What is a creator?

A Creator is a person who creates content and posts on their social media platforms. Content creators entertain their followers and use their content to prompt brands and products. Content creation is becoming a real job nowadays, and one can make real money by simply creating highly-engaging content.

Creators and income

Creators mainly earn money through advertising on social media platforms like YouTube. When the audience clicks the ad, revenue is generated and shared between YouTube and the creator. In addition, successful creators also make money through sponsorships which helps to increase income. 

Is the creator’s economy growing?

In the present digital world, investors are angling toward the creator’s economy. Present-day startups are interested in the creators and are keen to fund them, which will help the creators build their space, create engaging content, build an audience, and sell products. Creators are seen as content entrepreneurs and are a substantial market for FinTech companies. Creators can always opt for venture capital and small business loans with favorable rates if their papers show a consistent income. However, there are lending apps that offer loans to the creators.

Everything You Need to Know About the Creator Economy

Credit options for creators

Creators can opt for credit as freelancers or sole traders of business. Lenders may want additional documentation from the sole proprietor or freelancer to prove the income is credible. Banks, online lenders, and the US Small Business Administration have credit options for the self-employed, and business credit cards can help cover small, everyday business expenses. Personal loans are also a good option for entrepreneurs not qualifying for business loans.

Business loans 

As a self-employed, one can apply for business loans. The various options for a business loan are:

Bank loans

You may have considered applying for a small business loan if you need to borrow a certain amount to cover your expenses. You must have been in business for years and have good or excellent personal credit to qualify. However, the lender may require the provision of a personal guarantee. The individual may be liable for the debt if the business goes bankrupt. Other lenders require borrowers to pledge assets such as liens on real estate or business assets so that they can be seized if the debt is not paid. 

Microloans

Micro credits are small loans made by non-profit community-based lenders and guaranteed by the SBA. This program targets business owners who need help qualifying for traditional business loans. As such, microcredits are generally easier to access than term loans or lines of credit. 

Business cards

Business cards are an easy option to raise small amounts quickly and help build your business credit history to qualify for larger loans in the future. Business credit card limits, interest rates, and the annual fee may vary depending on each applicant’s credit history. Similar to personal credit cards, some business credit cards offer perks such as cashback, 0% annual interest introductory periods, and travel points and miles. Also, be prepared to provide details about your business, such as legal form, estimated monthly costs, and employer identification number. 

Line of credit

Lines of credit allow business owners to borrow money when needed and repay purchases over time. You can use the line of credit to offset seasonal cash flow problems or invest in purchases that help your business grow. Lenders charge interest only on what they borrow. Lines of credit usually offer higher limits than credit cards. However, the qualification is more complex and may require several years of established business experience. 

Online lenders

Online loans often have less stringent requirements than banks or loans. Borrowers are eligible if they have been in active business for at least six months and have a personal credit score of 600 or higher. However, this type of financing is usually more expensive and can have shorter repayment terms. Overall, this type of financing could be an excellent alternative for companies that either don’t qualify for the bank or loan or need immediate financing. 

Personal loans

Personal business loans are for self-employed people who have not been in business long enough to qualify for a business loan, who want to avoid high-interest rates from online lenders, or who lack collateral for their business. It can be a solid source of funding loans. However, business loans typically offer more significant loan amounts and longer repayment terms. If there is any trouble qualifying for a loan, adding a co-guarantor may help. The co-signer gives their name and signature to the loan and guarantees the bank will repay the loan if they cannot. This allows you to build your credit while borrowing the funds you need. Co-signatories do not have access to credit funds. 

How hard is it for a creator to get a loan as a self-employed?

Self-employed people generally have the same lending criteria as more formally structured businesses, which can make the loan application process more rigorous. From a lender’s perspective, self-employed entrepreneurs often face higher funding risks than more formally structured businesses such as limited liability companies and corporations. With no legal separation between independent contractors and the business, an entrepreneur’s assets can be at risk if the business faces any trouble. This can affect your ability to pay your loan on time, even if you meet the lender’s requirements. Lenders usually have minimum business duration, annual income, and loan requirements. Be prepared to submit business plans and financial statements, including tax returns and bank statements, to prove your ability to repay your debts.

What are influencers?

Influencers promote brands and help sell products through their videos on social media platforms. They collaborate with brands and create content accordingly to advertise the same on social media. Social media influencers encourage their followers to buy the products they promote on their social media pages.

How to Become an Influencer?

Are you interested in becoming an Influencer? Here are simple and easy ways to try your hands at it:

• Choose your domain
• Decide your social media platform (YouTube, Twitter, etc.)
• Achieve mastery over your field.
• Define your skills, personality, and ability.
• Optimize your social identity.
• Let brands know you are open to collaborations.
• Understand your audiences and their preferences.
• Plan a content strategy.
• Maintain a healthy relationship with your followers.
• Build your community.
• Create your website
• Establish your identity through SEO skills

Influencers and income

Influencers are everywhere on social media and have many options to make income. Once they can create a large following across the many social media platforms, the options increase.  A professional influencer earns between $1500 and $4000 monthly through marketing.

The various ways to earn income through influencer marketing are:

• Blogs 
• Promoting and selling through videos
• Display advertising
• Affiliate marketing
• Promoting their products

How good is the influencers’ economy?

Influencers are yet to be considered a stable income group with the capacity to repay loan payments. However, things are slowly shifting as financial services startups look at the influencer’s economy as their potential customers. These Fintech companies are ready to fund the influencers with capital that would help them to hire more professional editors and technicians and have a better studio space. With more and more influencers creating their brands, FinTech startups are angling into funding these influencers to build their brands and focusing on marketing their loan products for middle and top-level influencers. 

Loan or credit options for the influencers

Like any other professionals, influencers also need funds to grow their businesses. The checkpoint is that the asset value for the influencers is their followers, which is variable. This comes as a reason for the high-interest rates for the influencers. Influencers are also entrepreneurs on their terms so they can opt for small business loans. However, from the point of view of a bank, the balance sheet of influencers never looks good because of its variable nature. Some of the influencers also go for venture capital. When traditional banking oversees the influencers, many FinTech startups offer business cards with higher credit limits. 

Mortgage for influencers

A mortgage is an option for the influencers if they need a loan to create funds for their business. A mortgage loan requires documents that show consistent income. As self-employed, an influencer must provide papers with their 2-year income and dividends received. In short, an influencer is seen as a sole proprietor or a limited company.

• An influencer can opt for a mortgage loan with sufficient papers as a Sole trader. However, filing tax assessments before applying for a self-employed mortgage loan is essential.
• An influencer can use a mortgage loan as an employee or a director. Here, the risk increases if the influencer is seen as a director with low remuneration. However, like any other salaried person or an entrepreneur, it is essential to keep the accounts and annual income up to date and ready to be filed for the loan. 

How to prepare for a mortgage loan as an influencer?

For most borrowers, applying for a mortgage loan comes in easy steps. All one has to do is provide the following:

• Recent pay slips.
• A general tax form from the previous year.
• A letter from the employer.
• An assessment notice from the previous year.

But is it the same for the influencers? For example, how do they qualify for a mortgage loan with an inconsistent income sheet?

Preparation

Planning, preparation, and paperwork are the key to making the loan process easy. Also, this helps in availing of favorable rates and terms. A bit of planning ahead is all the work needed. However, the documents required by the banks or lenders are:

• Two years of tax history
• Articles of incorporation if incorporated.
• Tax filing for the previous years

Stress Test

Most self-employed people are eligible to claim business-related deductions, but this could present a problem because the deductions may lower their income, making it harder for them to qualify for a mortgage. That’s because the stress test, which determines whether they can continue to pay their mortgage when interest rates rise, is a requirement for receiving a mortgage. The test is the rate your mortgage provider offers + 2%. So, a mortgage holder must demonstrate their ability to pay the mortgage at 7.57 percent if the fixed rate is 5.57 percent plus the stress test’s additional two percent.

Cash management and reliable information

Good cash and credit management are vital to a favorable rate. Influencers, independent contractors, content producers, and seasonal workers can now qualify for a mortgage. Ensure to receive and give accurate financial and personal information from your banks since lenders are still highly diligent about anti-fraud situations and the integrity of paperwork. It comprises details such as whether you received financial help with the down payment. Yet,  they have relaxed several conditions, such as calling for significantly greater down payments.

Final Thoughts

The lenders and traditional banking system are yet to see influencers as business owners or people with real jobs. However, things are changing for good in the lender’s industry, with new financial startup companies being positive with the influencers. With influencers gaining paramount importance in marketing and advertising, days are close when they are considered potential enough by lenders and bankers.

The Oscars are the Academy Awards for the film industry’s artists, makers, and technicians. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents awards once a year in recognition of the achievements of the artists and technicians. The decision is made by voting by the members of the association. The Oscar awards are regarded highly by the American film industry and others worldwide. Interestingly the Oscar Statuette depicts a knight holding a crusader’s sword.

Oscars 2023: Must-See Moments!

Usually, the awards ceremony is conducted during Feb and March and is the oldest award function for entertainment. The first Oscar Award ceremony was held in 1929 and was telecasted on television for the first time in 1953. The other equivalent award ceremonies in America are Emmy Awards for television series and programs, the Tony Awards for theater, and the Grammy awards for music.  

History of Oscars

The Academy award ceremony was first held in 1929 on May 16 at a private dinner party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with just 270 people as audience. The cost of the guest ticket for the 15-minute show then was $5. Fifteen artists, including directors and technicians, were awarded for their work released in 1927-28. The winners were announced to the media three months before the first ceremony. Later, from the second year and for almost ten years, the announcement was made precisely at 11:00 pm on the night of the ceremony.

The History of the OSCARS | Academy Awards

In 1940, the Los Angeles Times revealed the winners’ names before the ceremony began, becoming the reason for announcing the winners from a sealed envelope. History does have its crazy part. Interestingly, the name Oscar was registered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Yet, in Italy, the word Oscar refers to awards in any field.

How are the winners decided?

The AMPAS consists of more than 10,000 members from all 17 departments. These members of the relevant department decide the nominations. As the nominations are decided, the members of different departments, such as directors, producers, etc., cast their votes through the ballot system. The members are added every year due to the criticism of all-white acting nominees. The voting will begin a few days before the ceremony. 

How The Oscars Work: From Nominations to Best Picture Voting

The voting for the 2023 Oscars opened on March 2 and closed on March 7, five days before the grand ceremony. So, once the votes are cast, the nominee who gets the most votes wins. After that, the nominees are ranked by preference by the voters. With more than 50% of the first-place votes in the first round, the film wins. Still, if none of the films receives that many votes, the one with the fewest first-place votes is removed, and those voters’ votes will be transferred to their second choices. The cycle continues until a movie receives a majority. 

What is the Statuette of the Oscars?

