May 2015 ~ E: Media 24

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

A Few Reasons Why Animated Videos Are Amazing

Animation is a form of storytelling that appeals to vision in a way live action movies sometimes cannot. They can present vibrant colors, unique characters, and stylistic art in order to tell a story. An animated video can tell a story in a unique way and there are many reasons for that.

3. Appeal

Animation is captivation. People are, by nature, visual creatures. Through vision we take in the world around us, and our eyes look for things that please them. Animated videos appeal to that desire and engage the viewer in a particular way. Concepts are better understood when they are shown rather than told, such as the "I'm Just a Bill" video mentioned earlier. Animation makes it easy to learn a new concept or take in a story.

An animated video captures the audience's attention, opens their eyes and minds to new ideas, and engages them in a unique, memorable experience. It is through animation that true storytelling is fully realized.

Powerhouse Animation is a traditional 2d animation studio based in Austin, Texas. Since 2001, Powerhouse has been making ideas come to life through animation, illustration, and motion graphics. With a staff of 35 in-house artists, animators, videographers and designers, Powerhouse works on a wide variety of projects and has created animation for companies including Disney, Sony, Marvel, DC, Old Spice, Miramax, the USO and more.

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Original video animation, or animated films and series made especially for release in home video formats, has become a burgeoning enterprise in the entertainment realm, particularly in Japan, where it originated. But OVA also holds promise here as a unique means to convey a corporate promotional message, especially when your audience is techno-savvy and entertainment-minded. Here are five ways animation can introduce or enhance a brand - or simply tell a story in a different way.

Introduce a world that supports your message - Yamaha created an animated video series called "The Master of Torque." It features stories told in two to seven minutes that contain various characters who experience all manner of adventures, many of which include rides on Yamaha motorcycles. The good guys always seem to outrace the bad guys, subtly suggesting that the Yamaha motorcycle is special.

Present characters that the audience will associate with you - A common theme in animation is the hero or heroine. As with conventional comic-book-based animated films, there can be flaws or complex circumstances that have rendered an unconventional protagonist. But the protagonist is almost always compelling - to the point that at the end of an episode the viewer can't wait to see what takes place in the next one. Speaking of...

Take advantage of the serial format - Animation is best employed when it is part of an ongoing series. Episode One introduces something that ties to Episode Two. Episode Two is wrought with adventures that create the need for resolution, which you find in Episode Three. And so on. If it is done well, original video animation creates a bond between the story's characters (and its adventures) and the viewer. Engaging the audience is top priority with any type of communication, and OVA is an excellent way to appeal to the demographic noted in the first paragraph.

Make beautiful music together - By together, we mean the integration of the images in the video and music you choose to share with your audience. MTV introduced the music video back in the 1980s, and gradually, as the first song that ever played on the network predicted, "Video Killed the Radio Star." Everyone wanted an image to go along with the song.

Why? Because a song took on a whole new dynamic as a video, as it escaped the sound realm and ventured into sight, as well. Video animating can do the same thing, only in a "next generation" way. Here's an example of a company creating compelling characters, enhancing their situation with music, and reinforcing just how cool this company is for doing all that, in just over three minutes, no less.

Enjoy the sizzle, but focus on the steak - Almost any technological bell or whistle will hold some appeal for a time, but unless it gives the audience a practical reason to respond or react to a brand, product, or service, it is doomed to be a near miss. You want hits. A well-focused original video animation can hit a home run.

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I have not written much lately. I used to write daily but that was a long time ago. It is true that work, family and a home business have taken up a lot of my time. But, I have not felt as driven to write as I used to feel, too. This entry is my attempt to get back into writing and discussing comic books and classic cartoons.

http://entertainmentmedia24.blogspot.com/

I have not watched any old Woody Woodpecker or Andy Panda cartoons for a few years. I need to spend an evening introducing my daughter to the good old cartoons I grew up watching. That said, she has watched Pink Panther and loves him. I even bought her a collection of the earliest Pink Panther cartoons. (I forgot he actually talked in a few of them.) Soon, I will find time to show my girl who Woody Woodpecker is and why he is a classic character. I've said it before but I'll say it again, the best Woody cartoons were the earliest years when he was pestering Wally Walrus, had a larger body and crazy eyes.

Regarding animated/comic book characters, I am very excited to see the new Fantastic Four movie coming out this summer. There has been a lot of controversy over the movie and Marvel Comics fans are split on whether it will be a good or bad film. Of course, we will not really know until the movie comes out.

But, why are some comic book readers upset about the upcoming Fantastic Four movie? Some fans are upset that the tone of the movie is going to be more serious than past FF movies. Other fans are upset that an African-American actor is cast as the Human Torch. Meanwhile, others are upset that Doctor Doom's last name has been changed. None of these changes really upset me and I am a longtime Fantastic Four fan. I am a little concerned that the Thing may be naked in the movie (as it appears in previews). However, I will be happy as long as there is heroics, drama and the four act like family.

Another comic book/cartoon character I have been revisiting recently is Wonder Woman. A few months ago I purchased a DVD set of the first season of Wonder Woman from the 1970s. I remember seeing the show a few times as a child but never really watched it back in the late 1970s and early 1980s (when it was still in reruns). However, I am very impressed by the series. The first year of the television series was set in the 1940s and has Wonder Woman fighting Nazis alongside Steve Trevor. It even had her close friend Etta Candy and sister Wonder Girl in the show. The first year of the show is a perfect representation of the Golden Age Wonder Woman. I feel Lynda Carter was the perfect choice to play the role, too. She looks like I would expect Wonder Woman to look in real life.

Let's continue to remember classic characters of the past, such as Woody Woodpecker and Wonder Woman, while being open to new interpretations of our favorites, as in the case of the Fantastic Four.

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Paprika is an amazingly complex and entertaining anime. It takes us into a different world and shows us incredible events mainly from the perspective of Doctor Atsuko Chiba and Detective Toshimi Konakawa. Chiba leads a research team in the development of a device to be used for psychotherapy called the DC Mini. She starts using it to treat Konakawa, but somebody steals the DC Mini and throws the world into chaos as dreams and reality begin to merge. Paprika is a representation of contemporary Japanese society as it deals with issues of becoming an increasingly technological society.

Paprika shows the dangers and benefits of technology. The idea that technology can have good and bad components is common to many other anime in science fiction, apocalyptic, and mecha genres. J. P. Telotte terms the idea of celebrating technology while being wary of its destructive and dehumanizing potential "double vision" (Napier 86).

