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New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Animated films need more emphasis on story and character
REGARDED as Malaysia's Father of Animation, film historian and animation legend Hassan A Muthalib describes Malaysian films as "not cinematic in terms of narrative and stylistics". While he remains an optimist, he hopes that today's animation gurus focus more on training new animated filmmakers in order for the animation industry to rise. "The animation filmmaker has control over every single frame, unlike the live-action filmmaker. How the director plans everything he sees is dependent on the director's point of view about issues of the day," he said in a recent interview. DYNAMICS Asked where he sees the animation industry 10 years down the road, Hassan said that things would not change much, unless the right film dynamics and the language of cinema are better understood and applied. "Our animated films should be less video-game-like with more stress on story and characters. "The award-winning Latvian film 'Flow' is a good example of how it should be done without fast cuts and incredible camera moves," he said. Hassan admitted that there were always some areas in animation which Malaysians could hardly touch as a result of society's sensitivities. To get around this, he said: "Animation provides an element of fantasy, especially with the use of non-human characters. "Walt Disney has proven it with his animation features from the 1930s to the 1990s. "His philosophy was to create great characters with distinct personalities. "Give them great stories to be acted out." ORANG ASLI One suggestion Hassan has on interesting topics for animated movies is classical Malay literature and Orang Asli folktales. "It's great to explore these, and fantastic stories can be made with the cutting-edge technology we have today. "As far back as 1940 with Disney's 'Fantasia', the ground has already been prepared. "Malaysian-based Japanese filmmaker Yasu Tanaka was the first to do so with his feature film 'Magik'." While censorship is seen as a hindrance to the future development of animated films, Hassan believes that there is a need for it to minimise violence especially in cartoons. "The Censorship Board helps in showing how some things can be overcome. "For example, in 'Pulau' and 'Spilt Gravy On Rice', the films were passed because in the end, it all seemed to be a dream experienced by the protagonist. "However, I was surprised how 'Dongeng Sang Kancil' managed to get through with so much graphic violence, especially since it was aimed at children." Recalling his journey into the industry, Hassan said that he first came to work in Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM) in 1968, and was guided by Anandam Xavier who made Malaysia's first animated short, 'Hikayat Sang Kancil'. "I thought to myself I am never ever going to understand how to do this, but 10 years later, I was making even more complicated camera charts. "I was drawn to his background paintings and it was only when I started making my feature film, 'Silat Legenda' in 1995 that I realised background paintings gave the look of a film." SANG KANCIL Unconsciously, Hassan understood the importance of production design and it played an important role in his next short film, 'Sang Kancil Dan Monyet', in the mid-1980s. "In November 1972, I was assigned to do a Happy Christmas trailer. I discovered that it was not about requiring 24 frames for a second of animation, it was about how fast the animation was and about creating the correct space between drawings." Hassan said that two years later, he came up with his first public service announcement (PSA) about Anti-Hoarding, and in 1979, his controversial 'Nyamuk Aedes PSA' ruffled politicians' feathers. "The talking mosquitoes were very popular with their catchy dialogue, but it was promptly taken off the air because a member of parliament felt that the mosquitoes' leader seemed to parody him." Hassan is the man behind the first anti-dadah trailer in 1979. "Many people were scared stiff by the story of a drug addict who climbs a flight of stairs right into a huge skull's mouth, and turns into a skeleton," he said. JAMALI SHADAT Hassan also collaborated with veteran comedian Datuk Jamali Shadat in a PSA about gas cylinders in 1981. "Esso asked us to make an animated trailer on the do's and don't's of using a gas cylinder. Here's where I roped in Jamali, and he did a fantastic job educating the public with his spontaneous, humorous lecture," he said. Hassan made his first live action PSA in 1983 with 'Keluarga' (Family), and it was shot at University Malaya Medical Centre. "It was the story of a drug addict's parents who awaited the doctor's annoucement following their son's admission to hospital," he said, adding that the PSA won Best Idea at Anugerah Seri Angkasa. IMUDA Hassan's first win for an animated feature film was 'Mat Gelap' in 1990. It was about the adventures of a zany detective played by Datuk Imuda. When asked about his favourite animated shorts by Malaysian filmmakers, Hassan listed Liew Seng Tatt's 'Don't Play Play', Eugene Foo's 'Grey Avenue', Hajar Aznam's 'Ulek Mayang: Spirits Of The Sea' and Ah Loong's 'The 7th Night: Maomao Revisits'. "All four have simple but well-developed stories and are well put across through animation," he said.