The AMPAS held a dinner party at the Crystal Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles shortly after it was founded in 1927 to lay out its objectives. One of the themes explored that evening was how to recognize exceptional filmmaking accomplishments and promote excellence in all phases of motion picture production. After deciding to start an annual award, the group focused on designing an appropriately regal trophy. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons created a figurine of a knight with a crusader’s sword standing on a film reel. The world-famous sculpture was created when the Academy brought in Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley to bring the idea to life in three dimensions.

How the Oscars statuette is made

The Prestigious Knight 

More than 3,000 statuettes have been given out since the first awards banquet on May 16, 1929, held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. In the Hudson Valley of New York, the Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry casts new golden statuettes every January. Oscar stands 13½ inches tall and weighs around 8½ pounds. The five spokes on the film reel stand for the five founding branches of the Academy: 

• Authors
• Producers
• Technicians
• Directors
• Actors

Although the statuette still reflects the original design, the base size kept changing until the current standard was set in 1945. 

Oscar is a more popular nickname for the statuette, also known as the Academy Award of Merit. Although the origins of the name Oscar are unclear, a well-known myth claims that Margaret Herrick, an Academy librarian who would later become executive director, remarked that the trophy reminded her of her uncle, Oscar, when she saw them the first time. But the name wasn’t adopted by the Academy until 1939. However, the name was widely known in due course, and Sidney Skolsky, a Hollywood columnist, used it in a story about Katharine Hepburn’s first Best Actress victory in 1934.

What are the statuettes made of?

The statuettes have a 24-karat gold finish over solid bronze construction. For three years, Oscars were fashioned of painted plaster due to a lack of metal during World War II. The Academy offered recipients the opportunity to exchange their plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones after the war.

Quick Facts about the Statuette

• Official Name: Academy Award of Merit
• Height: 13 .5 inches
• Weight: 8.5 pounds
• Material: Bronze coated with 24-karat gold
• Number of Awards Presented: 3,140
• First Recipient: Emil Jannings named Best Actor for “ The Last Command” and “The Way of All Flesh” in 1929.
• Design: A knight holding a crusader’s sword on a film reel with five spokes that signifies the five branches of the Academy, such as actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. The statuette was designed without any reference to any model.

Oscar 2023

The 95th Academy Awards was held at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023, honoring the movies released in 2022. 

Winners and Nominees 2023

Presenters

Performers

Videos on Oscars 2023

Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars Monologue 2023

RRR moments from the 95th Oscars

Brendan Fraser’s acceptance speech for Best Actor at 2023 Oscars

Oscars 2023: Best Moments of the Night

Rihanna – Lift Me Up (Oscar 2023 Performance)

Oscars 2023 Natu Natu dance performance at Oscar Award Function # RRR # Oscar awards

Oscar 2023 Highlights

• Everything Everywhere All At Once won seven Awards at the Oscars, including Best Picture.
• Michelle Yeoh is the first Asian to win the Best Actress for “ The Whale”.
• The Daniels are the third duo to win the Oscars in direction.
• The nominees wore blue ribbons to support the refugees who fled war, persecution, and conflict.
• Brendon Fraser wins the Best actor award.
• Oscars paid tribute to the artists who passed away in the past year.
• The song Naatu Naatu from RRR won Best Original Song.
• Rihanna took the stage and performed “Lift me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
• Lady Gaga impressed the audience with “Hold My Hand”. 
• Jamie Lee won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Watch The Biggest Moments Of Oscars | RRR Wins Best Original Song In Oscar 2023 & More

Oscar 2022

Presenters and Performers

Performers

Videos Oscar 2022

Oscars 2022: Must-See Moments!

Will Smith wins the Academy Award for Best Actor in King Richard

Oscars 2022 | Ariana DeBose : Best Supporting Actress – West Side Story as Anitadouble

CODA – Philippe Rousselet WIN Oscars 2022 | 94th Academy Awards | Best Picture

Billie Eilish, FINNEAS – No Time To Die (Live From The Oscars 2022)

Sebastián Yatra – Dos Oruguitas (Live from “The 94th Academy Awards”)

Highlights of Oscar 2022

• Will Smith won the best actor award for the movie King Richard. He accepted the award with tears and later apologized for crying on the stage.
• Will Smith lost his temper and slapped the actor Chris Rock when he joked about his wife’s appearance.
• The academy honored the people of Ukraine by holding a moment of silence.
• Steven Speilberg broke the record by becoming the first director nominated across six decades. 
• Dune got ten nominations and won for best score, production design, sound, and film editing.
• Jane Campion won three awards and became the first woman to be nominated twice in the director category.
• The AMPAC was criticized for announcing eight awards before the live telecast began.
• The Academy revered the land owners on whose land the Dolby Theatre stands now.
• Ariana DeBose became the first woman of color to win the best supporting actress award.
• The Netflix-released motion picture, “The Power of the Dog”, was nominated for Best Picture.

What is Nollywood?

The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, is the second-largest in the world in terms of output, turning out over 2,500 movies each year. This amount tops Hollywood and is only surpassed by Bollywood in India. Norimitsu Onishi, a journalist for the New York Times, contributed to the term’s creation in 2002 after he noticed a huge amount of filmmaking activity taking place in Lagos, Nigeria. Even though Nollywood doesn’t earn as much money annually as Hollywood or Bollywood, it is renowned for its prodigious output under somewhat worse conditions. Early Nollywood had a sort of DIY video production quality. But more lately, the Nigerian film industry has been honing its technique. Nollywood, most known for comedies and dramas, is currently making new genres with the same high picture and sound quality, including horror, historical dramas, musicals, and animations.

How Did The Name Nollywood Emerge?

The phrase “Nollywood” has no clear definition, although Jonathan Haynes found that it was first used in a 2002 New York Times article by Matt Steinglass to characterize Nigerian cinema. Norimitsu Onishi used the name in a September 2002 New York Times story, as Charles Igwe pointed out. This phrase in the media still refers to the Nigerian film business. Later, it was supposed that its meaning was a combination of the terms “Nigeria” and “Hollywood,” the important American film industry center.

Which Country Has Nollywood?

Although a large number of films were made in Lagos, Nigeria, we cannot claim Nollywood as a place. Ideally, the term is a portmanteau or a sobriquet for the Nigerian film industry. Nollywood as a term originated during the early 2000s. Over the years, Nollywood is also applied to African diaspora movies affiliated with Nigeria or specially made to capture the Nigerian audience. 

History of Nollywood

The history of Nigerian cinema, often known as Nollywood, Nigerian cinema, often called Nollywood, consists of movies produced primarily in Nigeria, dating back to the 19th century and into the colonial age at the onset of the 20th century. The history and establishment of the Nigerian motion picture industry are generally classified into four main eras:

• The Colonial Era
• The Golden Age Era
• The Video Film Era
• The Emerging New Nigerian Cinema

Cinema as a mode first appeared in Nigeria towards the end of the 19th century through peephole viewing of motion picture devices. They were soon replaced by the onset of the 20th century with improved motion picture exhibition devices.

Is Nollywood Bigger Than Hollywood?

The Nigerian film industry, often known as Nollywood, has overtaken Hollywood in terms of the number of movies it produces yearly. Nollywood is also known as a subset of Bollywood. They currently have the second-largest film business in the world, and Jodie Foster has even given a MasterClass about it. Even though the country’s economy is ranked 27th in the world by GDP, Nigeria’s growing success in the film industry is due to various causes.

Is Nollywood The Second-Largest Film Industry?

Both critics and non-critics have been startled by the growth of Nollywood. Over the past two decades, it has developed into a cultural phenomenon that draws millions of moviegoers worldwide, not just in Africa. Amazing tales of pre-colonial past and present life, tensions, and beliefs have come from Nollywood. According to its $5.1 billion valuation in 2013, the New Nigerian Cinema has surpassed the United States to become the second-largest film business and the third-most lucrative one. Because of distribution agreements signed with Western streaming platforms due to its success, Nollywood’s most recent films are now available to audiences worldwide. While Hollywood movies are normally released in theaters worldwide, Nollywood movies are typically only available online and through streaming platforms. One of the most well-known is YouTube, where a channel called NollywoodLove is dedicated to Nollywood movies.

Some Notable Nollywood Movies

Here we are with a set of must-watch Nollywood movies. Let us swoop into the world of Nollywood!

Living in Bondage (1992)

It is a unique plot that revolves around love, betrayal, suffering, and retrieval. This film marked the beginning of the video film industry in Nigeria. The central theme in this movie is a battle between God and Satan. 
Director: Chris Obi Rapu
Language: Ibo
Genre: Drama
Main Cast:

• Grace Ayozie
• Francis Agu
• Chizoba Bosah

IMDb Rating: 7.0
Running Time: 2 hours 43 minutes
Movie Trailer: Living in Bondage – Movie Trailer

Violated (1996)

If you are looking for a romantic Nigerian drama, it is a must for you to watch this movie. Both Violated and Violated 2 were released in the conventional home video format. 
Director: Amaka Igwe
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Main Cast:

• Kunle Bamtefa
• Ego Boyo
• Mildred Iweka

Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Movie Trailer: Violated ~ Official Trailer

Maami (2001)

The film is named after Maami, a brave soul and a sweetheart who tries to save her son from his father. It is based on a Nigerian novel. The plot takes place for two days and paints the story of a single mother and her son, who are miserably poor. It remained a part of the official selection of the NollywoodWeek Paris 2013.
Director: Tunde Kelani
Language: English, Yoruba
Genre: Drama
Main Cast:

• Funke Akindele
• Wole Ojo
• Ayomide Abatti

IMDb Rating: 8.1
Running Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Box Office: $150,000 (estimated) 
Movie Trailer: MAAMI Official Trailer by Tunde Kelani

Contract (2012)

It paints a story of a bachelor who vows never to marry a woman but hires a woman to beget a child for him. They signed a contract with the condition that they would part ways after delivery. A Ghanaian film, Contract (2012), bagged the Best Film and Best Writer at the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award and received six nominations at the ninth Africa Movie Academy Awards, including Achievement in Screenplay, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, also Best Director.
Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Language: English
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Main Cast:

• Hlomla Dandala
• Joseph Benjamin
• Yvonne Okoro

360nobs Rating: 6.5
Movie Trailer: Contract – Official Trailer

Married But Living Single (2012)

Adapted from the book written by Femi Faseru, the movie was released by the same name. A Nigerian Romantic Drama, Married But Living Single, revolves around a working woman at loggerheads with her life partner. She feels ignored after she is given a promotion at work. She quits the job, although the conflict remains between the couple.
Director: Tunde Olaoye
Language: English
Genre: Romantic Drama
Main Cast:

• Funke Akindele
• Joseph Benjamin
• Adeola Faseyi

Running Time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Movie Trailer: MARRIED BUT LIVING SINGLE

