Latest blog posts by MitoProd

Calling All Filmmakers: Make Money With Film Annex!

06 04 2013 13:23:18 +0000

Well, hello there my fellow filmmaker. I see you're curious about finding a different kind of online film distribution website to make money with.

Then you've come to the right place.

Film Annex's motto is “Get Sponsored”.

Short films, animated films, and feature films have made their way to Film Annex. Who needs YouTube or Vimeo when here, you can guarantee to find like-minded professionals and new fans?!

5 benefits of using Film Annex's online film distribution platform

Internet trolls aren't lurking around and posting spam comments whenever you upload your newest video.
The focus of your work is simply on your work, you, and your work's purpose in a community of fellow filmmakers and creative people.
The money you earn will always be available for you to see in the infamous Film Annex piggy bank.
It's a low volume filmmaker distribution platform, but pretty easy to rank high, which can increase your chances of getting sponsored.
Get sponsored and/or featured on the homepage (changes every week).
It's free.

How, you might be asking, do I make money by posting my films on Film Annex?

If you ever wondered how bloggers and social media websites make money, then you should learn about their ultimate, glorious, unimaginable secret weapon: Ads.

It's all about the advertising, baby. Product placement is gold for online platforms, including Facebook. And since sponsors from around the world like Film Annex so much, they are putting up the big money to help filmmakers make money along with them. Fifty percent of the revenue your page generates go straight in to your pocket (figuratively).

How does someone figure out your revenue and revenue potential?

Pay attention to your BuzzScore!

Your Buzzscore is a tool Film Annex uses to calculate your user reach and content influence based off the films you post

How do you plan on earning money when no one is watching your movies?!

The Revenue Page

**Do know this: Ads will appear before your videos. For approximately 30 seconds, an ad will roll, usually ones you are familiar with and nothing about local heath insurance scams (from my experience).Above your BuzzScore and video currently playing, there is a link called “Revenue Page”. Here you will see the revenue made since your start on Film Annex broken down in a nice chart.

The Revenue Trend and BuzzScore charts are in the sidebar of your WebTV Channel (when you are signed in).

When do I receive my money earned through Film Annex's online film distribution platform?

In the fine print of your agreement with Film Annex, it says:

All revenues are estimates and are subject to revision at the moment of payment. The reporting of these statistics is provided as a courtesy of Film Annex and should not be viewed as proof of expected advertiser payment. Film Annex confirms the amount of revenues to be paid to the copyright holder only after it receives payment from the advertisers. Film Annex reserves the right not to pay in case of fraud or if the advertiser doesn't pay us.
Payments are made upon the copyright holder's request, approximately 75 days after the end of the month. Revenue shall be paid in U.S. funds, and sent to the copyright holder as per agreed in the contract.
Only revenues that add up to at least $200 can be requested by the copyright holder.

All of that aside, how do you make sure you make more money off your films?

If your piggy bank is only rattling a few dollars and some cents, then:

Upload more videos
Write blog posts
Be a part of the Film Annex community
Share your latest films and other member's films on social media
Link to your Film Annex Web TV channel wherever you have an online portfolio.

Now that you are armed with this new knowledge of what Film Annex can do for you, I suggest you start uploading your awesome films A.S.A.P!

Like this article? Read more of my blog posts like this one on Film Annex on my WebTv Channel. Check out my articles from last week on the North Korean war scare and how you can increase your chances at being a paid blogger like me! And don't forget click the like buttons and share this article with your friends!

Should the World Be Panicking About North Korea's Latest Threat?

29 03 2013 15:07:26 +0000

Today on Twitter, you may have noticed Kim Jong Un, North Korea, and #whyaustin (which is referring to Austin, Texas supposedly making it onto North Korea's hit list, but whatever) are three of the latest trends.

So, why is everyone busy tweeting about North Korea this time?

It's probably due to North Korea's latest verbal threat towards the U.S. and the map that was seen in the photograph below that supposedly marks the U.S. cities Kim Jong Un hopes to attack.

Also, no one plans in secret anymore either, I guess.

Image Source: The Telegraph (UK)

The writing on the map, 략 곤 미 본 로 라 격 게 획, means, if my Korean translation is correct, something along the lines of "Strategy model/plan for attack on U.S." Really, Kim Jong Un? You published this photo for the world to see with a map that plainly states, "Strategy to attack U.S" with lines from North Korea to LA, Hawaii, NYC, and other American cities? Are you seriously trying to piss people off, or is this all because you have become so tired of no country seeing your incessant threats as a real problem?

The fact may be that the past few threats North Korea has made to the U.S. and South Korea have been far from unnoticeable. Normally, it quickly turns into a laughing matter rather making everyone 'shake in their boots'.

This time around, however, North Korea is making everyone, including Russia and China, antsy.

Pictured above (source: BBC) is the estimated reaching range pf North Korea's prospective missile launching, published sometime last year and demonstrating that North Korea is obviously too far away to do much damage to the U.S.

Apparently Kim Jung Un feels "the time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists"(quote credit: BBC), which Russia thinks the U.S. should be weary of.

How do you think the United States and/or other countries should react to North Korea's newest threat of war?

For the past few months, South Korea and the U.S. have been running military drills together, with North Korea's knowledge of such drills. It's been a big, "Just try and mess with me" battle between the two sides, but do you think it's actually doing anything?

And do you think that since 9/11 occurred, the U.S. has been on guard and has a strategy of their own for any imminent North Korea's attack on the U.S.?

Or is North Korea that little brother who can't get over something that happened years ago, and should just move towards the future of building a better country for its people?

Like this article? Read more of my blog posts like this one on Film Annex on my WebTv Channel. Check out my article from earlier this week, "6 Steps to Increasing Your Chances of Becoming a Paid Blogger". And don't forget click the like buttons and share this article with your friends!

Hilarious Ewok image source: JD Hancock

6 Steps to Increasing Your Chances of Becoming a Paid Blogger

26 03 2013 14:21:02 +0000

Good afternoon Film Annex-ers.

I've got my 7/11 coffee (hey 7/11 you should sponsor me) and fresh donuts on one side of me, and my laptop on the other. I'm such a writer and a fat kid.

But it wasn't always like this. I used to wonder how anyone could After having the unfortunate opportunity of enduring many painstaking hours of writing for indecisive clients, I finally found a comfortable place for me to enjoy writing for a living again.

Here at Film Annex to be more precise. The online platform that promotes and earns you money for your filmmaking and writing skills.

For more than a year now, I have been a paid guest writer for Film Annex thanks to my Buzz Score (for more info as to how Buzz Score works watch the video below).

Besides finding a haven for my writing through my personal blogs, I have now also become a writer who is paid to write blogs on topics that matter most to me.

So, how was I able to get a paid writing?

Well, my dear Film Annex-er, I have a few helpful steps for you in order for you to get an awesome paid writing job like me.

Step 1: Be willing to write.

There's nothing wrong with being easy-going and laid-back. Just don't be lazy. No one wants to hire or re-hire a lazy person.

Step 2: Be willing to receive gratitude for your work as well as receive constructive criticism and troll comments.

This isn't the school playground, kids. This is the internet. Your blog posts will be seen my tens, hundreds, thousands, and even millions of people. Some readers will like your work, some readers will hate your work, and some people are so bored that they will leave spam or demeaning comments on your blog posts.

Step 3: Know what you want to write and who you want to write for.

Don't enjoy writing news topics? No problem! Google search the topic(s) you want to write about, along with the terms "magazines" or "newspapers"attached to find a good place for you to submit your topics to.

Step 4: Be a part of the internet community.

Sharing is caring. And so is commenting. Watch, read, and listen to blog posts from your fellow bloggers, as well as sharing what you like and commenting what you feel. The internet is all about communication. Bloggers like receiving comments, which in turn makes them want to look at your blog posts and comment back.

Step 5: Know your self-worth.

When striving to get noticed for your blogging, promoting yourself is the easy part. But convincing someone you're worth more than $1 a post is the challenge. When I first starting blogging, I saw all these independent writers striving to bag the $0.02/word jobs on job boards and thought,"Man, this is hard." But then I realized that $0.02/word was nothing. It's less than nothing. I found out now-popular bloggers were making more than $200/post two years into their freelancing. Of course, their posts are more in demand since they are in a specific niche. Know how much you are willing to write and for the price you want to write for before applying for a paid writing gig.

P.S. You can receive college credit too!

Step 6: Practice, practice, practice. No one is born a great writing. We all have to work at it. Practice writing blog posts and drafts before writing your big posts (the ones you want to get the most attention for your work or a cause).

Ready, set, go! Start raising your blog writing hiring potential with these steps!

You could be sipping on some 7/11 coffee (seriously 7/11, sponsor me) and writing for a living like me soon enough!

And if you're interested in becoming a writer for Film Annex, check out this article!

Like this article? Read more of my blog posts like this one on Film Annex on my WebTv Channel. Check out my article from last week on The Veronica Mars Movie Project. And don't forget click the like buttons and share this article with your friends!

Photo credit: photosteve101

Pop. Culture. Crunch. - Veronica Mars scores a movie deal with fans

19 03 2013 23:04:03 +0000

Veronica Mars has some seriously devoted fans.

Launched a week ago, a Kickstar fundraiser started by creator and executive producer of Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas (not to be confused with the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty), who was looking to gain $2 million for a Veronica Mars film.

Thomas wrote this in his fundraiser request:

"Almost since Veronica Mars went off the air, there's been talk of making a movie. In that span, I've taken different tactics in dealing with the question of whether it might happen. To be clear, I've always wanted to make a Veronica Mars movie. I love writing these characters and working with these actors. Kristen Bell has always wanted to make the movie."

And within 11 hours it reached it's goal thanks to the project going viral.

With more than 56,000 backers and almost $4 million of funding, there is no doubt Veronica Mars fans love this idea. Hooray for crowdfunding!

As to what the copyright holders of the show, Warner Bros, think about a piece of their enterprise being made without them, Rob Thomas had to say this about it:

"Of course, Warner Bros. still owns Veronica Mars and we would need their blessing and cooperation to pull this off. Kristen and I met with the Warner Bros. brass, and they agreed to allow us to take this shot. They were extremely cool about it, as a matter of fact. Their reaction was, if you can show there’s enough fan interest to warrant a movie, we’re on board."

Another win for the Veronica Mars fandom.

If you aren't quite sure how crowdfunding works, here is the scoop behind the popular fundraiser Kickstarter.

Anyone looking to gain funds for a project or cause can create an account and page for their project.

Once you've filled out the info for your project/cause, added a video and/or pictures to further explain your cause, and chosen the perks for the people who fund your cause, you have until your deadline to fund your entire cause or you will not receive any of the funds. Indiegogo, on the other hand, allows you to receive the funds as soon as someone gives money to your cause.

Either way, crowdfunding is a fantastic alternative to loans, and it's more about people who support your goal.

Here are some of the awesome perks available for those who help fund/pledge The Veronica Mars Movie Project.

If you pledge $350 or more: A cast member of your choice (excluding Kristen Bell) will record a 15 second, outgoing voice mail message for your phone.
If you pledge $10 or more: A PDF copy of the script and a behind-the-scenes scoop of the filmmaking process via email.
If you pledge $25 or more: An exclusive "Veronica Mars-The Move" t-shirt.
If you pledge $10,000 or more (claimed; for 1 person only): A speaking role in the film and every perk listed.

The fundraiser ends Friday April 12, 2013 at 11PM.

How much will you/did you pledge for The Veronica Mars Movie Project?

What movie(s) made from your favorite television series would you want to see next on Kickstarter?

I'm rooting for a Gilmore Girls movie.

Image Source: Forbes

Is Google on its Way to World Domination?

21 02 2013 21:26:31 +0000

Is it just me, or is Google coming out with a whole lot of new products?

And not like in terms of, Sony is coming out with the Playstation 4 which will then lead to new video games and billions of dollars.

I'm talking about Google dominating any and every market it can get its grubby little hands on.

If you aren't terrified that they are watching everything you do, then listen up for a couple cool new items available soon from Google.

Earlier this week, Google began showing off its newest product, Google Glass eyewear, to news outlets everywhere. Yes, I do want to feel like I'm a cyborg with this new technology. Take my money. All of it.

If that wasn't enough, Google decided to bump up its street cred in the computer industry by releasing info on its newest Chromebook, Chromebook Pixel. Who doesn't want a touchscreen computer whose system runs off a browser and takes advantage of the cloud software fad.

Google is making lists, checking them thrice, and expecting to make millions of dollars off their brilliant new babies.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plan out my new life with my future love Google Glass eyewear.

Someone want to loan me there's?

Image Source: andreavallejos

Hulu Wants You to Have a Great Weekend

15 02 2013 21:07:05 +0000

These past couple of years, ever since they started charging for all access to their content and became obessed with Glee, I've been avoiding Hulu.com like the Plague.

But I have to hand it to them.

They came up with a magnificent, epic, beautiful, genius present for Hulu-gans and non Hulu-gans alike.

The Criterion Collection will be free to everyone starting today (February 15, 2013) to February 18th.

What? Can you explain that again for me?

910 films will be free for you to watch on Hulu this President;s Day weekend. Here are some of the Criterion Collection films on my must-watch list:

Breathless
Akira Kurosawa's Rashamon and Seven Samurai
Solaris
The Red Balloon
Lord of the Flies
David Lynch's Eraserhead
Ingmar Bergman The Seventh Seal

I think I'm going to faint.

On top of that, I don't know how I'm going to be able to watch all of these films in one weekend.

I better start now! I suggest you do the same.

Here is your weekend. You're welcome: The Criterion Collection on Hulu

DC Comics Newest Hire Angers Fans & Other Famous Controversial Hires

12 02 2013 21:10:53 +0000

Image Source: Time.com

This week DC Comics rubbed fans the wrong way by hiring a well-known anti-gay writer named Orson Scott Card. Card doesn't express his opposition of same-sex marriage and homosexuality in his writing, but does verbally share his opinion as a board member of the National Organization of Marriage back in 2009.

Do you think DC Comics, or any company in general, would refuse to hire someone because of their views on marriage?

Legally, no. Equal opportunities in the workplace is practically tattooed to the palms of hundreds of companies in the U.S.

This is definitely not the first time someone with a unlikable choice of beliefs. I know of other notable, controversial instances of hired talent and such.

