Entertainment

Bigzzad: Sound Of Tehran

Published

4 years ago

October 27, 2020

Behzad Khakbaz, best known by his stage name Bigzzad, is an Iranian singer, songwriter producer and actor. He founded the band “Underground Dream” for which he was the main vocalist and composer [1]. The band was formed in 2011 in Tehran. Apart from releasing two full length albums and several singles, Behzad has also been featured as the lead actor in a documentary called “The Ultimate Choice”, which focused on the hardships Iranian’s have to face as musicians. He came to acclaim when he started working on “Beyond the Bombs” for which he won the award of “Artistic Spirit Award”. He recently put his efforts in the project “Bigzzad: Report of a Nightmare”

He was born to Iranian parents on April 22, 1983, in Tehran. He moved to the United States in his early twenties, where he lived with his family of three. He studied Information Technology from the university in Tehran. Born and raised in a conservative country and choosing a profession contrary to the mindset of the people living around is one of the challenging things in life. Yet the Iranian singer, songwriter, and actor, Behzad Khakbaz chose this daring journey to pursue his dreams.

Bigzzad was passionate about music since childhood. This was the reason he left his degree in information technology and formed a heavy metal band. The band was formed in 2011 in Tehran. It was named “Underground Dream”, which consisted of Behzad himself as a composer and lead singer [1]. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles he formally perused his music career. A musician must not only be a good vocalist, but also be good at playing instruments, and following this strategy, he learned to play bass guitar, drum, and keyboard. He also knows how to play Sitar and Tanbur, traditional Irani instruments. The instrumentals of the band and the aggressive skill as a musician made them a distinctive among one of the heavy metal bands of Tehran. They had to go through a lot of struggle and challenges due to the ban on heavy and western music in Iran.

In the early days when Bigzzad moved to Los Angeles, he faced many hardships. This was because everything was new to him, new country, new people and only one dream. He then had the opportunity to learn music under the supervision of many renowned composers and directors. Many of his devoted friends encouraged him to be persistent on his struggle for music, and he believed that in any journey one must be accompanied by some faithful people, because they always push you to accomplished your goals.

Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, the ban culture on western music is common in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The State not only restricts the musician to undergo censorship but also bans the music if they consider it against the cultural values. The Iranian rock singer and the founder of the band “Underground Dreams”, Bigzzad defied this ban culture in 2011 after the release of his first album, and that move ultimately brought him to Los Angeles. Their first album, “Maximum Gain” was released in the same year (2011), in Iran through Blue Pie Records, despite the restriction of states on this music genre. A new CD was also recorded in 2013 in Hollywood, CA.

Bigzzad is one of the three Iranian musicians who left their country after their first music album had controversially been banned by the government in 2011. Speaking about the hardships in his early days of singing career, his first release became controversial in his home country. Bigzzad has always termed the ban and censored culture in Iran as an unjust move for the creativity of musicians. In 2017, Bigzzad was awarded the Artistic Spirit Awards for “Beyond the Bomb”, a documentary film directed by Robert Kraetsch and produced by Michel Grey.

“Beyond the Bomb “was a documentary on Bigzzad which was filmed to showcase the struggles of Irani musicians, how they risked their lives going beyond the cultural values to pursue freedom. Therefore, he believed that if one dares to follow the passion, then no one can stop you pursuing your dreams. Until now he has released two albums, and singles, and is also featured in a documentary film, yet he believes, he must work harder to prosper more in his music career ahead. Behzad poured all of his energy into his new project BIGZZAD. With crushing guitars and impassioned vocals BIGZZAD pulls off the rare magic trick of creating incredibly heavy music that retains its mainstream appeal. BIGZZAD’s new album ‘Report Of A Nightmare’ is the culmination of his incredible journey around the world and marks the beginning of a new era for this unstoppable young artist.

The musician is an optimist he believes both in his music career and in his home country, where metal musicians are not allowed. His journey from Iran to Los Angeles was fascinating for him, he finds his self-feeling stuck in Los Angeles on a roller coaster between freedom and fear that leads to gut-wrenching lyrical journeys, emotional peaks, and valleys and ultimately a choice for their dream. at the same time, it was an addition of a new challenge in his life as he had chosen a career against the norms of society in his own country. Initially, it was challenging for him, yet he bore the hardships of his music career. An Italian proverb says, “Starting is always difficult, but every desire is attainable.”

Entertainment

Getting to Know Adeia’s Fingerprints on Entertainment Evolution

Published

1 week ago

December 18, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo courtesy of Adeia

By Joy Reyes

Behind every streaming recommendation, smart TV search, and seamless device switch lies hidden technology powering your modern entertainment experience. Although people might not know Adeia, they have likely used its technology many times. The company’s inventions are embedded in the modern entertainment experience, from sophisticated content recommendation systems to seamless multi-device streaming capabilities.

“Our basic inventions shape the way millions of people explore and experience entertainment and improve billions of devices in an increasingly connected world,” says Serhad Doken, chief technology officer (CTO) at Adeia.

Building upon this foundation, “we create tools that make watching shows easier and more fun. These tools work on televisions (TVs), phones, and other devices, no matter where or how you watch. They help organize your entertainment in a way that feels just right for you,” Serhad Doken adds.

