Josephine, Marylebone: Ready-made chain feels like a cynical cash grab
Evidence of said brilliance can be found at the original Josephine, in Chelsea, which casts a long and very splendid shadow. It is a poignant eulogy from Bosi to his grandmother, a remembrance of her and his childhood formed as a Lyonnaise bouchon (or it was; the 'bouchon' description recently has been abandoned). Heart is not in short supply. It is a handsome room of oxblood banquettes, wood-panelled everything and lamps with cloth covers. Wine is charged by the centimetre — a man comes with a ruler and a calculator. The food? It's perfect: rabbit à la moutarde, duck à l'orange served without irony, a full stop slice of sausage punctuating a slash of brioche and soaked in red wine sauce. Veal sweetbreads, andouillette. A set menu offers two courses for £24.50 — on the Fulham Road. Were there full-size furniture in the place — Claude and his wife Lucy instead opting to source theirs from a Sylvanian Families extension pack — it might be flawless. But tiny, squished-in tables haven't stopped it packing out: every night it heaves with gleeful diners getting drunk off pork fat. One person I know has been 14 times.
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Geeky Gadgets
28-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Create Stunning Short Films in Minutes with Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro
What if creating a cinematic short film no longer required a massive production team, endless hours of editing, or a Hollywood-sized budget? With the rise of AI-powered tools like Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro, this bold vision is becoming a reality. These new technologies are transforming video production, allowing creators to craft visually stunning scenes and cohesive narratives with unprecedented speed and precision. Whether you're an indie filmmaker or a content creator experimenting with new formats, these tools promise to redefine what's possible in the art of storytelling. But as with any innovation, they also raise questions: Can AI truly replicate human creativity? And how do we navigate the challenges of integrating these tools into our workflows? All About AI explore how Google Veo 3's advanced visual rendering and Gemini 2.5 Pro's narrative refinement capabilities work together to transform video production. From crafting cinematic templates to experimenting with AI-generated prompts, you'll discover how these tools streamline the creative process while opening doors to new artistic possibilities. Along the way, we'll also address the hurdles—like maintaining scene consistency and managing computational costs—that come with adopting AI-driven workflows. As you read, consider how these innovations might reshape your approach to storytelling and challenge the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. AI Tools Transform Video Production At the core of this innovative workflow are two powerful AI tools: Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro. Each tool offers distinct capabilities that, when combined, create a seamless production process: Google Veo 3: Known for its advanced visual rendering capabilities, this tool excels at generating high-quality video outputs, making sure that your scenes are visually stunning and polished. Known for its advanced visual rendering capabilities, this tool excels at generating high-quality video outputs, making sure that your scenes are visually stunning and polished. Gemini 2.5 Pro: Specializes in narrative development and scene refinement, helping you maintain a cohesive story structure and flow throughout your project. These tools complement each other, streamlining the video production process from concept to completion. Additionally, auxiliary technologies like Claude, an AI brainstorming assistant, and Suno, which generates AI-driven music, further enhance your creative toolkit. Together, they allow you to integrate visuals, storytelling, and sound into a unified and immersive production. Structured AI Workflow for Short Film Creation Creating a short film with AI requires a clear vision and a structured approach. By following a systematic workflow, you can maximize the potential of tools like Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro. Here's a step-by-step guide: Step 1: Develop a Template: Begin by designing a cinematic template that outlines the key elements of your film. This includes detailed prompts for camera angles, character descriptions, shot compositions, and overall visual style. Begin by designing a cinematic template that outlines the key elements of your film. This includes detailed prompts for camera angles, character descriptions, shot compositions, and overall visual style. Step 2: Brainstorm Story Ideas: Use AI tools to generate and refine story concepts. For instance, one project explored the story of a young woman inheriting a fortune from a mysterious benefactor, blending suspense and intrigue to create