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briarrolfe · 6 months

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Recently, I was sent a job listing. It called for a graphic designer "to produce direct response static & video ads for various social media channels, such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube." So, even though it was asking for a graphic designer, it wasn't a graphic design job—it was an advertising/social media/videography job. The career I've dedicated eight years of my life to is the bit the ad referred to as 'static'.

Ever since, I've been thinking about this idea that video is the future, and also I have been (not coincidentally) extremely depressed. Not to be all "you kids and your phones," but...

In advertising, your consumer's attention is money. Video is THE most attention-demanding form of advertising and therefore the most bang for your buck. It's why Facebook fudged their own stats for the effectiveness of pivoting to video so aggressively in the first place. If your consumer is reading something—a magazine, a poster, a book, something on their phone—then they're still listening, and if something else demands their attention, they'll just look up. If they're listening—to somebody talking, to music, to a podcast—then their eyes and hands are free to do whatever they like. They can look at the world around them, which involves many forms of competing visual advertising.

Video is a media form that doesn't stop. It keeps talking when your consumer looks up, and then keeps moving to grab their visual attention again. The best method for advertising is one that a consumer has to exert energy to not pay attention to.

(—This is why I hate video so much as somebody with ADHD. When my dopamine and blood sugar are low, focusing past someone playing TikTok audio is hard enough for me that it hurts. I've never had the same problem with radio or with like... idk, billboards. And TV is kind of bad, but at least it makes predictable sounds, whereas every person who films a TikTok with sudden screams or yelling in it is, in my opinion, going to hell.)

This is why the UI for platforms like TikTok and Instagram have autoplay, algorithms that disappear things you've seen so quickly, no scrub bars, and don't have skip or pause buttons. Your consumer has to keep their phone in hand to keep swiping or scrolling to properly engage. If that consumer can't stop a video or go back, then the platform can train them not to look up until the video is over. Anxiety that a user will lose their place or not be able to keep up with what is happening is part of what keeps them from looking away.

This is also a reason to be suspicious of why so many tech companies are obsessed with VR in general. A phone that people have to hold and look at and listen to is pretty good, right? But they can ultimately still put it down when an ad plays. It would be way better if we could put the advertising somewhere that tracks and follows their eye movements so that they literally can't look away.

We all know that text is still a better, faster, and more information-dense delivery system. Sometimes I see people mourning the pivot to video because it's a worse way to consume information. They're right! It is! But social media platforms have NO INTEREST in providing their users with like, actual reliable information. If they did, then social media companies would have no interest in AI.

(—This is also why they have no interest in fighting misinformation on their services. People who get radicalised are very engaged platform users. And the people who radicalise them come with massive budgets for ad spend.)

All social media platforms want is to get consumers hooked on their content so that they'll continue to deliver ad revenue. Video is the best way of achieving that. That's why we're all pivoting to algorithms and video. That's why Tumblr Live exists and Snapchat miraculously has not died.

Anyway. I chose to become a graphic designer.

#graphic design #DON'T pivot to video. Just never do it.#source: I have worked in communications for five years #remind me to post about how Facebook farms what my old comms team called 'rage clicks' sometime #writing essays on tumblr dot com

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seoul-bros · 10 months

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Six marvelous months with Park Jimin

January 2023

The year started with the announcement that Jimin had been appointed as the Global Brand Ambassador for Christian Dior (17/01). The occasion was marked with six Awesome magazine covers and the Dior Fashion Show in Paris (20/01). The fashion establishment was blown away by the response to Jimin's participation in the show.

The same month Jimin released Vibe (13/01) , a dream collaboration with his long time musical hero Taeyang from Big Bang.

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This was both artists first solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 76.

February 2023

Jimin did a live on 03/02 in which he confirmed that his solo music, although a little delayed, was likely to come out in March 2023.

On 21/02, Big Hit announced that FACE would be released on 24/03/23. The next day they published the countdown schedule and on the 23/02 the tracklist for the album.

March 2023

On 02/03, Jimin was named Ambassador for Tiffany & Co which he wore spectacularly in his photoshoot for Vogue that month.

On 06/03, Soundcloud super track Promise along with Jimin's yuletide gift to ARMY, Christmas Love were added to Jimin's Spotify profile. The era of streaming Jimin's profile had begun.

From then on, everything started speeding towards the release of FACE. The Hardware and Software images came out.

Set Me Free Pt 2 exploded into the world on 17/03. Nobody saw it coming and it caused a furore on social media. It was a clear statement of intent. I am here to stay and I am here to slay. It debuted at No.30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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FACE was released on 24/03 along with the Like Crazy MV. Speaking for myself Like Crazy blew me away. Jimin set out to make a statement with that song and I will always be proud to be the fan of such an honest and brave artist.

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With the release of FACE we also discovered that hidden on the record was a very special song, Letter, in which Jungkook sings background vocals.

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That last week of March saw Jimin appeared on the Jimmy Fallon Show with a live performance of Like Crazy.

In the next 9 days, he gave comeback performances on MCountdown, Music Bank and Inkiagayo. He came live to thank ARMY for turning up to his shows. He won awards. He appeared on the radio, on the entertainment shows Beat Coin, Ddeun Ddeun and Pixid. He even did fan meetings.

April 2023

On 01/04 Jimin gave an unforgettable acoustic rendition of Like Crazy live on Lee Mujin Service April Fools Edition.

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And then on 03/04, Jimin made history. The first South Korean to ever make No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the first Asian Artist to do so in 60 years. He came live in the early hours of the morning, clearly shellshocked but brimming over with gratitude to everyone who had supported the album and the song.

Then on 05/04 the promotions were over and Jimin once again expressed his happiness and thanks to ARMY for supporting FACE.

It had been a whirlwind and I think we, as well as Jimin, were caught off guard when the promotions ended so quickly. We had a beautiful album to savour but we wanted to continue to savour it with Jimin.

The focus returned to fashion when Jimin flew to New York at the end of April to attend the Tiffany & Co Landmark opening (28/04).

He attended Suga's concert in Newark on the 29/04 and headed back to South Korea later that week. But why didn't he fly straight back after the concert we wondered?

May 2023

It all soon became clear, he had been filming the MV for Angel Pt 1 from the Fast X movie. The song came out on the 19/05 and debuted at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Jimin's fourth chart entry in five months.

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At the end of the month, Jimin made a short trip to London and we are still speculating on what that was all about. He posted photos of his trip to HP World as soon as he got back to South Korea on 27/05.

June 2023

Festa 2023 soaked Seoul in purple for nearly three weeks at the beginning of June in celebration of BTS's ten years since debut. Jimin gifted fans with a live performance of Dear.ARMY on 07/06 and....

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,,,,,,on 13/06 BTS released this beautiful live version of Take Two with Jimin adding depth and colour to the song with his stunning vocals.

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But there was still more to come, on 15/06 Jimin came live in high spirits and spent quality time with ARMY. It was the same day as the release of Angel Part 2.

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On the 27/06 Jimin's solo profile appeared on Billboard and serves as a permanent reminder of everything that has happened in the short space of 6 months. It has been a roller coaster ride and I am still hopeful that we will still get more music from Jimin before he has to enlist. I wanted to make this post so that no one forgets what he has achieved and the permanent mark he has made on the global music industry since he took his first steps towards a solo career.

Post Date: 28/06/2023

#jimin #park jimin #bts solo careers #face #set me free part 2 #like crazy #vibe #taeyang #angel part 1 #angel part 2 #dear.ARMY #take two #jimin x tiffany & co #jimin x dior

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thefrogdalorian · 19 days

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Now that we have a date for The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, I keep thinking about how much fun the build up to the release day will be. It seems like so far away now and the wait will be TORTURE... but there are so many mini-milestones before May 22nd 2026 that will make that wait seem slightly less bearable.

I think about the first confirmation filming has begun, hopefully next month! The ensuing endless rumours and clickbait, of course. But it will feel so great to know that somewhere out there, the talented cast and crew are working on our movie.