Director James Gunn was signed by Disney/Marvel to write and direct "Guardians of the Galaxy", even after posting a supposed sexist and homophobic article.
Chris Brown is still making music even after he admitted to beating girlfriend Rihanna. People still buy his music and collaborate with him!
Walt Disney is notoriously known for being racist against Jews and African Americans.
Speaking of Disney, just last week a family sued Disneyland after one of the park character showed prejudice towards a pair of black children.
Mel Gibson really likes spouting anti-Semitic slurs whenever he has an audience.
Tracy Morgan...well he had word vomit syndrome. Especially on Twitter.

So, dear DC Comic and Superman fans, what does his personal views on marriage and homosexuality have to do with his new job as a writer for the Adventures of Superman comic book series?

I completely understand the alienation fans may feel when their views are opposed by the comic book itself. But do you think Card will push his personal views on everyone who will read the series?

Where do the fans draw the line between being acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to freedom of speech?

Do you think DC Comics should keep Card on as a writer, or should they fire him to appease fans' anger?

How to Love Your Job

11 02 2013 22:21:41 +0000

Stop what you are doing.

Answer yourself these 4 questions.

Do you like your job?

Could you love your job?

Is this where you want to be doing for the next five years?

Are you happy?

If you said no to any of these questions, then let me ask you this: What are you doing?

You've packed away your diploma, threw away your long-term goals, and have hidden away your true feelings.

So, what's wrong with this picture?

You aren't doing what you love to do.

The whole reason people you admire made it to where they are is because they took risks.

Why aren't you taking any risks?

Why are you choosing to wait for fate?

You are here. Now. Living. Breathing. Thinking about your future.

Come on now. You can do it. Go for your goals. Take one leap at a time. Make your dream become reality.

You are the only on holding yourself back.

Take a chance.

I will be rooting for you.

Image Source: Public Domain Photos

News Story Flub Humanizes FOX News

10 02 2013 11:23:37 +0000

Image Source: Gothamist

"Get in your late night terror sessions before bed."

"Please enjoy our fabrications, misquotes, and opinionated news."

"FOX News, a channel you can always depend on for nothing."

These are a few choice slogans I've drawn up for our friends FOX News. Seems perfectly appropriate with today's topic.

In a controversial article and interview, FOX News columnist Suzanne Venker discussed her views the importance of heterosexual marriage and how men and women are genetically different on their views of marriage.

In her interview with FOX News, Suzanne Venker (discussing the subject that brought on this whole discussion) says"Men think women aren't "women" anymore." In other words, women are so busy working they want to get married later, which is apparently bad.

What?!

Eye roll.

Hold on a sec, lady, what men have you been asking? And who are you to tell me when and why I should get married.

Thanks for the stereotyping and sexism, lady.

But what killed Suzanne's article completely besides her anti-women views, was the use of an image of a lesbian couple being married on the Empire State Building. A big "Oops" on her part since she believed it was a heterosexual couple being wed, as a way to further affirm her view on marriage.

Ha, sucks to be you.

While we can all get our laughs in at yet another FOX News flub, thanks to inaccurate fact checking on the image they were using, it is also heartwarming to see a gay couple be legally wed on the Empire State Building.

It's a beautiful day for humanity.

Valentine's Day Special: 10 Insane Things People Have Done For Love

08 02 2013 23:26:37 +0000

Oh, Valentine, my sweet Valentine. Today is the day for lovers and lovers who just love being loved.

But then again, there are some crazies out there who take love one step further (into insane territory) and express their love in other ways.

From giving someone a bouquet of roses to showering someone with expensive gifts, these men and women believed love is only true...if you show just how insanely in love you are. Emphasis on insanely. I've given you a list of 10 instances where people have done 10 insane things in the name of love:

*Click each link for more details.*

Who says love is always so sweet?

So You Found What Buried Underneath a Cemented Parking Garage?

06 02 2013 13:21:22 +0000

Image Soure: CNN

It was a day like any other day.

He got his morning coffee, grabbed a bagel, and went to work.

Everyone else was already drilling away once he had reached the construction zone, a parking lot needing repair. He put on his construction helmet and vest and headed to the construction site.

As soon as he reached his fellow construction workers, someone called to him to hurry over. They had found a skeleton.

Now who would think to bury a skeleton in a lot that would eventually become a place for parking?

A serial murderer, a young widow who's true crime was loving too much, or was it the bones of a little ol' lady who found herself at the wrong place, at the wrong time?

I'm sure these thoughts were among the many that ran through the heads of the people who discovered the lost skeleton of King Richard III in England last year.

What I really want to know is how the hell they figured out it was a king. Is there a special police investigation unit whose sole purpose is to find the lost skeletons of past royalty?

Or maybe a distinguished professor at Oxford University was strolling by and recognized the defined jawline infamously of the royal bloodline of England?

Or was this a case similar to the film "The Goonies" in which a group of kids were searching for a lost treasure and instead found the skeleton of a random dude?

Whatever the case may be behind how the skeleton of King Richard III was discovered, I think:

It's pretty messed up no one found or try to find his body for centuries.
Poltergeist needs to have another sequel based off of this strange scenario. It should be titled : "Poltergeist: The King's Awakening". Spooooky.

Spielberg start drafting a script, and Stephen King, start drafting your next book.

*Author's note: Yes, I know the skeleton was found because of an archaeological dig. I like creating humorous anecdotes.

Lance Armstrong Admits To Blood Doping in An Interview with Oprah

25 01 2013 14:01:09 +0000

Image Credit: OWN

This week Lance Armstrong went on Oprah to discuss his recent run in with the suspicions of the sports councils and fans of the world. Smart move, until he decided to admit to the blood doping charges.

Slow clap for Lance, everyone. Lance Armstrong now looks like a jackass.

Someone give him a dunce cap to wear and put him in the nearest corner.

I think many of us were hoping that if he had been a part of the ring of blood dopers, he would have taken the secret to his grave.

Fine, admit you were blood doping. But, let me ask you, Lance, what were you hoping to accomplish with admitting to such indiscretions?

Image Source: Telegraph. Co.UK

A pat on the back? Everyone would love you and give you back your medals?

No. Not only did you cheat, but you put your life in danger by blood doping.

For those of you who don't know what blood doping is, from what I've come to understand, it is the act of removing blood from your body and storing the extracted blood in what I guess is some giant blood bank freezer. Once your ready to compete in a race or something strenuous, the blood you extracted is injected back into your body.

But if you learned anything in science class you will remember the human body will quickly replenish itself with new red blood cells in its place, like when you get a cut.

New red blood cells plus the old red blood cells combined means more endurance (thanks to all that oxygen running through your veins) for your muscles and ligaments when doing strenuous activities, such as completing the Tour de France. No charlie-horses for you.

The more used and alternative way of blood doping is with the use of a chemical called EPO, which is apparently used with patients who have kidney disease. EPO is discovered in urine tests while blood doping is made evident by testing the athletes hemoglobin levels in their blood. Source.

Side affects of blood doping may leave you dead. Strokes due to blood clots and kidney damage may seem minuscule to a cancer survivor like Lance, but why take the risk?

In the name of all things awesome, Lance Armstrong was at the top of the list. He won seven Tour de Frances. Seven! Now knowing that is was all thanks to cheating, I don't know how to feel about this man's career.

Was it a waste? Will this teach others to think first before choosing blood doping to win? Will there ever be an honest bicyclist who will one day accomplish what Lance did without blood doping?

What are your thoughts on the whole Lance Armstrong blood doping debacle?

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

Keisha Douglas is an independent filmmaker who specializes in music videos. When she is not filming, she spends much of her time blogging and freelance writing. She is the voice behind Mito Vox, an entertainment & etc. blog. To learn more about her freelance services visit her website. View all her Film Annex posts on her WebTv Channel.

A New Study Shows Women are Struggling in Hollywood? Shut up.

22 01 2013 13:36:20 +0000

Photo: Katherine Bigelow Source: NY Daily News

According to BBC News, in response to Katherine Bigelow's Oscar snub for her film Zero Dark (in the best director category), Sundance decided to make a point to discuss their survey displaying the lack of women in the film industry.

It's hard for women filmmakers, screenwriters, producers and crew in Hollywood.

Okay, that's nice., Now shut up.

Yeah, I said it. Shut up. Like a 10-year old to her big brother when they disagree on who is better at football.

Shut up.

I've been there, done that, complained plenty, and ultimately decided to not give a damn about how 'difficult' people thought my career choice was because of the presence of my ovaries.

Sundance conducted a survey and BBC news covered the story like it was pep rally for Bra-Burners United. Get your ballpoint pens and Moleskins ready fellas. Apparently this is newly discovered info.

"Woman are struggling in Hollywood."

Slow clap. Eye roll. Middle fingers up to the crowd. Sarcastic tendencies flaring up.

Difficult for women to make it in Hollywood. You've discovered this fact now? Like right now? With more than 100 years since Alice Guy-Blaché 500 films and Mary Pickford co-founded both United Artists and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 80 years since badass director Dorothy Arzner "Wild Party", Barbara Streisandand 20+ since Katherine Bigelow's film industry takeover with Point Break, you think women still have it hard in Hollywood? Screenwriters, producers, directors,

These are some of the Sundance survey results. What a very interesting, and reasonable, representation of how women's feelings towards the film industry.

"Five major areas were identified as hampering women’s career development in film:

Gendered financial barriers (43.1%)

Male-dominated industry networking (39.2%)

Stereotyping on set (15.7%)

Work and family balance (19.6%)

Exclusionary hiring decisions (13.7%)"---Sundance Institute

I see sexual harassment, intimidation, lack of confidence, lack of interest in the film industry, and feminism are missing from your list. I'd like to also add that I never was given this survey.

I'm not shaken. I'm not ready to riot. I'm not intimidated by my male counterparts. And I sure as hell am not surprised about the lack of women conquering Hollywood.

Maybe if I hadn't attended film school.

Maybe if I hadn't attended a film festival in my life.

Maybe if I had never worked on a female-only film set (tl;dr, but a good story. Coming soon).

Maybe if I had not taken the time to research the greats that are the female directors of the film industry.

And maybe if I myself hadn't experienced the battlefield that is the film industry as a student (nothing to do with being a woman), then maybe, just maybe, I would be on board with the whole 'it's hard for women in Hollywood' spiel.

Just as if you were trying to make a point on the lack of men in the fashion industry (though I'd say more than half of the successful fashion designers of the couture fashion industry are men), then I would take a survey like this one more to heart.

Women working in the film industry is like a best kept secret and an underground organization of awesome. With so much support for one another, we quietly (and sometimes loudly) have our winnings when people like Katherine Bigelow receive an Oscar, hell, even with a nomination, for Best Director.

Stop all that 'it must be hard' nonsense. We've got our own backs. No chivalry necessary.

Photo: Mary Pickord; Source: EW

Also, what about the ladies of television? Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poeler, and Lena Dunham are taking over! I'm sure the statistics for women in television will be much higher.

By-the-way, the Oscars were originally created to make the talent feel better about themselves. Just thought I'd point that out. The Golden Globes are more legit.

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

Keisha Douglas is an independent filmmaker who specializes in music videos. When she is not filming, she spends much of her time blogging and freelance writing. She is the voice behind Mito Vox, an entertainment & etc. blog. To learn more about her freelance services visit her website. View all her Film Annex posts on her WebTv Channel.

[Insert Chosen Career Here]

16 01 2013 13:22:37 +0000

Pause for gasps, applause, or the unwarranted "Oh...that's...neat" response.

Raise your hand if you love what you do for a living,

Now raise your hand if you love what you do for a living, but the people who matter to you can't comprehend why or what it is you do.

I have become too familiar with the last reaction that I decided to turn to filmmaking to make sense of what I do for the confused masses.

No, I don't just hold a camera and shoot whatever I see.

No, I don't piece things together at the last moment and call it a film.

No, I don't become a tyrannical cyclops to get the 'perfect shot'.

Yes, I do have an ego, but no, I don't stamp it to my forehead.

And no, this is not what I do.

I am a filmmaker. What did you think I did?

The Best of Film Annex: Women Empowerment

16 01 2013 11:56:30 +0000

I make it a habit to skim the news whenever I open my web browser.

Today I headed over to Film Annex's The Annex Press where I became absorbed in an article by Women's Annex about the recent interview with filmmaker Nilu Shurpa by Film Annex Creative Director Erin Gufidan.

in the interview, Sherpa spoke of working in the male-dominated film industry (Nepal specific) and her short film KAGAJ, a 5-minute film (watch below) about several children's search for knowledge through discarded papers. Unable to attend school, the children gather these pieces of paper to teach themselves English.

The ideal film for someone who wrote a blog post about Lisa Simpson being her role model.

In this blog post, I would like to highlight my favorite articles about women empowerment featured here on Film Annex. Clean cut and true, these writers will leave you feeling no doubt for the issues discussed. I feel like organizing a sit-in.

Can I get a 'Huzzah' for these magnificent blog posts?!

I may have to take a page from the book of social media coordinator, Jennifer Bourne. She is an active supporter of women empowerment, or as she calls it, lady empowerment, through the use social networking. I know I need pointers, but you could also benefit from her article about women and social media and the surprising statistics of male versus female domination of social media.
A channel dedicated to woman empowerment as well as a place for spreading the word of the efforts of Film Annex's involvement in such a movement now exists! Grab your fellow ladies, ladies. We've got some work to do. First stops: Central & south Asia and Afghanistan. Read more about the new channel here in an article by Fereshteh Forough, one of the founders of the Afghan Citadel Software Company (ACSC) and the director of the company's Herat branch.
I have written my fair share of articles highlighting the obstacles women in Afghanistan face when pursuing an education. But in an article written by blogger Rachna Srivastava Parmar has to be my favorite when it comes to laying out the issues one by one. Society versus personal thirst for knowledge. No one could have said it any better.
Want to read more of lady empowerment by Jennifer Bourne, read her thoughts on the magic helping hand that is social media, as well as thought leadership. Lady Gaga is her example of being a lady with a lot of power. Well said!
Film Annex's CEO himself (Fransesco Rulli) is the go-to guy for knowing about the struggle of women empowerment throughout Asia and Afghanistan. One of his most recent articles discusses the recent launching of Women's Annex and the efforts made by Film Annex and its partners for women's rights. Check it out here.
I am slightly biased toward this last article since, well, I wrote it. In it I discuss the issues facing Afghan women and how they are challenging it. It's always good to know the facts,

Videos on women's empowerment

Lauren Lovelace and Fereshteh Forough discuss women's empowerment in Afghanistan, Central and South Asia

Driving lessons for women in Afghanistan

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

Lisa Simpson Was My Childhood Role Model

09 01 2013 18:30:01 +0000

Lisa Simpson was my childhood role model.

