Issue 15 7th February 2020
FEATURING BFT Film Productions The Sun Rises What I Know Now
President’s Letter Welcome to Issue 15, “Into the Future”. In this new decade, we asked you to share with us your thoughts and feelings about what lies ahead, and articulate it in a creative way. This issue is illed with rawness, emotionality, and perspective that has made it excellent reading at Cobalt HQ, and we were stunned at the overwhelming number of submissions we recieved. This term, we feature BFT Film Productions, Warwick’s student ilm-making society, chatting about the future of Hollywood and cinema. As always, the work we recieve is of great variety, and we hope that there is something for everyone here. We are consistently impressed by the work you choose to share with us, and we would like to thank all of you for your great pieces. As the year begins to draw ever closer to a close, we hope the future of Cobalt is bright and beautiful, exciting and busy, and more than anything, better than ever before. So please, enjoy Issue 15, and have a very Happy New Year.
Emilly
Contents The Sun Rises at 4am At The End Of the World Alba Alonso Palombi
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2020: The Year To Achieve Your Goals Genevieve Guille
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The One Way Ticket Millie Jackson Ja
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Fine Line Carolin König
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Present and Future Noah Keate
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Into the Future Megha Bawa
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Emb Embracing Change Thaïs Fitzgerald Prono
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A Walk Through Copenhagen Cameron Benson-Davis
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Featured Exec: The Only Way is Up! BFT Film Productions
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Going Green Emily Maclennan
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Impercipient Sheralyn Loh
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What I Know Kn Now Ruby Bernard
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The Future of Film Bethany Lee
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The Future Is Now Shriya Ganesh
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spaceman Emilly Taylor
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New Year’s Continuation Ollie Birchall
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S. Iqraa Bukhari
The new year is here but it is not new. I wrote a plea:
Dear 2020, If you hurt me don’t let it be the same thing.
As you can see, your wraith still dews so, the new year is not new.
Alba Alonso Palombi
the sun rises at 4am at the end of the world 3
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T H E
Y E A R
T O
A C H
BY GENEVIEVE GUILLE EDITOR like to achieve at least one of those goals – I know that I’d love to achieve the goal of being more active. However, we all know how hard it can be to stick to a New Year's resolution – particularly one so broad as “eating healthier”.
We’re now well into the start of 2020: the new decade. For those of us at Warwick University, and even generally in the UK, even the irst month of 2020 has brought about changes. We have started a brand-new term, and many students will be sorting out housing for their next year; committing to something that will affect them for a whole year so far before the af event. Even in the Royal family there have been huge changes, with Harry and Meghan losing their HRH titles and becoming inancially independent – a move that would not have been imagined a year ago. One month in politics and in one’s career or university life can bring many changes that are a out of the individual’s control, but how many changes do you make every month that are in your control?
My solution to this is to make monthly goals instead of yearly. It’s so easy for a year to go by without properly reviewing where you’re at or where you want to be, and taking even half an hour every month to set some goals and see where you are with your previous goals can make a huge difference to your progression. These goals would be ideally as speci ic and realistic as possible – think changing up “improve inances” for “meal plan weekly and cut out takeaways”. I’ve found that breaking larger goals down into smaller ones can be an amazing way to eventually get those big goals. Your goal could be anything – here’s some examples if you’re stuck for ideas:
One thing I’ve found really useful as a student is setting regular goals. University terms are short in the grand scheme of things, and with the long holidays it’s easy to feel like time is lying by. I’ve heard many students say, “what have I even done in the past year?!”. In reality, we probably do more than we think, but setting goals is a great way to track progress for our own gr development. Now, you might be thinking, “writing goals sounds boring and corporate. Why would I do that?” It’s true – goal writing does sound boring and does in fact get used in business settings. But there’s a good reason for that: they really work – it’s proven that if you write something down, you’re more likely to do wri it.
1 – Become involved with that society you never ended up going to but are technically a member of 2 – Learn to play, or practice playing a musical instrument twice a week 3 – Meet up with friends more often or go to more social events 4 – Try out 1 new recipe a week 5 – Apply to 4 internships
So, now we’re all up for writing some goals. But what do we write? According to the Ipsos American public survey, most New Year's resolutions made were related to inances, eating healthier, and being more active. Others wanted to lose weight, and others wanted to improve their wellbeing. I ind it unlikely that anyone reading this wouldn’t, in an ideal world, any
So – how h do you stick to a goal? At Cobalt we’re challenging you to make a short-term goal and let us keep you accountable. Find our insert in this magazine for more information about how we can help you stick to your goal!