Paprika shows various examples of how technology, represented by the DC Mini, can be used to benefit humankind. Chiba uses the DC Mini medically to treat Konakawa's recurring nightmares and ultimately resolve his psychological conflict. The DC Mini is also a device of empowerment. It opens up the dream world in a way where people can learn to actively resolve their internal, psychological problems. Konakawa ultimately resolves his issue of dealing with his friend's death by confronting his problems in the dream world. Chiba uses her alternate personality named Paprika in the dream world to help others through psychotherapy. The DC Mini is shown as a technology that can have a great potential to help others.

Paprika also presents apocalyptic visions of Japan through its interaction with the DC Mini. The chairman steals the DC Mini in an attempt to merge everyone's dreams resulting in blurred lines between reality and dreams. This shows the potential for technology to be used selfishly to carry out an individual's personal desires leading to chaos in the world. Furthermore, this could be interpreted as a criticism on technology's capability to disengage people from reality and rely on "comfort-through-escape" (Figal). Figal applies this idea specifically to media as represented in Paranoia Agent, but a similar idea may be applied to the concept of the DC Mini in Paprika. In the dream world, even when people are dragged into the chaotic parade of dreams created by the chairman, people are shown to be in a crazed happy state.

Technology also has an ambiguous influence on identity. This is shown through Chiba's personality contrasted with Paprika, her alternate form. Chiba is shown to be a very serious, somewhat introverted woman committed to her work while Paprika is very extroverted and carefree. This might represent the struggle of identity on an individual level for people living in a high tech world.

This presents both positive and negative aspects of technology. The DC Mini allows Chiba to explore and display different aspects of herself in different worlds (the real world and the technological/dream one accessed through the DC Mini), but her two sides conflict with each other. This is manifested in actually arguments between the two characters. So while technology may provide a way for individuals to express various aspects of themselves they may not otherwise be able to, it also may present conflicts between different aspects of the self that someone may not be able to reconcile with.

Paprika presents the idea of "double vision" of technology. The DC Mini can at once be used for healing and empowerment, but also be used to take over the world and destroy order. It can provide a method for individuals to express conflicting sides of themselves.

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Animation - It Has Life In It

'Animation' the word itself bespeaks loud that it has life in it. It is all about putting life into characters and models and making them look real and life-like. The story goes, to a couple of years back when becoming an animator was like a dream come true. But going down twenty years, the dream was practically impossible, for many to achieve. Then becoming an animator meant going to college, studying an illustrative graduation degree or probably if you are lucky enough you might get yourself an apprenticeship from a professional animator. It was earlier a mere diploma degree. But these days the path to becoming an animator is easier as many of the colleges are offering a certified degree course in animation.

Disney Dreams are no longer intangible. With the advent of Pixar, Toy Story 3D, aspirations soared high in dreamy eyes and the animation industry got changed forever. Consequently, the demand for animators, both traditional and 3D including visual effects got increased with the success of each 3D movie. However during the economic recession that had hit worldwide, the booming industry saw a setback. Yet the spirits of the true animators could not be canned down and they fought their way out. Adversaries should never be allowed to dominate your spirit.

Your goal is to put life into every non-living character and bring them closer to the human heart and life. The challenge is to make them appear so real that people are able to relate to them and yearn to see them even after the movie gets over. They become such real super heroes, that the fans go crazy about them. Films like Madagascar, Ice Age and Despicable Me got made into several sequels because there was a great furor amongst the public for the animated characters.

You might have dreamt to become an animator all your life, but have always discouraged yourself, only because you are not very skilful when it comes to drawing. You might have heard that the very foundation to animation is drawing.

He who is good at sketching or drawing sees his future as a good animator. Then let me tell you, that drawing is a crucial part of animation, but not the only thing about animation. Do not feel intimidated if you turn out to be bad in drawing? Not all are naturally gifted. But it is through practise that one can acquire expertise in his skills.

Drawing is like a muscle that requires to be flexed everyday, making your will and skill stronger with every passing day.It takes a lot to become an animator. Every shot is like a new challenge even to an experienced animator.

Being able to produce a good quality animation, is not an easy task. Learning of animation does not end with the animation school course. It is just the beginning. Animation of every new character is a new chapter that requires thorough learning. One has to be meticulous and observant in his work. It is like your baby to whom you put in life and allow it to breathe.

Meet the expert in multimedia, visual effects and the animation industry. Get acquainted with the spirit of an animator and learn to create the magic of animation.

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Utena is the perfect example of a shÅjo anime. The movie is complete with a naïve fantasy of princes and princesses and adolescent girls with characteristically big eyes, flowing hair, and magic powers. ShÅjo themes remain clearly present throughout the film. It includes intensely emotional scenes overflowing with roses and relationship conflicts. But this story is not a traditional shÅjo tale. Utena is unique because the storyline overtly displays the shÅjo using her abject female identity to overcome patriarchal societies' expectations of the ideal female.

Utena appears similar to a regular fairy tale on the exterior but is clearly different underneath. The fairy tale-like story is used to critique the illusions found in fairy tales (Napier 176). Like a classic fairy tale, Utena arrives at a castle-like academy dressed like a prince and must fight other duelists in order to save the Rose Bride, Anthy. But Utena diverges from the regular fairy tale because Utena is female and the castle-like academy and princes are only illusions. Utena and Anthy created the illusion when they denied and rationalized the negative aspects of their princes' identities.

After their idealized fantasy is shattered, Utena makes the revolutionary decision to leave their current fairy-tale world with Anthy. Upon leaving, the fairy tale academy is shown to be a dark and empty place filled only with straw dolls. The world is destroyed once Utena and Anthy decide to leave it behind since it was a fantasy upheld only by their imagined ideals of a patriarchal fairy tale land.

Utena really brings home the idea of shÅjo and possibilities available to the abject female identity because Utena uses her identity to carry out an apocalypse of the fairy tale world. According to Frenchy Lunning, the shÅjo is the perfect vehicle for potentially creating new female social identities because she is able to escape patriarchal societies' expectations of a woman by switching between the image of an innocent girl and a mature woman (Lunning).

Utena is a unique shÅjo because she consciously recognizes her potential to change the world. Utena carries out in the storyline what Lunning states that the shÅjo does through repeated manifestations in our society. Shes takes it one step further by seizing the opportunity created by her abject identity to create a new identity.