30 Days in Atlanta (2014)

It paints the story of Akpos who wins a 30-day holiday trip to Atlanta, for two persons. Akpos takes his cousin along for the free trip. A combination of humor and diction, it is a must-watch Nollywood movie. 
Director: Robert Peters
Language: English
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast:

• Ada Ameh
• Ayemere Caleb
• Kenneth DeLozier

Running Time: 1 hour 51 minutes
IMDb Rating: 5.7
Movie Trailer: 30 DAYS IN ATLANTA Trailer

Ojuju (2014)

It depicts the story of Romero and his friends who struggle to find out the cause of rabid river blindness. A horror, Ojuju is a Nigerian Zombie thriller and the debut film of C.J Obasi, a writer and director. 
Director: C.J ‘Fiery’ Obasi
Language: Ibo, Yoruba
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Main Cast:

• Gabriel Afolayan
• Omowunmi Dada
• Kelechi Udegbe

Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.2
Movie Trailer: Oxlade – Ojuju (Official Video) 

Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo (2015)

It portrays the plot of a young car mechanic who has come to Lagos following the sudden demise of his father. He is called by his father’s co-taxi driver, Taiwo, who seems to  be dangerous.
Director: Daniel Oraihi
Language: English, Yoruba
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Main Cast: 

• Odunlade Adekola
• Richard Akinlade
• Ijeoma Grace Agu

IMDb Rating: 6.0
Running Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Box Office: NGN 10,000,000 (estimated)
Movie Trailer: TAXI DRIVER (OKO ASHEWO): Official Trailer #1- FilmOne Distribution

Okafor’s Law (2016)

An enthralling Chuks plays with women from past and present. According to him, a man who has a woman has access to the woman forever. Okafor’s Law is a perfect combination of romance, drama and comedy.
Director: Omoni Oboli
Language: English
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Main Cast:

• Toyin Abraham
• Halimar Abubakar
• Muyiwa Adedeji

IMDb Rating: 5.0
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Movie Trailer: OKAFOR’S LAW Trailer | Festival 2016

The Wedding Party (2016)

A multiple-plot story, The Wedding Party, is an amalgamation of romance and comedy with various sorts of characters. The whole movie revolves around one idea – true love.
Director: Kebi Adetiba 
Language: English
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Main Cast:

• Adeolu Adefarasin 
• Alibaba Akporobome 
• Zainab Balogun

IMDb Rating: 5.9
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Box Office: NGN 60,000,000 (estimated)
Movie Trailer: THE WEDDING PARTY Trailer | Festival 2016

From Lagos with Love (2018)

A contrasting love story between two couples. One is perfect love and the other a forbidden love. From Lagos with Love, depicts how parental pressure impacts relationships.
Director: Tola Odunsi
Language: English
Genre: Romance, Drama
Main Cast:

• Damilola Adegbite
• Museba Andrea
• Nonso Bassey

Running Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Movie Trailer: From Lagos With Love

How Does Digital Media Affect Nollywood?

A few years ago, the global streaming platform Netflix became interested in Nollywood, the Nigerian film business. Nigerian movies have been available on Netflix since roughly 2015. After being released in Nigerian theaters, the American conglomerate purchased the rights to hits like Kunle Afolayan’s October 1st, Biyi Bandele’s Fifty, and countless others. Toronto International Film Festival in 2018 saw the announcement by Netflix that it has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to Lionheart, the comedy directed by Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji. The movie was the first original Netflix production to come from Nigeria

Nollywood As A Business In Nigeria

Nigerian cinema is a booming industry. In 2015, 59% of movies were produced worldwide, according to a study by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, with Nigeria’s ‘booming’ film industry serving as a major contributor to this increase. Nigeria’s film industry is one of the most productive in the world, having created 1,074 films in total during the period of 2010 alone. It is called “Nollywood” and is frequently known to produce more movies than India’s Bollywood. And when one ponders how the Nigerian cinema maintains a fast pace in producing content, it is just as simple. Here, one can be everything. A person can be a director, actor, cameraman, or costume designer. This helps them to work quickly and efficiently too. Nollywood gets no government or private sector assistance, and it is purely based on entrepreneurship. Failures have led to progress for African filmmakers. However, artists and technicians are bound to give more attention to details in the present times.

Disadvantages of Nollywood Movies

Nigerian internet connections are still too pricey and unreliable to ensure simple access to streaming services. As a result, most of the Nollywood content gets broadcasted through iROKO.tv and Netflix. In order to provide its Nigerian audiences with a better connection, Netflix is investing in infrastructure. But bigger spending appears to be required to have a noticeable effect on audiences’ behavior. Hence, the main method used by the majority of Nigerian viewers will probably continue to be piracy or local screening locations, at least for the time being.

Foreign Investments and Nollywood

Foreign investments are surely big advancements in Nollywood, and how these would be for Nollywood producers is yet to be seen. Foreign investment in Nollywood has largely resulted in “more of the same” content up until this point. Low budgets and hurried production deadlines have remained the same for crew and actors’ working environments. Large investors are mostly drawn to Nollywood due to its already-established appeal to African audiences. Making Nollywood more appealing to international audiences is yet to be worked on by Africans.

Amazing Facts About Nollywood

• In 2002, Norimitsu Onishi, a New York Times journalist, coined the name “Nollywood.” After seeing film production in Lagos, Nigeria, he first used this phrase in his paper.
• The term “Nollywood” reflects the two most popular film industries – Hollywood and Bollywood.
• The vibrant culture, architecture, and rich reflection of Nigerian cultures are reflected in Nollywood films that unite Nigerian Society.
• Nollywood success is backed by its authentic and distinct method of storytelling.
• Living in Bondage, Rattlesnake, Violated Glamour Girls, October 1, and Nneka the Pretty Serpent are well-known Nollywood films that have achieved significant global recognition and financial success.
• Kenneth Nnebue came up with an innovative idea to broadcast Nollywood content using VHS (Video Home System). This enabled Nollywood to reach African homes.
• Living in Bondage is Nollywood’s first movie released through this system.
• Nollywood generates $590 million in revenue annually by producing an average of 50 films every week.
• However, the income for Nollywood actors is still low, and they earn between $1000 and $3000 per movie.

Videos

Welcome to Nollywood: The world’s second-largest film industry

Let’s talk about Nollywood: The story behind Nigeria’s booming film industry

How Nigeria’s Nollywood Became A Multi-Billion and World 2nd Largest Film Industry

Making It In “Nollywood,” Nigeria’s Booming Film Business

How to join Nollywood. A must-watch for all intending actors and actresses.

What is Nollywood?

Nigerian cinema is informally called Nollywood. These movies are referred to as “Nollywood” because they were produced in Nigeria utilizing a type of video equipment known as a “Nolly,” which was thought to be an acronym for “Nigeria” or “National Optical Lens.” Nowadays, many studios have been constructed in Lagos with projection technology. Nigeria’s movie business is known as Nollywood. Most of these films, made by Nigerian actors and filmmakers, are screened in Nigeria and its neighboring nations. Due to the rise in internet access and the ability to watch movies online for much less money than DVDs, Nollywood has experienced significant growth over the past few years. The themes for the movies in Nollywood vary widely.

• Poverty 
• Corruption 
• Religion 
• Prostitution 
• Violence against women and children.
• Romance 
• Cultism
• Love
• Relationship

How Did Nollywood Start?

Nollywood produces more than a thousand movies in a year. Due to its popularity on the internet, Nollywood has become a very well-liked type of entertainment in Nigeria and abroad. The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, was founded in the 1990s. A group of Nigerians produced movies in the Nigerian language for Nigerian audiences to escape the bitter truth they come across in day-to-day life. However, despite great efforts, they experienced stumbling blocks such as censorship laws, penury, and poor infrastructure that refrained them from moving forward. As days passed by with some relaxation, the Nigerian filmmakers started bringing in new techniques, such as unique effects not previously found in African films. 

Nollywood is one of Africa’s most successful film industries and brings billions of dollars annually. Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author who released “Things Fall Apart” in 1958, is credited with starting it all. He wanted to make films but had no idea how to make one. Instead, he authored “The Education Of A British-Protected Child,” which became his most famous work. The book speaks about how to establish a film company from scratch. He sent the book for publication abroad due to the political unrest in Nigeria, and it was never accepted. However, the book got published by Oxford University Press in 1975. 

Nollywood is a rapidly expanding industry, and it’s easy to understand why. The world has positively welcomed Nigerian films into its homes. Being one of the most expressive people in Africa, Nigerians have produced some genuinely amazing films that will keep you enthralled for hours. The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, has experienced tremendous growth over the past few decades.

The Five Phases of Nollywood

The history of Nollywood films can be divided into five phases, which are explained below:

The Origin: After independence in 1960, the Nigerian film industry started producing films shot on celluloid. The cinema theaters cropping up in Lagos, credit goes to the economic reverberation created by the foreign investments. 

Video Filming: Due to several factors, the Nigerian film industry faced a decline in the 1980s. This included the devaluation of the Nigerian currency and poor production equipment. The audience surged to a progressing Nigerian video film industry that released films shot explicitly on home videos to TV, selling the VHS copies to the domestic market. “Video Films” became the norm, setting industry-standard subsequent to Chris Obi Rapu’s film Living in Bondage (1992), turning out to be a blockbuster.      

The Emergence of Nollywood: Nigerian film industry became Nollywood with the triumph of “Video Films.” As a result, Nollywood served as a powerhouse for global movies, becoming one of the opulent employers in the country. Nigerian film companies release four to five films daily for a Nigerian audience of close to fifteen million and approximately five million in other African nations.

The Modern Nigerian Cinema: Although they were gross, the Nigerian Video Films were low-budget productions. The government’s investment in Nigerian films and the trend of modern cine theaters that dismissed video films resulted in a revolution during the 2000s. It gave birth to the Modern Nigerian Cinema, which brought complex stories, talented Nigerian actors, and professional production values to the spotlight. Thus flocking the audiences to the superhit films like Irapada, The Wedding Party, etc., drawing invitations from international film festivals and creating box office records.      

At Present: The Modern Nigerian Cinema made Nollywood the second largest cine sector worldwide, excelling even in the U.S., which stands as the third most-grossing film industry. Nigerian Cinema accounts for five percent of the nation’s GDP. A shout-out to the western streaming services, the just-out films and television shows have looped viewers globally. 

Why The Name Nollywood?

The Nigerian film industry (Nollywood), has existed since the early 1990s. The name Nollywood goes after its American counterpart Hollywood as it has got molded by western cinema in many ways. The films go by the name of Nollywood films and often stretch for two hours or longer as opposed to the typical one-hour length of a western film. In addition, they are shot on digital video rather than 35 mm film, which reduces production costs and speeds up post-production. Currently, Nigeria produces over 30 full-length movies per week, employing over 3 million people in the industry.

Is Nollywood Bigger Than Hollywood?