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I E V E
Y O U R
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G O A L S
THE ONE WAY TICKET
Welcome to the future, Let me be your guide Here we take everyone No conditions applied
Are you sitting comfortably? Do you have a hand to hold?
MILLIE JACKSON
This will be a bumpy ride So listen to what you’re told
There’ll be signi icant others, And jobs that come and go For some there might even be kids But when and where we do not know
We will take the roads of least resistance And we will take the roads of more We will watch you endure every emotion And pick yourself up from the loor People will constantly pass these windows And some you’ll invite on board Each one will leave a souvenir in your luggage Think of it as a way to record
The you that turned the world upside down And the you that took it one step at a time For now though we must hand you the controls To make this journey by your design
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Carolin KĂśnig Draw a line
Hopes blink
Glasses clink
Blurry drafts
Sketch a future
A sole suture
holds you together.
Take a line
Have fun
Meet someone
Moonlit high
First you kiss
Then you miss
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‘Till the end of the line
NOAH KEATE Every day, the future becomes the present.
P R E S E N T
We constantly think about the future. From the moment of thinking about which secondary school to attend, to choosing GCSEs, deciding which sixth form colleges to pick and eventually what career to pursue, so much of educational life is based around the future. Even in a seminar focusing on the week’s topic, the thought of the future always lurks around the thou corner.
F U T U R E
It is because society is de ined by expectation. We are expected to be inancially secure with worthwhile well-paid jobs that contribute to our personal well-being and enhance society. Personally, we are supposed to be fully engaged with individuals by having a large social circle. Culturally, we are meant to readily embrace the latest books, art, ilm and music that shape la civilisations. The extent to which we meet these arbitrary criteria - and therefore succeed - is shaped by our decisions surrounding the future. Undeniably, the notion of pushing thoughts of the future...into the future is tempting. Inevitably, it can be overwhelming; that is perfectly normal. As the old saying goes, you only live once. Why think about the hardships of the future, which inevitably causes stress, when life can be lived spontaneously, one day at a time? Certainly, Certain trends that celebrate the present, like mindfulness, have become the new norm. This isn’t necessarily bad. Every day is new. In our aim to impress, think of the future and achieve, celebrating the natural and social beauty that each day brings is necessary. From the rising sunlight, the call of bird songs, the awe-inspiring blue sky, the pleasure of a river stream, the natural world can bring much calm to a world otherwise built on action. Society has therefore reached a binary impasse where time can only be spent living in the present or thinking about the future.
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But this is simply not sustainable. Of course, thinking about the future must take place. If we are to live ful illing lives, it is important to consider what the future holds, be that tomorrow, next week or next year. Spontaneity is only so rewarding, especially when that leads to poor exam results and feelings of purposelessness. Realistic goals for the future are vital for human development.
It is possible to both live in the present while thinking about the future. How? Well, every single day is the future. What was once tomorrow - the future - has become today. The future becomes thefuture - has become today. The future becomes the present every single minute, hour and day. This realisation makes it tricky to put off considering future opportunities and life chances. Because, by just existing, being present in the world, we are living in the future. There is no need to be overwhelmed. Indeed, it’s possible to view this as freeing. Given that we live in what was once the future, there is ample time to both experience and consider our path. For the future contemplated will soon be the present. This understanding allows individuals to prioritise. However long we live, there simply isn’t time to do everything. Our the futures are individual - they cannot, and should not, consist of every action humans have ever done. By recognising that the present is a version of the future, it’s easier to decide what to do in life. It’s simplistic to view the world through a fatalistic lens. What will be will be, fate and destiny will resolve everything - nonsense. Every single day, each of us has the capacity to shape our existence. There is no mythical being or entity, no pre-planned journey which we will inevitably follow. Every individual has the power to determine their future path, whether po that’s a good or bad route. It is not destiny that some are doomed to fail academically - we can each put effort in, apply ourselves and strive for success. Employment wise, it’s possible to work hard and save up money for a positive occasion. The future should be something to aspire towards. Despite these bleak political times and the multitude of personal problems we all go through, the world is a vast, open place full of opportunity. While thoughts for the future opportunit shouldn’t terrify any of us, there is nothing wrong with having thoughts in mind. Indeed, it is in the present that we will act on ideas and visions we wanted to put off for the future. So next time you’re thinking about that big project you want to invest time and energy in, don’t put it off and leave le it for tomorrow. Instead, start working to shape that outcome today.
