Cinema Through a New Lens

The Stunt Double, a short film directed by Damien Chazelle, recently made its debut using an unconventional video format. Partnered with Apple, Chazelle shot the entire film vertically with the use of the iPhone 11 Pro. The short film introduced a new cinematography style to the newcomers and veterans of the film industry that has the potential to take creative expressions to new heights.

The film stars Tom McComas as a stunt double who travels from set to set, hoping to capture the leading lady’s heart, played by Preeti Desai. The vertical lens reimagines classic stories from all types of genres. Chazelle, in a behind-the-scenes video, says, “I just think back to when I was a kid, you know playing with much less sophisticated technologies than a phone, you know the little old VHS camcorders and things like that.” He used that familiarity to get the most out of his story with what he was limited to.

The vertical axis opens new possibilities for creative expression for any creator willing to follow in Chazelle’s footsteps. Damien Chazelle’s desire to break boundaries and take risks is an inspiring message to filmmakers of all ages, saying that anyone can make movies if they have a camera and a driving passion for doing so.

The PS5 will Obliterate the Xbox Series X

In the past two months, both Sony and Microsoft revealed their upcoming consoles to extremely different public receptions. Sony’s reveal of the PlayStation 5 was acclaimed by nearly everyone who watched the event, but Microsoft’s unveiling of the Xbox Series X was lukewarm, to say the least. But who would blame anyone for preferring Sony’s reveal? When Sony revealed the PlayStation back in early June, the company showed off many upcoming exclusives for the system: Resident Evil VII, a new Ratchet & Clank, Crash Bandicoot 4, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, Hitman III, and many other highly anticipated titles. But when Microsoft had their Xbox Series X event in late July, they announced a new Assassin’s Creed, Halo Infinite, and Cyberpunk 2077. So while Sony announced many upcoming releases, Microsoft only really made fans excited for Halo because, although Cyberpunk 2077 looks like a promising game, it was announced at E3 2019 and will not even be a Series X exclusive. 

It is abundantly clear to anyone who watched both conferences that Sony will destroy Microsoft in the coming years. Sony’s unveil conference was full of confidence and excitement. But Microsoft’s convention was a weak presentation for Halo: Infinite, which will not even be a launch title for the system since the game has been delayed to 2021 due to unsatisfying development. Microsoft doesn’t stand a chance against the PlayStation 5’s success.

AirPods vs. AirPods Pro: Is it Worth Upgrading?

The AirPods — a wireless earbud design created by Apple — have become a staple of our contemporary, tech-savvy culture. Whether it be hearing seamless audio or “flexing on broke people,” AirPods are a trendy alternative compared to other wireless earbuds. The original Apple AirPods received their share of glory for working well and being an icon for the meme culture. Still, many people debate whether it is worth purchasing the AirPod Pros, the latest edition in the AirPod series. While the AirPod Pros are an additional $100 compared to regular AirPods, there are multiple reasons why they are the superior product and why you should consider upgrading.

In comparison to the original AirPods, the AirPod Pros are a higher-end model that offers multiple benefits. The most notable difference is that AirPod Pros offer active noise cancelation — a noticeable improvement compared to the limited passive noise reduction provided by AirPods. AirPod Pro users can customize their level of noise cancellation level and use transparency mode if they want to hear background noise. Another important feature of AirPod Pros is their custom ear tips. People who have AirPod Pros feel comfortable when wearing them because of the cushion around the tip; it is also much easier to keep them in your ears. This is a much better alternative compared to normal AirPods, which are notorious for falling out. 

If these features aren’t enough, the AirPod Pros are also water-resistant. Let’s say you have AirPod Pros lying on your desk and accidentally spill water on them while working. There is nothing to worry about since the AirPod Pros will likely function without any problems. The water-resistant feature, combined with its custom ear tips, makes the AirPod Pros a useful addition to any workout. Sweat falling from your face or the bumpiness of going out for a run? Not an issue for the AirPod Pros.

An extra $100 may seem like a bad investment for a less popular and less meme-able model of the Apple AirPods. However, based on all the advantageous features it provides, you should consider upgrading to the superior wireless earbud, the AirPod Pros.

*The writer’s are listed in order of their appearance in this article.