Tips To Get Into Film & TV Production (Photo by Terje Sollie from Pexels)
There are lots of ways to get into film and tv production, beyond just being an actor. However, when it comes to people’s knowledge of what’s available, it can often be limited if you’ve not yet entered the professional world of film and tv. With that being said, if you’re looking at a career in this industry, then here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Make Content
Content is an important element to film and television production. It’s a good idea to look at what you want to do in terms of the roles, but firstly, it’s all about creating content. Whether you’re a performer, you want to help with the actual filming or you’d prefer to do lighting or script work, it’s important to put those passions into actual content. It’s good to have evidence of your work and to start creating a portfolio so that you can eventually get it out there when it’s needed. There is a lot of competition that comes with film and television production in all aspects of the roles available. With that in mind, you want to be putting yourself up there with the best of the best, and having evidence of your work is essential.
Explore What Roles Are Out There
There are lots of different roles in the industry, and until you start exploring them, you probably only know the bare minimum that is typically known to most of us who watch television and film in general. There’s, in fact, a whole host of jobs that you might not even be aware of like nationwide film fixers who source the equipment for film productions or those who do location scouting. There’s a lot of different areas to explore, and so it’s important to look at what’s available and what you might find useful.
Start Networking
Networking is an essential part of the industry because it’s not necessarily always about what you know but who you know too. That can be the key to getting yourself those opportunities and in front of the people that are influential. Whether you’re going to organized events put on by industry leaders in film and television or simply reaching out to those online, every bit of networking is crucial. You never know who might be able to give you that leg up that you need.
Consider Studying
Studying is something that might be worth exploring when it comes to the film and television industry. It’s not 100% necessary to do so, but it might give you that knowledge needed and the experience that some will want you to have. There are plenty of schools and influential organizations that you could sign up or apply to. There would be fees for some of them, whilst others might be free opportunities. It’s good to take advantage of any institution that may be able to help you get to where you want to be.
Getting into film and television is certainly something exciting, so use these tips to help you get there.
Tips To Get Into Film & TV Production (Photo by Fox from Pexels)
'Breathe!' is an international, community project, joining 140 singers from Los Angeles and Montreal in a choir-driven song and video. (image via celleste.com)
In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, two California-based artists, Celleste and Eric, have created a movement to raise awareness for this essential cause. 'Breathe!' is an international community project, joining 140 singers from Los Angeles and Montreal in a choir-driven song and video.
The two seasoned artists are joined by Grammy and Juno award winners and nominees, artists, musicians, couples, families, comedians, singers from such productions as “The Voice” and “Cirque du Soleil”, and actors from popular TV shows like "Full House" and "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina".
"The anthem's lyrics highlight the importance of breathing as a tool to help regulate our feelings of isolation, stress, anxiety, and fear," said Eric, producer and co-writer of 'Breathe!'. "We hope this project can bring some comfort and relief to all those who are suffering from mental health-related challenges."
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 47 million adults experience mental illness each year. The isolation, fear, and economic hardships of the pandemic have further exacerbated these numbers, and created a mental health crisis in the U.S. that researchers warn could make the already-rising suicide rate much worse.
"When sharing our idea for 'Breathe!' with fellow artists, we were completely overwhelmed and inspired by their eagerness to participate in our mission. We believe the project can have the same impact around the globe, raising awareness for mental health, and highlighting all the incredible foundations doing so much for their local communities," said Celleste, lead singer and co-writer of 'Breathe!'.