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Into the Future Megha Bawa
I imagine she will spin gold from her voice knit pieces of her hair into the cracks pull tight on her words and cradle your pieces She knows you’re weary and she knows you’re tired of it all
@mbawa_poetry
She knows kn people have walked over you she’s seen the way people’s eyes dull The sound of them throwing ‘gifts’ on your skin scratching and cutting wounds the hurt that festers and decays which is buried deep into your layers For people make mistakes and people chase happiness in pretty p ribbons but these ribbons strangle the sea and the sea is drowning how funny it must be for an ocean to drown for your children to compete with plastic ribbons slowly choking on each thread And how sad it must be for your trees to bear no home to the animals who burnt to ash ash which humans complain about as if they weren’t the ones with your blood on their hands But she will lick pieces of gold into your eyes drip ichor down your bones she will smile and dimples will press into her cheeks she will breathe b and clear the skies and she will hold you close whispering pieces of worn hope back into your eyes And as we step into the future footprints causing more harm than good your oceans scream louder the skies have h lost their breaths and your lowers beg for life she will sob for them for who else will mourn your death?
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-an excerpt from mother nature talking to her earth.
EMBRACING CHANGE Thinking back to my childhood and my last years at school, I remember always looking forward to university and adulthood, wanting to take my independence and inally leave home. It’s so easy to be excited for the future when you don’t have the responsibilities of adult life. Moving to university in a completely Mo different country, I’ve realised just how daunting the future is. Instead of looking forward to the future and the rest of my life, I suddenly started to wish I could go back in time and be surrounded by family again. I’ve spent months worrying about what will happen in the next few years of my life, and dreading the change that will come. The most terrifying thing about the future, is the unknown. Anything can happen, and that type of change is bound to worry most people. However, I had an epiphany-like experience a few days ago when talking to my good friend – I realised, if I want to be happy, even with lots of change and new experiences hitting me, that I need to follow my dreams and jump into the scary world of adulthood with a positive outlook on life. Sounds cheesy, I know. But I also know that if you don’t embrace the change coming and use that to do what makes you happy, what is the point in life?
Throw yourself into things that scare you, work hard to get where you want to be and don’t live life with regrets.
Something I’ve had to constantly remind myself of since I’ve left home, is that we shouldn’t worry about where we will be in a few days let alone a few years, and just focus on what will make us feel con ident and ful illed today. Change doesn’t have to be a negative thing, but can be the push we need to go that extra mile and ight to be able to do what we love doing.
THAÏS FITZGERALD-PRONO
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A WALK THROUGH COPENHAGEN CAMERON BENSON-DAVIS Having never been outside our tiny island before, going to Denmark, as docile and tranquil as it is, was probably one of the most invigorating experiences of my life. I’ve always been enamoured with travel-writing, so crossing the seas and arriving at the placid town of Nykøbing Sjælland in north Odsherred was the perfect opportunity to take a new environment in, appreciate it, and ta breathe it back out onto paper. But it was also the chance to unwind from exams and prepare for University, especially since this week would be the last quality time my partner and I could spend together before beginning our own independent lives in different parts of the UK.
We passed a couple of naval ships as we left Nyhavn that were due for the estuary a little further north; saw the Little Mermaid (which, disappointedly, did not have wavy red hair and a singing crab); and crossed over into the Kastellet. This was a military base open to the public that, from above, took the shape of a pentagon, or star, or even a sea turtle – it could’ve been whatever you wanted really. Each corner of the base is a tribute to members of the Danish royal family. We pointed them out and took a mental note each time we passed one, briskly walking around the base’s perimeter, hypothesising what the next one could be before we reached it. We realised the time, as well as our close proximity to Østerport Station, and made our way home. Assuming we’d braved the worst of the weather, we grabbed an ice-cream while it was dry and sunny, only to suddenly get entrapped in rain again, torrential this time. We semi-sprinted to Østerport, holding our cones close to our chests, protecting them like new-born children, laughing hysterically because of course it child would rain as soon as we’d bought ice-cream.
