Archive for: Blog Posts

With the Oscars just behind us (congratulations, Parasite!), what better time to catch up with Blazing Minds film blogger – and one of our UK top ten – Karen Woodham. Writing about the world of cinema and entertainment for Karen is a joy, as is the supportive and sharing film blogging sector she loves.

Read on for Karen’s thoughts on diversity (or rather, lack thereof) in the Academy Award nominee line-up this year and which films originally sparked her interest in cinema.

How did you get started with writing about film?
It all started after heading to the cinema one night to see Captain America: The First Avenger. I came back home after seeing the film and decided to write a review of the film on my blog that I hadn’t had for long. Shortly after the post went live, the cinema saw it and asked me to review more films for them. My blog developed and over time it’s taken me further into the world of film, events and much more.

What’s your favourite thing to post about?
It has to be the film reviews. I’ve had a passion for film since seeing Star Wars: A New Hope back in 1977 – it blew me away and set me on the path of seeing as many films as I could. Now with the advance of 3D, IMAX and 4DX, going to see a film on the big screen is even more exciting and exhilarating than ever before. Writing about the film afterwards is a joy.

What makes the film/entertainment blogging community different (and better!) than others?
It’s sad to say, but some of the various blogging communities can have an ‘it’s all about me’ issue and don’t like others doing what they are doing. With film/entertainment blogging I’ve not picked up on any of that; we all seem to be willing to help one another out with not only sharing contacts in the industry, but also with spreading the word by sharing articles and helping with website stuff. Now that’s how the blogging community should work.

If you/your team ever attend industry events/launches, what’s the most exciting/fun/weird one you’ve been invited to?
Me and some of the team have been to the usual film-based things such as previews/premieres, but the one thing that kicked off events for me on Blazing Minds was attending my very first Sci-Fi Weekender. It was certainly an eye-opener in the world of ‘geeks and nerds’; film celebrities that take time to chat with fans and the amazing cosplayers that attend the events and put all the effort into their cosplay. I’m now attending my 11th SFW in April this year. I can’t wait – it’s my big diary date for every year.

With #oscarssowhite trending again this year before the Oscars, what were your thoughts on the lack of diversity in 2020 Academy Awards nominations?
As with most film bloggers, I would have to say that I am disappointed by the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscars. We are now in 2020 – it’s time for the Oscars to step into the 21st century and bring much more diversity into the awards.

What’s your take on Martin Scorsese’s thoughts on superhero movies?
I don’t agree with Scorsese, but he has his right to criticise the massive franchise of movies that are packing out the cinemas. Personally, I think they are great for bringing families together for an evening of entertainment, spending quality time watching a movie and then talking about it afterwards.

Favourite three films of all time?
Blade Runner – it’s a movie that I still go back to a lot.

Citizen Kane – a true classic from Orson Welles. It’s a movie that is not only delightful to watch but also beautifully shot.

Star Wars – the original cut from 1977, before those days of it having ‘A New Hope’ attached to it. After all, it’s the film that got me into the world of film and sci-fi in the first place.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
I do like to work with them on regular basis. Many have been great over the years and I still work with many of them for news on new releases, previews and some fantastic competitions that not only spread the word for them, but also for Blazing Minds as well.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
Probably the best way has always been to get in touch via email, that way I have a record of things that I can go back to when needed. Of course, if needed, there are times that I chat with them over the phone to sort things out that may be urgent, or to work in a price for work to be completed with sponsored articles, etc.

What other blogs do you read (whether film-related or not)?
There are some great blogs out there and I have many of them in my RSS feed in Thunderbird. The main ones I enjoy and read the most are BRWC, Back To The Movies, SparklyPrettyBriiiight and LoupDargent, to name but a few.

‘I’m getting on a bit now and the site is, too’ – we catch up with veteran movie blogger (and fourth in our Top 10 UK Film Blogs) Sean Evans of Back To The Movies.

With the BAFTAs behind us and the Oscars on their way, find out what Sean thinks of this year’s Academy Award nominees and which superhero movie gets his vote (sorry in advance, Cap).

How did you get started with writing about film?
I was close to turning 21 and my girlfriend at the time wanted to do something special to celebrate my 21st birthday. We had a think of some ideas and we thought that celebrity video messages would be a cool way to remember the occasion. I messaged various official sites and any agency emails I could find. I was surprised at the replies from people who didn’t know who I was sending video messages and even signed gifts. I had video messages from such actors as Jeremy Bullock from Star Wars, Thomas Nicholas from American Pie and Kane Hodder from Friday the 13th. Daniel Craig and Russell Brand even sent signed goodies via their agents.

