Posts made in September 2020

Netflix Co-CEO on Ads

Leave a reply

by Justin Lyons

Netflix co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings sat down with Variety recently to discuss his new book and everything regarding Netflix. From business strategies to hiring strategies to creative strategies, Hastings seemed to be quite open about his ideas for the streaming service.

One of the biggest questions everyone seems to have about Netflix revolves around its revenue strategy. The home of shows like “Stranger Things,” “Orange is the New Black,” “House of Cards” and other award-winning, binge-inducing shows has been ad-free since its inception.

Hastings said the decision to rely entirely on a subscription model is more of a judgement call than a strict rule for Netflix.

“You know, advertising looks easy until you get in it. Then you realize you have to rip that revenue away from other places because the total ad market isn’t growing, and in fact right now it’s shrinking,” Hastings told Variety.

Hastings went on to say there’s more opportunity for growth in the consumer market than there is in the advertising business, also citing 20 years of success to back his point.

A 2019 report from eMarketer said Google, Facebook and Amazon received upwards of two-thirds of advertising dollars in the United States, so it would make sense to believe the room for growth in advertising is limited.

The New York Times reported in April that Netflix gained nearly 16 million subscribers early in the year, pushing the total number of subscribers to more than 182 million.

Hastings also touched on production during COVID-19’s shutdown, saying Netflix was able to shoot some originals, like the fourth season of “The Crown,” before shutting down production. He added that Netflix is currently producing in Europe and Asia.

While producing in Europe and Asia is more practical than producing in the United States right now, it also goes along with goals Hastings has for Netflix.

He said he wants Netflix to become a first-class developer all around the world, not just in Hollywood. Hastings said shows like “Dark,” from Germany, and “La Casa de Papel,” from Spain, have aided that movement.

On the future of Netflix, Hastings said, “What’s next is becoming a great Turkish developer of content, becoming a great Egyptian developer of content and sharing that with the world.”

He closed the interview with a discussion about other streaming platforms. Hastings compared Netflix to Starbucks, serving a specific product, while Amazon is more of a Walmart, serving every need.

With the number of streaming services growing exponentially, it might be easy to assume doom for the original streaming platforms. Even with Disney+ reaching 60 million subscribers, Hastings isn’t worried, calling the streaming industry a “healthy situation.”

“Because you’ll continue to push each other to innovate and entertain people. It’s only in the old communist states of the 1960s when you’d have a single network. No one wants to create that,” Hastings said.

A rising tide lifts all boats, right? There is no doubt that Netflix remains king of the streaming industry, and we can probably assume we’re safe from ads on Netflix for now. That, along with the possible development of more content from other countries and cultures, makes it an exciting time to be a Netflix subscriber.

For now, we’ll continue to rely on Netflix’s ad-free experience while studios that rely on theatrical releases are slowed down.

To read the entire interview from Variety, you can click right here.

Lithuanian Natural Splendor

Leave a reply

It is becoming all too obvious—traditional commercial tourism needs alternatives. Whether it is pollution, the accelerating threats of climate change, the loss of biodiversity or a myriad of other travel-induced problems, it all goes back to the conventional way of visiting foreign lands. Aware of that, an increasing number of people are choosing a different form of travelling—slower, more environmentally-conscious and education-focused tourism—an ecotourism.

Ecotourism involves responsible travelling to pristine natural environments with the goal of learning more about the natural world, helping the locals and contributing to ecological conservation. To encourage this kind of mindset, Lithuania—one of the lushest countries in Europe—is inviting people to visit its forest green landscapes.

“Our country is small, but it has so much to offer in terms of natural environments and biodiversity,” said Olga Gončarova, Head of Domestic and Inbound Tourism Department at Lithuania Travel. “Over the recent years, we have noticed a growing interest in our unique natural resources—lakes, forests, marshes, rivers. Instead of spending all of the vacation in cities, tourists are choosing to spend more time in nature—exploring, meditating, being. This has been very helpful in the effort of spreading ecological awareness.”

And indeed, Lithuania has some of the most interesting and unique natural wonders, four of which are designed as national reserves—a human here is just a guest.