The day we’d scheduled to visit Copenhagen, we got up early; our bijou complex was situated snuggly in lush woodland with other twee holiday homes, interlinked with rugged pathways where tufts of grass and other shrubberies would grow through from underneath. We leisurely cycled through Nykøbing, pleasantly smiling at the infrequent but kind-seeming strangers, until it inf started to rain, where we had to speed up to alleviate getting too wet. This was to no avail; the safe haven of the dry train did not remain safe, for our coats, socks, and shoes doused seats and the loor. Luckily, we were pretty much the only ones on the carriage for the irst few stops. Apart from drying off, we spent the journey staring into the expansive countryside pastures that, as we got closer to the capital, became more and more densely populated with people and buildings. We could see them becoming hamlets, then villages, towns, suburbs. Our irst stop in Copenhagen was the famous Tivoli Gardens: a compact amusement park illed to the brim with vibrant wildlife, diverse pa architecture and inventive rides. Looking from the outside you would guess it was relatively small compared to the city station, but once you enter and get in the thick of it you start to realise its real size. After strolling through Nyhavn, a colourful pair of
streets divided by a canal running through the middle, we stopped off at a Danish, family-ran pub and tried the rather decadent Stjerneskud – ‘shooting star’, titled after its layout. It consisted of both fried and steamed plaice, salmon, prawns, asparagus, salmon caviar, salad and toast. Needless to say, I wouldn’t need to eat for the rest of the day for I’d acquired acqui plenty of energy to continue our trek across the city. We crossed over a bridge teeming with padlocks on either side, each fastened by a loving couple, a la the legendary Pont des Arts on the French Seine. I think we would’ve left our own padlock there if we weren’t gawking at the different coloured buildings that lined up along the harbour ha – “Ooh, that one’s pretty”.
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I think the memory of the trip stands as a solid representation not only of our relationship thus far, but also as the beginning of our relationship’s future. Additionally, it was a well-needed prompt that’s triggered the motivation to begin travel-writing that in the future I’d love to continue. We’re yet to experience Copenhagen’s and Nykøbing’s N true intricacies, so come September when we return, I will excitedly anticipate honing this craft to compose more tantalising tales of Denmark’s sprawling ields, gorgeous jords and extravagant cities.
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FEATURED EXEC
THE ONLY WAY IS
! P U
The New Year brings joy and determination to many, especially to societies! Here’s how our chat with BFT Film Production’s Georgia Smithies (Social Secretary) gave us an insight into the future of ilm making on campus and in the world. I am enjoying enj a quiet afternoon in Curiositea, sipping an oat milk hot chocolate and slouching into the armchairs. Georgia Smithies bounces into the café, and her con ident and bubbly energy warms the room immediately. Geo Georgia has spent the last year as BFT Film Production’s Social Secretary, and she is born for her role. Georgia is excited about ilm on campus, and she has many great reasons to be. Especially because BFT is screening their annual competition, BFTen, in Milburn House on the evening of our conversation.
14 Photography: Emilly Taylor
Georgia tells me all about it over hot chocolate. Every year, BFT pick a theme and ask anyone who could be interested to submit short scripts based on that theme. Then the winning teams get the opportunity to ilm and screen their very own scripts, all equipment provided. This year, the theme was pro “When life gives you lemons”, and Georgia recounts how some submissions are hilariously based entirely around drowning in an unprecedented amount of citric fruit. What makes the competition, and by extension, BFT as a society, so great is that anyone can get involved, amateur
or professional, ilm buffs or just the curious. Georgia tells me how easy it can be these days. With advancements in technology never so rapidly changing the modern world we live in as it does today, it’s as easy as ilming a short skit on your phone. And that is where our conversation leads us, into a discussion of ilm in the modern era, e VOD and ilm, and the all-important questions of the Oscars. Net lix is almost considered a utility by many young adults, and Georgia is hopeful about its impact. “The short answer is yes, cinema is dying”, she says, “Net lix makes ilm so much more accessible to so many people.” Many know of Martin Scorsese’s comments about Marvel ilms, but to clarify, Scorsese marks them as ‘not cinema’, and Georgia has her own opinions too. cinem “Franchises are more of an event, or a spectacle,” she says on why so many directors and ilmmakers are turning towards VOD services, like Net lix and Prime. But of course, many are opposed. Georgia makes note of the bias in the industry towards Anglo-centric and Western production studios, especially in the US. As no interview about ilm would be complete without doing so, we talk about the Oscars. I ask Georgia what she thinks will win Best Picture, and begrudgingly, she admits Joker (Todd Phillips, 2019) could have a chance. But really, she hopes for Parasite (Bong Joon Ho, 2019), a Korean ilm about an unemployed young man and his family in iltrating the lives of a far wealthier family. Georgia tells me that she hopes it gets the recognition it deserves, but of course, she’s sceptical of a white, English dominated industry giving any acknowledgement to an auteur ilm made overseas.