And at the age of twenty-three, I nearly punched myself after I realized something I had would never have to discuss out loud with anyone. The one phrase I feared to believe as a young child was uttered from my mouth this week.

"I hate what kids are watching these days."

Rather than go down a long list of reasons for why, my feelings can easily be summed up in the fact that I honestly believe television today has dumbed itself down in order to entertain younger generations.

As proof, I would like to share a quick conversation I had with my eleven year old cousin recently.
In reference to a discussion about our belief in childhood myths:

Me: Do you believe Easter Bunny brings you plastic eggs filled with candy?
Cousin: No. Never.
Me: How about ghosts? Do you believe in them.
Cousin: (Laughs) No!
Me: How about witches?
Cousin: (commence preteen eye roll) No.
Me: (Suddenly feeling nostalgic) I would totally want to be a witch like Sabrina.
Cousin: Who?
Me: You know. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Cousin: (absurd look on face) Who?
Me: Have you seen Melissa and Joey? It's a show on ABC Family and it has Melissa Joan Hart on it.
Cousin: Who?
Me: (feeling lost) Well...she once played a teenage witch on a show. It was great. She had a talking cat named Salem...
Cousin: (leaves in the middle of my moment of nostalgia, with a “wtf is this crazy girl talking about?” look on her face)

I'd also like to point out that a Disney show with overly eccentric acting and laugh track played every 10 seconds was playing in the background.

What are the kids of today watching?

Without the life lessons of Clarissa, Lizzie Maguire or Malcolm, who do they turn to? Miley Cyrus?

Without old school Nickelodeon shows like All That or Camp Anawana, where can they find legit humor now only found in adult oriented cartoons (e.g. Family Guy, any show on Cartoon Network, or Spongebob).

Ah, the days of forbidden television (anyone else secretly watch Bevis and Butthead too?). The Simpsons was the one show my family and I watched religiously.

Lisa Simpson was my childhood role model. The saxophone playing, animal loving, feminist child of a clueless and abusive father and a perfectionist mother, in my eyes, Lisa is always the brains of the family.

Call it middle child syndrome if you want. That little girl has some serious guts.

My fellow Simpsons fans, do you remember the “Malibu Stacey” episode?

It was one of the shows earliest episodes and featured a story about a popular Barbie-esc doll called “Malibu Stacey” with nothing on her mind other than the trials and tribulations of a pretty girl. Pull her string and be amazed by her obsessive talk on being forever fabulous. I guess the Malibu Stacey doll is missing 3 pounds of intelligence as well as her dignity.

Of course, Lisa was not having any of this. After tracking down the creator of the doll (since the company's current management to make a change to their product, Lisa and Homer manage to convince the doll’s original maker to market a new, intellectual doll named “Lisa”.

As the audience hopes that the young generations of girls (and Smithers) of Springfield will choose the ‘Lisa doll’, the Malibu Stacey reigns supreme as her marketers decide on giving her a new look: a floppy beach hat.

Wow. If at that age I had not known the masochist views society had for women, I sure as hell knew after watching this episode. Who knew a cartoon character on a hit television show would have such a huge impact on my views of being a woman.

Have no fear, my dear friends, Lisa Simpson's influence on my world-views did not turn me into a bra-burning, vegan-feminist who has it in for society. Though I would gladly make my own “Lisa” doll any day.

This is the point in my article where I should ask for more role models on television for the new generations of tv watchers.

However, I really want to ask the television “big-wigs” this:
Who are you trying to pin as the new role model for younger generations now?
Oh, and, could you stop making crappy television shows?

Who was your childhood role model?

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

10 Reasons Why America Has a Problem with Gun Control

28 12 2012 15:07:38 +0000

Image Source: anyjazz65

We, The People, of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union once decided to write up an almost biblical literature giving us a series of unalienable rights to forever run through our American bloodlines, in hopes that one day anyone who said otherwise would get a swift kick in the nads and hit in the eye with the butt of our shotguns. And nothing says true American like a glass case full of shotguns in your Texan neighbor's bedroom. According to The Washington Post, there are 9 guns to every 10 adults in the U.S., making it the highest number of guns per capita in the world. There are 740 million guns if you want to be more specific.

Now I bet you cannot help but think, "How many people at my doctor's office lobby have a gun with them when I go for my yearly checkup?"

With the recent shooting in Connecticut, our nations love for guns and the 'patriotic' wannabes, the NRA, the U.S. is still finding it difficult to say no to guns. But why, you might wonder, doesn't the U.S. simply provide better limitations for or ban guns altogether?

Here are 10 Reasons Why America Has a Problem with Gun Control:

Our loose definition of self-defense and the right to bare arms. Travyon Martin's death/murder further proved Florida needed a better definition for self-defense for its "It's totally okay to shoot a defenseless person if you maybe, possibly, really really feel the need to because you might, possibly feel you may be threatened".
The American fixation on guns. Guns are the light-sabers of society. Cool, gangsters have them. They are seen as the ultimate protector of evil. It's our automatic response to violence. We think it makes us invisible. We like our whiskey smooth and our guns nestled under our pillows.
Our news loves instilling fear into our minds. The 5-oclock news isn't helping lower our fears that someone is out to kill us. Apparently, walking down the street in any neighborhood will result in you dying via firing squad. I grew up in a small town where a murder would happen maybe once in 10-15 year time span and the crime rate was so low cops would all flock to a house fire. But watching FOX's news show once would make anyone afraid to step foot outside their front yard. Every crime that had occurred in 24 hours in a 500 mile radius ends up in one fear-driven a two hour show for your viewing pleasure.
We stereotype the 'typical' gunman...and stick by it. A loner. A heavy metal fan. Someone who liked to pop a few ADHD pills once in a while. Introverts beware. You're prematurely on the Most Wanted list. Anyone who has ever committed a mass shooting or decided to rob a 7/11 fits the typical gunman profile concocted by news reporters across the country. Somehow, someone gets his/her hands on (or manipulate), forever putting fear into our minds whenever we see a tired art school student.
We don't educate ourselves on the cause and effects when using guns. Sex education is required to be taught in schools, so why aren't we educated on gun use more often?
We tend to forget about our 99 percent. Low income and poor neighbors expect to see more violence. Life on the streets can be tough when you grow up thinking the only way up is by avoiding a bullet to the head. Gang violence, people. It happens.
Our society treats depression like it's a disease. Once upon a time, a man went to a therapist to discuss his recent bouts of depression. The therapist laughed, told him he was delusional, and gave him a box of placebos. This man went on to write a screenplay based on this experience. Now I'm not sure if this legitimately happened, especially since I just made up this story, but a long time ago someone had a bad experience when he or she went to see a therapist/psychiatrist and made it into the over-used stereotype of 'the loner'. Ever since then the country thinks that going to therapy is bad and AA is the only way to admit you have a problem. Now if a person has a mental problem, they are more likely to deny it ( as the people around them do as well) until the person reaches his or her breaking point.
It's harder to get a driver's license, a bartender license, and to rent a car than it is to get a gun license. You must pass a series of tests, physically make the drinks, and have a driver's license, credit card, & be 25 years old to be considered for any of these. But for a gun: pay a fee, fill out a form, and wait 30 business days before you get a license. Then again, many mass shootings were conducted with borrowed guns.
We can buy bullets at Kmart. Kmart, the third-cousin of the Walmart enterprise. Cheaper, arguably stocked with lower quality items than a dollar store, and an infamous place to buy your bullets? Yep, we have a problem with gun control.
We are in constant denial. Insert newest scapegoat here. Whether it's video games or listening too much of that damn 'Devil's music' (a.k.a. songs by Justin Bieber), some major enterprise gets yelled at for 'causing' mass shootings. Because that makes perfect sense?

What we see as a solution to a problem has now become nothing more than our blacklisted birthright. Call us crazy or call us gun-lovers. Whatever the reason may be, a cap still hasn't been put on the purchase of guns since the beginning of our nation (other than forbidding people from having guns due to racist or sexist reasons).

Forget video games, movies, comic books, or television. Pull every gun-like toy off the store shelves and see what's left for kids to play with. If people are so afraid of each other, than why don't we find a solution to our problems rather than arming ourselves with an AK-47. There are so many more of us willing to give out hugs than those who want to shoot a bullet in your ass because you took away their Xbox.

A gun has always been and will always be a weapon used to kill a living being. Colt and Winchester created such iconic weapons with the purpose of killing in mind.

Unless it has the words laser, nurf, or super soker in its title, or lights up and makes a pre-recorded sound when you pull the trigger, a gun can cause harm to another person.

Will the United States be able to put our fears aside and embrace better gun restrictions for the future of our nation? Or will every mass shooting be just another blood soaked memory in our country's history?

Bonus: Check out the video below by Itay Gil, the CEO of Protect-USA, and his recommendations for defense against gun threats.

For more information, view the U.S.'s current gun laws here and here.

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

Gun image source: woodleywonderworks

The Semi-Ultimate Guide to the End of the World: 12 Things To Do on Doomsday

20 12 2012 18:12:20 +0000

Dear Planet Earth: You complete me.

Disclaimer: I am a firm believer that the world ISN'T going to end. I needed a laugh and wanted to make a humorous article about our "last day on earth". I'm not here to convince anyone or to have a debate on the accuracy of the Mayan Calendar. Though the calendar never took in consideration of leap years, modern-day time zones and/or minutes/hours, and the person who was in charge of the calendar could of died. *Mic drop*

Earth is finally ready to press its self destruct button.
The Universe has decided to throw itself a going away party.

Will the earth shake and be crushed by the moon or will we all cease to exist in the blink of an eye?
Whether it's from a super volcano or due to the zombie apocalypse, the world is set to end on December 21, 2012, according to an ancient calendar scribed by the Mayans.

There's no need to stock up on useless supplies for your end-of-days panic shelter. The world is ending, duh!

Why not use your last 24 hours to live life in bliss? Don't shower, hesitate to stuff your face with sugary foods, or be in contact with crazy people who will only ruin your fun. *If you have no interest in partaking in the doomsday festivities, skip to step number 8.

Dress up as your favorite superhero. You will feel more awesome
Go to the store to buy Hostess products. Boxes and boxes of Hostess products. And bacon. Begin the Bacon-Hostess feast!
Prepare for the zombie apocalypse...just in case.
Tell everyone you dislike to eat doggy poo (expect to have rapid repercussions).
Reenact "My Drunk Kitchen" (or perform any drunken activity and film it), after having your own Margarita-ville inspired party, and upload the video to YouTube.
Find Doc, grab a few snacks, and get ready to travel back in time to the Mayan Era.
Blare Kansas' "Carry On My Wayward Son" whenever you drive. It's the perfect and comforting doomsday song.
Spend the day sleeping.
Play monopoly one last time. You know you've never finished playing it before today.
Make a list of 10 Things You Would Never Do and perform one of the tasks on that list. It's time to try a slice of turducken. Mmmm gross.
Write a letter to the future homo sapiens that will inhabit the world.
Prepare your rocket ship and underground escape pods and set a track to Pluto with your GPS.

Need help picking an activity from the list? I'll get your started by performing number 11 list.

Dear future homo sapiens, human kind, or Neanderthals of new Earth,

So, let me get this straight, the Mayans predicted that December 21, 2012? Well, that is last on my list of things to accomplish with my life. Right below swimming with 500 sharks while wearing a bacon tuxedo.

Who knew the world would end in the winter? The temperatures were raging hot early this year, wouldn't it make sense if the world decided to implode then? Well enough about the weather, future mankind. Or should I say dolpin-kind? Maybe the new world is run by dolphins. I hope you have opposable thumbs, my dear dolphins, because there a few delicacies you must indulge on.

French fries, a.k.a. hot slices of salty potato goodness.
Cupcakes, a.k.a. mini cakes so delicious that you will feel less guilty eating 10 of them than you would have if you ate a whole cake.
Pizza, a.k.a. food for every meal, cold or freshly baked. When made correctly, it's out of this world.
Ketchup, needs no explanation. It's amazing.

Don't care about food? Then you aren't as cool as I thought you'd be.

Though I will give you one last piece of advice, avoid anything with APR in the contract and always say yes to "Free Hugs".

Love,

An earthling with who writes for a living, but still a cool kid.

Everyone, please stay safe on the impending 'doomsday' tomorrow (or today depending on what part of the world you live in). And be sure to check out the film below for some more doomsday fun.

Mechanism by Karlis Vitols- A short film about an astronaut, rocketship, and a metal planet.

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

3 Must-See Original Short Films on Film Annex

12 12 2012 18:35:27 +0000

Image: Source

I'm a sucker for short films. There is an unspoken promise to be short and to the point when it comes to short films. Plus, if I end up hating the film, I only wasted two or minutes of my life which can be easily made up for by watching something I love. These three films, however, are festival worthy.

As someone who knows how to produce, write, and direct a short film like the back of her hand, I have a greater interest in watching unknown short films online. Maybe it's because they are more story driven or have an avante garde appeal that made these three films so tempting to watch.

If you haven't already been informed of the mission behind Film Annex, then this is the time to get to learn it.

Film Annex, or as I like to refer to it, "Filmmaker Haven", is a place for filmmakers, animators, and writers to gather as a community and take advantage of the free membership to self-promote their work. The best part of all this besides finding great work? You can earn money! Booyah!
So as a way to help my fellow artists in pursuit of making a little extra money and the ultimate prize of notability, I have found three must-see animated short films featured here on Film Annex.

In no particular order, I present to you my 3 favorite animated short films on Film Annex. Animators and filmmakers unite!

The World of Snowboy and Crow
Directed by Ken Turner
Animated by Freak Show Studios

Synopsis: A snowboy, a crow, and their wintertime misadventures.

Animation very much like a combination of a 2-D version of Henry Selicks' work for The Nightmare Before Christmas and HBO's Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child, this video is Episode 1 from a series based on the mini-comic of the same name. The German Expressionistic style as well as the smart yet subtle storyline makes this animated series a hit with me.

Grosse Pläne
Directed and animated by Irmgard Walthert

Synopsis: What do you get when you combine a amateur, a bunch of apples, and a cardboard box with a mischievous baby? Watch Grosse Pläne and find out for yourself.

