A long-time indie horror director discusses his love for genre films and his newest work “Blackout”. Fessenden started his production company in the 80s and has since been a pioneer of indie filmmaking, surfing the wave of digital revolution. However, he notes that financing and distribution have become increasingly difficult due to the lack of respect for small films and the changing industry landscape. He describes his approach to genre films as bringing naturalism and immediacy into the horror space, and how his latest film “Blackout” frames a classic creature-feature story in an indie drama way. The film focuses on a werewolf tale with a protagonist already struggling with addiction and personal issues, highlighting the intersection between horror and self-betrayal. Fessenden expresses his desire to make one more monster movie and hopefully pull it off, but also mentions a possible future project, a musical or Christmas movie.

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and one area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work, and it’s already being used in a variety of applications, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, to self-driving cars, to personalized product recommendations on e-commerce websites.

One industry that is particularly well-suited for AI adoption is healthcare. With the vast amounts of data available in electronic health records (EHRs), medical imaging, and other sources, AI can help healthcare providers analyze this information to improve patient outcomes, streamline clinical workflows, and reduce costs.

For example, AI-powered algorithms can be used to identify high-risk patients and provide personalized treatment plans. This can lead to better health outcomes and reduced hospital readmissions. Additionally, AI can help doctors and other healthcare providers analyze medical images more quickly and accurately, leading to earlier detection of diseases and improved diagnosis.

Another area where AI is being applied in healthcare is in the development of personalized medicine. By analyzing genetic data and other factors, AI algorithms can help identify the most effective treatments for individual patients based on their unique characteristics. This can lead to more effective treatments and fewer side effects.

However, despite these potential benefits, there are also concerns about the use of AI in healthcare. One concern is that AI may replace human clinicians, leading to job losses and a dehumanization of the healthcare industry. Additionally, there are worries about bias in AI algorithms, which could lead to inequitable treatment of certain patient populations.

To address these concerns, it’s important for healthcare providers to carefully consider the ethical implications of using AI in their practice. This includes ensuring that AI systems are transparent and explainable, so that clinicians can understand how they arrive at their recommendations. Additionally, healthcare providers must be mindful of bias in AI algorithms and take steps to mitigate it.

Another important consideration is the need for high-quality data to train AI models. As with any machine learning algorithm, the quality of the training data has a direct impact on the accuracy and effectiveness of the AI model. Healthcare providers must ensure that they are using accurate and comprehensive data to train their AI systems.

Finally, healthcare providers must be prepared to address the potential risks associated with AI adoption. For example, there is a risk of cyber attacks on EHRs and other systems that store and process large amounts of patient data. Additionally, there is a risk of unintended consequences from AI algorithms, such as incorrect diagnoses or treatments. Healthcare providers must be prepared to address these risks and develop strategies for mitigating them.

In conclusion, the use of AI in healthcare has the potential to revolutionize the way we deliver care to patients. However, it’s important for healthcare providers to carefully consider the ethical implications of using AI in their practice, ensure that they are using high-quality data to train AI models, and be prepared to address the potential risks associated with AI adoption. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of AI in healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

Disney Parks Turbo-Charge Progress with New Attractions and Transformations

Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro, the heads of Disney Parks, have promised a “turbo-charged” approach to progress, and they are delivering on that promise. Disneyland Paris is set to reinvent its second park into Disney’s Adventure World, featuring a new World of Frozen and more experiences from Disney’s legacy. This comes as Pixar Fest teases its foodie menu at California Adventure, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure releases more details, and Test Track at Epcot gets a needed re-theme.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios has officially revealed its own immersive hotels: the Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts, which will nestle guests among the stars. These hotels were designed with a modern sci-fi aesthetic in mind, and the idea that the spaceship-styled windows will immerse guests looking to relax and sleep among stars and planets.

In international news, WB World Abu Dhabi will be premiering a brand new Looney Tunes show as the iconic characters delve into sports just in time for the Olympics. The show features Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck both vying to become coach of Team Looney Tunes. With the help from their team captains and their friend Lola Bunny, they will go head-to-head in a sports competition to see who the ultimate coach will be.

For those looking for a more digital experience, there is now a new digital race virtual challenge hosted by Conqueror, where you can join from anywhere and unlock awesome rewards like postcards and collectible cards of favorite Looney Tunes characters while getting your fitness on. This family-friendly, 180-mile challenge led by Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Wile E. Coyote offers three stunning medals, each with a special removable pin.

Finally, for those looking for a respite from the sun in Las Vegas, AREA15’s interactive zones are now offering an AR and VR game area to test out the latest in virtual gaming. With all these new attractions and transformations, it’s clear that Disney Parks and Universal Studios are committed to providing guests with unforgettable experiences that will leave them wanting more.