This song came up on my newsfeed just at the right time. Life can be so stressful as it is. You add a pandemic to the mix and all the stress in everyday life just seems to become tenfold. I think your song is a timely reminder that as bad as the world is right now we can all just stop and breathe. Your song is a lifesaver Celleste. - Dominique Domingo, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this beautiful song! I struggle with Anxiety and ever since I heard this song it has helped me to cope so much thank you Celleste!!! - Haley Abernathy, Houston, Texas
As a lifelong sufferer of Bi-Polar, this song is amazing and so pertinent to sufferers of all mental illnesses. Just breathing helps in that pause that is needed to help calm the mind. - Troy Carter, Auburn, New South Wales
140 Singers Bring Awareness for World Mental Health Day on October 10th in 'Breathe!' (screengrab)
Breathe! - The Lyrics:
Stuck in the corner and the walls are closing in
Can’t see the end so tell me where do I begin?
Better look up to the sky and just breathe
Head under water, I’ve been drowning in my tears
Feels like the finish line’s a million miles from here
So I stop and close my eyes and I breathe, I breathe
I tell myself to breathe, deep inside, take my time, it’s alright
I tell myself to breathe, count to five, and come alive, cause I’m alive
I tell myself to breathe
Can I part with tomorrow, leave my yesterday behind?
Live in the here and now with nothing on my mind?
Never stop to question why, and just breathe
Just breathe!
I tell myself to breathe, deep inside, take my time, it’s alright
I tell myself to breathe, count to five, and come alive, cause I’m alive
Over and over the weight on my shoulders gets heavier every day
I need to stop this train, so I can breathe again…
Let go and breathe again, just stop and breathe again
God help me - breathe again, show me how to breathe again
Slow down and breathe again
Just stop and breathe
Celleste and Eric
About Celleste and Eric:
Celleste is a singer and songwriter, based in Los Angeles, California. You can learn more about her at celleste.com
Eric is a singer, songwriter and music producer based in Los Angeles, California. You can learn more about him at ericdick.com.
A transparent coffee cup with colourful pills on gray background. (Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash)
When it comes to illnesses, it’s common for us to rely on our doctor for most things. We’ll book an appointment, we’ll speak to a medical professional and we’ll get a diagnosis. From there, we’ll usually be given a mixture of different drugs and medication to help improve our situation. That’s probably the most common approach when it comes to solving any issues with our body.
However, a lot of people feel like this approach can make you overly reliant on your doctor. While most people only visit their doctor for serious issues, some would visit their physician for something as basic as a headache or aches in their body. While it’s never a bad idea to be cautious, there is a point where you need to step back and ask yourself if you really need your doctor for so many things.
Not only can it save you time and effort, but it might be more effective to have some kind of remedy at home ready for when you have a headache or if you experience aches. As the saying goes, prevention is the best type of treatment. If you focus on improving your health in a holistic fashion, you’ll typically have a much healthier body that can actively avoid developing illnesses and other troubling conditions.
So how do you take a more mindful approach to the medication you take?
Understanding the side effects of medication
Did you know that most medication comes with side effects? Some medication might cause minor drowsiness, headaches or even vomiting. However, on the more serious side of things, some medication can actually make you see hallucinations or even cause hearing loss. Prescription drugs are incredibly powerful because they’re designed to be effective at dealing with the problem they’re made for. However, it also means they can affect other parts of your body with unintentional consequences.
These side effects can range from being incredibly dangerous to relatively minor. Whatever the case is, it’s important that you understand the different levels of side effects and the ones associated with any medication you’re taking. In fact, some people might find that they feel depressed or even anxious after taking certain types of medication. Others might feel that their health was better before taking some medication. In some cases, taking medication might be the trigger that causes you to feel more tired and weak due to the way it works on your body.
Some situations will be unavoidable, especially if you’re dealing with a pressing condition that requires you to take powerful drugs. However, if it can be avoided, it’s never a bad idea to look for alternative treatments. You may want to first let your doctor know about the side effects and how it’s affecting your body. They may have alternatives for you that might be slightly less effective at dealing with your condition, but it’ll be better in the long run since it doesn’t take a huge toll on your body.
Understanding that there are usually always alternatives available
It’s a good idea to be more mindful about the alternatives available to you. With so much research being put into alternate forms of medicine, it’s a good idea to do your own research and look for testimonials from others that have suffered similar conditions to you.
