Tips For Jump Starting a Career in Production Design

Most people who watch a movie only see the actors and assume that where ever the film was shot was already in place. However; what they don't realize is that without exception the set was created to fit the needs of the production. The work is all done by production designers who specialize in creating the illusion of reality.

Production Design in it's Varied Forms

It can be anything from a coffee shop in New York to the interior of a space craft on a science fiction movie set, so a skilled production designer must be familiar with a wide range of materials and processes to use in production design.

Learning to Work With Others

Also, most people don't realize that production design is almost without acception, a collaborative effort. That is that if you are a production designer on a movie set you will be working with other production designers on the complete project. There is just too much work to be done and so little time to do it in for one person to take on the whole task.

Formal Training is a Necessity

The best place to get a real start in production design is in a design academy. A good production design academy will teach you all the basics that you need and then actually take you through the steps of creating a variety of different movie sets.

Building a Track Record

This is important, because regardless of your natural skill level, you are going to have to have some documented prior experience before you can approach a legitimate design company for employment. So, preparation is truly key to getting started with a career in production design.

Art Studies Can Only Help

However; until you are actually ready to start in with a private production design academy, there are a few things that you can do to hone your skills. Art classes at your local high school or community college are a great source of information and the things that you learn there you will carry with you into a formal design academy.

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Worker Classification Investigations Gain Momentum

Currently, one of the fastest growing areas of litigation, including class action suits, is in the proper classification of workers as either employees or Independent Contractors. The dictionary defines an Independent Contractor as "a person who contracts to do work for another person according to his or her own processes and methods; the contractor is not subject to another's control except for what is specified in a mutually binding agreement for a specific job." Misclassifying a worker as an Independent Contractor can have far reaching implications including high dollar liabilities.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has very strict criteria for determining the Independent Contractor vs. Employee status that has been in place for many years (discussed later in this article). Federal Express has been a poster child for this issue, owing the IRS $319 million in back taxes. In a suit filed against Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, the proposed class is seeking $200 million for misclassified workers.

At the federal level, the IRS is in the midst of a misclassification crackdown. It is important to note that on the Federal level there has been previously proposed federal legislation - the Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act - that is expected to be revisited by Congress. This act imposes strict penalties on employers for worker misclassification. A brief summary of the act is below;

Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007 - Amends the Revenue Act of 1978 to: (1) require employers to treat workers misclassified as independent contractors as employees for employment tax purposes upon a determination of misclassification by the Secretary of the Treasury; (2) repeal the ban on Treasury regulations or revenue rulings on employee/independent contractor classifications; and (3) eliminate the defense of industry practice as a justification for misclassifying workers as independent contractors.

In addition to the Federal Act discussed above, many states have current or pending legislation of a similar nature. Some examples are:

Illinois: Enacted The Illinois Employee Classification Act effective January 1, 2008, which imposes harsh civil and criminal penalties for misclassification of workers. Colorado: Enacted H.B.1310 in June 2009. Imposes penalties up to $5,000.00 per employee for a first offense & up to $25,000.00 per employee for subsequent violations for misclassified workers. Maryland has instituted the Workplace Fraud Act effective October 2009. You might be wondering at this point: what's the big deal is if a worker is classified as an Independent Contractor or an employee? Workers that are misclassified as independent contractors are denied many protections afforded to employees including, but not limited to, wage & hour laws, benefits (including workers compensation and unemployment insurance payments), and protection under non-discrimination laws.

Thomas E. Perez, Secretary of Maryland, offered this quote on regarding Maryland's Workplace Fraud Act, "This new law will ensure that employers who attempt to cheat the system, their workers and their competitors, will pay a steep price for their actions. It should send a message that we will be fair to those employers who are trying to play by the rules, but we will not tolerate flagrant and intentional violations of the law for personal gain."

Both the federal and state governments are recognizing that in many cases employers intentionally misclassify workers as Independent Contractors in order to avoid payroll tax liabilities, workers compensation premiums, and/or wage & overtime responsibilities on these workers. The IRS estimates that the federal lost tax revenue for misclassified workers as $3 - $5 billion (yes, billion) dollars per year. It is estimated that 7 - 15% of workers are misclassified as Independent Contractors.

As you can imagine, there are many federal and state entities that have an interest in the misclassification of workers:

United Stated Department of Labor Internal Revenue Service State Tax Departments Unemployment Agencies Workers Compensation National Labor Relations Board Federal Courts State Courts

The penalties for misclassification include civil fines, criminal penalties, being barred from federal and/or state contracts, and private rights of action for the aggrieved workers.

