Vocal
A Filmmaker's Guide: "Les Enfants Terrible" (1950)
In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.
Annie KapurPublished about 6 hours ago in GeeksWriting Books is Not a Good Idea
The New York Times caused a stir recently when, in an article about pandemic book sales, it disclosed that “98 percent of the books that publishers released in 2020 sold fewer than 5,000 copies.”
Elle GriffinPublished about 7 hours ago in Journal
We Girls Have to Stick Together
I was sure I would recognize her when I saw her. Philip has a “type.” I already know her name is Bridget. She also described herself in great detail on the phone, which made me even more agitated than I was before we made our lunch date. We didn’t do the usual “you’ll know me by the white carnation” crap. She just said, “I’ll be the one who’s eight months pregnant.” That should be easy enough to spot. Especially in an out of the way truck stop diner. This greasy spoon would not have been my first choice for our meeting, but I couldn’t risk being spotted by anyone who knew my husband, or by my husband for that matter.
DeEtta MillerPublished a day ago in FictionDecember 1st
--- The little elf soared high in the night sky He couldn't wait to see his friend Last Christmas Eve he had to say goodbye
Abbey StreettPublished a day ago in Poets
South Park Predicts The Future
A recent South Park episode got me thinking about a potentially troubling version of the future. The South Park Post Covid Special aired a few days ago on Paramount Plus, whatever that is, and it featured the boys 40 years into the future, when the pandemic is finally coming to an end.
Chris HudsonPublished a day ago in Futurism
Merry Stress-mas!
I love the joy of the holidays. Twinkly lights. Cocoa delights. Snowy nights. Growing up I cherished every Christmas tradition, no questions asked. Picking out a tree that we’d trim to a holly, jolly soundtrack. Plugging in each string of lights and playing the game Which Bulb Is the Dud? Sneaking downstairs in awe at the vast number of colorfully wrapped presents under the tree and trying to guess which of us four kids would get the biggest one. Salivating over myriad crockpots lined up at my grandparents’ house stewing for our Christmas feast.
Going NowherePublished 2 days ago in EarthWreckage
WRECKAGE The June sun fizzed then dissolved as the sea rushed over her face. Suspended in that sliver of space between exhilaration and anxiety, a unfamiliar thought washed through her mind. This time, would she come back?
Elaine Ruth WhitePublished 2 days ago in FictionThe Beginning of a New Fitness Journey
"You may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday." Day 1: As I am writing this the day is December 2nd 2021. I know, pretty bad time to start considering its the month of the holidays. Normally I would agree, but now I believe anytime is a good time to start when you truly want to do something. Through this process of figuring out how I am going to get back into working out I have started to realize that this is the start of my new fitness journey. I keep comparing everything to where I was a few years back and every-time I do it discourages me from doing anything at all.
Kimmiekins4Published 2 days ago in Longevity
Eight Indie Games That Don't Get Enough Love
I am, from top to bottom, an indie snob, the type that doesn't get excited about any game with mainstream popularity. It's been a boom time for independent developers in the world of electronic entertainment, but also a very challenging one. The biggest hurdle for indie devs is discovery - they depend on the press to get noticed at all. That's why it saddens me to see so many "best of" lists featuring the same mega-sellers over and over again. Seriously, Stardew Valley doesn't need the boost.
Andrew JohnstonPublished 2 days ago in Gamers
It's Never Too Late to Shine
This issue's theme is celebration and we couldn't be happier to celebrate the unanimous passing of legislation in Canada banning conversion therapy. The rarity of all members in parliament agreeing on a cause deserves the world's attention. You can read about the event here. In honour of those who identify as LGBTQA+, we've chosen to open with a story by one of our cherished members, Josie Mason. You may recall she won a Fab 5 award not long ago; find out more about her below.
The Vocal Creators ChroniclePublished 2 days ago in Journal
The Remarkably Real Challenge
Supported by: Charles & ColvardTell us a candid story where your authentic self shone through.
$5,000 Grand Prize16 days leftThe Vocal+ Fiction Awards
Enter our biggest Challenge yet: 25 winners, $125,000 in prizes, and Vocal's first ever book of short stories by our creators.
$5,000 Grand Prize24 days leftThe Scarlet Macaw
Supported By: Untamed PhotographerShare a creative story that includes the endangered bird, the Macaw.
$2,500 Grand PrizeFinished
Creators We’re Loving
Meet the people in your communities creating extraordinary things.
Creator Spotlight: Lilia
Lilia is a multitalented creator of fiction and fantasy worlds. While she initially chose the "safe path," studying at Princeton University and taking a job in management consulting, she now finds herself trailblazing a new one—pursuing the art and stories that stem from her imagination.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 3 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Justin Douglas Lee
Justin Douglas Lee is a writer and poet who covers everything from science fiction, to music reviews, dog content, and reflections on his experiences with homelessness and mental illness. While it was his fiction that drew us in initially, one look at Justin's poetry and non-fiction pieces kept us engaged and confirmed his talent as an all-around creator.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 17 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Casey Promise Thompson
Casey Promise Thompson is a mixed media artist, writer, and poet based out of Nashville, Tennessee. A studied virtuoso in the visual arts, Casey came to Vocal in pursuit of a new form of artistry—one that's been reluctantly placed on the back burner since middle school. Writing has always offered Casey a different sense of expression, and now she finds herself engrained in the endlessly supportive Vocal community.
Vocal SpotlightPublished about a month ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Tom Bradbury (In Memoriam)
Tom Bradbury was everything we could have asked for in a Vocal creator. He was diligent and intentional with his craft—always putting every ounce of genuine effort into his stories. He was a knowledgeable and patient resource to others—always teaching and lending a helping hand to fellow creators. He was brilliantly himself—always an authentic glimmer in the greater spectrum of creators on Vocal.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Introducing the Vocal+ Fiction Awards
Since the launch of Challenges nearly two years ago, our mission has remained consistent: inspire great stories and put money directly into the hands of our most unique, innovative creators. Now, we're celebrating two huge milestones simultaneously. As of this week, over 100,000 stories have been entered into Challenges, and we have given away over $500,000 directly to our creators. That's one hundred thousand ways to inspire, and a half a million reasons to celebrate your creativity.
Vocal TeamPublished 2 months ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Poems by Kiesha
Poems by Kiesha is a project by creator Kiesha Solanki, an independently published poet who, in the span of only four months, has made a name for herself as one of over 27,000 creators in Vocal's Poets community.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 2 months ago in Resources