creative folk, and I am left feeling hopeful for them. I ask her to sum up her experience of her time at BFT and she smiles widely. “The only way is up!” she laughs, and we share a thoughtful moment about community and niche. As a niche creative community ourselves, Cobalt has to navigate the line between getting the word out and watering down our content. We know what it is like to watch other societies lourish with hundreds and hundreds of members and money to launt whilst we budget lower and lower every year. We know what it is like to be proud of our uniqueness and our communities, and we know how it feels to have that community come and go with the changing times.
On a lighter note, she tells me all about what BFT have planned for the rest of the year. They hope to run another competition in the coming weeks, which those interested can keep up to date with via their social media. They run frequent screen writing workshops, and Georgia emphasises that they are always there for help. “If you want to make a ilm but need equipment, we can help,” she beams. In the future, they want to rebrand to a accessible name. Georgia tells me that membership for BFT is less enthusiastic than is previous years, and they hope collectively that a name change will get people interested. Certainly, the interest in ilmmaking on campus has not disappeared, and BFT is an excellent society to join if you’re even slightly interested. Her hopes for the future of BFT are that it can grow an even bigger, passionate community of
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Everyone has experienced similar situations to this, and it is no lie that niche creative ields are not booming with popularity. But sitting there, clutching our coats around us as the cold seeps through the half propped-open door to the café, we both smile at the things we love so much about having such close-knit communities around us. And we know that truly, the only way ar we can possibly go is up.
going
GREEN 16
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“Is Kim coming?” Lina asked, twisting the studs in her ear. Pauline glanced over. “Kim? She got married last month.” “You’re joking.” Pauline laughed without replying. “I didn’t even know she dated.” “You can change the station,” Pauline offered. Lina was tempted, the lady crooning on the radio sounded a bit like her mum and God knows what she would say about Lina getting another piercing. Every time Lina brought up what her friends were talking about, whether it was parties or music, her mum would go off on a completely different tangent “your body is a temple dear.” She never came out and said it but she had drawn invisible lines from point A to F to Z, marking parties out as breeding grounds for the profane and the sacrilegious like tattoos, alcohol, cigarettes and sex, and treated them all with derisiveness and contempt. “Yeah, I mean, she eloped with this guy,” Pauline said, jerking the wheel to avoid an incoming car. It screamed by, leaving a long honk in its wake but Pauline drove on cheerfully. “They’re on their honeymoon or something.” “She’s crazy.” “I mean, she’s old enough, isn’t she?” “Isn’t she like, our age? That’s still pretty young.” “I mean, there’s only a limited number of things that can happen to a person if you think about it, and like the more you try to control it, the closer you get to a cookie-cutter life.” “Are you saying you would?” “You sound like your mum.” Pauline turned the wheel again and Lina clung on to the door as the car slipped down a side road. “Oh damn, really?” Lina said latly. The tire made a scraping noise. “Ow.” The foliage was thicker here, it arced overhead like a tunnel that cut through time and space. The radio buzzed out of control and Pauline shut it off. “You can put on Spotify if you like. You know where the jack is.” “Forget it, we’re almost there.” It was only another ive minutes before they reached the inn but it felt like twenty by the time the tiny Kia crunched onto the gravel driveway. Lina looked out of the window. A dark mansion stretched high into the sky, decked out in emerald green climbing ivy, red brick and lattice windows. It looked just like the picture on the BnB website. “It’s such a troll, huh?” Pauline said as she drove around to the back where a line of squat rooms bordered an open ield, the real rooms for rent. They looked like they’d been slapped together with plywood and compromise. Watermarks ran down the side and trash was piled up on the end closest to the trees. They parked the car next to all the others and climbed out. “Isn’t this false advertising? I’m amazed they haven’t closed down.” “What? When the concierge is better than the room? That’s just any old hotel.” Lina checked the room number against her texts. “Well?” Pauline said. “Hurry up, I’m freezing.” The room was comfortably occupied, people scattered by the whirlwind of music blasting from Bluetooth speakers. Cups and snacks covered the sparse furniture