Khalifa Ali

IntroductionAli was born to Abu Talib himself a renowned Quraish chief and custodian of the Holy Kaaba. Abu Talib’s father, Abdul Muttalib was the son of the great Hashim. Ali’s mother was Fatima, daughter of Asad who too was a son of Hashim. Fatima was a cousin of Abu Talib. Thus both of Ali’s parents were Hashemite, which was considered quite prestigious.Ancestry of AliThe Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was Abdul Muttalib’s grandson. His father Abdullah was Abu Talib’s brother, which therefore made Abu Talib the prophet’s uncle and Ali his first cousin.Birth of AliAlthough his exact date of birth is not confirmed tradition says, Ali was born on the thirteenth of â€Å"Rajab† in the 28th year of the Elephant Era (whose commencement is marked by Yemen’s ruler Abraha’s failed attempt to invade Makkah and destroy the Kaaba) The Holy Prophet of Islam was born in the Year of the Elephant which according to scholars corresponds to the year 571 A.D. If we calculate then, Ali must have been born around 599 or 600 C.E.His birth was quite an unusual one. That day, his mother Fatima visited the Kaaba for pilgrimage. It was during her pilgrimage that she felt maternal pains and retired to a corner of the Kaaba and that is where Ali was born. Thus, Ali had the unparalleled honor of being born in the House of Allah bestowed upon him.The NameLegend goes that when Ali was born the Holy prophet and his wife Khadija came to see the infant. That the little boy had not yet opened his eyes was a matter of great worry for everyone. But when the prophet Muhammad held him in his hands young Ali opened his eyes, making the prophet the first person he saw after birth. The Holy Prophet named him ‘Ali’ the derivative of Allah, since he was born the Ka’aba.Physical AppearanceAli was of a moderate height. He held a gracious face which reflected his personality. His facial features were striking wi th a straight nose and a beautifully formed mouth. He possessed commanding eyes, full of light and luster.   It was as if rays of spirituality   beamed through him , and there was a certain sense of personal magnetism that attracted people towards him. As a young man, Ali was handsome, while in his later age, he became bulky with his gray hair of the head giving way to baldness. His beard, which was often dyed red, remained thick and luxuriant.Marriage of AliInitially when the Holy Prophet migrated to Yathrib he went alone but later Yathrib was named ‘Medina’ in his honor and he called his family and other Muslims there as well. At that time the prophet’s beloved wife Khadija had expired and he had married a woman called Sauda. A year later, he married Abu Bakr’s ( Islam’s first Caliph’s)daughter Ayesha. The Holy Prophet’s youngest daughter Fatima was also old enough to be married by that time. Abu Bakr and Omar both asked for her hand in marriage but there was no answer on the part of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.In those simpler times, age differences were not a concern in marriage. Khadija had been fifteen years older to Muhammad and he himself was much older to Ayesha at the time of marriage. It is thus important to note that this was not the reason the Prophet Muhammad remained silent to these proposals but it is reasonable to conclude that he was waiting for God’s approval and guidance in making this decision. After the Battle of Badr, it was Ali’s turn to ask for Fatima’s hand in marriage and he did so. The Holy Prophet replied that he needed Fatima’s consent. When he consulted Fatima she remained silent, a   sign of approval. The prophet also received a revelation signifying Allah’s approval of the marriage. Both families also mutually agreed.The marriage of Ali and Fatima is said to be the perfect one. Indeed two pure and blessed souls unified and bonded together. Ha fsa, a daughter of Omar and later a wife of the Holy Prophet described Fatima as an exemplary woman, one who’s face shone like the moon and who married a man with a superior personality.Induction of Ali as a member of the family of the Holy ProphetWhen Ali visited the Holy Prophet from the desert where he had been