For example, CBD is one of the more popular forms of alternative medicine that has grown significantly over the past few years. Most people associate CBD with marijuana or cannabis because it’s derived from the plant. When these two terms are mentioned, people might link CBD with weed and its psychoactive properties. However, this isn’t the case. CBD is a compound that has seen a lot of positive research in recent years. It has been shown to reduce pain in some patients and it can even help with anxiety and depression. In some cases, studies have shown that it can reduce the effect of seizures and even soothe certain cancer symptoms.
A CBD dosage calculator is a great tool to use if you decide to start using CBD. It can be taken in a number of different ways, so it’s important to know how much you should be using for your particular symptoms or use case. Of course, before you use any kind of alternative medicine, it’s vital that you speak to your doctor and have them perform a health check to confirm that it’s suitable for your needs. If you try to use too many different alternative remedies, you might find that it does more harm to your body than good. You also don’t want to waste money on snake oil that others are pushing into your hands. It’s a good idea to get a professional opinion first.
Natural remedies are plentiful and can give you more control
Natural remedies can give you more control over your body and what you put into it. Many people listen to doctors without a second thought. Considering they’re healthcare specialists, this is usually fine because they’re looking out for your wellbeing. However, you may find that you want a bit more control over what you put in your body.
In a case like this, natural remedies can be an effective alternative. For instance, taking supplements and switching your diet around can be a great way to avoid or cope with certain conditions in the body. However, you should still be taking professional advice whenever possible so that you don’t make your situation worse.
However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid regular medicine
Despite the direction of this post, you should never actively avoid regular medicine if you’re facing some kind of serious illness or issue with your health. You have to make sure that you’re communicating with your doctor to ensure your health doesn’t suffer negative consequences. If they feel that an alternative remedy can be a good option to help you avoid the side effects of certain drugs, then they’ll let you know and help you transition to a different treatment. However, if they believe the best course of action is a standard form of medication, then it’s usually best to listen to them.
Superhero Captain Compassion Empowers Kids to Prevent Race-Based Bullying
This October, Committee for Children launches its third annual Captain Compassion campaign to teach kids how to use their bystander power to put a stop to bullying.
After this summer's protests over racial discrimination and police brutality, many families and educators are seeking resources to help teach children the value of diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.
According to the United States Department of Education, although Black students make up 15 percent of student enrollment nationwide, 35 percent of Black students report being bullied or harassed on the basis of their race—more than any other racial group. Research also shows that one in five students report seeing hate-related graffiti at school.
In response, bullying prevention superhero Captain Compassion and sidekick Kid Kinder are back to empower kids and adults to use their bystander power and provide guidance on how to recognize, report, and refuse race-based bullying.
Activate Your Power to Prevent Bullying. Visit CaptainCompassion.org!
"Children of color are especially vulnerable right now," says bullying prevention expert and campaign spokesperson Dr. Jasmine Williams. "With COVID-19 disproportionately impacting minority communities and with social media both elevating imagery of police brutality and providing a platform to target youth with hateful words and images, now is the time to empower our nation's youth to value diversity, activate their bystander power, and prioritize preventing bullying and harassment."
Captain Compassion has the power to inspire others to be kind and respectful in challenging situations. In this year's comics, she guides Kid Kinder after he's bullied in an online video game because of his race. Written in collaboration with Mahogany L. Browne, the author of Woke Baby, the story shows children and adults the impact of race-based bullying and how they can use their bystander power to address it.
CaptainCompassion.org, provides families and educators with free, approachable, and research-based bullying prevention tips and tactics, including engaging comics, a Decoder Wheel activity for kids, videos, downloadable posters, and more
Superhero Captain Compassion Empowers Kids to Prevent Race-Based Bullying
To read the comics, download the Decoder Wheel, and learn how you can activate your bystander power to prevent bullying, visit CaptainCompassion.org.