Čepkeliai Marsh

Fresh air and ancient landscapes surrounded by taiga-type woods with wolves and lynxes strolling around—Lithuania’s most famous swamp—the Čepkeliai Marsh—is second to none when it comes to tranquility and pure nature. The famous swamp invites visitors to take a 1.5 km educational trail and explore wetlands, small lakes, continental dunes and diverse forest fauna, as well as enjoy panoramic views from the observation tower. But beware—the reserve is a highly protected ecosystem, so to limit disturbance during the bird breeding season, from April to July, only visitors with an authorized guide can enter the park (which might be even more exciting!).

Visiting hours: From July to April, the educational trail can be visited independently, with written permission issued by the local directorate. More info here.

Kamanai Reserve

Another marsh, another wonderful opportunity to experience Lithuanian nature. The Kamanai Reserve offers a breathtaking educational trail through an extremely well-preserved ecosystem—so protected that in fact you can visit it only with an official guide. The biodiversity found in the reserve is astonishing—it is home to wolves, lynxes, hazel dormice, blackcocks and a variety of other species, including the near-extinct spoonleaf sundew. While Kamanai is open all-year-round, it is especially stunning during spring and fall when the trees change color—particularly when viewed from the 30-meter-tall observation tower built next to the trail.

Visiting hours: Kamanai Reserve can only be visited with an official guide. More info here.

Viešvilė Reserve

Located in the Western Lithuania, the Viešvilė Reserve offers a guided 1.8 km tour through multiple marshes, lakes, rivers and forests. Wolves, otters, cranes and other animals are among the reserve’s permanent residents, while black alders, spruces, pines make up the majority of the forests. After concluding the hike, guests are invited to learn more about the local flora and fauna by participating in interactive activities at the visitor’s center. On top of that, the reserve is known for its exceptional nursery of wood grouses—the only place in Lithuania where you can see the birds from up close.

Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve

Visiting hours: Guided tours are available daily until 5 PM. For the weekends, booking in advance is required. Local directorate must be contacted before the arrival for availability. The educational trail is available free of charge at any time. More info here.

Though officially established in 1937, the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve has been attracting scientists and the general public since the 19^th century. And for a good reason—Lithuania’s oldest and largest reserve is home to more than 2000 species of animals, including over 240 different species of birds, many of whom are classified as endangered. While the reserve is mostly composed of marshes, it also features the shallowest lake in the country, Lake Žuvintas, which, with the average depth of only 0.6 m, is often regarded as a paradise for water birds. And no wonder, this place is one of the hottest spots in the country to watch the autumn bird migration, about to reach a peak in mid-September. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Žuvintas continues to offer educational tours and engage in highly-respected scientific research.

Visiting hours: Open only during the day time, the educational trail is free of charge for small groups. Paid guided tours can be booked at visitor center. The rest of the reserve’s territory can only be visited with written permission. More info about ticket prices here.

Photo curtesy of Andrius Aleksandravičius.

Boats Sink at Pro-Trump Parade

Leave a reply

On September 5, 2020, participants at the ‘Trump Boat Parade’ needed rescuing after at least four boats sunk around noon on Lake Travis in Texas.

The New York Times reported, “Boaters were set to travel around the lake, which is about 15 miles northwest of Austin, at 10 miles per hour.”
According to the events Facebook page, they wanted to “really make a statement,” but organizers did not expect the event to make national news for the reason it did.

A call came in around 12:10 pm to report the first boat was taking on water and subsequently more boats faced the same fate. After mulling over the audio from these emergency calls, ABC News reported, “At least three boats went down in 30 minutes, according to dispatchers, who reported several sinking boats around Paradise Cove.”

“Five boats sank, three of which were removed from the water, the sheriff’s office said in a Sunday release,” USA Today stated. “Two boats remained submerged, it said.”

Strangely enough, this wasn’t the first time a a pro-Trump boat parade ended in emergency calls. “A similar incident took place during a parade on the Willamette River in Portland last month,” according to Bloomberg. However, there was less damage done with only one boat reportedly sinking.

While the the day brought good boating conditions, the large number of boats all starting their trek around the lake at the same time caused unsafe water conditions, CNN stated.
Organizers still plan to hold more boat parades in the future disregarding the tragedies of the past two parades.

