Nik
@nikheils.bsky.social
Creative ▪ Engineer ▪ South African ▪ Photographer ▪ Problem Solver
Pinned
Nik
@nikheils.bsky.social
· Nov 24
My take on the How To Train Your Dragon live action casting of Astrid and the dumb, dumb backlash 🧵
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
Do you think CEOs and billionaires see the average person's reaction to this and have even a moment of introspection, or are they already too far gone?
December 4, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Do you think CEOs and billionaires see the average person's reaction to this and have even a moment of introspection, or are they already too far gone?
Reposted by Nik
Did you know? Black Friday is named in honor of Rebecca Black, who invented Friday in 2011.
November 29, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Did you know? Black Friday is named in honor of Rebecca Black, who invented Friday in 2011.
I get your point, but to people outside the US, the existence of lobbying means that it's already been the seat of corruption for years...
November 27, 2024 at 4:36 PM
I get your point, but to people outside the US, the existence of lobbying means that it's already been the seat of corruption for years...
Unfortunately, they'll find a way to blame the Dems, and the Dems will do nothing to disabuse them of this notion. And if/when the Dems are in power again, they'll be blamed for not fixing it well enough. There's no way to win with these clowns.
November 26, 2024 at 9:33 PM
Unfortunately, they'll find a way to blame the Dems, and the Dems will do nothing to disabuse them of this notion. And if/when the Dems are in power again, they'll be blamed for not fixing it well enough. There's no way to win with these clowns.
Reposted by Nik
Posting a new photo on Bluesky everyday until I find enough other photographers.
Day 9 (I missed the last couple of days)
Walking through the LES
#streetphotography #photography #nyc #les
Day 9 (I missed the last couple of days)
Walking through the LES
#streetphotography #photography #nyc #les
November 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Posting a new photo on Bluesky everyday until I find enough other photographers.
Day 9 (I missed the last couple of days)
Walking through the LES
#streetphotography #photography #nyc #les
Day 9 (I missed the last couple of days)
Walking through the LES
#streetphotography #photography #nyc #les
Franschoek, South Africa at sunset.
Experimenting with a photo of the day thing, god knows I have too many photos I've never shared and not so much to say.
#Franschoek #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Photography #SouthAfricaTravel #POTD #SamsungGalaxy #S22Ultra
Experimenting with a photo of the day thing, god knows I have too many photos I've never shared and not so much to say.
#Franschoek #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Photography #SouthAfricaTravel #POTD #SamsungGalaxy #S22Ultra
November 25, 2024 at 11:40 AM
Franschoek, South Africa at sunset.
Experimenting with a photo of the day thing, god knows I have too many photos I've never shared and not so much to say.
#Franschoek #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Photography #SouthAfricaTravel #POTD #SamsungGalaxy #S22Ultra
Experimenting with a photo of the day thing, god knows I have too many photos I've never shared and not so much to say.
#Franschoek #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Photography #SouthAfricaTravel #POTD #SamsungGalaxy #S22Ultra
Ah, just 64 953 to go, then 👀
November 24, 2024 at 11:54 PM
Ah, just 64 953 to go, then 👀
These birds look like we used to draw them in school (or last week).
Taken at the Port of Saldanha, South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #birds #WesternCape #Saldanha #SaldanhaBay #Photography #Canon #CanonPhotography
Taken at the Port of Saldanha, South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #birds #WesternCape #Saldanha #SaldanhaBay #Photography #Canon #CanonPhotography
November 24, 2024 at 11:45 PM
These birds look like we used to draw them in school (or last week).
Taken at the Port of Saldanha, South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #birds #WesternCape #Saldanha #SaldanhaBay #Photography #Canon #CanonPhotography
Taken at the Port of Saldanha, South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #birds #WesternCape #Saldanha #SaldanhaBay #Photography #Canon #CanonPhotography
Soft launching villainy.
November 24, 2024 at 11:41 PM
Soft launching villainy.
Maybe it's ketamine, maybe it's mental illness 💅
November 24, 2024 at 11:18 PM
Maybe it's ketamine, maybe it's mental illness 💅
7. This fake outrage is fooling no one, but the world is more receptive to this nonsense these days. It's important to push back with reason and calm. There's plenty of logic and sense on our side. Don't let them drag you down into the mud. 11/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
7. This fake outrage is fooling no one, but the world is more receptive to this nonsense these days. It's important to push back with reason and calm. There's plenty of logic and sense on our side. Don't let them drag you down into the mud. 11/
6. Ultimately, the movie will be what it will be, and I expect to love it because it's a movie about dragon riders. It's ludicrous escapism from a ludricrous world. 10/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
6. Ultimately, the movie will be what it will be, and I expect to love it because it's a movie about dragon riders. It's ludicrous escapism from a ludricrous world. 10/
5. It's only a problem in these cases because of boring, predictable racism.
Unfortunately they’re getting bolder, and getting closer to admitting this outright without fear of reprisal or ridicule. The euphemisms and false rage are only slightly less offensive than what's coming. 9/
Unfortunately they’re getting bolder, and getting closer to admitting this outright without fear of reprisal or ridicule. The euphemisms and false rage are only slightly less offensive than what's coming. 9/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
5. It's only a problem in these cases because of boring, predictable racism.
Unfortunately they’re getting bolder, and getting closer to admitting this outright without fear of reprisal or ridicule. The euphemisms and false rage are only slightly less offensive than what's coming. 9/
Unfortunately they’re getting bolder, and getting closer to admitting this outright without fear of reprisal or ridicule. The euphemisms and false rage are only slightly less offensive than what's coming. 9/
4. Certain people like to ask facetiously if we'd be ok with Black Panther being played by a white person (it's always Black Panther because they don't know other major roles), like it's a big gotcha, and ethnic roles haven't been played by outrageously pale people for decades. #PrinceOfPersia 8/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
4. Certain people like to ask facetiously if we'd be ok with Black Panther being played by a white person (it's always Black Panther because they don't know other major roles), like it's a big gotcha, and ethnic roles haven't been played by outrageously pale people for decades. #PrinceOfPersia 8/
3. Um, there are dragons. This is clearly not based in reality.
We shouldn't need to say this, but certain people behave like this is a rewriting of actual history, with real stakes involved.