About Committee for Children:
Committee for Children is a global nonprofit that has championed the safety and well-being of children through bullying prevention, child protection, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for more than 40 years.
With a history of action and influence, we're known as a leader in social-emotional education and a force in advocacy, research, and innovation in the field. We take a comprehensive approach to SEL, promoting social-emotional well-being from birth to early adulthood—supporting not just classrooms, but entire communities.
As our programs transform the lives of more than 16.5 million children per year, we rise to meet societal challenges to ensure children everywhere can thrive.
UMe Celebrates the world's most famous secret agent with the November 20, 2020 release of 'The Best Of Bond...James Bond.' Available via digital, 2CD, 3LP black vinyl and limited-edition gold vinyl, the collection features theme songs from all 25 official James Bond films, including “No Time To Die” By Billie Eilish and Oscar-winning songs by Adele and Sam Smith.
On November 20, UMe will release an updated version of The Best Of Bond…James Bond, a digital, 2CD and 3LP black vinyl compilation featuring celebrated theme songs from the longest-running film franchise. In addition, a limited-edition gold vinyl will be available exclusively via uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl.
The new collection will include "No Time To Die" by Billie Eilish from No Time To Die, the 25th film in the series. Also now included will be Adele's "Skyfall" from Skyfall, the highest-grossing Bond film to date, and Sam Smith's Spectre theme, "Writing's On the Wall," – Oscar® winners for Best Song in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
In addition to Billie Eilish, Adele and Sam Smith, included is the signature instrumental "James Bond Theme" by The John Barry Orchestra, which remains one of the most recognizable themes from film.
The collection also includes Dame Shirley Bassey ("Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Moonraker"). With "Goldfinger," Bassey achieved her first Top 10 hit, reaching No. 8 on The Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Bassey made her Oscars debut at the 85th Academy Awards, where she performed a spectacular rendition of "Goldfinger" as part of the telecast's James Bond 50th Anniversary tribute, which was celebrated by UMe with vinyl reissues of long-out-of-print soundtracks to Dr. No, Goldfinger and Live And Let Die.
Along with Louis Armstrong ("We Have All The Time In The World"), Nancy Sinatra ("You Only Live Twice"), Lulu ("The Man With The Golden Gun"), The Best Of Bond…James Bond also includes Paul McCartney & Wings ("Live And Let Die").
Written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, performed by Paul McCartney & Wings and produced by former Beatles producer George Martin, the title theme song hit No. 2 on the chart, and it was nominated for both a GRAMMY Award, for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) / Best Background Arrangement, and an Academy Award, for Best Original Song. The single "Live And Let Die" became the first Bond theme song to win a GRAMMY award (Best Pop Vocal Performance, 1973), and the song continues to be a highlight in McCartney's live performances.
The Best Of Bond…James Bond also features Carly Simon ("Nobody Does It Better"), Tina Turner ("GoldenEye"), Duran Duran ("A View To A Kill"), Sheryl Crow ("Tomorrow Never Dies"), Madonna ("Die Another Day"), Garbage ("The World Is Not Enough").
With the release of "Skyfall," Rolling Stone compiled its Top 10 James Bond Theme Songs, all 10 of which, of course, appear on this set, including Tom Jones ("Thunderball") and Matt Monro ("From Russia With Love").
Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
No Time To Die - The Trailer
The 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, from EON Productions, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM) and Universal Pictures International will be released globally on November 12 in the UK through Universal Pictures International and in the US on November 20 from MGM via its United Artists Releasing banner.
About UMe
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the centralized U.S. catalog and special markets entity for UMG. Working in tandem with all of the company's record labels, UMe provides a frontline approach to catalog management, a concentration of resources, opportunities in new technologies and an emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives to engage all types of consumers across multiple entry points and platforms.
