The Story In…

Story in Music: A Woman Scorned – 5 Best Angry White Chick Songs

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Leo

They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but I don’t believe it. There are many things more furious than a woman scorned. Take hurricanes and tornadoes for instance. That’s some serious fury. How about a politician who isn’t bribed? Is anyone more furious than that? Just ask Microsoft. Seriously now, we know it’s true. A woman scorned is a terrible thing to behold. Look at this delicate flower. She isn’t even scorned. Instead, she received the desire of her heart.

Galadriel
Ok, really seriously now. I love anger in music, and women just do anger better than men. Angry men give us Nickelback. Angry women give us awesomeness. So, without further ado, here are the top five angry woman songs.

These Boots Are Made For Walking. It doesn’t get much clearer than that. Oh yeah, “One of these days I’m gonna walk all over you.” I guess it does get clearer. Gotta love Nancy Sinatra. Out of my great love for you all, I’ll spare you the Jessica Simpson version.
How about this version. Make you want to gouge your eyes and ears out?
Don’t forget the Megadeath version. A bit cheesy, but still good.
There’s just something about killing an abusive man that smacks of poetic justice. Still, death is a harsh penalty, and enforcing that penalty lands the Dixie Chicks on this list with Goodbye Earl
Mess with Vicky Lawrence’s brother, and she’ll put you in the ground. In the ground, dirtbag! Yeah, this is revenge at its best. I recommend Reba’s version. She’s one of the best country singers in the history of yeehaw music, and just adds a bit of passion to the story Vicky couldn’t achieve. The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia remains one of my favorite songs.
It’s tough not to put Alanis Morissette number one. It’s also sad that this cool, funny and bitter song is her song of record. Alanis is a fantastic singer/songwriter who is much more than the “angry white chick,” this little ditty portrays her as. In fact, she is a soulful singer, with great talent. Oh well, she recorded it, and we loved it. Now she will forever be the Elizabeth Berkley of singers, talented but known for a gimmick. You Ought’a Know is her most famous song.
You’re So Vain is the first angry woman song. It is the angry woman song of note. It is the standard that all angry women will be judged by, now and in the future.
Might I add that James Taylor is a jerk. He is conceited, and morally corrupt. Carly is right to be so pissed off. That’s +1 spousal points for empathy, but -2 spousal points for gloating. Dang, I’m down a point.

So, am I just a chauvinist pig? Is angry white chick music real? What are your favorite angry woman songs? Let all of us know in the comments.

Posted in Story in Music | 4 Comments

Writing Advice Sucks, Here’s Five Useful Resources

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Leo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swanksalot/6300958000/

A friend of mine asked what resources are out there for new writers. Seems like a simple question, doesn’t it? After all, writing advice flows from the mouths of great, good, mediocre and horrible writers alike. A literal plethora – even when using the word correctly, which most people don’t – of writing advice is at our fingertips. All we need to do is search, ask and read. I googled a few terms. Look what I found.

How to write a novel – 180,000,000 results
Writing advice – 470,000,000 results
Fiction writing advice – 198,000,000 results
Write better – 2,500,000,000 results

Over two billion results on write better. Two billion! Finding writing advice is easy. The problem lies with finding good and helpful writing advice. How many of these articles are anything more than simple lists like “Eleventeen Ways to Write Better.” I looked at one of the top results, and it gave fifteen practical tips in less than 1500 words. That’s about 100 words per tip, and these aren’t small tips. They are the big ones. Be concise. Revise. Use powerful sentences. It’s easy to tell us to do these things without showing how. Larry Brooks, author of Story Engineering, likens this type of advice to Nolan Ryan pitching a shutout and expecting other pitchers to do the same because he said so.

Telling us what better writing looks like without showing us how to achieve offers little help, and often hurts. In other words, a person with knowledge and skill may or may not be a good teacher. Coaching is a skill on its own, and not everyone has it. If we accept that statement as true, and consider how many average or even poor writers offer free advice, we can see why 470,000,000 search results on writing advice is not necessarily a good thing.

