Get ready for a young talent who is going to take the world by storm.
Like many young stars these days Dima, who hails from the Ukraine, was spotted on YouTube. For the past few months, Dima has been working with a music producer from England. Nowadays the artist no longer needs to be in the same geographical area as his vocal instructor and adviser, which comes in handy. For the past five months, Dima has been learning new singing skills over Skype.
His producer shared his first impressions with us: “I am always trying to stay ahead of trend and didn’t want to discover another Justin Bieber. This singer had a great raw talent that I knew could be something special with the right training. Also, having seen the many videos he had on his YouTube, I knew teenage girls would love his personality. After all, a great singer with zero personality will never become big, no matter how good his voice is.”
Each year TheSkyKid.Com announces nominations for a special kind of award: The Coming of Age Movie Awards.
In 2009, when we launched this new project, we did not have an established format. That’s why the nominations for that year were not chosen with a specific release year in mind. In 2010, the choice of the nominated films and actors was more focused.
For this year’s 3rd edition of the awards, in addition to the other criteria applied to the films, in order to be considered for nomination we have added an extra one: the release data of the nominated films. Therefore, for 2011, we have chosen films released in 2010.
You may recall that, in 2010, we hoped to have an official event to announce the winners of the awards. Several alternatives were considered – one of them being participating in a European film festival. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure a presence at an offline event. However, this remains a goal we would try to achieve in the future.
Most of the titles included in the nominations will be familiar to you. If you are not sure about a certain title, feel free to use the search engine at theskykid.com or IMBD to learn more about the film in question. All nominated films belong to the coming of age genre . For newbies to the genre, and for those who would like to refresh their knowledge, I recommend that you read the article entitled Coming of Age Films – definition.
Voting is open until 3rd of May 2011. The winners will be announced on this web page, which is going to be updated to include detailed information for the films that receive recognition each consecutive year. Happy Voting!!
When I first saw the poster about the Colombian film The Colors of the Mountain (Los colores de la montaña) I really didn’t know what to expect. Yet, after the first few minutes of the film I got the feeling that I knew the story. The scenes and directing style reminded me of the 2004 film Innocent Voices which, added to the fact that both films share a similar message (innocent children deprived from the right to have a normal childhood, because of the social and political environment they live in), could easily explain the feeling of recognition I felt while watching the film.
The film’s Director, Carlos César Arbeláez, ably presents the story of a young boy and his friends, whose lives are changed after their families get in between the conflicts between the guerrillas and the paramilitary soldiers. He does this by building tension, while avoiding some of the disturbing (but also most powerful) scenes present in Innocent Voices. Arbelaez achieves this tension by combining elements of action and suspense that keeps the viewer engaged with the story being told on film.
When asked to name the most popular coming of age film, many choose the classic Stand By Me. The 1986 film, which is beloved by the public, is based on the novella The Body by Stephen King. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture and Best Director, as well as an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Twenty-five years after the film’s release, the cast of Stand By Me reunited to celebrate the movie’s anniversary including actors Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell and Corey Feldman, as well as director Rob Reiner and narrator Richard Dreyfuss. One actor who was not present was River Phoenix, who died in Los Angeles in 1993 at the age of 23.
To celebrate the film’s university – the film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD.
“I really don’t know how people are going to react to this film. I haven’t got a clue. Anyone who’s seen it has been tremendously excited by it. They get either so blown away by it they can’t talk, or else they talk too much. It seems to affect people very profoundly.” 1
I chose to open this review with this quote from the movie’s director, Neil Jordan, as it really sets the tone for what you are about the read in the lines to follow.
If you are looking for an unusual coming of age film, The Butcher Boy (1997) would be an excellent choice. The premise can be described as coming of age — gone wrong. I would say that it’s not suitable for anyone under sixteen, as it features spicy language (nothing too offensive by European standards at least) and references.
I have seen a lot of movies – some better than others and some that moved me so profoundly that, before the ending credits roll, I know that that I will forever keep their message in my heart. One of those films is Most – a 2003 Czech film directed by Bobby Garabedian.
It’s the story of a father and a son, of love and sacrifice. The brilliantly directed film grabbed my attention from the very beginning. In a minute or two, we are introduced to a whole variety of different life stories. Not only those of the film’s protagonists – a single father (Vladimir Javorsky) who works as a railroad drawbridge operator and his son Lada (Lada Ondrej)- but also the many people they meet at the railroad station where the film opens.
