ONE SHOT STORIES: THE BEST OF STORYTELLING

Ever so often,people always love a series of stories. Whether they are books, television programs and movies, people can't get enough of them. Just imagine, how many books are there in the Harry Potter series, or how many seasons/episodes there are in Game of Thrones? Movie series' are also a commonplace, as Star Wars, being one of the oldest movie franchises, having a series of movies. But though these are enjoyable ones, I guess the best stories as what we call as One-Shots. From the definition itself, these are self contained stories that are complete on it's own.

Why do I consider them the best? Simply a series or serial clogs the market with a glut of material. Since these stories were meant to be continued, the writer has to be more creative with the process. Thus there will be parts of the series that are good, then some not really good. Let's take Game of Thrones. Season One really got me hooked into the series, as a new form of storytelling really captivated me. However, I quit the series at around season 3 since I found some parts of the series already boring. Same thing as with movies. Was it necessary for us to continue Star Wars, knowing that the first trilogy was really a great movie series? Seems that Disney just wants to cash in on the purchase of Lucas Films IMHO.

See, with one-shots, the writers can cut loose and concentrate on a well written story. The stories will have a definite end, and be complete in itself without a need for a sequel. In my opinion, it leaves the audience full already. A good example id the Christopher Nolan film Inception. The movie fills you with a solid ending. No more need for a next film. His current movie Dunkirk also may fit the bill.

Some people may think that one-shots are a failure since it does not have any continuation. In a world where we want serials, these type of stories may not fit the bill. As a longtime comic fan, stories like Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, Frank Miller's Elektra Lives Again, and in television,APT Entertainment Lenten Specials. For me, it brings out the best in almost all aspects.

In closing, I guess that it will be much better that the entertaiment industry focuses on one-shots or specials. This will leave the fans mmroe fulfilled with a movie, television or even in print.

Have a nice day!!!

BRIAN LUCIANO

AUGUST 29,2017                      

ACCEPTING MY AGE

It's hard to believe that I am already an old guy. Well, I am 44 years old as of this writing. As I viewed my face, I already saw lines and wrinkles on my face. I have gained weight, and noticed my stamina not as good as it was during my prime years. Not to mention having a beautiful two year old daughter and a loving and beautiful 34 year old wife of nine years now. I also haven't changed jobs, being an Online English Teacher for same years as my marriage.

I look back, and I didn't regret being an old guy. See, the current millenial society treats old people differently. They see them as weak and useless already in society. They always want to look forever young. But I degrest.

I was born in the 1970's, at the time that my country is under Martial Law. I have a very excellent childhood, having to play with toys and watch TV (anime mecha was our favorite). There's also the trip to the store to buy candy, going to church on Sundays (I was raised Catholic), and even going to Luneta Park and even Quiapo. Never mind Martial Law, since as a kid back then I don't care about it. Life was simple back then.

We moved to Marikina City in the late 1980's and studied high school here. The EDSA Revolution happened, as well as a series of coup-de-etats. Growing up, cartoons became more of a background. Girls, crushes, New Wave music, American Pop music became my interests. There's also the NCEE test. I met a lot of wonderful people. High school specially my senior year became one of the happiest moments in my life. I sometimes shed a tear just recalling those days.

The 1990's saw a slightly older version of me studying AB Political Science at Far Eastern University in the city of Manila. There, I met more people,but unlike my high school days they were very different from me. I never got along with most of them. I also experienced my first setback in life:not being able to finish my Law studies, only managing a first year. A year of unemployment became a career as a teacher. I was still quite young being a teacher. That was the time I realized that the children of the 1990s are very different from us. Still, four school years toughned me. Also, I started my comic book collection as well as became an avid reader of almost anything. There was also a boom in television programs and music. This was also the golden years of anime.

As the millenium entered, I got into the Business Process Outsourcing market. Very far locations and schedules really took it's toll on my mind and body. Despite that, it was here where I met my wife. We got married in 2008 and we started living by ourselves in 2009, eventually leaving Marikina City. My marriage is a series of ups and downs, but it was a really happy one. Only problem is struggling with having children.

By 2014, me and my wife had our first child. My daughter was born on November 18 at 5:30 pm. It was joy for both of us. However, since my wife had to take care of our kid, I was left alone to work. Financial troubles led us to leave Pasig and go back to Marikina in June 2015. We are still living there.

Time really moved so fast for me. My daughter is now two years old,and I have been married and working for the same company for 9 years now. Lines have been in my face. I have eye bags and dark circles in my eyes. But you know, I am happy. Those 40 plus years that the Lord has given me, I never regretted. If I will choose the year that I will be born, I will still choose the 1970's. I still yearn for the simple life that I grew with. I loved the life experiences, whether they are good or bad. I loved the people I met. And I am happy with my life. Wrinkles, lines, weight gain, they are all a part of being old. But the knowledge and wisdom and life experiences that come with it is something that I will never trade.

BRIAN LUCIANO

AUGUST 11, 2017  

HOW CURRENT ENTERTAINMENT SHAPES OUR SOCIETY

I don't open our television that much these days. I don't know why, but I felt something different from what they are showing these days. It's as if I correlate the latest news and the fictional television programs, there's really no difference. Are we actually living in a world that is based on the television? This question ponders me a lot.

The Philippine entertainment system in my opinion has not changed a bit since my childhood days. The bulk of mainstream films are mostly comedies or romance movies featuring the same faces. It's like it never took off. It's like when these actors aged they are just replaced with younger faces, but the same theme. Different zebra, same stripes. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.

One thing I noticed about the shows on television is the constant promotion of the LGBT agenda. I'm just a bit fed up with this. See, in almost every show there seemed to be a gay character. There was even one show wherein a straight guy played a transgender for almost four months. Before I was a convert, I lauded this show. Now, I feel different about it. Also, the top comedians on television right now are gay. It feels like they have trampled straight men here. And to think that we have an award for a box office king. How will we award him. There's also a gay talk show host that will always use a mirror as a symbol. If I were you I'd look in the mirror first and tell yourself that " I am a man". How's that?

A lot of shows also contain sexuality, some partial nudity and shows that feature adultery became popular. Is this our society right now? I mean, what's next, child pornography and pedophilia? The so called Catholic Church, who is supposed to be the one against these agendas, are now plagued with sex scandals. I have just recently come across the news of a priest picking up a 13 year old girl being prostituted by a pimp. Before they were the first ones protect our morals, now they themselves are becoming culprits. No wonder many babies being born are being abandoned.

There's also the instant celebrity status. People in this country just love being in the spotlight. When news of a certain girl dubsmashing (lip-sync in layman's tongue) suddenly became very popular, many people wanted to be like her. It's like if her accidental rise happened, then there could be a possibility that it could happen to them or you as well. Reality talent shows try to create instant celebrities. Most of them got there because of their heritage. Thus they create videos, or posts in social media, just to get that needed attention. They want the big life, the attention and praise of a lot of people. Over the course of time however, the elite keeps pushing these people down our throats. And we are very glad to accept them, hoping one day be like them. I just got sick of it.

This is the world that we live in. When I was young gays are in hiding, there is a strict standard in shows and celebrities work hard for their roles. Now, with media promoting these things, no wonder there's no difference between the reel world and the real world. It's cross between the Matrix and Inception.

If I am dreaming, Please wake me up.

BRIAN LUCIANO

AUGUST 1, 2017