Nollywood is larger than Hollywood, which the world is ignorant of. Nigeria now has Africa’s greatest economy, surpassing the US and Hollywood simultaneously. Nigeria’s entrepreneurial mentality has led the way for its movie-making and business. A network of distributors has been created so that consumers may view Nollywood films on their phones at any time for a modest cost. Although Hollywood inspires the name, it is surprising that Nollywood makes more movies than Hollywood in a year. Some famous movies Nollywood produced include “Osuofia in London” and “The Figurine.” Actors like Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Nouah have become household names thanks to these films. The Nigerian film industry is called “Nollywood” and has rapidly expanded in recent years. And YES, Nollywood is larger than Hollywood. There are Nollywood movies that have American and European actors or directors worldwide. In Nigeria, around 1000 movies are made each year as of 2018. In contrast, Hollywood produces only 400 to 500 films annually.

What Language Is Nollywood In?

The African language, Yoruba, is frequently used in Nollywood productions, while English, Hausa, and Igbo are other languages in which Nollywood movies are made. Living in Bondage, the first Nollywood film was released in 1992.

Impact of Nollywood on the Nigerian Economy?

The Nigerian film industry contributes to job growth in a nation where the economy is mostly based on oil and agriculture. Today’s industry employs over a million people, making it the second-largest employer in the nation after agriculture. According to the African Development Bank, Nigeria’s economy will expand by 7% this year. However, there is still insufficient employment to accommodate the country’s expanding youth population. Nollywood faces the below positive and negative economic, business, and production issues.

• The emergence of new jobs
• Low production costs
• Piracy issues
• Poor funding
• Inadequate training
• Lack of technical equipment

Nollywood And African Audiences

For the first time, thanks to Nollywood, Africans could now watch movies produced by their own people on a vast scale. Since they focused on shared customs, practices, and cultures all over the continent, the movies helped dispel much of the mistrust and suspicion among people. Nollywood also promoted intra-African travel, involvement, and business. Consequently, they developed a substantial African audience. This hasn’t changed until this point, which has geared up several other African nations, like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa, to get involved in this manner of filmmaking. However, there is a worry that many emerging filmmakers are clamoring for approval and acceptance from the major worldwide cinema business. 

Nollywood And Its Classical Remakes

Nollywood Classics have distinctive original storytelling, inventiveness, and accessibility. These Nollywood masterpieces have maintained their popularity through the decades. They were artistic works that reflected Nigerians’ everyday lives. They offered relatable entertainment while expressing societal and cultural ideals. A group of exceptional artists who delivered performances that made them household names and global stars was also introduced by the great Nollywood films of the 1990s. During that time, actors like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, the late Sam Loco, Sam Dede, Nkem Owoh, and others achieved success. Some successful remakes include Living in the Bondage, Omo ghetto, The Wedding Party, and Merry Men. Recently, Netflix also joined the game and distributed remakes of movies that include Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1992) and Amaka Igwe’s RattleSnake (1995). It has also commissioned two new remakes of Ejiro’s Domitilla (1996) and Chika Onukwufor’s Glamour Girls (1994). With the exception of technology and limited budget size, these vintage films continue to significantly impact the business as Nollywood develops and increases its output and professionalism.

Five Remarkable Nollywood Filmmakers

Although there are many well-known filmmakers in the history of the Nigerian film industry, we have listed the exceptional ones who have significantly contributed to this field. Here are they:

Kunle Afolayan: An actor, director, and the son of Ade Love, a Nigerian theater and film director, is well known for his superhit thrillers Irapada (2006), The Figurine (2009), and Phone Swap (2012). He owns a production house by the name Golden Effects Picture.

Jadesola Osiberu: A writer and director, she made a revolution in the history of the Nigerian film industry with her debut feature film – Isoken (2016), bagging the third highest-grossing film of the year 2017 in Nollywood. Osiberu opened her production company Tribe 85, in 2017.

Tunde Kelani: A correspondent in the BBC and Reuters, Tunde Kelani, or TK, has embarked on his career for over forty years in photography, filmmaking, and production. His Ayinla (2021) is inspired by the life of the Nigerian musician Ayinla Omowura. He is also well known for his literary adaptations Maami (2011) and Dazzling Mirage (2014).

Dolapo “LowlaDee” Adeleke: Dolapo Lola Adeleke began her career with short films and TV productions. She completed her academics at Covenant University, Nigeria, in 2011. The Leading Ladies Africa has named Adeleke as one of the 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria for 2018.

Kemi Adetiba: She studied film production at the New York Film Academy before beginning her career as a director with one of the famous Nigerian films, The Wedding Party (2016). Her next major hit was The King of Boys (2018). 

Best Nollywood Movies On Netflix

Some of the popular movies of Nollywood to watch on Netflix include:

• Ayinla
• Breaded Life
• Weather for Two
• Lagos Real Fake Life
• In Line
• Man of God
• The Bridge
• Lionheart
• Bigger than Africa
• Blood Sisters

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What is Hollywood?

Hollywood is an area in the central region of Los Angeles, California. The name has become synonymous with the American film industry over the years. Famous studios, like Disney, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures, were founded in Hollywood. Hollywood was incorporated in 1930 as a municipality and consolidated with Los Angeles in 1910. Eventually, a promising real estate town grew to become a prominent place for the American and Western film industry and thus became the most heard place around the globe. Hollywood is a term used by directors and filmmakers associated with American movies and television shows.

Which Part Of The Country Is Known As Hollywood?

Hollywood lies northwest of downtown Los Angeles and is bordered by Beverly Boulevard (south), Hyperion Avenue and Riverside Drive (east), Beverly Hills (west), and the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. Being called a Tinsel town, Hollywood is an ideal place balanced with pleasant weather conditions and a geographical structure that is also a promising market for labor. Since the early 1900’s Hollywood has homed the actors and directors and is synonymous with American movies and television shows. The film industry has spread all over southern California, including New York City, yet Hollywood remains the American film industry’s omphalos.

What Is Hollywood Known For?

Hollywood is the oldest film industry, where the earliest film studios and production companies emerged. It is the birthplace of various genres of cinema—among them comedy, drama, action, musical, romance, horror, science fiction, and the war epic—and has set the example for other national film industries.

What Is Hollywood Like?

Hollywood and glamor walk side by side and are defined by a celebrity persona and impression. Everyone in Hollywood is always striving to become something or someone, and those who have already reached the top are no longer who they are and live in other people’s intentions and perceptions. However, there is nothing to be surprised by as the town is characterized by success, personality, being able to impress, and fame, fame-based social hierarchies, and thus makes it hard for one to be themselves. 

How Did The Name Hollywood Originate?

The name Hollywood was officially registered in 1887 by Harvey H. Wilcox in his land deed. Another version also tells that his wife, Daedia Wilcox, heard the name from her friend, Ivar Weid, and suggested the same to her husband. However, another story says that Daedia met a stranger on a train who lived in a state named “Hollywood” in Illinois. Although many versions of stories are attached to the origin of the name Hollywood, there is little to no evidence to prove the same.

What Is Hollywood Most Known For?

Hollywood is the destination for all American movies and television shows and is situated in California. Hollywood has many tourist attractions, including the “Walk of Fame” and the Hollywood Sign. The once small Tinsel town gained popularity such that the whole American Film industry became Hollywood. However, it is to be noted that all movies are not made in Hollywood. Hollywood has evolved in popularity to become a metonymy. Major award functions and theater releases are made in Hollywood at important theaters and concert stages. The town is famous for the “Walk of Fame” and is a major tourist destination. The Hollywood Walk of Fame was launched in 1958, and the first star belonged to the actress Joanne Woodward in 1960. The Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and the USA. Tourists visiting the Walk of Fame can see more than 2000 five-point stars that feature various notable artists and filmmakers of the industry. Some of the popular destinations Hollywood is known for being.

• Madame Tussauds Hollywood
• Pantages Theatre
• The Hollywood Museum
• Dolby Theatre
• Hollywood
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Universal Studio
• Hollywood wax museum
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
• Capitol Records Building
• Museum of Illusions

Why Is Hollywood So Popular?

Hollywood is the biggest film industry in the world. Why is it so popular? What makes Hollywood different and unique from other film industries? Let’s check out:

• Huge audience:  Hollywood movies are released around the world and thus have a vast audience and followers. Another major factor that contributes to its fan following is the language. English is a language spoken and understood widely around the world. However, presently Hollywood invests in the USA and other film industries in other countries.
• Professionalism: Hollywood is known for its professionalism in every aspect. The scenes or parts of the movie will hardly have flaws and are depicted with perfection.
• Keeping in track: Hollywood movies stick to one concept throughout the movie and do not deviate from the track. If the plot is an action-thriller, the movie concentrates on the plot alone. 
• Variety: Hollywood movies come with various subjects, unlike the other film industries with the same plots with slight variation. The audience gets to see a variety of plots, genre, and stories and never get bored.
• Technology and Graphics: Technology and graphics take the lead in Hollywood with experts who know their job. Some movies with excellent graphics and effects include Avengers, Planet of the Apes, Gravity, Jurassic Park, and Avtar. 
• Sound effects: Hollywood has shown the world how sound effects contribute majorly to a scene in a movie. Hollywood movies have one of the best soundtracks with exceptional effects.

What Is New Hollywood?

New Hollywood is a film movement led by a group of students in filmmaking around 1967-1976 in the United States. These students were passionate about filmmaking and worked within the studio system. Their movement was called the New Hollywood Wave, and they gave a radical angle to actual filmmaking.

Where Did New Hollywood Emerge From?

The most important few years in American film history are frequently cited by film academics as 1967–1969. In those years, films by Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Woody Allen, and many others debuted. The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde, however, were two 1967 releases that actually heralded the arrival of New Hollywood. The Graduate had sexual activities, and Bonnie and Clyde featured sex and violence. Both pictures were daringly frank. They are significantly responsible for eliminating the Hays code and unleashing a creative renaissance in Hollywood thanks to their daring subject matter. 

Who Are Notable New Hollywood Filmmakers?

These filmmakers are well known for their techniques, such as shot framing, narratives, transition effects, camera angles, and lighting. They have also won or got nominated for several Academy Awards.

• George Lucas
• Steven Spielberg
• Martin Scorsese
• Peter Bogdanovich 
• Brian De Palma
• Francis Ford Coppola

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Laptops were made portable and can serve as good productivity software or entertainment centers when traveling. Linking your machine with some elevated wireless headphones only improves the listening experience.

We can’t tell you which headset is best for you, but we can present a good list of top wireless headphone selections to help you narrow down your options. The critical factors in what makes a “great headphone” boil down to the same thing, whether they’re:

• Full-size models
• Comfort (design)
• Sound quality
• Feature set
• Overall performance in voice calling and noise cancellation, prevalent in Bluetooth headphones.

Sony WH-1000XM5

It can be difficult for a manufacturer to continually improve a product’s sound performance from down the generations, but Sony has done it with the WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones. Not only that but it was accomplished while undergoing a thorough overhaul.

