Posts made in July 2020

Allison Christensen

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Allison Christensen, is a New Jersey-based illustrator, attending Moore College of Art & Design. She is heavily inspired by plants and nature. Her style tends to be lighthearted with clean lines and a minimalist neutral color palette. Illustration has always been an outlet for her to express herself. Ever since she was a child, drawing fun and silly pictures have always brought her joy no matter what situation she was in. Allison was bullied excessively and at one point, she even had to be homeschooled for a year.

She always knew she wanted to do something artistic as a career. It wasn’t until her Junior year of high school when she knew what that would be. When she was visiting art colleges and getting portfolio reviews, one of the students introduced her to illustration design. Allison immediately knew that illustration art was what she needed to do for the rest of her life. She wants others to be able to look at her art and make their day brighter, even if it is just for a brief moment.

Octavia Spencer × Ruderman Family Foundation

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Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer today joined the Ruderman Family Foundation in calling on the entertainment industry to increase the casting of people with disabilities, including in on-screen roles that portray characters with disabilities.

“Casting able-bodied actors in roles for characters with disabilities is offensive, unjust, and deprives an entire community of people from opportunities,” Octavia Spencer says in a new public service announcement with the Ruderman Family Foundation

Appearing in a newly released public service announcement, Spencer recounts Hollywood’s long history of inauthentic representation and exclusion of marginalized populations — from men playing women until 1660; to white actors playing Black, Asian, and Native American characters; to LGBTQ stories getting left out of film and television until the last two decades.

“All of these communities of people had to endure not only their stories being told inauthentically, but also seeing themselves portrayed inauthentically,” says Spencer in a message filmed for the Ruderman Family Foundation. “But nothing can replace lived experience and authentic representation. That’s why it’s imperative that we cast the appropriate actor for the appropriate role, and that means people with disabilities as well. Casting able-bodied actors in roles for characters with disabilities is offensive, unjust, and deprives an entire community of people from opportunities.”

She continues, “I am joining with the Ruderman Family Foundation to call on the entertainment industry to increase casting of people with disabilities. There is no reason that we should continue to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Together, we should and can do better.”

Spencer’s call amplifies the Foundation’s series of initiatives to foster greater inclusion in the entertainment industry.

Last December, the organization circulated an open letter calling on studio, production, and network executives to pledge to create more opportunities for people with disabilities, and to make more inclusive casting decisions. Among those who signed the pledge were Oscar winners George Clooney and Joaquin Phoenix, Oscar nominees Ed Norton, Bryan Cranston and Mark Ruffalo, Golden Globe winner Glenn Close, Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly, accomplished actress Eva Longoria, and acclaimed filmmaker Bobby Farrelly.

A separate Foundation-initiated pledge to commit to auditioning more actors with disabilities was signed by CBS, while the BBC pledged to implement more authentic and distinctive representation of people with disabilities on screen. The Foundation also released a white paper showing that half of U.S. households want accurate portrayals of characters with disabilities, and despite that only 22% of characters with disabilities are authentically portrayed on television.

“As an Oscar-winning actor, Octavia Spencer embodies Hollywood’s vast potential to serve as a powerful catalyst for positive social change if studio, production, and network executives commit to more inclusive and authentic representation,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “We are gratified that Ms. Spencer has joined our call and we look forward to have other actors and actresses, filmmakers, producers and studios continue to create unprecedented momentum that brings about greater casting of people with disabilities.”

To view Octavia Spencer’s video message in full, please see here.