like confetti, sat on the table was a large cake with a single candle in it and a big chunk scooped out the side. Someone was in the corner lounging on an armchair and smiling at the chaos. She was drinking something out of a can but it was too dark in the room to tell what it was. “Lina! Pauline!” She called out, waving the pair over. “Should I really be trusting you to do this while you’re sloshed?” Lina shouted over the noise and got a friendly shove in return. “This is just a coke.” “Oh, well then.” “Another one?” Lina nodded and pointed to where she wanted it. Sandra raised her eyebrows, then she gave a nod of approval. She pulled out a piercing kit and gestured to the loor. “Sit down and let’s do this.” In the morning there the was blood on the pillow and Lina’s voice was almost completely gone. The room was emptier than it had been as people wandered off one by one as the night dragged on. By her feet, Pauline slept, exhausted from staying up with her the whole night. Lina was careful not to wake her, she had a long drive ahead. She got off the loor and picked her way out of the dogpile of people to wash out the blood and brush her teeth to get rid of the taste of iron. Outside the pre-dawn p air was brisk and as foggy as Lina’s own head. Sandra was sat at the rotting picnic table smoking a cigarette. She didn’t look up, but once Lina was close enough, Sandra slung a hand around Lina’s head and dragged her in to examine the wound. “Cartilage piercings take at least three to nine months to heal.” She licked the tip of Lina’s reddened ear for good measure and she jerked back in pain. “Ow!” “One. You slept on it. Two, three.” Sandra counted the little silver studs and rings. She didn’t say anything about Lina’s red eyes at least. “And that makes four. Didn’t your mum have something to say about this? All of this?” She waved vaguely. Lina sucked suc in a lungful of cold air. “She would if she could. But she pushed so hard for me to get earrings, she’d be glad I have a million holes now.” She laughed out a cloud. “Maybe I should chop off my ears and burn them. Then she might see them in heaven...or hell.” Sandra scratched her forehead and then pointed out towards the greyish horizon. “Sun’s rising. You have school tomorrow?” Lina, checking her phone, grunted and Sandra nodded. “Want a smoke?” “Yeah, no thanks, mum would haunt me for sure.”
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IMPERCIPIENT
19
SHERALYN LOH
what I know now Ruby Barnard
This is not a path to walk, but a forest to Conquer. Starting a blaze will remove no memories, and drowning the trees will not replace the old leaves. This forest will pass through seasons, and you can never predict the rain. Sun beams will be absorbed by sodden soil and frosts will be endured. A cull of these trees, or conservation effort to restore it to its former beauty Will not work. Time will weather each branch, and it will learn where to grow to bask in sun beams. The forest is embroidered into your map, but you choose who may navigate there. Walk the paths not for escape, but for an understanding. Build a holiday holid home in the wild lower clearing, entice yourself to visit, and treat yourself when you must. Place a mat at the door, and welcome yourself to Recovery
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THE FUTURE OF FILM
THE DIGITAL AGE, STREAMING, AND ITS IMAPCT ON CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE
Bethany Lee Film is still considered a relatively new and ever-changing artform. Numerous developments have been made throughout its course raising the question of what the future brings. The transformation of ilm quality in terms of CGI and production is undeniable; however, as we approach the new decade, the most signi icant changes seem to be in how ilms are consumed.
The necessity of theatre screening is a rule Moonlight director Barry Jenkins predicts “will always be a quali ication for the Academy Awards” in order to protect ilm traditions. Legendary director Steven Spielsberg also claims streaming service’s releases should never be eligible for Oscars and renowned ilmmaker Christopher Nolan refuses to even ilmma work with platforms like Net lix . With the Oscars now approaching and Net lix-produced ilms like Marriage Story (Noah Baumbach, 2019) and The Irishman (Martin Scorsese, 2019) being nominated, these ideas and traditionalist views are being called into question.
Everyone is familiar with the cinema-going experience: grabbing the popcorn, settling into your seat next to friends and family and watching the magic unfold on the big screen before you. However, we are now in the midst of a new wave of ilm aesthetics: streaming. Platforms like Net lix, Amazon Prime and even YouTube are changing the way we watch ilms You and TV, as well as the way they are released. As these platforms begin to bring out their own original material, skipping theatrical release, Hollywood inds itself facing new competition.