Features 

• ANC performance
• Outstanding microphone
• App features, including custom EQ
• Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and wired connectivity options
• Bluetooth multipoint
• “Find My Device” enabled

Battery Life: 30hr

Charger: USB-C

Sony WH-1000XM5

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Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the way to go if you have the budget and want the best set of headphones for modern life. High-quality Bluetooth codecs, outstanding sound, better noise cancellation, long battery life, and great functions like auto pause and Bluetooth multiple access make these the most acceptable all-around solution for many people.

Features

• Excellent noise cancellation.
• Excellent audio quality.
• Bluetooth multipoint is quite helpful.
• Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, AAC, LDAC, and wired playback are all supported.
• It is comfortable and includes foldable hinges.
• When you turn them off, they automatically pause.

Battery Life: 30hr

Charger: USB-C

Sony WH-1000XM4

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Sony WF-1000XM4

The Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless headphones are the most bought in the market, and the experience is flawless. Noise reduction, sound quality, and user experience are all excellent, demonstrating Sony’s significant focus on enhancing the elements that could potentially improve customers’ lives.

Features

• 360-degree audio support
• Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC, and LDAC
• IPX4 grade
• Excellent isolation
• ANC Foam ear tips

Battery Life: 8hrs (24hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Sony WF-1000XM4

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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Sennheiser demonstrates excellent quality and active noise cancellation (ANC), which can be packed into a well-built set of earbuds, but at a cost. The Momentum True Wireless 3 Earbuds can meet and exceed expectations for most tasks you put at it.

Features

• Excellent sound quality with replaceable ear tips and ear fins.
• Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, and SBC.
• Excellent noise cancellation.
• Sound Zones are beneficial.
• Fast charging through wireless and USB-C.
• IPX4 certification.

Battery Life: 7 hrs (28 hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

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Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus has a similar appearance to its predecessors, with bullet-shaped buds and a flip-top charging case – albeit the charging case now has a matte finish and seems a touch sleeker than the previous iteration.

Features

• Unrivaled audio quality
• Movable EQ
• Mode of High Performance
• Bluetooth 5 compatibility
• Touch-sensitive software controls are handy.

Battery Life: Up to 45 hours

Charger: USB-C

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

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Sony WF-C500

The Sony WF-C500 is an excellent commute and workout buddy. Of course, you might miss having ANC in noisy places, but decent isolation compensates for some of that, and the lightweight design is comfortable to wear all day.

Features

• Lightweight and compact
• Comfortable earpiece tips
• IPX4 grade
• Great Audio Quality

Battery Life: 10hr (20hr with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Sony WF-C500

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Sennheiser HD 350BT

This pair of Bluetooth headphones sound fantastic and provides plenty of features. While it lacks active noise cancellation (ANC), passive isolation is adequate for blocking out distant conversations. However, the small ear cushions may be bothersome for listeners with large ears due to the compact design.

Features

• The design is compact and portable.
• Sidetone effect during calls supported. 
• Bluetooth 5.0; SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX LL.
• Excellent Audio quality

Battery Life: 30 hours

Charger: USB-C

Sennheiser HD 350BT

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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are an excellent all-around solution if you can afford them. This is a perfect substitute for the Apple AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM4. You may customize the level of noise cancellation and take advantage of premium features like automated ear detection. In addition, these earbuds are IPX4 rated, making them an excellent workout partner.

Features

• IPX4 grade for active noise cancellation
• Comfortable fit.
• Bluetooth 5.1 
• Battery Life, Quick charging
• Wireless charging and USB-C
• Listening in mono (right bud only)
• Play/pause on demand

Battery Life: 6hrs (18hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

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Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless expands on the Momentum range while maintaining the same high build quality and stylish design. The Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and an array of high-quality Bluetooth codecs contribute to the excellent connection quality. If you want a stylish pair of headphones but aren’t concerned about the price, the Momentum Wireless 3 could be your next travel companion.

Features

• Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, aptX LL, aptX, and AAC are all supported.
• Noise cancellation 
• Audio quality
• Excellent construction quality
• Fast auto-connect, multi connect

Battery Life: 17 hour

Charger: USB-C

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

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Apple AirPods 3

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) outperform the 2019 model with a more ergonomic but unsealed, fit, water-resistant construction, MagSafe charging case, and additional software functions. With the new AirPods’ spatial audio with head tracking, you can enjoy a completely immersive movie experience and HD audio during FaceTime sessions. Of course, most of these capabilities are limited to Apple hardware, so Android users can continue to use their devices.

Features

• Portable Adaptive EQ 
• H1 chip (iOS, Android, Windows)
• Head tracking in spatial audio
• IPX4 rated 
• MagSafe case with wireless charging

Battery Life: 6 hours (30 hours with charging case)

Apple AirPods 3

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Apple AirPods Max

The AirPods Max includes excellent noise cancellation and a transparency mode that allows you to hear what’s happening around you with a button. The volume and playback controls are allocated to the digital crown at the top of the right ear cup, which is relatively smooth.

Features

• Excellent design and construction quality.
• Incredible active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
• Ear cushions and a cloth headband are both comfortable.
• Battery life is adequate.
• The button and digital crown are helpful.
• Excellent audio quality with minimal distortion.
• Bluetooth 5.0 has a strong connection.

Battery Life: 20 hour

Charger: USB-C

Apple AirPods Max

Buy at Amazon

 

Panasonic RZ-S500W

The Panasonic RZ-S500W earphones are designed for people who desire the most incredible portable noise cancellation. Its intensity reacts to your surroundings and scales through 50 levels of cancellation, making some sounds 14 to 16 times louder than they would otherwise be. Other features include Alexa connection and touch controls, although the ANC is unquestionably the key selling point.

Features

• Excellent adaptive noise cancellation .
• Comprehensive touch controllers.
• Bluetooth 5.0. 
• Mono listening with the left or right earbud.
• Rapid charging.

Battery Life: 6.5hrs (21 hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Panasonic RZ-S500W

Buy at Amazon

 

Shure Aonic Free

The Shure Aonic Free isolates like no other if you don’t mind the rather big case footprint and large earphones. Its app is extensive, and the connection using aptX is stable, with outstanding sound quality.

Features:

• Isolation is exceptional.
• Excellent audio quality.
• Excellent application.
• SBC, AAC, and aptX are all quite pleasant.
• Environment Mode performs admirably.

Battery Life: 7 hrs (21 hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Shure Aonic Free

Buy at Amazon

 

Sony WF-1000XM3

Wireless earbuds are abundant, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes them easy to identify. The design and comfort are excellent, and the connection strength is reliable. Though they lack aptX or LDAC support, DSEE HX processing enhances the sound of low-quality audio files. Therefore, the WF-1000XM3 should be your priority if you want attractive active noise-canceling (ANC) earphones.

Features

• Audio quality
• Integration of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
• Modern style
• Play/pause on demand
• Touch controls with adaptive sound

Battery Life: 6hrs (24hrs with charging case)

Charger: USB-C

Sony WF-1000XM3

Buy at Amazon

 

Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless

While the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless isn’t flawless, it is undeniably one of the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones available. This sound and construction quality comes at a few hundred dollars, but it is worth it.

Features

• High-quality design
• Excellent audio quality
• App with a hearing test that is handy.
• Excellent connection strength
• SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and wired playback are supported.
• Battery life

Battery Life: 30 hours

Charger: USB-C

Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless

Buy at Amazon

 

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

If you’re willing to make the best investment in wireless headphones, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 will be your priority. If you’re serious about music, good ANC, sound, and sweat resistance make for an appealing set of genuine wireless headphones. However, the cost is highly considerable.

Features

• Sound quality
• ANC
• IPX4 rating
• Extra features through the app
• Voice assistant support

Battery Life: 7 hours (28 hours with charging case)

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Buy at Amazon

 

Google Pixel Buds A-Series

These earphones are light and comfy and work well with your Android device. In addition, the IPX4 classification makes it ideal for those who live in rainy areas or athletes, and the microphone quality is adequate for phone calls. Nonetheless, there are several comparable priced choices with fewer audio oddities.

Features

• Lightweight and comfy to wear.
• It works great with the Android experience.
• IPX4 grade. 
• Touch controllers (buds).

Battery Life: 5hr (+20hr from the case)

Charger: USB-C

Google Pixel Buds A-Series

Buy at Amazon

 

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

B&W’s flagship noise-cancellers are natural performers capable of competing with the finest in their field. When you think about it, all a pair of headphones can do is resonate, attract, and feel fantastic – and the B&W PX7 excels at all three.

Features

• Outstanding seclusion
• The ANC is excellent.
• Life of the battery
• SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and wired connectivity are available.

Battery Life: 30 hours

Charger: USB-C

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Buy at Amazon

 

JBL Reflect Flow Pro

The JBL Reflect Flow Pro is an excellent choice for folks who are constantly on the go and want a pair of earphones to get them through their workouts, commutes, and errands. The water resistance, snug fit, and good sound quality make them versatile. 

Features

• Water and dust resistance IP68.
• Size options for ear tips and wing tips.
• The software includes an ear tip fit test, an EQ, and other features.

Battery Life: 30 hours (10 buds (ANC off); 20 cases)

Charger: USB-C

JBL Reflect Flow Pro

Buy at Amazon

 

Bose QuietComfort 45

If you want a set of wireless over-ear headphones that you can put on, enable noise-canceling on your ride or desk, and essentially shut out the outside world for up to 24 hours, the Bose QC 45 has a price advantage over most of the competition.

Features:

• Excellent noise-canceling USB-C port.
• Comfortable for extended periods.
• Playback through wired and wireless connections.
• In-app EQ.

Battery Life: 24 hours

Charger: USB-C

Bose QuietComfort 45

Buy at Amazon

 

Instead of deleting all fraudulent accounts, Twitter announced that it would reinstate the account verification program.

You can apply to be verified on Twitter, and a blue checkmark will appear next to your name, indicating that your account is not a spammer, troll, or bot. You must establish your identity, have a prominent presence on and off Twitter, maintain an active Twitter account, and submit a request for consideration as a verified user to get verified on Twitter.

Micro-influencers, thought-provoking leaders, and small enterprises, in particular, should register for verification and obtain a blue badge so that fake handles cannot imitate them. In addition, having a verified Twitter account makes it more difficult for scammers to use your identity to promote false information, organize bogus contests to steal your followers’ information, and do other activities that contribute to distrust.

How to Get Verified on Twitter?

Getting Verified on Twitter: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Check to see whether your profile fits Twitter’s activity guidelines.
• Go to your account settings and click “request verification” to begin the verification process.
• A window will open with more information about Twitter verification; click “Start Now” to proceed.
• By picking the appropriate category, you may tell Twitter who you are.
• Demonstrate that you have chosen the correct category (e.g., your official website, articles about you, etc.)
• Provide an official email address, website, or government-issued ID to prove your identity.
• Wait for Twitter to respond after clicking “submit.”