I get so excited when I think about how it will feel when the first teaser trailer drops. The chaos here on tumblr, the theories we'll come up with. The emotions it will awaken and maybe even re-awaken in fans!

How it will feel to get a proper look at the movie with the official trailer. The even bigger chaos of that day. Our first glimpse of the movie will be so exciting, as will knowing it could pop up anywhere, even before other movies! Trying to act like a normal person if that happens.

As the release date gets closer, seeing the posters and billboards appear everywhere. The magazine covers, the TV appearances on the press tour with probably so many iconic interviews. The premieres!!

Before finally, the day itself in May 2026! Probably walking into my screening incredibly sleep deprived, taking my seat as my heart is pounding in my chest. Bursting with anticipation to finally see the characters that mean the world to me on the big screen.

I really cannot wait for that day itself, but I don't want to wish my life away. There is so much to look forward to before that date!

I'm incredibly excited to experience the build-up with all of you lovely lot right here on this hellsite 🩷

#the mandalorian #din djarin #this was very cheesy but itS TRUEEE i really cannot wait #mando movie #spud rants #din djarin brainrot

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vintage1981 · 3 months

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE MUNRO!

Caroline Munro (born 16 January 1949 in Windsor, Berkshire) is a British actress and model best known for her many appearances in science fiction and action films of the 1970s and 1980s. According to Munro, her career took off in 1966 when her mother and photographer friend entered some headshots of her to Britain’s The Evening News “Face of the Year” contest.

“I wanted to do art. Art was my love. I went to Art School in Brighton but I was not very good at it. I just did not know what to do. I had a friend at the college who was studying photography and he needed somebody to photograph and he asked me. Unbeknownst to me, he sent the photographs to a big newspaper in London. The famous fashion photographer, David Bailey, was conducting a photo contest and my picture won.”

This led to modelling chores, her first job being for Vogue Magazine at the age of 17. She moved to London to pursue top modelling jobs and became a major cover girl for fashion and TV ads while there. Decorative bit parts came her way in such films as Casino Royale and Where’s Jack? (1969). One of her many photo ads got her a screen test and a one-year contract at Paramount where she won the role of Richard Widmark’s daughter in the comedy/western A Talent for Loving (1969).

1969 proved to be a good year for Munro, because it was then that she began a lucrative 10 year relationship with Lamb’s Navy Rum. Her image was plastered all over the country, and this would eventually lead to her next big break.

Hammer Films CEO Sir James Carreras spotted Munro on a Lamb’s Navy Rum poster/billboard. He asked his right hand man, James Liggett, to find and screen test her. She was immediately signed to a one-year contract. Her first film for Hammer proved to be something of a turning point in her career. It was during the making of Dracula AD 1972 that she decided from this film onward she was a full-fledged actress. Up until then she was always considered a model who did some acting on the side.

A string of fantasy and horror roles followed, including starring turns in Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1973), The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974), At the Earth’s Core (1976), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), StarCrash (1978), Maniac (1980), The Last Horror Film (1982), Faceless (1988), and The Black Cat (1989).

By the 1990s Munro had decided to focus more on her family, daughters, Georgina and Iona, and husband George Dugdale. However, since 2003 Caroline has renewed her interest in acting and has appeared in a number of film and audio productions. Since 2021 Caroline has been presenting the hit television series The Cellar Club for Talking Pictures TV.

The title First Lady of Fantasy was given to Caroline by journalist Steve Swires, who wrote many Starlog and Fangoria (@FANGORIA) articles on the actress in the 1980s and 1990s.

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Official Website: http://www.CarolineMunro.org

Representation: Thomas Bowington/Bowington Management

Some of her credits include: Dracula AD 1972 (1972), Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1973), The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974), At the Earth’s Core (1976), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), StarCrash (1978), Maniac (1980), The Last Horror Film (1982), Faceless (1988), The Black Cat (1989), Flesh for the Beast (2003), Turpin (2009), Midsomer Murders (2013), The Landlady (2013), Crying Wolf (2015), Vampyres (2015), Cute Little Buggers (2016), Frankula (2017), End User (2018), House of the Gorgon (2019), The Haunting of Margam Castle (2020), Ulalume - A Ballad (2023), The Pocket Film of Superstitions (2023), and the upcoming The Presence of Snowgood (2024).

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cowboythighs · 6 months

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steve harrington found success at a young age, quickly making a name for himself in hollywood.

eddie munson runs a community theater.

their paths don’t cross until they’re meant to.

⬇️a steve-centric steddie ficlet below ⬇️

(cw: addiction)

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It's 1977 and Steve’s leaving home. He’s landed his first acting role at 10 years old when he’s chosen to play an orphan on a popular show about life on the prairie. It's not a main role—just for one season—but he’s excited to be on one of the most popular shows on television.

It's 1977 and Steve’s sent to live in LA in the care of his agent while filming. His checks get sent back to his parents in Indiana.

He's happy to help them—he really is—but it’s a lot of pressure, knowing that his parents and his siblings are depending on him to survive. And he loves acting! But when his contract nears its end, he’s excited at the prospect of returning home.

He wants to sleep in his own bed; wants to spend his summer practicing with his best friend Tommy so they can be ready to try out for the school basketball team together in the fall. So when his agent tells him that the show wants his character to return next season, he politely tells him thanks but no thanks.

He's already got his bags packed. He's called Tommy and made plans to start training the day after he gets back to Hawkins. He’s ready to go home—wonders if his mom will make his favorite (breakfast for dinner) for his first meal back home.

He calls her to ask, but before he can, she brings up the contract. She talks about how his dads having trouble finding work—how much of a help it would be if Steve would renew his contract—stay in LA just a bit longer. Cries and says if he doesn't, she doesn’t know how she’ll be able to feed them all.

So Steve unpacks his bags, calls Tommy to cancel his plans, and renews his contract. Things don’t get better as time goes on. There’s always another show, a better offer. And there’s always a reason why he can’t go home—daddy can’t work, mommy can’t make the kind of money Steve can.

So he stops asking. Takes job after job; keeps his schedule packed so he can make enough money to support his family. He becomes a heartthrob as he progresses into his teens. Starts landing leading roles in movies that make magazines plaster his face all over their covers.

He finds out when he turns 17 that he’s broke. That his parents hadn’t invested his money like they’d said they would—had blown it all on bad business ventures (his mom) and gambling (his dad).

It's 1984 and his face is on billboards, he’s the star of three different summer blockbusters, and he’s broke.

His agent helps him sell most of his assets-the house in Malibu and the sports cars-helps him trim down his team to the bare bones and hires an attorney to ensure that final strings between Steve and his parents are cut.

He's 17 and for the first time in 7 years, he doesn’t have anyone to provide for but himself. He'd worked hard for so long, and now he was ready to play hard—make up for lost time. Instead of going home after a day of filming he’d go out to clubs he shouldn’t be allowed into with a group of young stars that also wanted to party.

It was the most fun he’s ever had. Steve was pretty sure he's almost happy. He's young, he has friends, and he’s a household name. Everywhere he goes there’s someone smiling and calling his name.

But it turns out he isn’t much better than his parents when it comes to managing his money. The big fat paychecks from the movies don’t ever seem to stretch far enough to cover the spending he does. It’s 1985 and he’s still in the red.

He takes the next job he can to help pay off his debts. He wasn’t enthused about the project, but it was supposed to be a guaranteed hit that would’ve been enough to put him back in the black—but it flops. And so does the one after that.

It's 1986 the party drugs Steve used to do for fun turns into a habit.

The name “Steve Harrington” used to carry a certain connotation in the business. hard-working, solid, dependable. They called him a workhorse. Everyone wanted him to work his magic for the camera, but they also praised him for being a good person off screen—a real team player.

It's 1987 and the name “Steve Harrington” has a stench that lingers around it. Unreliable, always late, often too high or too hungover to function. Another Hollywood's darling becomes a cautionary tale. The job offers dry up, and he can’t afford to pay his team or his mortgage. It seems like the nail in the coffin for his acting career.

