Posts made in May 2021

Tate McRae × Essentia

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Rising singer/songwriter Tate McRae announced that she has signed her first major brand partner deal with water company Essentia.

With over 1.8 billion career streams and being listed as the youngest musician to make the Forbes “30 Under 30” list, Tate is familiar with hard work, dedication and knows what it takes to overcome unthinkable odds, traits that fit well with Essentia’s commitment to keep the world properly hydrated so people can do the things that matter most to them.

“My journey has been filled with hard work, unexpected turns, late nights, and early mornings,” said Tate. “I’ve made sacrifices in pursuit of my dreams and even though I felt like I gave up some of my childhood, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so excited to partner with Essentia because it’s a brand that encourages people to pursue their dreams and to never give up, plus it’s my favorite water.”

The announcement comes as Essentia launches its “Stop for Nothing” campaign that will feature Tate. The campaign will also feature star quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and classical fusion violinist Ezinma who will showcase that resilience takes motivation, strength, stamina and makes you feel unstoppable, but in order to maintain it, you first have to take care of yourself and that starts with proper hydration.

Essentia Water CEO Scott Miller said Tate is someone who has always gone after her dreams. “When I learnt that Tate started setting goals when she was eight years old, I knew she was someone with grit and determination,” Miller said. “We are thrilled to have Tate bring her passion, creativity, and drive to Essentia.”

Essentia is the pioneer of ionized alkaline water and is known for its unique ionization process. The brand is CarbonNeutral® Packaging Certified and distributed in nearly 90,000 retailers across the United States.

About Tate McRae

Singer/songwriter/dancer Tate McRae has become the artist on the rise. She currently has over 1.8 billion career streams with over 3.3 million subscribers and over 500 million video views on YouTube. She was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 List for 2021 as the youngest musician as well as Apple’s Up Next Artist for 2021.

Her current single, “you broke me first” reached #1 at Top 40 radio, has over 1 billion stream worldwide and has been on the Hot 100 (peaking at #17; currently #21) longer than any other song released by a female in 2020 with 37 weeks. The track is approaching the Top 10 at Hot AC, helped Tate to secure her spot in the #1 spot for 5 weeks on Billboard’s Emerging Artist Chart and was #1 at dance radio last year. The track is not only double platinum in the US, but 4x platinum in Ireland and 3x platinum in Australia and Singapore.

Tate McRae hails from Calgary, Canada after living in Oman until she was 6 years old. She made a name for herself as a competitive dancer placing second runner up on Season 13 of the Fox series: So You Think You Can Dance, achieved the “The Best Dancer” honor three times at the prestigious Dance Awards, and hit the stage for performances on Ellen, The Teen Choice Awards, and beyond. Not to mention, she lent her voice to Netflix’s animated Lalaloopsy in the role of Spot Splatter Splash. Tate launched her YouTube channel and her “Create with Tate” music series where she has been consistently releasing original music. Who knows what’s next for this artist-on-the-rise?

Q×A with Page Kennedy

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ACTOR & RAPPER PAGE KENNEDY JOINS 360 MAGAZINE FOR SOME Q&A

By: Heather Skovlund-Reibsamen

Page Kennedy is well known as a rapper and actor within our entertainment industry. Kennedy’s recent acting skills brought him to play “Duck” on Netflix’s “The Upshaws”, one of their newest series to hit streaming platforms starring alongside Kim Fields (Regina Upshaw), Mike Epps (Bennie Upshaw), and Wanda Skyes (Lucretia). He is also known for his roles in “Blue Mountain State”, “Weeds” and his comedic genius skits shared on Instagram and TikTok.

Kennedy’s self-titled album ‘Page’ was released in February 2021 featuring heavyweight rappers Xzibit and Method Man is available now on all streaming platforms – make sure you go check it out!

360 Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Page Kennedy where we discussed “The Upshaws”, his character ‘Duck’, music, and his fitness journey. We had an amazing conversation about his media roles, the love for Eminem, and also found out that we both favor Cardi B because of the way she represents herself: “Cardi B makes me feel like I know her”, said Kennedy.

Read on to hear about our conversation with Page!

Your Netflix series, “The Upshaws”, came out today- how do you feel about working with it?

PK: I love it, you know I was a part of it, and I still watch the series multiple times. I can’t get tired of it. I can just go to any episode and watch it- it has so many great jokes and the characters are diverse, and they bring their own style, energy and creativity. I think it’s the funniest show on TV.

How is it working with the cast?

PK: Working with the cast is great. You know, you got legends there. You’ve got Kim Fields, the ultimate foremost legend, Mike Epps who is a comic genius, Wanda Skyes- comic genius. They are good people, and everybody is happy to be here, so it makes it fun.