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First Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
New film academy members include Danielle Deadwyler, Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Conan O'Brien
The newest class of Oscar voters includes a number of stars like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Danielle Deadwyler and Andrew Scott read more The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 534 new members to its organization on Thursday, adding recent Oscar nominees and many more to Hollywood's most exclusive club. The newest class of Oscar voters includes a number of stars like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Danielle Deadwyler and Andrew Scott. They, along with filmmakers, below-the-line professionals and executives will bring the film academy's membership total to 11,120, with voting members numbering 10,143. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That's the largest membership ever for the academy. Since the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, the film academy has added thousands of members to swell its ranks and diversify its voting body. This year's class is 41% female, 45% from underrepresented communities and 55% from outside the U.S. Those new members will make the entire academy 35% women, 22% from underrepresented communities and 21% international. 'We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy,' said academy chief executive Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang in a statement. 'Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.' Invitations went out to 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners, including best actress winner Mikey Madison ('Anora') and best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin ('A Real Pain'). Recent nominees who were invited include Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, Sebastian Stan and Monica Barbara. Gints Zilbalodis, the director of best animated film winner 'Flow' will join the animation branch. Other filmmakers set to join the academy include Mike Flanagan ('Doctor Sleep'), Azazel Jacobs ('His Three Daughters'), Brady Corbet ('The Brutalist'), Coraline Fargeat ('The Substance') Jane Schoenbrun ('I Saw the TV Glow'), Halina Reijn ('Babygirl') and Gia Coppola ('The Last Showgirl'). Payal Kapadia ('All We Imagine As Light'), Lena Waithe ('Queen & Slim') and Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley of 'Sing Sing' were all invited in the writers branch. In the music branch, new members include Brandi Carlile ('Elton John: Never Too Late'), Branford Marsalis ('Rustin') and Youssou N'Dour ('Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The last two emcees to host the Oscars — Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O'Brien — were also invited as members. After a well-reviewed broadcast that drew 19.7 million viewers, O'Brien is returning to host the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15. A few new rules will await the 2025 academy members. For the first time, members will be required to watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final road of Oscar voting. This year, a new award category for casting will be voted on for the upcoming Oscars. The academy has also established a new Oscar for stunt design, but that won't be given out until 2028.
2 days ago
- Entertainment
New film academy members include Danielle Deadwyler, Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Conan O'Brien
NEW YORK -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 534 new members to its organization on Thursday, adding recent Oscar nominees and many more to Hollywood's most exclusive club. The newest class of Oscar voters includes a number of stars like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Danielle Deadwyler and Andrew Scott. They, along with filmmakers, below-the-line professionals and executives will bring the film academy's membership total to 11,120, with voting members numbering 10,143. That's the largest membership ever for the academy. Since the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, the film academy has added thousands of members to swell its ranks and diversify its voting body. This year's class is 41% female, 45% from underrepresented communities and 55% from outside the U.S. Those new members will make the entire academy 35% women, 22% from underrepresented communities and 21% international. 'We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy,' said academy chief executive Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang in a statement. 'Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.' Invitations went out to 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners, including best actress winner Mikey Madison ("Anora") and best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin ("A Real Pain"). Recent nominees who were invited include Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, Sebastian Stan and Monica Barbara. Gints Zilbalodis, the director of best animated film winner 'Flow" will join the animation branch. Other filmmakers set to join the academy include Mike Flanagan ('Doctor Sleep'), Azazel Jacobs ('His Three Daughters'), Brady Corbet ('The Brutalist'), Coraline Fargeat ('The Substance') Jane Schoenbrun ('I Saw the TV Glow'), Halina Reijn ('Babygirl') and Gia Coppola ('The Last Showgirl'). Payal Kapadia ('All We Imagine As Light'), Lena Waithe ('Queen & Slim') and Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley of 'Sing Sing' were all invited in the writers branch. In the music branch, new members include Brandi Carlile ('Elton John: Never Too Late'), Branford Marsalis ('Rustin') and Youssou N'Dour ('Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'). The last two emcees to host the Oscars — Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O'Brien — were also invited as members. After a well-reviewed broadcast that drew 19.7 million viewers, O'Brien is returning to host the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15. A few new rules will await the 2025 academy members.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Gwyneth Paltrow and Serena Williams are both fans of neuromodulation – but what is it and how does it work?