a captivating narrative. Use AI tools to generate and refine story concepts. For instance, one project explored the story of a young woman inheriting a fortune from a mysterious benefactor, blending suspense and intrigue to create a captivating narrative. Step 3: Create and Refine Scenes: Write specific prompts for each scene and use AI to generate video outputs. Analyze the results, refine the prompts, and iterate until the scenes align with your creative vision. In one example, eight scenes were developed and compiled into a one-minute trailer that effectively captured the essence of the story. This iterative process ensures that every element of your film contributes to a cohesive and visually engaging narrative, allowing you to achieve professional-quality results with efficiency. Google Veo 3 & Gemini 2.5 Pro AI Video Workflow Watch this video on YouTube. Master AI video production tools with the help of our in-depth articles and helpful guides. Overcoming Challenges in AI Video Production While AI tools like Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro offer significant advantages, they also present certain challenges that creators must address. 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Some of the most impactful features include: Mood Boards and Concept Designs: Use AI to visualize scenes and establish the tone of your project before production begins, making sure a clear creative direction. Use AI to visualize scenes and establish the tone of your project before production begins, making sure a clear creative direction. Prompt Experimentation: Experiment with input prompts in Google Veo 3 to explore creative possibilities, refine your narrative, and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. These features not only streamline production but also encourage experimentation, allowing you to discover innovative approaches to storytelling and visual design. The Future of AI in Video Production The potential of AI in video production continues to grow as technology advances. Current limitations, such as scene consistency and computational demands, are likely to diminish over time, paving the way for even greater possibilities. Future developments may include: More intuitive workflows that reduce the need for manual intervention, making the tools accessible to a broader range of creators. Enhanced capabilities for building complex, multi-layered narratives that rival traditional filmmaking techniques. Increased accessibility for creators with varying levels of technical expertise, providing widespread access to the art of video production. These advancements will empower filmmakers to experiment with AI-driven storytelling, redefine creative boundaries, and produce high-quality content with unprecedented efficiency. Redefining Video Production with AI AI is reshaping the art of video production, offering tools that simplify workflows, enhance creativity, and enable the creation of cinematic content with remarkable precision. By using the capabilities of Google Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro, you can craft visually stunning scenes, refine compelling narratives, and produce polished trailers with ease. While challenges such as cost and consistency remain, the rapid evolution of AI technology promises a future where these tools become even more powerful and accessible. As a creator, embracing AI-driven production can unlock new opportunities to push the limits of storytelling and transform the way you bring your vision to life. Media Credit: All About AI Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Labubu alternatives you should know about before they sell out too
Feeling left out from the most viral trend of the year being completely sold out? Here are five Labubu alternatives for the 2025 bag charm trend - and yes, they are still available Whether you're a fan or not, Labubus cannot be missed. Seemingly everywhere, 2025's biggest trend repeatedly sold out from not only Pop Mart, but other retailers too. The unexpected hype for the eerie looking plush toys has reached astronomical heights, where fans can now even rent the attachable teddies. The waiting list for these love-or-hate soft toys is supposedly a mile long so, if you're dying to participate in cute, bag charm fashion then here are five alternatives that are just as - if not more - adorable! Jellycats An enormous trend in its own right, its undeniable that Jellycats were the leading product that first began the soft toy phenomenon with young adults - and they're much easier to purchase. Launched in London, in 1999, the super soft teddies range from sweet animals like bunnies, sausage dogs and foxes, to fun sized food such as vegetables, cakes and croissants. With simple, stitched, smiley faces, the range now also includes sports-related items that feature mini caps, limbs and the attachable keyrings of course. Crybaby Reportedly a close second to Labubus is Pop Mart's other hit: the Crybaby. These sad-doll alternatives