tagged w/ Arts and Entertainment
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VIDEO MONTAGE FEATURING THE WORKS OF PROLIFIC ARTIST/WARHOL PROTEGE' GEORGES MONFILS * FEATURED ON http://blog.ayce.tv + http://ayce.tvVIDEO MONTAGE FEATURING THE WORKS OF PROLIFIC ARTIST/WARHOL PROTEGE' GEORGES... more
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There are only three animated series which have been honored by a Peabody award. The most recent recipient of this most revered honor in visual media is "Avatar: The Last Airbender." A sweeping epic set in an Asian and Inuit inspired fantasy world, the series focuses on the struggles of the Avatar. Not to be confused with the blue, cat-eyed aliens, this Avatar is the Hindu and Tibetan representation of spirituality and reincarnation on Earth.
"Avatar: The Last Airbender," in addition to earning a Peabody, also saw immense commercial success, becoming a veritable animated blockbuster. An instant hit with audiences across the globe, it’s series finale alone drew more than 19 million viewers worldwide and, unsurprisingly, this success spurred Nickelodeon, the animation studio behind the series, to proceed with a live action adaptation. Critics and studio executives went so far as to proclaim it as the studio's answer to Star Wars.
In late December of 2008 the film version of Avatar the Last Airbender began production with four White leads. The casting language for the auditions choosing them read, Caucasian and any other ethnicity. Subsequent casting calls for secondary roles and for extras called for specific racial and cultural affiliations. In fact the casting director, Dee Dee Rickets, actually encouraged wearing cultural regalia saying, "If your from Korea were a Kimono, if your from Belgium wear some lederhosen." Wrongly attributing the national origin of both items of clothing. Rickets also went to northern Virginia and other locations specifically scouting in Asian American communities for actors in background roles. A similar effort was not taken in the search for the leads.
Also raising concerns for fans were comments made by one of the lead actors, Jackson Rathbone. Sokka, the character Rathbone plays is inspired by Inuit culture. In an interview with MTV Rathbone made culturally insensitive comments in regards to his casting and the controversy it was generating ""I think it's one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan. It's one of those things where, hopefully, the audience will suspend disbelief a little bit."
The comments and casting decisions quickly grew into a controversy and that controversy spawned a media advocacy movement composed of a wide array of individuals including fans of the series, academics, and media professionals. I sat down with Marissa Lee one of the founders of this movement. Lee is one of the founders of the Racebending website and one of its administrators. We sat down to talk about what changed the initial widespread excitement about the film and series into a grassroots protest movement against the film and casting practices it highlights.
:story continued in comments section:
you can also find the remainder of the article in the discussion section of our Otaku group on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Currentcoms-Otaku-Channel/111313161605
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=14697&post=91402&uid=111313161605#post91402
To learn more visit www.racebending.comThere are only three animated series which have been honored by a Peabody award. The... more
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called "one of the biggest changes in television".
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(http://mitziszereto.com/tv) Welcome to Mitzi TV. I'm Mitzi Szereto, author, blogger, expat, and overall lass about town - and I'm here to bring you the craziest and zaniest of London life, boldly going where no man (or woman) has gone before. From the offbeat and bizarre to just plain lunacy, it's all happening right here. So tune in to explore life from the mad side! (No straitjacket required.)
"Errant Ramblings: Mitzi Szereto's Weblog": http://mitziszereto.com/blog
Contact Mitzi TV at: tv @ mitziszereto.com(http://mitziszereto.com/tv) Welcome to Mitzi TV. I'm Mitzi Szereto, author,... more
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Obama will be the "nerd in chief" when he takes office as president this month. Marvel comics has put him on the cover of this month's spider-man comics.
Comic is about Spidey saving the day when there is an impostor who tries to impersonate Obama as president.
It will also list the 10 little known facts about Obama.
To be released next wednesday.
link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090109/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_media_obamaObama will be the "nerd in chief" when he takes office as president this... more
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The University of Southern California (USC) has announced that it will be the first major US university to offer a bachelor's degree in popular music.
The prestigious school, which boasts Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea as one of its students, will offer instruction to instrumentalists and vocalists in popular music genres including rock, R&B, folk, blues and country.
"Why shouldn't a programme like this start in Los Angeles?" said Robert Cutietta, dean of the school that houses the programme. "I've been I higher education for 20-some years and it's been talked about, but everyone has been afraid to do it. No one wanted to be first," he told the Los Angeles Times.
Students in the popular music programme will be required to study music theory, history and songwriting as well as entertainment law, record promotion, marketing and publicity.
The University of Southern California (USC) has announced that it will be the first... more
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Actor John Travolta cancelled filming on his new movie 'From Paris With Love' after rioting broke out among crew members on set.Actor John Travolta cancelled filming on his new movie 'From Paris With... more
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Dennis Hopper has been made a commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters in a ceremony in Paris. Dennis Hopper has been made a commander in France's National Order of Arts and... more
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