She does this through conscious rejection of patriarchal ideals. Utena and Anthy reject the existence of princes and the idealized female by deciding to leave behind the role of the oppressed Rose Bride and false memories of their princes.

Utena used the potential in her adolescent, not-quite-set shÅjo identity to pursue new identities and a relationship with Anthy. Utena takes the shÅjo story one step further because she is a shÅjo character herself but actively uses her identity to create new possibilities for herself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_H_Lee

Utena is the perfect example of a shÅjo anime. The movie is complete with a naïve fantasy of princes and princesses and adolescent girls with characteristically big eyes, flowing hair, and magic powers. ShÅjo themes remain clearly present throughout the film. It includes intensely emotional scenes overflowing with roses and relationship conflicts. But this story is not a traditional shÅjo tale. Utena is unique because the storyline overtly displays the shÅjo using her abject female identity to overcome patriarchal societies' expectations of the ideal female.

Utena appears similar to a regular fairy tale on the exterior but is clearly different underneath. The fairy tale-like story is used to critique the illusions found in fairy tales (Napier 176). Like a classic fairy tale, Utena arrives at a castle-like academy dressed like a prince and must fight other duelists in order to save the Rose Bride, Anthy. But Utena diverges from the regular fairy tale because Utena is female and the castle-like academy and princes are only illusions. Utena and Anthy created the illusion when they denied and rationalized the negative aspects of their princes' identities.

After their idealized fantasy is shattered, Utena makes the revolutionary decision to leave their current fairy-tale world with Anthy. Upon leaving, the fairy tale academy is shown to be a dark and empty place filled only with straw dolls. The world is destroyed once Utena and Anthy decide to leave it behind since it was a fantasy upheld only by their imagined ideals of a patriarchal fairy tale land.

Utena really brings home the idea of shÅjo and possibilities available to the abject female identity because Utena uses her identity to carry out an apocalypse of the fairy tale world. According to Frenchy Lunning, the shÅjo is the perfect vehicle for potentially creating new female social identities because she is able to escape patriarchal societies' expectations of a woman by switching between the image of an innocent girl and a mature woman (Lunning).

Utena is a unique shÅjo because she consciously recognizes her potential to change the world. Utena carries out in the storyline what Lunning states that the shÅjo does through repeated manifestations in our society. Shes takes it one step further by seizing the opportunity created by her abject identity to create a new identity. She does this through conscious rejection of patriarchal ideals.

Utena and Anthy reject the existence of princes and the idealized female by deciding to leave behind the role of the oppressed Rose Bride and false memories of their princes. Utena used the potential in her adolescent, not-quite-set shÅjo identity to pursue new identities and a relationship with Anthy. Utena takes the shÅjo story one step further because she is a shÅjo character herself but actively uses her identity to create new possibilities for herself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_H_Lee

As an advertiser, you know the importance of capturing your target audience's attention with appealing and relevant ads. For years, static ads have been good enough to do just this. However, in today's market, animated ads offer an exciting and effective way to garner you the kind of customer attention you need to successfully grow your company, especially if you wish to target younger audiences. Following are a few of the reasons that using animation to reach younger audiences is the smart move to make.

Animated Ads Are Engaging

Part of the reason that animated ads are an effective way to reach younger audiences is that they are by their very nature more engaging than static ads. For instance, they tend to be more unique than static ads, and therefore more likely to grab your audience's attention.

In addition, people are hardwired to respond to movement. As a result, the activity in animated ads draws the consumer's attention away from whatever they are doing and focus it on your company's message.

Finally, animation advertising is an engaging way to communicate your brand because it allows you to create appealing characters and worlds that draw the viewer in and give them a positive impression of your brand. Mascots such as Manny Mo and Jack from Pep Boys put a friendly face on a business that will make young consumers more likely to trust that business. Once drawn to these characters and worlds, your target audience will be more likely to respond to your brand, giving you more customers than you could have achieved with more traditional ads.

Animated Ads Are Easy To Understand

The goal of any advertisement is to communicate the company's message to the consumer. Today's young people tend to have shorter attention spans and, therefore, need advertisements that are concise and easy to digest quickly. The less engaging and more complex static ads, as a result, can make it more difficult to convey your message simply and quickly. This is especially the case if the message you are communicating is complicated or difficult to understand.

Animated ads, on the other hand, prove the old adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Because they rely on pictures and characters to communicate instead of words, they can, within just a few moments, convey the essence of your brand in a way that static ads cannot do. In the hands of an experienced advertising animation company like Powerhouse Animation, your animated ad can boil your message down into a fun, appealing, and easily grasped format that will be more likely to convert younger audiences into paying customers.

Animated Ads Are Memorable

As an advertiser, your goal is to make your brand or product stick in the minds of the people who view your ads. In part because they are engaging and easy to understand, animated ads tend to accomplish this goal more effectively than do static ads. In fact, an animated ad enables the viewer to retain up to 58 percent more of the material than do other forms of advertising.

Today's culture, which is so dependent upon screens like smartphones and tablets, is especially ripe for the use of visual representations in advertising. Because of short attention spans and the ease with which pictures and videos can be digested on a small screen, animation provides a way to more effectively help younger audiences remember your brand. As a result, a commercial animation studio like Powerhouse Animation can provide the expertise and material you need to create an advertisement that will communicate your brand in a memorable way to the younger crowds you want to reach.

Animated Ads Are Modern

Younger audiences tend to be drawn to the modern and stylish. Animated ads, because of their use of graphics, motion, video, and design, are more likely to draw the attention of these audiences because they give your brand a more modern feel.

The very fact that animated ads use animation, motion, and appealing graphics make them a modern update on the more traditional static ad. They reflect more accurately the type of medium with which younger audiences are familiar and comfortable.

In addition, depending upon the design and characters you use, you can create an ad that communicates style, polish, and savvy to the audiences you wish to reach. Alternatively, you can, with the help of your chosen animation company, design an animated ad using your own unique style and personality to draw in younger audiences who resonate with the qualities your brand embodies.

Animated Ads Are Fun

Finally, you may want to consider using animated ads to reach younger audiences because they are fun. Rather than just reading words or looking at a single picture, your audience will be drawn into the world and characters that you and your animation partner create together. Excellent character design, creative and well-designed worlds, and the right amount of movement and action will create a story around your brand that your audience will enjoy watching. The more fun they have watching your advertisement, the more likely they will be to remember your brand and purchase your products in the future.

