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June 3, 2017

Director Barry Jenkins’ 14 Favorite Films from the Criterion Collection


What kinds of films pique the interest of Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins?


Have you ever dreamed of entering the Criterion closet and perusing their massive collection of historically and culturally important films? If you’re a cinephile, you probably have, but if you’re a celebrated filmmaker, like director Barry Jenkins, you actually get to do it. Back in November, while promoting what would become the future Oscar-winning film Moonlight, Jenkins visited Criterion and was invited to thumb through their library, and he not only got to live every cinephile’s dream, but he also had the exact response every cinephile would have once being enveloped in all of that cinematic goodness:



“This is a bit overwhelming. There’s too much good shit in here.”





Here are Jenkins’ top Criterion picks:

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Source: NoFilmSchool

June 2, 2017

Mindmaze’s VR facial-tracking system may make an appearance during the holidays

A recent trip to Mindmaze shows that its Mask facial-tracking system for virtual reality still has a ways to go but definitely shows promise. Mask may appear within the foam of VR headsets as early as the 2017 holiday season.

The post Mindmaze's VR facial-tracking system may make an appearance during the holidays appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

June 2, 2017

The Augmented World Expo proves AR isn’t ready for prime time, but it’s still pretty cool

Augmented World Expo was home to all the latest and greatest AR announcements — but is it ready for consumers yet? Here are a few key areas in which companies are innovating in AR.

The post The Augmented World Expo proves AR isn’t ready for prime time, but it’s still pretty cool appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

June 2, 2017

SXSW 2018 Film Festival Submissions Open June 26

Mark your calendars filmmakers! SXSW will begin accepting film submissions on Tuesday, June 26 for the 2018 SXSW Film Festival.

For nine days in March, creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSW Film Festival program to celebrate raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera. SXSW Film Festival is well-known as a place for discovering new voices and emerging talent, but we can’t do that without you.

Please review the submission deadlines below and read in-depth information in our Film Submission FAQ page for more insights about submitting your film for the 2017 SXSW Film Festival. Visit sxsw.com/festivals/film beginning Tuesday, June 26 to submit your film.

2018 SXSW Film Submission Deadlines

August 25, 2017: Early Deadline for Feature Films, Short Film, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, and Music Videos

September 22, 2017: Feature Films, Short Film, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, and Music Videos

October 20, 2017: Feature Films, Short Film, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, and Music Videos

December 15, 2017: Final Deadline for Texas High School Short Films and Title Sequences

2018 Application Fees and Deadlines

Submit your film early and save! Stay tuned for more information about Film Submissions including how to’s and tips.

Director Jennifer Brea at 2017 SXSW Film, Unrest – Photo by Cal Holman

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The post SXSW 2018 Film Festival Submissions Open June 26 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 2, 2017

Samsung’s next-gen VR display doubles pixel density of Rift, Vive screens

Samsung has made big improvements to the pixel density and resolution of its virtual reality displays. At a recent showing of the new technology, it debuted panels with a resolution of 2024 x 2200 pixels across 3.5 inches.

The post Samsung’s next-gen VR display doubles pixel density of Rift, Vive screens appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

June 2, 2017

The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, June 2

SXSW Daily Chord | dailychord.com

In this week in music news, failed festivals drew legal action and warnings from industry leaders, with Canada’s Pemberton event receiving scrutiny. Spotify’s settlement of class action suits from songwriters brought a long-simmering dispute to an end. These and other milestones, business maneuvers, scene reports and lists of upcoming music are compiled, posted and emailed in The Daily Chord. Shoot us your email and we’ll show up in your inbox each weekday.

Tuesday, May 30

Wednesday, May 31

Thursday, June 1

Friday, June 2

The post The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, June 2 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Music

June 2, 2017

SXSW Alumni Film Releases – June 2017

Discover some of the SXSW alumni films on release this month, such as BABY DRIVER, THE BIG SICK, and THE HERO. Continue on for a complete list with trailers and more info.

BABY DRIVER
Narrative Feature, World Premiere, 2017
Website | Trailer

The latest film from cult favorite Edgar Wright stars John Hamm, Kevin Spacey and rising star Ansel Elgort in a relentlessly gripping thriller with a killer soundtrack.
In theaters June 28

THE BIG SICK
Narrative Feature, 2017
Website | Trailer

Kumail Nanjiani draws on his own life story for this hilarious, painfully real look at the complexities of 21st century relationships.
In theaters June 23

THE HERO
Narrative Feature, 2017
Website | Trailer

A typically charismatic, nuanced performance from the legendary Sam Elliott grounds this perfectly pitched, idiosyncratic drama that also stars Nick Offerman and Laura Prepon.
In theaters June 9

