Courses

Learn to play the complete fingerstyle guitar arrangement of Scott Joplin's classic ragtime piece "The Entertainer" in this comprehensive tutorial. Master the intricate fingerpicking patterns, chord progressions, and melodic lines that bring this iconic composition to life on the guitar. Follow along with the provided TAB and step-by-step instruction to develop your fingerstyle technique and expand your repertoire. Suitable for intermediate to advanced guitarists, this lesson offers a challenging and rewarding learning experience that will enhance your fingerpicking skills and musicality.

Explore casting insights and actor career advice in this 44-minute podcast interview with casting director and author Bonnie Gillespie. Gain valuable perspectives on overcoming 'Bitter Actor Syndrome,' attracting high-profile talent to projects, and avoiding common casting mistakes made by directors. Learn why Gillespie advocates for actors to self-produce and discover strategies for building a successful acting career. Delve into topics such as living your dream, handling ego-crushing blows, networking effectively, and preparing yourself for the industry. Originally aired in August 2010, this interview offers timeless wisdom for actors, directors, and anyone interested in the casting process.

Explore the foundations of actor-critic methods in reinforcement learning through this comprehensive 35-minute lecture. Delve into key concepts such as the Stochastic Gradient Policy Theorem, REINFORCE Algorithm with baseline, and Temporal Difference updates. Examine performance comparisons and gain insights into advanced techniques like Advantage Actor Critic (A2C), Continuous Actions, and Deterministic Policy Gradient (DPG). Enhance your understanding of reinforcement learning algorithms and their applications in this informative session led by Pascal Poupart.

Explore a revealing Security BSides London conference talk that delves into the operational methods of 96 different threat actors who inadvertently exposed their systems through open directories. Learn how these actors, ranging from script kiddies to alleged Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), unintentionally provided unprecedented access to their command histories, system configurations, source code, and detailed log files. Gain valuable insights into threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) through direct examination of their operational data rather than post-incident analysis. Discover accurate geolocation data, targeting patterns, tool preferences, and command execution patterns that provide a unique window into threat actor behaviors and methodologies.

Whether you're an actor in film, TV or theater or you're a voice-over actor who does Audio Books, Interactive Games or Commercials, being able to do a credible accent is imperative to your career.TO DO ANY ACCENT - YOU MUST LEARN THE RELATIONSHIP OF ACCENTS. THIS IS KEY. Find the process of learning any accent.Here is something else to ask yourself - Are your accents married to specific characters.. or are they accents that you can put on ANY character that you play. Even as yourself?What do you do when you are required to do a nondescript "European accent?!" What is the difference between an accent and a dialect?! What do you do if your audition requires several accents - "Can you do really do that and not get laughed at?!!!It is important to learn the RELATIONSHIP of accents. If you need to learn an accent - you need to learn the default underneath - usually British - and relative accents as well. This solidifies your accents to authenticity.Many actors who barely grasp the fundamental features of a particular accent and yet sincerely believe they know it inside and out. HELP!!Actor Paul Liberti is here to help you do just that as he's been teaching his unique style of acting for Voice Actors and has taught in New York City and nationally! For four weeks, you'll work on:Accent Study with Exercises and samples and demonstrations and instruction.How to create a dialect in a short amount of time with authenticity.We will be working on all accents and their relations to the ones around them … but this class will work - specifically:Week 1 - English/CockneyWeek 2 - Irish/ScottishWeek 3 - FrenchWeek 4 - ItalianIt will be a concentrated 4 week class! -How Lilts can effect an accent and specifics to notice -Learning and hearing accents with audio samples from movies, and Internet and youtube sources.Don't miss this exciting 4 Week class!Please follow the procedures listed below:Arrive at least 10 MINUTES before your event is slated to start. Your host will give important information about the event at this time.Instructions and the ZOOM link for access to this online event will be emailed to you in advance. If you have not received the link by 12pm (EST) the day-of the event, please reach out to [email protected] at least one hour PRIOR to the start of class.