Advertising animation has many advantages if you want to target younger audiences. This type of advertising has the ability to connect with young people through a medium with which they are familiar, characters with whom they can relate, and motion graphics that they will find both entertaining and memorable. As a result, it offers an effective and appealing way to promote your brand.

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Although TV is mainly for entertainment, with an open mind and an eagerness to learn, everyone can get something useful out of it. The TV series characters sometimes portray behavior that should be included in one's arsenal as well. Here is a list of five TV characters that men should try to emulate.

Steven Hyde (That 70's Show) - Hyde represents the rebel that lies in all of us. He does what he wants to and ignores the rest, he drinks beer, does not care about his studies, and is laid back all the time.

Although many students in high school do go through that phase, most of them stop after college, when they get a job and settle down with a family. However, is that how it should be? Should one just stop having fun altogether and become completely rigid and uptight? No. Actually, it is at this point of life that people should try harder to have fun, since life becomes more difficult. Everyone should bring out their inner Hyde occasionally to take a break from the hardships of life and stay from being burnt out.

Mike Ross (Suits) - With increasingly easier access to drugs and other self-destructive substances, it is very easy for someone to completely lose control over their live and mess up. That is when one should take inspiration from Mike Ross. He did not even go to college, but once opportunity knocked at his door, he welcomed it in. Instead of feeling sorry for his past mistakes, he moved on and decided to change life for the better, something ever man should do.

Fox Mulder (X-Files) - Agent Fox Mulder supposedly lost his sister to an alien abduction when he was a child, and never got over it. As result, throughout his life, he had two obsessions driving him: He wanted to find his sister, and he wanted to find extra-terrestrial beings. While such obsessions may be unhealthy, the lack of obsessions today is far more unhealthy.

Every man must have a driving force, whether that be a car, a position, power, money or the knowledge, is irrelevant. The presence of an ambition is what really matters.

Harvey Specter (Suits) - Harvey Specter is the perfect mix of Michael and Sonny Corleone. He is smart, cunning and good with words, but he also loses his temper often, and is not afraid of a fist fight. He will go at any length to protect his loved ones, and has a very strong sense of ethics. He neither forgets a favor nor forgives an insult, which makes him all the more respectable.

David Palmer (24) - Of all the people to emulate, who better than the President of the United States, David Palmer. A confident man, totally in control of himself, and very well-respected by his peers, this man is the ultimate alpha male.

However, what really sets him apart is his ability to make extremely sensitive decisions under a great deal of pressure. He is also quite fearless, and is not afraid of making personal sacrifice for the greater good. At the end of the day, David Palmer is the man to be.

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Far From the Madding Crowd - Review of 2015 Remake of Historical Romance

When poor orphaned Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) unexpectedly inherits a mansion complete with servants and a working farm, her options expand tremendously in this historical romance based on the classic Thomas Hardy novel. She's simultaneously courted by three men, a wealthy older man, a brash sergeant, and a quiet sheep farmer. The strong-willed, fiercely independent Bathsheba has a forth option to consider as well - staying single and maintaining her freedom.

If she chooses, Bathsheba can have plenty of help running the farm and making business decisions. There's no impartial advisor to help with matters of the heart, however. Along with her independent spirit, her impetuousness causes lots of trouble. Her rash decisions include (with encouragement from one of her young employees) sending a valentine to her rich neighbor, William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a seemingly cruel act because of his obvious devotion to her and her complete indifference toward him. This not-so-harmless prank begins a series of events that cause great hardship to the wealthy bachelor, who is plagued with self-esteem issues.

A Tale of Three Suitors

In addition, Bathsheba plays with the emotions of handsome sheep farmer, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), another would-be lover whom she treats with casual disregard. Gabriel's solid (like an oak tree, naturally) character permits him to stay on her farm, working, watching, and caring for her from a distance. But even Gabriel has his limits to how much pain he can endure from her thoughtlessness.

Her third suitor, Sergeant Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge), an utterly detestable caricature of a soldier, has just the right amount of greed, lust, and deception to win her fickle heart. Apparently spurned by the real woman he loves, Troy has no qualms about taking what he wants from anyone else, and he clearly wants something from Bathsheba.

A Timeless Drama of Choices

How this troubling interconnected story plays out makes for timeless drama, as evidenced by the popularity of remaking the Hardy classic. This particular version provides a delightful journey back to Victorian England with beautiful scenes of the countryside, music, dancing, drama, and a colorful cast of young actors.

At 119 minutes, it runs longer than most films, but there's quite a bit of story to tell during that time. The film excels in all technical respects, and won't disappoint anyone seeking a great historical romance - although Bathsheba's bad decisions might have audience members shaking their fists at the screen at her exasperating "independence."

Far from the Madding Crowd

•    A young woman must decide between three different suitors in this historical romance based on the Thomas Hardy novel of the same name.

•    Starring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

•    Director: Thomas Vinterberg

•    Writers: David Nicholls (screenplay); Thomas Hardy (novel)

•    Genre: Historical Romantic Drama

•    Run Time: 119 minutes

•    MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexuality and violence)

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Like all things related to technology, the cable TV industry has changed dramatically in the last ten years. It wasn't that long ago when families gathered in front of the television at 8pm and watched only a handful of network channels together.

Nowadays, families may opt to watch different channels in different rooms of the house, play on their tablets or smart phones while viewing a show, or just watch their favorite programs directly on their mobile devices. The average family's viewing habits have become completely different than what they were prior to the 2010s, and things are likely to continue evolving. Industry experts have seen these changes and predict that they'll continue to gain popularity in the near future. Here are 3 of the changing aspects of cable TV:

1) On-Demand Viewing

Today's cable options make it easy for many households to look at an on-screen menu, choose the show they'd like to see, and watch it at any given time. Viewers appreciate this because it means they get to watch their favorite shows, and it also allows them do it at their own convenience. For example, if a show they like airs at 8pm on Wednesdays, but they have an ongoing commitment at that time, they can opt to watch it Thursdays at 10pm, or another timeframe that works for them. In the past, shows that were available for on-demand viewing were at least several weeks old. Now, you can see shows a mere 24 hours after they originally aired.

2) More Channels

Expect to see plenty of new channels making their debut on cable. While nature enthusiasts might have had two channels to choose from in the 1990s, now they have a dozen channels to enjoy. Spanish language channels are also expanding and, in many markets, they come as part of a standard cable package. Kids TV networks have grown from several to a dozen or more in recent years.