All right, enough of the lecture. We’re here to find good writing advice for new writers. We want useful tutorials, blogs and books. Well, this new and mediocre writer is here to provide free advice. Hey, what can I say. I’m a writer, I just have to give advice.

Writers groups. This one is tough. Writers groups can be great, and mine has been amazing. I believe every writer should find a good writers group that supports and challenges her. Unfortunately, writers groups usually include people, and where people are, human nature resides. Proceed with caution. Don’t settle for a group of people who just love everything you write, or spend their time telling you who to read. Find a group where the members show you how to write better. Meetup.com is where I found my group.
Blogs. This is another tough one. Many of the two billion articles on writing are blog posts. Most are not very useful. Reading blogs can be a huge waste of time – trust me, I know this from experience. Start out with a few well-known trusted blogs, and add a few lesser-known ones as you progress.
- Kristen Lamb – Kristen is an editor and writer with a passion for coaching new authors. Her posts usually cover a single topic in-depth. In fact, reading her blog is like reading a how-to-write book that never ends.
- Chuck Wendig – Brash, profane, vulgar and occasionally angry. Those are Chucks better qualities. Actually, that’s not true. Chuck gets it like no other author. He understands the inner workings of writing and being a writer.
- Nathan Bransford – Nathan writes young adult fiction, and is really understands the industry.
Books. There are tons of books, but I would start with Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. This book really breaks down the art of storytelling into its essential elements. He calls them the six core competencies of storytelling. Nothing I’ve read or heard has come close to teaching how to tell a story like Story Engineering.

I’ve spent a lot of time reading how-to-write books, articles and blogs. Most of the useful advice came from my writers group and the resources listed on this page. I hope this helps someone starting out. If so, let me know in the comments. Also, if anyone finds a good article on how to find a writers group, please share.

Posted in Story in Words | Tagged Writing | 4 Comments

Story in Art: Makeup Artist Steph Koza – Young, Talented and Gory

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Leo

Watch out horror world, there’s a new talent in town. She’s young, driven and gory. Even at seventeen-years-old, Steph Koza of Placebo FX has been perfecting her craft for five years. She’s very good at what she does, and ready to branch out into more advanced special effects.

Read this interview to see the passion Steph has for horror and special effects makeup. I can’t wait to see the first horror movie with her effects in it.

[Show as slideshow]

How did you get into creating makeup special effects?

My older brothers started putting on a haunted house in our front yard and porch when I was pretty young. When I was 12, I decided I wanted to try being an actress in it. I did my very first FX makeup application on October 31st, 2006. Basically all I did was white out my face, and do horrible black raccoon eyes. That was my best attempt at zombie makeup. I quickly fell madly in love with the costume and makeup aspect of it all. Each year, I would start preparing more and more in advance. In 2009, I went to my first real haunted house (Knotts Scary Farm), and that just tipped me over the edge. I knew then that I wanted to devote my life to the world of horror and special effects..

Do you plan to get into other types of special effects?

I’m hoping to learn a bit about animatronics and puppets, actually!

Do you envision yourself doing this for a living?

Absolutely. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What makes a good model for you? Do specific looks matter? Attitude?

Looks really don’t matter, unless I need something specific for a character. What I look for is someone who is VERY patient (makeup application can take up to several hours of sitting very still), a decent actor/actress, and being a little eccentric never hurts, either.

Do you consider yourself an artist? Why or why not?

Absolutely. There are a few people who would disagree, and I just plain don’t understand that. Doing makeup is much like any other form of art. You have to have a good concept of color and shading, a steady hand, and a vivid imagination.

Can I assume you are a horror fan? If so, what is it about horror that attracts you?

I’ve been attracted to darker things since I was about 10 or 11. I’m not sure if I can pinpoint what I find so attractive about it. I’m just very drawn to it.

What scares you?

