Latest news with #Braydon
The Advertiser
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Excel at spreadsheets. There's a competition for that?
Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24. Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24. Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24. Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24.
Perth Now
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Excel at spreadsheets. There's a competition for that?
Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24.
West Australian
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Excel at spreadsheets. There's a competition for that?
Who truly excels at Excel? At the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships, enthusiastic spreadsheeters compete to see who will be the global star of a computer program that many love to hate. Melbourne-based filmmaker Kristina Kraskov followed six teenagers on the road to the 2023 edition of the competition in Florida, for her first feature documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. It's been billed as a "heartwarming tale of formulas and friendship". It's certainly a quirky subject for a low-budget documentary and Kraskov says it's ultimately a lovely human story. "We find out what can happen when you just allow yourself to love what you love and you really go for your dreams, despite what everyone else thinks," she said. Spreadsheet Champions had its world premiere at SXSW in the US in March and will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August. The filmmaker travelled the world to interview Excel national champions in the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Cameroon, Australia and Vietnam. For some of them, winning in the US equals life-changing offers of jobs, scholarships and better housing. Australia's entry, Queensland high school student Braydon, openly admits he didn't do much training before taking out the national titles. "I kind of just winged it, then won it," he said. His campaign for the global title involved a week of practice. The laid-back 17-year-old says he wouldn't describe himself as a nerd or a geek because he believes there's too much negativity about people who are good at technology and computers. "It's important to recognise that the people who call others "nerds" or "geeks" really just aren't able to do what they want with technology themselves," he said. So for those like Braydon who have the ability, what does it take to become global champion of the cells? As well as building spreadsheets, competitors were also tested on their ability to find data hidden in documents - and remember the dates of important program updates. While even an accountant might only use about 20 per cent of Excel's capabilities, those vying for spreadsheet glory also need to know almost everything the program can do, Kraskov explained. "They're solving different problems and they're being marked on speed and accuracy, so they have to be really fast. They can't make mistakes," she said. Kraskov, 31, has worked for various Australian television productions including Emergency (Nine), The Dog House Australia (Ten) and Dancing with the Stars (Seven). Experienced at capturing the action for these shows, she filmed Spreadsheet Champions with a two-person crew and gear that would fit in a backpack - only to discover the challenges of filming in tropical humidity in Vietnam. "I was a bit freaked out at how much my lens would fog up ... it was just me on the camera, so I had to not panic and get it done." The production received Screen Australia and VicScreen funding and support from the MIFF Premiere fund but the filming was self-financed. The full program for the Melbourne International Film Festival is out in July. Two dozen titles revealed so far include the Australian premiere of Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc, the US composer's live score of the classic 1928 French silent film that will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There's also the world premiere of When the World Came Flooding In, an immersive installation and virtual reality documentary about life following a natural disaster. Spreadsheet Champions screens on August 12 and 22 at the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs August 7-24.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
American tourist, 40, missing in Mexico after being dragged out to sea as Canadian man, 31, found dead
Tributes have started to pour in for the a former youth football coach MISSING SWIMMER American tourist, 40, missing in Mexico after being dragged out to sea as Canadian man, 31, found dead THE body of a missing tourist has washed up on a popular Mexican beach as fears grow for a fellow holidaymaker who vanished alongside him. Canadian Braydon Bretzer, 31, and American Chris Ankele, 40, both disappeared after being pulled away by a strong current while swimming in notoriously dangerous waters. 5 Canadian Braydon Bretzer tragically died in Mexico after going for a swim with another tourist Credit: GoFundMe 5 The moment lifeguards rushed out to the water after finding Bretzer's body floating above the surface Credit: Facebook 5 The Canadian was described as a 'very special friend, brother, son and teammate' Credit: GoFundMe Authorities said the pair were last seen off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Both were caught being pulled away by the choppy waters and drifted out into the sea before vanishing without a trace, investigators said. A local Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and a team of lifeguards desperately launched a search and rescue mission but couldn't find either of the men. Tragic footage was later recorded on Monday afternoon showing Bretzer's body floating in the water. An emergency boat rushed out to bring the man to safety but he was pronounced dead due to drowning, according to initial reports. Ankele's body is yet to be recovered. Tributes to Bretzer, a former youth football coach and freelance marketing consultant, have been paid by his friends back home in Saskatoon. Graeme Bouvier said: "On the night of May 25th, we lost a very special friend, brother, son and teammate. "Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. "Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone." Body Found in Search for Missing 72-Year-Old Sailor off Scottish Coast A GoFundMe page has also been set up by Bouvier to help fly Bretzer's body back home to Canada and to give his family any additional support. It has raised over $8,500 so far. The San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement on Thursday evening: "Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan. "The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities." Zicatela Beach is known as a bustling tourist hotspot and is popular with surfers due to its massive waves. But due to the dangerous conditions and often fast flowing waters, holidaymakers are urged not to swim for their own safety. Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone Graeme Bouvier A number of deadly trips to the beach in recent years have resulted in these warnings being constantly repeated to travellers. In April, a 22-year-old Miguel Robles drowned at the beach with his brother Benjamín Robles, 26, having to be rescued by horrified onlookers and lifeguards. And in May 2023, Romanian holidaymaker Andra Kitsu, 33, drowned despite warning flags reminding visitors to stay out of the water. Last month, another missing tourist was also found dead just days after desperately trying to save his friend from a riptide during their vacation in Mexico. Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, vanished while swimming in the ocean after he managed to save his female friend who was in difficulty. His body was found after a three-day search. A loving mum was also killed in a Mexican beach horror story after a shark tore off her leg while she lifted her five-year-old to safety. Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, 26, was just 65ft from the shore when she was savaged by the beast at Melaque Beach in the state of Jalisco. 5 A GoFundMe page for Bretzer has raised over $8,500 so far Credit: GoFundMe
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Officer who died just weeks away from graduating police academy laid to rest
A detention officer with a metro Atlanta sheriff's office who died a week ago was laid to rest on Saturday. Officer Braydon Butler died from injuries sustained in an off-duty accident on April 13, the Barrow County Sheriff's Office announced. The BCSO posted the following statement on their Facebook page: 'Today, we celebrate the life of William Braydon Butler. A man whose generous spirit and servant heart touched everyone he knew. Braydon loved to serve God and others first, and his unwavering faith was evident in everything he did. Anyone who knew Braydon knew he was a shining light, always eager to lift others up and bring hope through his kindness and compassion. He truly wanted to make a difference in the lives of those around him, and he did so effortlessly, with love and humility. Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we find comfort in knowing that Braydon has been welcomed into the arms of our Lord. In true Braydon fashion, even after death, he continues to serve others. His legacy of love, faith, and service will forever inspire us. Rest in peace, Braydon. Your light will never fade, and your spirit will always remain with us." The BCSO said Butler was hired as a detention officer and was on a path to becoming a deputy sheriff. 'Braydon worked hard and was only four weeks away from graduating the Northeast Georgia Police Academy along with several other Cadets but tragically his life ended,' the BCSO said. The Butler family requests donations in memory of Braydon to be made to the Barrow County Sheriff's Office employee fund. Click here to donate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Driver falls asleep behind wheel, slams into GA deputy's patrol truck GA fisherman ties freshwater fish state record Husband dead, wife critical after armed robbery, shooting in Walton County [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