3) More Niche Shows

As a growing number of networks find a place on the cable TV lineup, shows that focus on unique or niche topics continue to appear. Specifically, the popularity of and demand for reality TV shows has led to a huge outpouring of low-budget, casually shot series that offer glimpses at the everyday lives of people in all types of situations. Unusually large families, individuals with unique jobs, and people who just have fun, overdramatic personalities, all regularly get their own TV shows which air for as little as six episodes. No matter what your interest is, you can most likely find a show you will enjoy on today's television lineup.

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I am a fan of science fiction! There are times when I yearn for television, films and comics that fit into that genre. Babylon 5 for all its faults is probably the only television show in the last twenty years that does. Solaris and Interstellar are the only films that I can't remember that I felt really satisfied me in what I was looking for.

I feel frustrated when I talk to other people about the lack of science fiction out there and their come back is 'what about Doctor Who?' You see for most people, who are not fans; all they need to see on their television or cinema screen is a space ship or an odd looking alien for it all just to blend into the same thing. It is all just Sci-Fi to them. If only they would look a little closer.

None fans (including comic book publishers, television and film producers and studio heads) will rarely bother to take a closer look, to try to examine, explain and interpret it in all its different forms.

However, for me as a fan, what is out there breaks up into three different categories...

What I would call 'science fiction substitute', that usually manifests itself in the form of the Police procedural drama; criminals from the future are chased back through time to present day earth by a cop who has to round them all up and send then back to the future or some such thing.

It is not the real thing; it is just the powers that be (producers and studio heads and so on) trying to take advantage of the cult fans reputation for spending money without spending much of theirs.

And then there is that curiously captivating category that seems to be about little more than space men running around blowing stuff up. As much as I love things like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Flash Gordon or the Marvel Studio's film Guardians of the Galaxy, they only tend to have elements of science fiction in them and lack any real science or speculation about the future.

Now the genuine thing for me, what some people call hard science fiction, be it the more thoughtful tales like Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man, Harlan Ellison's Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman or tales with a little more action to them like Frank Herbert's Dune books seem to be a rarity in the world of comics, films and television.

Theodore Sturgeon summed up the genre perfectly in 1952 when he said "A science fiction story is a story built around human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its scientific content."

In essence it tells stories about the human condition...

But why do we not see more that fit into the genre like for example the aforementioned Babylon 5 in comic, television or films? J. Michael Straczynski once talked about how difficult it was to get studio heads interested the genre. Now that Straczynski is a studio head and owner of Studio JMS could he be our saviour?

He has several film and television projects on the go. The Netflix show Sense8, the Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy adaptation for Spike TV, Straczynski has also bought an option on Harlan Ellison's classic story, "Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman" and lets not forget a big budget film reboot of Straczynski own Babylon 5.

There are definite signs of improvement out there. There might even be a whole new wave of hard science fiction coming to a television or cinema screen near you.

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The most powerful and feared man in all of Westeros,Tywin Lannister was the Hand of the King. He once led the Lannister armies against the Stark armies of the north and was awarded the title of "Savior of the City" after his victory against Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of the Blackwater. He was the patriarch of the Lannister house and was willing to do anything at all, moral or not, to preserve the proud family name. Tywin was killed by his son Tyrion.

Jaime, the eldest son of Tywin, is a knight of the Kingsguard. Unbeknownst to his father, Jaime carries on an incestuous relationship with his twin sister Cersei, the queen mother. After his slaying of King Aerys, the "Mad King", he became known as the "Kingslayer", much to his chagrin. He also pushed young Bran Stark, son of Eddard, out of a tower window after Bran had witnessed he and Cersei having sex.

After the war begins between the Starks and the Lannisters, Jaime is captured in battle but later set free by Catelyn Stark in exchange for her daughters', Arya and Sansa's, safe return from King's Landing. He vows to bring them back safe, the first honorable act he attempts in the story. Along the way, he loses his right sword hand. Afterward, he develops some respect for his escort, Brienne. After King Joffrey's untimely death, he sides with his brother Tyrion against the false accusations that he killed young Joffrey and later helps him escape.

Cersei, twin brother of Jaime and daughter of Tywin, is the self-centered queen mother. She craves power and authority. She is cold-hearted and will go after anyone who disagrees with her.

Joffrey is the oldest son of Cersei and Jaime. He ascends to the Iron Throne after his thought-to-be father King Robert is killed. He takes after his mother in being very cruel and sadistic. He wrongly executes Eddard Stark for treason and, afterward, displays his head on a stick. During his wedding, he is poisoned and dies.

Tyrion is Cersei and Jaime's dwarf brother and Joffrey's uncle. He, along with his brother, are the only Lannisters to show any kind of remorse for the family's cruel ways. Whoring and drinking are frequent things he does.

He is viewed as an abomination by Tywin after Tyrion's mother died giving birth to him. Tyrion was falsely accused of Joffrey's death and convicted. But, as stated earlier, he escapes with Jaime's help. After learning a horrible truth about his father, the dwarf kills his father and flees King's Landing.

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If you haven't looked at your destination for your wedding day, you should, getting married in a special venue is a great way to enhance the experience of your wedding. A wedding is likely to be the most important event of your life so why not make it a special as possible. There are many different places that you can choose as a venue for your wedding.

Here are some ideas that you can use to help you get started when deciding where you want to get married.

There are many different places that you can get married, especially if you are looking for a special venue for your wedding.

Sports venue

If you are a sporting fanatic, for instance if you like, football, basketball, tennis or any other sport that really interest you, the one get married in the stadium of your favourite sporting event.

There are many to choose from, such as football grounds, racecourses, you will also be encouraged to know that many sporting venues are licensed as wedding venues.
The film venues

If you are a big movie fan, getting married on the set of your favourite TV program or film program could be the venue of your wedding.

It will be great for you to be the star of the show on your special day instead of the regular actors that you are used to watching on a daily basis.

Wedding venue ideas have helped to spark some creativity in your mind, there are many different places that you can get married, it is up to you to check them out.