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Ivory Rowen

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One of our summer graphic design interns is Ivory Rowen Nguyen. Ivory is a student at Texas A&M University, and her major is Telecommunications Media Studies with a minor in Graphic Design and Business. Her passion includes graphic design, fashion, and photography. She spends hours daily on Adobe Creative Cloud and is proficient in Illustrator, inDesign, Photoshop, and Lightroom. When school is in session, Ivory holds a position as design chief at A-Line Magazine, a fashion organization, and as a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. When she is not working, Ivory enjoys cooking pescatarian dishes, reading romantic Christmas novels, and sewing.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Oklahoma for 17 years, Ivory moved to Spring, Texas with her parents and twin sister during her senior year of High School. Entering college as a pre-dental student, Ivory knew her passion was in the creative field after her collection of fashion magazines started stocking up on her desk. Trading in anatomy books for a MacBook was the beginning of her road to graphic design. She started taking graphic design courses in college that then introduced her to A-Line Magazine. As design chief, she leads and guides the graphic designers to create new print issues every semester. Her role in the organization led her to join 360 Magazine as our summer graphic design intern. “Before 360, my graphics were all very feminine, and I would use the same pink color palette on all my art but now, I have branched out creating graphics for articles such as on music, health, and landscapes. My time at 360 Magazine has enhanced my creative skills towards launching a successful career in graphic design!”

Rita Azar

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Rita Azar is a Senior at the Lebanese American University taking up a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design. She finished her primary education at The American School of Kuwait, where she was born and raised. Her passion for graphic design started when she took her first graphic design class at school.

She is currently an intern at 360 magazine, where she enjoys illustrating for published articles, and writing a few articles herself to raise awareness about the current situation in her home country, Lebanon.

Rita mainly takes interest in branding, publication design, and UX/UI design. Her work has been selected and published in the 60th edition of Creative Quarterly journal and is soon to be published in international exhibitions by Ecuador Bienal, in the upcoming months.

In the future, Rita would like to continue her studies and earn a masters degree in branding.

Craigslist Safety Tips

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Safety Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Craigslist Scams

When you ask people if they’ve heard of Craigslist, the answer is invariable “yes.” Not surprising, as the selling portal is active in more than 70 countries. But what people don’t realize is that craigslist takes in over $1 Billion in revenue each year, but there are only 50 employees in the company! That’s due to the fact that the buyers and sellers on craigslist do all of the work.

But what most people don’t know is people use craigslist to scam others out of merchandise, data and money. Never has “buyer beware” been more important to follow than it has on craigslist. So what are some of the things that you need to watch out for? Let’s look at some of the most common scams.

Big Ticket – Big Scam

If you’re looking to purchase a big-ticket item, like a car or even a house, and the seller doesn’t ask for a credit check before engaging in a transaction, stop! The seller is just trying to get your financial information and will take your money and disappear. Buyer beware on this because without question, this is a scam.

Something to remember: the Internet and social media have the unique identity to mask the identity of the person you’re dealing with, so even though they give you a name or email address, you have to verify that it’s true. Start with Nuwber, an easy-to-use online tool that will verify the true identity of the person you’re communicating with, simply by entering his or her phone number or other pertinent info. Once you’ve received their true identity, if the person whom you’re dealing with is not who they say they are, end all communication immediately. The person is a cybercrook and scam artist and they’re only out to rob you anyway they can.

Here’s another tip: if someone would prefer to call you rather than text or email you, watch out. They want your phone number in order to gain access to additional data and information, so never give out your number. Always use Google Voice to make or receive phone calls, because it lets you use a phone number that is totally different from your own. And always use craigslist’s proxy email to avoid revealing your own.

Avoid Wire Transfers

A sure giveaway to a scam is when the seller asks you to use a wire transfer to pay for merchandise. This provides an opportunity for the cybercrook to steal your financial data or your money without ever sending any merchandise! Avoid wire transfers. If you do want to use PayPal, use the website to get a link – never use one that’s provided to you by the seller. They’ll simply send you to a spoof site where they can access all the account information you enter.

By following these simple tips to protect yourself, you should be able to buy and sell using craigslist without any problems.

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7 Most Amazing Travel Destinations in Europe

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With most of Europe now opening back up to tourists and travelers after the impact of COVID-19, many of us are starting to think about planning an upcoming European adventure. If you are thinking of going on vacation and want to visit Europe this year after months of uncertainty in quarantine and lockdown, the good news is that most countries on this continent have managed to get control of the coronavirus and are safe to visit once again. Here are some of the top destinations in Europe that can’t be missed.