The gorgeous look of the characters (reminiscent to the style of Wallace and Gromet). Oh, and the shot design with the flawless closeups. I swooned.

Battery Cage
Directed by Ton Meijdam, Thom Snels, Béla Zsigmond

Synopsis:Take a look at the lives of chicken imagined by the filmmakers with silouhetted chicken 'people'.

An impressively interesting interpretation of the lives of chickens living in battery cages. The filmmakers of this short based it around scientific research on caged chickens by the University of Sydney. They are apparently happier.

Visit Film Annex for more exclusive short films.

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Film Annex.

The Influential Generation Y: Educating Children in African Slums with The Supply

08 12 2012 12:26:47 +0000

by Keisha Douglas

On March 5, 2012, the infamous 'Kony 2012' video went live on YouTube. Within 24 hours the video had already made it's way around the web, news sites and Youtube channels alike. A video meant to bring to light the atrocities of one man's destruction to the childhoods of hundreds of children quick turned into a case of myth busting.

Whether you believe the message of the Kony 2012 or not, 93 million views later, the word spread quickly about who Kony is, the Invisible Children Organization, and the problems currently facing Uganda.

The reality is that this is only one movement to fix the world's problems. For the past five years, I have discovered, researched, and have been completely amazed by the efforts of some of the most influential members of Generation Y (arguably anyone born between the early 80s to the mid 90s) to make the world a better place. Despite the flack we Gen Y-ers have been receiving as a lazy generation, we are one of the most intellectual generations yet.

This is the second article out of a series of articles I plan on writing to further support the amazing men and women of Generation Y. I hope that this series will allow these individuals to gain more attention for their projects and notable for their achievements to better the world.

Part two of the Influential Generation Y series is about The Supply, a nonprofit organization whose main effort is to improve the education conditions in slum communities throughout Africa. But before you read more about this organization, you should know some of the facts when it comes to understanding the slum problem in Africa.

In this day and age people don't need to watch a documentary to know the slums are never the ideal place for a child to grow up in. While we cannot imagine our education being other than free, albeit paying state and local taxes or private schooling, until we reach the university level, millions of children living in the slums live a different reality.

What defines a slum and what are the typical living conditions:

Substandard living in run-down areas of a country or city.
Unsanitary living conditions and water supply.
Higher crime and unemployment rates, risk of prostitution, poverty, drug use, and suicide.
Gender inequality.
Orphaned children.

What are the risks children face while living in slums:

A frighteningly high rate of teen and young girl pregnancy.
Increased number of children affected with HIV and other STD's
Alcoholism, domestic abuse, and drug use.
Unskilled and/or semi-skilled laborers with low pay (approximately $1/day).
Illiteracy and unavailability of secondary or tertiary education.

The Supply (n). yeah, we're educated
(v). now use that education for good

Meet Eddo Kim (seen on right), the founder and CEO of The Supply, a man who created the organization after a trip to Nairobi in 2010. After hearing the story of someone named Muscort, a man who was lucky enough to receive an education at a secondary school and a university with a sponsorship, Kim became inspired to start The Supply in effort to provide education for the children of Africa's slums. Source

What They Do

Investigate and researches the slum community beforehand
Organize community meetings to discover the concerns of the people.
Builds a relationship with the leaders and families of the community in effort to gain support for construction of secondary schools.
Work with local contractors and laborers and state ministries to plan the construction of the secondary schools, including taking care of legal procedures and proper certification.
Regular monitor school programs through assessments.
Enrolls students into a service learning program called S.L.U.M.S.
Create new opportunities for the children, including higher paying and skill-specific jobs, leadership, and a chance to pursue higher education.

The S.L.U.M.S. (Student Leaders Understanding My Slums) Program

"A service learning and human rights education model that connects the students' activities within the classroom and their experiences in the community. The end goal of the program is to equip these future student leaders with the critical skills necessary to become active change agents in their slums communities. " The Supply

9 Ways You Can Help The Supply with Their Cause:

In 2001, it was reported by UN-HABITAT that out of all the urban population of Sub-Saharan Africa, 71.9 percent (about 187 million people) lived in slums, making it the largest in the world. Education should never be a chore. It should be seen as a way to better oneself, not a hindrance. To withhold education of children of the slums will further increase poverty and growth of the slums of Africa.

For more information about the efforts of The Supply, visit their official website. Check out their current projects here.

For more information on UNESCO's efforts for better education in effort, click here and here.

For more articles like this, visit my WebTv page, WebTv channel and blog posts on Filmannex.

Follow on Twitter: Eddo Kim: @eddokim; The Supply: @TheSupply Me: @Keisha_RD

Statistics used in this article made available by the UN-HABITAT Program, UNESCO, and World Bank. All information, videos, and images in this article is credited to The Supply official website. Schoolchildren in Africa Image Source: ARC - The Alliance of Religions and Conservation

Time To Bring in 'Big Bro:The Pros and Cons of Asking for International Assistance in Wartime

28 11 2012 18:38:03 +0000

by Keisha Douglas

A schoolyard brawl, a group of 5-8 kids armed with words and fists. Whatever started the conflict is resolved in a matter of moments. The will brush the dirt off and wipe away the blood from their chins and depart to their homes, settled or angry about the conflict's resolution.

You would think that, in this day and age, a national resolution to a conflict would best be agreed upon with a forced sit down of both sides in a public forum. Except, you would be asking too much. Wars rarely end once they begin after the deaths of thousands of people. And just as when you were a kid, the'big bro' or 'big sis' is called upon when a nation is having internal or external conflicts. Guns blazing and all.

For Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt's, international efforts to push for peace have become more in demand. No thanks to decades, sometimes even centuries, of conflicts between their country and a neighboring one slowly builds into a grudge-like volcano. Ultimately erupting, the grudge begins a war unlikely to cease in a matter of moments.

The international involvement or assistant for world wide conflicts in constantly being debated:

Is international support truly helpful?
Do NATO, the UN, and other multi-country connections increase the chance of an end to any of the current wars, or would these only further agitate the issues?

Below, I discuss some of the pros and cons of International Assistance, a.k.a calling in the 'Big Bro". *(Pros and Cons based off U.S.-international involvement)*

What may be the upsides to becoming allies with or gaining support from other countries?

Exhibit A: International relief efforts for natural disasters (USAID, The Red Cross, Russia's Famine Relief Act, NATO, UN)
Exhibit B: Agreed disuse of nuclear/chemical warfare after the Chernobyl
Exhibit C: The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 by the U.S.

Pros (which are directly affecting the U.S.)-

A long-term friendship.
Joint international activism (e.g. human rights and anti-terrorism).
Facilitates or encourages peace talks and cease-fires.
Exchange of ideas, technology, and natural resources.

Pros (which are indirectly affecting the U.S.)-
The ally country:

Appears more intimidating in the eyes of your enemy.
Receives training, weapons, and financial support from their ally.
Eligible to receive support from the U.S. in any major conflict or political elections.
Receives relief funds for natural disasters, a push for better governmental control and equal rights, and better education,

What are some of the downsides to international support and/or relations?

When it comes to international relations, not all outcomes are positive. While it may be done in the best interest of the country, many new age alliances contribute to the stirring up of old conflicts.

Exhibit A: WWI
Exhibit B:WWII
Exhibit C. D, & E: The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, The War on Drugs.

Cons (which are directly affecting the U.S.)-

The civilians' lives are put into danger while in active as travelers, or the media.
A bad rep with other UN members or country's the ally is at peace with.
May be unknowingly supporting a politician who is a criminal (e.g. Saddam Hussein genocide after we helped him the Iraq-Iran war), which may result in purposeful ignorance from the ally.
At risk of being invaded by the ally country's enemy.

Cons (which are indirectly affecting the U.S.)-

The country and/or opposition exploit the financial, weaponry, and training support given to them in a way the allying country didn't agree to.
Lack of trust by neighboring countries due to an alliance.
The civilians' lives are put into danger in their own country or in outer-country havens for the country's refugees.
Anti-democracy vs. pro-democracy, a.k.a. 'Don't tell me what to do'.

The one issue that may pose the biggest threat with any international alliances: Vulnerability.

Although the James Bond franchise creates a badass interpretation of spies, the idea of having another country knowing too much about its governmental or social activities may not be as desirable. When a international agreement creating an alliance between two or more countries might as well be a giant welcome mat.

But should these countries not hide their secrets from their allies? To each his own, maybe?

Do you think national and/or international conflicts can be stabilized without international help?

Is it possible for 'Big Bro' or 'Big Sis' to always step up to help whenever an ally is in need?

Or are national and/or international conflicts to be only dealt with between the involved parties?

Like this article? Read more of my blog posts like this one on Film Annex on my WebTv Channel. And don't forget to share this article with your friends!

Sibling Image Credit: Capture Queen ™

The Death Penalty vs. Abortion: When Does the Choice of Life Begin and End?

15 11 2012 13:29:39 +0000

article by Keisha Douglas

Whenever I see a headline for someone whom had committed a heinous crime given the death penalty, a part of me can't help but rejoice in justice. This week, the prosecution against the U.S. soldier who murdered 16 innocent people in Afghanistan had asked for the death penalty. Not one, but two villages had its people murdered for no reason.

One little girl, seven years of age, had the displeasure of retelling the scene she witnessed as she hid behind her father as he was murdered.

I feel sadness in my heart for this child and the ones who lost their families. I can't fathom how someone could such a vicious act. Hooray for the death penalty, am I right?

Yesterday morning I read a headline for an article about an internal investigation by a hospital in Ireland on an incident involving a refused abortion to a woman who later died. A woman and her husband endlessly pleaded with the doctor's to allow the woman to receive an abortion. It wasn't a random case since the woman had been in the hospital for approximately a week, even having been placed in ICU because of her condition. She was complaining of back pains due to the fact that she was miscarrying, an understandable cause to an emergency c-section right? Wrong. Though it is reported that neither a recommended c-section nor an abortion was performed, he ultimately died because nothing was done. Her autopsy report stated she died of Septicaemia, a type of condition where the body reacts to an infection in a way that leads to blood poisoning, a logical reaction to a miscarriage.

A rather touchy subject even in the U.S., Ireland also disapproves and bans of abortion, going so far as creating anti-abortion laws the European Union deemed a violation of the women's rights nearly two years ago.

But, what I find strange is, even when her baby's heartbeat had reportedly ceased the Wednesday before she died on that Sunday, why wasn't she allowed an abortion?

Was the rights of the person blinded by the commandments of faith?

Let's, for a moment, throw out the word abortion. In the situation of the young woman, let's take away the use of the word abortion and replace it with any other medical term and procedure that could have been used to save her life. Pick one, if you must, to answer the following question.

Who is in control here? The facts are:

Her life depends on someone else's decision.
Here she was, still a living, breathing person in front of them.
She is someone who had already lost her child in the midst of all this chaos., therefor the governmental term for abortion no longer is valid.

Then, could these doctors go forth and use the proper procedure to save this woman's life.

What if we did the same for the man who possibly faces death?

Who is in control there? The facts are:

His life is also in someone else's hands.
He too, is a living, breathing person in front of them.
His sentence is decided by others even with a plea bargain. A criminal, yes, but he doesn't get to stand up, admit his mistakes, and then decide to walk free and think about it what he's done.

But should he be allowed to decide his own fate?

What are two very different situations, have one common factor: the choice of life.

When does a life begin and a life end? The typical question in any abortion case, however, doesn't seem regularly questioned when it comes to the death penalty. You're either for it or against it in most debates.

Is it maybe because a person who has had a chance to live his or her life who also, chose to commit a terrible crime, therefore death is seen as an acceptable punishment? And since, a fetus isn't born yet, he or she don't have the opportunity to choose his or her opinion on living or dying?

No matter how you look at it, there is a contradiction between the argumentive support behind the death penalty and the argumentive support against abortion? If it's a matter of choosing one's life, when do you think that choice begins and when does it end?

Is it possible for you be pro-life, but still be able to accept the fact that people are being put to death in our country for their crimes?

Is it possible for you to be pro-choice, but watch as a man doesn't get his choice in receiving a death sentence?

For more articles like this one, visit my WebTv Channel here on Film Annex. Check out my Film Annex favorites here!

Was the Syrian Cease-Fire Agreed To in Vain?

02 11 2012 13:12:57 +0000

Pictured above: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

As I'm writing this article I continue to wait on any new updates about the cease-fire in Syria.

And yet, no matter how many days it's been since it's start, the situation remains the same: the Syria civil war continues on.

The cease-fire didn't happen. Proposed by the UN and planned for Eid al-Adha (an Islamic holiday that was on October 26), the cease-fire between both sides of would be initiated. Both the Syrian government and the rebel forces openly agreed to the cease-fire, but both respond with violence if the other side initiated an attack.

Though on the day the supposed 4-day cease-fire was to begin, cities like the capital city of Damascus were subjected to more attacks from the Government on rebel groups.

What is the world doing about it?

As a result, China has decided to push for a ceasefire going as far as submitting a written proposal asking for a cease-fire by it's Foreign Minister to the Syrian president. The U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom is not at all surprised at the failure of the cease-fire, stated:

“The Assad regime did not suspend its use of advanced weaponry against the Syrian people for even one day,”

So was this planned cease-fire done in vain?

Waiting for the day when Syrians has a face-to-face discussion on the issues dividing their country.

What I can't grasp is the fact that what started as a discussion (a peaceful protest by the rebellion in March 2011), ended up creating a civil war (after the government stepped in).

The rebels' sought after answer to the end of the war: President al-Assad's resignation.

Why is it when people disagree with an idea or in this case how their country is being run, the problem is automatically answered with violence? Still? In this day and age?

If you look closely at the history of the world, when has violence caused a suitable end to a problem? Maybe your first thought is the atomic bombs used against Japan to help end World War II. But didn't that eliminate a huge portion of the population just to help resolve a problem? The tactic seems to be on repeat with Syrian rebels who are trying to get the attention of the president to provoke resignation.

But, again, I ask you, is it all in vain?

Not every country believes in democracy. A strange concept that seems miniscule when you are living in a society where you have the right to elect and official to speak for you when you want to be heard. But not even just an official. You can speak for yourself and be heard. When you don't like the way your community, city, state, or country is being run, you can speak your mind.

I'm not here to pound into your head the importance of voting, but I do ask for you to take some time today to realize how lucky your are to have such right. To be able to step outside your front door and openly disagree with your government without an army with guns pointing at you is the kind of luck you need to smile about.