A large counterargument to the traditionalist cinephile’s wariness of these new original ilms is the wider opportunity they give to a diverse range of ilmmakers. Jessica Chastain, amongst many women, has spoken in defence of the digital age stating, “I’ve seen a lot of female ilmmakers get opportunities at Net lix and Amazon that they th haven’t gotten through the studio system” (1). If these new platforms are providing diversity denied by larger studio systems and enabling diverse ilms to reach new and wider audiences, what is the harm?
With the increased availability of movies and shows online, going out to the cinema is arguably becoming rarer: if you can stream from home, why leave the house? Box-of ices are starting to show that theatrical releases only attract big audiences if the ilm is an “event movie” such as a new Star Wars or Marvel release. As a result, smaller ilms or those without a pre-existing p loyal fanbase struggle to perform well at the box-of ice. Films like Whiplash (Damien Chazelle, 2014) and Booksmart (Olivia Wilde, 2019), which have since achieved high critical acclaim, did not perform in the box-of ice or reach their intended audiences until post-theatrical release. What is being called into in question then, with the rise of streaming, is to what extent theatrical release is necessary for a ilm to be successful.
Considering the already revolutionary impact streaming services have had on ilmmaking and audience consumption, various possibilities stand for the future of ilm. Will cinema survive? Will the hype and success of streaming continue? How will the ways we consume ilms have changed in the next 20 or even 10 years? Whatever new developments ev may occur, the increased accessibility of ilm to a wider range of audiences promises to uphold it as a recognised and appreciated artform in years to come. It is an uncertain future that I cannot wait to see.
Whilst the future of cinema is unknown, many in the industry view theatrical release as a crucial unmissable step for a ilm. It is for this reason that streaming releases (e.g. Net lix original ilms) are often considered inferior or unworthy of award nominations.
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THE FUTURE IS NOW “So, I just inished this fascinating book. By the year 2030, there will be computers that can carry out the same amount of functions as an actual human brain! So, theoretically, you could download your thoughts and memories into this computer and…and live forever, as a machine!” Ross Geller, Friends – Season 6, 1999
BY SHRIYA GANESH TREASURER AI-empowered digital supermodel Shudu as part of its BAFTA sponsorship. Shudu captured the out its of all A-listers on the red carpet and shared pictures with fans and onlookers through a chatbot. The AI technology helped this virtual stylist understand the shape, cut, fabric, and design of the clothes worn by celebrities, and then search for similar but more inexpensive sea alternatives to allow fans to dress like their idols! If this innovation becomes more popular, one day, you too could be dressing like Kendall.
21 years ago, the above statement was met with judgemental eyes and sarcasm at the hands of fellow character Chandler Bing. But would that exact statement warrant the same reaction today? Probably not. Being only on 10 years away from 2030, the thought of a computer being able to do that doesn’t sound entirely absurd, especially with all the technological developments that have taken place over this past decade alone. We all have experienced some form of digitally-enabled transition, either from lip phones to smartphones or from f DVDs to Net lix. The innovations are endless and continue to bloom as we move into the future.
3. IKEA Place Designed by Swedish home accessories company, the IKEA Place mobile app uses Augmented Reality (AR) to show unsure customers how their house would transform with the purchase of the IKEA product they desire. All they have to do is focus their camera to the section of their house they want the product to be placed in and the app uses AR to display it, giving customers an idea of whether the product would suit the décor of their home or not! Looks like we won’t be needing to Pivot any sofas up the stairs to see what that would look like, phew!
Here is a list of some of the less talked about but equally mind-blowing digital innovations that have the potential to radicalise the way things are done this decade. 1. Moley – The World’s First Robotic Kitchen Mol Robotics, headquartered in London, Moley created service robots to assist in kitchen work. Recently, it came out with its most innovative creation – a robotic kitchen. The kitchen is operated entirely by robotic hands which have been programmed using cutting-edge technology and human expertise to operate in a kitchen as any regular human would. They can pick up an utensils, measure ingredients, prepare dishes, and clean up after themselves. The Moley robots have been programmed to prepare any dish in the world to perfection, meaning you could potentially have the robot cook for you as Gordon Ramsey in proxy!