Having an Active Twitter Account

An active Twitter account has a profile name and image, has been logged into at least once in the last six months, and is associated with a verified email address or phone number. It would help if you also double-checked that you have not flouted any rules of Twitter in the last six months that could have resulted in a 12-hour or seven-day suspension.

Set your profile name to your real name or brand name, make sure your profile photo and cover photo genuinely show what you care about, and make sure your bio emphasizes an area of specialty or corporate mission—sell yourself.

Process to Get Verified on Twitter

You Need to Have a Notable Twitter Account

Set your profile name to your real name or brand name, make sure your profile photo and cover photo genuinely show what you care about, and make sure your bio emphasizes an area of specialty or corporate mission—sell yourself. The six special categories on Twitter are:

Government

State and federal government officials, public offices, official candidates, public utilities, and other people in leadership fall under the Government category.

Image Source: Twitter

Companies, Brands, and Organizations

The corporations, brands, and organizations category include well-known firms, brands, and organizations—such as non-profits, startups, and small businesses—as well as their executives.

Image Source: Twitter

News Organizations and Journalists

Official news institutions, such as periodicals, newspapers, broadcast and cable television, and individual journalists, are covered in this category.

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Entertainment

Entertainment refers to companies in the entertainment industry, such as record labels, film festivals, and television networks.

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Gaming and Sports

Official sports leagues, esports leagues, sports teams, and other sports organizations can participate in sports and gaming.

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Organizers, Activists, or Influencers

Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals are for people of significant public interest who do not fit into any preceding categories—medical experts, local public figures, and political leaders, for example—but are nonetheless vulnerable to impersonation.

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To be eligible for your category, you must show documentation that you fit into that category. For example, if you want to be verified as a journalist, you must offer links to three bylines or credits in eligible media.

Getting a Blue Tick on Twitter

Importance of an Authentic Twitter Account

Your account must be genuine, which means you must be who you claim you are. You can authenticate your identity on Twitter in three ways:

• First, include a link to your website in your message.
• Provide a snapshot of a government-issued identification card.
• Provide an official email address with an appropriate domain.

You will need your identity proof to upload while filling out your verification form, so have it ready before clicking “Start Now.”

Benefits of Getting Verified on Twitter

A verified account comes with several apparent advantages:

• You may gain additional followers.
• You earn the community’s trust and esteem.
• You are immediately identified as an authority figure or an influencer.
• Finally, you can defend yourself from impersonation attempts.

Twitter Verification 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Is it possible for a regular person to become verified on Twitter?

Yes, possibly. Twitter allows anyone to fill out a form to request account verification, but it is not sure that everyone will be authorized. For example, they used to exclusively verify celebrities, news anchors, politicians, athletes, business people, and other high-profile individuals. However, they now allow anyone to request verification as long as the account is considered for the public good, significant, authentic, and active.

2.  How many followers are required to get verified on Twitter?

Twitter does not specify the minimum number of followers required to get verified. Other characteristics are more critical, such as having an active, authentic, and famous account. However, there is a follower count criterion for companies and organizations that states, “in the top 0.05 percent of active accounts located in the same geographic region.” That is, their number of followers should be among the highest. 0.05 percent of active accounts in the same geographical area.

3. Do you have to pay to get a Twitter account verified?

It is entirely free to become verified on Twitter. Contact Twitter and meet their eligibility conditions, and they will complete your verification request. Twitter does not sell verification badges and will never do so. If you come across people or services who claim to be able to get you a blue badge for a fee, do not fall for it.

4. How many times can we try to get our account verified?

If your request for verification is denied the first time, you can submit another request after 30 days. You can request verification an unlimited number of times.

Conclusion

The Twitter verified mark ensures that your followers are not unintentionally following a bogus account. It is also the only way for Twitter users to know whether an account is genuine. As a result, it provides an additional degree of security for both users and account owners, reduces the dissemination of fake news, and improves the overall user experience.

Will Smith, at 51, is one of the most famous movie actors of the last two decades, and his rise to that position is spectacular. Smith was on you so fast that you barely had time to realize that he had taken over the globe, from teenage rap to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Independence Day to worldwide supremacy. And, even when his star has dipped a notch or two in recent years, he remained likable and relatable. He even managed to be pleasant in Suicide Squad, something people thought was impossible.

Do not assume Will Smith lacks depth because he has played “serious” roles in both tragedies (Ali) and blockbusters (I Am Legend). Despite his gaffes, Smith is the movie star you don’t see anymore. So, we have listed below all of his movies to reminisce about his talent!

1. King Richard (2021)

Richard Williams is unreasonable in every aspect. He is obstinate, unrepentant, obnoxious, and assured of his virtue and judgment that everyone who works with him wants to tear out their hair. (Someone will do a fantastic supercut of this film that only shows people’s irritated reactions to him.) The issue is he always seems to be correct about everything. Nevertheless, this approval far from a hagiographic biopic of Williams, who famously informed the world that his two little girls would grow up to be the best tennis players in the world, and then they were, is a thrilling heartwarming sports film.

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Language: English

Genre: Biography, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Aunjanue Ellis
• Saniyya Sidney
• Demi Singleton
• Tony Goldwyn
• Jon Bernthal

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Running Time: 145 minutes
Movie Trailer: King Richard (2021)

2.  Bad Boys for Life (2020)

This superfluous sequel is essentially a spruced-up, duller version of either of the first two films. It’s not disrespectful, and it won’t make Smith cringe if he watches it in 20 years, but it’s also not that engaging. Despite Michael Bay’s Michael Bay-ness, he manages to keep his films flowing and dynamic. Unfortunately, directors Adil and Bilall, while dutiful and energetic, cannot elicit the same intensity from their leading men. It is amusing how people raved about this movie for 20 years and then completely forgot about it when it came out.

Director: Adil & Bilall

Language: English

Genre: Action

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Martin Lawrence
• Paola Núñez
• Vanessa Hudgens
• Alexander Ludwig
• Charles Melton
• Kate del Castillo
• Nicky Jam
• Joe Pantoliano

IMDb Rating: 6.5

Running Time: 124 minutes

Movie Trailer: Bad Boys For Life (2020)

3. Aladdin (2019)

After the Aladdin trailer, which featured Will Smith as the Big Blue Dude, drew mixed reactions on the internet, it was understandable to be skeptical of this live-action version. However, lowering expectations is definitely for the best: the new film isn’t bad, but it’s far from the original—with Smith as the jovial genie. Strangely, for all the hits he’s been a part of over the years, he’s rarely done what you’d call a straight-up family film, except maybe Shark Tale. So, it’s surprising to watch him tap into his big-kid enthusiasm prominently in this film.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Language: English

Genre: Fantasy

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Mena Massoud
• Naomi Scott
• Marwan Kenzari
• Navid Negahban
• Nasim Pedrad
• Billy Magnussen

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Running Time: 128 minutes

Movie Trailer: Aladdin (2019)

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4. Gemini Man (2019)

Will Smith is up for the challenge of dueling (and eventually joining up) with his 30-years-younger clone, but even he can’t overcome this clichéd, aging-hit-man story, in which he doesn’t once declare, “I’m too old for this stuff.” (And don’t even get us started on Ang Lee’s fixation on an accelerated frame rate, making the entire film appear like the most costly episode of As the World Turns ever.) Fortunately, Smith is still committed enough to sell the interplay between his two selves, and there are some touching moments in which you see him striving to reconcile with his younger self, both on and offscreen. However, if you’re attempting to recreate a youthful Will Smith, don’t you have to make him more entertaining than this?

Director: Ang Lee

Language: English

Genre: Action

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Mary Elizabeth Winstead
• Clive Owen
• Benedict Wong

IMDb Rating: 5.7

Running Time: 117 minutes

Movie Trailer: Gemini Man (2019)

5. Bright (2017)

The infamous Netflix fiasco — and by “fiasco,” we mean “millions of people vaguely paying attention to it while folding laundry” — is pretty bad, possibly worse than Ayer’s much-maligned Suicide Squad. The worst part is how tethered Smith is here. Even when the material is terrible, you can always count on Smith to give it his all. He appears to be constantly peering off-screen to see if his Netflix check has been cashed. The duo is a lethal combination: This is a low point for him.

Director: David Ayer

Language: English

Genre: Action, Fantasy

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Joel Edgerton
• Noomi Rapace
• Lucy Fry
• Édgar Ramírez
• Ike Barinholtz

IMDb Rating: 6.3

Running Time: 118 minutes

Movie Trailer: Bright (2017)

6. Collateral Beauty (2016)

Yes, it’s the complete misguided mess you’ve heard. Still, it’s more disappointing for Edward Norton, Michael Pena, and Kate Winslet. They play the horrible human beings meant to be the “good guys” of this befuddling “heartwarmer” — then it is for Smith, who is primarily put-upon and thus manages to escape the true vileness. The actual issue with Smith here is one shared by many of his “serious” performances: He loses the star power that we love in Will Smith and becomes mopey and melancholy.  

Director: David Frankel

Language: English

Genre: Fantasy, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Edward Norton
• Keira Knightley
• Michael Peña
• Naomie Harris
• Jacob Latimore
• Helen Mirren

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Running Time: 97 minutes

Movie Trailer: Collateral Beauty (2016)

7. Suicide Squad (2016)

You can’t blame Smith for everything that goes wrong in Suicide Squad, and at the very least, he’s a reason to remain watching even when the film is flapping around and running into walls. He and Robbie are the only persons who appear to have given much attention to what was shown on screen, and for that, we must be grateful. And then flee the theater.

Director: David Ayer

Language: English

Genre: Fantasy, Action

Main Cast:

• Will Smith
• Jared Leto
• Margot Robbie
• Joel Kinnaman
• Viola Davis
• Jai Courtney
• Jay Hernandez
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• Ike Barinholtz
• Scott Eastwood
• Cara Delevingne

IMDb Rating: 5.9

Running Time: 123 minutes

Movie Trailer: Suicide Squad (2016)

8. Concussion (2015)

Smith gives his most robust straight-drama performance since 2006’s The Pursuit of Happiness as Bennet Omalu, a soft-spoken Nigerian doctor residing in Pittsburgh. The latter helped discover the catastrophic brain injuries that are killing NFL players. It’s a modest performance with little actorly fireworks, and the two-time Oscar nominee relies mainly on his quiet decency. That’s more than enough when you’re one of the most charismatic people globally.

Director: Peter Landesman

Language: English

Genre: Biography, Sports drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Alec Baldwin
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw
• Arliss Howard
• Paul Reiser
• Luke Wilson
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• David Morse
• Albert Brooks

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Running Time: 122 minutes

Movie Trailer: Concussion (2015)

9. Focus (2015)

Smith has a lot of fun as a con man — the first con man he’s played since Six Degrees of Separation 20 years ago, a film with a very different tone — in a movie that can’t decide whether it’s a heist comedy, a dark thriller, or something. He has an apparent relationship with Margot Robbie, which would continue over to a film like Suicide Squad, and he effortlessly gets the audience on his side, as he always does. The plot contains too many twists and turns to be taken seriously, yet it’s worth hanging out.