As a result, I managed to not only get these messages but personal email correspondence with some well-known faces. It was then I had the idea to set up a website where I could interview these people and talk about movies at the same time.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your website/blog?
I always love posting a good rant or rave about a certain production but interviews are my all-time favourite. Sitting down with an industry legend and just chatting movies is always a good time. I try to make the interviews as easy going as possible. My film site reviews films as fans would and not critics, so my interviews are exactly the same. A casual Skype chat, a quick trip to a local bar or even an interview after many, many drinks. No cameras, no PR agents telling them what they can and can’t say. Just a laid back, good ol’ fashioned chin-wag.

What makes the film/entertainment blogging community different (and better!) than others?
Every single person in this community is like a family. We support each other’s content, we share articles, we share links. We chat regularly on how we can help one another out. You only need to look at Twitter when you guys announced the UK Top 10 and everyone was there congratulating one another, regardless of which position we were voted.

If you or your team ever attend industry events and launches, what’s the most fun or weird one you’ve been invited to?
I always laugh when people say ‘team’. Everyone thinks the site is run by a team rather than a 28-year-old whose hair is turning greyer by the second. The site for 99% of the time I’ve been doing this is a one-man-band. I do get the odd bit of help now and again when I really need it but it’s literally just me.

I love being invited to film premieres, even better getting to walk the red carpet at the BAFTA awards every year. I’m also doing a lot of theme park and entertainment reviews lately so being invited down to be the first to ride a brand new rollercoaster or the first to experience a new attraction opening is amazing.

As far as weird places go, The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosity in London is certainly the weirdest place I’ve ever been. A museum of some of the weirdest items you’ll ever see in your life and even a celebrity stool sample collection. Safe to say out of every single place I’ve reviewed, that is the weirdest place I’ve ever been to in my entire life. But I’m a bit weird myself so aside from the stool collection everything else was pretty awesome!

With #oscarssowhite trending again, a lot of people were surprised at the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations line-up – what are your thoughts on this?
I was incredibly surprised by this year’s line-up. I thought for sure Eddie Murphy would be in the nominations for Dolemite Is My Name, Jennifer Lopez nominated for her incredible role in Hustlers. It’s a real shame. Cynthia Erivo is the only non-white performer in the entire line-up which is crazy to me! She fully deserves to be there and I wish her all the best.

It’s something that does need to be addressed but the academy should never bow down to an agenda because people complain. That’s when things get messy. For example, people up in arms that Little Women wasn’t in the mix this year and Greta Gerwig should be in the mix for best director – it wasn’t a film even close to being on the same level as the nominated films this year. It’s as simple as that. Just my opinion, of course. People should be there because of their talent and talent alone and not for agenda purposes – that’s why I was even more shocked by Eddie and Jennifer not being included, because their performances were incredible and that’s just naming two!

Do you agree with Martin Scorsese’s thoughts on superhero movies, and what do you think of Joker’s chances at the Oscars this year?
I wholeheartedly agree with Martin Scorsese. It was a big topic on Back To The Movies this past year. While I thought Infinity War was a masterpiece, the way they churn out 90% of these superhero films to make a quick buck is ludicrous. Some are so simplistic in their design, amped up with green screen scale and fan service to keep the comic book faithful salivating at a sequel or a new character being added in the next movie. Most (not all) of them aren’t cinema. They’re fluff pieces aimed at making money through simple means, and make money they do.

Joker, on the other hand, is cinema. There’s churning out film after film, year after year to dominate the box office and there’s films that are made with heart, direction, depth and acting that transcends the screen. Joaquin Phoenix will win the Oscar and he deserves every accolade that comes his way. One character and one character alone, not a movie stuffed full of them to the point where saturation of characters leaves us admiring the pretty pictures and technical achievements rather than the film itself (1917, anyone?). Joker is one movie you can look back and go wow, now that’s a cinematic experience. We get to know our character, in a weird twisted way relate to our character, explore his backstory and his character comes full circle, intertwined in a beautifully-crafted world with a near-perfect script. It’s rare we see movies like that nowadays. Especially superhero movies. While I agree with Scorsese for the most part, films like Joker are those rare golden nuggets that are released and put Scorsese’s theory to bed.