For most, the idea that you might don a headset to zap your depression away or use electromagnetic pulses to sharpen your cognition seems better placed in a science fiction novel from the 1930s than modern neuroscience, but these kinds of treatments are more common than you might think. In fact, you can now buy 'vagus reset' gadgets to practice what's broadly referred to as 'neurostimulation' or 'neuromodulation' at home – Instagram and Tiktok are awash with ads for them. And for more intense forms of this kind of technology, a quick online search will deliver a range of private clinics offering 'repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation' to treat depression and anxiety. Tennis legend Serena Williams and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow are among those who've checked into a private facility to undergo a treatment like this. The athlete recently shared a sponsored Instagram post about her 'ExoMind' journey, describing the treatment as a form of self care. Wellness magnate Paltrow posted a similar story on her Instagram, showing a glowing device attached to her head while she lay on a table. The company responsible for ExoMind describes the treatment as 'a workout for your mind. An FDA-cleared for the treatment of depression'. The company also offers treatments that use electric pulses to tone and strengthen muscles all over the body – from the stomach to the pelvic floor. But naturally, both Williams' and Paltrow's Instagram posts have prompted some confusion about possible uses for neuromodulation, delivery methods and who should be using technology like this. Do we need to be nudging our brains with electrical stimuli for improved 'mental fitness'? Or should we just stick with mindfulness apps and fish oil supplements for better brain health? Furthermore, is stimulating the brain actually a serious cure for depression? Do you need to visit a clinic or will an at-home headset deliver the same results? And most importantly, is this all safe? Neurostimulation is the act of stimulating the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves to modulate neuronal activity. There are a variety of ways to do this and types of neurostimulation vary. For example, a headset that you can buy online without a prescription that promises to 'reset your vagus nerve' is not the same as an in-clinic transcranial stimulation session delivered by a qualified practitioner. The Flow headset, for example, sends the equivalent current of an AA battery directly to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 'targeting depression at its source to help relieve symptoms'. Rival company Neurosym claims that its device emits precise electrical pulses for 'safe stimulation of vagus nerve fibres'. The company isn't clear on how this approach differs from Flow's, but it does claim that the device activates the parasympathetic nervous system to 'effectively manage chronic pain, fibromyalgia, gut problems, long-covid symptoms, inflammation, POTS symptoms, fatigue, sleep issues, HRV issues, ADHD symptoms, stress, anxious and depressive thoughts and more'. Quite the list of claims. Pulsetto, another headset that you can use at home, also describes itself as a 'vagus stimulator'. Pulsetto technology uses the lowest form of bluetooth energy – ultra low radiofrequency energy (ULRE) – which according to the brand, 'passes safely into the body to biohack your parasympathetic nervous system'. 'These headsets have great branding but in reality you don't know the exact effects that treatment is going to have on you,' says Adam O'Hagan, specialist rTMS practitioner and coordinator at Priory Wellbeing Centre Harley Street. 'The do-it-yourself kits have shown to be effective but not as much as in controlled settings. Some headsets use rTMS in low levels but they're very different to what we do. They can be more cost effective but use different technologies and these can be significantly less effective.' Read more: 14 best mindfulness apps to help you keep calm during a crisis The kind of treatment offered at Priory differs vastly from headsets like Flow and Neurosym – technologies that you can easily buy online albeit for a high price point. Technically, all treatments fall under the umbrella of neurostimulation, but there are significant differences when it comes to the technology and frequencies used, and the applications and results. The idea with both in-clinic treatments and do-it-yourself headsets is to nudge the areas of the brain that are responsible for emotional regulation, cognitive function and self-control. These areas can often become under-active and this lack of activity is associated with low mood, anxiety, depression and behavioural disorders. Neurostimulation devices generate magnetic pulses to induce electrical currents in the brain, stimulating under-active brain regions. 'An in-clinic session can last about 30 minutes and is typically recommended for treatment-resistant depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, significant eating disorders and anxiety symptoms. The intensity of the machine used is much higher and the treatment is administered by a trained professional,' explains O'Hagan. 