About EON Productions
EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company that has made the James Bond films since 1962 and together with Danjaq controls all worldwide merchandising.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world's deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network EPIX, which is available throughout the U.S. via cable, satellite, telco and digital distributors. In addition, MGM has investments in numerous other television channels, digital platforms and interactive ventures and is producing premium short-form content for distribution.
Universal Pictures is an American film studio, owned by Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal, and is one of Hollywood's "Big Six" film studios. Its production studios are at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California. Distribution and other corporate offices are in New York City. Universal Studios is a member of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Universal was founded in 1912 by the German Carl Laemmle (pronounced "LEM-lee"), Mark Dintenfass, Charles O. Baumann, Adam Kessel, Pat Powers, William Swanson, David Horsley, Robert H. Cochrane, and Jules Brulatour.
It is the world's fourth oldest major film studio, after the renowned French studios Gaumont Film Company and Pathé, and the Danish Nordisk Film company. Six of Universal Studios' films; Jaws (1975), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Jurassic Park (1993), Despicable Me 2 (2013), Furious 7 (2015) and Jurassic World (2015) achieved box office records, with the first three (which were directed by Steven Spielberg) all becoming the highest-grossing film at the time of its initial release.
About United Artists
United Artists Releasing, a joint venture between Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) and Annapurna Pictures (Annapurna), is a U.S. theatrical releasing company. Built upon the legacy of the iconic United Artists motion picture studio, the joint venture provides a home where filmmakers are supported by thoughtful approaches to marketing, publicity and distribution. United Artists Releasing offers content creators an alternative distribution option outside of the studio system and supports Annapurna and MGM's film slates as well as the films of third-party filmmakers.
#HalloweenIsHappening: The Story of Halloween in the Year 2020
The story of Halloween 2020 is shaping up to be one for the record books. From PVC pipe candy slides going viral on social media to major, thought-leading media outlets and prominent elected officials declaring that Halloween is happening, creative and safe approaches are driving the national narrative in a way that showcases consumer optimism for a fun and unique Halloween season.
"There's no question that Halloween will look different this year, and innovative approaches endorsed by the CDC like outdoor, one-way trick-or-treating can bring a little fun to the fall," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Hyperlocal decision-making will determine whether this Halloween season means trick-or-treating with the appropriate safety precautions, more candy bowl moments at home with family and close friends, or just more time for celebrating the season in October."
#HalloweenIsHappening: The Story of Halloween in the Year 2020
Americans are ready for Halloween:
80% of people believe that they will find creative and safe ways to celebrate the Halloween season this year. This is up from just 63% two months earlier in July. (NCA, Morning Consult)
66% of people say they will trick-or-treat this year, whether handing out the candy or going out with their children. (NCA)
74% of millennial moms and young parents say that Halloween 2020 is more important than ever. (The Harris Poll)
80% of the general public and 90% of millennial moms and young parents say they can't imagine Halloween without chocolate and candy, and that trick-or-treating is irreplaceable. (The Harris Poll)
Public health experts and top opinion leaders – Halloween is happening!
Governors from several states have joined a growing wave of approval and support for a safe and creative Halloween 2020 – including public health experts like the CDC, community leaders, newspaper editorial boards and columnists who say that we can prioritize safety and still enjoy this fall with Halloween celebrations that last all October long. Recent guidance from the CDC reinforces that Halloween is happening and provides inspiration for creative and safe approaches to celebrating the holiday throughout the month of October.
Halloween candy sales are up:
NCA recently released data that shows Halloween chocolate and candy sales are up this year. For the latest four weeks ending September 6 versus the same period in 2019, total Halloween chocolate & candy sales are up 13% - growth that is driven by Halloween chocolate, which is up 25.3%.
The Video:
A Halloween History Story:
(via Halloween Central)
The origins of Halloween date back to pre-Christian times to Celtic groups in areas now known as Ireland, Scotland and Wales. According to most scholars, a great fire festival called Samhein signaled the close of the harvest and the initiation of the cold and dark season of winter. A variety of folklore and customs became associated with the celebration.