Demons. Movies like Rec 2, The Exorcist, and The Last Exorcism always creep me out.

What would you like me to add to this interview?

Something that almost always throws people for a loop is the fact that I am a Christian. (So I also believe in demons. There’s the reason for that fear.) I think people look at my art and assume I worship the devil, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. I often get asked if I believe that creating such grisly work is a sin, and I honestly don’t think so. I know that the Lord is the one who gave me my talent, and even my youth pastor thinks what I do is cool.

Another fun little thing that people sometimes find interesting: I’m a paranormal investigator. (You can find some of my EVPs at my YouTube channel, PlaceboFXParanormal.)

Posted in Story in Art | Tagged horror | 2 Comments

Life in Film: Three Great Horror Shorts

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Leo

Ladies and gentlemen—and less ladylike or gentlemanly folk—for your viewing pleasure, we have three fantastic short horror films. All are unique and special, taking a different approach to horror. Take a look and let us all know what your think. Don’t forget to comment on the Youtube channels for each of them.

Seizure (2:57): Great storytelling doesn’t need lots of special effects, or even experienced actors. Instead, it needs a premise, a hook, and a great ending. Seizure delivers on all counts.

Directing company Nightwalker Cinema has a Twitter account (@NightWalkerCnma).

Nightmare (6:04): I love when regular people without training create art. In this case, some forty-two-year-old dude created an “Independent short film done by people who had no clue what they were doing just to have fun and learn something.” This is a completely amateur short horror film, done well.

Harvester (13:13): I’m not big on serial killers, but this one is original and compelling. Excellent film work, great music and interesting characters make this short horror film worth watching. Director William Wisehunt shows a higher level of professionalism than most.

Posted in Story in Film | Tagged horror, horror short film | Leave a comment

Story in Music: Product of Hate – The Unholy Manipulator Album Review

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Leo

Metal is rife with various genres and subgenres today. From doom to death, symphonic to folkloric, progressive to rapcore, everyone needs to classify themselves into a comfortable definition. Product of Hate isn’t having any of it. According to the genre tag on their debut EP The Unholy Manipulator, they’re just “Fucking METAL!” There are no ballads, symphonic melodies, flutes, synthesizers, Norse mythology or opera singers on this album. Instead, we get heavy metal with guitar solos, pounding drums, growling, screaming and bad attitude.

The Unholy Manipulator opens fast and heavy with Start the March, and ends even heavier with title track Unholy Manipulator. All the songs are good, but Embrace Your Escape is the notable track on the album. In that song, Product of Hate created a worthy heir to the metal anthem crown currently held by Drowning Pool’s Bodies. I see a future with lots of Youtube videos overlaying that song on top of skateboarding, fireworks, game footage, and girl fights.

Musically, Product of Hate has all the talent needed. Vocalist Adam Gilley shows good range and energy. Guitarists Cody and Geno Rathbone riff and solo throughout the album, bringing a heavy sound. For a good taste of their work, check out the solos on Eyes Of the Damned and Unholy Manipulator. Drummer Mike McGuire keeps a steady beat just below death-metal pace, and bassist Mark Campbell, when you can hear him, drops interesting bass lines. The music isn’t groundbreaking, just really good.

Rage, energy and testosterone drive this group to heights not seen since the early days of Pantera. With The Unholy Manipulator, Product of Hate are pissed off, and we’re loving it. If you want to hear the next big thing in metal before everyone else, grab this album.

Track List:

Start the March
Your Last Chance
Blood Coated Concrete
Embrace Your Escape
Eyes Of the Damned
Unholy Manipulator

Posted in Story in Music | Tagged metal | Leave a comment

Story in Life: Help Spread Awareness of Elder Abuse

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Leo

I met director Shariff Nasr on Youtube when I made a comment on his short film Oblivion. Shariff created this video to bring awareness to elder abuse in The Netherlands. After some research, I learned the same abuse occurs in the United States.