Alien: Romulus promises to be a brutal and intense addition to the Alien franchise, as evidenced by two extended scenes shown at CinemaCon 2024. The first scene takes place within a Weyland-Yutani ship, where a team of characters attempt to open a locked room containing a mysterious creature. As they wait for the creature to integrate a new piece of technology, several pods begin to move and grow, eventually hatching into Facehuggers. The team fights off the Facehuggers as they continue to hatch, but one manages to implant itself on an unconscious human. Just as it’s about to jump onto the face of another human, the synthetic wakes up and stops it, allowing the team to escape.

However, their escape is short-lived, as they soon find themselves pursued by a dozen or so Facehuggers. One woman is attacked and infected with a Xenomorph, which bursts out of her chest in a gruesome and intense scene. The creature then starts screaming its “little squeaky head off” as the cabin explodes, leading into a montage of shots from later in the movie featuring the full-on Xenomorph.

The footage shown at CinemaCon 2024 highlights the intense and brutal nature of Alien: Romulus, which promises to be a thrilling addition to the Alien franchise. Director Fede Alvarez seems to have taken inspiration from the previous Alien movies, but also added his own unique twist to the classic formula. The use of the X-ray torch and the intense chestburster scene are just a few examples of how Alien: Romulus is pushing the boundaries of what audiences expect from an Alien movie.

Overall, the footage shown at CinemaCon 2024 has set high hopes for Alien: Romulus, which promises to be a thrilling and intense addition to the Alien franchise. With its brutal and impactful scenes, it’s clear that director Fede Alvarez is aiming to create a movie that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. The film is set to release on August 16, so mark your calendars and get ready for another terrifying adventure in the world of Alien.

Google Threatens to Block News Access in California Over Proposed “Link Tax” Legislation

The tech giant announced on Friday that it would begin testing a small percentage of California users by removing links to California news websites in response to proposed legislation that would force the company to pay some publishers for their content. Known as the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), the bill has passed California’s lower house but still needs to be taken up by the state Senate and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to become law. Google argues that CJPA may result in significant changes to the services it can offer Californians and the traffic it can provide to California publishers. However, critics argue that the bill is necessary to remedy the fact that much of the advertising money has gone to Big Tech platforms like Google and Facebook rather than the publishers who create the news content. Google has made similar threats after identical proposals were made in countries like Australia, India, and Canada in recent years but ultimately followed the law without too much disruption. Meta’s Facebook has also faced similar hurdles in other countries, but while Google has acquiesced, Facebook has opted to pivot in an entirely new direction by dropping news services altogether and insisting that users do not actually care about news.

The uncapped financial exposure created by CJPA would be unworkable, according to Google. If enacted, the legislation would create a level of business uncertainty that no company could accept. As a result, Google is pausing further investments in the California news ecosystem, including new partnerships through Google News Showcase and planned expansions of the Google News Initiative. It is also unclear how many users in California are currently involved in this testing process to remove links to California news sites or what may qualify as a California news site given the borderless nature of the internet. Some people argue that the CJPA would primarily benefit large media outlets, but others counter that it is not necessarily a bad thing as they employ thousands of people, create jobs, conduct expensive investigations, and lobby on behalf of journalism. They also generate and receive the most traffic from tech platforms. The role the government should play in keeping journalistic business models sustainable is a matter of debate, but it is clear that companies like Google hold monopolistic power over what news people can see around the world.

As one commentator at Cal Matters recently wrote in an opinion column, companies like Google and Facebook have threatened to turn off the spigot of news traffic to anyone in countries considering legislation to pay publishers. If just a handful of companies have the power to do that, it’s hard to argue that free market solutions can fix the problem.

The highly anticipated first flight of Ariane 6, Europe’s latest heavy-lift rocket, may finally take place this summer after years of delays. However, before we can get too excited, European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher has already set the rocket up for failure without it even reaching the launchpad yet.

During a panel discussion at the 39th Space Symposium held this week, Aschbacher pointed out that heavy-lift rockets have a 47% chance of experiencing a major anomaly during their inaugural flights, according to European Spaceflight. Although he didn’t refer to Ariane 6 specifically, the statement puts a major damper on the upcoming debut of the long-awaited heavy-lift rocket.

Ariane 6 has been in development for more than a decade, and the 197-foot-tall (60-meter) rocket is capable of lifting 10 metric tons to low Earth orbit, 4.5 metric tons to Sun synchronous orbital (SSO) altitudes reaching 500 miles (800 kilometers), and upwards of 10.5 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbits (GEO). The French company Arianespace is developing the rocket on behalf of ESA, with Ariane 6 serving as a successor to the now-retired Ariane 5.

The legendary rocket performed its final flight in July, ending a 27-year run. During that time, Ariane 5 served as the European market’s main ride to space, and without it, Europe is scrambling for rocket options that can deliver its payloads to orbit. After cutting ties with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, Europe was forced to stop relying on the Soyuz rockets for access to space.

