Category Archives: Entertainment

Entertainment

5 Ways To Make Your Own Animated GIFs

hand drawing a GIF text azrin_aziri/Shutterstock

You’re messaging your good friend, they usually simply instructed you the juiciest gossip you’ve got ever heard. It’s so completely stunning that phrases merely will not reduce it. So what do you do as a substitute? You ship a GIF of Chris Pratt’s iconic stunned expression (from that one scene in “Parks and Recreation”), and it completely conveys your shock with out typing a single phrase or needing to movie a response video. That’s the fantastic thing about GIFs — they will simply get the message throughout with out a lot of a trouble. Besides messaging, GIFs are additionally nice for different use circumstances like giving aptitude to your in any other case static and boring presentation or serving as a enjoyable social media put up saying your small enterprise’s new opening hours.

While the net is loaded with GIFs for almost each temper or second, typically you simply will not discover the precise expression in your state of affairs. That’s the place making your personal GIF can come in useful. We’ll stroll you thru 5 methods to create a customized animated GIF utilizing Photoshop and Photoshop alternatives like GIMP and Canva.

Using Photoshop

When it involves modifying photographs, Photoshop is likely one of the high software program of alternative. However, you too can use it to show your movies or photographs into GIFs. To make an animated GIF in Photoshop, this is what it is advisable do:

  1. Create a brand new file in Photoshop.
  2. If utilizing a video:
    1. Drag and drop your video file into Photoshop.
    2. (Optional) Change the dimensions through Image > Image Size. Adjust the width and peak to your most well-liked dimensions. Then, press OK. When prompted to rework the video layer to a wise object layer, choose Convert.
    3. (Optional) Trim the video down by adjusting the beginning and endpoints of the video within the Timeline window.
    4. Press the play button on the Timeline window to preview the video.
  3. If utilizing photographs:
    1. Import your photographs as separate layers through File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack. In the Load Layers dialog field, press Browse and select the photographs you want in your GIF. Hit OK to verify.
    2. Navigate to Window > Timeline.
    3. Press the Create Frame Animation button within the Timeline window that opens.
    4. Still within the Timeline window, choose the hamburger menu on the top-right.
    5. Enable Make Frames From Layers.
    6. Change the time every body is displayed by clicking on “0 sec.” beneath every body within the Timeline window and setting it to your required length.
    7. (Optional) Drag and drop the frames to rearrange them.
  4. To save your GIF, navigate to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). In the Save for Web dialog field, make sure that GIF is chosen (discovered on the high) and Looping Options is about to Forever (situated on the backside) earlier than hitting Save.

Using GIMP

editing sunflower field in GIMP Marinel Sigue/SlashGear

GIMP is a standout alternative for these in want of superior photo-editing capabilities however with out the hefty Photoshop price ticket. And identical to Photoshop, GIMP lets you make a customized GIF. Follow these steps to take action:

  1. Open your photographs in GIMP by going to File > Open as Layers and choosing all the photographs you will be utilizing.
  2. Drag the layers to rearrange your photographs within the desired order, with the highest layer showing first in your GIF.
  3. If needed, alter subsequent layers to make sure a easy transition from the primary layer.
  4. Rename every layer within the Layers panel to incorporate the body length you need in parentheses. That means the primary layer will be “frame 1(500ms)” and the second layer “frame 2(300ms).”
  5. To verify your animation, navigate to Filters > Animation > Playback, then click on the play button.
  6. Reduce your picture’s file measurement by choosing Filters > Animation > Optimize (for GIF).
  7. Go to File > Export As.
  8. Press Select File Type.
  9. Choose GIF picture from the choices.
  10. Hit Export.
  11. In the Export Image as GIF dialog field, allow As animation and Loop eternally.
  12. If you did not set body durations earlier, specify your required delay in “Delay between frames where unspecified.” Check “Use delay entered above for all frames” for uniform timing.
  13. For “Frame disposal where unspecified,” choose “One frame per layer (replace)” and guarantee “Use disposal entered above for all frames” is enabled.
  14. Click Export to save lots of your customized GIF.