Most is masterfully directed and artfully constructed to avoid the barriers of ideologies, philosophies, and religiosities. But, at the same time, it propels us to a simple truth: that there is always someone willing to put his or her own desires aside and care for us, even when we can’t or won’t care for ourselves.
While watching the film, I felt many different emotions – ranging from joy and hope to sorrow and anguish. While there isn’t a lot of dialogue in the film, one could easily feel the mood of the film without it. The honesty of the actors’ expressions invokes the viewer’s proper emotions. The father and son did not act – they lived the story. Without a doubt, this emotional response that the film instills into its viewers can be largely attributed to its compelling character development.
Like this short film, life has a simple but meaningful plot with only two things being certain. It begins and it ends. However, what makes this film so relevant is its message, which points us to the importance of how we spend the time that joins these two certainties. Will we live our life unto others? Or will we carry on in a self-centered manner, oblivious to the needs of our fellow man?
Most will impact you, causing you to search your soul and perhaps lead you down a path of self-discovery. I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s one of those films that will leave an everlasting imprint — not only in your mind but in your heart!
Through the years, theskykid.com has been able to interview some incredibly talented singers and performers. We have gained a lot of experience in the process.
Today we are delighted to present to you two debuts: That of our special reporter from Florida, Fernanda Mendieta, who is conducting her first interview in this article and a rising young singing sensation who goes by the name of Ajsil.
Fernanda visited the young singer at his home. There they talked about a number of things, including his start as a musician, the working process of creating his video release on YouTube, as well as his hobbies and interests.
Alan Wheeler is a 12-year-old singing sensation from Monterrey, Mexico who has been singing ever since he was old enough to loose his vocal chords upon the world. He has already enjoyed a career in both show business and on stage, with over 30 appearances and performances under his belt. His appearance on a very popular sitcom, televised throughout Mexico, helped to kick off his singing career, which has now blossomed to superstar status.
It was only last week that I introduced Alan on my site and, at last count, has already accumulated over 115 comments on that article alone! This says much about Alan and of course his fans who lovingly follow and support him and his very upbeat, popular music.
This past Thursday I was privileged to connect with Alan and his family on Skype and conducted a personal interview with this very popular young man! I found Alan to have not only a charismatic and magnetic personality but also to be very down-to-earth, polite and personable. Some boys his age who have experienced this much fame and notoriety, would perhaps allow it to go to their heads. I found Alan to be just the opposite. He was not only humble and soft-spoken but, at the same time, showed quiet confidence and great intelligence throughout our conversation.
What impressed me the most about Alan, though, is his ability to speak and sing in both English and Spanish. This provides a great opportunity for Alan to cross over the language barrier, enabling him to reach more than just one culture. With his up-to-date sound, and contagious beat, and with relevant lyrics that appeal to both the young and the old, Alan Wheeler will soon become a household name, not only in Mexico but in the US as well.
THE INTERVIEW
Rivenmaster: What was the earliest memory you personally have of singing?
Alan: When I was at my mother’s academy singing the song Hoy es nuestra Navidad (We Need a Little Christmas – from the Play MAME) for the end of the school festival. I was four-years-old.
Rivenmaster: You started doing commercials and ads at a very young age. What commercial or ad do you remember being the most fun?
Alan: The ad for Plaza Mayoreo shoe stores, with theRuppis. We sang the jingle and appeared in the ad. It was pretty cool, because they gave us the shoes that they were promoting….
Rivenmaster:You received a lot of fame and recognition from appearing on the TV show Ruppis. What was it like working on that sitcom?
Alan: It was really a lot of fun. I made a lot of good friends and we had a really good time.
Rivenmaster: What particular episode do you remember best and look back to with good memories?
Alan: The first episode because it was about us holding a benefit concert to save a baby elephant at the local zoo. But we, the Ruppis, get really nervous when on stage. But then we snap out of it and have fun singing our song…
Rivenmaster:Each Friday evening you conduct a weekly upstream broadcast for your fans. Can you tell us more about that and how we can tune into that broadcast?
Alan: Sure. Every Friday we have a live chat on http://www.ustream.tv/, at 8PM Central Time. I talk to my fans, we tell them about the news for the week, I sing some of my songs and answer questions. My sister is usually there with me and we tell all about the schedule for my presentations around the area – mostly Monterrey. We tell jokes and do a lot of random stuff – like bring out stuffed animals. My fans especially like one of Perry The Platypus® from the cartoon Phineas and Ferb®. We also have three Chihuahuas that make appearances from time to time.. and mostly we just try to have fun and laugh!