To be clear, real history is absolutely rewritten every day, with little such outcry. 7/
We shouldn't need to say this, but certain people behave like this is a rewriting of actual history, with real stakes involved.
To be clear, real history is absolutely rewritten every day, with little such outcry. 7/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
3. Um, there are dragons. This is clearly not based in reality.
We shouldn't need to say this, but certain people behave like this is a rewriting of actual history, with real stakes involved.
To be clear, real history is absolutely rewritten every day, with little such outcry. 7/
We shouldn't need to say this, but certain people behave like this is a rewriting of actual history, with real stakes involved.
To be clear, real history is absolutely rewritten every day, with little such outcry. 7/
2. They aren't vikings. There are Scottish/Welsh dragon riders with Viking styling, whose children speak with American accents. Clearly consistency or accuracy was never a concern. Not a bad thing, it's fantasy and should not be so restrictive or arbitrarily tied to reality. 6/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
2. They aren't vikings. There are Scottish/Welsh dragon riders with Viking styling, whose children speak with American accents. Clearly consistency or accuracy was never a concern. Not a bad thing, it's fantasy and should not be so restrictive or arbitrarily tied to reality. 6/
Either you trust the creators, or you don’t. And you respect their creative decisions or you don't.
Or there’s something else driving your outrageous concern over a children’s movie – we’ll come back to this. 5/
Or there’s something else driving your outrageous concern over a children’s movie – we’ll come back to this. 5/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Either you trust the creators, or you don’t. And you respect their creative decisions or you don't.
Or there’s something else driving your outrageous concern over a children’s movie – we’ll come back to this. 5/
Or there’s something else driving your outrageous concern over a children’s movie – we’ll come back to this. 5/
The first glimpses of the live action are incredible. You cannot say ‘everything else is great but this one thing is terrible', when it's the same team responsible for it all. On top of that, there are significant visual differences with other characters, but not skin colour. 4/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
The first glimpses of the live action are incredible. You cannot say ‘everything else is great but this one thing is terrible', when it's the same team responsible for it all. On top of that, there are significant visual differences with other characters, but not skin colour. 4/
... To replicate the original Astrid or to suit the new interpretation, the writers and directors have selected Nico Parker from many casting calls.
That should mean something, and there should be some trust in the creative process. 3/
That should mean something, and there should be some trust in the creative process. 3/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
... To replicate the original Astrid or to suit the new interpretation, the writers and directors have selected Nico Parker from many casting calls.
That should mean something, and there should be some trust in the creative process. 3/
That should mean something, and there should be some trust in the creative process. 3/
...especially for a role like Astrid, the soul of the character, talent and chemistry with the cast are critical to successful storytelling.
Blonde hair or pale skin, not so much. We have enough bad actors selected for their looks, and enough mediocre movies as a result. 2/
Blonde hair or pale skin, not so much. We have enough bad actors selected for their looks, and enough mediocre movies as a result. 2/
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
...especially for a role like Astrid, the soul of the character, talent and chemistry with the cast are critical to successful storytelling.
Blonde hair or pale skin, not so much. We have enough bad actors selected for their looks, and enough mediocre movies as a result. 2/
Blonde hair or pale skin, not so much. We have enough bad actors selected for their looks, and enough mediocre movies as a result. 2/
My take on the How To Train Your Dragon live action casting of Astrid and the dumb, dumb backlash 🧵
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
November 24, 2024 at 11:07 PM
My take on the How To Train Your Dragon live action casting of Astrid and the dumb, dumb backlash 🧵
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
1. First and most important: Casting goes far beyond looks... 1/
#HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon #LiveAction #Casting #NicoParker #HTTYDLiveAction #racism #escapism
Over-water villas at Cinnamon Dhonveli, Maldives, where we spent a wonderful week for our honeymoon in the first villa, with sea and sunrise views.
#Maldives #CinnamonResorts #CinnamonDhonveli #Travel #VisitMaldives #Honeymoon #Photography #Drone #DronePhotography #DJI @djidrones.bsky.social
#Maldives #CinnamonResorts #CinnamonDhonveli #Travel #VisitMaldives #Honeymoon #Photography #Drone #DronePhotography #DJI @djidrones.bsky.social
November 24, 2024 at 10:22 PM
Over-water villas at Cinnamon Dhonveli, Maldives, where we spent a wonderful week for our honeymoon in the first villa, with sea and sunrise views.
#Maldives #CinnamonResorts #CinnamonDhonveli #Travel #VisitMaldives #Honeymoon #Photography #Drone #DronePhotography #DJI @djidrones.bsky.social
#Maldives #CinnamonResorts #CinnamonDhonveli #Travel #VisitMaldives #Honeymoon #Photography #Drone #DronePhotography #DJI @djidrones.bsky.social
It's not only about the science and policy - a return to conservative and repressive society means treatable diseases will be stigmatised and become deadly once again. We cannot go back.
November 24, 2024 at 10:10 PM
It's not only about the science and policy - a return to conservative and repressive society means treatable diseases will be stigmatised and become deadly once again. We cannot go back.
1. Megamind
2. Step Brothers
3. Anchorman
2. Step Brothers
3. Anchorman
November 23, 2024 at 11:01 PM
1. Megamind
2. Step Brothers
3. Anchorman
2. Step Brothers
3. Anchorman