It's 1988 and Steve’s back on the covers of magazines—pictures of his mugshot and the rehab facility the courts ordered him to.

It's 1989 and he has a handful of new mugshots to add to the collection.

It’s 1990 and his friends won’t call him back. His agent has dropped him and all he has left is a dingy little apartment in NoHo and a pack of debt collectors intent on squeezing every last dime from him.

It’s 1992 and Steve’s 25 when rehab finally sticks. It's his fourth time in almost as many years and he’s so tired. The twelve steps don’t feel so much like bullshit anymore, but more like a life raft in the middle of the ocean. He clings to it. And this time, it works for him.

It's 1994 and Steve has a job waiting tables at a diner and he thinks it’s the hardest work he’s ever done. It's the first time he’s been proud of himself in years. The clientele is older, so he doesn’t get recognized often. He likes that. It's easier that way.

It's 1995 and he makes enough money to move to a better neighborhood. Closer to the diner. Further away from the bad memories trapped in his old apartment. Benny's Burgers becomes his sanctuary. He met Benny in AA—he’s not Steve’s sponsor (Benny’s best friend is), but he keeps him straight. It helps.

It's 1995 and Steve’s happy. He has a cat. Has a bike that he takes up to Griffith park on his days off. Riding makes him think of his friend Tommy back home—wonders if he ever made the basketball team. He has dinner every Sunday with his sponsor, Jim, and his family.

Steve has regulars at the diner now—people that know his name (and his cat’s—James) and care about him. It's nice. One of his favorites is Wayne. He always asks after James (sometimes brings a little bag of treats or a toy for him) and leaves Steve a nice tip.

It's 1996 and Steve’s 29 and he’s happy thinking the world has forgotten him. He's almost at the end of his shift when Wayne walks in one afternoon. He sits in Steve’s section and tells him his nephew will be joining him. Steve’s excited to meet the man who Wayne’s spoke about with so much pride for the last two years.

He sets Wayne up with a coffee and goes back to the kitchen to knock out some of his side work. He gives it a few minutes before he pokes his head out to check—sees a man around his own age sat across from Wayne. He grabs a pot of coffee and a glass of water and makes his way back to their table.

It's been a while since he’s seen it, but he knows the recognition in the man’s eyes when Wayne introduces Steve to his nephew, Eddie. He wants to sink into the floor when Eddie says far too loudly, “Oh shit—Wayne, your Steve is The Steve Harrington??? From The Detention Club?” Steve hates the way people are turning to stare.

Steve makes an excuse—tells Wayne he forgot he needed to check on something in the back. Hears Wayne as he’s walking away, asking his nephew, “Do you know him?” He doesn’t want to hear Eddie’s response. Takes longer than he usually would in the kitchen before he calms his nerves and steps back out.

He tops off their coffee, nervous to look up. Manages to avoid eye contact while he gets their orders and disappears back to the kitchen. He convinces his coworker robin to take their food out for him so he can hide a little longer.

When he can’t wait any more, he goes out to check on them. Asks if there’s anything else he can get for them.

“Steve,” Wayne waits until Steve looks at him. “My nephew owes you an apology.”

Steve tries to wave him off—say there’s nothing to apologize for.

“Oh yes there is,” Wayne interrupted. “He’s obviously made you uncomfortable. But he promises he’s not gonna go blabbling your business to anyone else. Don’t you, boy?”

Steve glances over to find Eddie nodding his head rapidly.

“Scouts honor! Sorry if I freaked you out. It just threw me off because I'm used to seeing you on my bedroom walls—not now! Obviously—but back when I was a kid. It doesn’t matter,I just mean it was just exciting seeing you in person. But I won't tell anyone I saw you here- I'm sure it gets annoying, people trying to harass you all the time.”

Cautiously, Steve allows a little relief to settle over his anxious nerves.

“Not really,” Steve smiles. “Most people have forgotten about me at this point.”

“How could anyone forget you?” Eddie asked.

Steve shrugged. “I'd rather be forgotten than remembered for some of the stuff I've done. It’s easier to be an anonymous server in a random diner than a guy who had the world in the palm of his hand and managed to fuck it all up.”

It’s not the last time Eddie comes to the diner. Sometimes he’s with his uncle. Sometimes he’s alone. If they're not busy, sometimes he asks Steve to join him. Sometimes Steve does. He'll pick at Eddie’s fries and listens to him talk about the play he’s writing for the community theater he runs.

Steve’s not sure why he does it, but he asks Eddie if he can read it. Eddie’s thrilled—brings him a copy a few days later. Tells Steve he’s welcome to give Eddie feedback.

Pages in hand, Steve starts to doubt himself. He talks to Jim.

Steve worries that reading a script will trigger something in his brain that will undo years of hard work on his sobriety. Jim tells him to trust himself; tells him he can come over early on Sunday—before their regular dinner—and read it in the Hopper’s living room, where he can listen to the kids playing down the hall and smell Jim and Joyce cooking in the kitchen and be reminded that it’s not 1987 or 1990 and that he’s alright.

Steve does. He reads Eddie’s play. It's brilliant. It makes him laugh and cry and he finds himself making notes in the margins like he’s going to be the one performing it.

Eddie beams when Steve says he loves it. Invited him down to the community theater to sit in on auditions with him. It sounds painful, to Steve—an entire day watching amateur actors who will undoubtedly butcher Eddie’s work.

He's wrong. It’s one of the most exciting days he’s had in fifteen years—maybe longer. There are so many talented people auditioning—each with unique interpretations of Eddie’s words.

It's magic.

It makes him itch to be up there with them, auditioning.

He can’t. But his heart is quietly pulled towards the stage.

He gives Eddie his opinion when he asks for it. Helps him decide who would be a fit for what role. It's exhilarating.

It’s 1996 and Eddie asks him out for drinks. Steve says no. Asks him if he’d rather get pizza instead.

It’s 1996 and Steve’s 29 and there’s still cheese in his mouth when Eddie–with grease on his lips–leans over the pizzeria table to kiss him. He’s 29 and he thought he’d lost everything but is starting to realize he likes what he has now more than anything he’d ever had before.

It’s 1997 and Steve’s reading Eddie’s latest play. He's falling in love with a character and almost wants to scream because of how badly he wants to play it. He looks up to where Eddie’s been watching him. “Tristan.”

Eddie nods. “He's for you. If you want- when I wrote him, all I could think about was you playing him.”

It’s 1997 and Steve’s acting. He's on stage and it’s opening night. His family—Jim and Joyce and their kids, Eddie and Wayne, Robin and her girlfriend Chrissy—are in the audience supporting him.

It’s 1997 and Steve Harringtons is finally home.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things ficlet #steddie ficlet #cowboythighs #cw addiction #crossposted from my twt

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mr-styles · 1 year

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Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

Harry's House' not only gives Harry Styles his most GRAMMY recognition yet — it serves as a testament to how much he's expanded his sound over his already storied career.

GABRIEL AIKINS | GRAMMYS/JAN 25, 2023 - 12:02 PM

Watching 16 year-old Harry Styles walk onto the stage for his "The X Factor" audition in 2010, it's remarkable how little some things have changed in the following 13 years. Though his rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" was rather unpolished — even receiving a "no" from judge Louis Walsh — his magnetic charisma and natural talent were more than evident. And at just 16, Styles clearly knew he was on the right path.

"Singing is what I want to do," Styles said in an interview before his audition. "And if the people who can make that happen for me don't think that I should be doing that, then it's a major setback in my plans."

Of course, so much else has changed in the ensuing decade. Styles was tabbed alongside other contestants Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik to form the group One Direction. As the band stormed the charts and captured the love of fans globally, Styles grew into his abilities — and now, he's achieved a rarified level of fame.

Even after being part of one of the most successful boy bands of all time, Styles has reached new heights of superstardom in his own right. In addition to selling millions of albums and selling out arenas around the world, he's starred in four feature films and became the first male cover star of Vogue magazine. The depth of Styles' charisma and drive he's shown from that first audition have made him an all-encompassing star like few before him.