Folk custom claimed that on this night, the doors between the world of the dead and the world of the living opened. All the spirits of the people who died during the previous year were thought to be traveling from their resting place on earth to their final resting place in the next world. The Celts placed food and drink out to sustain the spirits, and people concealed their identity with disguises to escape harm while they walked from house to house to enjoy food and drink (much like trick-or-treating today). Many people also carved turnips to represent faces, marking the origination of today’s jack-o-lanterns. When Christianity took root in northern Europe, these folk customs were incorporated into a Christian framework. The celebrations in Ireland, Scotland and Wales eventually became All Saints’ Day, a day to commemorate all dead saints and martyrs. All Saints’ Day was sometimes known as All Hallows’ Day, and the night before was called All Hallows’ Eve, or Hallowe’en, which we today call Halloween. Although the celebrations did acquire a distinctly religious tone, many folk customs were still observed.
Settlers and immigrants from these regions brought their folk customs to America, where they took root and evolved over the years. Halloween was originally celebrated in America as a harvest festival. Carved turnips became carved pumpkins, which grew in abundance in America. Colorful costumes replaced disguises, and trick-or-treating evolved from presenting food and drink to the wandering spirits. [...]
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle and the companies that make these special treats.
What is SEO and How Can It Help Your Business? (Photo by Designecologist from Pexels)
If you run a business, you will know that your website is key to driving customers and peaking people’s interests. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, even more people began shopping online due to quarantine - a user-friendly, well designed online presence for your business has never been more essential than now. Yet building a good website is not enough any more; thanks to the algorithms of search engines like Google, your site might be a great site, but fall to the bottom of the search list.
How do search engine algorithms work?
Search engine algorithms are the result of years of research, coding and data collection. It would take pages and pages to explain the ins and outs of how they function, but here are the basics:
The more a website is clicked on, the further up the list it goes. Did you ever wonder why, if you search a basic item like a dustpan and brush into Google, the first sites listed are the giant corporations like Amazon? This is because they are the most clicked-on sites, so Google’s algorithm bumps them up the ladder. The algorithm uses the number of clicks and follow-throughs used on a site to determine how important it is, and ranks it accordingly in the list.
Keywords matter. A search engine algorithm determines what category of search your website should come under by assessing the keywords involved. For example, if you run a blog about floristry, ‘floristry’ is not the only word people will search to find you. It could be ‘flower arranging’ or ‘how to make flowers look pretty in a vase.’ With the right keywords, Google can associate many different searches with your blog, thereby bumping it up the list.
How does SEO come into this?
You might be thinking, how does SEO come into all this? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and is essentially a set of tools and techniques which help Google assign your website to greater importance, and therefore rank it highly on more searches. This means that, if you sell a product which is also sold by thousands of other retailers, your site will be one of the first to be found on Google. It can increase footfall, help spread awareness of your brand and boost profits too.
How does SEO work?
Getting SEO right means including the right keywords; backlinks, which help connect your site with other relevant sites and increase traffic; and, crucially, help footfall to your website without paying advertisers or bankrupting yourself on marketing strategies.
If you aren’t sure how SEO works, it is advisable to contact an SEO Agency who specialise in helping websites achieve more clicks based on search engine results. It could be by featuring blogs on your page which contain keywords and backlinks, or through more advanced SEO tools such as hyperlinks.
Building a website is one task; getting people to click on it is another. Maximise your chances with an SEO strategy and help your business achieve even greater things.
The Toy Insider today unveiled its expert picks for the best kids' toys and gifts in its 15th annual holiday gift guide.
The hottest and most coveted items for 2020 are broken out into three lists: the Hot 20 (the most wished-for items of the year), the STEM 10 (science, technology, engineering and math toys that make learning fun) and the 12 Under $12 (affordable toys packed with play value and unboxing experiences).