are the 'thought-daughter' pick, perfect for fans of the infamous Coraline. And for those indecisive few that struggle to choose a favourite, look no further as they can only be bought as a 'lucky dip', arriving in a blind box, which is part of the fun. The sweet but sad dolls are in immediate need of a cheer up, almost nostalgic of the 2010's Tamagotchi that required constant, attentive love. Noodall Founded in London by art student Yiyang Wang, Noodall was born from Taiwanese noodles and rice being shaped into lovable little creatures, with their keyrings including mushrooms, dumplings and dinosaurs. The British-made brand is a coveted gift with 'Gen Z-ers', where the experience of taking a personality test to create your own personalised plushie based on your habits is a sure hit. Sylvanian Families Let's not forget this classic! If you grew up in 2000's, you're sure to remember these miniature figures from their addictive adverts on our British screens. Sylvanian Families are a great alternative for new fans and collectors. If these collectables ruled your childhood bedroom then you'll be excited to know the company now offer key chain versions, ready to act as nostalgic but chic bag charms attached, completely mobile without the usual house. SkullPanda Lastly, this edgy, rosy-cheeked doll is the perfect friend for your Crybaby. Fans have shared their love for the SkullPanda 's gothic charm. With a variety of differing looks, these unusual dolls are beautifully unique and feminine, sporting a range of hair styles, make-up and outfits. Like Crybaby's, the Pop Mart product also come in a blind box, so its a luck of the draw. Currently out of stock online, these popular 'attachables' are guaranteed a re-stock.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Awkward moment mum-of-six ‘makes a fool out of husband' on Channel 4's Open House in bid to SAVE their marriage
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM-OF-SIX has been slammed by viewers of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment for "making a fool" out of her husband. Amy came under fire by horrified fans of the show for passionately kissing a woman in front of her hubby Claude in a hot tub. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Amy has been blasted by viewers of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment Credit: Channel 4 7 The mum-of-six kissed a woman in front of her husband Claude Credit: Channel 4 7 Claude looked extremely unimpressed while sitting in the hot tub with them Credit: Channel 4 7 Claude made it clear he wasn't on board with the idea of an open marriage Amy had told the cameras how she previously enjoyed a polyamorous lifestyle and wanted to return to it despite hers and Claude's monogamous marriage. Claude admitted he had always stuck to one partner and was struggling with the idea of seeing his wife with someone else. But despite his obvious reservations, Amy wasted no time in snogging a woman called Georgie in front of him while sitting in a steamy hot tub. Viewers of the Channel 4 show, which sees monogamous couples move into a house alongside 'sexperts' and explore having an open relationship, were shocked. Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, one raged: "Amy's mocking her husband." Another added: "Amy, if you end up on your own with 6 kids I'll have no sympathy." And a third said: "Amy just wants a way out of the relationship, making a fool of her partner." Someone else added: "I think it's unfair that Amy entered into a monogamous marriage and now wants to change the rules AND for her husband to be happy with that, when he's clearly not." Despite Claude's reluctance to get on board with the idea, Amy told the cameras that she believed he was only closed off to polygamy because it is "not what society dictates". But another viewer blasted: "No Amy he is not holding back cos society tells him it is not normal, he is holding back cos he doesn't want to do this!" The school run's so awkward now we're on a shocking TV experiment - maybe other parents just want to sleep with us too? Following his wife's kiss with Georgie, Claude admitted he had not found it easy to witness. "Seeing Amy with another woman is definitely out of my comfort zone," he admitted. Amy, meanwhile, all but said her marriage with Claude would be over if he didn't go along with her fantasies. "If he said this definitely isn't the lifestyle for me, it would definitely stop us moving forward," she said, bluntly. In a sneak peek of the next episode of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, things step up gear. A trailer showed Amy and Georgie carrying out a sex act in the bedroom while Claude looked on. However, another clip showed Amy crying and admitting to the sexperts: "I feel I made a mistake last night...." 7 Amy said her marriage to Claude would be at risk if he didn't agree to her polygamous fantasies Credit: Supplied 7 They joined the Channel 4 experiment to 'save' their relationship