THE INCOMPARABLE ROSE HARTMAN
Documentary Feature, World Premiere, 2016
Website | Trailer

One of the great unsung heroes of celebrity photography, Rose Hartman finally gets her due in this playful portrait of the iconic artist.
In theaters June 2

LIFE
Narrative Feature, World Premiere, 2017
Website | Trailer

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this claustrophobic, inventive sci-fi horror film that closed out this year’s SXSW Film Festival with a bang. Also stars Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson
Digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on June 2

LONG STRANGE TRIP
Documentary Feature, 2017
Website | Trailer

The inspiring, complicated, downright messy tale of the Grateful Dead, a tribe of contrarians who made art out of open-ended chaos, and inadvertently achieved success on their own terms.
In Theaters May 27

MISSION CONTROL: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF APOLLO
Documentary Feature, World Premiere, 2017
Website | Trailer

This gripping documentary shines a much-needed spotlight on the plucky Houstonians behind one of the most important exploratory missions in history, space-bound or otherwise.
On Blu-ray and DVD June 27

SUNTAN
Narrative Feature, North American Premiere, 2016
Website | Trailer

Sun, sea, sand and sexual frustration set the tone for this dark drama, part of an exciting wave of new films from Greece, and now available on DVD.
On DVD June 13

T2: TRAINSPOTTING
Narrative Feature, US Premiere, 2017
Website | Trailer

Danny Boyle returns with the long-awaited sequel to his seminal sophomore feature, and its as inventive as ever. A secret screening at SXSW 2017, the film is finally available for home viewing.
On Blu-ray/DVD June 27

The post SXSW Alumni Film Releases – June 2017 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 2, 2017

SXSW 2017 World Premiere of I’m Dying Up Here Debuts on Showtime [Video]

“I’m really proud to be premiering here. It’s comedy and there is this sort of rock and roll element to it. It feels like this is the perfect festival for us,” said Executive Producer Michael Aguilar.

The World Premiere of the new Showtime series I’m Dying Up Here , took place at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival, but will make its debut this Sunday, June 4th at 10pm ET/9 CT.

The series follows the trials and tribulations of the LA comedy scene in the 1970s, with much of it based on executive producer Jim Carrey‘s personal experiences.

Jonathan Levine acts as director while David Flebotte performs the duty of showrunner for the TV series. The show features an ensemble cast including: Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor, Clark Duke, Michael Angarano, Andrew Santino, Stephen Guarino, Erik Griffin, RJ Cyler, and Al Madrigal. Levine is best known for directing the Golden Globe®-nominated film 50/50. His additional feature credits include The Night Before, Warm Bodies, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, and The Wackness. He directed the recent film Snatched starring Goldie Hawn (SXSWedu alumna) and Amy Schumer (SXSW Film alumna). Read our interview with David Flebotte below.

Q: Tell us a little about your series?

A: Set in L.A.’s infamous stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, I’m Dying Up Here delves into the inspired and damaged psyches that inhabit the hilarious but complex business of making an audience laugh.

Q: What motivated you to tell this story?

A: I’ve been a fan of comedy since I was kid, starting with listening to Bill Cosby records and following such shows as All In The Family and M*A*S*H. I did some open mic and sketch comedy in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s and hung around with a lot of funny people. Add to that I’ve been working comedy writing rooms for the past 20 years so it felt like a great opportunity to work in a world that I truly love.

Q: What do you want the audience to take away from this TV series?

A: I hope they find it entertaining, honest and funny. It’s a fictional account of the time but we try to be as accurate as possible in our depiction of the time and energy that was the comedy circuit out here in LA after Carson moved here from NY. I hope that the audience finds it relatable. Granted the world of stand-up comedy is a bit rarefied, but there’s something universal in pursuing a dream and all the trials and tribulations that come with that pursuit. That there’s as much nobility and courage (as well as necessity) in failure as there is in success, and that one doesn’t happen without the other.

After you watch the pilot, be sure to check out our extended Q&A with the cast and crew, moderated by Doug Benson.

Explore More Content From SXSW 2017

Get inspired by a multitude of diverse visionaries at SXSW – browse more 2017 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Red Carpets, and Q&A’s on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, recaps, late-breaking announcements, and updates.

The post SXSW 2017 World Premiere of I’m Dying Up Here Debuts on Showtime [Video] appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 2, 2017

This Month’s 15 Best Data Visual Inspirations

1. Film Money by DataMake

Data Visual: Film Money

A minimalist interactive data visual that looks at what it actually takes to finance movies. As you scroll through the visual, you get an idea of how the film industry fluctuates as the visual transforms to highlight various budgetary differences.

