documentary – Ptara

Nasty film review

Posted on May 9, 2024June 20, 2024 by Vasco de Sousa

Ilie Nastase was voted fifty-fifth. (according to the “Mari Romani” show.)

His teammate, Ion Tiriac, ranked 77.

While Ion Tiriac’s wax statue was displayed recently at Iulius mall, Ilie “Nasty” Nastase is the title character of the documentary about the golden age of men’s tennis in Romania. While a search for “Tiriac” might yield results for the former tennis great’s successful businesses (including Tiriac Auto and Allianz Tiriac insurance company) a search for “Nastase” brings results about the other player himself. Ion Tiriac is a success story to be proud of, but Mr. Nastase is a character to remember.

Our favorite online film schools

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Chinny McGringo

There’s a lot of misinformation online. And, a lot of false things have been said about the film industry, many of which were being said even before the Internet.

It seems like some of the worst advice has found its way to top of the search results.

But, among all the misinformation (some of which you have to pay to access), I found a few courses that would be useful to filmmakers. Continue reading “Our favorite online film schools”

The difference between Development and Pre-Production

Posted on January 6, 2015December 21, 2022 by Vasco de Sousa

Acquiring the seed and a spot to plant it in, that is development. Planting the seed, that is pre-production. When it finally bears fruit, then you have a film. – Ptara

Once again, techies have been spreading misinformation on how a film is made. Just because you helped design a cool piece of software doesn’t mean you know everything, and one thing they especially seem to get wrong is the difference between development and pre-production.

The main problem is that most of them don’t seem to think that there is a difference, or they think that development is part of pre-production. (Hint: I highly recommend Micheal Wohl\’s course on how to use Final Cut Pro X, although I take issue with some of his workflow advice, and also recommend his course on Apple Motion. However, steer clear of his course on Production, it\’s very badly researched and poorly prepared.) Continue reading “The difference between Development and Pre-Production”

What started the war of 1812? Canadian and American viewpoints

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Chinny McGringo

Today Ptara is joined by two world class historians who give their take on what started the war of 1812.

They examine the speeches of the British Parliament and the US House of Representatives. From Jefferson’s purchase of Louisiana, up to the repeal of the Orders of Council, the US and Britain had shaky relations. Continue reading “What started the war of 1812? Canadian and American viewpoints”