Using Canva

saving video as GIF in Canva Marinel Sigue/SlashGear

One thing you probably didn’t realize you can do in Canva is make animated GIFs. Here’s how:

  1. Log into Canva if you have not already.
  2. Click on Create a design on the high.
  3. Search for “animated social media” if you would like a sq. GIF or “video” if you would like a panorama rectangle GIF.
  4. To flip a video right into a GIF:
    1. Upload your video to Canva. Alternatively, choose one from Elements > Videos or Design > Templates.
    2. Drag and drop the video onto your empty web page.
    3. Adjust the place as needed.
    4. (Optional) Increase the playback velocity by choosing Playback on the high and altering the Video velocity.
    5. Shorten your video to the specified size by dragging the perimeters of the video. Free accounts can obtain as much as one-minute GIFs and paid accounts as much as two-minute GIFs, however usually, brief five-second GIFs work greatest.
    6. (Optional) Add a textual content and animate it.
  5. To flip photographs right into a GIF:
    1. Upload the photographs you wish to use.
    2. Place every picture on a separate web page.
    3. Adjust the place and measurement as wanted.
    4. Click on the time indicator on the high.
    5. Set it to at least one second per web page.
    6. Turn on Apply to all pages.
  6. To flip a design made from Canva components right into a GIF:
    1. Add any components you want. Animated stickers are greatest, however you too can use static graphics.
    2. Adjust the GIF length by clicking on the time on the high and coming into your most well-liked time.
    3. To animate your entire web page, choose the Animate button and select your fashion.
  7. Download your creation by choosing Share > Download, altering the File sort to GIF, and urgent the Download button.

Using PowerPoint

editing sunflower field in PowerPoint Marinel Sigue/SlashGear

Aside from serving to you make shows in your boss or college, PowerPoint can also be a surprisingly useful gizmo for creating GIFs. Here’s a step-by-step information to turning your PowerPoint slides into animated GIFs:

  1. Start with a clean presentation.
  2. Change the slide measurement by going to Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size. Adjust the width and peak to your liking.
  3. Using a video:
    1. Go to the Insert tab.
    2. Select Media on the far proper of the ribbon.
    3. Choose Video > This Device.
    4. Position the video in your slide.
    5. (Optional) Use the Video Format tab to regulate the video’s measurement, border, form, coloration, and brightness.
    6. (Optional) Trim the video or add a fade length by choosing the video and clicking the Playback tab that seems on the high.
    7. To save your presentation as a GIF, navigate to File > Save as. Choose the vacation spot and ensure to vary the file sort from PPTX to Animated GIF Format.
  4. Using photographs:
    1. Upload your photographs to PowerPoint from Insert > Pictures > This Device.
    2. Place a unique picture on every slide for a sequence or use only one and animate it. To animate your picture, head to the Animations tab and decide your impact. Adjust the Duration and Delay based mostly in your preferences. Hit the Preview button to take a look at how your animation seems.
    3. (Optional) Add an animated textual content through Insert > Text Box. Type in your textual content and alter the font, measurement, coloration, spotlight, background, and alignment within the Home tab. Then, go to Animations and apply your impact of alternative.
    4. To save as a GIF, go to File > Export > Create an Animated GIF. Choose the standard, set the time per slide, determine which slides to incorporate, and if wanted, make the background clear. Hit Create GIF.

Using GIPHY

editing video in GIPHY Marinel Sigue/SlashGear

GIPHY is most individuals’s go-to database for ready-to-use GIFs, nevertheless it additionally comes full with a nifty GIF maker must you wish to create your personal. Follow these steps to make use of it:

  1. Head over to the GIPHY Create page.
  2. Sign up for a free account if you do not have one already.
  3. In the GIF part, click on on Choose File. You can use JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MOV, or WebM codecs.
  4. For movies:
    1. Trim your video by dragging the perimeters or coming into the beginning and finish timestamps. Do be aware that you could make GIFs for as much as 30 seconds solely.
    2. Hit the “Continue to Create” button.
    3. (Optional) Decorate your GIF with a textual content, sticker, or filter.
    4. (Optional) Switch the Loop Type to Reverse to reverse the video.
    5. Adjust the GIF’s measurement as needed.
  5. For photographs:
    1. Transform your static picture right into a GIF by including an animated sticker. Select Sticker (folded circle icon), seek for the sticker you wish to use, and click on on it to position it in your picture.
    2. (Optional) Add a textual content by clicking on the Aa icon. Type in your caption and alter the font fashion, coloration, define, and alignment.
    3. (Optional) Apply a filter for further visible enchantment.
    4. Change the facet ratio of the picture as wanted.
  6. Once you are proud of the customized GIF, press Download on the backside to put it aside to your system.
Entertainment

Here’s What Happened To Lisa Kelly From ‘Ice Road Truckers’

Many followers might surprise if “Ice Road Truckers” will ever return to the small display, and if that have been to occur, would Lisa Kelly be within the forged? It’s no secret that issues on the History Channel sequence weren’t at all times glamorous for Kelly. In 2018, the fact star mentioned in an eye-opening interview with Heavy Duty Trucking that she was advised she was solely employed to be “eye candy” and did not receives a commission by the present for the primary few years. Even although issues bought off to a tough begin, Kelly and the sequence each have come a great distance since their humble beginnings, and she will’t consider it lasted so long as it did. “I don’t know how it went so long. I’m just pleasantly surprised,” she mentioned within the interview. “‘Friends’ was on for 10 seasons, you know?”

While the expertise has clearly had its ups and downs, Kelly hopes this system hasn’t aired its final episode, and it appears she is not against being part of it if it returns. In truth, when she was requested about what is going on on with “Ice Road Truckers” when speaking with Overdrive in 2021, Kelly mentioned, “The show’s been on hiatus for a while and I wish it would come back and I know there’s been talk of it but I feel like this whole COVID thing kind of put a stop on everything which sucks, so I don’t know.” So if a brand new season ever does occur and Kelly will get the decision, it is secure to imagine she may be again behind the wheel and in entrance of the cameras once more.

Entertainment, Technology

‘Despicable Me 4’ Super Bowl Ad Pokes Fun At AI For All The Right Reasons

The advert — which builds on the upcoming “Despicable Me 4 – Minion Intelligence” movie — appears to make use of the yellow aliens as a prop to depict a not-particularly-intelligent artist who’s proud of AI-generated paintings. It may sound shocking, however Marvel, of all establishments, used AI-generated artwork in the credits sequence of its TV show and deservedly received loads of flak for it.

Over the previous few generations, AI paintings has improved dramatically. But it nonetheless can not seem to repair its most blatant errors, similar to unnaturally contorting the digits, getting the iris mistaken, and even merging human pores and skin with meals. Take for instance the picture beneath, which is generated utilizing the newest Gemini 1.0 mannequin by Google on the Pixel 8 Pro.

Image created with Google GeminiNadeem Sarwar/SlashGear

For now, it looks like a parlor trick for some digital enjoyable. We lately sat with a MediaTek govt and requested in the event that they see any sensible objective for text-to-image era on smartphones, and so they mentioned it is only for including some shade to chats and social media in the intervening time. But some optimistic strides are additionally being made. In January 2024, SAG-AFTRA secured a deal that may enable artists to license their voice in order that AI can generate content material based mostly on it. Not too way back, some studios reportedly tried to coax artists into signing a deal that allowed them to make use of their voices for future content material with none truthful compensation. 

Entertainment

Pluto TV’s Couch Potato Ad Is One Of Super Bowl 2024’s Funniest Commercials

As you’d count on, Pluto TV is simply one of many services that fall throughout the FAST class — it’s joined by related choices like Amazon’s Freevee, Roku’s “The Roku Channel,” Sling TV’s free variant referred to as Freestream, and related. FAST providers are distinct from choices like on-demand Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video as a result of means they’re made financially viable: they usually supply content material sorted into “channels” that every have their very own themes, akin to comedy or drama. Users get an expertise just like watching dwell TV, and that features common advert breaks that may’t be skipped.

That’s just like paid live streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV, which fall below the over-the-top (OTT) class. The massive distinction there may be that OTT providers supply entry to the newest episodes and exhibits, whereas FAST providers like Pluto TV typically characteristic episodes from older seasons, basic exhibits, and getting old films. 

Entertainment

How To Access Your 2023 TikTook Wrapped Stats

Now you could have your JSON file, you are good to go. Launch your browser, go to the Wrapped for TikTok website, and select Select file to open your gadget’s file supervisor. Find your TikTook knowledge JSON file from there and add it to the web site.

The web site will course of your knowledge when you add it. When it is prepared, you will have the choice to register to your Spotify account so you’ll be able to hearken to some music whereas rolling your stats. As a facet word, it should play solely samples if you do not have a Spotify Premium account. Go again after logging in (you will have to re-upload your JSON file). After it is finished processing your TikTook info, click on Show me! to start out the animation.

You’ll see how lengthy you’ve got spent on TikTook, how lengthy your common classes final, how a lot you work together with feedback, what number of movies you’ve got watched, and lots of different attention-grabbing information about your TikTook conduct and persona. It can even tease you with how a lot time you’ve got spent on the app.

After the animation is over, you will be introduced with an extended record of stats you’ll be able to flick through. Unfortunately, you’ll be able to’t share the animation with out making a display screen recording. But, you’ll be able to scroll to the underside and use the share button to share a picture snippet of your stats.

Entertainment

5 VHS Tapes Worth Way More Than You’d Think

It’s in all probability no shock to seek out one thing from “Star Wars” on the record, not to mention as the most costly entry. It is a particularly widespread sequence value billions at this level, in spite of everything. Technically talking, this version of “A New Hope” offered for $95,000, which was the successful closing bid, however ended up at $114,000 as a result of Buyer’s Premium price. Either approach, it is nonetheless fairly the worth for the film that kicked off a decades-long franchise.