Favourite three films of all time?
Back to the Future, The Wolf of Wall Street, Goodfellas (with a special mention to American Pie for corrupting me as a child).

How do you work with PRs and brands?
To tell you the truth, this last year has been so strange. I’ve been working with so many brands it all becomes a blur. From Hooch to 4DX to Sony, it’s a whirlwind.

As I mentioned in last year’s interview, if you haven’t got a budget and want me to promote your product or service then please look elsewhere. I’m not starting out looking for content to publish, I’m getting on a bit now and the site is, too. If you want promotion, be willing to pay for it. Even now, to this day, many PR companies try to milk the free content. It does grind a bit.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
More than happy to get email through my contact form via the website.

What other blogs do you read (whether film-related or not)?
I’m a huge fan of Blazing Minds. Karen Woodham is one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the privilege of speaking to over the years. We’ve never even met in person and I speak to her more times than half of my own family!

Flickering Myth and Live For Films are always the sites I aim to be like. Lots of writers, lots of content, always reaching, always aiming, always achieving. That’s the mindset those guys give me. They set the benchmark for me to go out there and get my site on a Hollywood trailer or up on a billboard somewhere. Last year’s goal was to get my name on the cover of a studio movie; I achieved that. This year is getting my name on a billboard or even a bus station ad, at least. I’d be cool with that.

‘Stay hydrated’, ‘invest in sleep’ and ‘move more’ are just some of the top tips for staying in tip-top shape from blogger Faya Nilsson in today’s spotlight on Fitness on Toast. One tip Faya has picked up in her time in the fitness industry that she’d advise to stay away from, though? Eating a generous tablespoon of butter every morning… Read on for that as well as more palatable anecdotes from her life as a top fitness blogger.

How did you get started with blogging about fitness?
I originally started Fitness on Toast way back in 2013 as a place to share healthy and unusual recipes, nutritional tips, and to communicate informative workout ideas with my personal training clients, as well as to style fitness fashion looks. It was a way to share a lot of the information I felt I never got the time to share in the short one-hour slot with clients. I also used to take pictures when I was abroad and was often asked about my trips (where I stayed, and how I stayed healthy while travelling, etc.) so wellness escapes and active travel grew to become a thing on FOT, somewhat before the concept was popular. It’s awesome to see the world embracing fitness in so many ways.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your blog?
I genuinely think I don’t have a favourite. What I enjoy the most is the variation of the different topics which often blend together – travel, fitness, fashion and nutrition. To me, that’s the nature of living a perpetually healthy and balanced life, where all aspects of it are underpinned by a wellbeing ethos. That said, telling the story of great travel, on occasion, can be quite standout – writing about an exceptional trip punctuated by world-class hospitality is something that I very much enjoy.

What are your tips for getting back into an exercise routine for those who’ve fallen out of it?
I’ve written extensively about this on my blog. My top tips would be…
1) Be realistic when setting goals – realistic weekly goals, as well as a realistic deadline (e.g. a three-month window), then break it down into weekly targets.
2) Be consistent – any change takes time.
3) Nourish your body with the most delicious healthy colourful foods. You don’t have to eat bland foods to get results!
4) Stay hydrated – 70% of our bodies are made up of water, so staying hydrated will make a noticeable difference after a few weeks!
5) Invest in sleep – the muscular and mental recovery will compound your ability to perform better during your next session.
6) Move more – it’s not ‘all or nothing’, but ‘as often as possible’. Take the stairs, power-walk to get your salad at lunch and just keep moving!
7) Stretch – it aids recovery, balance and releases built-up tension/stiffness.
8) Keep track of your progress – write down your workout so you don’t end up doing the same weight every week.

What makes the fitness blogging community different (and better!) than others?
I can’t say whether it’s necessarily ‘better’ than other communities; all have their own flavours and purposes. I think the fitness domain comes with its own set of unique challenges. The things I like about the fitness community is it can be very encouraging in the sense that people who genuinely are interested in fitness and have worked in the industry for a while can appreciate each other’s good work and spur one another on. I think it’s become more welcoming and less intimidating to people who are new to the industry in the sense that people can be very open with their struggles; it is increasingly accessible, and that is increasingly aspirational for more and more people.