living, the occasion was also attended by a close few including Abu Talib and his family. The Holy Prophet loved Ali very much so much so that he requested Abu Talib to place Ali under his care. Abu Talib agreed to entrust Ali with the prophet because he knew he would care for him better than anyone else could.It is believed that the Holy Prophet did this to relieve Abu Talib’s increasing financial worries. However, this view seems to be untrue because Abu Talib was a Quraish chief and a trader. And had he been in any financial trouble the trouble he prophet would surely have helped him. Therefore it seems that it was because of the prophet’s fondness of Ali that he took him under his responsibility. Abu Talib would often visit and Ali would meet his parents everyday. The Holy Prophet kept Ali as a younger brother with much affection.Companionship of the Holy Prophet:The period of Ali's life which was spent with the Holy Prophet can be termed as the period of education and action. It was during these 32 years, from Ali's birth till the demise of the Holy Prophet, that Ali received his education under the loving care of the Last Prophet of Allah; embedded in himself the values of Islam; and acquired all the attributes that contribute to greatness. After the migration to Medina, he came to be known as a valiant soldier. His spoils in the battles of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch and his awe inspiring success at Khyber earned him the title of â€Å"Lion of God†.   He acted as the Governor of Yemen, and acquired good deal of experience as an administrator and judge, acquiring fame for his wise and well reasoned judgments.The First Three Caliphs and Ali:At the time of the demise of the Holy Prophet, Ali was a young enlightened, experienced, wise and valiant man. Despite all his qualities, Ali was passed over in the election for a caliph, as Abu Bakr took the state of affairs under his control. Ali would have to wait for 24 years before he could hold the office of caliph. During these years, Ali acted as an adviser to the caliphs in office. This was a period of inaction and contemplation, inaction on the political front as Ali kept aloof from politics and contemplation on the spiritual front as this period of Ali’s life was spent mostly in seeking spiritual perfection through prayer and remembrance of God.The Caliphate of Ali:Following Uthman's assassination, Ali took office as the next caliph of the Islamic empire. His term was a short one, marred by political upheaval, defections of close aides and civil war.   Ali was accused of involvement in the assassination of Uthman by Amer Muawiya, who mounte d an anti Ali campaign. The results were the Battles of the Camel, Siffin and Nahrawan. During the course of these battles, many of his closest aides betrayed him and defected. The list of betrayals is long and includes Ali's brother, cousins, mother in law and the whole cities of Medina and Basra. The Kharijites who had originally supported Ali also seceded and Ali was finally martyred by a Kharijite.Ali's concept of GodIn his various sermons, Ali has dwelt upon on the various attributes of God in a skillful way. Extracts from some of his sermons are as follows:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"All praise is due to the creator of the world whose wisdom is hidden. The various subjects of nature openly confirm his existence. He is not surpassed in strength and superiority. He is the nearest to us. No one can be nearer to us than He.His distance height has not segregated Him from His creation, and His nearness has not established His equality with His creation. He is that sublime and matchless Being in com prehending when the intellect cannot reach the bottom of His attributes, yet nothing prevents a person from comprehending Him. He is that being whose existence even an atheist feels in His heart of hearts. Undoubtedly God is free and sublime and bears no comparison with anyone, then how can anyone have the audacity to deny Him.†Father of SufismAli's religious devotion and nearness to God has earned him the title of â€Å"Father of Sufism†. Most of the Sufi orders claim their descent from Ali, and according to Ali Hajjweri, Ali is ranked very high in the line of Sufism.   