Do you feel that you have any similar traits to your character Duck within yourself?

PK: I’ve been asked that question and, let me see, I look at Duck as a different character than what I typically play. The only similarity that I see between me and Duck is his loyalty. He is loyal to a fault. You know, he spent 7-10 years in jail where he could have gotten less time where he could have ratted out his friend who could have been his co-defendant, but he just took it. I think I have a loyalty like Duck. Other than that, he’s a little different than me.

Let’s talk about your latest album. How did you feel about the creative direction within the videos for “Fear” and “Safe”? How did you work through the process of such a real and raw album?

PK: I wanted to make use of all of my talents to create an art- that was my goal. My goal was to take the amalgamation of talents that I have to coalesce to create art that could be ubiquitous forever. You know, that’s what I feel I accomplished because things are great 20 years from now and it’s still going to be great. You can still listen to Biggie because it’s incredible, it’s timeless and that’s what I wanted to do. I feel like I accomplished that.

Can you tell us about the song “Shine”?

PK: I think that the album needed some respite because it’s very heavy and after you listen to Fear and Safe, it’s so cumbersome that you need some respite. And so that’s what Shine provides. It still takes a look at how difficult 2019 was personally for me and then 2020 was for everyone. The face of darkness, there is light after, and I wanted to show that the Devil will not take that light away. We will shine.

Can you tell us about your album cover?

PK: The cover of the album is confluence of tragic incident of black Americans who have had their lives taken from them at the hands of police brutality. That confluence is to show that they are me. You know, they all make up me; I am the same as them and so I wanted to, through me, show them. Wait until you get to the song “Flowers”, that is my favorite song on the album.

At the end of some of your videos, there is mention of voting- what are you trying to show viewers?

PK: So, creating Fear was so I could galvanize the troops to go vote because we can’t just yell from the rafters “We are being disrespected”, “We are being overlooked”. We have to actually get in the dirt and, you know, do things that cause change. Our biggest voice was our vote. The virality of those videos was to have the embolism of to vote throughout the video. To help people want to get out and vote after they see the deleterious effects of what fear can do on both sides so that’s why you see that throughout the videos.

Let’s talk about your fitness journey. What motivated you to get started?

PK: I got tired of looking at myself in movies and TV fat as hell and I was more attractive in my head than I was externally, so I wanted to match that.

So, there’s a lot of excuses that I think many people use such as “I can’t afford to go to the gym” or “I hurt too much to do this”. How did you push past your own excuses?

PK: I have an additive personality so once I get into something, I’m locked in and I got my mind right and ready. I had help, a tool to help me out with the point of why I was overweight which was my addiction to food. And so, I got gastro sleeve surgery which made my stomach smaller so that I couldn’t overeat. That helped. That was like the catalyst to help me and the working out thing- I already had that down. I had challenges where I would workout 100 straight days and another challenge where I went a straight year of working out without missing any days. My mind was already set to go to the gym, I just needed to get the food stuff right.

Do you still workout consistently?

PK: Yep, I’m still in it. Even when the gyms were closed, I found a way to get the workout in.

What advice would you offer somebody as far as starting out on their journey? If they were with you and undecided about their journey because of lack of motivation.

PK: I would say to make it something that is a part of your daily life that you don’t have a choice of. You don’t have a choice if you need to go to the bathroom or not, you don’t have a choice whether you like eating or not. These are things that must happen regardless of what you want or not. So, if you make the gym or workout a part of that, you take the lack of motivation away. We can have things taken away for us and see how resilient we could be. If you’re in jail or in a weight loss camp or anywhere that caused your free will to be taken away and you are forced to do something, you can do it because you have to. So why have to be in a situation where some other exterior force forces you to when you have a mind and brain that is going to be the thing to make you do it anyway.

Do you have a specific meal plan?

PK: Sometimes, yes. I go in spurts. Some weeks I have no carbs and no sugar. Then some weeks I am a little looser. I just try to be moderate because I could easily go really far one way or really far the other way. It’s not until I’m actually preparing for something that I go super crazy. Other than that, I just try and stay in striking range.

Do you allow yourself to have treats?

PK: Yep, probably more than I should.

What kind of workouts do you do?

PK: Well, when I get off the phone with you, I have a trainer, so I am going to the gym. Wednesday is leg day, which sucks. I work out with a trainer 3-4 days a week and then two other days I have an Oculus virtual reality thing that I do a supernatural workout on or I ride my bike for 20 miles to the beach on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Is there anything else that you’d like to talk about or anything that you’d like to share with our readers?

PK: I just want them to the importance of the album “Page” and how it’s important to everyone in the world right to be aware of everything that happening right now and everything that’s going on. And that if this album was released by a bigger artist, it would be a Grammy-nominated type of album – that’s how important this album is. I just implore everyone to continue to listen to it and check it out because I think it’s necessary. That’s the main thing that I want- and watch “The Upshaws” on Netflix streaming now.

The Fratellis × Rudimental – Need a Little Love Remix

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PLATINUM RECORDING TRIO THE FRATELLIS PARTNER WITH RUDIMENTAL FOR REIMAGINED VERSION OF NEED A LITTLE LOVE – AVAILABLE NOW, LISTEN HERE, THE BAND’S SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM HALF DRUNK UNDER A FULL MOON IS AVAILABLE NOW ON COOKING VINYL

Half Drunk Under a Full Moon creates a dreamlike feel for listeners, retaining catchy, folky aspects while gracing listeners with swaying melodies and playful drumming. – RIFF Magazine

Fresh off the heels of their sixth studio album, Half Drunk Under A Full Moon, Platinum recording trio The Fratellis partnered with Mercury Prize winning electronic act, Rudimental, on a reimagined version of their single Need a Little Love. The track is available on all DSPs now via Cooking Vinyl, listen here. Watch the video here, and a behind-the-scenes documentary about the Rudimental/Fratellis collaboration here.

Says Rudimental’s Amir Amor, Experiment. That’s one of the defining factors I’ve learned — you can get something from the most unlikely places. Adds bandmate Kesi Dyden, When we heard the original version of The Fratellis’ track we were remixing, we were like, wow. It’s a great song, but it’s so different from what we make, and our sound. It’s quite exciting for us to step out of our comfort zone.

Says Jon Fratelli, We had a lot of fun collaborating with Rudimental on this remix. It’s not something we’ve really ever done before, so we are pleased with how well it turned out.

The Fratellis performed Need A Little Love on The Late Late Show with James Corden and The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, where they also performed a live version of Baccara’s 70s classic Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which has become a viral hit reaching 200k views on YouTube. The band will release a studio version of the song to coincide with Scotland’s appearance in the delayed Euro 2020 football tournament.

Reminiscent of the Beach Boys, Motown, the Waterboys, and the Bugsy Malone soundtrack, the increasingly ambitious Fratellis shoot for the moon and reach for the stars – and they succeed. – Yahoo! Entertainment

The Fratellis Create the Most Colorful Record of Their Career with ‘Half Drunk Under a Full Moon’ – American Songwriter

The sixth album from the Scottish trio is a melodic rush of soulful pop. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Learn more about The Fratellis at their website.

New Bacteria to Help Detect Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

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In an important step toward the clinical application of synthetic biology, Rice University researchers have engineered a bacterium with the necessary capabilities for diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases.

The engineered strain of the gut bacteria E. coli senses pH and glows when it encounters acidosis, an acidic condition that often occurs during flare ups of inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis, ileitis and Crohn’s disease.

Researchers at the University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine used the Rice-created organism in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease to show acidosis activates a signature set of genes. The corresponding genetic signature in humans has previously been observed during active inflammation in Crohn’s disease patients. The results are available online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Study co-author Jeffrey Tabor, an associate professor of bioengineering in Rice’s Brown School of Engineering, whose lab engineered the pH-sensing bacterium, said it could be reprogrammed to make colors that show up in the toilet instead of the fluorescent tags used in the CU School of Medicine experiments.

“We think it could be added to food and programmed to turn toilet water blue to warn patients when a flare up is just beginning,” said Tabor.

Bacteria have evolved countless specific and sensitive genetic circuits to sense their surroundings. Tabor and colleagues developed a biohacking toolkit that allows them to mix and match the inputs and outputs of these bacterial sensors. The pH-sensing circuit was discovered by Rice Ph.D. student Kathryn Brink in a 2019 demonstration of the plug-and-play toolkit.

PNAS study co-authors Sean Colgan, the director of the CU School of Medicine’s Mucosal Inflammation Program, and Ian Cartwright, a postdoctoral fellow in Colgan’s lab, read about the pH sensor and contacted Tabor to see if it could be adapted for use in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease.

“It turns out that measuring pH within the intestine through noninvasive ways is quite difficult,” said Colgan, the Levine-Kern Professor of Medicine and Immunology in the CU School of Medicine.

So Brink spent a few weeks splicing the necessary sensor circuits into an organism and sent it to Colgan’s lab.

“Normally, the pH in your intestines is around seven, which is neutral, but you get a lot of inflammation in Crohn’s disease, and pH goes to something like three, which is very acidic,” Tabor said.

Colgan and colleagues have studied the genes that are turned on and off under such conditions and “needed a tool to measure pH in the intestine to show that the things they were observing in in vitro experiments were also really happening in a live animal,” Tabor said.

“Colonizing this bacterial strain was the perfect biological tool to monitor acidosis during active inflammation,” Colgan said. “Correlating intestinal gene expression with the bacterial pH sensing bacteria proved to be a useful and valuable set of biomarkers for active inflammation in the intestine.”

Tabor said he believes the pH-sensing bacterium could potentially be advanced for human clinical trials in several years.

Tabor’s work was supported by the Welch Foundation and the National Science Foundation.

Inhaler Announces 2022 Tour

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INHALER ANNOUNCE MARCH 2022 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, TICKETS ON SALE MAY 21, Dublin Quartet To Release Debut Album It Won’t Always Be Like This July 9th

Inhaler announce their North American tour kicking off March 4, 2022 in Atlanta at Terminal West and wrapping up March 31, 2022 in Los Angeles at The Belasco Theatre (see below for complete itinerary). Tickets are available to the general public on May 21 at 10am local time. Tickets can be purchased here. The Dublin quartet’s first full-length, It Won’t Always Be Like This, will be released on July 9th on Interscope Records and is available to pre-order here. It’s a record that sees Elijah Hewson (vocals and guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass) and Ryan McMahon (drums) turn their early promise into something special, an album teeming with expansive indie-rock grooves and soaring anthems. We really had the opportunity to explore our sound, says Hewson.

We’re extremely happy to announce our next American venture, says Inhaler. Hard to believe we’ve gone this long without each other. Can’t wait to play you new music.

The album includes the single Cheer Up Baby, a swooping, epic singalong alongside early fan favorites My Honest Face and title track It Won’t Always Be Like This. Inhaler made their U.S. television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden in March where they performed Cheer Up Baby. Inhaler has amassed a diehard fan base despite only releasing a handful of singles which have been streamed over 52 million times.

Inhaler will play a full tour of the UK and Ireland later this year before heading to the states for their March 2022 North American headline tour. The dates in September, October and December include brand new UK tour dates alongside the band’s rescheduled tour of Ireland. Click here for a complete list of UK and Ireland tour dates.

See below for a complete list of Inhaler’s 2022 North American tour dates

March 4 – Atlanta, Terminal West

March 5 – Nashville, The Basement East

March 7 – Washington DC, 9:30 Club

March 8 – Philadelphia, Theatre Of Living Arts

March 10 – New York, Irving Plaza

March 11 – Brooklyn, Warsaw

March 12 – Boston, Royale

March 14 – Toronto, Phoenix Concert Theatre

March 15 – Detroit, St Andrews Hall

March 17 – Chicago, House Of Blues

March 18 – Milwaukee, Rave II

March 19 – Minneapolis, First Avenue

March 21 – Denver, Summit Music Hall

March 22 – Salt Lake City, The Depot

March 24 – Vancouver, The Commodore Ballroom

March 25 – Seattle, The Showbox

March 26 – Portland, Wonder Ballroom

March 28 – San Francisco, The Fillmore

March 29 – San Diego, The Observatory North Park

March 31 – Los Angeles, The Belasco

Inhaler formed while still at school in Dublin, bonding over a love of Joy Division, The Stone Roses, Kings Of Leon, The Strokes, Interpol, The Cure and more. A string of captivating singles and their fevered live show have earned them a diehard fanbase. The band were originally meant to begin recording It Won’t Always Be Like This in March 2020 but their plans were derailed by lockdown. Instead of moping, they used the period as a time to rethink and reimagine what their debut album could be.

Follow Inhaler via their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Global Card Game Market

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Global Card Game Market to Hit $6.8B Value by 2025

Over the years, the global card game market has witnessed steady growth and acceptance among players, despite huge competition from digital entertainment sources. However, as millions of people started spending more time indoors amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, the entire sector surged in 2020, with revenues rising by 16% YoY to $5.6bn.

According to data presented by 123scommesse.it, after a slight drop in 2021, the global card game market is expected to continue growing and hit a $6.8bn value by 2025.

Revenues to Jump by 23% in Four Years

The main product in the card game market is a card deck that comes in many varieties. Besides standard decks, the segment includes individual decks for games like Uno, Tarot, or Lexicon and collectible and trading card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering.

Between 2012 and 2017, the revenues of the global card game market jumped by 50% to over $4.1bn, revealed the Statista Consumer Market Outlook. The steady growth continued in the following years, with revenues rising to $4.8bn in 2019, a 17% increase in two years.

However, as lockdowns forced people across the globe to spend more time indoors, revenues jumped by 16% YoY to $5.6bn in 2020, the most significant annual increase so far.

The Statista data indicate the global card game market is set to witness a slight contraction this year, with revenues slipping to just under $5.6bn. However, this figure is expected to jump by 23% in the next four years, with the entire market reaching over $6.8bn value.

China and US to Generate One Third of Total Card Game Revenues in 2021

Analyzed by geography, China represents the world’s largest card game market, expected to generate $1.2bn in revenue, a slight increase compared to last year. However, statistics show that the Chinese market grew by 18% since the pandemic stroke. By 2025, Chinese card game revenues are expected to jump to $1.5bn.

The Indian market, as the second largest globally, is forecast to hit $706 million in revenue in 2021, up from $694 million in 2020. In the next four years, this figure is set to reach almost $980 million.

The US card game market, as the third largest globally, is forecast to generate $623 million in revenue this year, down from $637 million a year ago. However, the US market is expected to continue rising in the following years and hit $682 million in value by 2025.

Read the full story here.

Cool Running Gear You Can’t Ignore

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If you are starting to discover the joy of running, you can enhance your experience by wearing cool running gear. Not only will you look the part and feel more confident while you run, but also you will ensure you have the right gear to maximize your performance.

Running Tops

If you wear a normal cotton top for running, it will rapidly absorb sweat or rain, so it is a much better idea to go with a short-sleeved or long-sleeved top that has been specifically designed for running. Mid-range to top-range running tops wick away sweat to keep you cool. They also allow for greater air circulation. A good running top needs to be reasonably fitted, but not too tight. Make sure that your top regulates temperature according to your body’s needs.

Interval Timers and Apps

Interval training can help runners see faster results, so there is no wonder why it has become particularly popular. As the name suggests, interval training involves high intensity workouts interspersed with periods of relief.

It can be challenging to keep track of when it is time between intervals of relief and running. However, that problem can easily be solved by using interval timers and apps. Interval timers are small devices that you wear. They are lightweight, so you do not have to worry about motion interference. Alternatively, you may prefer to use a timer app that can be accessed via mobile device. Such devices can be useful to keep track of time while you run.

Running Shorts

Running shorts are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and brands, so choose a cool pair of shorts to make you feel confident while you run. Look at the practicalities of the shorts as well as their fashion statement. Running shorts should be comfortable and lightweight. They should also have the ability to wick away sweat. The shorts should not cut off circulation around your waist nor be too loose.

Running Gloves

Running gloves not only make you look trendy, but also serve a practical purpose too. When you run, blood is diverted from your fingers and hands to the working muscles in your legs. This means that your hands can become very cold when you run. Running gloves keep your hands and fingers at an optimum temperature during cold periods. The gloves should be lightweight and comfortable. The best gloves are waterproof and have wind-stopping capabilities.

Running Jackets

When the weather is very wet or cold, you need to think about more than just your hands. It is advisable to buy a long-sleeved waterproof jacket that has wind-stopping and rain-resistance capabilities. There are plenty of funky-looking running jackets available, but you need to consider more than just fashion. Choose a running jacket that not only keeps you warm and dry, but also has a high-visibility pattern to keep you safe when running in the dark.

Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive: An Epic Australian Road Trip

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Tasmania’s east coast boasts abundant natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and gorgeous sandy beaches. Taking a road trip along the Great Eastern Drive is one of the best ways to explore the coast, which spans an impressive 176 kilometers. While you can take all the time you want to explore this route, it can also be completed in as little as one weekend.

Drive in comfort

Living up to its name, the Great Eastern Drive involves plenty of driving. A reliable and spacious car is therefore a must to keep you comfortable on your trip. In particular, drivers commonly rate SUVs as practical vehicles with expansive interiors and roomy trunks. You’ll have plenty of legroom to stretch out your legs, as well as space to keep your belongings and luggage. You’ll also need to pack enough water and snacks to keep you hydrated and well-fueled on the road. Bananas and nuts can provide great energy boosts when your energy levels start to dip. Also be sure to bring sunglasses: having the sun in your eyes while driving can cause headaches. Tinted sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sun’s harsh glare.

Begin in Hobart

Your road trip kicks off in Hobart: Tasmania’s capital city. From here, you’ll drive north on the Tasman Highway while enjoying the expansive scenic views. It’ll take you about an hour to arrive in Triabunna, a charming small coastal town surrounded by beaches, hills and forests. Make time to sample the locally-caught fish and chips before taking the ferry to Maria Island (only half an hour away). You can explore the beautiful and peaceful island’s hiking trails, as well as go swimming, scuba diving or snorkeling. When you’re ready, catch the ferry back to mainland Orford, another nearby small village. Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants before unwinding for the night in your hotel room.

Exploring Orford and Swansea

Start the next day with a hike in Wielangta Forest — the Three Thumbs track is a 2-hour, 4-kilometre loop that passes through dry eucalyptus forest and temperate rainforest. Exploring Three Thumbs is well worth the effort: you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views over Maria Island, Orford, and Spring Bay. Next up on your road trip, you’ll drive to Freycinet Peninsula, a large peninsula overflowing with natural beauty, including pink granite mountain ranges. Here you can enjoy a number of water sports in Wineglass Bay (think swimming, diving and surfing). If bird-watching is more your thing, head to the Moulting Lagoon wetlands and keep an eye out for the beautiful native pelicans and black swans.

If you have the time, don’t end your road trip before exploring Freycinet National Park — Tasmania’s oldest national park. It has a number of hiking trails of varying lengths, which will give you sweeping views over Wineglass Bay. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot some of the local wildlife like honeyeaters, black cockatoos, yellow wattlebirds, white-bellied sea eagles, and dolphins.

5 things you need to know about NFTs

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5 things you need to know about NFTs

Non fungible tokens. You’ve probably heard about the latest internet phenomenon that is dominating headlines in the art world and beyond.

Little wonder. Digital artist Beeple sold his artwork for an incredible £69 million ($96 million) earlier this year, while even Twitter founder Jack Dorsey got in on the act by attracting $2.5 million for his first-ever tweet.

If you’re wondering how you can get in on the action on the technology that promises to revolutionise the way we trade, here are five things you should know first.

They’re unique digital certificates of ownership…

A non-fungible token, or NFT, derives its name from the idea of fungibility. Put simply, this is the idea that something can be replicated, or traded for something else of a like kind. A 10-dollar bill is a prime example of a fungible item: there are billions of them in existence thanks to the US Federal Reserve printing them out regularly, which means their value will always be kept to whatever 10 dollars is worth. It can also easily be traded to buy 10 dollars’ worth of goods or service.

A non-fungible item, on the other hand, is completely unique. Take a winning lottery ticket: yes, someone else might have the same numbers as you, but it’s impossible to replicate that ticket at will.

The Mona Lisa is another example. People can copy it, but they’ll never produce the original. This is why Da Vinci’s masterpiece is priceless – and non-fungible.

When somebody has something non-fungible, then it’s natural that they want to certify its validity. This is where an NFT comes in: it’s a unique virtual certificate that is verified by Blockchain. A Blockchain acts as a kind of independent secure public ledger, so that people can see the details of the transaction and who owns the item.

In short, it’s an assurance of authenticity – and people are prepared to pay big money for the NFTs of certain things.

… but people can still download digital copies of an item

It’s important to note that an NFT doesn’t prevent people from digitally copying the item in question. With a physical piece of art, you control where you keep it and who sees it, but people can still download an NFT artwork to their own collection if they want.

The value in an NFT, therefore, is proving that you own the original version of that work, rather than a copy.

So, while a digital copy might be a cool thing to have, its value will never actually increase. An NFT, on the other hand, ensures that a coveted work achieves its true value for being the original.

A good example is an NFT for an album. Fans can download digital copies, but the musician with its NFT is the only one who can claim to be the owner — and earn a percentage of the resales and royalties.

They’re collectibles

Anyone who likes to collect things knows that most of the fun comes from having something that other people don’t have. Whether it’s a rare type of stamp or football sticker, there’s a certain thrill in possessing something special.

NFTs are the ultimate collectible. In the NBA, some of the most memorable clips in the organisation’s history have been converted into the tokens so that fans can buy and trade them. While fans can still view any clip they want, some of the most wanted sell for thousands of dollars, simply so the owner can say they possess it — and potentially sell it later, of course.

The human need to collect things is something that runs deep, something that some theorists say harks back to our hunter-gatherer days when survival meant accumulating as many things as possible. It might explain why the NFT craze has taken off so rapidly and ensure that it continues to dominate the headlines for some time yet.

They could eliminate ticket fraud

Ever paid over the odds for concert passes or, even worse, unwittingly bought a forged ticket? NFTs may make this a thing of the past.

If an event organiser uses the token to sell tickets, they would have a cast-iron seal of authenticity and fraudulent sellers would be unable to replicate them. What’s more, because blockchain allows the NFT owner to verify which tickets are acceptable, they will have the control to reject those that are sold above their face value and prevent the transaction.

This promises to be a huge business with so many major artists expressing their dislike of ticket fraud in the past. Platforms such as Mintbase already allow organisers to easily produce tickets as NFTs and the process is likely to get even simpler over the next few years.

It has led to some bizarre ideas…and will continue to do so

Monochrome Bleu Numérique. It might sound like a French arthouse movie, but it’s just a blue rectangle. Or, to be more precise, a digital artwork of a blue rectangle.

It’s one of many unusual ideas that are being sold as a non-fungible token on Rarible, the website where people can trade NFTs. The artist behind it, Damien Thirst, admitted that it was ‘a bit of a joke’, but wanted it to challenge the concept of ownership in the digital world. It certainly has people talking, and its price was set a 0.3 Ether (the cryptocurrency for Blockchain platform Ethereum), or $1,173 at the time of writing.

Other bizarre NFTs include buyers paying over half a million dollars for a picture of a New York Times column and a similar amount for a ‘digital house’ that is, naturally, impossible to live in.

It’s fitting for a concept that seeks to challenge the way we view ownership. While we can use NFTs to improve our lives, maybe we should accept that there are certain aspects of this technology that we’ll never fully understand.

Jeff Chen To Star in Plum Town

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Talented Young Actor Jeff Chen Announces His Latest Staring Role in the Short Film “Plum Town.”

Talented young actor, Jeff Chen, is scheduled to star in the film short “Plum Town.” “Plum Town: is on *The Blacklist. Shooting is to begin in May 2021. “Plum Town” is a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. Jeff loves his craft and always delivers amazing performances. He is super excited about this upcoming opportunity.

Jeff Chen hails from China. He moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue his acting career. Since, he has made worked in film, television, and commercials. Jeff Chen comes many goodies in his acting tool-box– he is fluent in both English and Mandarin, has a bachelor’s degree from American University, and has a master’s degree from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Jeff Chen has done scene study with The Ivana Chubbuck Studio. He has studied audition technique with the world-renowned Margie Haber, as well as Chris Holder.

Jeff Chen’s acting credits include commercials for NBA Chinese New Year, and Chevrolet. His film credits include “Kiss of the Rabbit God,” a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god. This god leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people. In this production, Chen played Shen. This film was directed by Andrew Thomas Huang.

In “Shanghai Sole”, Chen played a lawyer. “Shanghai Sole” presents a story about an American businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai. This production is directed by Eli Stern.

In “I for I,” Chen played Jeremy, directed by Ash Coffelt. In “White Collar Lie,” Chen played Troy, directed by Rong Hou. “Almost American,” features Chen as Bruce, directed by Kunyou Lai, In “Home for Dinner”, as directed by Jiayu Liu, Chen he played Ken.

All of his various characters are thoroughly researched, and Chen brings a certain charismatic portrayal to everything he touches. Jeff says, “I find the character through the writing, every time I get a script, I look at something in my own experience that is relatable to the character, but each one has a large part of me wrapped up in it, you have to find it inside yourself, it’s a process”.

Jeff Chen has a huge heart, and he covets many charities. These charities include an NGO called Saving Promise which helps raise awareness for domestic violence. Chen feels strongly about the mission of Doctors without Borders, which he consistently supports. He is always thinking about giving back and wants to help anyone who is not as lucky as him.

Jeff Chen’s family means a lot to him. His beloved mother, a super successful businesswoman, carved the way for him to be confident, and to brush off any doubts and keep striving to the top.

Jeff Chen has got all of the goods, he is one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood. Jeff Chen’s time is now– don’t you want to be part of this phenomenon?

* The Black List is an annual survey of the “most-liked” motion picture screenplays not yet produced. The Black List comes out in December and has been released since 2005, by Franklin Leonard, a development executive who subsequently worked at Universal Pictures and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment.

Jeff Chen spoke about this acting career:

How has your family inspired you and your acting?

My family actually discouraged me from pursuing acting. They are the typical Chinese parents, which means they want me to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. But since I was a kid, I loved entertaining them and make them laugh. The idea of being seen and heard inspired me to pursue this career.

Where do you see your career going in five years?

I want to have more on-screen presence in general. I want to do more films and explore roles that I haven’t gotten to play before. Also, I have always wanted to do a fun show that requires extremely good chemistry, like Friends or Modern Family. Doesn’t every actor want that though?

[Can you] talk about any directors you have worked with?

I had the honor to work with Andrew Thomas Huang. He is known for his iconic visual style. Working with him on set is an eye-opening experience. He has a clear picture in his head and he communicates with me with trust. I enjoy[ed] every minute of working with him.

Where do you get your ideas for character development?

Art imitates life. Observing people in real life just gives me so many resources to work with. I like observing people: watching how they walk, how they behave, how they talk. I also like to play with my imagination. I like to read the scripts and have the word stimulate my imagination. There are no rules of how to approach something. Usually, my instincts tell me what to do and I follow them.

What charities are you aligned with, and why?

Years ago I worked for an NGO called Saving Promise. We helped raise awareness for Domestic Violence. I also donate to Doctors without Borders through my Amazon purchases. It’s not much, but every bit counts.

What acting projects will you be involved with in the future?

I just finished working on a short film that’s adapted from a Black List script. I am also talking to Andrew for a possible collaboration on a feature film in the future.

Who are your biggest influences?

So many people have influenced me and it’s impossible to just pick out one. Great movies are the reason that I want to pursue an on-screen career. I admire directors such as Pedro Almodovar, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Wong Kai Wei, Ang Lee, etc. I look up to their work so much.

What advice would you give to a young actor starting out?

Listen and learn from all the teachers, and challenge what you’ve learned. You have to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Most importantly, dare to fail.

Talk about your acting training–who have you trained with and why?

I am currently training under Margie Haber and Chris Holder at Ivana Chubbuck’s studio. Margie teaches me to use my imagination, and Chris teaches me to draw inspiration from my personal life.

How do you take care of yourself? [What’s] your health regime?

Well I try to exercise as much as possible. I need physical activities to calm my mind.

If you could collaborate with another actor, who would it be?

Anya Taylor-Joy. I am a huge fan of Queen’s Gambit and her performance is hard to forget. I also love her work in the VVITCH and Split. Timothee Chalamet is another actor that I really want to work with.

What shows are on your DVR right now, and why?

I am finishing up Six Feet Under. The Sopranos and Handmaid’s Tale are also on my list.

Who are your favorite actors right now and why?

Well, there are just too many. Olivia Colman, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino…All these great actors just inspire me to be better. I love actors.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

About when I was one years old, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I just loved to watch movies and I knew this is what I wanted to do.

What actor/actress did you admire as a child?

I didn’t really admire any actors or actresses when I was a kid but I did want to be friends with Emma Watson and the entire Harry Potter gang. I was such a fan of Harry Potter.

What types of characters would you like to play in the future?

I want to play a really bad, sexy villain. That could be really fun. I also want to play a young artist, a poet, a loner, rebel without cause. These are characters I would love to dive into.

What’s your fashion style?

I honestly don’t know what my fashion style is. I do care about what I wear, but I don’t know how to label it. I know what vibes or feelings I want to give out, and I dress accordingly.

What do you do to relax?

I do yoga and rock climb. I also love hanging out with my friends.

What other businesses do you plan on starting to promote your brand?

Right now I am just focusing on my acting.

What’s the one thing you think everyone could do to make the world a more positive place?

Put yourself in others’ shoes more.

What would you be doing if you were not acting?

I think I would go to law school and be a lawyer. Or go back home to help my mom with her business.

What was your first memory of seeing great acting?

I remember watching “Cold Mountain” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” in high school. Renee Zellweger brought me into tears and Mr. Brando presented so much power through his performance.

What’s your favorite film, and why?

It’s impossible for me to pick one favorite film. Right off my head I can think of Chungking Express, Little Miss Sunshine, Brokeback Mountain, Toni Erdmann, Kill Bill, Amelie.

What are your first steps in taking on a new role?

I put on my detective’s glasses and look for all the information I could possibly find to help me live truthfully as the character. I want to know everything about them: social class, where did they grow up, what’s their physicality, etc.

What do you want to leave as your legacy?

Hopefully 50 years after I left this world, somebody will still watch my movies and go “hmm, I really believe him.”

Talk about your last 3 acting projects.

I just finished shooting for a short film called “The Plum Town”. It’s a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. It’s adapted from the feature film script that was on the Black List.

“Kiss of the Rabbit God” is a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god. This god leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people.

“Shanghai Sole” is a story about an American businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai.

How do you overcome challenges in your career?

Certainly there have been difficult times on this journey. At the end of the day, the love and passion for cinema just moves you forward. So you pick yourself up, dust off your shoulders, and move on.

Is there anything in your career that you wish you could do again?

I don’t really have any regrets. I do wish I could of come to LA earlier and had started this experience earlier.

What are your hobbies?

I like bouldering, hiking, and working out. I also love traveling. Karaoke is a big part of my life.

Fondest memory as a child with your family?

My mom is a strong businesswoman who has been busy with her business for the past 15 years. I don’t really get to spend a lot of time with her. When I was about 10 years old, she actually planned a one-day vacation for our family. We went to this amusement park for a day. I still smile every time I think about that trip.