Shariff agreed to an email interview, and I posted it along with Oblivion here. Please post the video or my full interview on your blog to raise awareness of elder abuse. Please note, you do not need to link back to this blog or post a synopsis. Feel free to copy the interview in total for your blog.

If you do post the video, or this interview, please let me know through twitter (@Leo_Godin) or email (leogodin217@gmail.com)

Posted in Story in Life | Leave a comment

Story in Film: Oblivion – Not Just A Great Short

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Leo

Watch this video before reading the interview. Feel the pain, confusion and humiliation portrayed.

"These are not things you expect in our developed western society"

They say, “Integrity is what you do when no one is watching.” That is true for people as well as communities, states and countries. A society is not civil because of the way it converses in public. Instead, it is deemed civil or not by the way it treats the weak behind closed doors.

It is disheartening to learn about any abuse in the elder care industry, but the way we treat Alzheimer’s patients is particularly troubling. I interviewed director Shariff Nasr (@ShariffNasr) about elder abuse, and here are his thoughts on the topic.

What inspired you to make this video?

In some homes for the elderly and psychiatric hospitals, patients are still being fixated to their beds when they are “too much of a bother” for the nursing staff. This method is very counter-productive and only worsens the situation for the patient.
In the Netherlands the use of the Swedish strap is not allowed anymore in homes for the elderly since this year (after 7 patients had died because of it), but the so-called ‘Bratex strap’ is still used because of an expanding shortage in nursing staff. The government is tightening the budgets in this sector more and more, so I am afraid the problems will only get worse.

How do people react to this message of elder abuse? Do most people know it is happening? Do they seem to care?

Too many people still don’t know. Sometimes I get compliments for the metaphor I have used of a man that is physically stuck to his bed. When I tell them that it is not a metaphor, they are in shock. These are not things you expect in our developed western society.

Winning the people’s choice award at filminute gave this film a lot of attention in Holland, and I hope it will help a little bit to change things. Although I am afraid that people don’t care enough if it doesn’t involve themselves or their loved ones. But when it does, I am afraid it will be too late if we don’t change things quickly.

Is elder abuse a global problem, or is it specific to a few countries?

I am no expert but as far as I know it is a global problem that is being kept silent. The homes for the elderly where it happens don’t want this news to spread and I think a lot of people don’t really want to hear it. They don’t know people that need care and if so: what should they do? Take care of their loved ones themselves?

What can we do to prevent abuse in the elder-care industry?

I think it starts with awareness. When people want change, suddenly the government will think it is an important issue too, as if they never knew the problem existed before.

What are your views on artists using their mediums as agents for change?

I think it is a good thing. Television is bringing us more and more programs just for amusement. I am even noticing that the news is less objective, because most people want to know quickly: what happened and who is right and who is wrong? As if there are no two sides of a story. Even a lot of newspapers are trying to catch our attention with witty subjective headlines. I think it is good if artists try to make people think for themselves and not follow the mainstream.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Don’t believe everything you read.

To learn more about elder abuse in the United States you can simply search Google for “elder abuse,” or visit helpguide.org. The California Attorney General also has some good resources. My research found we are raising awareness, but still have a long way to go.

View the full, un-edited interview transcript here.

Posted in Story in Life | 1 Comment

Horror Photographer Danielle Tunstall – 28 Creepy Photos

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Leo

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then every photograph ought to tell a story. Sometimes that story is rich in detail, with backdrops, plots, and subplots. Other times it shows us deeper emotions. Danielle Tunstall focuses on powerful emotions to disturb the viewer.

Look at these pictures and imagine the fear, sadness, and horror hidden within. Let them haunt your dreams and stoke your creativity. What stories do they tell? What deep down meaning lies just out of reach in the settings and characters Danielle captures?

[Show as slideshow]

Daniell Tunstall broke into photography a few years ago when she came in last place out of three hundred contestants in an online photo contest. From there, she honed her craft, and developed a passion for photography that melded with her love of horror. The combination makes her a unique artist with stories to tell.