What are your thoughts on the Syrian conflict?

For more information about the Syrian civil war, check out my previous article.

For more articles such as this one, check out my Film Annex WebTv channel.

Image Credits:

Image 1: Source: PanARMENIAN_Photo

Image 2: Source: asterix611

Image 3: Source: Omar Chatriwala

It's Time We Talked About Syria

19 10 2012 13:19:49 +0000

News and political opinions on Election 2012 fill my social media dashboard to the brim on a daily basis. The product of the 1st Amendment, I know. But lately, I've grown tired of all this political bashing and therefor refuse to partake in sharing my opinion on who will win.

Instead, I want to discuss the current state of Syria, where the freedom of speech and opinion is met with a bullet for anti- or pro- government civilians.

Syria is in absolute chaos. BBC News reported earlier this week that human rights groups in Syria believe that approximately 28,000 people have disappeared in due to abductions by pro-government militia.

Twenty-eight thousand people? Men, women, and children of all ages are being forcibly taken off the streets, in front of their home, or running errands in broad daylight and at night. And the frightening statistics don't end here. The United Nations has said that more than 18,000 people have been killed. Countries surrounding Syria have also been unable to remain unscathed as more than 200,000 Syrians have fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey, whom Syria has had repetitive quarrels with since the civil war began.

Okay, readers. I think it's time we talked about Syria.

Facts about the Syrian civil war:

Who?

Pro-government/ President of Syria (Bashar al-Assad)'s Loyalists vs. Rebels/Those who appose his rule (known as the Free Syrian Army). Suicide bombings and terrorist attacks have been linked to al-Queda and a group known as the Jabhat al-Nusra Front.

When?

Began in March 2011 with protests in the city of Deraa and is still a conflict to the present day.

Where?

All throughout Syria. Began in Deraa, Syria (at the southernmost tip of Syria) made it's may to the capital Damascus, and has reached Aleppo, the northwestern part of Syria.

Why?

After an extensive Google search and finding article upon article that spoke nothing about why Syrians may oppose President Assad, I finally discovered what appears to be a forty year battle for Syria.

It can be based around four major issues:

Religion
Mass artillery of chemical warfare
War with other Middle Eastern countries
And, most notably, the Hama massacre.

It's the Sunnis vs. the Sh'ia of Islam. The Hezbollah, a Sh'ia militant group, referred , has it's weapons, training and finances back by Iran and even supported politically by Syria.

But the most clear reason for any Syrian opposition towards President Assad can be traced back to the previous Syrian presidency of his father, Hafez al-Assad. The Hama massacre, a mass killing of more than 20,000 Syrians in Hama, Syria as a means to rebuke a revolt by the Muslim Brotherhood, was orchestrated under ex-President Hafez al-Assad's rule.

While there is more to the reasons behind Syrian anti-government groups' hatred for President Assad, I am currently unable to pinpoint any specific reasons.

What is the world doing about it?

While the western powers of the UN think the president of Syria should resign, China and Russia decided against it and are staying out of this conflict. Turkey has called for and rejected by NATO.

Syria brings the conflict to Turkey

A safe haven for Syrian refugees has now become a place of increased fear and tension between Turkey and Syria. Earlier this month, the town of Hacipasa, Turkey, which borders the two countries, had a mortar shell fall into a field after Syria meant for it to land elsewhere in Syrian territory. This mistake (luckily with no casualties) ultimately led to return fire from Turkey. Turkey officials stated that there are no plans to begin a war against Syria, but gave a warning to the country to keep its conflicts internal.

The Syrian civil war has increasingly worsened since it's start in early 2011. Although this civil war began with the public outcry for President Assad's resignation, some believe that the war remains far from over. He remains in his position.

A massacre of over 100 people occurred this past May near the city of Houla, Syria, and another massacre of more than 300 people occurred in Darayya, Syria in August. Armed terrorist groups like al-Queda and al-Nusra have been thought to be behind a series of recent attacks.

Read more of my blog posts like this one on Film Annex on my WebTv Channel.

Information from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19331551

Images: 1- Source; 2- Source; 3- Source

The Influential Generation Y Movers and Shakers: Roya Mahboob

05 10 2012 13:30:16 +0000

On March 5th this year, the infamous 'Kony 2012' video went live on YouTube. Within 24 hours the video had already made it's way around the web, news sites and Youtube channels alike. A video meant to bring to light the atrocities of one man's destruction to the childhoods of hundreds of children quick turned into a case of myth busting.

This is the first article out of a series of articles I plan on writing to further support the amazing men and women of Generation Y. I hope that this series will allow these individuals to gain more attention for their projects and notable for their achievements to better the world.

We are Generation Y.

We are known as the generation of the financially disabled, the lazy artists, electronically obsessed, and incapable of doing much good for the world. But we are also growing intellectuals, the proud 99%, the inventors of social media, and the welcomers of change and equality.

While the Gen Y majority in the U.S. are busy working part-time to pay off student loans and preparing to enter the workforce in their preferred careers, the rest of the world suffers unrest.

But there are a handful of men and women of generation Y taking even greater steps to change the world.

Twenty-five year old Roya Mahboob is among those with worry on her mind these days as she struggles to make change for the people of Afghanistan.

Roya's Impressive Stats

CEO and President of ACSC (Afghan Citadel Software Company), a software development company, in Herat, Afghanistan.
Works for the Academy of Science in Afghanistan.
Works with Film Annex to build internet classrooms in Afghanistan for the Afghan Development Project.
Also joined Film Annex Capital Partners to form the Citadel of New York, LLC , an "IT solutions provider focused on education and serving the emerging markets of Central Asia".
Received a BCS degree in Computer Science from Herat Universtity.
An IT coordinator.
Is currently studying to receive her MBA in Information Technology.
Was once the Director of the Afghan Young Development Organization.
Was a women activities officer for AINA Organization inside of the Heart & Nimroz Prvoince to improve the ability of women.
Active promoter of women empowerment.

You can't help but applaud the success from Roya's work. Bombarded with daily death threats don't phase Roya because she is determined to create change and improve the livelihood of her fellow Afghanis. Her efforts through her software development company will help Afghanistan develop their own technology, as well as becoming more 'wired' with the world.

As I've discussed before in my previous Film Annex articles about Afghanistan, women in Afghanistan are at a major disadvantage, especially when it comes to education. Roya has already overcome these obstacles by receiving and pursuing her degrees. But the issues of the Afghan Educational System still affect millions of the Afghan people.

The Taliban : Women should not be educated

Although the Afghan government has taken time to better its educational system since the fall of the Taliban control in 2001 (women were not allowed an education during their control of the government), women and girls still face the risks as they pursue receiving an education. Poisoned water supplies seem to be the most recent and frequent use of rebellion by the Taliban.

Read more about the issues facing women here.

The Afghan Development Project

A monumental collaboration between Film Annex and Roya Mahboob, the Afghan Development Project's purpose is to build internet classrooms throughout Afghanistan. The introduction of Internet classrooms are the facilitators for independent learning and a greater connection the rest of the world. Read more about it here and view the list of schools here.

View more of my articles at my WebTv Channel here at Film Annex.

Intro. Image Source: francisco_osorio

The 411 on Pakistan's plans to expel 1.7 Million Afghan refugees

21 09 2012 09:26:14 +0000

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of exploring the origin of my maternal grandparents for a U.S. History paper.

England, France, Spain, and Scotland where amongst the list of countries I managed to find many of my ancestors living before emigrating to and settling in the U.S. during the late nineteenth century. Four generations later ,and I still remain an American as well as a member of a second generation American family, just as do millions of other American born citizens.

Yet immigration is still a major issue on the list of American and world politics.

As the world continues to be littered by civil war and protests, emigration has become more frequent for countries like Syria and Afghanistan. Native families become scattered throughout the globe, mostly in nearby countries, in hopes of escaping the ongoing conflicts.

For refugees from Afghanistan, few families make the decision to not return to their native countries for fear of war reprisal. This seems to be the case for the 1.7 million Afghan refugees who have settled in Pakistan for nearly forty years.

Now, due to a new order stated by Pakistan's government, they are forceably being sent back to the war-stricken Afghanistan. All Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan in camps or as registered citizens must return to Afghanistan when their refugee statues expires on December 31.

Ongoing war between armed groups like the Taliban and the imminent removal of foreign troops in 2014, must seem as bleak to the the Afghan refugees as it sounds. It is likely that two generations of Afghan refugees have been born and raised in Pakistan. And now they're telling them to leave? Poverty, random acts of violence, and the lack of security for it's people face the returning refugees.

There's two sides to every story: Pakistan's own struggles

While I could continue argue on about why this is a terrible decision, I'm here to report that it isn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows in Pakistan either.With internal government issues, conflicts with the Taliban (preventing them from entering the country through its border with Afghanistan) tensions with India, the current tension with the U.S. because of the anti-Islam film controversy, and other extremely daunting issues plaguing the country doesn't make Pakistan seem like much of a haven for Afghan refugees. These days, even Pakistan is struggling to ensure jobs for it's people.

What is Afghanistan doing to help its refugees?

According to the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 3 million Afghan refugees reside in other countries worldwide, with only seventy thousand who have returned, and about five-hundred thousand Afghanis have become displaced within Afghanistan, all reported earlier this year.

The UNHCR and the Afghanistan government strategically came up with plans to assist returning Afghan refugees for 2012 earlier this year. Incentives for returning refugees include:

Shelter, income generation, livelihoods, water and education.
Up to 20,000 houses will also be provided to returning refugees to order to sustain their return.
Some ~300,000 refugee returnees (50,000 families), including those who had returned the previous year, and ~120,000 IDPs (20,000 families) receive non-food item (NFI) packages.
Some 162,000 Afghan refugees repatriate voluntarily and receive a cash grant.
About 7,400 of the most vulnerable refugee returnees receive additional material support upon arrival.
Individuals identified for resettlement are provided with travel expenses to third countries.
The Government, relevant UN agencies, NGO partners and donors provide reintegration assistance to beneficiaries at a number of selected sites and communities to ensure sustainable return. (Source)

These Afghan refugees left for a variety of reasons, many still unresolved,. Forcing them out isn't a solution to a problem for either country, but rather a problem added to the mix of an even bigger problem for Afghanistan.

Two generations as an American on my maternal grandparents' side still makes me an American. If I had to choose between my life versus my home, I wouldn't hesitate to choose my life.

Do these Afghan refugees feel the same?

Image: Source

Introducing, the Unknown Afghanistan: 7 Documentaries You've Got To See

07 09 2012 12:10:25 +0000

Is it just me, or do documentaries seem more interesting once we become adults?

My sister's recent obsession of watching documentaries daily has made me realize that documentaries seem less of a requirement in our education the older we become. It's as if we realize "Ah, this film may teach me about something I have no knowledge about" rather than thinking "Ah, another boring film about how the rainforest works" when we are forced to watch documentaries in grade school. Of course now I'm all for watching a guy eat McDonald's super-sized value meal for thirty days in the film Supersize Me or about the major issue of child prostitution in India in the film Born in the Brothels. Just as I did as a child, I always walk away learning something new about the world. Except now that I'm an adult, that information actually wants to stick in my brain.

Why we should watch documentaries more often

Probably one of the most powerful ways to get people's attention is with documentaries. People see, hear, and absorb the information in front of them. Then,whatever biased or unbiased view the filmmaker or photographer has on their topic, the audience makes their own choice to accept, acknowledge, or disregard the information. Still photos have a monumental impact, sometimes even greater than documentary films, because they capture one moment of struggle, happiness, or curiosity that you rarely see in news reports involving Afghanistan.

What surprises me the most though, is that I don't recall ever seeing a documentary about Afghanistan. Films about September 11th, sure. But nothing pertaining to the topics I write about here on Film Annex. When I first started writing guest posts for Film Annex on Afghanistan, my goal was to create a series of articles dedicated to unearthing other aspects of the nation's news that didn't involve war. The only things that had ever stuck in my mind about Afghanistan were bombings, death, and the American troops. I realized I wanted to look closer into the history of the Afghan people, their civil movements, and what steps they were taking to rebuild their country instead. Now, even more than before, I wanted to look into their documentaries.

Welcome to Afghanistan

I searched the web for documentaries that were shot in the perspective of Afghanistan or told in third person by someone who is interested in learning about Afghanistan's culture as I am. I loved looking through the photo gallery I found as well. When a subject makes eye contact with the camera, the photo becomes even more personal and amazing.

Monumental Documentaries about Afghanistan

Frontrunner directed by Virginia Williams. The documentary tells the story of Dr. Massounda Jalal. An Afghani medical doctor and mother of three, Massounda ran for the presidency of Afghanistan right after the fall of the Taliban.
Motherland Afghanistan directed by Afghan-American, Sedika Mojadidi The film follows the story of Sedika's father, a doctor returning to Afghanistan to train doctors. Here he discovers the outrageously high death rate for Afghan women due to fistulas.
16 Days in Afghanistan directed by Afghani-American, Anwar Hajher. Follows the director on his journey back to his homeland of Afghanistan after 25 years. May have been the first documentary made after the fall of the Taliban.

Photo-Documentaries about Afghanistan

Michael Luongo Photography: A gallery of sample pictures of his work, including photographs of Afghanistan.
Know anything about the opium wars in Afghanistan? Entire families are addicted to it, including the children. It has the highest death rate for any drug in the world. Here is a fantastic gallery by National Geographic to inform you about the subject.
Paula Lerner Photography: Kabul, Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban
A completely different side to the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, this photo gallery is by the U.S. Army itself. A must see!

While I don't feel as if I've failed to provide a thorough backstory for my articles, I do think I documentaries are extremely important when sharing the facts. Whether it's photographed or filmed, I believe that documentaries have a huge impact on my world views. Realizing that there's always another side of the story, rather than my opinion, I went looking for a good starting point for educating myself and my readers on Afghanistan's history within the past twenty years.

Once we learn more about Afghanistan, we can better understand the issues and hope for Afghanistan's development to become a more united society.

Check out this detailed list of Afghanistan films from the Duke University film library for more films.

Watch mini-documentaries clips about Afghanistan on the NATO Channel here on Film Annex.

Read all of my previous articles on Film Annex at my WebTv page.