While Styles was a solo star as soon as he emerged in 2017 — selling out his first-ever solo tour and debuting his self-titled first album atop the Billboard 200 — he has dominated the 2020s. His second album, 2019's Fine Line, spawned his first No. 1 hit in the U.S. in 2020 with "Watermelon Sugar," which also earned him his first GRAMMY in 2021 for Best Pop Solo Performance. But 2022 was the year he took his stardom to the next level — and it all began with an invitation to Harry's House.

The lead single of Styles' third album, "As It Was," became undeniable, debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 15 weeks there — the most in history for a British act. And when Harry's House arrived less than two months after "As It Was," it was clear that 2022 was the year of Harry.

The album, featuring smooth electronic beats and funky bass riffs, went platinum in the UK and US, put four songs into the Billboard Top 10 at the same time, and earned Styles the most GRAMMY nominations of his career. His six nominations for the 2023 GRAMMYs include his first in the coveted Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year categories; Harry's House also earned a nod for Best Pop Vocal Album and "As It Was" is up for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.

If you ask Tyler Johnson — who has co-written and co-produced the majority of Styles' three solo albums — the GRAMMY nominations may just be Styles' biggest validation yet. "It's really the music community recognizing him as Harry Styles — [his time in the band] is just another part of his resume, it no longer defines him. And that's really exciting."

In reality, Styles hardly ever let his past define him. Even Johnson sensed Styles' star power upon meeting the singer in 2015. "When I first met him, I knew a lot about him from the band, but it was obvious he was a star," he recalls. "Especially how he performed in the vocal booth, it was very brave. I was like, 'Wow, this person has no barriers.'"

With no barriers comes a willingness to always try something new — which is why the Harry Styles of Harry's House sounds much different than Harry Styles of One Direction. The change was heard immediately back in 2017 on his first solo single "Sign of the Times," released ahead of his self-titled debut LP later that year. It's a rock track to its core, starting with hearty piano chords and building to a crescendo of wailing electric guitar and crashing drums. This initial offering was a sign of what was to come, as Harry Styles is built on these rock sounds from beginning to end.

Even if reviews weren't outright surprised by this sound, they noted the seemingly brand new, well, direction. "Few people probably predicted the 23-year-old ex-One Direction superstar to drop the kind of album that makes your uncle or your mom perk up," read Variety's review. Pitchfork mused, "If you only know one thing about Harry Styles, it's probably that the album bucks the established trends governing bids for young male solo pop stardom." Styles becoming a rock star was something new, but looking back at the totality of his work, it's not quite as surprising as it might be at first glance.

When assessing the music of One Direction, the singles will of course stand out. Tracks like "What Makes You Beautiful," "Live While We're Young," and "Best Song Ever" are big and boisterous, with infectiously fun hooks. And while each of the group's five albums had rock influences — queue the Clash-like electric guitar opening of "Live While We're Young" — they're all pop projects at their core. And the writers and producers behind them were pop masterminds, too, including Rami Yacoub, Steve Mac, Ed Sheeran, and Ryan Tedder.

By nature of an essentially constant touring schedule and working with so many other people — especially the four other members of the group — there was simply less opportunity to write. Across the 86 songs in the band's discography, Styles has writing credits on only 21 of them, whereas he serves as lead writer on every track on each of his three solo albums.

"I think it was tough to really delve in and find out who you are as a writer when you're just kind of dipping your toe each time," Styles told Rolling Stonein 2017, recalling some of the struggles of being in a band. "We didn't get the six months to see what kind of s— you can work with."

Listening to the songs Styles did have a hand in writing for One Direction, though, the throughline of his career becomes clearer. Even the earliest tracks he co-wrote include key elements to his later songs.

The chorus of Up All Night's "Same Mistakes" takes his penchant for lyrical repetition, creating a folksy call-and-response feeling and pairing it with powerful guitar chords; he uses a similar pattern on Harry Styles' opening track "Meet Me in the Hallway." Made In The A.M. ballad "If I Could Fly" is strikingly vulnerable lyrically and melodically minimalistic; this combination is seen on Styles' solo ballads, like Fine Line's "Falling" or Harry's House's "Matilda."

Styles' solo success also stems from his versatility. Alongside folksy ballads, he has an ear for rock songs to fill a stadium (and after completely selling out his 2021 and 2022 Love On Tour stretches, stadiums may be where he's headed next). "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" is one of One Direction's most anthemic tracks, tailor made for karaoke or shouting alongside a crowd. It's no surprise Styles is the sole One Direction member on the writing credits for it, and you can hear that same exuberance on his solo rock anthems, from Fine Line’s ultra cool smash "Watermelon Sugar" to the funk rock-infused "Late Night Talking" on Harry's House.

In a 2017 New York Times interview, Styles explained his rock influence — and really, his musicality as a whole — stems from his own musical tastes. "I really wanted to make an album that I wanted to listen to," he said of Harry Styles. "That was the only way I knew I wouldn't look back on it and regret it. It was more, 'What do I want to sit and listen to?' rather than, 'How do I shake up compared to what's on radio right now?'"

Judging by the elevated sounds on Harry's House, Styles' musical interests have grown as he has evolved as an artist. While there are hints of his previous writing and growth on the album, Styles incorporated so many new elements, and that's what makes Harry's House so interesting and so refreshing.

Funk pervades the record, with synths and stylized loops fleshing out tracks like "Music For A Sushi Restaurant" and "Keep Driving." There's a constant sense of playfulness throughout all 13 tracks — something that was apparent to Styles' collaborators long before the world got to hear it.

"Harry just said that he's never been more proud of anything, and Tom [Hull, better known as producer Kid Harpoon] and I are just there for the ride," Johnson says. "We didn't feel too caught up in the kind of reality of who he is and having to put out an album very specific to the commerce side of it. It was a lot of having fun and just kind of burying our heads in the sand and enjoying doing it. That was very different from Fine Line."

Styles can seemingly feel his evolution himself, too. In a wide-ranging interview with Zane Lowe upon the album's release in May 2022, Styles revealed that he tried not to take direct sonic influences on this record like he had in the past. "I kinda felt like you can reference things by the emotions that they evoke," he said.

The same interview points out how much more comfortable Styles has become with being flexible and fluid, both in his own writing and his collaborators. And now that he's found his right-hand men in Johnson and Hull, he finds it easier to bring his ideas to life. This has allowed Styles to continue to expand his writing, and that resulted in an album that launched his superstardom to even greater heights — and showcased Harry Styles simply having fun.

Now 28 (almost 29!), Styles has been a beloved star for nearly half of his life. In that time, fans have watched his musical abilities mature, morph and expand; he has shown a willingness to always have an eye on what comes next — and that forward thinking paid off in a big way in 2022. However he evolves next, it seems Styles will never lose the drive and endearing charm the world first saw on the "X Factor" stage over a decade ago.

"He's a very similar person. He's a very consistent, loyal, kind person, very focused. That is all the same," Johnson insists. "He's just doing what people do when they do it more and more — he's focusing in on who he is more, he's gaining confidence, and he's becoming more and more himself — which is a very potent thing."

via Grammy.com

#harry styles #Grammys 2023

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brian-in-finance · 5 months

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Instagram

GIVING CREDIT

Saluting the behind the scenes talent making movie magic

Rob Youngson is a unit stills photographer for film and television. He's captured images for Belfast, A Haunting in Venice, The Great Escaper, Heanstopper St and Atlanta S3. He also shoots stills for posters. 'An effective still image has to communicate a lot in a single moment. An onlooker should know the tone, the genre and who stars in the production within a few seconds. It should leave them with a question: what happens? The answer to which is always, to go and see the film. It's the visual equivalent of a hook in pop music.'

How would you describe your job in simple terms?

I work with the cast and crew to capture striking still images during filming - without being a distraction or affecting the schedule.

I work with the publicist to ensure I get the images needed to publicise the film. I also capture behind-the-scenes images, which highlight the collaborative process and anything unique about the production. I may work with the props department to take period-accurate portraits for set dressing.

I've also consulted actors on how to use old-fashioned prop cameras convincingly.

