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Shakty Castro, widely recognized by her social media alias “Horngryland,” was born on February 14, 1999, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Embedded in a family that celebrated creativity and tradition, Shakty’s vibrant and outgoing nature as a child led her parents to introduce her to Hatha Yoga, hoping to provide her with a means of focusing her boundless energy. This introduction to yoga at the GFU (Great Universal Fraternity) yoga school, a revered institution established in the 1920s in Venezuela, marked the beginning of a lifelong passion.
Yoga, for Shakty, evolved into more than just a practice—it became a way of life, nurtured by her parents who themselves were yoga instructors and instilled in her the values of holistic and esoteric wisdom. Her name, Shakty, meaning Feminine Power, was chosen by her parents from a book, encapsulating the essence they saw in her.
While yoga remained a central theme in her life, Shakty also harbored a deep-seated passion for the visual arts, particularly in photography and videography. This interest was a family affair, particularly shared with her father, allowing them to bond over capturing moments and creating visual narratives.
The tragic loss of her mother in March 2021 was a turning point for Shakty, plunging her into a period of deep sorrow. Yet, through the darkness, she found solace in meditation, writing, dance, painting, and modeling—channels that allowed her to express her grief and gradually reconnect with her inner strength and vitality.
Emerging from this period of mourning, Shakty has dedicated herself to inspiring others through her work in the visual arts. Her journey through grief and recovery has profoundly influenced her approach to filmmaking and content creation, infusing her work with themes of resilience, personal growth, and the beauty of life despite its challenges.
Today, Shakty is a fervent advocate for using the power of visual storytelling to inspire and motivate others. Through her films and videos, she aims to showcase the beauty of embracing life’s challenges and the transformative power of the mind. Drawing from her personal experiences and the wisdom passed down from her mother, Shakty’s work is a testament to the belief that life is indeed beautiful and that each individual has the power to shape their reality and achieve personal fulfillment.
Her content, rich with narratives of self-discovery and empowerment, invites viewers to embark on their own journeys of self-improvement and to see the world through a lens of wonder and possibility. As she continues to explore and document her path through life, Shakty’s ultimate hope is that her audience will find inspiration in her story to become the best versions of themselves, embracing change and the endless possibilities that life offers.
Manuel Alejandro Rangel, born on September 29, 1994, in Mérida, Venezuela, embarked on a journey that would take him from a sports enthusiast to a respected voice in the realm of literary and film criticism, with a particular focus on the intersection of technology and storytelling in cinema. His early years were marked by a diverse array of interests ranging from karate and soccer to painting, indicating a multifaceted personality that would later find expression in his academic and professional pursuits.
Following his high school graduation at the age of 16, a period marred by the loss of his mother, Yajaira Rangel, Manuel sought a new beginning. He moved in with his sister and pursued higher education at the University of Los Andes (ULA), initially focusing on electrical engineering. However, his journey took a pivotal turn in 2016 amidst Venezuela’s escalating economic and social crises, prompting him to migrate to New York in search of better opportunities.
In New York, Manuel’s resilience and adaptability were evident as he navigated various jobs, from food delivery to bartending, all while nurturing his passion for fitness and nutrition. Settling in Brooklyn, he balanced his roles as a French restaurant manager and a freelance personal trainer with an emerging interest in writing and critique.
Manuel’s transition into the literary and film criticism sphere was driven by a fascination with the transformative power of technology in storytelling. His electrical engineering background, coupled with a lifelong love for reading and an analytical mind, uniquely positioned him to explore and write about the nuanced interplay between book-to-film adaptations and the evolving use of artificial intelligence and computer-generated imagery in filmmaking. His articles delve into how these technologies not only change the visual landscape of cinema but also how stories are told, reshaping narrative possibilities and viewer engagement.
As a critic, Manuel contributes insightful analyses and commentary on a wide array of topics, from the fidelity of adaptations and the ethical considerations of AI in creative processes to the technical intricacies of CGI advancements. His work highlights the importance of preserving the essence of source material while embracing innovation, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of current trends and future directions in film and literature.
Manuel’s journey from a young sports enthusiast in Venezuela to a thought leader in the cinematic and technological discourse in New York exemplifies a story of transformation and perseverance. His contributions not only enrich discussions around film and technology but also inspire others to view cinema through a lens that appreciates both its artistry and its technical achievements.
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