Connecting Traditional and Modern Media

At the heart of today’s entertainment landscape lies a crucial challenge: bridging the gap between traditional television and modern streaming platforms. One of Adeia’s key strengths is its ability to connect traditional linear television with the new age of streaming services. The company licenses its patented media inventions for traditional linear television in North America and internationally through its extensive portfolio of patents.

This comprehensive approach ensures seamless integration with over-the-top media service (OTT), direct-to-consumer, and social media services that provide access to entertainment inside and outside the home on a broad array of devices. The result is a unified entertainment experience catering to traditional viewers and digital-first consumers.

“We believe the continued growth of video consumption, the changes in how consumers explore and experience video, and the need for content storage and high-performance computing present new opportunities for us to continue to develop patentable inventions,” Serhad Doken explains.

Improving Content Discovery

In an age where the average viewer can access thousands of shows and movies across multiple platforms, finding what to watch can be as challenging as creating the content itself. To address this content overload, Adeia has been solving this problem by developing new solutions for content discovery that make the viewing experience more intuitive and personalized.

At the forefront of these innovations is Adeia’s universal search capability, which allows for unified discovery across live, recorded, on-demand, and streaming content sources. This groundbreaking solution means viewers no longer need to jump between different apps or platforms to find what they want to watch — Adeia’s universal search brings it all together in one place.

Moreover, the company improves content discovery further with its personalized discovery experiences. Using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, this includes personalized recommendations, predictive results, and popular and trending content suggestions. By analyzing viewing patterns and preferences, Adeia presents viewers with content that matches their interests and viewing habits.

Recognizing the growing prominence of voice-controlled smart home devices, Adeia has also developed a conversational interface to interpret voice commands and requests. This technology supports natural, conversational dialogue and interaction with smart responses, making it easier for viewers to find and control their entertainment.

Improving the Viewing Experience

Modern viewers expect a seamless entertainment experience across all their devices, and Adeia’s technologies make this possible. Their multi-device experience technology allows viewers to start watching a show on one device and smoothly transition to another without missing a beat.

To enhance the binge-watching experience that has become synonymous with modern streaming, Adeia has developed technologies that connect viewers with entertainment on their terms. These include features that automatically play the next episode or remember where viewers left off across different devices.

Perhaps most exciting is Adeia’s work in immersive content. “We are creating unrestricted entertainment experiences that are more engaging and gratifying than ever before,” Serhad Doken says. “This includes dynamic advertising, gaming, wagering, and even shoppable video integrated into content.”

Impact on Semiconductors

While Adeia’s influence on the entertainment industry is substantial, its inventions are not limited to this sector. According to Serhad Doken, the company also leads in semiconductor technology, developing solutions that expand the possibilities in electronic devices.

“With the rising cost of advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes, the sector is looking beyond Moore’s Law toward advanced packaging and three-dimensional (3D) integration technologies,” Serhad Doken explains, adding that its skilled team and labs in California and North Carolina create advanced 3D integration methods. These methods, like hybrid bonding, help make future electronics work better, faster, and smaller.

The Future of Entertainment Technology

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Adeia will continue to play an important role in shaping it. With its extensive research and development capabilities and broad portfolio of patented technologies, the company is well-positioned to address the needs of both content providers and consumers.

This positioning has recently been reinforced by a significant development in Adeia’s business. The company has entered into a multi-year agreement with Amazon, covering Adeia’s media intellectual property portfolio. This partnership with one of the world’s largest and most innovative companies underscores the value and relevance of Adeia’s technologies in the digital entertainment space.

Paul E. Davis, Adeia’s chief executive officer, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating, “Amazon plays a massive role in today’s innovation society. This collaboration validates Adeia’s technological prowess and promises to expand our developments’ reach and impact.”

“We are excited about the future of entertainment technology,” Serhad Doken concludes. “As video consumption continues to grow and change, and as new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) become more common, we will be there, developing new inventions that improve the way people explore, experience, and enjoy entertainment.”

In addition to the significant agreement with Amazon, Adeia has also recently renewed its long-standing partnership with Sharp Corporation. This renewal extends a relationship that has lasted for over 25 years.

Mark Kokes, Adeia’s chief licensing officer and general manager of media, commented on the renewal, highlighting Sharp’s reputation as a global leader in entertainment technology and its expertise in display technologies.

The renewed agreement covers Sharp’s smart TVs and consumer electronics, further solidifying Adeia’s position in the media technology sector.

These recent developments underscore the momentum in Adeia’s business, showcasing its ability to retain long-term partners like Sharp and attract new, influential clients like Amazon.

With its growing list of high-profile partnerships and ongoing innovations, Adeia is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of digital entertainment. The company’s advanced R&D efforts consistently result in fundamental innovations that power next-generation products, delivering breakthroughs in digital experiences for both consumer and enterprise applications.

Through its innovative solutions and forward-thinking approach, Adeia’s influence can be felt throughout the development of the entertainment industry, from the fundamental technologies that power our devices to the intuitive interfaces that help us discover and enjoy content. As we move into an increasingly connected future, Adeia’s technologies continue to shape how we interact with and experience digital entertainment.