How did you get into set photography?

I trained and worked as a theatre lighting designer while photographing bands on the side. Then I discovered that this job existed through an article in Nikon Owner magazine.

It was an interview with Kimberley French (Brokeback Mountain, The Revenant). I knew straight away I had to do this. So I went to work at one of the rental companies that hires cameras and lenses to productions.

I cleaned the kit, loaded the trucks and got to know people in the industry. used any leave to work on short films and then went freelance. Early on, I assisted an established unit stills photographer on some studio shoots. He then recommended me for a job he couldn't take and that put my work in front of the right people to get hired again.

What's the biggest misconception about your job?

That still images are screen grabs from the film. This is a widespread misconception, even within the industry. It doesn't work for two reasons. The technical reason is that the common shooting frame rate of 24fps doesn't freeze motion enough for those screen grabs to be printed at billboard size.

The second and most important reason is artistic; what works well for a moving image doesn't necessarily make a strong still photograph. Another misconception is that actors are difficult to work with. They are usually lovely. Actors have to step into a vulnerable place while surrounded by noise and crew and kit. They have to keep going to that place again and again for different camera angles. Part of what makes a good unit stills photographer is respect for the acting process. Sometimes my job is knowing when to step away and allow the actors space to work.

What's been the most memorable moment on a film set?

Watching Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh make each other laugh on day one of shooting Belfast. We had all been in lockdown for so long, it felt like a new beginning. It felt like photographing love and hope and friendship.

What's the worst thing about your job?

Missing time with my family because I'm working away. Sometimes standing in a field on a night shoot, in February, in the snow, I start to question it. Those moments can feel tough. But a lot of the crew are in that same situation with you. Working on good scripts with nice people makes the time away from home, the long hours and driving, a lot easier.

What's the best thing about your job?

Knowing that my images help stories to find an audience. Stories that take years of hard work and hundreds of people to get told. On set, the best thing is being witness to incredible acting, from both legends and up-and-coming talent. Seeing what the Heartstopper cast are doing for LGBTQA* representation right now is special. I'm also currently working with two incredible young actors. I am so excited for more people to discover their storytelling potential.

If someone wants to do your job, what's the best route in?

Get on to set any way you can, in any role. Take photos across all genres of photography. Welcome honest feedback on your work. Don't sweat the kit you haven't got. You'll get hired for your eye and how well you get on with people, not what's in your bag. The necessity to work on low/no-budget jobs early in your career is a barrier to many, especially as a lot of opportunities centre around expensive cities. Screenskills and BAFTA have resources for helping bridge that gap - seek those out. Go and see as much art and as many films as you can.

Remember… (most memorable moment on a film set) Watching Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh make each other laugh on day one of shooting Belfast. We had all been in lockdown for so long, it felt like a new beginning. It felt like photographing love and hope and friendship. — Rob Youngson

#Tait rhymes with hat #Good times #Photography #Stills #BelfastMovie #Film Buff #Christmas 2023 #Belfast #2021 #Instagram

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ificouldflyxx · 2 years

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MEMORIES OF 2021

* the full mega links are of low quality with eng subs, google drive and okru links are of 1080p quality WITH eng subs!

**okru and gd link for ptd seoul pt.2 are same as disc 1 as the video is combined.

[DISC 1] :

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - SEOUL PART 1 - okru GD mega

[DISC 2] :

FULL - mega

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - SEOUL PART 2 - okru GD mega

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - SEOUL D-day MAKING FILM - okru GD

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - SEOUL SELF CAM INTERVIEW - okru GD

[DISC 3] :

FULL - mega

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE MERCH & POSTER MAKING FILM - okru GD

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE VCR MAKING FILM - okru GD

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE PRACTICE MAKING FILM - okru GD

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - SEOUL REHEARSAL MAKING FILM - okru GD

[DISC 4] :

FULL - mega

'Butter' JACKET MAKING FILM - okru GD

'Butter' MV MAKING FILM - okru GD

'Butter' PRACTICE MAKING FILM - okru GD

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert MAKING FILM - okru GD

Good Morning America MAKING FILM - okru GD

SiriusXM MAKING FILM - okru GD

'Butter (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)' SPECIAL PERFORMANCE VIDEO MAKING FILM - okru GD

[DISC 5] :

FULL - mega

'Butter' Motion Clip MAKING FILM - okru GD

'Permission to Dance' PRACTICE & MV MAKING FILM - okru GD

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon MAKING FILM - okru GD

BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge MAKING FILM - okru GD

Global Citizen Live MAKING FILM - okru GD

[DISC 6] :

FULL - mega

35th Golden Disc Awards MAKING FILM - okru GD

MTV Unplugged MAKING FILM - okru GD

Music On A Mission | MusiCares & 'Dynamite' | 63rd GRAMMY Awards Show MAKING FILM - okru GD

63rd GRAMMY Awards Show MAKING FILM - okru GD

2021 Billboard Music Awards MAKING FILM - okru GD

CJ ENM You Quiz on the block MAKING FILM - okru GD

'HYBE: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?' MAKING FILM - okru GD

2021 FESTA FAMILY PORTRAIT MAKING FILM - okru GD

Rolling Stone Magazine MAKING FILM - okru GD

Billboard Magazine MAKING FILM - okru GD

2021 Show in Seoul with House Ambassadors BTS | LOUIS VUITTON MAKING FILM - okru GD

Vogue Korea & GQ Korea | LOUIS VUITTON MAKING FILM - okru GD

[DISC 7] :

FULL - mega

'My Universe' MV MAKING FILM - okru GD

Special Presidential Envoy Appointment Ceremony & 'Permission to Dance' | UNGA SDG Moment 2021 MAKING FILM - okru GD

Special Presidential Envoy Speech | UNGA SDG Moment 2021 & The Metropolitan Museum of Art MAKING FILM - okru GD

MEETING WITH Megan Thee Stallion & Coldplay - okru GD

2021 American Music Awards MAKING FILM - okru GD

The Late Late Show with James Corden MAKING FILM - okru GD

2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball MAKING FILM - okru GD

(will update this post as soon as content is posted and if better quality links are found then this post will be updated accordingly)

ptd seoul online concert link day 1 & 3 available here

*important for google drive links

*important for okru links

*in case a link is not working, please let me know here

*credits to the owners. none of the links belong to me, i have just compiled it together. if there is any issue with me using your link here then please let me know, i will remove it immediately.

#my links #c: memories

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kimtaegis · 2 years

Photo

dream in green

#btsgif #dailybts #networkbangtan #bangtanarmynet #yoonkookclub #clubzerooclock #jungkookedit #memories 2021 #billboard magazine making film #usersky #*jk #*gifs #had to </3

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dotthings · 8 months

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Just another reminder about being cautious in relying on sites like Variety or Deadline concerning the strikes.

At this point, Variety and Deadline especially are being used as a controlled faucet for planned AMPTP "leaks." They're literally used as tools of the AMPTP. This isn't the only situation or instance of biases in entertainment news media (or news media in general. News media is biased, it comes with the territory. There's also entire journalism classes on the subject). Or the only instance I know of where entertainment media is used as a "leak" mouthpiece for an agenda. But the strike "reporting" has made it very loud and even more obvious.

For context, let's go back to September 2020. Penske Media, which owns a bunch of stuff, went into a joint venture with MRC, which owns a bunch of stuff. Including Dick Clark Productions, a member of the AMPTP. They make TV shows. PMRC therefore has financial interests in entertainment media sites and a TV production company.

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) has joined forces with MRC to bring together entertainment magazines including Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, as well as create a new partnership for film and television content.

In joint statements released Wednesday, the companies announced they’ll each have stakes in two new joint ventures to manage the suite of influential industry titles. One entity, PMRC, will house publishing outlets of both companies, bringing together Billboard, Rolling Stone, Vibe, Deadline, IndieWire and WWD along with Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, and be managed by PMC. Another joint venture managed by MRC — producer of film and TV including Netflix drama “Ozark,” Hulu documentary “Fyre Fraud,” Lionsgate feature “Knives Out” and the Golden Globe Awards (via its Dick Clark Productions division) — will be tasked with creating intellectual property from across the publications for new TV, film and live events. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

When the WGA and AMPTP went back into negotiations, there was supposed to be a media blackout.