2. What Makes a Good Visualization? by David McCandless

Data Visual: What Makes A Good Visualization?

David McCandless, founder of Information is Beautiful, created this graphic as a visual guide of the four elements he believes are necessary for a well-crafted data visualization. This is a great tool for anyone looking to design their own data visual but is unsure of where to start.

3. On The Trump Emoto-Coaster by Periscopic

Data Visual: On The Trump Emo-Coaster

This data visual mixes interactive elements as well as video elements to create a completely immersive experience. The interactive charts reveal information as well as match video segments for each dominant emotion.

4. Literary Constellations by C82

Data Visual: Literary Constellations

These beautiful visualizations offer a unique take on classic literary works of art, such as Dracula and Robinson Crusoe, by analyzing each book’s parts of speech and first sentence from every chapter. The visuals create sections of the night sky by generating constellations out of words found in each chapter.

5. World Bank Group Education by Column Five

Data Visual: World Bank Education Group

The two interactives look at different aspects of educational programs the World Bank finances. This allows users to get a broad look at the various organizations but also gives them the ability to take an in-depth look as well. This creates an uncluttered experience while still providing all the necessary information.

6. All Fights in Dragon Ball Z by Nadieh Bremer

Data Visual: All Fights In Dragon Ball Z

If you’re a fan of Dragon Ball Z, this comprehensive look at all of the fights that occurred throughout the 291 episodes is the perfect way to get a mental refresh of the anime. The interactive multi-colored chart is playful and perfectly presents the information in a way that isn’t too overwhelming, considering how much is being delivered.

7. The Tallest Statues In The World by Marco Hernandez

Data Visual: The Tallest Statues In The World

This visual is not only artistically stunning, it is also highly informative and offers up some interesting facts about important statues across the globe. Available to be viewed in print version, on a desktop, or on a mobile device, the visual is well-designed and well thought out for cross-platform applications.

8. 30 Years of Oil and Gas Pipeline Accidents by CityLab

Data Visual: 30 Years of Oil And Gas Pipeline Spills

This startling visual is straightforward and uses little flare to portray the severe impact of oil and gas pipeline accidents. The simplicity of the dots amassing on the map as accidents across the country accumulate is enough to highlight the gravity of the situation.  

9. One Angry Bird by Periscopic

Data Visual: One Angry Bird

This beautiful visual beautifully interprets the emotional arcs of the past ten U.S. presidential inaugural address as multicolored feathers. Users can scroll through and quickly determine the dominant emotion president’s portrayed during their speech and click on sections of the feather to view the speech in a popup video screen.

10. Baby Connect by andrew_elliot

Data Visual: Baby Connect

Voted as the most beautiful data visualization of all time in Reddit’s r/dataisbeautiful forum, this simple image actually represents six months of Reddit user’s andrew_elliot’s daughter’s life in one continuous thread. The journey begins at the center of the circle (birth) then wraps outward as she ages with dark blue representing the time when she was asleep and yellow for when she was awake. A full revolution is equal to one 24-hour day making midnight the top of the clock.

11. Sierra Nevada Global-Change Observatory by Carmen Torrecillas

Data Visual: Sierra Nevada Global Change

This visual has a lot of information on it, but the organization and neatness make it easy to navigate and understand. The thin multi-colored lines make for a beautiful system to interpret the abundant and varied bits of data.

12. What Drives A Designer? by Maga Design

Data Visual: What Drives A Designer?

A simple and to the point set of visuals, this particular example makes use of contrasting colors to compare different details of the design industry. Users can quickly determine the two distinct aspects of the study and hone in on the relevant information.

13. Data Visualization of Trump Trends on Social Media by Affinio and TechRepublic

Data Visual: Trump Trends on Social Media

This set of graphics looks at the rising influence of social media in politics, paying particular attention to Donald Trump’s campaign prior to his election. The color-coded categories and adjoining threads show how the different demographics and social groups connected in conversation over Trump’s inauguration.

14. Paid Parental Leave Benefits by  Column Five

Data Visual: Paid Parental Leave Benefits

This data visual perfectly separates relevant information into different blocks, creating distinct sections of related sets of data, while color continuity unifies all of the information together.

15. Death in Syria by The New York Times

Data Visual: Death in Syria

As users scroll through this visual, the thousands of dots that cover the screen paint a startling picture of the situation in Syria. It’s simplicity yet effectiveness to illustrate the gravity of the situation is perfectly executed and designed, down to the color choice and large numerical font.

Source: Visual News

June 2, 2017

Microsoft Research Reveals New, Slimmed Down AR Glasses

The Microsoft Research Team revealed a new pair of augmented reality glasses today that offer an exciting form factor, even if their performance …
Source: CW’s Flipboard Feed