Camera Image Source: kevin dooley Army sharing a snack image: Source: The U.S. Army

Giving Up My Right to Be Me: Young Afghan Girls Pose As Boys to Gain Social Acceptance

22 08 2012 12:42:26 +0000

Imagine donning short hair and wearing clothes traditionally worn by a man...as a female. How far could someone go to achieve their dream? How far would you go to achieve your dream?

The rise of women empowerment in Afghanistan is continuously overshadowed by the lack of equality for women. It may be due to an idealistic views placed on the society influence by the Taliban, or the people's unwillingness to adapt to modern views, that deters any hope for equality. Social Darwinism is still on the rise.
If you know much about Shakespeare, then you may be familiar his play Twelfth Night. Reminiscent to the story of Joan of Arc, it tells the tale of a young girl posing as boy (her twin brother who is assumed to be dead) in order to work as a page.

It may be an all to familiar story for the people of Afghanistan. Completely transforming their outer appearances, young girls in Afghanistan have posed as boys for centuries. They are referred to as bacha posh, or girls dressed as boys. It wasn't until recently that women who posed as boys as children have come forward to tell their stories. Whether it is for financial reasons or simply because society looks down upon them for not giving birth to a boy, these little girls must become boys for the benefit of their families. Anonymous or only called by a first name, these girls live and work as if they are boys.Below is an insert from an article by the New York Times about a young girl named Manoush who went by Mehran when she "became" a boy:

"Together, they[her parents] spoke to their youngest daughter, she said. They made it an alluring proposition: “Do you want to look like a boy and dress like a boy, and do more fun things like boys do, like bicycling, soccer and cricket? And would you like to be like your father?” Mehran did not hesitate to say yes.

That afternoon, her father took her to the barbershop, where her hair was cut short. They continued to the bazaar, where she got new clothing. Her first outfit was “something like a cowboy dress,” Mrs. Rafaat said, meaning a pair of blue jeans and a red denim shirt with “superstar” printed on the back.

She even got a new name — originally called Manoush, her name was tweaked to the more boyish-sounding Mehran.

Mehran’s return to school — in a pair of pants and without her pigtails — went by without much reaction by her fellow students. She still napped in the afternoons with the girls, and changed into her sleepwear in a separate room from the boys. Some of her classmates still called her Manoush, while others called her Mehran. But she would always introduce herself as a boy to newcomers."--New York Times

What benefits do these girls receive as boys? Freedom. Freedom to go to school without threat from armed groups like the Taliban who oppose women's education. Freedom to walk around, play, work, and remained uncovered (girls/women have to wear burgas) because their society says that being a man is a blessing. With freedom comes with a major disadvantage: Losing her identity to acquire the same privileges as her male counterparts. Once she reaches adulthood, she will attempt to successfully re-enter society as a woman. Arranged marriages and motherhood is her role now. But the sudden change from male to female is hard for her to adapt to.

Now ponder this:

Hypothetically, what would the world be like if women weren't seen as the weaker sex? Could any country truly say that it treats its women and men as equals? Would even the United States be able to put all opinions aside to have equality between both genders. In the current state of politics, the answer would be no. You will find countless articles around the web declaring the "War on Women" in the United States. A woman's choice to abort her unborn child is now the decision of the government? Doesn't that make the U.S. just as guilty of denying a woman's individual rights as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, or Africa?

As I woman, I say yes. Even today, In our society women are seen as the homemakers who wear dresses, wear makeup, and love shoes. All while men are seen as the role models of our society, with higher pay, and given more responsibility. But men and women are capable or doing anything they want, wearing anything they want, to become successful in society. Too often, we can see how our society's view is sometimes twisted and unreasonable.

Do I need to cut my hair and pose as a man to get some equal rights around here? I shouldn't ever have to think that. So society is saying that if I were a male politician, I would have the right to tell other women how to live, what to wear, and label them the perpetrator whenever they are the victim? When is that ever fair? Who is allowed to decide my life for me? No one. I am in control of my own life. I can recall the days where I proudly stood in front of the flag to sing "My Country Tis of Thee" believing I was forever free from someone deciding my life or my life choices. I could vote since the age of 18. I knew I could make sure my voice was heard with every vote I casted. I would reach for the stars and back to be able to pursue any dream I have. Unlike the women of Afghanistan, I have the power to stand up for my rights as a human being. But I still feel as if my voice is being ignored."Sweet land of Liberty"?

We are all human beings. Got that world? I am a human being. Women are human beings. Just like men. And as a fellow human being, I hope to see more changes be made so that Afghani women can gain their equal rights as human beings.

Read all of my previous articles for Film Annex at my WebTv page.

Image 1: Source: cordelia_persen

Image 2: Source

Pushing for Women Empowerment in Afghanistan: The Why and How

08 08 2012 14:51:14 +0000

Just as American women marched for women's suffrage in the 1910s, the women of Afghanistan continue to fight for their equal rights in society today. But unlike American women, who won their right to vote in 1920, Afghan women are still struggling to have an equal position in their society. During this past decade, Afghan women have progressed in gaining their rightful place in society. From taking back their right to pursue education to becoming the first women of Afghanistan to own a driver's license (watch NATO video) , the world can expect monumental changes to come for these women in the years ahead.

Below are some ways that women have transformed women's role in society within these past few years:

Afghan Women in the Olympics

She may have finished last place in the preliminary 100-meter run, but Tahmina Kohistani was the only woman representing Afghanistan in this year's Olympics, the second woman to compete in running at the Olympics in Afghanistan's history.

She was tearful and rejoiced for this opportunity. She had this to say to the reporters:“There are a lot of bad comments about me in my country and there’s lots of people not ready to support me. But I think I will make the nation of Afghanistan proud of me and they are going to never forget me. I just opened a new window, a new door, for the next generation of my country. I can say that they will follow me all the time."

"I think there is a lot of girls who are praying for me," she continued. "When I go back home, I’m going to tell all the girls to come and follow me. We can make a very strong network and we shall face all challenge in our way.

What I face, I face all the challenges, cross all the problems, and right now I am here." [Source]

Afghan Women's Education

In my previous articles for Film Annex, I highlighted the issues facing women and girls' education, including attacks on schools by Taliban militants. But the women of Afghanistan aren't backing down without a fight. They have not only greatly increased the number of educated women in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban rule in 2001, but have also introduced newer education opportunities for women. Driving classes conducted by women in Afghan communities, as well as fruit and vegetable processing training, an initiative by USAID's Agriculture Development Team (ADT), will help educate illiterate women and further enhance the role of Afghan women in the society (Source). Film Annex's Afghan Development Project's initiative to build internet classrooms in Afghanistan will become an even bigger push for educating the women and girls of Afghanistan.

Afghan Women on the Radio

The creation of Afghanistan's radio station, Woman's Hour, on national radio in Afghanistan may have been a major part of a technological revolution that ultimately inspire women and girls to fight for the injustice against Afghan women. A variety of programs such as cooking, positive female role models in politics and business, segments discussing inequality at home, and listener stories were available to listeners throughout Afghanistan. Along with interviews and national music, this radio station was a great influence for the women of Afghanistan. When polled, "91% (of listeners) agreed that Afghan Woman's Hour helped them solve problems and 83% agreed that the programme inspired them" to make a change in their own situation (Source). The radio station lasted only five years, but thanks to the 20-30 woman journalists, it paved the way for new other women based radio stations that are still active today.

Last week, USAID’s Afghanistan Media Development and Empowerment rebuilt Radio Sahar in Herat to allow them to continue their mission to have women be heard throughout Afghanistan.

Afghan Women in the Government

Several representatives of various Afghan women’s rights organizations have recently met with President Karzai in order to urge him to increase women’s participation in government institutions and push for more initiative to locate perpetrators of violence against women. They also hope to ensure that better security will be provided for all female officials (Source ).

One woman's will to speak up about the inequality of women in society is that is needed to get the ball rolling for any change to occur for women's rights in Afghanistan. As the effects of change slowly trickle down the societal ladder, more and more people will start to take notice. Think about it. One voice, one argument, one petition, or one protest. More and more people will want to stand up for change, until one day, change will happen.

Image: Source

View all my Film Annex posts on my WebTv Channel.

So You Handed a Gun to a Kid: Injustice for the Child Soldiers of Afghanistan

26 07 2012 12:38:29 +0000

I'm not sure if it was the current U.S. debate over gun laws after the Colorado shooting or my own stance on the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that got me thinking about the world's outlook on gun control lately.

One of the first articles (maybe even THE first one) I wrote as a guest writer for Film Annex was about child soldiers in Afghanistan. It's a scary world we live in. When and why did someone think it was an acceptable idea to give a child a gun and force them into combat? It's somewhat comparable to allowing a child to work in a factory. Both are dangerous situations that shouldn't be accessible to children.

This month, the world has seen a warlord convicted of forcing children into combat. Justice is slowly making it's way to the hushed voices of child soldiers around the world. But they are still trying to get a voice in this issue, as I have seen through the case of ex-child soldier, Omar Khadr. A 15-year old Afghan child soldier captured and brought to Canada for trial in 2001. His crime: throwing a grenade at and ultimately killing a U.S. soldier.

Without any backstory to child soldier recruitment around the world, I would've instantly thought he deserved to be convicted. A 15-year old would know the difference between what's right and what's wrong. But I'm not completely oblivious to the social issue of using children as weapons in war. Seen as young and naive, easy to manipulate, and expendable to the criminals who kidnap, brain wash, and force them into combat are the child soldiers of the world.

But the injustice doesn't just include the actions of their country's armed groups. It has been reported by U.S. government officials to the U.N. officials that juveniles (anyone under the age of 18) of the Afghanistan war, child soldiers were not always treated with the best respect. In accordance to the ratified international treaty to protect formally known as the Optical Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Children, these children are kept in these detentions so that the U.S. can provide rehabilitation or reintegration assistance to former juvenile detainees while following to international human rights laws. Physically and psychological abused and treated as if they were inmates in a high security penitentiary? Omar Khadr has spent a decade in prison. I understand their crimes, but that doesn't mean they aren't children.

It seems that wherever they are placed in their involvement with war, the children never seem to be treated as children. A 10-year old who grew up in a suburb with a good family, has good grades, and without fear of knowing when he/she will get his/her next meal suddenly wielding a gun and killing tens of people because they had a bad month doesn't compare, or is as justifiable, to the life a child soldier. First world problems.

Knowing that I have a choice for whatever my future will be, without a physical threat to my well-being, my family, or my home, I can write this article with a heavy heart imagining what would happen if I didn't.

When will the child soldiers recruitment of Afghanistan become the past? The number of children recruited has become terrifyingly high. Innocence. When will child recruitment become vanquished from the world?

Image: Source

Why Afghanistan's Educational System Has Become a Power Struggle

12 07 2012 14:59:30 +0000

Why the Education of Afghanistan's People Has Become a Power Struggle

Power doesn't only refer to control of large groups of people. In the case of Afghanistan's Educational System, it refers to the power that each individual has to control his/her future. And right now it's one of the biggest issues facing Afghanistan.

War, the Taliban control, and the fall of a monarchy.

Most of us may never know the feeling of being refused the opportunity to receive an education by the means of fear and force. But this is what has been occurring for the Afghan people during the last few 40 years. From the ending of a monarch in the early 1970s to the war of the Soviet Union's attempt of dictatorship, Afghanistan has been picking up the pieces of their lack of unity within its educational system.

If the Taliban disapproves of it, they will forceably put a stop to it.

According to the Afghan Ministry of Education in report this past May, "550 schools in 11 provinces with Taliban support were closed down"(Source). The Taliban seems to be against any forms of education, but even moreso of women's education.

In my previous articles I have discussed the struggles Afghan women and girls have faced by choosing to go to school after the end of the Taliban control. The Taliban have "allegedly" led attacks against female students, including poisoning water sources at schools that primarily educate female children. In an article by DW, the wish of a ten-year-old girl in Kabul named Mitra said the following in an indirect statement to the Taliban at a public gathering: "Please don't sacrifice our schools for the sake of your political objectives." From conducting class secretly in homes away from the eyes of the Taliban and adults ushering groups of children to and from school, the Taliban's threat to educational system of Afghanistan does not seem to be coming to an end any time so. Afghan women continue to fight for their rightful place as equals.

The President of Afghanistan pushes for rebuilding of the Afghanistan Educational System.

There is hope for the people of Afghanistan's education. Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has now called for extensive foreign involvement in his next step to ensure reconstruction of the Afghanistan Educational System. First, he would like to call upon international educators to come teach subjects like engineering, business, and medicine in their own languages to the people of Afghanistan. Secondly, he would like to dedicate approximately $15million to scholarships for Afghan students interested in studying abroad.

As a result, the students will be able to not only learn new subjects but also learn new languages, therefore broadening their knowledge and expanding their goals.

What do you think that Afghanistan should try to accomplish with a new education system?

Keisha Douglas is an independent filmmaker who specializes in music videos. When she is not filming, she is a blogger and freelance writer. She is the voice behind Mito Vox, an entertainment & etc. blog. To learn more about her freelance services visit her website. View all her Film Annex posts on her WebTv Channel.

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Film Annex 's Afghan Development Project: Pro-Social Media in Afghan Schools

29 06 2012 13:38:59 +0000

Let me introduce you to the Film Annex Afghan Business Incubator, a program developed from Film Annex's Afghan Development Project to specifically help in aiding eLearning and Social Media Strategies.

For those of you who are new to my WebTV and articles, here is a quick rundown of the Afghan Development Project: It is an initiative by Film Annex in collaboration with the Afghan Citadel Software Company, Cisco, and USAID to build Internet classrooms for 40 schools. It is expected to place 400 computers and a reach of 160,000 children in Afghanistan. Approximately $15k-$30k is spent to build/renovate each classroom.

"The mission of the Afghan Development Project is to show the world the new face of Afghanistan by broadcasting current event videos, interviews, news clips, and archival material directly from the Afghan Youth Development. "--Francesco Rulli, Film Annex President

So far, three internet classrooms have already been built. With the newly installed technology, each classroom will be focusing on teaching the following objectives via the internet:

Educational games and applications
Language and translation
Film production and post production
Social Media Strategies
Coding and software development
Fashion

There is one subject on the list that sticks out in my mind. Social Media Strategies. As I mentioned above, Film Annex Afghan Business Incubator is the unit in charge of all eLearning and Social Media curriculum. But will this appear as more of a problem rather than a solution to some Afghan parents? These days parents are more worried about predators online than ever, so why would social media be a suitable addition to the school curriculum in Afghanistan? Allowing social media as a teaching tool in the classrooms sounds unfathomable, right?