'During an rTMS session, electromagnetic coils are placed on your scalp in order to deliver magnetic pulses to your brain. The treatment specifically targets areas of the brain that are involved in mood control, which means it can help to alleviate the symptoms of your mental health conditions and improve wellbeing.' 'The side effects are extremely minimal compared to other treatments such as medication, so it's a much safer and less invasive solution. Some patients can see results after five sessions or around the halfway mark in the treatment plan,' he adds. It's worth noting that rTMS is very different to electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, which sends a seizure-inducing current through the brain. Doctors have used ECT for almost a century, and though it's still used in some cases, it remains a controversial and rudimentary treatment. Read more: I tried hypnotherapy to cure my anxiety and noticed results after just one session At the other end of the neurostimulation spectrum are home devices – headsets that deliver a mild electrical current to the brain and that can be worn daily on the head or neck. These devices offer 'improved mental fitness' – a catch-all term that seems to comprise several indicators of good health such as boosted mood, lower anxiety levels, improved memory and cognition, and better focus. The biohacking and longevity crowd are especially keen on the idea of fitness for your mind – Bryan Johnson wears a Pulsetto headset in his Netflix documentary Don't Die. However, Dr Faye Begeti, practising neurology doctor at Oxford University Hospitals and author of The Phone Fix, explains that the term mental fitness is actually quite vague if we're discussing the true benefits of these devices. 'The term 'mental fitness' allows companies to market these devices without clear scientific backing,' she says. 'While some biohackers report subjective benefits, scientific evidence supporting any substantial long term improvement from these devices is weak. 'Established good brain habits such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, learning new skills to build cognitive reserve, and stress management have stronger evidence for improving brain function over time. Expecting dramatic improvements in memory, focus, or productivity from neurostimulation devices is likely unrealistic.' But as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression continue to affect large swathes of the UK population, people are looking for alternative sources of support – particularly within biohacking and functional medicine. So despite scant evidence that at-home devices can help – and their hefty price tags – neurostimulation headsets have become incredibly popular. This might have something to do with the fact that social media is currently flooded with instructional videos on 'how to reset your vagus nerve'. These techniques range from simple massage and acupressure to recommendations for headsets like the Neurosym or Pulsetto. 'The vagus nerve 'reset' trend is a mix of science and misinformation,' explains Dr Begeti. The vagus nerve plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate stress, digestion and heart rate. Activities like spending time in nature, meditation, and breathing exercises can stimulate vagal tone, which may have calming effects – but calling it a 'reset' or a 'detox' is misleading. The nervous system is not something that needs 'resetting' in the way social media often suggests.' 'The issue is that social media often oversimplifies complex neuroscience, making it seem like a single technique is a quick hack for mental health. Instead, it's important to have multiple tools in your toolkit for managing difficult emotions while also seeking professional advice when needed,' she adds. Read more: An expert says you should be doing these four breathing exercises every day As Dr Begeti says, there's no one trick to eliminate mental health issues. A healthy diet of gut-friendly foods, regular exercise, quality sleep and other techniques like breathwork, yoga and time in nature can all have a positive impact on the brain and nervous system when combined. In isolation, a neurostimulation device won't make much difference if you're not taking good care of yourself. However, the most recent studies on the effects of clinical rTMS are promising. 'We are witnessing a growing mental health crisis,' explains O'Hagan. 'Depression is treatable, but for some people, medication and psychotherapy do not provide relief. In such cases, rTMS is a really incredible new tool.' The important thing is not to downplay the intensity of a treatment like this. Though it's akin to tickling your brain, one should be aware of the risks. Various studies have shown that neurostimulation can help improve mood, but a small number of patients have experienced long term effects like tinnitus, cognitive impairment, behavioural changes and short term memory loss. These outcomes are far less likely with an at-home treatment as the power generated by a wearable isn't comparable to an in-clinic rTMS treatment. However, there are still risks associated with using one. You are, after all, giving your brain a buzz, regardless of the dose. 