Portugal:

Portugal is a vibrant, diverse country with so much to see and do that it can feel like you have visited several different countries during your time there. With so much to see and do you will struggle to decide whether you want to enjoy a fun and adventurous city break in magical Porto or explore the sandy beaches and traditional resorts of Albufeira in the Algarve. Or, with trains in Portugal that run regularly, connect the country and can easily be booked online, why not travel to various different Portuguese destinations – don’t restrict yourself to just one place.

Scotland:

With vibrant cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh and rolling countryside including picturesque views in untouched rural areas like on the Isle of Skye, Scotland is the perfect choice for anybody who is looking to visit Europe. While much of Scotland is still in lockdown due to COVID-19 compared to the rest of the UK and Europe, this might be a destination that you want to plan your travel to further in the future – but it will be worth the wait. Get starting putting your trip together with this Scotland trip planner.

Spain:

There’s a reason that Spain is the most popular destination in Europe for tourists. This gorgeous county has just the right combination of cities, villages, and beaches and there really is something for everybody. You can explore the architecture and art in Barcelona, delve into history in Madrid or Seville, or party on the beach in Ibiza or Tenerife – the choice is yours! While Spain was particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus, it is now recovering and ready to welcome visitors once again.

Italy:

Italy is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and indeed in the world. This gorgeous country has a lot to offer, from amazing city breaks in Rome, Florence, Milan or Venice to adventures in the countryside with stunning vineyards and gorgeous beaches to explore. No matter where you go, you will certainly be met with some of the best hospitality that you have ever experienced, not to mention the amazing food and wine in this country that is second-to-none.

France:

Home to Paris, the City of Love, if you are looking for a romantic and intimate getaway with somebody special after the pandemic, there’s no better choice than France. And, since this country is closely bordered with several others in Europe, you can easily get there from destinations in Spain, Portugal, Germany, The Netherlands, and even the UK, with the Eurail train that travels along a tunnel under the English Channel. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant city break exploring the big attractions like the Lourve and Eiffel Tower in Paris or want a more relaxed vacation with summer vibes in Marseilles, there’s something here for every type of traveler.

Malta:

This European island might be small but it certainly has a lot to offer. Visit Malta for the sand, sea, and some of the most delicious food that you will ever taste. And, there is plenty of gorgeous scenery to enjoy; head to Comino for some of the clearest, bluest sea water you will have ever seen or head into the mountains to explore and enjoy a horseback riding adventure. When it comes to things to do, there’s certainly no shortage of activities that you can enjoy amidst the stunning backdrop from quad biking to gun range shooting, or simply sipping a cocktail on the beach.

Greek Islands:

Last but not least, the Greek islands offer some of the most unparalleled beauty in Europe with white, sandy beaches, clear blue seas, and traditional white-domed churches. Santorini is well-known for being one of the most gorgeous of the Greek islands to visit and is very popular with weddings, but the other options including Corfu, Crete, Paphos, and Thessaloniki are all stunning choices for anybody who is looking for a relaxing vacation surrounded with beautiful nature.

Mina Tocalini

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About Mina Tocalini

Mina Tocalini is the child of Argentinian immigrants and was born in South Bay California, at the age of five she moved with her family to Arizona, where she remained until she graduated high school. Recently, she has been living between Pittsburgh, Pa and Los Angeles, California as she completes her Bachelor of Arts in Film and Visual Media (minoring in Animation) at Carnegie Mellon University. She is expected to graduate in May of 2021 and will be taking her classes remotely due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

This past summer Mina began working for 360 Magazine as a Digital Media intern, in which she creates illustrations and writes articles. Her career interests are mainly focused in the entertainment/marketing industry and specifically include working in: graphic design, illustration, animation, post-production, video editing and creative development.

As a fine artist, Mina goes by Pia, her middle name. She mostly creates expressionist portrait paintings and is often drawn to using a wide range of colors and shapes to define the features of the face. Mina loves the texture that develops through the use of various colors and believe it gives each portrait its own personality. Her favorite styles of art are psychedelic, fauvism and anything that veers away from reality.