Interview with Contemporary Photographer

Leave a reply

In an interview of contemporary photographer Christy Lee Rogers by the Colnaghi Foundation, a non-profit London organization with the purpose of promoting Old Masters, art historian Isabelle Kent compares Rogers’ works to Ruben.

Kent, who lectures at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was a Curatorial Assistant at the Wallace Collection, said:

“[Rogers] is best known for her pioneering use of water and pools in her photography… [Rogers’] art plays with themes of strength and vulnerability, loss and beauty… creating ethereal and otherworldly images full of color and billowing fabrics. They have often been compared to Baroque paintings, in particular the likes of Caravaggio and I certainly think her multi-figure works, with all of their movement, really remind me of Rubens.”

In the interview Rogers, who won first prize in the Sony World Open Photographer of the Year Award and was recently commissioned by Apple, said, “There is a message in my work – it is connected to that Baroque feeling about something greater than ourselves, a drama and passion and motion.”

Listen to the interview here:

www.instagram.com/p/CEHj4scHHal/

Dominic Fike – Fortnite Party Royale Concert

Leave a reply

For the debut of the Spotlight concert series, star singer, rapper, and songwriter Dominic Fike is ready to bring down the house with hits from his acclaimed LP debut, What Could Possibly Go Wrong. Fike’s performance will be broadcast live in-game from the Party Royale Spotlight sound stage in Los Angeles, on Saturday, September 12.

Here’s a full look at showtimes:

Dominic Fike Premiere – Saturday, September 12 @ 5PM ET
Encore 1 – Saturday, September 12 @11PM ET
Encore 2 – Sunday, September 13 @ 1PM ET

2020 Summer Olympics

Leave a reply

by Justin Lyons

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are following the old show business gospel of “the show must go on.”

John Coates, vice president of the International Olympic Committee, spoke with AFP to say the Olympics would indeed begin in July 2021, whether COVID-19 is still around or not.

The summer games were originally scheduled to take place this summer, but complications from COVID-19 delayed them until next year.

Coates said the next Olympiad will be “the Games that conquered COVID.”

According to BBC, chief executive of the Tokyo Games Toshiro Muto also said it was possible for a limited audience to be in attendance and wanted to avoid having no spectators.

BBC also reported that Muto said a vaccine was not necessary for the games to go on.

Sports were warmly welcomed back in the United States in July, and the National Football League will return this week. Though basketball, baseball and hockey are finishing their seasons without fans, plan for fans in football stadiums remain tentative.

Fans around the country will have their eyes on the situation, and we obviously hope to see fans cheering on their home countries next year in one of the most unifying events in the world if conditions so permit.

Aisles Releases New Single

Leave a reply

AISLES SHARES CRUSHING NEW SINGLE “SMILE OF TEARS”

The release serves as an introduction to new singer Israel Gil.

Stream the song on Spotify and Bandcamp

After almost two years of searching, the Chilean rock group Aisles welcomes their new singer, Israel Gil, with the re-recording of the song “Smile of Tears.” The track, taken from the album In Sudden Walks (2009), has a strong electronic influence from Depeche Mode’s eighties era and blended with the band’s own modern twist. “This song affects me a lot because when we recorded it, social distancing and the pandemic were starting in Chile –says Israel- The title makes a lot of sense to me, because in these lockdown days, with video calls and contact through social media, you pretend in front of the camera that you are happy, but you are suffering on the inside.” Germán Vergara, Aisles’ guitarist and producer, points out that they chose this song because “we have rarely played it live and we thought that this was a good opportunity to bring it back and to introduce Israel to our audience”. Israel is replacing longtime vocalist and founding member Sebastián Vergara, who stepped down as frontman of Aisles in October, 2018.

Israel, a classically trained musician and student of Music Theory at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, was discovered through the social network Vampr, an app that connects musicians from all over the world who have interests in common. German explains, “we liked his voice because it is honest and clear, it is very special”. Israel adds: “I saw this band in the app, German sent me a message because he liked a video I posted, and after that first contact I had a revelatory moment: singing would become my priority. I had never bet this much in my life.”

After an intense audition process, where the musician had to learn old and new songs of the band, Israel was chosen because of his motivation, his discipline, his attention to detail and his friendliness. “We feel that he has been part of the band for years –says German-even though we have really shared just a few months. There has been a lot of chemistry, a lot of conversation. We need to work with someone that makes you feel comfortable because the creative process is too intimate”. Israel adds: “After the audition process, I realized this is the path I want to follow, I want to see how this mechanism works. In this band, there’s a constant search and there are also different opinions, which makes it complex and also extremely motivating.”

Aisles, formed also by Rodrigo Sepúlveda (guitar), Felipe Candia (drums), Juan Pablo Gaete (keyboards, synth) and Daniel Concha (bass), are working on their fifth studio album, which will be released in June, 2021. “Most of the music is already recorded, we only need to record the voice and we hope to start showing new material starting on January,” says German. This album leaves behind the sound and visual complexity of their previous album “Hawaii” (2016), keeping the melancholy and instrumental passages that have defined Aisles throughout their career, adding influences such as Porcupine Tree and Animals as Leaders.

Stream “Smile of Tears” Below

About Aisles

Based in Santiago, Chile, and having released four highly acclaimed studio albums, Aisles have become South America’s most important progressive band of the past two decades. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz, and world music illustrates the band’s eclectic approach. The group has toured the Americas, Europe, and done extensive touring cycles in Chile, opening for household names such as Marillion and Focus. Their latest studio album, ‘Hawaii’ (2016), was called a “masterpiece” and chosen among the best albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England), and Chile’s premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis. After parting ways with long-time vocalist and founding member Sebastián Vergara in late 2018, Aisles has found a new singer and is starting a new phase with a different line-up and a new sound. The band will start releasing new music in September 2020, leading up to their fifth studio album, to be released in the first semester of 2021.

Discography

Live from Estudio del Sur EP (2018)
Hawaii (2016)
Live 2014 EP (2015)
4:45 AM (2013)
In Sudden Walks (2009)
The Yearning (2005)

Connect with Aisles
Facebook
Instagram
Spotify
Twitter
YouTube

EVICTIONS POSTPONED FOR NOW

Leave a reply

By Althea Champion

The Trump Administration recently announced a new eviction moratorium, which took effect Sept. 4th and will last until the end of December. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention put forward the order, which is meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, rent will be due when the moratorium expires at the end of the year.

The order is expected to go much further than its predecessor, the eviction ban classified under the CARES act, which protected 12 million tenants in qualifying properties and expired July 24th. The new moratorium is expected to protect all tenants who do not expect to earn more than $99,000 this year or face other financial limitations, and prove they are eligible.

This protection is meant to prevent a devastating wave of homelessness, that of which will likely spread the virus, worsening an already dire situation in the U.S.

Tenants breathed a huge sigh of relief as the news broke. According to a survey conducted by the National Housing Law Project, 85% of respondents expected a dramatic surge in eviction cases once the moratoria expired. However, the bills of tenants are not evaporating. Rather, they are starting a tab kept by their landlords.

“This Order is a temporary eviction moratorium to prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” the order reads. “This Order does not relieve any individual of any obligation to pay rent, make a housing payment, or comply with any other obligation that the individual may have under a tenancy, lease, or similar contract.”

Rather, it simply does not allow a landlord or owner of a property to evict tenants from their homes during the four month period it is active.

Tenants need to apply as soon as possible.

“To apply for the new moratorium, tenants will have to attest to a substantial loss of household income, the inability to pay full rent and best efforts to pay partial rent,” reports Matthew Goldstein of the New York Times. “Tenants must also stipulate that eviction would be likely to leave them homeless or force them to live with others at close quarters.”

This moratorium does not offer financial assistance. Instead, renters and landlords will take on the debt as they continue living in and renting their homes.

“The eviction moratorium the CDC enacted works from a health point of view, but it dodges the fundamental question, which is, how are we ultimately going to pay for this?” said Doug Quattrochi, a small landlord from Mass. on PBS NewsHour. “Just putting temporary band-aids on isn’t going to work when we knew, at the start of this, we were gonna need stitches.”

LABOR DAY: A TIME TO MOURN

Leave a reply

By Althea Champion

While others spend the day with their families outside, grilling kabobs, taking advantage of the last inklings of warm weather, or swarming flash retail sales, others will spend it inside either on the clock on site, from home, or in isolation.