Ali is considered the Shaykh as regards the principles and practices of Sufism, as stated by Junayd of Baghdad.Communion with GodAt times, Ali would pray the whole night sobbing out of love and fear of God. For Ali, the purpose of knowledge was to awaken the spiritual faculties that every man possesses which in turn enable man to find his true and inner self.   Ali observed that man could only enjoy communion with God if he would stop being proud, embody discipline, overcome his lust and submit to the Will of God.He stressed on the people in his various sermons to lead a simple and pious life and not to indulge blindly in the pleasures of the world as the case was before Islam.. Ali said, â€Å"Man is a wave in the boundless Sea of God. As long as man's vision is clouded by ignorance and sensuality he will consider himself a separate entity, different from God. But when the veil between him and God is lifted, he will then know what he really is, the wave will then merge with the ocean†.Ali on the Spiritual Front:Ali was a wealth of knowledge. Several of the traditions (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet are narrated by him. He was one of those companions of the Holy Prophet who used to learn the verses of the Quran as they were revealed. Later, after the death of the Holy Prophet, Ali also used to give sermons. In one such sermon, he explains the attributes of God with skillf ul oratory. Excerpts â€Å"All praise is due to the creator of the world whose wisdom is hidden. The various subjects of nature openly confirm his existence. He is not surpassed in strength and superiority. He is the nearest to us.No one can be nearer to us than He. His distance height has not segregated Him from His creation, and His nearness has not established His equality with His creation. He is that sublime and matchless Being in comprehending when the intellect cannot reach the bottom of His attributes, yet nothing prevents a person from comprehending Him. He is that being whose existence even an atheist feels in His heart of hearts. Undoubtedly God is free and sublime and bears no comparison with anyone, then how can anyone have the audacity to deny Him.†In another sermon, he reflected on the transitory stature of this world by remarking â€Å"For the wise, the world is a shadow, which may appear at one moment, and soon disappear.† In another sermon he makes pr ofound remarks by stating â€Å"Many men buy clothes, which instead of being worn by them are used in their coffin. Many persons build houses that instead of becoming abodes become their graves. No one has lived forever in this world, and no one has invented such a medicine which may make men immune from the clutches of death†. In another sermon, he discusses heaven and hell, stating his anxiety on man's subservience to lust, the excess of his longings. In yet another sermon, he termed the world as superficial, mortal and perishable.ConclusionShakespeare once remarked â€Å"Some people are born great, some achieve greatness while some have greatness thrust upon them†. As far as Ali goes, he achieved greatness through his excellent education under the watchful eye of the Holy Prophet, his absorption of Islamic teachings and virtues, his thirst for knowledge, bravery on the battlefield and the spiritual perfection that he embodied. Greatness need not be confused with suc cess. From the political point of view Ali may seem like a failure that was unable to quell the civil strife that raged his people and was eventually slay Ed. Instead Ali's greatness is of an unworldly nature for he set out to spiritually perfect those around him, in times of affluence and wealth.Ali was a man of remarkable qualities and principles. His personality embodied an unusual mix of spiritual perfection, bravery, knowledge and humbleness. He was one of those few people of his time, who could stare in the eyes of death so much that even death would start fearing of him He was an administrator, a judge, a philosopher, a statesman, a general and above all an exemplary for those seeking spiritual perfection.