Rivenmaster: You have worked very hard on your new CD and it’s finally available for all your fans. Tell us more about your CD beginning with where we can purchase it?
Alan: You can buy my CD from Amazon.com, iTunes, and MySpace. It will be going up on other internet digital music sites such as eMusic, MediaNet, 7Digital, 24 7 e, mFlow, and We7, as well as record stores in Monterrey, Mexico.
Rivenmaster:Which songs are your own originals and what message are you hoping to bring to your audience through your music?
Alan: Most of the songs on the CD are originals, written by very talented writers that live in Monterrey. My message is for people to have lots of fun and happiness, to work to achieve the goals that we all set and to sing about the feelings that young people today have. Also, to sing about other issues that we all experience, such as having loved ones in dangerous situations. I have several cousins who served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rivenmaster:Do you have a personal favorite track and why?
Alan: My favorite track is Prestame Atencion, which talks about how if you follow your dreams that many of them can come true.
Rivenmaster: At just 12, you already have over 30 performances and concerts under your belt. What is it like doing some of these larger stage performances with all the girls screaming down in front?
Alan: It’s very cool! It’s exciting when all the girls are screaming and enjoying my music and performance. I really like doing it!
Rivenmaster:Do you ever get nervous or anxious before a performance?
Alan: Well, sometimes I get a little bit nervous, but then I say to myself that it’s going to be all right and it turns out really good!
Rivenmaster: Staying as busy as you are, how do you manage to juggle all your school work, friends, and musical events?
Alan: I try to give everything its time. For example, when I need to study – I study until I get it right. Then I may practice my songs and keep practicing until they turn out better than before. I try to make time for the things I need to do and the things I like to do.
Rivenmaster:What musical artist do you think has influenced your music the most and why?
Alan: Paul McCartney – because I have listened to his music since I was a little kid. I really like his songs – the Beatles’ songs. And he inspires me because he is really good at it.
Rivenmaster:What inspired you to start playing the guitar?
Alan: I really liked it when people played the guitar and sang their songs. So I tried to play and finally got some of the songs right – and I really like it.
Rivenmaster:Do you play any other instruments?
Alan: Yes. I play the bass, a little bit of drums, a little flute and a very little keyboard.
Rivenmaster:You were born in Mexico and have become very fluent in both English and Spanish. Did you study English in school or have you had speech lesson to help your diction be so incredibly clear without any major accents?
Alan: Basically my Dad has always spoken to my sister and me in English. He is always correcting us on grammar and pronunciation. We may start to answer him in Spanish and he makes a funny face and acts like doesn’t understand us… we KNOW he does – but he makes us answer in English. So we have grown up speaking both English and Spanish as our native tongues.
Rivenmaster:Your last CD included tracks in both the English and Spanish language. Would you consider possibly doing an entire CD in English to be distributed in the US?
Alan: Yes, of course. I think that is what we will try to do for my second CD. The first CD was the opposite, and I’m excited to be working on putting together the second CD…. In English this time!
Rivenmaster:You’re currently working on your second CD. Can you tell us anything about this new work or when you think we might get a sample of your new songs or maybe a new single release?
Alan: We’re starting to pick out the songs for the second CD, but you will be the first to know when the first track is available!
Rivenmaster:You really enjoy skateboarding. What else do you like to do in your leisure time?
Alan: I like to play video games, be on the computer, watch movies, go out to the park, watch TV, etc.
Rivenmaster:Do you have any hero’s that you look up to?
Alan: My mother and father, because they are really good people and they work hard for my sister and I.
Rivenmaster:If you could perform anywhere in the world where would you like to perform?
Alan: I think it would be very cool to perform in the Hollywood bowl! It is a really cool place and one of the most important concert locations in the world…
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed doing this interview with Alan. Some entertainers can capture your attention with their flair for stage performances. They can wow you with their music and even make you stand to your feet and cheer. Alan made me cheer not only because he is super talented and shows a prowess for performing both on stage and in his own living room , but Alan is a person who is passionate about what he is doing and his desire to make others happy rings true whether hes on stage or just having a quiet conversation. Alan Wheeler is a true star and I’m proud to have met him and his wonderful family!”