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Great Wedding Speech Quotes

A wedding is all about words... I mean at least literally. The clergy says their words and ask for the bride's and the groom's words. The bride's father says his words in his wedding speech and the groom and the bride say theirs in their wedding speech. Then there are the welcome words, the words of gratitude, the words of

praise, the words of wit and humour... the wedding vows and more wedding speeches. Quite a wordy affair! When it's time for you to deliver a wedding speech at a wedding (even if it's your own big day) some shivers are bound to run down your spine. The best speech would be the one that comes out confidently from the speaker's mouth and expresses the feeling of his heart. You get all the guidance and help regarding how should go about your speech. Some sites on the web would even give you the speeches. But there is always the danger of ending up saying something that many others have said. So take guidance, take help, take advice but do not take someone else's words. Imagine finding out that the speaker who speaks before you has got the same jokes as you... you borrowed from the same example speech!It's best to have your own words to express your feelings. You might have to keep it simple but it will be original. And original is original. You can use some famous quotes and saying about love, wedding and marriage to make your speech sound interesting. If chosen and timed carefully, some sayings and quotes (though well known) would give a rich and witty flavour to your speech.Here are a few famous quotes that can definitely adorn your speech.

i. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.

ii. May she share everything with her husband, including the housework.

iii. Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.
iv. If two stand shoulder to shoulder against the gods, happy together, the gods themselves are helpless against them while they stand so.

v. Matrimony is a process by which a grocer acquired an account the florist had.
vi. Here's to matrimony, the high sea for which no compass has yet been invented!
vii. Like good wine, marriage gets better with age - once you learn to keep a cork in it.
viii. It takes a loose rein to keep a marriage tight.

ix. Marriage is not a word - it is a sentence.
x As we grow older together, As we continue to change with age, There is one thing that will never change... I will always keep falling in love with you.
xi Men always want to be a woman's first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man's last romance.

xii. Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.
xiii. To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.

xiv. The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands.
xv. Marriage must constantly fight against a monster which devours everything: routine.
Incorporate these into your speech with effect and relevance; and see your words cast a spell!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Brady

A wedding favor is pretty special in the wedding because apart from the reception food and activities, these are one of the two tangible items that the guests can take home with them as a memento of your wedding (the other one would be the photographs). Even if photo thank you cards are sent, wedding favors are special because unlike wedding photographs, you can show your own personality, style and creativity when making your wedding favors.

Whether expensive, cheap, or homemade; wedding favors are something guests look forward to as well. But when your budget is running low, how do you come up with good wedding favors? While your local grocery or supermarket may not look like a great place to buy wedding supplies, there are a lot of items there that when paired with creativity and ingenuity can turn into romantic wedding favors that are easy on your budget.

Lip balms make for great and personalized favors just by adding a label sticker on it. Available in assorted flavors and colors, lip balms are something your guests can truly appreciate and use.

You can find edible favors too at the supermarket. Something that is fun to give and is always appreciated, chocolates are a fool-proof favor. Rounds, bars or minis, chocolate interestingly has been used to symbolize love and romance (Valentine's Day, anyone?). A jar of honey or marmalade can also be used. Cookies or sugar-coated or caramelized nuts in special boxes are a hit too.

While these goodies normally last for months, be sure to check the expiration date of these items before paying the full amount for them for bulk orders. While supermarkets are aware of these, you should also know how to handle or preserve the items, such as storing them at the right temperature, or keeping them away from direct sunlight. Preserved items would be your best bet, so stay away from fresh food products as their tendency to spoil is high. Remember that favors will be at your wedding venue for a relatively long time (or maybe even longer with unexpected delays in the ceremony or program), and giving them at the last part of the reception may be quite tricky when it comes to the freshness of your edible favor.

Small packs of coffee beans are sometimes available in your local grocery. You may opt for gourmet coffee to make your wedding favor as special as the event.

There are practical favors such as soap, bath products, mini lava lamps, and others that you can purchase. For a more lavish one, bath oils in small jars, may be tied with a hang tag or placed in small carton trays to be given as wedding favors.

Browse around the supermarket, and you may be surprised with what you may find. Almost anything can be turned into a favor, just stay away from the obviously tacky ones or the offensive ones. Do not be gender specific as well. Find unisex items so you'll be able to hand out your favors to anyone.
To make these cheap finds look elegant and more special, remember that packaging can change everything. You can have little organza bags, hang tags or small elegant boxes where you can put prints. And conveniently, these items may also be found at your local supermarket.

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Delivering a wedding speech doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a bit of preparation those few moments at the microphone can end up being the most memorable ones of your life. After all, this is one of your best days and the beginning of a new chapter in your life as well. In wedding speeches a groom has a lot to cover in just a couple of minutes. With a checklist, you can handle all the important aspects of the speech and be well prepared for your big day.

To begin with, you need to start by brainstorming. Think of a few ideas to include in your groom wedding speeches. After all, when it comes to wedding speeches a groom plays a significant role in not only thanking everyone, but must include how you met your bride, funny moments you have shared and anything special you would like to share with the guests. It is about saying the right thing at the right time. Don't let the fact that you may not know some of the guests who may be highly significant to the bride deter you from making your speech. Everyone is a born orator, and even professionals learn to prepare well.

As you will be bogged down with many other responsibilities, it is prudent to prepare your speech well in advance. This will help you overcome any natural nervousness and make you verbalize your emotions well. Most importantly, you need to deliver a speech that's warm, meaningful, with a touch of humor and one that reflects the significance of the occasion. Everyone's eyes and ears are going to be on you, but that doesn't mean you need to chicken out. Besides, your bride will be watching and should be an inspiration for you.

In wedding speeches a groom ought not to say anything that could insult or cause any hurt feelings. Be very careful of what you are going to say, for people may forgive but seldom forget. Don't delve on any past relationships, good or bad. This would only result in plenty of hurt feelings all around. All said and done, give yourself two weeks to prepare your speech. Once you have an outline, it is time to get ready to put everything down to words. Go through it once and note how long you have managed to make it. As long as you hit the three minute mark, you are doing fine. Don't let it flow much longer or else the audience may just begin to chatter or nod off for a couple of minutes.

For wedding speeches groom humor is essential to help you and your audience relax. However, stick to good, clean jokes. If you aren't familiar with jokes there is plenty available online that would be suitable for your wedding. Humor will help to lighten the mood especially when someone in the wedding party may be a bit emotional.

Call up your best man and get him to listen to your speech. He may offer some suggestions that you may need to tweak your speech. Remember, it is your wedding day to celebrate the love you and your better half to be have for each other. Undoubtedly, you will be surrounded by loved ones, which will make it easier for you to give a flawless wedding speech that everyone will remember.

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Finding gifts for your bridesmaids can be quite challenging. Traditionally, brides often give away small trinkets of jewelry, like pearl earrings, brooches or necklaces. However, with the rising costs of weddings, it may no longer be economical to think of very expensive gifts for your bridesmaids.