Explore a comprehensive conference talk that delves into the practical implementation of the Actor Model in software development. Learn from a senior consultant with over 30 years of programming experience as he shares 10 valuable lessons gained from deploying an actor model-based system in production. Discover the advantages of choosing the actor model, challenges encountered, and insights on potential improvements. Gain knowledge about topics such as reliable messaging, idempotency, domain-driven design, and CQRS within the context of actor-based systems. Follow along with code examples and real-world applications to understand how these lessons can be applied to your own projects. Whether you're considering adopting the actor model or looking to optimize your existing implementation, this talk provides essential insights for building robust, scalable, and maintainable software systems.

Discover the inspiring journey of a stand-up comedian, actor, and voice artist in this 24-minute TEDx talk. Learn how a former PVR employee transformed his life to become a successful entertainer, performing in over 2000 shows and making his Bollywood debut. Gain insights into the power of perseverance, everyday observations, and quick wit as the speaker shares his experiences and the importance of enjoying the process while pursuing your dreams. Explore how winning a comedy competition led to rising popularity and diverse opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Explore a simple procedural workflow for converting TyActor meshes into cloth in 3ds Max and TyFlow. Learn how to deform meshes while maintaining actor animations, enabling creative concepts like inflating parts of an actor's mesh or breaking it into simulated fractures and slices. Discover techniques for transforming animated meshes into PhysX shapes, opening up possibilities for unique and dynamic visual effects. Gain insights into advanced 3D animation workflows and expand your skillset in creating engaging, physics-based simulations for various applications in 3D design and animation.

Explore the Actor Model's role in orchestrating complex applications through this 33-minute JSConf talk. Discover how this time-tested concept organizes tasks, facilitates effective communication between components, and maintains isolation to prevent errors. Gain practical insights through visual demonstrations showcasing the Actor Model's utility in frontend, backend, and full-stack development. Learn from David Khourshid, founder of Stately.ai and former Microsoft engineer, as he shares his expertise in state machines, animations, and innovative user interfaces. Understand how to structure your code for optimal performance and maintainability using the Actor Model paradigm.

Explore Adam Driver's inspiring journey from United States Marine to acclaimed actor in this 18-minute TED Talk. Discover the motivations behind his decision to join the Marines, the challenges he faced transitioning from military to civilian life, and his passion for bringing theater to the armed forces through his nonprofit, Arts in the Armed Forces. Gain insight into Driver's belief that self-expression is as valuable as traditional military skills. The talk concludes with a powerful performance of Marco Ramirez's "I am not Batman" by Jesse J. Perez and Matt Johnson, showcasing the impact of theater in military contexts. Learn how the arts can play a crucial role in supporting service members and veterans.

Discover the essence of an actor's true talent in this insightful TEDx talk by renowned Egyptian actor Hazem Ehab. Explore the multifaceted nature of acting, going beyond memorizing lines and performing actions to delve into the art of authentically portraying characters. Learn how skilled actors connect deeply with their roles, drawing from personal experiences to create compelling performances. Gain valuable insights into the importance of conveying complex emotions through facial expressions, body language, and vocal nuances. Understand the additional skills required for success in the acting profession, including adaptability, resilience, and teamwork. Follow Hazem Ehab's personal journey in the entertainment industry as he shares his experiences from SNL to award-winning performances in Egyptian cinema and television. Uncover the secrets to finding your acting talent and launching a successful career in this field, as Ehab provides practical advice and inspiration for aspiring actors.

Learn how to get the best performances from your actors—professional and non-professional alike. Get tips for casting talent, rehearsing scenes, and directing actors on set.

Discover insights from a multi-talented entertainer in this TEDx talk. Explore the journey of Rehman Khan, an actor, writer, theatre enthusiast, and acclaimed stand-up comedian known for his work on popular Indian television shows and digital platforms. Learn about embracing challenges and pursuing diverse creative endeavors as Khan shares his experiences from over 20 television shows, millions of YouTube views, and more than 2000 live performances worldwide. Gain inspiration from one of India's busiest comedians as he discusses his career, including his time on The Kapil Sharma Show and his humorous encounters with being mistaken for AR Rahman.

Explore the power of humor as a tool for positivity in this engaging TEDx talk by Bosskey, a multi-talented entertainer. Discover how laughter can inject joy, levity, and optimism into daily life, making it richer and more fulfilling. Learn why happiness is a key component of success and how embracing humor can lead to a more enjoyable existence. Gain insights from Bosskey's diverse experiences as an actor, radio jockey, cricketer, commentator, stand-up comedian, and film critic, and understand how his extensive background in entertainment informs his perspective on the importance of humor in our lives.

Explore the critical aspects of profiling malicious actors in cybersecurity through this insightful conference talk from Security BSides London. Delve into the fundamentals of profiling, its significance in the security landscape, and examine real-world examples. Gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts such as the Cyber Kill Chain and Diamond Model. Learn about practical frameworks and tools, including spreadsheets and graphs, to enhance your profiling skills. Analyze the big picture of threat actor behavior while also considering potential flaws in profiling methodologies. Equip yourself with valuable knowledge to strengthen your organization's cybersecurity posture and better anticipate and mitigate potential threats.

Explore the innovative Actix-Telepathy extension for Rust's Actix library in this 25-minute conference talk from REBLS 2023. Dive into the world of distributed computing and actor programming as presenters Phillip Wenig and Thorsten Papenbrock introduce a framework that enables remote messaging and clustering support for Rust applications. Learn how Actix-Telepathy allows developers to set up remote actors communicating across computer networks using a straightforward interface. Discover how this extension competes with popular actor libraries like Scala's Akka in terms of remote messaging performance and memory consumption. Gain insights into the actor programming model's benefits for concurrent and distributed application development, and see how Rust's efficient memory management is leveraged in this context.

Explore techniques for detecting and defending against state-sponsored surveillance in this 18-minute OWASP Foundation conference talk. Analyze recently leaked secret documents revealing technological spying methods employed by well-funded state actors. Learn about alleged surveillance bugs, their potential workings, and compile effective defense and detection strategies. Discover methods for preventing and detecting RF bugs, identifying data exfiltration attempts, and recognizing persistent compromise devices. Examine software exploits, BIOS/firmware/CF card hacks, WiFi device vulnerabilities, and cell phone bugs. Gain insights into critical thinking approaches for addressing targeted surveillance by state-sponsored spy agencies, and access further reading materials and sources for continued learning.

Learn how security researchers and academics are being targeted by a sophisticated threat actor through this DEF CON 33 conference talk. Discover the operations of MUT-1244, a newly uncovered threat actor that exploits trust in open-source tools and research environments by distributing trojanized proof-of-concept exploits and fake software updates specifically targeting security professionals, red teamers, and academics. Explore the investigation that revealed over 390,000 leaked credentials exfiltrated by MUT-1244 from a compromised actor, demonstrating the massive scale of their operations. Examine the technical details of MUT-1244's campaigns, including their use of fake GitHub profiles to distribute malicious tools and updates. Understand the OSINT methodology used to map the threat actor's infrastructure and tactics, along with attribution findings that help identify their operations. Gain insights into detection strategies for identifying this type of activity in your environment and learn from the speakers' discovery process of how they uncovered the extensive credential theft operation. Understand how traditional security measures like patching vulnerabilities, sandboxing malware, and avoiding suspicious links may not protect against threats that exploit the very research tools and environments security professionals rely on daily.

Looking to advance your acting skills? This class focuses on character development and creating an emotional connection with the dialogue. Students’ scene work will come from actual scripts from TV, film, and theater. Expand your understanding of various acting techniques, including Meisner, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, etc. Plus, hear from guest speakers from the entertainment industry, and learn how to create a self-tape that will book you the job!This class is recommended for students who have taken our Acting for Beginners course or have acting experience. Students who have previously taken Acting for Beginners, Level 2 are highly encouraged to take the class again to continue growing in their craft!

Explore a comprehensive analysis of Fangxiao, a Chinese phishing threat actor, in this informative conference talk presented by Emily Dennison and Alana Witten at Security BSides London. Delve into the tactics, techniques, and procedures employed by this sophisticated cybercriminal group, gaining valuable insights into their phishing campaigns and attack methodologies. Learn about the latest trends in Chinese cyber threats, understand the potential impact on organizations, and discover effective strategies to protect against Fangxiao's malicious activities. Enhance your cybersecurity knowledge and stay ahead of evolving threats in this engaging 14-minute presentation.