Shopping for holiday gifts will look different this year as the Coronavirus pandemic continues: social distancing guidelines are still in place, limiting the number of in-store shoppers; retailers are starting holiday promotions earlier; and consumers are increasingly conscious of their spending during a tough economic year.
"This holiday shopping season will be unlike any other. It will be in your best interest to plan ahead and grab these hot toys before you start carving out your pumpkins," said Laurie Schacht, Chief Toy Officer, The Toy Insider. "Playtime offers a powerful way of coping with the world we live in, and the wide assortment of toys we reviewed for this year's holiday gift guide showcase the innovative, creative and affordable ways toymakers are serving the needs of families during challenging times."
This year's hand-picked selections represent an extensive variety of open-ended toys to keep kids busy; screen-free playthings filled with educational value; toys that promote diversity, sustainability, and accessibility; and affordable toys that fit any budget, among many more categories that are sure to please kids of all ages this holiday season.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy (The Pokémon Co.)
The Toy Insider's Hot 20
0-2 years
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen (Mattel)
Speak & Learn Puppy (LeapFrog)
3-4 years
Blippi Recycling Truck (Jazwares)
Blues Clues & You! Dance-Along Blue Plush (Just Play)
Barbie Color Reveal Slumber Party Fun (Mattel)
HEXBUG Nanotopia (HEXBUG)
Pinkfong Baby Shark Dancing DJ (WowWee)
PJ Masks Transforming 2 in 1 Mobile HQ (Just Play)
Ryan's World Shadow Warrior Ninja Mystery Box (Bonkers Toys)
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition (Hasbro)
5-7 years
KidiZoom Creator Cam (VTech)
LEGO Super Mario Adventure Starter Course (The LEGO Group)
Present Pets (Spin Master)
Rainbow High Fashion Dolls (MGA Entertainment)
Squeakee the Balloon Dog (Moose Toys)
Zoe (Healthy Roots Dolls)
8+ years
Beyblade Burst Rise Hypersphere Vortex Climb Battle Set (Hasbro)
Chocolate Pen (Skyrocket)
Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy (The Pokémon Co.)
The Toy Insider's 2020 holiday gift guide will appear in the November issue of PARENTS magazine, on newsstands on Oct. 5. An extended guide appears online at thetoyinsider.com starting today. This year's print guide features nearly 160 toys, and an additional 150 toys can be found online, representing more than 110 toy companies in total.
Parents and gift-givers can easily search for toys and games by a child's age (broken out into 0-2, 3-4, 5-7 and 8+ age groups). They can also view the guide online with their children to create a wish list of favorite toys, making holiday shopping easy for friends and family.
The Toy Insider is an independent organization. Its team of experts attends major toy industry trade shows and events, and conducts briefings with manufacturers, retailers and analysts throughout the year. The Toy Insider gift guide submission process is open to all toy companies, of all sizes. Toys must be new for 2020 and available to consumers for purchase for the holiday season, either on the company's website or widely available through any retail partner. When evaluating toys, the team considers play value, originality, skill building, product integrity and, of course, fun factor.
The Video:
To join in the holiday toy fun on social media this season, use #weknowplay and find @TheToyInsider on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Toy Insider is published by Adventure Media & Events, publisher of The Pop Insider, a daily pop culture news and review site that fuels fandoms, as well as leading trade publication The Toy Book.
UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon: Walk your hood, do some good. (CNW Group/Canadian Unicef Committee)
UNICEF Canada, long-associated with fond trick-or-treating memories for many Canadians, is launching a new reimagined initiative for celebrating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic—the UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon.
The campaign encourages families across Canada to turn their trick-or-treating steps into a safe, socially distanced walk-a-thon throughout their neighbourhood during the Halloween season. It also reintroduces a digital version of UNICEF's iconic orange box to enable children to celebrate and raise money in a physically distanced way.