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Margot Robbie

IMDb Rating: 6.6

Running Time: 104 minutes

Movie Trailer: Focus (2015)

10. Winter’s Tale (2014)

Smith has a minor role in this Akiva Goldman blunder, but it’s hilarious: he plays the devil! Still, he doesn’t do many wicked things.

Director: Akiva Goldsman

Language: English

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Main Cast: 

• Colin Farrell
• Jessica Brown Findlay
• Jennifer Connelly
• William Hurt
• Eva Marie Saint
• Russell Crowe
• Will Smith

IMDb Rating: 6.2

Running Time: 118 minutes

Movie Trailer: Winters’ Tale (2014)

11. After Earth (2013)

After Earth, the flop that forced Smith to take an 18-month break from acting is just as horrible as you remember it: an overly ponderous, dragging sci-fi action-drama in which Will’s son Jaden lacks the charisma that made his father a megastar. Smith’s failure was probably exacerbated by the fact that he devised the original screenplay and cast his son in the lead part, believing it would drive him up the Hollywood food chain. Perhaps this explains Smith’s gloomy demeanor throughout the film: he appears to be released in real-time. What a lousy idea After Earth was.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Language: English

Genre: Action

Main Cast: 

• Jaden Smith
• Will Smith

IMDb Rating: 4.8

Running Time: 100 minutes

Movie Trailer: After Earth (2013)

12. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

We had somewhat failed to remember that Will Smith was in this, as well. Or, on the other hand, perhaps we needed to neglect: Smith is essential for the epic, faltering fight royale that occurs close to the furthest limit of this sufficiently great spin-off. He’s the anchor of the ESPN group, and his appearance generally comprises a ridiculous mid-’80s hair styling. Furthermore, what’s with his voice? Could it be said that he is attempting to make his personality sound snobby or geeky? Try not to feel awful, Will: Everybody in this scene – Tina Fey, Kanye West, Jim Carrey – falls off seriously.

Director: Adam McKay

Language: English

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Will Ferrell
• Steve Carell
• Paul Rudd
• David Koechner
• Christina Applegate
• Dylan Baker
• Meagan Good
• James Marsden
• Fred Willard
• Kristen Wiig
• Will Smith

IMDb Rating: 6.3

Running Time: 119 minutes 

Movie Trailer: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

13. Men in Black 3 (2012)

This was the first film Smith made after 2008’s Hancock and Seven Pounds, and the four years from multiplexes just reminded us of the amount we cherished the person. Men in Black 3 washes away the terrible recollections of the 2002 continuation, blending Smith generally with Josh Brolin, who’s playing Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K before. The time-bouncing account and Brolin’s right on target Jones impression are the film’s features, which permits Smith to move once again into celebrity mode, providing Agent J with interminable cool yet heavenly comic planning.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Language: English

Genre: Action, Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Tommy Lee Jones
• Josh Brolin
• Jemaine Clement
• Michael Stuhlbarg
• Emma Thompson

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Running Time: 106 minutes

Movie Trailer: Men In Black 3 (2012)

14. Hancock (2008)

Smith’s nerviest blockbuster observes him playing a hero who’s likewise a butt sphincter. The entertainer appears to be tickled at the possibility of tweaking his own clean as a whistle picture. Hancock doesn’t constantly adjust its longing to be a dark parody of comic-book films with its need to convey supersized, stay-put display. However, Smith finds the subtlety and torment in an almighty person who can save the world yet can’t escape his specific manner.

Director: Peter Berg

Language: English

Genre: Fantasy, Action

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Charlize Theron
• Jason Bateman

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Running Time: 92 minutes

Movie Trailer: Hancock (2008)

15. Seven Pounds (2008)

The scandalous Jellyfish film. At any point, this is the nearest Smith came to John Travolta’s Battlefield Earth, an area, an individual venture that is a bad dream to endure and truly made you keep thinking about whether Smith had some Jesus complex.

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Language: English

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Rosario Dawson
• Michael Ealy
• Barry Pepper
• Woody Harrelson

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Running Time: 123 minutes

Movie Trailer: Seven Pounds (2008)

16. I Am Legend (2007)

The film never fully sorts out its closure. The underlying ending could have been an ideal spot to land from the book, yet dismissed by test crowds. However, Smith is unquestionably moving as a lost man, everybody he cherished and knew yet, notwithstanding himself, continues to walk forward. It’s an exciting exhibition, and its solidarity is in Smith’s reluctance to go for the simple out: You can perceive he’s put resources into what a man like this would go through, and he shows up harmed from it. Not everything in this film works, but rather it may be Smith’s most undervalued presentation.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Language: English

Genre: Action, Thriller

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Alice Braga
• Charlie Tahan
• Dash Mihok

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Running Time: 101 minutes

Movie Trailer: I am Legend (2007)

17. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

One of the most challenging roles for A-list actors is that of “regular” people. (Staying in the spotlight for too long causes you to lose touch with reality.) But Smith easily received his second Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of Chris Gardner, who became homeless in the early 1980s while raising his young son (Smith’s son Jaden). Smith’s portrayal is unobtrusive, which is essential for a character who has been battered by life but retains a defiant optimism. Smith’s apparent love for his son shines through the screen.

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Language: English

Genre: Biography

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Thandiwe Newton
• Jaden Smith

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Running Time: 117 minutes

Movie Trailer: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

18. Hitch (2005)

The kind of dumb studio rom-com that goes as far as its megastar will take it, Hitch suggests what Smith’s profession would possibly have been like if he’d taken the Matthew McConaughey route. He performs a suave relationship adviser who counsels dorky Kevin James on how to discuss to a relative gal (Amber Valletta) — so, of course, he’s frightened in his existence attempting to woo assertive gossip columnist Eva Mendes! So yeah, as we said, Hitch is dumb. However, it’s dumb in a fluffy, attractive way, and Smith receives to work that 1,000-watt smile while taking part in the romantic lead — something he hasn’t accomplished a good deal at the movies.

Director: Andy Tennant

Language: English

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Eva Mendes
• Kevin James
• Amber Valletta
• Michael Rapaport
• Adam Arkin

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Running Time: 118 minutes

Movie Trailer: Hitch (2005)

19. I, Robot (2004)

It’s a reasonably primary thriller that hasn’t aged properly, unlike the Isaac Asimov book it’s primarily based on — and feels compromised, no longer least of which by using some virtually weird product placement. Smith can play this type of Wry Cop in his sleep. However, he’s under constant pressure amongst all the chaos around him. He’s additionally an extremely pressing motion star: He’s physical, sure, however additionally prone and insistent. He makes it seem to be more straightforward than it is.

Director: Alex Proyas

Language: English

Genre: Science fiction

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Bridget Moynahan
• Bruce Greenwood
• James Cromwell
• Chi McBride
• Alan Tudyk

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Running Time: 115 minutes

Movie Trailer: I, Robot (2004)

20. Jersey Girl (2004)

Yes, Will Smith was in a Kevin Smith movie. But only for a moment. This brief and ill-fated attempt by Kevin Smith to become a Serious Hollywood Filmmaker failed — to be fair, anything would have had a hard time surviving Bennifer — but it’s worth noting that Smith has a nice small cameo here. As for himself, he encounters Ben Affleck’s character in a hospital waiting room and offers the film with its single authentic scene. He and Affleck share a genuine moment of understanding and commiseration.

Director: Kevin Smith

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Ben Affleck
• Liv Tyler
• Raquel Castro
• George Carlin
• Stephen Root
• Mike Starr
• Jennifer Lopez
• Jason Biggs
• Will Smith

IMDb Rating: 6.2

Running Time: 102 minutes

Movie Trailer: Jersey Girl (2004)

21. Bad Boys II (2003)

Smith didn’t have to do this sequel — he was once already the most extensive film megastar on the planet at this factor — and he likely ought to have stayed away. Instead, this is Michael Bay attempting, possibly a little too an awful lot of comedy, to the element that the opening sequence takes place at a Klan rally where Martin Lawrence receives a shot in the butt. It goes downhill from there. However, Smith maintains it afloat, mostly because he’s Will Smith and has an inner governor that won’t let him sink too low.

Director: Michael Bay

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Martin Lawrence
• Will Smith
• Jordi Mollà
• Gabrielle Union
• Peter Stormare
• Theresa Randle
• Joe Pantoliano

IMDb Rating: 6.6

Running Time: 147 minutes

Movie Trailer: Bad Boys II (2003)

22. Men in Black II (2002)

Everything that made the first Men in Black so great — the hilarious premise, the trendy tone, the oil-and-vinegar relationship between Smith and Tommy Lee Jones — is gone in this forced, unfunny sequel. Where Smith’s Agent J was once an incredibly smart guy, Men in Black II paints him as just a smug dick. This is the first time Smith appears to have taken a film only because he wanted a hit, which was the case in the aftermath of Wild Wild West.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Language: English

Genre: Action, Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Tommy Lee Jones
• Will Smith
• Lara Flynn Boyle
• Johnny Knoxville
• Rosario Dawson
• Tony Shalhoub
• Rip Torn

IMDb Rating: 6.1

Running Time: 88 minutes

Movie Trailer: Men In Black II (2002)

23. Ali (2001)

Muhammad Ali’s death may have given this truly moving, underappreciated biopic newfound acclaim, but Smith’s portrayal was never in doubt. Ali combines the two sides of this dynamic performer — the electrifying entertainer and the deep dramatist — into a perfect whole, depicting the renowned boxer as the greatest showman who was also sensitive to (and swept up in) the political and racial turbulence that surrounded him. Smith, who receives his first Oscar nomination, wields his charisma as a weapon, capitalizing on Ali’s sting-like-a-bee attraction.

Director: Michael Mann

Language: English

Genre: Biography, Sports drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Jamie Foxx
• Jon Voight
• Mario Van Peebles
• Ron Silver
• Jeffrey Wright
• Mykelti Williamson

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Running Time: 157 minutes

Movie Trailer: Ali (2001)

24. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

This is a low point for both Smith and director Robert Redford. It’s a classic “Magical Negro” part that Smith avoided for the remainder of his career. The character is beneath Will Smith and any prominent black actor; it’s difficult to picture it being made today. Still, seriously, go back and watch this: You will be surprised. (It was also Jack Lemmon’s final film.)