What can social media do for education? More specifically, what can social media do for the Afghanistan Educational System?

Let's first define the term "social media". Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter may be the first things that come to mind when you hear anything about social media, also known as social networking. But that's only part of what social media really is. What about sites like Reddit, YouTube, and Flickr? Aren't they a part of social media as well?

Merriam-Webster defines social media as

"forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos)".

Yep, that basically sums it up.

Microblogging, like with Twitter and Facebook statuses, sharing information and ideas like with Reddit, and other content sharing like YouTube. Mashable writer, Mark Hopkins, digs deeper into the meaning of social media in this article, if you are interested.

To understand the full potential social media has to assist learning, take a step away from thinking about social networking for a moment.

Websites like PBS.org and National Geographic have free tools and lessons for teachers to access and use. Students are also able to interact with each other with online educational games, videos, and collaborative assignments. From my own experience as a teacher's assistant, I can relay to you how much the children in my class enjoyed using online games. Space ship and racing games made the children most enthused to learn math. Whoever spelled the most words correctly in the limited amount of time was deemed champion of the lesson.

While I could make a long list of resources available to teachers and students, I think this article by Mashable writer Sarah Kessler (entitled The Case For Social Media In Schools) shares the greatness that is the use of social media in schools best. She shares what she believes are six major benefits to the good of using social media for learning, including :

When kids are engaged, they learn better
Online procrastination is replaced with social education
Social media's ability to encourage collaboration rather than separation or cliques

With monitoring the right amount of internet activities and learning, any major worry that parents may have will subside. Social media is always changing. It isn't something students have to always depend on, but it is something that they can use to their advantage. Go ahead on you own time and find out what

What ways do you think Afghanistan teachers will or should integrate social media into their teaching with Internet classrooms?

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Funding the Afghan Development's Internet Classrooms: Who, What, Where and How?

14 06 2012 15:30:46 +0000

The Afghan Development Project is on a mission to ensure that the children, men, and women to have the opportunity to receive the best education. Their latest endeavor is Internet Classroom. As I've mentioned before in my previous articles, Francesco Rulli, the president of Film Annex, has joined forces with Roya Mahboob, the CEO of the Afghan Citadel Software Company, to create the Afghan Development Project.

So far, 3 out of the 40 Internet classrooms have now been built/renovated in Afghanistan bring the world to thousands of Afghan children and vice versa. You've heard my point of view, read the issues Afghanistan faces involving child soldiers, and the negativity towards women in the Afghan Educational System. I have even discussed how the Afghan Project started, who started it, and their goals to improve Afghanistan's Educational System.

Though, just recently I was asked the money that is used to make the Internet classrooms a reality:

"Where does all the money come from?"

I hope to answer that question and more with this article. Let's begin!

With such a huge goal, where is all the money coming from?

With a budget for each school $15,000 per month, there are many ways Film Annex managed to raise the funds. Corporate backers are to thank for a vast majority of the money available for making the Afghan Development Project a reality. Organizations like USAID make the top of the list.

Film Annex Webtv raised over $25k through affiliate marketing, sponsorship, and partners.
There are many more corporate backers for this initiative, such as Advertise.com CEO Daniel Yomtobian and AdonNetwork CEO Bhaskar Ballapragada. For a complete list of and interviews with sponsors, click here.

Wow, that's a lot of money! What is it being used for?

To create Internet classrooms and the necessities needed to power them. The classrooms are first renovated beforehand and then the computers are installed before the classroom is unveiled With motivation and the ability to build these Internet schools rather rapidly, the Afghanistan Educational System is one step further towards rebuilding itself thanks to the efforts that Film Annex has orchestrated with the production of Internet classrooms.
Micro Scholarships. Even more exciting is the scholarships available to top students who excel in specific subjects within the Afghanistan Educational System. . That's fantastic! Who doesn't like rewards for doing their best?
Examer, a computer program, is installed into the computers to access online teaching tools for the students and teachers. Examer is then linked to Film Annex's database so that monitor the students, rewarding the top student's families' with Mobile Payments.

What are Mobile Payments, and what do they have to do with Afghan Development Project?

It's a fourth subsidiary for the money used in the Afghan Development Project. It's an incentive program involving Afghan mobile network companies that USAID has signed agreements with :

Etisalat,
MTN, and
Roshan M-Paisa.

This is a great incentive to students to do better and for parents to send their children to school. Whenever a student receives a good grade on a test, the money (usually $1, but depends on test type) is transferred via mobile phones to the parents.

Why is the success of the Afghan Development initiative so important to the improvement of Afghanistan's Educational System?

With each step towards providing more and more education for Afghanistan youth, money for the budget will be increased by adding other sponsors and investors.

Rulli's goal is to start with a small budget and allow it to grow into a larger budget based on quality of work created by the students. They promote their Web TV on third-party sites and social networks and any other social media tool out there that enables you to share content.

If there is anything else you would like to know about the Afghanistan Initiative, please see my articles about the subject at my WebTv channel, or visit the Afghan Development page on Film Annex.

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Afghanistan's New Most Powerful Weapon: Education

31 05 2012 15:13:07 +0000

Eight months ago, if you had asked me about what I knew about Afghanistan, I would have said something about the war on terrorism. Whenever a news feed showed any headlines involving Afghanistan, my mind would instantly go to the world's focus on Afghan War. Our troops were being pulled out of combat, so I couldn't be any happier. My mind couldn't be swayed to think about anything else besides a combat or the Taliban's hateful schemes to rid the world of anything they disliked. International news clouded my mind with images of derelict buildings and scattered bodies. I didn't want to spend more than 5 minutes thinking about the chaos that was occurring in Afghanistan.

But now I have come to see a different side of the Afghan conflict. Thanks to becoming a guest writer for Film Annex, I decided to educate myself, as well as my readers, on the people of Afghanistan, not the deviants. Behind every conflict are the innocents: the men, women, and children who live their everyday lives with the effects of the Afghan War shadowing them. Children are being used as suicide bombers and women are still fighting to become a voice in the Afghan Society. The biggest issue to hit me hard, was the educational system of Afghanistan, or rather the lack of education available to everyone. Women and girls have the biggest obstacle to bypass: the Taliban's disregard for women's choice to be educated.

As someone who recently completed college and received a bachelor's degree in something I have a passion for, I couldn't imagine not being able to go to school because someone thought it was a detriment for the society. I've always been an advocate of education, no matter how much I hated waking up at the crack of dawn to go to school. I yearn to be educated and educate others even now. I believe that education/knowledge is one of the most powerful weapons a person can have.

There are many people taking a stand for bettering the educating the youth and women of Afghanistan. Film Annex is building forty Internet classrooms in Afghanistan as a part of Film Annex's Afghan Development Project. Thanks to Francesco Rulli, the president and CEO of Film Annex, more than 160,00 students will have access to these classrooms, but Film Annex won't stop there. They hope to expand their project to reach 4 million students in 1,000 schools(Source). Film Annex's Afghan Development Project is a collaboration with Roya Mahboob of Citadel Software Company and corporate backers to ensure that these Internet classrooms are built with quality and great technology. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/roya-mahboob/36/465/939. I see it as the beginning of a major international movement. Their rank as the 104th internet platform in the U.S. by Quantcast reflects how influential they have become.

Stay tuned for my next article where I discuss the funders of this initiative and how you can help. Until then...

Let the voices of Film Annex's Afghan Development Project be heard. Spread the word. Make a difference.

Read more about this initiative here or my past articles at my WebTv Channel.

Afghan Development WebTv Channel on Film Annex

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Internet Classrooms to Revolutionize the Educational System of Afghanistan: Film Annex's Afghan Development Project

17 05 2012 13:20:27 +0000

The subject of the struggles of receiving an education for the women and youth of Afghanistan has been a frequent topic in my recent articles. The more people know about, the better. Thankfully, Film Annex is one step ahead of me when it comes on improving the development of education for the women and youth of Afghanistan.

Film Annex joined forces with Roya Mahboob, the CEO of the Afghan Citadel Software Company, in an initiative to build new schools in Afghanistan called the Afghan Development Project. At the end of last month, the first of many schools was completed in Herat, Afghanistan. Though there is something special about some of the classrooms in this new schools: classes are taught via the internet. For less than $20,000 , an Internet classroom was built in the Baghnazargah School in Herat.

What are internet classrooms exactly? They are just like an other classroom with chalkboards and desks, except the lessons are taught via the internet.

From my own experiences I can say that online classrooms have it's advantages. I was able to work at my own pace and submitted my work when I had a deadline. If someone else was stuck on a certain area of a lesson, I didn't have to wait for the teacher to re-teach that specific section that I had understood completely. Quizzes were typically open book, open notes, and unlimited access to great internet sources. It's actually a really great learning experience to take an online class. Think about how much money is saved on funding when online classes are used.

There are even more advantages of having online classrooms available to students in Afghanistan. For example, just last week, Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon held two Skype debates with Kabul University in Afghanistan. Despite the 12 hour time difference and major cultural gap, they discussed issues that included the importance of internet as a human right. It was during this debate that the Oregon students discovered that approximately one percent of citizens have access to the internet in Afghanistan. This proves that the importance of internet classrooms is even more important to the Afghan society. The Film Annex Afghan Development Project is headed into the right direction to making this a regular part of classrooms.

What I find even more amazing about these online schools is that the program benefits women and girls' educations amensely. In a recent interview with Film Annex, Phil Banfield, the CEO of AdBrite, said this when asked what he thought about digital media could benefit women in Afghanistan: "I think the digital universe democratizes individuals and erases gender specific challenges and prejudices. An end user, seller, writer or service provider can be of any race, gender, nationality, etc. and find an audience or marketplace online."

"For every dollar we invest in educating youth in Afghanistan, we will save ten in fighting terrorism." said in a recent Film Annex interview by Steve Brazell, the CEO of Hitman, Inc. on the advantage of investing in the education of Afghanistan women and youth. A great point indeed. I absolutely agree!

The next internet classroom being built by the Film Annex Afghan Development Project at the Houz-e-Karbas High School.

Click here to view before and after pictures of the newly finished Internet classroom in Herat.

The Women of Afghanistan's Desire to Learn Receives Another Hit from The Taliban

02 05 2012 14:49:55 +0000

A new age is about to begin in Afghanistan. Its future looks bright now that the United Nations and President Karzai have agreed on the proposed end to the Afghan War. Though the threat to the education of Afghanistan's women isn't over yet.

Efforts remain unstoppable to anyone who opposes this movement, namely the Taliban. As recently as this past week, periodic attacks have been occurring to attempt to keep women and girls from being educated. Within the last two weeks, Afghan female students and teachers have been sent to local hospitals due to a mass poisoning of the water sources of schools in Northern Afghanistan.

This sort of protesting is not unheard of in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban lost control of the Afghan government in 2001, attacks on schools focused on educating women and girls have become more frequent. It wasn't until 2001 that women were allowed to resume their education since the governmental rule by the Taliban since 1996.

According to an article published by The Washington Post, Spina is city where the education of Afghan women and girls has almost completely been demised. Nearly two million girls there do not receive an education. Water poisoning and continuous threats have left this town with nothing more than underground schooling to be able to continue on with their education. But all hope isn't lost. More than 2.5 million women and girls are now attending schools throughout Afghanistan. When schools established by UNICEF or the United States are forceably closed by insurgents, smaller, more secretive schools would open. A school led by two literate brothers in Spina, Afghanistan is one of them. You can find them in living rooms, underground, or guest houses. They have begun hiding, just as if they were back under the control of the Taliban. Without enough textbooks or supplies for everyone. Some without electricity. Without desks and without a promise to always be safe. This are the issues the women and girls of Afghanistan have to face on a daily basis to continue their education. I can't help but applaud them for their strengths, as well as applaud anyone willing to help improve the conditions they have to live in to feed their hunger to be educated.

Speaking of which, Film Annex is taking one step further in helping the Afghanistan Educational System by building internet classrooms in Afghanistan as a part of the Afghan Development Initiative. Read more about it here. http://www.filmannex.com/webtv/afghandevelopment/blog_post/film-annex-update-on-building-schools-in-afghanistan/50190

Read more about it on the Afghan Development WebTv Channel.

A great article to read further on this topic: International Women's Day in Afghanistan

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NATO Promises Foreign Troop Exit from Afghanistan by 2014

18 04 2012 17:59:24 +0000

In December 2011, President Barack Obama made the official statement that the U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan would be pulled from their duties there and sent home. Families across the country couldn't be more happier about this news. The longest war in American history was now ending. Or so I thought.

Today, NATO members met to finalize the two year plan to have all foreign soldiers removed from Afghanistan by 2014. But why are they calling for a two-year plan instead of ending it now?

Let's think about this logically. In any strategic situation, if a major part of the team just up and leaves, wouldn't that cause someone else to take up the slack from that one part, on top of their own? What if the new person in charge can no longer rely on that support but has to fend for himself/herself? What problems will arise? This appears to be similar to how the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, .

NATO defense ministers met today to discuss the suggested pay that will be provided to the Afghan security forces once the 130,000 remaining foreign soldiers have left. A $4 billion a year fund was what U.S. officials roughly estimated, since the U.S. is already in charge of the majority of the funding for training, running, and equipping Afghan. On the other hand, President Karzai estimates $2 billion as a yearly fund from the U.S. and would like the amount to be more specific. The alliance between to these two countries has become stronger within these past 11 years, but Afghanistan is still weary of this agreement without a written guarantee.

"They are providing us money, there is no doubt about that. But they say they will not mention the amount in the agreement. We say: Give us less, but mention it in the agreement. Give us less, but write it down," President Karzai during his speech addressing these issues.

Will two-year wait be just enough time to put this plan into motion? The Sydney Morning Herald of Sydney, Australia thinks that the reasoning behind the decision to wait until 2014 is strictly political and in favor of future electoral candidates of the countries involved. I'm more interested in the fact that Australia isn't hiding the fact that they plan on pulling all of its troops out of Afghanistan a year earlier then the deadline. The Australian soldiers have just as much influence on the Afghan army as the U.S. does. Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard just believes that Afghanistan can hold its own a little sooner than 2014.

What do you think of NATO and Afghanistan's 2014 deadline? Do you think this plan will be effective in helping Afghanistan Development? Do you think Afghanistan's can hold its now?