'The biggest concern is that many brands do not disclose the exact stimulation parameters, making it difficult to know what effect the device is actually having. Additionally, improper use – such as applying stimulation to the wrong area of the brain – could lead to unintended effects,' says Dr Begeti. She advises researching the frequency and intensity used in detail and checking if the device has been tested in peer-reviewed studies, rather than relying on general research. She also recommends checking for FDA approval or CE certification for specific medical conditions, as opposed to general wellness claims, and reading the instructions thoroughly. 'For low mood, anxiety and issues with feeling dysregulated, a headset could help,' says O'Hagan. However, the best course of action is to use a wearable in conjunction with other healthy habits. These devices are definitely not a magic bullet and O'Hagan recommends using them alongside other interventions like talking therapy and daily self care routines. 'Typically I wouldn't recommend them for people with clinical depression,' he says. But this is where a treatment like clinical rTMS might make a difference, particularly if you've tried other treatments and found them inconsistent or unhelpful. Our collective understanding of mental health issues is progressing as we find new ways to support and foster good mental health and to treat chronic life-altering problems. Hacking the brain with electromagnetic pulses is clearly just the beginning. But if you're keen to become a brain biohacker yourself, be sure to cast a critical eye over claims you see online, consult with experts and always do your research before trying a new treatment. Read more: How to spot the symptoms of burnout and treat them, according to wellbeing experts
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Yog: The Art of Attention In A Distracted World
"Yog is the journey of the self, through the self, to the Self" – Bhagwad Gita 6.20 On this , as yoga mats unfurl across continents and millions synchronise their breath to a timeless rhythm, let us pause and reflect—not merely on posture or flexibility—but on the inner posture of the mind, the quiet alignment of attention with the divine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the sixth chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn elevates the discourse on yog from the external to the internal. He asserts that Karm Yog —performing one's worldly duties without attachment—is nobler than renunciation. But beyond all, the yogi who meditates with unwavering devotion to the Divine is supreme (6.47). This vision of yog is not escapism, but a precise alignment of our attention, energy, and time with spiritual realization. The Age of Scattered Attention Modern life is not short of stimulation, but it is starved of stillness. In an era of infinite scrolling, attention has become our rarest resource. And as the Gita proclaims, 'Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, not degrade yourself; for the mind is both friend and enemy' (6.5). This internal war—between the distracted and the disciplined mind—is where yog truly begins. Focus: The Spiritual Muscle often emphasised the role of disciplined attention as the core of spiritual training . He said, "The difference between an ordinary man and a great man lies in the degree of concentration." Yog is the ancient art of winning that battle. It is the practice of bringing the mind back—again and again—to the Divine, as described in Gita 6.26: 'Whenever the mind wanders... bring it back under control.' The Kundalini, the rising serpent, symbolizes this precise power—of awakening focus, of uncoiling our spiritual energy toward its highest possibility. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Attention as Enlightenment Modern psychology echoes these ancient truths. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in his seminal work, Flow , observes: "The best moments in life occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." This is Yog: not relaxation, but immersion. Not escape, but engagement with our highest self. The Lamp That Does Not Flicker A mind trained in yog becomes like a flame in a windless place (6.19)—still, unwavering, full of light. It sees gold, dirt, and stone as equal (6.8), and beholds the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self (6.29). This is not poetic fantasy, but a lived transformation, attainable by persistent practice and joyful detachment. From Self-Help to Selflessness Real yog is not about helping ourselves—but transcending the self. The Gita teaches that the yogi lives in the world but is not of it. He works, sleeps, eats, and interacts in balance (6.17), free from the turbulence of likes and dislikes. He becomes a mirror, not a mask—a presence that reflects love, impartiality, and inner bliss. The Way Forward As we honour Yog on this day, let us honor not just its physical elegance, but its spiritual essence. Let us strive not just to stretch our limbs, but to still our minds, not just to master poses, but to master attention. In a world of noise, the yogi is the silence that sings. In the storm of desires, the yogi is the center that holds. And above all, in a civilization distracted by consumption, the yogi is a reminder that being is enough. Shivoham, Shivoham – I am He, I am He. Not the doer, not the doing, but the undying awareness behind all. Happy International Yoga Day. Authored by: Shambo Samrat Samajdar and Shashank R Joshi Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