How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting

How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting Have you often wondered what it might have been like to actually live in the past? Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Becoming a historical re-enactor requires an unquenchable thirst for history and abiding patience with uncomfortable accommodations and ridiculous outfits. Short of actually traveling back in time, however, there is no better way to learn about history than by living it first-hand as a reenactor. What Is a Reenactor? Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions, and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. Who Can Become a Reenactor? Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield. Most reenactment organizations also wont allow children under 16 to bear arms. If you choose an active reenactment role, youll need to be in good health, capable of the physical activity and lack of everyday comforts that are inherent in reenacting. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. What to Expect From Reenacting Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. Most people take their roles seriously and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. Some people do take the authenticity to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Reenactment, appropriately called living history, also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Reenactment also takes time, but this can be as little as a 2-3 hour event once or twice a year, to a half-dozen three-day weekend encampments. How to Get Started With Reenacting Youve probably thought to yourself that reenacting sounds like fun, but youre just not sure about committing yourself due to time, money, and lack of know-how. Dont let that stop you! Most reenactment groups are very welcoming to new people and will show you the ropes and even outfit you until you can gradually acquire your own kit. In other words, you can try it out and see how you like it. Choose a Time Period and Location What period of history most grabs your interest? Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Find a Reenactment Group Time and place generally work together, so while youre picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. Most people choose a reenactment group that operates fairly close to home - at least within a days drive. Reenactment groups and societies can be found all over the world, although they are especially active in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Most large re-enactment events take place outdoors, so spring through fall are very active times of the year for the majority of these groups. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Choose a Persona In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. Depending upon your reenactment scenario, this may be a real individual or a fictional one who could have lived during your time period of interest. Think about who you are in real life,  or the person you secretly want to be, and translate that to an individual who lived during your time period of interest. The majority of reenactors choose to be soldiers, but even in a military reenactment group, there are other characters, such as wives, camp followers, surgeons, tinkers and sutlers (merchants). The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Research Your Persona Once youve chosen a time period and character, you need to learn everything you can,  from the way they dressed and ate, to their manner of speech, cultural beliefs, and social interactions. Immerse yourself in the time period by reading books and primary source documents related to the area, and the type of person youve chosen to portray. Assemble Your Kit Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as their  kit. Whether youve chosen to be a fur trapper, a soldier or a medieval princess, this clothing and accessories you select for your kit should match your persona. If youre portraying a poor farmer during the Revolutionary War, then dont purchase a fancy rifle that would have been out of his financial grasp. Take the time to fully research your character and period, considering where your  persona  lives, his age, his  occupation, and his social status, before purchasing items which may or may not be authentic or appropriate. If you have the time, it can even be fun to learn to make some of your clothing or items yourself, just as it was done in the past. Final Tips   Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,  costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. By joining such a society, youll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit.

Capital Punishment Essays - American Revolution, Salutary Neglect

Capital Punishment Essays - American Revolution, Salutary Neglect Capital Punishment From 1763, throughout the mid-1770s an ideology of revolution began to evolve throughout the thirteen American colonies. Many factors contributed to the formation of this ideology including Salutary Neglect, the Boston Massacre, and the British tax policy. In the early 1700s the British neglected the colonists because neglect served the British economic interests better than strict enforcement. The colonies prospered as did their trade with Britain, without much government interference. But, at the end of the French and Indian war, British leaders reevaluated their relationship with the colonies; because of conflicts between Great Britain and the colonies during the war, ending the policy of salutary neglect and proposing reforms and new taxes. The war had left Great Britain deeply in debt and the British viewed American prosperity as a resource and taxing the colonies as a means to relieve British debt. More and more Americans were convinced that British politicians were deliberately robbing them of their personal independence through taxation. The Stamp Act of 1765 which required the colonists to buy and place revenue stamps on all official legal documents, deeds, newspapers, pamphlets, dice, and playing cards, left the colonists alarmed and the educated colonists mounted an ideological attack on the new British policies. The colonists believed that the Stamp Act was an attempt by Britain to seize control of taxation from the representative colonial assemblies and to tax the colonists without giving them representation in government; taxation without representation. While confrontations over taxes and reforms were serious, the bonds uniting the colonies and Britain were still strong. An American diplomat declared in 1769 that the British ministry should Repeal the laws, Renounce the Right, Recall the troops, Refund the money, and return to the old method of requisition. This solution would have required parliament to renounce its claims to sovereign power in America and was almost unthinkable given its quest for authority. Moreover, violent acts such as the Boston Massacre, in which soldiers fired at colonists after some boys threw ice at a sentry guarding the Customs House; killing an African American named Crispus Attucks and four other colonists, showed how difficult it would be to achieve any peaceful constitutional compromise. These main factors as well as many others, played into the hands of those Americans who wanted independence. They saw the British as corrupt, immoral, and power hungry and they felt they needed to take a stand against the pattern of enslavement they saw in these actions. They did not see themselves as radicals or revolutionaries; they were simply protecting their way of life, their land, and their households. Thus brought about the formation of the ideology for a revolution.

Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Assignment

Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Business - Assignment Example Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Business The banks and the individuals willing to start the start will move in a contract where the individuals agree to pay installments on monthly basis. The bank will also charge interests for the loan amount. The source of finance with the usual payment period of more than 15 years is regarded as the long term loan. This kind of loan is generally required for the expansion processes or buying a fixed asset. This kind of loan can be achieved from financial intermediaries. A fixed interest rate generally higher than the interest rate on bank loan is accrued in this type of loan. It is required to pay monthly instalments as well as the fixed interest rate. Another source of finance is the short term loan. This type of loan comprises of loan for short periods usually within 5 years. The financial intermediaries have the ability to provide such kind of loans and the contract requires the one taking the loan to pay the principle along with the agreed interest within the specific time period. Ba nks provides overdrafts and charge for its services (Hennessy and Whited, 2007, p. 1). The bank of England sets the rate of interest at which it provides loan to the financial institutions. The interest rate has the potential to affect the interest rates of the commercial banks, the prices of the financial assets and the rate of exchange which can affect the consumer as well as the business demand. Another mode of raising finance is retained earnings. The retained earnings can be increased by generating increased sales which will shed its impact on the profit level and can also be reinvested into the operations of the business (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, n.d.). Explanation of the importance of financial planning Financial planning can be studied from both, individual point of view or from the point of view of a company. From the point of view of the individual, financial planning can be thought of as an integrated approach to ensure the well being of th e individual under consideration (Diatax, n.d.). The importance of financial planning lies in the success of a business. For a company, financial plan refers to primarily to three financial statements i.e. balance sheet, income statement as well as the cash flow statement. The financial plan is created with the plan of the business and it can also refer to the projected income or expenditure for a division of a company or the company itself. The decision regarding the processes of cash flow and the estimation of total cash requirements is also taken into account in the financial plan. Financial planning acts as the backbone of a business and if any company operates without any financial planning it is likely to end up in financial distress or financial grip. If the company runs of the roadmap of solid financial foundation it is assumed that the organization will be able to provide a good act in the realm of payable accounts. The financial planning is helpful for the financial analys ts to withstand the harder times and take advantage of the good times. A good and proper financial planning paves the way for the company when to deal with the outstanding debt as well as the rise in the operating costs. Every company should have a planned financial plan in order to anticipate the conditions of the future. The financial pla

Economics of the Forex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Economics of the Forex - Essay Example Starting from the year 1979, the Exchange Rate Mechanism -- ERM of the European Monetary System -- EMS has played a vital role in developing the foundation of the Monetary policy strategies in Europe and it has been a very striving research in the international monetary and exchange rate cooperation of the post-Breton Woods times. There has been a radical change in the nature of ERM, which is from a very fixed exchange rate with a limited mobility of the international capital to the 'hard' exchange rate mechanism which was approved by the Basle-Nyborg agreement in 1987 (Financial Markets and European Monetary Cooperation: The Lessons of the 1992-1993 ERM Crisis)During the end of the 1980's the gratified performance of this 'hard' exchange rate mechanism earned the confidence and increased the general appeal of a more total transformation of the system which was expected to result in agreement and a happening of unification. However, during 1992 a downfall on the past achievements occ urred and also undermined the process towards European Monetary Union. Thus an ERM crisis occurred between 1992 and 1993 are said to be the most historical events in the then monetary history of Europe. Thus their source, effects and inferences are one of the most important events in the current academic and political debates through out the world.The European monetary system was formulated with two major components: namely the European Currency Unit and a fixed exchange rate system known as the Exchange Rate Mechanism. ... as to whether the 1992 Exchange Rate Mechanism crisis in UK occurred due to the European monetary system being predictable, or whether it was caused due to the rising of the international financial markets May be the answers for these questions are in relevance to debates about the international financial and economic policies through out the world. These answers could also reveal the overall economic policy and the exchange rate regimes and there role on the 1992 ERM crisis. Considering a bipolar array where the hard exchange regimes on one side which involved pegged exchange rates, currency boards, taking in of another country's currency are more demanding than the flexible rate regimes. Another major point is that there cannot be any regime that can predict and offer a complete solution to the financial and economic changes that the country will undergo. (Truman, 2002) The ERM crisis was the first of its kind in the current century in terms of both private and official monetary circulation both during the crisis and also before the crisis. It could also be said as the first kind of crisis that occurred in terms of market and financial securities, derivative instruments and the financial market dynamics in the wake of building up the crisis. In view of the ERM crisis the European exchange rate regimes continued strongly support the view of pegged exchange rate mechanism. During the crisis countries and its investors were bailed out with exceptional amounts of official financing. But after the crisis the European government followed a very stringer way of its official financial management in the years that followed. (Truman, 2002) There is always a tension that reflects in every ongoing debate on the relative roles of economic fundamentals and the behaviour of