Read more information on the summit being held to discuss the two-year plan, here.

Afghanistan and its Education System's Technological Revolution

04 04 2012 16:55:18 +0000

Beyond the tanks, some distance away from gunfire, and devoid of wreckage, the schools of Afghanistan are buzzing with modern technology. Laptop computers have become increasingly available for Afghan students thanks to national and international organizations.

Previously, I've written about the lack of education and the unfairness of education women Afghanistan, but what about the cities of Afghanistan that have already risen above it all and have taken action in educating its people? A video featured on Film Annex discusses the improvements and benefits of technology available in Herat, Afghanistan's third largest city.

It was approximately three years ago that the Afghanistan Ministry of Education took one step towards bringing the technological revolution to schools in Afghanistan. By joining fellow initiatives, such as the U.S.'s One Laptop Per Child and Afghan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASME), they supplied schools of the eastern province of Nangarhar with new laptop computers.

In 2010, the numbers of laptops distributed to schools in Afghanistan reached over 3,700 units. One Laptop Per Child provided Afghan children with a special laptop called 774 XO, which meets the specific needs for limitation of resources the children may have. These laptops are made to use less energy than the average laptop for longer use. Included in the software is word processor programs, educational games and programs, and an anti-theft deactivation system.

What does this mean for the education system of Afghanistan? Their education has become less limited. Modern technology improves the speed of information received and the quality of information is more accessible. College students at the University of Herat have the opportunity to study computer science (video below). With this computer science program, it opens doors to enhance the country by educating students with the newest technology and strengthening their connection with the rest of the world. Better education means better jobs. Better jobs leads to better communication and a better chance in re-unifying their country. And if unification isn't in the cards, the important thing is that the availability of laptops will lead to a brighter future for the children of Afghanistan.

While I hope for the best for the education system in Afghanistan, I can't help but wonder if this effort will be as long lasting as they hope. War is still happening around them, and at a very close range. Every school doesn't have this kind of technology available or them to use either. How many of the children, men, and women well be able to continue on with their education and use it towards a fulfilling career? As Afghanistan pushes for education for a broken country, are we taking just initiative as a developed country?

For more information on the laptops used, read the article here.

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Educating the Women of Afghanistan: A Solution to a Problem

22 03 2012 19:45:52 +0000

“If you educate a boy, you educate one boy, whereas if you educate a girl, you educate her entire family and community.”-- Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina during the UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education forum in 2011

As I had mentioned in a previous blog post, building schools in Afghanistan has become a governmental effort for children as a way to prevent child recruitment by armed groups. But what does this say about the educational system in Afghanistan? Is there a lack of education? If there is a lack of education for children, what about education for the women of Afghanistan?

According to a case study conducted by the BBC World Service, from 1996 to 2001 the Taliban was in control of Afghanistan. During that time, the women of Afghanistan were banned from being educated and schools were destroyed. For these reasons, Afghanistan remains a country with the lowest rate of educated people. The United Nations joined UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) joined together after the fall of the Taliban control in later 2001 to take charge of the situation. Since then, the education of women and girls of Afghanistan has become a governmental and global effort with the addition of new schools and a passion for education.

Although the Taliban no longer has governmental control over Afghanistan, the armed group still makes an effort to stop the education of women and children. During the 2010 school terror attacks throughout the world, it was believed that the school terror attacks that took place in Afghanistan may have been politically intimidated as a way to oppose the education of women. Proof would be in the 2009 BBC news story that reported several incidents when the Kanju Chowk Elementary School was wrecked by Taliban militants. Teachers would receive daily death threats from the Taliban, but the teachers and students were not backing down from their passion to educate and be educated.

And their passion has not gone unnoticed. In May of 2011,Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, took one step further by launching UNESCO's Global Partnership for Girls and Women's Education. This initiative will further enhance the global effort to educate women and girls around the world and defeat illiteracy. With nearly 3 million women and girls now attending primary, secondary, and universities the fight for educating the women of Afghanistan has been bettered.

Why, you might ask, is this such a major issue the for women and girls of Afghanistan? Maybe it's for the same reason many countries deny women the same right as men: for the fear that women may gain more power within the community, city, culture, or county. What's wrong with have a more literate country when everyone has equal rights? Nothing. It can lead to bigger and better things, including major improvements around the country. As ridiculous as it seems to me, all I can do is help the UNESCO initiative and inform you all about this issue.

Some people have to fight for their right to be educated.

To read the complete National Education Strategic Plan for Afghanistan, click the link below. http://www.iiep.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/News_And_Events/pdf/2010/Afghanistan_NESP.pdf

Calling All War Veterans: G.I.V.E. is Just for You

07 03 2012 14:06:36 +0000

Calling All War Veterans: G.I.V.E. is Just for You

The Afghan war has ended and the U.S. soldiers have returned to American soil. But what do they do now? Any man or woman who puts his/her entire life on the line for others deserves recognition even when the fight is over. Let me introduce you to G.I.V.E. (Global Initiative for Veteran Entrepreneurship), an initiative from Film Annex as a way to re-introduce the veterans of the Afghan War back into society.

Again I ask you, what do these men and women do after the war has ended? Usually, my mind goes straight to the thought that these veterans continue with their lives where they left off. And of course the media reminds me of the rise of veteran Post-traumatic Stress Disorder,or PTSD. The idea that veterans have more to do for us is what G.I.V.E. wants to make known.

Francesco Rulli, the CEO and president of Film Annex, is the man behind the mission. His goal is to give veterans an opportunity to be in their own business. Veterans can share their stories while making revenue through advertisement and views on the Film Annex website. Rulli fully believes that veterans have enough ambitions and an understanding on consequences from their mistakes to succeed in anything. And he brings up a great point about war movies: actors portraying veterans is basically an oxymoron. How can someone who hasn't even experienced being in actual battle tell the story right?

G.I.V.E. was created to give a voice to the ambitions, skills, and ideas from war veterans (from the Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and non-combat wars) in the form of film, writing, and business management. With Film Annex WebTv, each veteran has the chance to create personal documentaries about their future ambitions and experiences. They have done so much for their people, why not give them a chance to say what's on their minds?

Although I myself am not a veteran, I do have friends who are. Hearing about their plans, as well as the veterans interviewed by Rulli, for their futures is utterly inspiring. One of the most aspiring videos I have seen for G.I.V.E. is the personal documentary from Marine Luke Deer. He explains his aspirations, his want to take his skills from past experience in working in a pet store and the efforts he witnessed from the Afghanistan kids providing for his/her family, and his heroes as a huge influence on his future goals. Hear stories just like this with Film Annex's G.I.V.E.

I am no longer left to ponder if there are more possibilities for these veterans when they return home.I have no doubt in their capabilities and I hope they all can share their ideas and ambitions with the world through G.I.V.E.

For more information about G.I.V.E., visit the Film Annex Corp. blog here.

Be sure to check out some of the veteran personal documentaries!

Could There Be a World Without Design?

22 02 2012 14:23:01 +0000

Anyone who has a career in art will appreciate recognition. Art is pushed aside as school funding cuts are directed towards limiting the arts. I find it ridiculous when people don't realize the affect art and design has on the world.

The video by the AAA Country channel highlighted the annual Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards in 2010 (also in 2011) that was hosted by First Lady, Michelle Obama. I couldn't be more ecstatic about designers receiving respect from some of the world's most influential people. To me, that is also a win for all artists and designers in general.

From graphic design typeface to interior design, the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt National Design awards the best of the best. These designs appear in our everyday lives with or without us acknowledging it.

You may be thinking, "Art? You mean like paintings? Who cares about painting?" Or "Graphic design is the stuff that is on graphic t-shirts, right?" Yes, but when I say art, I'm not just talk about Picasso or an elephant print of a t-shirt.

But does art = design? Or does design= art? In the world of art and design the definition of both are always debated. All in all, the similarity they had remains clear: art and design are so important that it's almost impossible to fathom a world without either. Art and design is everywhere.

The building you work in, the house you live in, or the store you shop at is architecture. That is design.

The clothes on your back, whether it be an knock-off of Prada or not, it fashion. That is design.

The movies you watch, the music you listen to, and the video games you play all have elements of art and design.

You don't have to like it. They could all be flawed. Art and design exists everywhere around you. Without art or design I have no idea what I would be doing...ever. Art comes in many forms and affects your everyday life, whether you acknowledge it or not. Art isn't just paintings, it is also design.The world may not revolve around it, but designers create the futures we envision in new forms of design everyday.

For the complete list of winners of the 2010 National Design Awards, view the slideshow here.

For more information about the 2011 National Design winners, view this video.

Afghanistan Orphanage Receive Upgrades

08 02 2012 16:35:33 +0000

As you may know, few weeks ago I wrote about children recruitment by armed forces, such as the Taliban, in Afghanistan. The good news is that the Afghan government and police are trying their best to fix the problem.

Earlier this week I watched a video about another major issue in Afghanistan: the terrible conditions of orphanages in Afghanistan. I am glad to say that there has been a lot of progress made in improving these orphanages. According to the video by NATO, a man named Sayed Abdullah Hashemi recently became Afghanistan's Director of Orphanages for the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Does that name not sound familiar? Have you not heard any story relating to Afghanistan's Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs? Neither had I.

But I assure you. It's the name of a man you and I both need to know about.

Sayed Abdullah Hashemi is the man who is doing his best to put a stop to terrible conditions in Afghan orphanages. An orphan himself, the 29 year old has accomplished so much in the past 8 months.

In the video, he is at an one of the Afghanistan orphanages on an unannounced audit (which he performs regularly) of the orphanage to make sure the conditions are up to date. I got to see the improvements and hard work through this video. I couldn't help but notice how very happy the children were to see him as he makes his rounds. One of the children even shares his excitement for their newly painted rooms and playground. The same child recently got several surgeries for his feet, which points out the efforts made to make sure that health care is provided for the orphans. Better food, indoor plumbing ,and better education through newly added courses are being provided for the children as well. All of these were made possible because of Hashemi and the employees of his department.

While I was watching this newsstory, I was reminded how this isn't only an issue in Afghanistan, but in many countries around the world as well. It's always good to see someone made a difference in childrens' lives. I hate to be cliche and say this, but children are our future. Yet millions of children around the world live in poverty. What's amazing about this video is that this man has made it his personal mission to change the conditions of orphanages in Afghanistan. He also plans on seeking prosecution for corrupt and abusive employees and employees who fail to meet the new condition standards in the best interest of the children in these orphanages.

This man is truly an extraordinary human being. Thank you, Sayed Abdullah Hashemi for allowing these children to live in better conditions rather than let the children fall through the cracks.

Like this article? View more of my articles and videos on my WebTv Channel here on Filmmanex.

Are We Still the AAA Country?

25 01 2012 14:13:00 +0000

After the recent Republican party scandals that lead to the multiple candidate dropouts and last night's State of the Union from President Obama, now is a better time than ever to bring up this topic: What has President Obama done for our economy, and what do the Republican candidates plan to do for the economy as well?

The video above raises the question "How good or bad is the United States credit rating? According to President Obama in this video clip, last August the United States' credit rating was downgraded by another country. If I learned anything in high school economics, it would be that the U.S. dollar has downgraded in value from previous financial loans from other countries during world wars and other economic hard times. But is that what he means when he said other countries doubt our supposed AAA credit rating. Now, if you are like most people I know, including me, you may be unaware of what the United States' credit rating is and what it means to be a "AAA" country. Why is having an AAA rating so important to us as a country, and why do we need to let other countries know that we are? Let me put it in terms that we can all understand.

Let's say that Australia wants a financial loan to help pay for increasing their grapefruit imports from the United States. According to this article from MSNBC, Australia has a AAA credit rating. What this means is that Australia has demonstrated it's ability to pay back the loan, no doubt about, in the past. They have a plethora of natural resources and have managed to keep their economy stable even when the world is struggling. This is, of course, just an example. I have no idea about Australia and their grapefruit quantities.

Here's another example: Maybe you have a lemonade stand and you want to borrow some money from Jimmy because his cupcake and coffee stand is making loads of money. Can Jimmy trust that you will pay him back? Well, if you have a AAA creditability with him, I'm sure he will.

Both of these examples are about credibility a person or a country has with another. Paying off your debts looks great on any economy, big or small. Trust and financial stability are key in being AAA.

With that being said, it doesn't look good on anyone to appear to not know how to handle our debt as a country. I understand that the President said that this didn't mean that our credit rating was bad, but rather how we dealt with it was seen as a bad decision. My point is that with or without the future presidential debates bringing up the question of the United States' financial credibility, it is important to know where we stand. As an American, now I want to know how our country's true credibility, both politically and financially.

How will this downgrade affect our futures?

For more videos like this one, visit the AAA Country channel on Filmannex.

For more articles/blog posts such as this one, written by me, visit my WebTv Channel here on Filmannex.

Afghan Children Are Being Used As Suicide Bombers

12 01 2012 18:00:54 +0000

Explosions. Debris. A long list of casualties. This is what comes to mind when I read a headline stating the number of deaths from recent suicide bombers attacks in Afghanistan. But what I don't think about is who the suicide bomber was as a person. Why would I? Twenty more people died because this one person decided that their cause was more important than the lives of innocent passerby.

It wasn't until I watched the video above (video by NATO) that another side of the Taliban conflict in Afghanistan was brought to light: children are being recruited as suicide bombers and fighters. In the video, the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, is meeting with several boys who escaped from the Taliban after being recruited or abducted. It's hard to fathom that children are ever forced into combat, but history shows that it continues to happen throughout the world, most notably in Sudan, Chad, and in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.In Afghanistan, hundreds of children are kidnapped, manipulated, or given falsified identification stating that they are eighteen years old every year.

What would you do if you were put in that position? Would you run and risk being killed by the Taliban? What if you forced to kill ? You or I will probably never have to experience such a terror.

One story from the video definitely stuck in my brain. One of the teens speaks up about how he was told that the amulet (a detonator) he was given had a holy message inside that would "protect" him when it was detonated. Wow.

There is some good news for the children of Afghanistan. A year ago this month, the Afghan government and the UN agreed on a nationwide campaign to stop recruiting children under the age of 18 in combat. The Afghan police and the UN hope that this campaign along with education of the youth is the solution.

Whatever the solution may be, bringing innocent children into a conflict they have no control over is outrageous. The next headline I read about a suicide bomber will make me wonder if yet another child forced to be the suicide bomber.

Not everyone signs up to die.