One great idea for a wedding gift for bridesmaids is salon or spa gift certificates. They deserve these since they have likely spent a lot of time and effort helping you prepare for the big day. They were likely there during the most hectic week before the wedding and you probably asked them to run some last minute errands for you. You did get stressed a lot but you and your husband have the honeymoon as time for relaxation and recreation. However your bridesmaids do not get to go with you so the least you can do is to thank them with a pampering gift certificate so that they can relax as well.

Sometimes, miniature gifts that say a lot are also perfect wedding gifts to bridesmaids. You can give them a photo album that has pictures of them and you, the couple. The picture can even include the entire wedding party. You can get some photo albums and get an engraving of the date of the wedding in front of it. The front picture can be of you and the recipient bridesmaid. This is a great souvenir and wedding gift idea because it is very personal. The bridesmaid can put the rest of her photos during your wedding day on these frames later on.

Other special wedding gift ideas are homemade items. You can create a CD with the favourite songs of the bridesmaids in it. The CD can be different according to the preference of the bridesmaid. You can even put a picture of her with you as the CD cover and include a poem for a touch of sweetness.

Use your wedding theme to help you think of gifts for your bridesmaids and even for your groom. There is no need to spend so much money on your wedding presents. Just remember that it's the thought that counts, and even simple, inexpensive gifts can give the message of appreciation to your bridal entourage.

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Everyone knows that weddings can be very expensive events but you can easily cut the costs of your wedding by carefully planning out a few details. Considering that an average, full wedding and reception can cost between $10,000 and $20,000, it is easy to see why most couples these days are looking for clever ways to dramatically save money.

Wedding clothing is generally very expensive although they need not be. Instead of purchasing wedding gowns and tuxedos from exclusive wedding attire specialty shops, you should consider looking for them online.

Today, there are many retailers on the web who specialize in wedding clothing and the prices are dramatically lower than what you would pay if you were to purchase them in a high-end shop. You can easily find a huge selection online and will be offered outstanding support and personal assistance to ensure that the clothing you choose fits correctly. Most of these online wedding attire retailers know the wedding business very well and will go out of their way to please you.

Wedding rings and bands are also one of the most expensive parts of a wedding. Again, instead of heading to your local jewelry store to choose your rings, take a look at some online jewelers. You can literally save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by purchasing your wedding bands on the internet. There is no difference in quality nor any lack of selection when you shop online and you will be offered service that is second-to-none when shopping at an online jewelry store.

When it comes time to select the flowers for your wedding, be sure to select only those flowers that are in-season and readily available. Be sure to be up front with your florist and let him know your budget restrictions.

When selecting wedding flowers for an altar, choose inexpensive flowers such as carnations or snowball mums as these flowers are only viewed from far away. Ask your florist to add a lot of greenery to the flower arrangements to cut back on costs and try to stick to just one or two kinds of flowers as well. You should also plan to use larger tables at the reception so that you will need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.

It is a great idea to hold your ceremony and the reception in one place as it will cut expenses dramatically and you can also save a lot of money by offering just beer, wine and one special cocktail at your reception instead of a full bar. Instead of hiring a full wedding band, look into hiring a DJ who will play the type of music that you request.

Weddings do not have to be expensive in order to be elaborate and successful. These are just a few suggestions that will help you to dramatically hold down your costs and eliminate away money-related stress when planning your big day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller

Great Wedding Invitations For Your Big Day

Nowadays, when a lot of couples are in the process of searching for ideas for invitations, you would find that they would prefer to settle for unique. The traditional type of wedding invitations is still a good choice but the modernistic world that we live in right now demands a more alternative and a hipper option is usually required.

Others opt to have unique wedding invitations so they can make a good impression to their guests while a few more couples just want to have a different twist with their invitations. Your primary decision on what kind of wedding invitations you are to come up with should depend greatly on the overall theme of your wedding.

What is the theme of your wedding? Is it going to be conventional or a lot more contemporary? Such questions can help you be more precise in deciding for which invitations you should choose. In fact, the good news is that you wont be running out of options to choose from to have unique wedding invitations.

If you are adept at Photoshop, then you can just do your own with the use of your computer. If you do not have enough time to think for the design of your wedding invitations, then you can run to your nearest local store to just buy yourself an invitation kit. You can also consider shopping online and end up with possible discounts especially if you will order by bulk.

Nowadays, a lot of invitations are personally made with the use of materials that can be recycled like dried flowers, dried leaves, recycled papers, and many others to just meet the purpose of creating unique wedding invitations.

In fact, you are even free to paint your invitations and add a touch of more creativity with the use of some small pieces of wood, stones, or shells. Some even use CD or DVD instead and record their favorite songs together with some slide shows about how the couple came to know each other.

This could be very memorable since music has the capacity to really bring back a good deal of memories to any person. Every time your beloved guests listen to the CD, they wont fail to remember the wedding event that they once were in. To think of something creative for your invitations is not that hard. You just need to take some time to design the invitations.

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We are so used to having bridal events indoors that they almost become a bore. Everyone wants to have a wedding inside the church hall, at the hotel or at the town hall. We have almost forgotten that the outdoor life is still exciting and that events taking place in the sun are very exciting for many people. You can have your wedding at the beach or in the open. The best times for such weddings are the summer and spring when there is favorable weather for everyone to be happy. Outdoor wedding take away all the restrictions that occur in inner rooms and halls.

The most exciting of all outdoor wedding themes is the beach wedding. Here, you have a lot of freedom to decorate, dress and even cater for your guests as you like. Beach weddings do not have any extensive protocols so you can customize the event to suit your convenience and personalities. Again, beach weddings allow your guests a lot of freedom to move about the shoreline. You can dress in any type of apparel without sounding or appearing out of place.

You can also have your event at the park. These are open spaces that will give you a lot of room to decorate or seat your guests. The park is actually a large ground where your guests can have ample space to roam about.

Uniqueness is one feature that you can introduce into your wedding to give a great look. For once, you can hold such an important event outside the church or other similar enclosure and give your guests the freedom to roam your wedding grounds, talking to friends and other guests.

An outdoor wedding will however require that you put in the same effort especially issues about decoration will need to be put right so you achieve the glamorous effect. Once you put together all your decor and protect your guests against any bad weather, you are off to a great start towards a memorable day for all.

Find simple straightforward advice on engagement party etiquette and mother of the groom dresses.

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Not very long ago, people believed in celebrating second marriage as a very low key affair by inviting only close friends and family. It was supposed to be a more formal occasion without any kind of lavish celebrations, especially if the bridegroom or the bride were divorced.