This Labor Day, 28 million Americans are out of work. Those who are, chiefly nurses, grocery store workers, custodial staff, and essential workers alike, are risking their health to stay employed. And, these are the people who, most likely, will not actually be permitted a day off to celebrate the federal holiday.

Created by the labor movement, Labor Day is meant to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of American workers. More than a century ago, when it was celebrated in New York City for the first time, a parade ran through the streets, made complete by waving workers wearing smiling faces and flying flags, proud to be members of the new and progressive labor party.

But, its establishment as a federal holiday came at a steep price. It was only after a massive boycott and the bloodshed of 13 and injuries of 53 did President Grover Cleveland recognize the first Monday of each and every September, which was already being observed in 23 other states, as a federal holiday.

Today, a great proportion (43%) of the essential working men and women of this country are people of color. And the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting them the hardest.

“According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native people had an age-adjusted COVID-19 hospitalization rate about 5.3 times that of non-Hispanic white people,” reported William F. Marshall, III M.D. “COVID-19 hospitalization rates among non-Hispanic Black people and Hispanic or Latino people were both about 4.7 times the rate of non-Hispanic white people.”

For the 1 in 5 people in the workforce receiving unemployment compensation, the day is similarly solemn. Benefits are in high demand. And, some of those who applied for it have either not received it because they were denied, or are still waiting. The extension of their benefits, some of which have not even been delivered yet to applicants, are a hot spot of contention amongst congress, and job opportunities are few and far in between.

According to Aimee Pichee of CBS News, the unemployment rate fell below 10% for the first time since March. Despite this promising piece of news, she also reminds us that, “the hiring rate has slowed each month this summer, a signal that the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic may be losing steam.”

Today, instead of going to a party or participating in a parade, we will acknowledge the impact of our workers, and mourn those who lost their lives fighting on the front lines against a pandemic that our country’s unit of government could not contain. Many are still fighting, punching a clock day-in and day-out, and will do so today despite the holiday.

Wildfires Rage Across California

Leave a reply

By Elle Grant

What should have been a pleasant Labor Day weekend, a last stretch of summer, has quite literally gone up in flames. Multiple wildfires now burn with increasing force across the state and show no signs of stopping. Three fires have consumed California’s attention this holiday weekend, the Creek Fire, the Valley Fire, and the El Dorado Fire.

The El Dorado fire started during a gender-reveal party, reports say. A “smoke generating pyrotechnic device” used at the party caused the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County, Cal Fire said in a press release. The fire started Saturday at 10:23 a.m. at the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa and spread from the park north on to the park’s ridge. It has since grown to past 7,000 acres as of Monday morning. No charges have yet been made in this particular case and the fire is reportedly only 5% contained.

Evacuations have been ordered for the communities across the area. More than 500 personnel have been deployed to the fire, along with 60 engines and four helicopters. Weather in California is expected to remain hot and dry with a relative humidity of 20%, San Bernardino National Forest said in its evening update on the fire. Winds will also continue at three to five miles per hour with gust up to 10 miles per hour, resulting in “active fire behavior throughout the night.” Such weather will continue to fan the wildfire flames and continue its spread. Temperatures during the day were well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, hampering the efforts of firefighters to stop the flames. While communities have been evacuated, currently no known homes or lives have been taken by the fires.

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has declared a state of emergency in response to the situation, specifically in regard to fires in the High Sierras, trapping campers visiting for the long weekend. It took an incredibly arduous rescue operation by military helicopters to evacuate them from the Mammoth Pool Reservoir area, authorities said. The lack of cellphone reception in the area made rescue efforts even more difficult. While lives were saved, twenty were injured, with two in serious condition from burns including a fourteen-year-old girl.

Residents across the state are preparing to make evacuations from their homes due to the various fires. “It looks like it’s 8:30 at night,” said Carrie Lightfoot said of the darkness from the fire. Ms. Lightfoot is a resident of Bass Lake, an area significantly threatened by the potential spread of the Creek Fire. “You can taste the smoke,” she said. “You can see red coming up the mountain. It just looks like the end of the world.” Other witnesses relayed similar harrowing visuals, including driving through flames to escape and describing their experiences in evacuation helicopters.

As aforementioned, a state of emergency has been declared in California and the California National Guard have been mobilized. The story on current wildfires raging through California continues to develop.