Beyoncé – Black Is King

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By Eamonn Burke

Last week, Beyoncé released the second trailer for her upcoming film Black is King, set to release on July 31. The production is a visual album that will feature multiple celebrity cameos including Jay-Z and Lupita Nyong’o, as seen in the trailer. Coming one year after Disney’s lasted adaption of the The Lion King, the film spins the old story into a tale of a young kings ascendence into power that represents the journey of black families worldwide. Although the new trailer is not much longer than the previous teaser, it offers a deeper look into the story: “Life is a set of choices. Lead, or be led astray. Follow your light, or lose it” Beyoncé’s opening voiceover says.

Beyoncé called the project a “labor of love” and adds that “The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant.” However, the film has not gone without controversy. Many have criticized the film for cultural appropriation and for “romanticizing Africa.” One such critic is black feminist Jade Bentil at the University of Oxford, who tweeted this statement:

“The repeated tropes/symbolic gestures that homogenise & essentialise thousands of African cultures in service of securing the terrain for Black capitalist possibilities & futures is tired.”

Other criticisms include glorifying African cultures inappropriately and creating false aesthetics. Scenes from the trailer such as Beyoncé riding a horse dressed in animal hide and her excessive jewelry have created controversy about how she is portraying African culture.

Nio García × Casper Mágico – Now or Never

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Nio García and Casper Mágico have “savored” success together, and the combination of both of their talents has always resulted in songs that transcend the Latin music industry. This time, the urban-music sensations decided to take it to the next level, by collaborating in a whole album together. Now or Never consists of 18 original songs, including this new summer hit “No se te dio“, a musical collaboration featuring Arcangel and De La Ghetto available today on all digital platforms.

Now or Never is a real dream come true for both interpreters, and the result of years of hard work together with their record label Flow La Movie INC.

The album includes global hits such as “Te Boté Remix” by Nio García, Darell, Casper Mágico, Nicky Jam, Ozuna and Bad Bunny, “La Jeepeta Remix” by Nio García, Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Brray and Juanka, a song that remains trending on the social media platform TikTok. “Sola y vacia” and “Llamé pa´verte” are also part of this album, which contains musical collaborations of both artists together with Anuel AA, Arcángel, De La Ghetto, Rauw Alejandro, Jowell, and Randy, among others.

“No se te dio” premieres at the same time as the album Now or Never. This release combines 4 of the greatest Latin Music interpreters: Nio García, Casper Mágico, Arcángel, and De La Ghetto, in a sensual-romantic-catchy track, available today on all digital platforms.

“No se te dio“ promises to become the new hit of the summer, a song that was born for the “party mood” but with a little of romanticism on it. Nio García, Casper Mágico, Arcangel, and De La Ghetto joined forces to write the lyrics, with the production of Xound, under the wing of one of the most successful record labels today Flow La Movie INCand distributed by Glad Empire.

The single premieres with its official music video recorded in the city of Orlando, Florida, and directed by Javy Ferrer from Geniuz Mindz. The filmmaker presents the typical failed love story, in a tropical-Caribbean scenario where sensuality and seduction are the main characters. Watch the official music video for “No se te dio” HERE.

Follow Nio García: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Follow Casper Mágico: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

POORSTACY – The Breakfast Club Deluxe

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South Florida born POORSTACY has released the deluxe version of his debut album The Breakfast Club. Featuring three bonus tracks, POORSTACY’s The Breakfast Club Deluxe touts collaborations with famed electronic producer Whethan on the single “Don’t Look At Me” and Blink-182’s Travis Barker on “Choose Life.” With this project, POORSTACY trades in emo rap for rock and shows off his versatility as an artist in noteworthy tracks like the catchy “I Can’t Sleep (ft. iann dior)” and punk-leaning “Hotel.”

Listen to The Breakfast Club Deluxe here.

The Breakfast Club was released at the beginning of 2020, the title being a nod to the 1985 cult classic film.

“The album was written based on pure instinct and raw emotion,” POORSTACY reflects, “I want people to understand themselves by hearing their feelings put into words through me.”

FOLLOW POORSTACY: Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify