This Week on NFB.ca: Spin-offs, Sequels, and Prequels – Oh, My!

Everything old is new again. All you have to do is take a look at today’s mass entertainment for proof. Reboots, sequels, prequels and spin-offs are the order of the day. From The Conners and Murphy Brown to every superhero in the Marvel and DC universes – it’s everywhere you look.

We’re no stranger to the phenomenon. Believe it or not, the NFB has its share of making-ofs, prequels, sequels, and spin-offs, too. And that’s what we decided to focus on this week. There’s nothing better than discovering there’s more of your old favourites. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some great films.

Buster Keaton Rides Again

This documentary by John Spotton is essentially the making-of Gerald Potterton’s short film The Railrodder,but it’s so much more than that. It’s a wildly entertaining opportunity to get up close and personal with comedic legend Buster Keaton. Join him and his wife as they ride the rails in luxury across Canada while shooting the short comedy.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/16hkx5P

The Devil at Your Heels

This profile of Montreal-born stunt driver Ken Carter is an NFB classic. Carter had this idea to build a rocket-powered car and jump from a 10-storey take-off ramp across the St. Lawrence River. A mile-wide stretch across the river, mind you. It took him 5 years to raise the funds to try it. During that time, director Roger Fortier released a 10-minute short called The Mad Canadian, which followed Carter as he prepared for various stunts.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2BLDcyV

90 Days

Ah… remember the 80s? Here is film rooted firmly in the 80s. It’s a feature by director Giles Walker and it brings us the misadventures of two modern men in search of romance. 90 Days is a sequel to Walker’s earlier film, The Masculine Mystique, which he co-directed with John N. Smith. That film was a blend of documentary and fiction that focused on 4 men navigating the feminist 80s. This one is pure fiction, and completely tongue-in-cheek.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2KKqra6

Totem: Return and Renewal

This short film provides a follow-up to Totem: Return of the G’Psgolox Pole. In the earlier doc, we witness the efforts of the Haisla people to reclaim their cultural artefact which was taken in 1929. When the people of Sweden saw the film, they joined the Haisla people in their fight, pressuring the government and the museum to release the pole. In this film, we get to watch as the community gets it back and the celebration that ensues.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2lpez1h

Cry of the Wild

In 1971, Bill Mason released a short documentary entitled Death of a Legend. It was produced for the Canadian Wildlife service to dispel the negative myths surrounding wolves. What Mason really wanted to make was a major feature on wolves. So, he went ahead and shot a whole bunch more footage and this is the result. It took over 3 years and captures moments never-before-seen on film. It was also the highest box office film the NFB had ever made at the time of its release, earning $5 million in North America in 1973-74.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2FFYX1a

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NFB Pause: Travel East of the Rockies with Joy Kogawa

In this edition of NFB Pause, we’re getting ready to explore East of the Rockies, an interactive augmented reality experience created by acclaimed Canadian author Joy Kogawa, the NFB, and Toronto-based agency, Jam3.

Joy Kogawa, at 83, is a most distinguished and accomplished Canadian. She is an author, poet, activist, and member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, as well as Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun. She was also interned at a Japanese-Canadian internment camp in BC during the war.

East of the Rockies

East of the Rockies is Kogawa’s first foray into digital interactive media, and she focuses on the story of a 17-year-old Yuki. Yuki was a girl forced from her home and sent to BC’s Slocan Japanese Internment camp during WWII. The very same camp Kogawa was imprisoned at.

Voiced by Kogawa’s granddaughter, Anne, East of the Rockies uses first-person narration to bring a sense of intimacy to the project. Kogawa, through Anne, is able to convey what life was like in the camp from different perspectives. It’s a haunting experience.

The Origin of East of the Rockies

While the story is completely original, the subject matter derives from Joy Kogawa’s life and novel, Obasan. Obasan is recognized as the most important account of this chapter in our history. It, too, was told through the eyes of a child.

At 83, Kogawa decided it was time to tell her story to a new generation, using a completely new medium. It’s a brilliant way to bring our history and lessons from the past to today’s audiences. People follow the story by tapping, swiping, and zooming in on key elements.

East of the Rockies will be available in 2019.

 

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This Week on NFB.ca: Watch 4 Films That Take on the Issue of Violence Against Women

In the first six months of this year, at least 78 women were killed as a result of acts violence. That’s an average of 13 women per month. In advance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we’ve spent this past week focusing on films that explore this devastating issue.

Violence against women is a problem that spreads across our country, but the number of reported incidents is higher in the territories. In 2011, reported incidents were four times higher in the Yukon, nine times higher in the Northwest Territories, and a whopping 13 times higher in Nunavut. It’s not secret that we have a shameful history in the treatment of Indigenous women, and these numbers make it plain.

Across the provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have the highest number of police-reported acts of violence against women, and the lowest numbers come from Quebec and Ontario. In total, a woman is killed almost every 6 days as a result of this epidemic. While total numbers of reported cases are dropping, there are plenty of disturbing trends emerging, including increased instances of violence after natural disasters. Given the increase in those lately, this is not an insignificant problem.

If you know someone who is the victim of violence against women, there are things you can do to help. If she wants to talk, be there to listen. Don’t judge her or her choices – there is considerable danger involved in leaving an abusive partner. Also, don’t insist on solutions that make her uncomfortable or fearful. But you can learn about the emergency services available in your area, and the options available to her. The most important thing is to let her know you are there and can help.

The Hat

Michèle Cournoyer draws us into the underground world of the sex trade through the experiences of a young woman who was physically abused as a child. Cournoyer uses her signature style of sparse drawings which rapidly blend into each other to create visceral, and often disturbing, images. I’ve never lied about this film – it’s difficult to watch. Especially if you have daughters. But it is a masterpiece, and it does exactly what it sets out to do.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2AbMyVh

The Crown Prince

I once knew this therapist, who, when she found out I worked for the NFB, immediately asked, “Can you get me a copy of The Crown Prince? I’ve worn mine out.” I met her close to the time I’d joined the Board, so I did some research and found the film. It was one of the first I watched, and it showed me how powerful a tool film could be in dealing with difficult social issues, like violence against women. This one takes a holistic approach to the effects of spousal abuse on the entire family, and even shows a possible path towards healing.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2E3Mggu

Namrata

This nine-minute short tells an incredible story of resilience and courage. Namrata Gill is one of the many women who provided inspiration for filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s 2008 feature film, Heaven on Earth, about a Punjabi woman whom moves to Ontario to marry an abusive man. Namrata spent six years with her abuser before finding the courage to make a remarkable change in her life. During a time when we’re focusing on the elimination of violence against women, Namrata’s story is one that should be heard.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2G4nr4w

Finding Dawn

Released in 2006, this film from Christine Welsh remains one of our seminal films on the shameful epidemic of missing or murdered Indigenous women in Canada. It shines a harsh light on the unacceptable number of unsolved cases. With great skill and respect, the film takes us into the heart of the problem. We travel from Vancouver’s skid row to Northern BC’s Highway of Tears and continue on to Saskatoon, all the while discovering more about the experience of these women.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2PF1A91

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A Better Man Offers a New Approach to Eliminating Domestic Violence

Attiya Khan, a counsellor who advocates for survivors of violence, turns the lens on herself and her abusive ex-boyfriend in this riveting documentary.

A Better Man is a film that takes you by surprise and turns everything you think you know about abuse on its head. Khan, in an effort to make a documentary about violence against women, ended up starring in one instead. When she started bumping into Steve, her abusive ex from over 20 years ago, it stirred her to approach him about the idea of appearing on camera.

Steve and Attiya’s relationship was a tragic one. They both still remember the magical day they met, but Attiya also clearly recollects how quickly things went downhill. She was 16 and he was 18 and they moved in together shortly afterwards. They stayed together for two years, all the while Steve was violently abusing Attiya, often choking her to the point of passing out.

A New Approach to Eliminating Domestic Violence

Rather than only focusing on Attiya’s experience, A Better Man makes the bold move of including Steve in the process. Through filmed meetings between Steve and Attiya, as well as filmed segments of their therapy sessions (individual and group), we see how each party remembers the events. Or doesn’t.

This is an incredibly uncomfortable film to watch. These are moments – confrontations between abused and abuser – that rarely happen in private, yet here we are watching them unfold on screen. Listening to both of their stories is unnerving; hearing the places where their stories differ, and where they are painfully the same.

Attiya Khan and Lawrence Jackman, Filmmakers

This was a first film for Attiya. As she says, “A Better Man grew out of my personal and professional experiences with domestic violence.” It served as the documentation of a personal experiment between Steve and herself, in an effort to heal and understand. Her hope is that it will help others to find solutions, as well.

For the project, Attiya teamed up with co-director Lawrence Jackman. Jackman was extremely sensitive to the fact that they were making public what was normally private. He and the entire crew took it upon themselves to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.

Domestic Violence by the Numbers

All parties involved in A Better Man had one goal – to help others find a way out of a difficult situation. According to a 2013 Statistics Canada report, the rate of violent crime against women in the 15 – 24 age category was by far the highest among women. That same age group was found to be most vulnerable when it comes to certain types of dating violence. A woman is killed as a result of violence every six days in this country.

Yet despite these numbers, little has been done to rehabilitate the men responsible for the violence. In trying to discover the motivation for Steve’s behaviour, A Better Man touches ever so lightly on abuse against young boys. This really highlights how little is done in society to break the cycle of violence early. Taking the bold step of including Steve in this film, and seeing him accept accountability, helps towards changing our societal norms.

The film is now available for free on NFB.ca, as our way to mark the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It may not be easy viewing, but it’s essential.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2wA1w25

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Picture This : “Why I agreed to make a film about sex and disability”

DonorUP: Giving Platform Built For Donors

DonorUP lets you manage all your donations in one place.

Find And Donate To Charities

Of all the apps intended to help you organize your finances or grow your wealth, few are focused on charitable giving. DonorUP is as close as it comes to a combination of both, allowing you to give to all your favorite causes in one place, and set up recurring or one time payments, while displaying data about your spending/giving habits. The app asks users to select the efforts and issues with which they would like to become (financially and philanthropically) involved. It then returns a list of charities that match the user’s interests. Users can then manage their donations to each of their selected charities through the app.

Sign Up Your Non-profit

Although an app with DonorUP’s model might spark skepticism, especially if there’s a limited amount of charitable organizations listed within the app, DonorUP lets non-profits sign up for the platform for free. All donations made through the app are also tax-deductible. That’s another key perk of the app for users: it makes it easy to keep track of all your donations so that you can file them properly on your taxes at the end of the year. It also does make it easier to discover some charities that align with your philanthropic interests, especially lesser-known charities with which you might not have been as familiar. If you want to give to good causes with an app that helps you keep track of all your giving, DonorUP could be worth further investigation.

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AppyPie: Make An App Without Coding

AppyPie helps you build an app with no prior coding experience.

Build An App Without Coding

The debate as to whether free website builders like Squarespace have democratized the internet or homogenized it still hasn’t been settled, but the fact remains that many more people have been able to build and launch websites without hiring a developer or learning to code. AppyPie is like SquareSpace, for apps. The company has several app templates, and allows for a significant deal of customization. They also make it easy to test your app both in a web browser, as well as in traditional app form on your phone. If you want to quickly get an app up and running, AppyPie is a groundbreaking option.

Get Ideas Up And Running

AppyPie does, however, have its drawbacks and limitations, and the iOS App Store has been catching on to them. Apple has implemented policies supposedly intended to cut down on the aforementioned homogenization of the internet in app form, refusing to allow people to submit apps to their store via AppyPie and requiring that every individual sign up for a $99 Apple Developer account instead. So, there’s still a bit of a learning curve, and somewhat steep of a cost, to launch a generic-looking, AppyPie-branded app through the company. Also, the customer service team wasn’t the most helpful or explanatory during the live chat. However, if you want to test out an app idea, get an app up and running that’s easy to share with test users, or launch an informative app for yourself or your business, AppyPie is a revolutionary tool. Hopefully more companies will come along, and solve the problem of limited access that’s been broken on the web but remains intact in the App Store.

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This Week on NFB.ca: Leave Reality Behind and Enjoy 3 NFB Fiction Films

This week on NFB.ca we featured a small selection of films from our collection of fiction. The NFB has developed a world-wide reputation for its award-winning documentaries and animation, but we’ve also got some stellar dramas in our vaults.

These three films present a good cross-section of our offering. With Drylanders being our very first fiction film, and The Company of Strangers showing how we experimented with the genre. Finally, One Man is a great example of one of straightforward fictional dramas. Enjoy!

Drylanders

The NFB’s first-ever fiction film has an interesting story behind it. It was originally conceived as a 3-part documentary on farming and irrigation in the Prairies. After the CBC rejected that proposal, and another, the decision was made to reframe the film as a fictional feature. That’s how we ended up with this epic drama about a family who leaves Eastern Canada to stake their future in the Prairies.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2o9ti1R

The Company of Strangers

This feature-length drama from 1990 is one of our most-beloved films. It follows the story of 8 elderly women forced to survive on their wits, memories, and some creative cuisine when their bus breaks down in the wilderness. It’s fiction, but it’s like the precursor to reality television, featuring non-professional actors and unscripted dialogue. But this is a heart-warming story of friendship and teamwork rather than a backstabbing saga of conspiracies and alliances.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2GQqZbL

One Man

This film from the late 1970s comes to us from the late Robin Spry, who was at the time well-known for his documentary Action: The October Crisis of 1970. In this fiction film, reporter Jason Brady finds himself up against Big Business and caught in an impossible situation: Does he risk his job and his marriage in an attempt to bring down the system?

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2FqFbvL

 

 

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One Man: Why You’ve Probably Never Seen This Great Canadian Drama

Art & AI: artistic residency in research/creation and artificial intelligence | Call for applicants

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership (PQDS), Element AI, Google and the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) are joining forces to offer a Montreal-based professional artist or professional art collective a research and creation residency for a duration of six months.

The residency, which includes a budget of $50,000, will allow the artist or collective to collaborate directly with artificial intelligence (AI) developers and researchers, provide access to the latest advancements in AI, and expose AI researchers and developers to creative approaches different from those they are already familiar with.

As well as enabling discussions around the possibilities and issues associated with AI, this residency is intended to be an opportunity to address the potential role of AI in future urban development.

Objectives

The residency is designed to meet the following objectives:

• Support and stimulate collaboration between two of Montreal’s most vital professional communities (AI and the art world)
• Give artists an opportunity to access the latest developments in AI
• Give artists a setting where they can do research and creative work with the aim of developing a prototype artwork incorporating AI
• Give AI researchers and developers a creative perspective on their work, as well as the possibility of developing AI tools in collaboration with artists
• Spark discussions on the impacts and potential of AI in art
• Develop a prototype for an artwork, experience or installation suitable for presentation in a public space, featuring an original use of the possibilities enabled by AI
• Encourage discussion on the potential role of AI in future urban development and citizen participation

Eligibility

This residency is for professional artists or professional art collectives working in any discipline and residing on the Island of Montreal, including both Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Each art collective must have a majority (50%+1) of Canadian citizens or permanent residents as members, and a majority (50%+1) of members must reside on the Island of Montreal. The person in charge of the application must also reside on the Island of Montreal.

Selection criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee composed of representatives of the partner organizations (NFB, PQDS, Element AI, Google and CAM) and other representatives of the artistic community, using the following criteria:

• Relevance of the project’s use of AI
• The quality of the artistic approach and previous work
• Interest in the reflection on the city of the future and citizen participation
• Potential for cross-pollination between the art and AI communities
• Feasibility 

Evaluation process

After confirmation of the eligibility and feasibility of the project by a committee of AI experts, finalists will be selected and invited to present their proposal to a selection committee and AI experts.

The selection committee’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed. Applicants agree not to contact, at any time, any member of the selection committee on any matter related to the management, evaluation or decision-making related to their submission. Only the staff of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership will be allowed to answer applicants’ questions.

Rights ownership

The winning artist or collective will retain ownership of all rights to the proposal submitted. All applicants grant the National Film Board of Canada and/or the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership rights of first negotiation and final refusal for securing the rights to exclusive production of the project, with the aim of developing, producing or co-producing the work at the conclusion of the residency, under terms to be negotiated in good faith with the artist or collective.

Duration of residency and amount of budget

The duration of the residency is six months, from April to October, 2019. 

Element AI will make staff, office space and equipment available to the artist or collective. The artist or collective selected will be able to produce their work with a total of 200 hours of support from qualified professionals. The equipment and professionals will be selected based on the details of the project.

The amount awarded to the artist or collective will be $50,000. These funds are to be used to cover artists’ fees, other contributors’ fees, and the costs of producing a prototype.

The other partners will provide guidance consistent with project requirements and each partner’s respective expertise.  

Schedule

• Call for proposals issued: November 13, 2018 – Soirée Composite – HUB Montréal
• Deadline for submitting proposals: January 25, 2019 at noon
• Naming of finalists by the selection committee: February 12, 2019
• Finalists’ presentations (30 minutes each): February 21, 2019
• Announcement of winner: March 2019
• Planning meeting with the artist or collective, residency partners and AI experts: March 2019
• Residency: April to October, 2019
• Presentation of the prototype and delivery of a final activity report: fall 2019

How to submit a proposal

All submissions must include:

• a project description indicating compliance with selection criteria (intent, approach, connection with AI…)
• an overview of requirements for support and equipment
• summary budget and schedule
• name of the artist or list of members of the collective and abridged CVs for collective members or the artist, including previous works or links to them.

The project description must not exceed five single-sided pages (any additional pages will not be read).

The application must be submitted in a single copy in 8 ½ x 11 in. (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) format, and delivered by email only. Only the required documents will be sent to the members of the evaluation committee.

To submit your proposal, please email your documents before noon on January 25, 2019 to projets@quartierdesspectacles.com. If your submission has a large file size, please use the WeTransfer service.

If you have any questions, send them to projets@quartierdesspectacles.com.

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Watch Talking at Night and Get an Inside View of a Mobile Crisis Centre

Last year, we produced three films under the Doc Lab Saskatchewan banner. We featured Kristin Catherwood’s Ride about a couple of months ago, and now we’re turning the spotlight on Eric Thiessen’s Talking at Night, about Saskatoon’s 24/7 Mobile Crisis Centre.

The crisis centre has been around for almost 40 years and its workers are on the front line, dealing with urgent and unpredictable situations. They are often the only thing standing between the caller and tragedy. Talking at Night captures the reality of their working lives, quietly observing as these trained professionals deal with everything from suicide prevention to self-harm to child abuse.

Talking at Night – An Idea Is Born

Talking at Night is a small film that takes on a big issue and is successful in its efforts. The need for the crisis centre is clear. There are so many people out there in pain, or in trouble. As part of the Doc Lab Saskatchewan requirements, the documentary needed to be observational in style, with no music, narration or interviews. Thiessen felt the Mobile Crisis Centre was a great candidate, as it provided an environment that audiences could easily immerse themselves in.

“Putting a camera in their small call centre and following the operators’ side of the conversation would be very engaging to viewers, as they would be piecing together an urgent conversation… and get a look at a vital service that few people are even aware of.”

Making an Observational Documentary

Despite what the name might make you think, observational documentaries do require quite a bit of prep work. Since this was a first for Thiessen, he wanted to be sure he was ready. He spent time at the centre and interviewed employees. Listening to them take calls also helped. Then he photographed potential shots and visuals. As he says, “Even though you never know what you’re going to get, you plan as if you do.”

 

As the film was more experiential than narrative, Thiessen also wrote how he imagined the film would unfold. This way, he could visualize when the pace would quicken and when it would relax. He admits it’s difficult to write for this form. It requires “a tricky balance of vague specificity.” But in order to orient your crew and get them on board, they need a vision to follow.

“If the final version is different from what you set out to make, that’s okay – but you need a place to start from.”

Eric Thiessen, Filmmaker

Thiessen has worked in the Saskatchewan film and video industry for over a decade. Most of his experience is in corporate video and factual series for Canadian TV. He has worked as both a videographer and writer. He also studied Canadian historical films as a focus of his masters’ degree at the University of Calgary. Today, he teaches film history at the Recording Arts Institute of Saskatoon.

Doc Lab Saskatchewan appealed to Thiessen. It provided him the opportunity to work with the NFB, something he had already set his sights on. He was also inspired by the challenge of making a short observational documentary, something completely new to him. But perhaps most importantly, it was the fact that he’d be able to showcase the Mobile Crisis Centre. On a national platform. It was vital to him that people be aware of the services they provide.

“While it’s obviously an important service, and they do inspiring and tremendous work, the calls they receive are a direct reflection of the anxieties and issues facing the people of Saskatoon, and, I would argue, the Canadian population.”

The Doc Lab Saskatchewan Experience

Making Talking at Night with Doc Lab Saskatchewan was a fantastic way for Thiessen to work with the NFB. The process was a fast one, moving from concept to completed film in two months.

“I met with filmmaking experts every step of the way, including my director mentor, Robin Schlaht, my editor, John Gurdebeke, and the post-production team at the NFB studios in Montreal. I felt welcome and supported through the entire process.”

There was a lot of planning during prep. The crew couldn’t anticipate the level of activity at the Mobile Crisis Centre and needed to be ready. Shooting took place over two nights, using the quieter of the two to get insert shots, close-ups, and some b-roll.

The opportunity to work with editor John Gurdebeke was a big part of the learning experience for Thiessen. “I’ve edited most of my own projects for years, so it took some adjusting on my part to get used to sitting back from the keyboard. John is a really talented editor with a fantastic eye… he’s great at listening to my vision and finding ways to express it that I never would have considered, but ultimately loved.

“This whole project is a perfect example of how great things happen when you work with a team of strong and talented people; the finished film is far better than anything one person could make alone.”

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2z6lALA

Talking at Night is one of three films produced as part of Doc Lab Saskatchewan. The program is a collaboration between The National Film Board of Canada, Creative Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative

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This Week on NFB.ca: Watch 5 Films in Honour of Remembrance Day

This week on NFB.ca we paid tribute to all the veterans as we marked Remembrance Day with a collection of war-themed films. The Canada at War Series is a classic from Donald Brittain and will only be available for a limited time, so watch it while you can. And we’re pleased to bring you Currie’s Dilemma, just added to our online collection.

However you choose to mark Remembrance Day, just make sure you take the time to be grateful for the sacrifices of those who came before you. As well as those who serve now, so that you can remain safe. If you get the chance, thank a veteran when you pick up your poppy.

The Canada at War Series

New online in honour of Remembrance Day, this 13-part series chronicles Canada’s involvement in WWII from 1936 – 1946. Writer/producer Donald Brittain masterfully recounts the tale from the early signs of trouble in Germany to the end of the war and the founding of the United Nations.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2JTrTX1

Paris 1919

Filmmaker Paul Cowan takes on Margaret MacMillan’s acclaimed book and brings us back to the end of WWI and the most ambitious peace talks in history. Using reenactments and a strong, vivid narrative, he manages to bring us right back to that moment when anything seemed possible.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2z37ayv

The Van Doos, 100 Years with the Royal 22e Regiment

Remembrance Day is a time for reflection and paying tribute to the both the living and lost soldiers of war. This film does exactly that. Produced in 2014, it marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal 22e Regiment (known affectionately as the Van Doos). It chronicles some of the personal stories to emerge from the only French-speaking Canadian battalion.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2JV8PYv

Return to Vimy

Released in honour of Remembrance Day 2017, this short film memorializes the soldiers who fought at Vimy through a series of animated sketches. It’s a loving homage from a young woman to her great-grandfather, as she transforms his words into images to reflect the lives of soldiers.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2AXJzhu

Currie’s Dilemma

This short film about Sir Arthur Currie uses rare, silent footage culled form the NFB’s archives. Colourized and given sound, the film dramatizes what was perhaps the most difficult decision in Currie’s career: whether or not to commit his men to one of the most dangerous operations of the war.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2RMXexr

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NFB Gives Second Life to WWI Archival Footage

Wikishirts: Procedurally Generated Shirts From Wikipedia

Wikishirts sells shirts on any topic you like.

Wear Wikipedia

Almost everyone should, at this point, know what Wikipedia is. It’s one of the most popular sites on the web, as well as one of the most useful. Wikishirts, though unaffiliated with the volunteer-run free online encyclopedia, sells shirts that are procedurally generated from Wikipedia’s content. Each of the shirts are printed on white fabric, with Wikipedia’s signature combination of black and blue text. At the top of each shirt is the bolded word of your choice, followed by the description of whatever it is that you chose, which is pulled straight from Wikipedia. Each of the shirts costs $29.99.

Weird Shirts

Wikishirts sells people on their strange idea by including a search box that asks “what’s your weird obsession?” In the FAQ of the site, those behind the concept explain that they created Wikishirts in order to help people better express their fashion in ways that big box stores don’t offer. Literally anything could be printed on a Wikishirt, and the owner should be willing to wear it with pride. The company also ships worldwide for free, and donates 10% of their profits to Wikipedia. It’s a goofy, gimmicky idea, but it is fun to see Wikipedia articles printed on shirts. If you have a weird obsession, consider checking Wikishirts out.

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Nimbus: Escape To A Secret Destination

Nimbus organizes travel packages without revealing the destination.

Fly Away

Have you ever dreamed of going to the airport, picking a random destination, and flying there? Even if that thought might terrify the most Type A planner, many people have had a similar fantasy. Nimbus is able to make that fantasy a reality. The company organizes travel packages to destinations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Trips typically start at around $250 per person, flights and hotels included. The catch is that the company does not reveal your destination until two days before the trip. Wherever they tell you you’re going, that’s where you’re going. They also organize activities and recommendations for things to do, so that you don’t have to stress about planning your vacation at all.

Let Go Of Your Control

Nimbus has two options for trips: either 3 days or 5 days. These are designed to be short getaways to interesting destinations. When booking your trip, you also have the ability to cancel one or more of the destinations (though canceling more will cost you extra money). This ensures that you’ll be able to travel somewhere new and exciting, rather than somewhere you’ve been before or don’t like. The concept behind Nimbus is fascinating, and the platform makes it surprisingly easy to book a trip. If you’re able to let go of the control of your travel plans and give Nimbus a shot, you could find yourself having a uniquely exciting adventure.

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