To determine if a worker is an Independent Contractor can be challenging, especially since there are different criteria for the various federal and state entities mentioned above. Even though there are different tests, most tests flow from the long established principles of the IRS. The IRS employs a 20 Factor Test that determines the employers level of control in these categories: Behavioral, Financial and Type of Relationship.

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Baltimore, Maryland - Fort McHenry and So Much More

Baltimore, Maryland boasts Fort McHenry, plus other interesting sights. Fort McHenry suffered a twenty-five hour bombardment from the British fleet during the War of 1812. When dawn broke, the 32 x 40 foot American flag still flying above the fort gave the impetus to Francis Scott Key to pen the poem, The Star Spangled Banner. Not one shell ever hit any of the British ships, because the range of the cannons at the fort was limited. The fort suffered the pounding of over 1,500 cannon balls and rockets. Why the British did not continue to fire at the fort is unknown. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Perhaps, they wanted an easy victory over the town of Baltimore after having burnt Washington D.C. When the fort did not fall in one day, they decided to go elsewhere.

After touring the fort we drove to the inner harbor. This is a Mecca for locals and tourists alike. Many restaurants, hotels, and shops vie for the visitor's dollars. Some of the other attractions available there are the tall ship, Constellation, the Aquarium, the USS Brown from W.W.II, and the sensory filling ambience of harbor life.

Hugging the dock area we came upon the Fell's Point section of the city. Here herring bone patterned brick streets, old market places, brownstone row houses, give a glimpse of life in English colonial days. The area still vibrates that atmosphere, without being pretentious. Traveling fast in a truck along uneven brickwork is an oxymoron. While driving you think you have a flat tire x 4, because of the noise.

Further along is the Canton neighborhood, so named because of a Can Company, which dominated both the skyline and the employment opportunities. Many row houses line the streets, reminiscent of a company town. The streets, albeit narrow, are macadam paved. Goodbye flat tire noises.

Bordering Canton on the North lays Patterson Park, a square mile playground for the residents of the city. Facing the park is a church, which spires we had viewed from across the harbor while at the fort. It turned out to be St Michael's Ukrainian Church, complete with golden onion domes.

On the return trip to the center of the city we looked for Little Italy. We knew when we had reached our goal. Mamma Mia, does anyone eat mama's home cooking anymore? Restaurants galore filled both sides of the streets. You will never guess the nationality of the cuisine. One hint, there were no Chinese carry-outs.

Drove past the impressive Bromo Seltzer Tower, saw the modern convention center, Raven's football stadium, and Camden Yards.

Overall, we enjoyed our short trip to Baltimore, MD. Steeped in tradition and history, the city still thrives as an important seaport, the harbor area attracting most of the attention. The city has many interesting neighborhoods, each one trying to protect its individuality and charm.

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music, A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.

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Thinking About Computer Repair? If Your Computer's Broken, Here's How to Get it Fixed!

This article answers some of the common questions individuals and small business owners might have about different computer repair services. It discusses the problems that can cause computers to work inefficiently, the cost of repairing these problems, and the importance of regular computer maintenance.

As most people know, there's almost nothing in life as frustrating as a broken computer. Read this article to find out how to get your computer running smoothly again.
What Problems Can Be Easily Repaired?

Some common computer problems that can be easily repaired by a qualified technician include:

• Slow Computer Speed: This problem is usually caused by lack of regular maintenance or a spyware infection.
• Frequent Computer Freezes: The technician will have to perform diagnostic test to determine the cause of this problem, though it can be caused by a virus or spyware infection.
• Continuous Reboots: Hardware issues, faulty power supply, or a defective cooling fan can cause this problem.
• Unusual Noises or Vibrations: A hardware or electronics issue is usually to blame for this problem.
• Automatically Changing Brower Homepage: This problem is referred to as "high-jacking," and is usually caused by a spyware infection.

If you perform regular maintenance on your computer, you will be able to avoid all of these problems.

Can I Repair My Own Computer?

In most instances, computer repair should not be considered a do-it-yourself project.

Professional help is recommended because the technicians have the experience necessary to solve almost all computer problems, including:

• Accumulation of Clutter
• Malware Infection
• Hardware Defects

By trying to repair the computer yourself, you could accidentally cause more damage to the machine. In some instances, you could lose access to your hard drive data and all of your irreplaceable files.

How Much Does A Computer Repair Cost?

Computer repair costs can vary from business to business. Some of the factors that determine how much a particular repair will cost include:

• Location
• Price Structure
• Walk-in or On-site Repair
• Faulty Hardware
• Skill Level

Computer repair businesses in the city usually charge more than businesses in the suburbs, and if the technician has to drive to your home, you will pay more for the repair.

Specialized repairs will cost more than general maintenance and repairs. Always check to see if the business you're dealing with charges by the hour or by the job.