Before you get too excited, know that this explicit version of the unique “Star Wars” was one of many unique 1982 “big box” releases, nonetheless sealed and sporting its unique studio brand (on this case, Twentieth Century Fox) watermarks. It’s additionally supposedly one among 27 recognized variations, making it exceptionally uncommon. It was additionally graded at an total 8.0 and an A- seal ranking by Beckett Collectibles.

The odds of getting a maintain of an analogous VHS model of “A New Hope” is probably not 3,720 to 1 (in both course), however you in all probability have a greater likelihood of hitting a two-meter-wide thermal exhaust port from a shifting snub fighter.

Entertainment, News, Technology

Mark Cuban Will Exit ABC Hit Series ‘Shark Tank’ After Season 16

Mark Cuban, known as one of the prominent sharks on “Shark Tank,” has decided to step away from the show after the upcoming 16th season. The billionaire entrepreneur has cited his various other commitments as the reason for his departure, expressing that leaving the show will allow him more time to focus on his other business ventures. Earlier this year, Cuban launched Cost Plus Drugs, a public benefit corporation aimed at reducing pharmaceutical prices for consumers by providing lower costs for generic drugs. Managing this venture, along with his business partner Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, has become a significant demand on Cuban’s time and energy, as reported by the Harvard Political Review.

In a statement to Inc., Cuban mentioned that his main reason for leaving “Shark Tank” was to prioritize spending time with his family. He emphasized that with children ages 14, 17, and 20, he wants to maximize the summers and cherish family moments before his children become more independent. Although there is one more season left for Cuban on “Shark Tank,” fans will have the opportunity to see him in action before his departure.

Entertainment, News

Crunchyroll Challenges Netflix With Mobile Games: Here Are The Included Titles

Crunchyroll’s new mobile game service is launching with five titles that align with the platform’s Anime and East Asian focus. The initial games available are: “River City Girls,” “Wolfstride,” “Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery,” “inbento,” and “Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions.”

Making its mobile debut, “River City Girls” is an action-packed beat-em-up game featuring characters from the “River City” and “Double Dragon” franchises. The game supports local two-player co-op with Bluetooth controllers. Another exclusive mobile debut for Crunchyroll is “Wolfstride,” an RPG that centers around a giant mecha tournament and former Yakuza members.

“Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery” is an indie game that offers a more tranquil experience, classified as a visual novel. Players solve puzzles and use painting brush strokes to control the game and explore mesmerizing panoramic worlds inspired by Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli visuals. The charming puzzle game “inbento” features cute cats and bento cuisine, offering more than 120 levels to enjoy. Lastly, “Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions” is a tactical action game set in the imagination of a young boy named Damien. The game includes characters from the popular online manga publication Shōnen Jump+.

Android users can now dive into any of these games and enjoy playing. And if they ever want a break, they can easily go back to streaming Crunchyroll’s media content.

Entertainment

Google encourages Play Store users to vote for their favorite Android apps in 2023

In the games category, the Users’ Choice awards are expected to be highly competitive. One game that might influence the voters’ decision is “Street Fighter Duel – Idle RPG” by Crunchyroll Games. This strategy-based team fight game features popular characters like Ken, Ryu, and Chun Li from the well-known “Street Fighter” franchise. The latest installment of the franchise, “Street Fighter 6,” was also released earlier this year.

“Mighty Doom,” a mobile-friendly adaptation of the iconic “Doom” franchise by Bethesda, offers players a third-person kill-em-all experience. In this highly-rated game, players assume the role of the chainsaw-wielding protagonist known as the “Doomslayer” as they battle hordes of hellspawn.

Another strong contender is EA’s “The Lord of the Rings: Heroes,” which brings Tolkien’s fantasy world to life on mobile screens. However, the game’s reputation has been somewhat tarnished due to aggressive microtransactions. The remaining game contenders for the Users’ Choice award are “Aether Gazer,” “Arena Breakout,” “Cat Snack Bar: Cat Food Tycoon,” “Farlight 84,” “Honkai: Star Rail,” “MONOPOLY GO!,” and “Viking Rise.”

Entertainment, News, Technology

Netflix Raises Prices for Basic and Premium Subscribers

In its quarterly earnings report, Netflix reassures shareholders that its starting price of $6.99 per month in the US is competitive compared to other streaming services. The company highlights that this is even lower than the average price of a single movie ticket. However, it remains to be seen if this reasoning will be enough to retain subscribers. Netflix has faced criticism for frequently canceling its original shows after just a few seasons, much to the disappointment of many viewers.

In addition to its own reputation, Netflix also confronts the challenge of a fragmented streaming industry. In the early days, Netflix offered a vast catalog of popular third-party content. However, this is no longer the case as numerous streaming services now vie for consumers’ entertainment budgets. With prices increasing across the board, some users have expressed frustration that their monthly streaming expenditure rivals that of their previous cable bills, prompting a number of cord-cutters to return to piracy.