US-Iran Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

US-Iran Conflict - Essay Example Accordingly, the following discussion will provide a detailed overview and step-by-step analysis of the chronological progression of Iran’s nuclear program and the means by which its relations with the United States and other global powers has become strained as a result. The first internationally reported news concerning Iran’s nuclear program came from a dissident group known as the national Council of resistance of Iran. Accordingly, this particular group revealed the fact that they were in fact to nuclear sites that were under construction within a run at the current time; one uranium enrichment facility and one heavy water facility. It is been speculated by many individuals that these facilities and their existence had been leaked to this particular group by powerful intelligence agencies that had long known of their existence (Ezeozue, 2013). As a direct result of this admission, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded that Iran provide access to these sites so that monitoring could be conducted. Iran initially noted that such a request was irrelevant as the international treaties that were established concerning monitoring of nuclear facilities stipulated that they should only be monitored six months prior to coming online; something that Iran noted was not yet a reality for the facilities in question (Aghazadeh, 2013). Regardless of this the human denial, Iran eventually gave way and provided the IAEA inspectors access anyway. In May 2003, and â€Å"grand bargain† was suggested. This grand bargain was one in which full and transparent access to the nuclear program of Iran would be provided in exchange for security guarantees and the normalization of diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States. The underlying reason for this offer had to do with the fact that Iran was

Visual Techniques Essay Example for Free

Visual Techniques Essay Contemporary television nowadays is leaning towards the â€Å"reality† aspect of what’s being shown to the audience. Because of this, they adapt visual techniques which makes it easier for the audience to relate to what’s on today’s TV. One specific technique is the subjective perspective or view point. This is when the television shows encourage its viewers to follow a certain character or adopt a certain stance through the direction of the shots. High angled shots usually give power to viewers while low angled shots leave them powerless. Another visual technique is the social distance. This enables the audience to see how close or how intimate characters are to a certain cause or idea. Personal distances are judged through the types of shots, like when its about far social distance, long shots are used, and for close personal distance medium to close-up shots are used. 2. On the other hand, television visual techniques are now being used in contemporary films. One good example is the use of lighting. Before, one can immediately distinguish a film from a television show because television shows usually have more lighting, as compared to darker, dimmer lighting on films. Nowadays, in the advent of High-Definition, films give a more life-like feel just like television because of lighting. Another one television visual technique used in contemporary films is the documentary style or approach. Instead of the usual plot, films follow different sequence of events that could make the viewers feel like they’re watching a made-for-TV documentary. 3. Film and television clearly have influenced each other throughout their shared history. Now, film visual techniques are not anymore limited to films, just like with television techniques being used in films. Also, both of these benefited from better production because of the advanced tools and techniques used in making them (CinemaRoll, 2008). Computer-generated images are not that costly now, making it available even to low-budget films. On the other hand, viewers are tired of the usual plot twists and turns in movies that’s why they enjoy odd, radical approaches in film making, including the incorporation of television techniques in its production (Cohen, 2006). References: CinemaRoll. (2008). Television and Film. Retrieved June 8, 2009, from http://cinemaroll. com/cinemarolling/television-and-film/ Cohen, D. S. (2006). New techniques make visual effects more actor-friendly. Retrieved June 8, 2009, from http://www. variety. com/awardcentral_article/VR1117955526. html? nav=visualfx07