.
In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
About the TWILIGHT film series
The TWILIGHT film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together…even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires.
The action-packed, modern day vampire love story and blockbuster success TWILIGHT was released in theatres on November 21, 2008. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will be released November 20, 2009.
Melissa Rosenberg wrote the scripts for all three films in The TWILIGHT film series.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE Cast List
Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan
Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen
Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
Cullen Family
Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen
Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle
Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen
Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen
Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale
Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale
Wolf Pack
Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley
Bronson Pelletier as Jared
Alex Meraz as Paul
Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call
Tyson Houseman as Quil Ateara
Other Quileutes
Gil Birmingham as Billy Black
Tinsel Korey as Emily
Nomad Vampires
Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria
Volturi
Cameron Bright as Alec
Charlie Bewley as Demetri
Daniel Cudmore as Felix
Dakota Fanning as Jane
Additional Returning Cast Members
Billy Burke as Charlie Swan
Sarah Clarke as Renee Dwyer
Anna Kendrick as Jessica
Michael Welch as Mike
Christian Serratos as Angela
Justin Chon as Eric
New Cast Members
Xavier Samuel as Riley
Catalina Sandino Moreno as Maria
Jack Huston as Royce King
Julia Jones as Leah Clearwater
BooBoo Stewart as Seth Clearwater
Jodelle Ferland as Bree
Is life not real enough? Apparently, for Americans, the answer is no.
Reality TV
NBC just ditched 5 hours of scripted programming for scripted “reality” television. Awesome.
I turned on cable for the first time in ages, and it’s the same ollllld shit. The shit that reminds me a) why I don’t have cable and b) what’s wrong with our country on so many levels.
You turn on American TV and it’s no wonder everything is so fucked up here. One glance and you can see all that we care about: girls, cars, glory, money, beauty, and making it big.
Everything is about the ever-so challenging lives of beautiful people, mostly women, across the country. All we care about are the beautiful people! Normal people do far more impressive things FYI. We’ve got the Kardashians with a new show about what a couple sexy ladies can do with a buttload of money in Miami. The answer? Whatever they want. Duh.
Jon of Jon + Kate Plus 8 wants out of the TV show and a regular 9-5 job. He’s probably made his millions already, so who blames him?
I think even Heidi from The Hills has her own show with Spencer now, too. It pains me that I even know all this!
I admit, I pipe up sometimes looking to find the most ridiculous reality TV or pop culture craze to poke fun of, but man do they make it easy.
I mean, MTV and VH1 have completely ditched music for “reality” programming. What has the world come to?!
And a few signs of the Apocalypse, judged from my first 20 minutes of channel surfing:
- White Chicks and an third (fourth? fifth?) installment of Bring It On are on TV at the same time
- SNL and MTV reruns are just as terrible as I remember watching a year ago
- 15 years since “The Real World” first aired on MTV, reality shows dominate.
It’s cheap, it’s stupid, and it’s entertaining. So why bother giving us something worthwhile?
Well, maybe because there are SOME people out there who appreciate a decent drama or an honest attempt at comedy (Arrested Development, for one).
“Unscripted” “reality” television sucks for everyone: it takes away work from writers, eliminates jobs in Hollywood, makes audiences dumber, takes away chances for the public to experience decent programming…oh, and not to mention, it’s quite the stab in the heart to ever-sinking creativity.
On top of all that is already wrong with the world, we have TMZ perpetuating it all. This obsession with vicariously living through celebrities and invading every last inch of their personal lives just so we can get the juicy “scoop” on who they’re dating? Or maybe a glimpse of them leaving a club drunk? WHO CARES?!
It hurts. And it hurts bad. The real world (not the show) is real enough these days. Honestly.
I will never like reality television. Someone, anyone, please stop all this. Before it spirals out of control. Oh wait….