Instead, last night, websites like Variety and Deadline ran articles with "leaks" about how the talks were going. The leakers being the AMPTP as a way to try to control the narrative, mislead the public in the PR war, and cause discouragement or division within the WGA, and make the AMPTP look like they're being so amazingly generous when they're still giving the WGA almost nothing.

Some tweets from WGA members:

[Image ID:

@joerussotweets

There was no WGA strike captain meeting yesterday.

5:40 PM · Aug 15, 2023 ]

[Image ID: @jonrog1

Jesus, that Deadline article is more than just wrong, it slid into the hallucinatory. They may as well have added unicorns.

11:15 PM · Aug 15, 2023 ]

[ @Gennefer

I guess the AMPTP’s new PR firm went with the “planned leak during a media blackout to appear magnanimous in their counter offer so the WGA will seem unreasonable if they reject it” strategy.

Quote Variety Aug 14

AMPTP Would Give Showrunners Latitude to Set Size of TV Writing Staff https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/amptp-meet-wga-tv-staff-size-1235696391/

9:30 PM · Aug 14, 2023 ]

Be careful out there when you're linking to entertainment sites owned by giant media conglomerates.

#wga strike #sag strike

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moirtre · 10 months

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* 03. ANTHOLOGY: the solo activities of letalis.

capitalizing on the immediate success experienced by the seven-piece, apricus began promoting solo activities for each of the members two years after their debut. aside from music, the members have all managed to successfully find their niche activities, allowing them identities apart from their role in letalis.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › NAIRA.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀going by the solo alias of naira christiansen, naira was the first member to pursue acting as her primary solo activity. typically appearing in thai soap dramas and short films, she's made a name for herself as one of the most sought-after female leads. her most notable drama, released in 2018, features naira as a workaholic university professor who finds herself being pursued by a hardened ceo in the midst of a pr disaster.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › MELANIE.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀easily the most well-known member outside of the group, melanie was the first to embark on solo activities. known for her self-made brand, melanie has found success as both a solo artist and brand ambassador. beginning with her musical debut under the name, melanie bae, in 2015, she has released a total of eight solo projects including three #1 albums, 37 charted songs, 3 top ten songs, and one #1 single. her most popular release, chanel blues (2020) received both popular and critical acclaim even being cited as the album of the year by billboard magazine.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › JUNIPER.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀outside of the group, juniper is best known for her infamous mysterious persona. as a model juniper finds her niche in avant-garde high fashion editorials and runways. beginning with a controversial calvin klein endorsement in 2017, juniper quickly became one of the most sought-after models, appearing in multiple subsequent campaigns for the brand through 2019. after being named the international face of valentino in 2021, she's opened every major fashion week show for the brand since.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › EMMY.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀as a soloist, emmy has continuously proven herself to be a powerhouse without having to compete with melanie's demographic. as the second to begin her solo activities in late 2015, emmy's status as an icon is most notable in japan and the united kingdom. debuting as a solo artist with her rap-heavy japanese album, emmy found rapid success within the japanese entertainment industry landing variety show appearances and a few action dramas. her rise to stardom in the united kingdom came in 2022 through her casting as the fiery, altruistic new anchor celine misuki in the hbo max drama 'succession'.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › NARYUN.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀notably the last to begin solo activities, naryun has found a home in the r&b and neo-soul scene. taking heavy inspiration from artists like frank ocean, solange, umi, and sabrina claudio, naryun quickly established herself as a self-producing artist. with all of her music being written, produced, and composed by herself and close friends, trenton won and hwang minseo, naryun takes on a more underground feel with her music. choosing to focus on personal growth and musical quality, naryun has released two full-length albums since her debut in 2019.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › HERI.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀despite her apathy for public attention, heri began making a name for herself as a television personality and producer in 2018. beginning with her appearances on running man and i live alone, heri gained a reputation for being a bashful personality with a competitive edge. additionally, though less known, heri has found acclaim for her production credits under the penname carré. often pairing up with songwriting and composition duo romeo and pluto (better known as avos' hwaseong), heri is often spotted on apricus' most futuristic credits. most recently, she has been one of three rotating hosts of apricus culture's exclusive variety show, for the culture, since its debut in 2022.

‎ ‎ ┉ * ﹙ㅤʬ › SIENNA.

‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀&.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀a known triple threat, if anyone can give melanie a run for her money, it's sienna. though initially making her acting debut in 2017, sienna quickly proved herself to be a capable actress landing a lead role in a short-lived netflix original in 2018. her continued display of acting prowess carried her through her beloved roles as lexie lim in the movie 'love, simon' and its sequel 'love, victor' as well as the infallible angelia ellery in netflix's 'the politician'. after announcing a break from acting in 2022, sienna reinvented her image through her pure pop debut album, barbie blues. the album debuted to immense attention in the western music market, securing sienna's american music award recognition as 'best new artist'.

#‎ ‎ ⋆⠀⠀ʬ.ʬ.⠀⠀٬⠀⠀(⠀⠀&.⠀⠀)⠀...⠀ANTHOLOGY.#don't love the graphic #but she's cute ig #no pics of the girls #bc i mentally don’t have the will #time or energy #fake kpop group #fake kpop idol #fictional idol community #fictional idol group #fictional idol oc #fictional kpop community #fictional kpop idol #idol au #idol kpop #idol oc

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happyzyx · 10 months

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zhang yixing for basic stardom magazine, 21st issue 2023 – interview transcription

THE DREAMER FROM CHANGSHA: An Interview with Chinese Rapper and Performer Lay Zhang

Tagged the “King of China” by his fans in Asia, the highly-praised musician, dancer, actor, and author, Lay Zhang, is rising to glory as he continues to hone his craft and inspire the world with infinite ambition. Headlining MetaMoon last year, the inaugural New York-based music festival, as part of his first-ever solo global tour “Grand Line 2: Infinite Lands” and releasing into 2023 with a remarkable agenda.

While getting his start from the well known K-Pop boy group EXO, Zhang furthered his growth as an individual artist, accumulating over 70 million followers across all social media platforms and magnifying his career through evocative performances and stellar roles in both television and film. His captivating journey has not only forged him into an international superstar, but has also led him to become the highest-ranked Mando-pop star on the Billboard 200 chart in 2018, and the first Chinese artist to enter the iTunes Top 60 in the U.S. with his third solo album Namanana.

Q. You dove headfirst into the music industry after enrolling in the Star Academy talent show in 2005, where you unexpectedly became a finalist in the series. While you never thought you’d ever become an artist, what changed for you during this time in your life?

ZYX. While Star Academy, I was critiqued a few times on stage for not being professional enough. Hearing that gave me the motivation to prove them wrong and become better in all aspects. I like proving people wrong. It’s a good challenge. At the time, I wanted to prove to the judges and fans that I could be better. Becoming the artist I am today wasn’t what I originally had in mind. Looking back, I think I became an artist as I started to improve on my weaknesses. It was not a conscious choice, but rather the desire to prove that I could be better and show everyone that I could be professional.

Q. In 2008, you trained as a performer in South Korea, eventually debuting as a part of the K-pop group EXO. Talk to us about your journey and how you ended up here and now.

ZYX. Going to Korea and leaving both my hometown Changsha and my mother was scary. There were hours and hours of training in a completely foreign environment. Sometimes, after training, I would go downstairs to the practice room and learn how to produce music. It was unusual for a trainee to be that interested in producing music and I was not very good at it. Becoming a dancer for SHINee was a huge milestone for me. It showed me that I was on the right path. Then, when I made it into EXO, I was overjoyed. In the early days, we traveled a lot between China, Japan, and South Korea. There were a lot of happy memories going into the studio and practicing new songs with my members, but nothing could compare to performing with them live. I felt, and still feel, so proud to be an EXO member and to see everything that we accomplished together. When I started doing more solo activities, I found it challenging. All of a sudden I had to do things alone and without my members by my side. It was hard, but it made me grow and helped me to become the person I am today. Now, my schedule is always filled with commercial shoots, television shows, variety shows, recording music, and trying to be an entrepreneur.