ESA recently turned to U.S. company SpaceX to deliver its Euclid telescope, which launched on July 1, 2023, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The inaugural launch of Ariane 6 was initially slated for 2020 and later rescheduled to late 2022, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional technical hurdles encountered in its development.

The maiden voyage of the rocket was consistently delayed after that, with a key test of the rocket’s upper stage in December 2023 aborted after two minutes of engine firing. Arianespace did not publish any details regarding its investigation into the failed test. However, Ariane 6 is now tentatively scheduled for liftoff in June or July of this year.

Even if the rocket does get to take off this summer, Aschbacher’s comments remind us that success is barely a 50-50 shot. The odds are not in favor of Ariane 6 making a successful debut, and it’s important to keep that in mind as we eagerly await the launch.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the first flight of Ariane 6, the European space industry is pushing forward with plans for future missions. The ESA has already announced plans to use the rocket for a variety of missions, including the Hera mission to asteroid Didymos and the JUICE mission to Jupiter’s icy moons.

As we wait for the highly anticipated first flight of Ariane 6, it’s important to remember that space exploration is never without risk. The history of spaceflight is filled with stories of brave pioneers who dared to push the boundaries of what is possible, often at great personal and financial cost.

Whether or not Ariane 6 makes a successful debut, the European space industry will continue to push forward, driven by a desire to explore the unknown and to expand our understanding of the universe. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.

Alien: Romulus promises to be a brutal and intense addition to the Alien franchise, as evidenced by two extended scenes shown at CinemaCon 2024. The first scene takes place within a Weyland-Yutani ship, where a team of characters attempt to open a locked room containing a mysterious creature. As they wait for the creature to integrate a new piece of technology, several pods begin to move and grow, eventually hatching into Facehuggers. The team fights off the Facehuggers as they continue to hatch, but one manages to implant itself on an unconscious human. Just as it’s about to jump onto the face of another human, the synthetic wakes up and stops it, allowing the team to escape.

However, their escape is short-lived, as they soon find themselves pursued by a dozen or so Facehuggers. One woman is attacked and infected with a Xenomorph, which bursts out of her chest in a gruesome and intense scene. The creature then starts screaming its “little squeaky head off” as the cabin explodes, leading into a montage of shots from later in the movie featuring the full-on Xenomorph.

The footage shown at CinemaCon 2024 highlights the intense and brutal nature of Alien: Romulus, which promises to be a thrilling addition to the Alien franchise. Director Fede Alvarez seems to have taken inspiration from the previous Alien movies, but also added his own unique twist to the classic formula. The use of the X-ray torch and the intense chestburster scene are just a few examples of how Alien: Romulus is pushing the boundaries of what audiences expect from an Alien movie.

Overall, the footage shown at CinemaCon 2024 has set high hopes for Alien: Romulus, which promises to be a thrilling and intense addition to the Alien franchise. With its brutal and impactful scenes, it’s clear that director Fede Alvarez is aiming to create a movie that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. The film is set to release on August 16, so mark your calendars and get ready for another terrifying adventure in the world of Alien.

The U.S. Space Force is gearing up for a demonstration mission that will test its ability to respond to threats in orbit. The military branch has awarded contracts worth $32 million and $30 million to Rocket Lab and True Anomaly, respectively, to launch a demonstration mission called Victus Haze.

The mission is scheduled for launch in 2025 and will involve the two companies building and launching their own spacecraft using their respective rockets. The Space Force will then use these spacecraft to run through scenarios that could be perceived as threatening in space, such as a satellite aiming to destroy a U.S. spacecraft or spying on a U.S. military satellite in an attempt to gather intel.

The purpose of the mission is to demonstrate the Space Force’s ability to respond to irresponsible behavior in orbit, as well as to test its capacity for countering China, which has been identified as America’s pacing threat. The mission will also allow the Space Force to leverage the commercial space industry’s innovations to enhance its own capabilities.

The establishment of the Space Force in December 2019 marked a significant milestone in the development of the U.S.’s space-based capabilities. The new military branch is responsible for managing space launches, tracking objects in orbit, and maintaining Global Positioning Satellites and various weather and communications satellites.

The Space Force’s preparation for a potential space war is evident in its official painting of a retro-futuristic battle in orbit, which depicts a U.S. spaceplane intercepting an “adversary” satellite to stop it from disabling a “friendly” satellite. The mission is a clear indication that the Space Force is ready for an impending battle in the final frontier.

The Victus Haze mission is a significant step towards ensuring the Space Force’s ability to protect America’s growing interests in space. The mission will provide valuable insights into how the military branch can effectively respond to threats in orbit and enhance its capabilities to counter China’s growing space-based capabilities.