How Do I Practice Regular Computer Maintenance?

After you have owned your computer for two years, regular maintenance becomes necessary. The computer will lose some of its original speed and performance.

If you are an individual or small business owner who heavily relies on your computer, steps you can take to help maintain your computer's performance include:

• Perform regular, automated back-ups of your files.
• Maintain an archive of essential files.
• Regularly test your recovery files.
• Install automated firewall and virus.
• Set-up an alternate internet connection.
• Establish alternate e-mail addresses.
• Keep good records of all installed applications.

Performing regular maintenance will prolong the life of your computer. You will gain a better understanding of how your computer works, and will be able to recognize many problems before they get out of hand.

Why Repair if You Can Replace?

With today's inexpensive computer prices, you might ask yourself, "Why should I repair my old computer when I can simply buy a new one?"

Well, before you chuck your old computer into the garbage, you should know that today's computers are often priced low to make up for:

• Poor build
• Flimsy parts
• Shabby hardware

Simply stated, computers built five years ago are much sturdier and durable than the computers in the market today.

So, why pay more money to buy a new computer that is likely to break within the next two years when you can spend a fraction of the cost to have your old, reliable computer repaired?

If you are looking for a Computer Repair Service in the Maryland areas of Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Baltimore County and cities including Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, Gambrills, Columbia, Ellicott City, Laurel, Elkridge, Jessup, Glen Burnie, and Severna Park than visit DSR Computer Repair and Technology Specialists.

Since 1986, DSR has strived to provide the Maryland technology community with a unique option when it comes to purchasing and servicing computer equipment and network options.

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Maryland Lottery

Lotteries were first introduced in the state of Maryland in the year 1973. Since then, the business has registered continuous growth in terms of revenue and contribution to the state treasury in the form of taxes. The funds generated are used to support state programs and services to benefit the citizens of Maryland.

The business has achieved the purpose of building a positive image, which is evident from the ever-increasing number of Marylanders buying lottery products. It has spread its business everywhere and now covers almost all of Maryland. It has also formed partnerships with private businesses to increase the reach of its products.

The business has registered continues growth in revenues for the last seven years. Revenue generated in the fiscal year ending 2004 was $ 1.4 million. The total contribution to state funded programs in the year 2005 was $458 million, an increase of almost $ 14 million. The lottery sellers offer different products to suit the needs of individual players. Customers can buy MEGA Millions lottery tickets or pick up scratch-off tickets that run from $1 to $20.

Close to 50 percent of moneylenders bought lotteries during the year 2004-2005 from around 3600 retailers spread all across the state of Maryland. The lotteries are a success because operating cost is just around 5 percent of total sales, which is very low.

Lotteries in Maryland have contributed to the state's growth and development. They have also created employment opportunities for Marylanders in areas of retailing and marketing.The lottery business is expected to grow further in the coming years. It is a source of much needed funds for the state government. The direct and indirect income generated forms a part of the total economy of Maryland.

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Maryland Mortgage Companies

Mortgage companies in Maryland are using the upward market conditions to encourage people to buy properties. Even investors are encouraged by the increasing real estate prices that ensure a safe investment. Mortgage companies provide mortgages or loans, and they also do a lot of other things.

Many people approach a mortgage company only after they have seen the house and negotiated the price. But many don't know that these companies can help them get a better house. Mortgage companies pre-qualify a customer for a loan. In other words, they determine how much loan the applicant is eligible for. Many people do not know how much of a loan they can get, and are surprised to know that they are worth much more than what they thought. A pre-qualification test might actually reveal that the applicant is eligible for a higher loan, thus making them eligible for a better house t. Mortgage companies take the credit report into consideration. The credit report reveals the creditworthiness of the applicant by showcasing past payment histories, current income levels, any bankruptcies and other aspects. Based on this, the company determines how much the client is worth, and how much of a loan will be allowed. The pre-qualification test considers the applicant's income and debt, employment situation and funds and reserves available for down payment.

The mortgage company then issues a pre-qualification letter that helps you determine how much loan you can afford. The mortgage company helps you choose the best kind of loan possible, from among the hundreds of different loans.

There are hundreds of mortgage companies in Maryland. Most of them are brokerage companies that act as agents between the lending companies and the borrowers. These companies offer competitive rates from the various lending companies and also various mortgages to suit all kinds of people. There are some companies that provide mortgage loans to people with poor or no credit records. Most companies have their own websites where the current rates and list of mortgages loans are listed. They also have easy-to-use calculators to determine the best kind of a mortgage. Quotes can be requested online. Visit a few companies before deciding on one.

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Maryland DUI Laws - Tough New Drunk Driving Penalties For Offenders