Rivenmaster’s Place has become the global home to young unsigned treble singers, aspiring young actors and talented youth. Each week a youngster from various parts of the world is featured and sometimes introduced to the world for the first time! You will enjoy outstanding articles that are derived from speaking directly to the parent of the child and also personal interviews with the young celebrity. Many young people have been given even greater opportunity to expand their careers due to the dedication and effort of this site! For more information visit:Rivenmaster’s Place. Or write to: writemeone@hotmail.com
“Keep running kid and you will always catch something”
Marco is an eleven-year-old boy who lives with his dad in a remote country house. He doesn’t have many friends and spends a lot of time riding his horse, Socrates. The lack of friends is not the only thing that’s a barrier to Marco’s happiness – another is that his parents are separated. Marco’s mother had left the family two years before. Busy with her career, she is only able to devote few scare days to spend with her son. Marco, like every other kid, strives for the love and affection of his parents and is hurt by their divorce.
One day, as he is playing in the field near his father’s house, he witnesses a weird scene – kidnappers releasing a boy his age. Marco approaches the boy and offers to call his parents from the house. Later that night, the parents of the kidnapped boy come to pick him up. The kid’s mother embraces the saved son in her arms. Marco envies that kid – wishing that his own parents were able to show their love and affection in that manner.
At this point, Marco decides to run away and call his father with a request for ransom, pretending that he has been kidnapped. Not knowing where to go, he hides in a stable nearby and spends the night there. In the morning, he is discovered by Emanuella – a young girl who has seen his photos on the TV. He explains to her that he is not kidnapped, but tired from the adults always making the decisions for him, so he decided to run away from home. He does not have a plan yet – but thinks that he can head for Sicily – to his grandfather’s house .
If there was one thing that was most frustrating about watching Step Up 3 last year, whether it be the 3D version or otherwise, it was the fact that there were moments that were magic about it that were almost immediately contradicted or overwhelmed. You could see that Director Jon Chu had latched onto something, at least for a fleeting moment, that was like catching lightning in a bottle – – but there just wasn’t quite enough in the story to propel the film past a few moments of grace and charm.
While I typically avoid any sort of comparative analysis in a review of a single film, I mention this to begin the case for Never Say Never and may need to resort to it again to make a point. Chu is, in fact, the perfect candidate for this project. Despite what he hasn’t been able to accomplish with some other films, here the story existed and it’s the kind of thing you can’t make up. He absolutely nailed it as far as making it a piece of narrative cinema.
Absolutely stripping away any notions you may have ( pre-conceived or otherwise) about Bieber’s music, this film is quite amazing and exhilarating and that has every bit as much to do with the crafting of the film as it does with the narrative it relates.
“You have to mind where you thread.If you thread on a crack, everything will shatter. The whole world would die. That is what happened to me ….not the whole world, but almost!”
A big birthday party. Nine-year-old Andreas and his older brother Mikkel drink martinis and prepare to put on a show for the guests of their parents. They go on stage and perform a sketch – everyone laughs – the boys are a huge success.
Early in the morning, the house is still filled with guests, but the boys’ father has to head to work despite a raging hangover from the party the night before. He climbs on his motorcycle with his older son, who he will drop at school. They drive off … and then a crash… a traffic accident… Mikkel dies …
The family loses a son, Andreas loses his brother and a role model. He is in shock and, in his grief, creates a fantasy universe where he can communicate with his deceased brother using a used juice box as an imaginary walkie-talkie. After seeing a documentary film on the TV that features a reverse action in which a building is destroyed and then re-built, he decides to try to get time to move backwards — hoping that if he succeeds he will be able to go back in time and prevent the horrible accident that took his brother’s life.
Get ready for a young talent who is going to take the world by storm.
Each year TheSkyKid.Com announces nominations for a special kind of award: The Coming of Age Movie Awards.
“I really don’t know how people are going to react to this film. I haven’t got a clue. Anyone who’s seen it has been tremendously excited by it. They get either so blown away by it they can’t talk, or else they talk too much. It seems to affect people very profoundly.” 1
I have seen a lot of movies – some better than others and some that moved me so profoundly that, before the ending credits roll, I know that that I will forever keep their message in my heart. One of those films is Most – a 2003 Czech film directed by Bobby Garabedian.
Through the years, theskykid.com has been able to interview some incredibly talented singers and performers. We have gained a lot of experience in the process.
A
“Keep running kid and you will always catch something”
If there was one thing that was most frustrating about watching Step Up 3 last year, whether it be the 3D version or otherwise, it was the fact that there were moments that were magic about it that were almost immediately contradicted or overwhelmed. You could see that Director Jon Chu had latched onto something, at least for a fleeting moment, that was like catching lightning in a bottle – – but there just wasn’t quite enough in the story to propel the film past a few moments of grace and charm.