Q. After 10 years with EXO, you finally decided to focus on your solo career. How did your experiences with EXO and in South Korea influence the artist, dancer, and businessman you are today?

ZYX. My brothers in EXO gave me so much strength and motivation to become the best artist and person I could be. I did a lot of training in Korea. While it was tough, it gave me the skills I needed to become an artist and dancer that I am today. I reflect on those days often when I help train my trainees. I want to make sure I give them everything I had and more. I met a lot of talented people who took the time to explain things and trained me. I have deep gratitude for that time in my life.

Q. How did you discover your individual sound and personal brand since venturing out on your own? Who and/or what have been some of your most prominent influences?

ZYX. I’m not sure that I have found my sound yet. I like making music and performing. I would love to spend all of my time on stage and in the studio, but I think it’s the same with my brand, where I’m still experimenting and in the process of discovering it. Now that I’m over 30, I have to figure out who I want to be in the next decade. In the past, I’ve taken inspiration from people who have been able to dance, sing, and perform. I also appreciate people who are kind and hardworking.

Q. Sharing your culture with the world is incredibly important to you. Talk to us about the process of merging languages, as well as Eastern and Western influences into your music.

ZYX. I am blessed to have many talented musician friends around the world. Normally, I’ll work with a producer and songwriter in Los Angeles. I’ll have about a week of song camp sessions where we are locked in the studio from noon to midnight. We’ll spend time making music, vibing and dancing nonstop. I also learn a lot of English and we eat a lot of cookies during these sessions. Once we’re done, I’ll take the recording back to China and talk to my team and other creative friends about how we can incorporate Chinese instruments and stories into the music.

Q. How does it feel to be named the “King of China” by your fans and community?

ZYX. I don’t know if I’m the “King of China”. That’s a strong statement. I am just Lay Zhang from Changsha, China. I am a man who loves the people of his country and making music. For me, music is my arena where I get to challenge myself and others. I want to experiment and make better music. Sometimes, I’m down to “battle” people when it comes to music, but it’s always in good spirits and fun.

Q. You are in the process of making new music to be released this year. Talk to us about your creative process. Is there something you do to get into a creative state of mind?

ZYX. Music gets me excited and making music gets me even more excited. I’m always looking for a reason to get into the studio. I don’t really need to put myself in a creative state of mind. I wait all day, sometimes weeks, to get into the studio and explore my ideas. and if I can’t wait any longer, I’ll just pull out my laptop and start making beats whenever I am. I always enjoy testing out my ideas and making music feels like the most natural medium for me to express them right now.

Q. How do you think your music is being experienced by others?

ZYX. I hope people are happy when they listen to my music. When they play songs like “Veil”, I hope they are dancing in a room with their friends and having a good time. I live seeing people so covers and reacting to my music in different ways.

Q. What kind of impact do you hope to achieve through your artistry and career as a whole?

ZYX. I hope that I can inspire to not only go after their dreams, but to also give it their all as they pursue them. Dreams are precious and beautiful. I want people to treat their dreams with the most respect. Respecting your own dreams will make them come true.

Q. In what ways do you ensure you are continuously evolving, both as an artist and the person you are away from the public eye?

ZYX. I have many teachers, mentors, and staff who give me a lot of advice. They’ll tell me the ways in which they think I should work on my vocals or how to handle certain meetings. I always want the people around me to be honest—all facts, no cap. If I’m not good, let me know so that I can get better.

Q. What message would you like to send to the world about who you are and what you stand for?

ZYX. Hi, it’s Lay. I’m a dreamer who hopes that everyone can achieve their dreams in this lifetime.

Q. Can you tell us about a project or piece of work that you’re particularly proud of?

ZYX. I live all my projects like they are my children. No child is better than the other and they all came at important stages of my life. My most recent project was West, and this was fun to release because “Veil”, the title song of the EP, was made almost five years ago, back in 2018. I normally make my records at least a year in advance, so it was great to hear “Veil” again. When I discussed it with my team, we all knew it needed to finally come out. With West, I even made “3 Wishes” on Zoom. We were in little boxes waving to each other and just hoping the internet was good enough so that we could hear all the sounds being made. Then, we’d go offline, do our own parts, and send them. There were times when someone would get knocked offline and then we’d have to wait even longer. The making of West was very fun and different project.

Q. How do you handle creative blocks or moments of self-doubt?

ZYX. To be honest, I don’t have many creative blocks, but that is probably because I’m constantly learning and doing something different. Self-doubt is tough, but I’m always reminded of all the people I have around me who depend on me. I also think about my fans who have supported me this entire time. It gives me the power to know I can’t let them down.

Q&A

Q. Who is your favorite designer?

ZYX. Pier Paolo Piccioli. He has been just a dear friend to me.

Q. What are the last three songs you played?

ZYX. “3 Wishes” by LAY, an unreleased demo I’ve been working on, and “God’s Plan” by Drake.

Q. How would you describe yourself in five words or less?

ZYX. Artistic, determined, passionate, a dreamer, and serious.

Q. What is the most challenging aspects of being and artist of your stature?

ZYX. There is a lot to do. My schedule has always been packed and full of activities. It’s a good thing because it means people still like me and want to see me. As I get older, I know I’ll get less popular, and fewer people will care about my music and career. It’s a big scary to be totally honest. It’s something that I will have to learn to deal with.

Q. What would be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

ZYX. If I wasn’t an artist today, I would probably be a music teacher. I would definitely still be doing something related to music.

Q. Who would you most like to collaborate with?

ZYX. I want to work with people who are innovating and pushing themselves creatively. I feel so inspired by people who are able to produce, write and sing. I really aspire to work with open-minded people.

Words by KIMBERLY HADDAD

©小羊扛起霸王龙就跑

#zhang yixing #yixing #lay #exo #basic stardom #text #long post

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rock-and-roll-hell · 2 years

Text

October 17, 1989

Hot In The Shade is released

Recorded: July–August 1989

Studio: The Fortress, Hollywood, California

Hot in the Shade is the fifteenth studio album by KIϟϟ, released in 1989. It is the first KIϟϟ studio album since 1981's Music From "The Elder" to feature lead vocals from someone other than Paul Stanley or Gene Simmons, with drummer Eric Carr singing lead on "Little Caesar". It is also the final KIϟϟ album in its entirety to feature Carr before his death in November 1991 during production of the band’s next album Revenge. Unlike its predecessor album, 1987's Crazy Nights, Hot in the Shade does not heavily feature keyboards. The album was recorded during the summer of 1989 at The Fortress in Hollywood. Aiming for a more stripped down sound, Gene and Eric reportedly decided to record the album there after checking out several different studios. To further give the album a more raw feel, along with being able to produce the album with a lower budget, the band elected to use the demos they recorded and polish them up via overdubs instead of re-recording the song over again. Some portions of Hot in the Shade, such as "Love's A Slap In The Face" were recorded using a drum machine to further reduce recording costs. For the parts that Eric and Kevin Valentine played drums on, electronic drum pads that triggered samples were used rather than a true drum kit, as The Fortress did not have one on hand.

The album includes the biggest hit of the band's non-makeup era, the power ballad "Forever", which was co-written by Stanley and Michael Bolton. The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1990, the band's highest charting single in the US since "Beth", 13 years earlier. Hot in the Shade was certified Gold on December 20, 1989 by the RIAA.

Hot in the Shade showcases a more straight-ahead sound, following the keyboard-centered pop-metal of Crazy Nights, and even flirts with speed metal on "Boomerang". It contains 15 songs, the most of any KIϟϟ studio album, and is one of the band's longest, with a running time of nearly an hour (58:39). Future band member Tommy Thayer co-wrote "Betrayed" and "The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away".