What I like most about Danielle’s work is the emotion she creates. Her pictures are often simple in that they focus on a character with little setting. The effect concentrates not on horror’s impact to man, but instead, man’s horrific impact on the world. Her work shows us that anger, hate, fear and death come from within, and it is our burden to overcome this dangerous nature lurking inside.

Check out the creepy, and horrific pictures, and let me know what you think in the comments. Also, give Danielle a shout out on Twitter (@d_tunstall).

Find Danielle Tunstall’s work at the links below:

Home Page
Facebook

Posted in Story in Art | Tagged horror | 4 Comments

Story in Music: The Morningside – TreeLogia album review

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Leo

Concept albums came into prominence with The Who’s Tommy back in the 60s, and continue a rich tradition of storytelling in music to this day. In TreeLogia (The Album as It Is Not), The Morningside gives us a new twist on the concept album; a fifty-minute single. TreeLogia is an exposition of the song The Trees from previous album The Wind, the Trees and the Shadows of the Past, and tells the story of a man becoming a tree in reality or maybe just in his head.

Songs about trees in a concept album may bring back memories of Rush’s Hemispheres, and rightly so. The Morningside creates a sound similar to early Rush, with long, atmospheric songs filled with meandering guitar riffs and timely vocals. Of course, The Morningside’s version of this style is significantly darker, and a little heavier, but what would you expect from a doom metal band.

The album opens with four minutes of storm sound effects and gentle synth tones, developing a bit of a psychedelic feel, then merges into a bright guitar riff that defines most of TreeLogia. To that, The Morningside layers in a base of doom guitar that accentuates the lead guitar.

On drums, Boris Surgeev drives the beat, and Ilya Egorchev plays bass in a rhythm section that neither stands out, nor detracts from the songs. They mostly play within the bounds set by the guitars. In fact, I had to listen several times to pick out the bass at all. The duo is certainly talented, as listening to older Morningside proves, but TreeLogia calls for more sedate action from the two, and they provide professional quality.

Vocals on the album come from Igor’s deep, hoarse voice. His growling delivery fits with the drums, bass and rhythm guitar, but seems a bit out of place among the high notes on lead guitar. At times it sounds like James Hetfield’s voice singing to Joe Satriani—high praise for both band members, but just not together. At worst, the effect is mildly distracting, so this isn’t a big problem for the album.

I like this album as background music while working or playing a game. I just don’t find myself craving it. TreeLogia is a must-have for Morningside fans, but doesn’t offer enough to those looking for more than just a mood-setter.

Posted in Story in Music | Tagged album review | 1 Comment

Twitter Etiquette – Follow Friday

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Leo

I love Follow Friday (#ff) on Twitter. On Fridays we all tweet about people we think are interesting and should be followed. It’s a community-building experience. But, as much as I love Follow Friday, I hate Twitter on Fridays. Why the cognitive dissonance? It’s the endless lists of Twitter handles without context. I follow people who send out more than five #ff tweets every Friday with nothing but handles. I don’t know why I should follow these people, and I don’t really care. Now to be fair, I’m on some of these lists. I appreciate the exposure, but would much rather a single tweet for a few people with a reason for following them.

There are many creative ways to promote interesting people. I write blog posts listing a few people with a paragraph about them. These are regularly my most popular posts. Others simply add a brief description and list one or two handles. Some creative types, write a little story about a follower.

Some of these methods require more work than others. however, each gives you a reason to follow someone. These types of #ff posts are not ignored.

Now I don’t want to come across as holier-than-thou–I’m often found guilty of many Twitter faux-pas. Instead, let’s like to start a discussion on what are the most appropriate and enjoyable ways to use Follow Friday.

What are some of the things you like about Follow Friday? What do you dislike? What #ff posts make you want to follow someone? Let me know in the comments.

I hate this!

Posted in Story in Life | Tagged follow friday, twitter | Leave a comment