4. L’Oréal Paris’ Makeup Genius Unsure of purchasing makeup online? Fear not, L’Oréal has got your back! The renowned French makeup brand released a mobile app recently that seeks to change how we buy makeup. Using AR, it allows users to browse the catalogue of products and test foundation, lipstick, blush, eyeshadow and more, through the screen itself ! Users essentially virtually apply makeup and create a look that they virtual can later share to social media or replicate through the purchase of the products tested. Good job, L’Oréal!
2. EE’s Shudu British mobile network operator EE designed
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s p a c e m a n
BY EMILLY TAYLOR PRESIDENT
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New Year’s Embracing A Positive Retrospective
Ollie Birchall Well done for surviving the overwhelming in lux of New Year’s Resolutions over the last few weeks: 2020 has arrived! This is the time of the year when we swiftly move on from the Christmas festivities, towards the super icial pledges of bettering ourselves, and our pathetic attempts to keep it that way begin. Whether it be trying to self-manufacture a ‘beach bod’ for the summer, or swearing under oath to start the new hobby of running, as a society we can’t help but to join in with this cringeworthy parade of promises on social media. And our reasons for participating in this simply boil down to the sheepish statement: ‘that’s just what everyone does’. Having said that, what concerns me is the impact of this relentless niggling self-critic on the wellbeing of individuals. Year upon year we try to push ourselves to become what we see as a ‘better identity’. Often this is in terms of itness and diets, after everyone lets themselves go for the Christmas period with treats and snacks which are not typically enjoyed throughout the rest of the year. However, these burdens to enhance ourselves can also plague into other aspects of our lives: such as feeling obliged to better one’s social life, or constantly aiming for that next bet promotion. All in all, the main goal being to achieve an idealised conception of what society sees as the ‘best form’. Isn’t that sad? A batch-produced ‘New Year, New Me’ tag brandished upon the overwritten corpse of one’s individual identity. After all, if everyone is following the same ideal conception, aren’t we all going to be identical? Where’s the personality in that? Whe One thing for certain we need to start or continue to implement is looking after our mental health. Coming to the forefront of social problems at the start of the decade, mental health awareness has grown dramatically, and we need to invest time into looking after our wellbeing as individuals. Nowadays, there is too much pressure to appear successful and present a perfect image. Fuelled by the power of social media, with mobile phones performing the key to constant social surveillance, we can’t escape this 24/7 bombardment of super iciality. Especially this time of the year, with all the social expectation for a ‘new start’, the pressure can get too much for some, inevitably leading to a perplexing spiral of self-doubt and uncertainty. Until we realise that the dangling carrot of perfection is unattainable, and our lives have been wasted dan away trying to outmatch a sense of contentment.
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Continuation And Prospective Outlook
Particularly among students - who have a tough term of hard work on the horizon, in combination with the majority recently leaving the comfort zones of their hometown and families - it may be dif icult to endure this swarm of virtual peer-pressure to transform oneself. Do get me wrong, optimism is healthy. Pushing yourself out of your comfort Don’t zone can be a great way to meet new people and discover interests and talents you never you would enjoy. I personally had an out of comfort zone experience undertaking the role as Head Boy at my Sixth Form, as I previously feared public speaking. But after perseverance and determination, I overcame this hurdle towards self-con idence. Up to this day, I have always been grateful for that opportunity, and continue to apply the skill to my current lifestyle. Albeit, I was not intimidated into, nor did I feel coerced to take the step out Albei of my comfort zone; I consciously made that change. Maybe we should start to focus on the concept of ‘New Year’s Continuation’ rather than ‘New Year’s Resolution’, and work hard to continue something we believe we have done well in the past year. By doing this, we then have a chance to acknowledge our own strength of character, commending the aspects of our personalities which – rather than urging modi ications upon them – need cultivating with pride. As we look into the future, I believe it’s important for people to re lect on the achievements they have made over the past year, or even the past decade. Of course, we can adapt with manageable chunks of change; but one thing we do so rarely, which I think is so crucial, is to take a step back and be proud of the people we have become today. Regardless of the accomplishment being as little as someone completing a book that they had intended to read for ages, to as big as the beginnings of a new relationship: progress has been made. Look beyond bettering yourself in terms of your social identity, and instead look upon exploiting your own interests further: see where these take you. No matter how big or small the achievement is, there is no difference in the signi icance of an achievement, as long as it makes you feel better about yourself.
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“Light” S. Iqraa Bukhari
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