Weirdest fitness trend you’ve tried/heard about?
I haven’t tried any of the super-exotic ones, because they tend to be diet-related and I like to pursue a more balanced approach. A client of mine was told to pursue the ‘high-fat diet’ and ‘eat a generous tablespoon of butter every morning’ – I thought that sounded pretty horrendous. I’d say I’m happy that some of the more extreme legging fashion trends have passed over now – mega-bold colours and over the top prints induced a sense of ‘hypnotic trip’ during a trip to the gym, or supermarket alike!

What are the best songs to have on your iPod to get you fired up to work out?
I LOVE Disclosure; the Settle album is still a favourite to work out to. Other than that, you simply cannot beat a bit of Taylor Swift for the spark of energy! And failing that, some classic old school Miguel Migs house will do the job very nicely indeed.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
I have an excellent agent at Storm Model Management, who acts as an intermediary for me. She and her team know the type of content I love to produce, and they help to field the outreach accordingly, which is an enormous help, as there is just too little time in the day to tackle all PR emails properly. When we decide on a super exciting project with an agency, then the fun part begins, and I love to get really hands-on at that point – that allows me to really focus on delivery on the creative side of things. Short-term or long-term partnerships – ambassadorial roles as well as hosting fitness classes. I’ve laid out the ways in which I work with marketers and PRs on a separate Disclosure page on my blog, which I think is an important manifesto to consider for any blogger.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog, how would you prefer they approach you?
I would always prefer that PRs reach out via email, copying in my agent at Storm. The address can be found on my Contact page.

What other blogs do you read (whether fitness-related or not)?
I try not to read too many other blogs, as I think it’s somewhat of an occupational hazard. I mainly read Swedish politics, if anything online. If not, I stick to the old school traditional paper books. That said, occasionally I’ll dip into The Blonde Salad, A Blog To Watch, Sheerluxe, The Food Effect, AJ Odudu’s blog.

Film aficionado Phil Edwards blogs about movies of all genres as well as comic books, video games and TV over at Live For Films. Originally writing for his friends, but now drawing in fans from across the world, Phil shares his feelings about the films he loves and enjoys.

Film blogging isn’t all about reviewing the big hits, however – read on for Phil’s thoughts on getting more diversity up on the screen and in the awards season, and what shakes up a movie screening even more than sneaky secret vampires.

How did you get started with writing about film?
I used to send my friends emails and messages about various bits and pieces of movie news. One day one of them said they loved it, but it was just too many emails for them, so they suggested I put it all on a blog that they could read at their leisure. It all started just for my friends, but it soon became read by people from all over the world. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

What’s your favourite thing to post about?
I love posting the reviews sent in by our various writers as I always enjoy reading other people’s work. Then again, I love sharing news on new films and then interacting with readers on social media to see what they think of it all.

What’s the most fun or weird press event you’ve been invited to?
I remember there was a screening of a Spike Jonze short film that took place late at night on top of a multistorey car park that had been set up to look like a strange garden. Then there was a Jameson Cult Film Club screening of Hammer’s Dracula in Liverpool. That had a vampire prowling around the theatre where the screening was taking place. Oh, and a screening of Jaws in Liverpool’s Albert Dock had actors portraying Hooper, Quint and Chief Brody showing us their scars and singing to us all before the film started. I do love the imagination that takes place to make all of the experiences memorable.

With #oscarssowhite trending again, a lot of people were surprised at the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations line-up – what are your thoughts on this?
The main thing about films nominated by the Oscars is that they only get there because the studios push for them with various campaigns. The more money thrown behind a film, the more likely it is to make it through to the nominations. Things are only going to change over time as the old guard retires and new blood is brought in. We can all help by going to see many of the smaller films at the cinema. It is called the movie business for a reason and at the end of the day, studios will listen to the box office. We need to support the filmmakers we love and admire and make sure they get a chance to make more films. I think more people need to go out and make more movies and go and see more movies.

Do you agree with Martin Scorsese’s take on superhero movies?
I can understand his point about some of these comic book blockbusters taking out so many cinema screens on their release. However, I do feel they are still cinema, as is any film that you go out and see. Sometimes you need the light popcorn movie, other times you want a meaty drama, a screwball comedy and so on. Ever since cinema began there have been cycles of film types that do gangbusters at the box office. Gangster movies, gritty crime thrillers, westerns, sci-fi etc. and comic book movies are just another genre in the never-ending cycle. They will eventually decline in popularity and something else will take over.