Director: Robert Redford

Language: English

Genre: Sports, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Matt Damon
• Charlize Theron

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Running Time: 126 minutes

Movie Trailer: The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

25. Wild Wild West (1999)

This made perfect sense at the time. Men in Black director Barry Sonnenfeld, Kevin Kline as the dependable sidekick, and a sci-fi-meets-Western plot. But, my goodness, did it ever go wrong. (Let’s start with that awful theme music. We’re sure Smith would appreciate it if he could get that one back.) At its worst, Hollywood cinema is pandering, chaotic, and disorganized. The one true big-budget flop of Smith’s career, and you can’t argue that it doesn’t deserve the moniker.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Language: English

Genre: Action, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Kevin Kline
• Kenneth Branagh
• Salma Hayek
• Ted Levine

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Running Time: 106 minutes

Movie Trailer: Wild Wild West (1999)

26. Enemy of the State (1998)

This Tony Scott action-thriller was released during Smith’s bulletproof heyday when he couldn’t go wrong. (Spoiler alert: Next year’s Wild Wild West would end that streak.) This time, he’s not the cool cat or the confident showboat: he plays a mild-mannered lawyer caught up in a government scheme, with only Gene Hackman’s mystery agent able to save him. Smith’s performance as a regular guy battling for his life in Enemy of the State was a warm-up for the dramatic roles he’d soon be pursuing, and he’s assertive and empathetic as a regular guy fighting for his life.

Director: Tony Scott

Language: English

Genre: Action, Thriller

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Gene Hackman
• Jon Voight
• Regina King
• Loren Dean
• Jake Busey
• Scott Caan
• Barry Pepper
• Gabriel Byrne

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Running Time: 132 minutes

Movie Trailer: Enemy of the State (1998)

27. Men in Black (1997)

Sure, he’s a fantastic theatrical performer. But let’s be honest: this is the movie — and persona — that comes to mind when someone talks about Will Smith. Men in Black is a blockbuster miracle — a slick, witty, eye-popping sci-fi action film — and Smith treats the whole thing like a great lark. No other movie celebrity makes blasé irreverence seem more hip, and no other movie star makes event movies seem like the coolest thing in the world. What do you think? He did an excellent job of making this appear suitable.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Language: English

Genre: Action, Thriller

Main Cast: 

• Tommy Lee Jones
• Will Smith
• Linda Fiorentino
• Vincent D’Onofrio
• Rip Torn

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Running Time: 98 minutes

Movie Trailer: Men in Black (1997)

28. Independence Day (1996)

This movie didn’t bring Smith back, and it left a large hole in its wake: Would we have made this such a great hit, would we have cared so much if it hadn’t been for Smith? The film is regular disaster-flick porn, done in Roland Emmerich’s harmlessly idiotic way, but Smith brings it to life every time he appears. So it’s no surprise he became a July 4th celebrity: This is America as we want to see it, with a little John Wayne and Muhammad Ali thrown in for good measure. Hello and welcome to Earth!

Director: Roland Emmerich

Language: English

Genre: Action

Main Cast: 

• Will Smith
• Bill Pullman
• Jeff Goldblum
• Mary McDonnell
• Judd Hirsch
• Margaret Colin
• Randy Quaid
• Robert Loggia
• James Rebhorn
• Harvey Fierstein

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Running Time: 145 minutes

Movie Trailer: Independence Day (1996)

29. Bad Boys (1995)

Smith and filmmaker Michael Bay collaborated when both men were on a roll, and the result was a highly appealing (and, yes, a little racist and homophobic) film. This is where the Fresh Prince transforms into a villainy action hero for the big screen, paving the way for Independence Day, Men in Black, and the title of King of the Fourth of July Blockbuster. What’s funny about viewing Bad Boys now is that Dude looks so youthful, but his sassy chemistry with Martin Lawrence still comes through.

Director: Michael Bay

Language: English

Genre: Action, Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Martin Lawrence
• Will Smith
• Téa Leoni
• Tchéky Karyo
• Theresa Randle
• Joe Pantoliano

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Running Time: 119 minutes

Movie Trailer: Bad Boys (1995)

30. Six Degrees of Separation (1995)

This production of John Guare’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play had all the cachet a young actor seeking to establish a name for himself would want. Still, what’s surprising is how much fire and passion Smith gives to the performance, at times wiping out seasoned vets Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing. Smith seems a touch mannered at first as a thief who dupes an educated NYC couple into believing he’s Sidney Poitier’s son, but as his hoax is exposed, he and the picture become much more visceral and scorching. Even if you thought Smith was cute before, his performance piqued your interest: “Wait, he can do this?” Yet, in some ways, he hasn’t pushed himself enough.

Director: Fred Schepisi

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Stockard Channing
• Will Smith
• Donald Sutherland
• Mary Beth Hurt
• Bruce Davison
• Ian McKellen

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Running Time: 112 minutes

Movie Trailer: Six Degrees of Separation (1995)

31. Made in America (1993)

The premise of this film is so weird — Whoopi Goldberg discovers that the father of the child she produced via a sperm donor is a jerk car salesman named Ted Danson — that you look for any way out. And you can see it in Smith, who plays the daughter’s love interest (Nia Long) with such movie-star charm that he virtually bursts off the screen. Of course, he wouldn’t have to perform ridiculous comic-relief supporting roles for much longer, but he was pretty good at them. He’s so animated and having so much fun that you nearly forget about Goldberg and Danson’s real-life connection. Almost.

Director: Richard Benjamin

Language: English

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: 

• Whoopi Goldberg
• Ted Danson
• Will Smith

IMDb Rating: 5.1

Running Time: 111 minutes

Movie Trailer: Made in America (1993)

32. Where the Day Takes You (1991)

What happens when a seemingly random sprinkling of up-and-coming young “stars” from the early 1990s all don’t take a bath for a day and pretend to be “troubled” drug addicts on the streets of Los Angeles? It looks like a scene from a week’s movie, with everyone dressed in flannel. Check out the cast: Dermot Mulroney, Sean Astin, Lara Flynn Boyle, Christian Slater, David Arquette, Nancy McKeon, Alyssa Milano, and Ricki Lake! Smith plays Manny, a legless homeless child who turns out to be pleasant, moves a wheelchair rapidly, and gets beaten up in his first picture. Fortunately, Smith would soon be out of these responsibilities.

Director: Marc Rocco

Language: English

Genre: Crime, Drama

Main Cast: 

• Sean Astin
• Lara Flynn Boyle
• Peter Dobson
• Balthazar Getty
• Ricki Lake
• James LeGros
• Dermot Mulroney
• Adam Baldwin
• Nancy McKeon
• Alyssa Milano
• Will Smith
• Rachel Ticotin
• Stephen Tobolowsky

IMDb Rating: 6.6

Running Time: 105 minutes

Movie Trailer: Where the Day Takes You (1991)

Music is the soul of mental agility. It plays its tunes on people’s moods and powerfully transforms their personalities. The right music stirs up your emotions and enhances your situation experience. Therefore, this firmly establishes the connection between music and your mind. In that way, a music producer plays a pivotal role in our lives. 

To excel in music production, you have to know how your music will impact your listener’s minds. This will help you create better music and render a unique listening experience for your listener. For this purpose, you must acquire basic knowledge of psychoacoustics. So let’s walk through this article to fulfill your pangs of curiosity! 

Understanding Psychoacoustics

Psychoacoustics primarily deals with two areas namely:

Perception

Perception tells us about the various sensory systems and their function in perceiving sound waves.

Cognition

This area shows how our brain processes the perceived sound.

Perception

Sound waves reach our ears as mechanical waves. However, our inner ear converts these waves to neural stimuli for our brain’s reception which results in the perception of sound. Therefore, while processing the audio signals, music producers have to consider the environment, and the role of our ears, and the brain.  Now, let us discover how perception influences music production. 

Limits of Perception 

Although our bodily mechanizations perceive sound, they limit above or below which perception ceases. This range is called the audible range or the limits of perception. The human hearing range depends on:

• The pitch of the sound (high or low) – measured in terms of Hertz(Hz) 
• The loudness of sound – measured in terms of decibels (dB)

Therefore, humans can hear sound frequencies ranging between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. However, frequencies outside this range require a larger sound pressure to reach audibility.

Frequencies below 20 Hz: Frequencies below 20 Hz are known as ‘infrasounds.’ We don’t perceive these sounds as a unified tone. However, it resembles a series of pulses. 

Frequencies above 20KHz: These frequencies disappear entirely; hence these sounds are generally harder to hear. In addition, 20KHz is the limit for individuals who are pretty sensitive to listening. Hence, the upper limit for individuals less sensitive may be around.

Sound Localization

Our ability to locate the source of a sound is called sound localization. Our brain computes the discrepancies in tone, pitch, and timing of sound waves reception between both ears to deduce the source location. Localization is expressed in terms of a three-dimensional position as:

• Horizontal angle
• Vertical angle
• Distance for static sounds
• Velocity for moving sounds

Human beings can detect sound in the horizontal direction compared to vertical orientations. This is due to symmetrically placed ears. 

Videos

What is psychoacoustics? 

Resolving masking issues

What is sound localization?

The Beautiful Lies of Sound Design | Tasos Fratzolas | TEDxAthens

Equal Loudness Contours

Our brain doesn’t process the perceived sound frequencies uniformly between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This is because the sound waves are received through an organ called the cochlea in the ear. Hair cells populate the cochlea and are distributed unevenly. They also appear in clusters facilitating us to interpret the most common sound from our environment. These hair cells play a vital role in sending electrical signals to our brains for sound interpretation. The concentration of these signals in the hair cells creates sound pressure. 

Depending on the sound pressure and sound waves’ frequency, there occurs a variation in the loudness of the perceived sound. Researchers created a graph to explain how sound pressure and frequency of sound waves influence our perception to understand this variation. These are called the equal loudness contours or Fletcher-Munson curves. Understanding this curve helps you balance the frequencies and render the most pleasing piece to your listeners. 

Audio Masking

A single sound source can have a tremendous impact on your perception system. However, when you try to hear multiple sounds simultaneously, you will be unable to differentiate clearly between each of them. This is because they reach the cochlea simultaneously, exciting similar regions of your hair cells. In addition, there must be a  minimum frequency difference between the sounds for the auditory nerves to process them individually. This phenomenon is termed masking. To combat masking, you need to equalize your track well. For this purpose, you have to eliminate frequencies that do not count as sounds to your mix and emphasize those that matter. 

Cognition

Music cognition refers to the ability of the brain to decode music. To produce better music, pay attention to the type of equipment your listeners use. The type of equipment used influences how your listeners perceive your music. 

Skeuomorphism

One of the most critical applications of psychoacoustics is the concept of skeuomorphism. It is a design concept adapted primarily to UI and web design, wherein real-world sounds are mimicked digitally. So, for example, when you click to move to the next page of your ebook, you will hear the skeuomorphic sound replicating the page-flipping sound. 

Final Thoughts

Thus, as a music producer, your goal will be to create better music. First, you need to understand the science of sound and produce psychoacoustic music. This will help you recognize human emotions and their corresponding reactions, which you can apply to create a memorable listening experience for your audience.