Like all major celebrations in 2020, Halloween will look and feel a little different this year. In addition to school closures, games cancelled, birthdays with no parties, a new survey commissioned by UNICEF Canada reveals that only one third of Canadian parents plan to send their kids trick-or-treating this year, and less than half plan to give out candy.
Children across the country have missed many childhood milestones to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but parents are continuing to look for ways to keep hope—and fun—alive. In fact, 6 out of 10 Canadian parents said they are looking for safe, socially-distanced Halloween activities this year.
GFORCE (image via UNICEF Canada)
To keep the Halloween spirit alive, UNICEF Canada's Halloween program has adapted by encouraging children to dress up in their costumes, walk their neighbourhood with their families or bubble and thrill their community while supporting kids in need around the world. The safe, socially distanced walk-a-thon can take place throughout their neighbourhood on Halloween or any time during October.
"Kids have sacrificed some of their childhoods to help stop the spread of COVID-19. They've missed school, sports, graduations, and other milestones of being young," said Rowena Pinto, Chief Program Officer at UNICEF Canada. "The UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon offers families a safe, unique opportunity to celebrate Halloween while helping protect the world's most vulnerable children from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows kids to help other kids—but also allows them to just be kids themselves."
Johnny and Lauren Orlando (image via UNICEF Canada)
UNICEF Canada is also excited to announce its newest Halloween Champions, singer-songwriter and pop superstar Johnny Orlando—who just dropped his latest smash single 'Everybody Wants You' off his upcoming sophomore EP, scheduled for release this fall—and actor and social media influencer Lauren Orlando.
They will join GFORCE, a musical group of young girls from the Toronto area who made it all the way to the quarterfinals on America's Got Talent in supporting UNICEF's Halloween Walk-a-thon.
"Kids have the ability to make the world a better place. I'm excited to join the UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon to provide a safe, socially distanced activity that not only keeps the spirit of Halloween alive, but empowers kids to make a difference," said Johnny Orlando. "I'm encouraging my dedicated fanbase, which includes millions of empathetic and engaged kids from around the world to embrace their ability to defend the rights of other kids to grow up happy and healthy."
The Video:
How can Canadians participate in the UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon?
Children, families and adults can become Halloween Heroes by joining our walk-a-thon and setting up their own fundraising page at unicef.ca/Halloween. Participants who sign up by 9 October 2020 will receive a walk-a-thon package in the mail, including an exclusive Halloween Hero Card with a QR code to help collect digital donations—a new digital form of UNICEF's orange box. Money raised goes towards providing essentials like water, nutrition, education and health care to children in need around the world.
Bonus Video:
Creative agency Juniper Park\TBWA partnered with UNICEF Canada to develop the UNICEF Halloween Walk-a-thon campaign. PHD Canada, a communications planning and media buying agency, is providing marketing support.
Former WWE Superstar Al Snow starring as the lead in "The Whittler"
Executive Producer Robert Costner's The Whittler is a neo-gothic thriller where a young girl must choose between saving her family or saving... her soul.
The premiere of The Whittler will be arriving on Amazon October 16th, 2020. Actor, and former WWE Superstar, Al Snow will be appearing along with John Wells and Sarah Cleveland.
Comedians Catfish Cooley, Andrew Conn, and Gerard Haran make their feature film debut in The Whittler along with Nick Doetsch, Mahalah Peters, and Raegan Joseph.
Comedian and internet sensation Catfish Cooley making his debut appearance in "The Whittler"
Alexandra is an 11-year-old girl who lives with her parents in a 200-year-old in, and she can see ghosts. She has a ghost friend named Phebe who plays with her on a daily basis. Recently, however, a new ghost has come to haunt the Inn. Phebe has forbidden Alexandra to go near or even talk with him Tonight, a band of rednecks decides to rob the In after a series of lucrative Christmas parties. Phebe wakes up Alexandra to hide from them, however, her parents are taken, hostage. Against Phebe's wishes, Alexandra asks the new ghost if he can help save her parents, but what will he want in exchange?.
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