However, it does not hold good anymore as people have understood that there is no point in stopping second time marrying couples from expressing their love for each other and their emotions. They are free to celebrate their wedding the way they prefer it, whether it be a lavish festivity or a low key intimate affair.

They need not worry about what others would think about them if they are being too extravagant in celebrating their wedding. You do not meet a person who can make your heart pound so much every other day, so go on and celebrate it with your mister or miss right whom you have identified a wee bit late. Host a feast to express your love.

Second wedding, however, has its own set of etiquettes which ought to be followed. Try to incorporate them as and wherever necessary to avoid causing blunders.

Wedding Etiquette which has to be followed during the second marriage:

1. Announcing the engagement:

Firstly, you need to discuss about your plans to get married again with your children from first marriage, if any as it would not be very easy for them to adapt to the changes which may take place soon after. Therefore, it is important to talk to them before announcing about the engagement to others. If this principle etiquette is forgotten, it may prove disastrous with the passage of time when you, your new husband, your kids and his kids move into the same house.

Secondly, you ought to inform your parents about the engagement and second wedding before you inform about it to your ex-spouse. In case you do not have any kids with your ex- spouse you are not obliged to tell him/her about your second engagement.

2. Selecting the wedding dress:

Second wedding brides can wear any color dress which they prefer. However, lavender and lilac are the colors which are preferred for widow brides marrying the second time. It is considered better to leave out the tiara and the veil and instead opt for a simple and pretty flower headdress.

3. Inviting your ex-spouse:

Proper Wedding Etiquette for second marriage calls for the bride and groom to sit, discuss and decide who are to be called for the wedding and who can be ignored.

It is advisable not to include ex-spouses and former in-laws in your wedding list as the guests may feel awkward about their presence.

This is so because; it would be really weird and stressful when your ex-spouse, former in-laws, present in-laws and current spouse meet as it is totally unpredictable as to what would happen during their meeting. Hence, it is not advisable to call your ex-spouse to attend your second marriage even if your current spouse assures you that he/she does not have any problem with them attending the wedding.

The proper wedding etiquette in such a situation is to call your ex-spouse for a quiet dinner after your honeymoon so that embarrassing and awkward situations are not faced by you or your present husband.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Best man speeches are one of the most important aspect of any wedding, whether big or small, as the speech not only details some important cues about the newly weds but also showers them with good wishes and prosperity in their forthcoming life!

Generally the best man appointed for the wedding by the groom, considers writing wedding speeches to be an arduous task requiring many days of preparation. However, if one follows the step-by-step sequence of writing wedding speeches as outlined below, not only would the best man speech ideas be innovative, but they will also bring the best man accolades and compliments from all present at the ceremony.

Tips For Writing Interesting Best Man Wedding Speeches:

1. First and foremost, the person responsible for delivering the best man speech should do a thorough research on the background of the bride and the groom - how they met, their common interests, likes and dislikes, views about marriage and commitment et al. This will help him prepare an engaging speech involving the views of the couple as a whole.

2. Including the feelings and comments of close family members and friends in the best man wedding speeches is also a great idea as it helps in making the best man speeches warm and friendly rather than being just a plain monotonous speech and also keeps the interest of the gathering engaged.

3. A good idea can be to include brief jokes and anecdotes in the wedding speech. Not only would this make the speech interesting but would also keep the audience amused. However, care should be taken to ensure that the jokes are light hearted and are not targeted at someone in particular to the extent of being rude. Swear words should also be definitely avoided.

4. Best man speeches should not involve only the bride or the groom but rather both of them as a couple. Funny instances from the lives of both of them should be included as the speech addresses the gathering comprising of both the groom's and the bride's family. While quoting instances, care should be taken that they are understood by all and not by a handful, lest the speech gets cited as boring!

5.The best man speeches should always culminate with a wedding toast raised to the happiness and prosperity of the newly wed couple. While raising the toast, the best man should ensure that he showers blessings on the couple on behalf of the entire gathering and wishes them a successful married life.

Best man speeches are an integral part of any wedding and therefore anyone delivering them should try to research adequately so as to present to the couple one of their best wedding gifts - one that they would remember for a lifetime!

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Wedding Party Gift Ideas You Will Love

It is an honor to stand in the wedding of a relative or close friend, but the wedding party also has to organize events for the couple and provide support. Bridesmaids are responsible for getting the bride ready and to plan the bachelorette party as well as the bridal shower. The groomsmen are responsible for the bachelor party and they assist the groom on the wedding day. Show your appreciation to your bridal party with personalized wedding party gifts. This is a great gift idea since they are unique and have sentimental value.

Wedding Party Gift Tradition:

Many couples have a hard time coming up with wedding party gift ideas. Traditionally, the groomsmen receive the same gifts and the bridesmaids also receive the same gifts. For example, you can give the bridesmaids a personalized charmed bracelet that can be worn during the wedding. Customized cufflinks are a good option for groomsmen. Of course, you don't have to follow tradition. You can give them each something different depending on their hobby, favorite sports team, or any other interest they may have.

Personalized Wedding Party Gifts

Brides can find a variety of affordable personalized wedding gifts to fit every personality in the wedding. It takes a little effort and searching online. There are good deals at local stores, but the best deals are found at online stores. You can even call them to see if they are willing to give you a discount. Most of them will give you at least 10 percent off your total order, but you have to ask.

A great wedding party gift idea is name stamps. They are affordable and can be personalized for each person. The name is put in a fancy font and put on a rubber stamp with an ink pad. The rubber stamp can be used on invitations, Christmas cards and envelopes. Personalized wine glasses, coffee tumblers, and even iPad cases are a great option as well.

A More Personal Touch

Crafts make great gifts and can be customized for the receiver. You can make homemade cookies or jams and put them in a jar with a personalized label. The personalized label can include event details or a personal message. Scrapbook lovers can make miniature scrapbooks with pictures and stories. Another option is taking the bridesmaids and groomsmen on an outing. The women could get manicures a day before the wedding and the guys can meet at the barbershop for a haircut.

Other Wedding Party Gift Ideas

Other wedding party gift ideas consist of beer mugs, personalized shot glasses, flasks, pens, money clips, lighters, flip flops, candles, t-shirts, robes, tote bags and cell phone cases, and travel toiletry bag. Getting married is a special time for the couple, friends and loved ones. You can show appreciation by doing something special for everyone that participated in the event. Everyone involved in a wedding puts in time and wedding party gifts can show appreciation.

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