Three music videos were made for the promotion of the album: The first was "Hide Your Heart", a concept video filmed on the rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, directed by Marty Callner for Cream Cheese Productions. The second was "Rise to It" Gene and Paul appeared in KIϟϟ make-up for the first time since their 1983 unmasking for the video. Although the scene with gene and Paul in make-up was made to seem like it took place in 1975, the costumes they used were historically inaccurate; Gene's was from the Unmasked (1980) era while Paul's was from Love Gun (1977). The final video, "Forever," was also directed by Rezyka for Mark Freedman Productions and shot on December 16, 1989, in a building in downtown Los Angeles. Even though "Rise to It" was shot and edited before "Forever", "Forever" was released as the second music video from the album to take advantage of the radio airplay the ballad was receiving. The music video also reached No. 1 on Dial MTV and reached No. 47 on MTV's top 100 videos for 1990.

Of the 15 tracks on the album, only five were performed live. "Forever" was a pop hit and became a semi-regular part of the live setlist. "Hide Your Heart" was played in 2014 on the Kiss 40th Anniversary World Tour.

The album liner notes thanked a dozen KIϟϟ fan-published magazines that helped KIϟϟ fans connect with their favorite band and keep up to date with each member's activities. The liner notes concluded with a warning to fans about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, asking fans to use condoms to reduce the risk of catching and spreading it, adding, "AIDS is no party".

#kisstory #kiss #1989 #hot in the shade #eric carr #bruce kulick #paul stanley #gene simmons #kiss band #kiss army #tommy thayer

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osirisius · 8 days

Note

just things I've seen in random places online and found it weird / interesting and maybe others will as well

In 2015-2023

Josh Peck gets married

Drake has a meltdown on twitter about not being invited causing a slew of drama

A "source" claims that Dan Schneider was invited to the wedding but take that with a grain of tiny tiny tiny salt.

The very next day after the news broke that Josh did not invite Drake to the wedding Dan posts a weird throwback behind the scenes photo from Drake and Josh of Drake where in the scene he is preparing egg yolks for cooking.

Attention was drawn back on "An Open Secret" in an article about the struggle it took to even get it out for people to watch

The Daily Mail UK wrote an article about Brian Peck, openly calling him a registered s/o pedophile and bringing up An Open Secret in the article.

Drake Bell is in a movie called Cover Versions

Josh is a member of the David Dobrik friend group on youtube around this time because it was before David Dobrik was outed for "allegedly" nearly getting someone killed while filming one of his videos

Josh actually made a number of videos with Drake during this period of time despite the fact that Josh claims they hadn't spoken in 15 years prior to Bell's outburst on twitter.

A zoey101 reboot was announced at an anniversary event, Alexa Nikolas was not invited to reunite with the cast, Dan Schneider was there.

Speaking of Alexa, 2018 was when she formally and publicly called out Nickolodeon and Dan for toxic sets and an environment that was unsafe to children.

Neds Declassified actors call Alexa out and imply she's just dramatic and making shit up

A formal investigation into Dan Schneider was launched in 2018, by the end of that year he was "quietly" let go and allegedly they gave him a lot of money upon his departure

Drake Bell starts releasing new music in mid 2018, he is interviewed by PEOPLE magazine, in this time period he does a lot of press, like actual press, not podcasts like he does now as he claims that no actual news places will have him as an interview.

Also in 2018, Brian Robbins stepped down as CEO of Nickolodeon and Butch Hartman (Fairly Odd Parents) left the network as well.

Josh has a baby with his wife, in late 2018, he publishes a photo on Instagram of Drake hanging out with the newborn.

Billboard music magazine interviews Drake on his new music

Jane Doe calls the cops and files a report against Drake Bell.

Drake cancels all upcoming concerts and shows during the length of the investigation.

Drake goes through this investigation and in the mean time he is still trying to release music, it is assumed at this time his finances were not good due, there is a rumor about a Drake and Josh revival in mid... to late 2019?

There is a rumor based on a Mexican meme where his fans from Mexico started calling him Drake Campana (which is bell in spanish), this happens in 2020 so I think it's funny that people claim that he changed his name and fled to Mexico in 2021 when these things happened before that, and another one is the talking point that people say Josh was distancing himself from Drake because of the child endangerment charge but the wedding incident was in 2017. Years prior to the public 2021 case.

There are social media posts about Drake Bell "changing his name to Campana after finding musical sucess in mexico", in 2020.... before the "fled to mexico" rumor started. There were also multiple articles stating that Drake Bell changed his name and moved to Mexico, rebranding himself based on the fact that his music was more popular there.

Drake promotes his "Lost Album" in early 2020

In late summer 2020, Drake's ex comes forward with allegations about domestic violence

Around this time, Dan Schneider allegedly has his lawyers try to get into contact with Alexa

COVID stuff puts a hamper on a lot of things, Drake starts doing at home instagram live singing sessions.

Dan had announced in early 2020 something about a project he was working on and that he was ready to get back to making shows.

Josh Peck distances himself from David Dobrik during this period due to allegations against David from multiple people, another person in the vlog squad was accused of SA so that probably didn't make Josh wanna stick around

A ton of articles pop up about Drake changing his name and moving to mexico, it stops being about him finding an audience for his music and people start to speculate it's because of allegations from his ex.

This starts to spread like wildfire on twitter and other social media platforms.

a pretty damning NYT article about Dan Schnider is posted online. noting that Dan does not update socials often anymore and is rarely seen out in public, the project he was working on in 2020 seemed to have not worked out.

Information regarding Drake's arrest come to light in 2021, the allegations against him from Jane Doe also come to light and the internet goes wild over it, tons of gossip articles and youtube channels post about it.

a 2021 article comes out about Dan, he responds to allegations of misconduct on the sets of his shows.

Kimmy Robertson hangs out with Brian Peck, shamelessly uploading a photo of them together.

The Jane Doe case is closed when Drake accepts the charges of child endangerment / attempted, and sending "texts of a sexual nature" to a minor (just putting it in quotes because that's how his defense said it)

Although the case is closed, the internet does not and start to make memes and calling Drake a predator, pdf, r*pst on any and all social media he has.

Alexa Nikolas takes legal action against her ex for SA, she also continues to call out Dan and nickolodeon, earning her a reputation from others as "overreacting" and "dramatic"

Sloan makes a video about Drake Bell, talking about the 2021 allegations but also bringing up Brian Peck, heavily "hinting" in his video that Drake is the John Doe from the 2003 case

Drake tries contact with Sloan to get the video removed, Sloan makes a bunch of weird videos about how he's being threatened and intimidated, he does not remove the video, he makes more videos on Drake and the 2021 allegations as well as bringing up the allegations from his ex(es)

Josh Peck and Drake Bell's on again off again "feud" shows up in the form of Josh claiming they hadn't talked in 15 years and that he "Had a tony soprano moment" at the VMAs in 2017, claiming he says "go apologize to my wife" regarding the wedding drama from 2017. Drake and his then wife Janet have one episode of their podcast discussing this and the failed D&J revival.

in 2022 Drake Bell was spotted in flordia allegedly huffing in the car with his baby in the back seat (oof dude wtf)

Alexa Nikolas amidst the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial drama starts doing her livestreams about exposing SA and more in hollywood.

Drake Bell gets more news stories surrounding his "odd behavior" and online spaces are still calling him a r*pist and p*do,

In 2023 Amanda Bynes has a mental breakdown and flags a car down to call 911, she is placed on a psych hold.

A few weeks later Drake Bell goes missing in Malibu, the police start looking for him and consider him to be "in danger" as some of these articles allege that he had sent upsetting text messages to his mother, and when he wasn't answering his phone, his brother calls the cops.

It's revealed that he was texting his mother, upset about things regarding his child visits as he and his wife had broken up some time before this but decided to co parent their son.

He is seen several times huffing in his car

There are screenshots from alleged conversations by Drake in his own discord, talking about how he's tired of being called a r*pist and that it'll never end.

His wife files for divorce officially

At this point he checks himself into rehab.

#drake bell #long post #asks

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