Favourite three films of all time?
Rear Window, Jaws and John Carpenter’s The Thing.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
I share the news on various movies, review books, films, gadgets and more that PRs send over and basically build relationships with them. Sometimes it can be as simple as being sent something through the post which I tweet about, or a press release about a new film. Other times it can be a full feature on the site. This is all usually done via email and social media, but can involve meetings face-to-face.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
Emailing is usually the best way to get in touch, but messages via social media also work.

What other blogs do you read (whether film-related or not)?
When I am not working, I usually just check out art or cookery blogs. Never really any particular site.

‘I feel like blogging opens me up to a world where I get to discover so many things, and sharing that journey of discovery is great,’ says Elle Linton of Keep it simpElle.

Read about the highs (tight knit community) and lows (thigh gap trend) of the fitness community and where Elle hopes to see improvement in 2020.

How did you get started with blogging about fitness?
After graduating from University (in Exercise Science) I found myself in a sport-related desk job. I was lucky enough to have a colleague who was active and encouraged me to take part in a project where I would be teaching fitness classes. That project grew and from it came the opportunity to be involved with various fitness events centred around the London 2012 Olympics. There was so much going on, I needed a way to share it all and hopefully get others inspired to get involved, so I started my blog.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your blog?
Personally, I love the variety that blogging brings and I enjoy creating all the content that I share. My main goal is to ensure the content is useful and has longevity so that gives me lots of room for creativeness. I feel like blogging opens me up to a world where I get to discover so many things and sharing that journey of discovery is great – be it the latest fitness technology, a new event or the latest superfood.

What are your tips for getting back into an exercise routine after the festive season?
I would say it’s pretty much like getting back to exercise at any point in time; starting a fitness routine from what probably feels like scratch can be difficult. The hardest part is starting so take that first step, be it booking into class with a friend for extra accountability or signing up for Parkrun or a Breeze ride. Once it’s done, you’ll be more motivated for your next workout. My other suggestions would be to make small changes, one at a time and to set yourself a goal with enough time to make success more likely.

What makes the fitness blogging community different (and better!) than others?
The fitness blogging community is a small world! Although I enjoy being a part of it, like most other industries it does have its flaws especially when it comes to diversity. I’d like to think, though, that brands and PRs working in fitness would want to be leaders in championing diversity and inclusion so I’m excited to see the landscape grow and change over 2020 to welcome a more diverse community.

Weirdest fitness trend you’ve tried/heard about?
I’m not one for trying trends, but I have seen a fair few things floating around on Pinterest and Facebook! The hip exerciser tool which promises to create a thigh gap and give you buns of steel has to be the winner for weirdest fitness trend, though! I’ve also seen resistance bands seem to be growing in popularity… I’ll be giving them a second chance in 2020!

What are the best songs to have on your iPod to get you fired up to work out?
If there is one thing I pride myself on when teaching, it’s always having a banging playlist! Here are a few of my current favourite tunes:

• Megan Thee Stallion, Big Ole Freak
• Lizzo, Tempo ft Missy Elliot
• Billie Eilish, Bad Guy ft Justin Bieber

Who are your fitness inspirations?
My biggest inspirations come from day-to-day life rather than looking to professional athletes. I’m a big fan of @laurabiceps, who is a London-based fitness coach specialising in strength training. I get a lot of running inspiration from people I know and follow on Instagram like @livdmc and @megerecooper. Cycling is pretty similar too… there are so many inspiring women out there including @anneleenbosma, @holly_seear and @ayesuppose whose journeys I follow avidly.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
I’ve really enjoyed working with brands and PRs over the years especially as influencer marketing has evolved. I’m always open to ideas, especially ones that can be tweaked to fit my brand and audience better. I created a page on my blog to share my media kit and upcoming editorial themes so any brand or PR can see what I have coming up and if they have an idea to work together they can easily get in touch.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog, how would you prefer they approach you?
Email is definitely the easiest way; personalising it goes a long way, too. Direct messages on platforms like Instagram and Twitter can easily get filtered or just lost in the build-up meaning I won’t see them or respond as quickly. I’m always happy to chat on the phone, too.

What other blogs do you read (whether fitness-related or not)?
Currently I’ve been enjoying katykicker.com for finance related tips, thecuriouspixie.co.uk for travel inspiration and thephdrunner.com for running.