The partnership between the Space Force and commercial space companies such as Rocket Lab and True Anomaly is a strategic move that allows the military branch to leverage the industry’s innovations to enhance its own capabilities. This collaboration is a testament to the growing importance of space-based capabilities in modern warfare and highlights the need for the U.S. military to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving domain.

In conclusion, the Victus Haze mission is a significant step towards enhancing the Space Force’s ability to respond to threats in orbit and protecting America’s growing interests in space. The partnership between the Space Force and commercial space companies is a strategic move that highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing space-based capabilities. As tensions in space continue to rise, it is clear that the U.S. Space Force is ready for whatever may come its way.

Disney Parks Turbo-Charge Progress with New Attractions and Transformations

Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro, the heads of Disney Parks, have promised a “turbo-charged” approach to progress, and they are delivering on that promise. Disneyland Paris is set to reinvent its second park into Disney’s Adventure World, featuring a new World of Frozen and more experiences from Disney’s legacy. This comes as Pixar Fest teases its foodie menu at California Adventure, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure releases more details, and Test Track at Epcot gets a needed re-theme.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios has officially revealed its own immersive hotels: the Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts, which will nestle guests among the stars. These hotels were designed with a modern sci-fi aesthetic in mind, and the idea that the spaceship-styled windows will immerse guests looking to relax and sleep among stars and planets.

In international news, WB World Abu Dhabi will be premiering a brand new Looney Tunes show as the iconic characters delve into sports just in time for the Olympics. The show features Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck both vying to become coach of Team Looney Tunes. With the help from their team captains and their friend Lola Bunny, they will go head-to-head in a sports competition to see who the ultimate coach will be.

For those looking for a more digital experience, there is now a new digital race virtual challenge hosted by Conqueror, where you can join from anywhere and unlock awesome rewards like postcards and collectible cards of favorite Looney Tunes characters while getting your fitness on. This family-friendly, 180-mile challenge led by Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Wile E. Coyote offers three stunning medals, each with a special removable pin.

Finally, for those looking for a respite from the sun in Las Vegas, AREA15’s interactive zones are now offering an AR and VR game area to test out the latest in virtual gaming. With all these new attractions and transformations, it’s clear that Disney Parks and Universal Studios are committed to providing guests with unforgettable experiences that will leave them wanting more.

The highly anticipated first flight of Ariane 6, Europe’s latest heavy-lift rocket, may finally take place this summer after years of delays. However, before we can get too excited, European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher has already set the rocket up for failure without it even reaching the launchpad yet.

During a panel discussion at the 39th Space Symposium held this week, Aschbacher pointed out that heavy-lift rockets have a 47% chance of experiencing a major anomaly during their inaugural flights, according to European Spaceflight. Although he didn’t refer to Ariane 6 specifically, the statement puts a major damper on the upcoming debut of the long-awaited heavy-lift rocket.

Ariane 6 has been in development for more than a decade, and the 197-foot-tall (60-meter) rocket is capable of lifting 10 metric tons to low Earth orbit, 4.5 metric tons to Sun synchronous orbital (SSO) altitudes reaching 500 miles (800 kilometers), and upwards of 10.5 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbits (GEO). The French company Arianespace is developing the rocket on behalf of ESA, with Ariane 6 serving as a successor to the now-retired Ariane 5.

The legendary rocket performed its final flight in July, ending a 27-year run. During that time, Ariane 5 served as the European market’s main ride to space, and without it, Europe is scrambling for rocket options that can deliver its payloads to orbit. After cutting ties with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, Europe was forced to stop relying on the Soyuz rockets for access to space.

ESA recently turned to U.S. company SpaceX to deliver its Euclid telescope, which launched on July 1, 2023, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The inaugural launch of Ariane 6 was initially slated for 2020 and later rescheduled to late 2022, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional technical hurdles encountered in its development.

The maiden voyage of the rocket was consistently delayed after that, with a key test of the rocket’s upper stage in December 2023 aborted after two minutes of engine firing. Arianespace did not publish any details regarding its investigation into the failed test. However, Ariane 6 is now tentatively scheduled for liftoff in June or July of this year.

Even if the rocket does get to take off this summer, Aschbacher’s comments remind us that success is barely a 50-50 shot. The odds are not in favor of Ariane 6 making a successful debut, and it’s important to keep that in mind as we eagerly await the launch.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the first flight of Ariane 6, the European space industry is pushing forward with plans for future missions. The ESA has already announced plans to use the rocket for a variety of missions, including the Hera mission to asteroid Didymos and the JUICE mission to Jupiter’s icy moons.

As we wait for the highly anticipated first flight of Ariane 6, it’s important to remember that space exploration is never without risk. The history of spaceflight is filled with stories of brave pioneers who dared to push the boundaries of what is possible, often at great personal and financial cost.

Whether or not Ariane 6 makes a successful debut, the European space industry will continue to push forward, driven by a desire to explore the unknown and to expand our understanding of the universe. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.