Blog Assignment #8: Scene Deconstruction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2vr0M7jhRk

I believe this movie has a few themes that are explained actively because it's quite obvious. By giving the little girl his toys that he loves so much and even playing with them one last time, Andy teaches us that good byes don't have to be band, and that the end of one adventure, can lead to a new just as great one. Andy isn't throwing his toys away, he's in fact giving them to someone whose just as creative and has a good heart.

Space in this scene helps explain the theme. They run around the yard, and use different places in the yard to play with the toys. It helps with the idea that you don't need a huge area to imagine being in one. Toy Story is a series that lets your imagination wonder, and this scene shows that off. Space off time is used in these scene as well. You can tell that time is passing, that Andy and the little girl are really playing with these toys, not just a few minutes. It feels as if Andy has spent a whole day with his toys. Movement is also used a lot, it's quick and swift. When playing with toys the plots and characters and worlds change a lot and this is shown off with the quick movements of the two characters running around with their toys. Contrast and Affinity are also used by Space and Movement in these scene. Andy is much taller, so his movement is quicker and much smoother (as he's been walking and playing much longer). Yet how the two play together is very similar and therefore shows the toys are being given to a good new person, their new journey will be a good one. it's a beautiful scene to end a great movie and even better series.

Blog Assignment #7: Animation Deconstruction

A Pup Named Scooby Doo vs. The Simpsons

The color in the two shows are very different. A Pup named Scooby Doo uses much darker, and earthier tones. Lots of green and Brown. Also, when blue is used in this still it's usually a darker blue. Even Scooby's name tag is slightly a darker blue. In general the Hue of Scooby uses lots of Green, and Brown. Hue's in the Simpsons are based off yellow and blue. The Simpsons's colors are much brighter. Having yellow skin shows off easier and is obviously brighter than Scooby's brown fir. Even the Simpson's shadows are a light shade of black on top of the blue walls. Comparing the two dogs from each photo you can see that Santa's Little Helper is a much lighter brown. The saturation of these two pieces are almost the exact opposite of each other.
The Lighting in these Stills are also very different. The Shadowing in the Simpson's are very light and bright. The Simpson's have a very bright blue based shadow which shows off the difference in type of show. The Simpson's show is comedy so it's bright. Scooby as a pup is a mystery and therefore the shadow at the top of the Still is much darker shadow than anything in the Simpson still. Which leads into an explanation of the symbolizing with the lighting. The Simpson's is light and funny and care free. So the light lighting shows off that kind of mood. Scooby Doo is solving a mystery and there's a monster somewhere around, and despite it being a comedy it still has that aspect of the story and therefore the shadowing is more based on the mystery side of the story. However, Scooby doesn't use black and red like normal mysteries. By using earthy colors, a more friendly mood is created. Using dark shadowing the mystery/monster aspect of the show is presented, and the earthy friend tones show off the comedy and for kid aspects of the show. The Simpson's use light colors to show it's a fun comedy for everyone.

Blog Assignment #6: Fight Club In Pictures

Over Head Photo

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

The 180 degree rule definitely applies to this scene in Fight Club. Marla and The Narrator are always the perfect space away, as you can tell in the overhead shot especially. When Marla starts the scene yelling at the Narrator, the degree is kept when it then cuts to her cleaning his face off. Then as the buildings outside begin to explode the space is kept even though it is a completely different camera shot. Basically this scene is shot with the 180 degree rule in mind.

The rule of thirds is also used. If you see how the window they're staring out is split into tinier sections of the window. This gives the desired effect of energy and interest the rule of thirds is suppose to give off. The window using this rule makes the buildings exploding in the background have more impact and lots more meaning. It helps express the explosions better than simply one large window exploding. 

This scene only really used the 30 rule when the characters interacted at the beginning. They moved enough between their two faces to make the desired effect of the 30 rule. However, this technique was not used at all after. This is because they used the same shot from then on, of the buildings exploding through the window.

The director used all of these rules and obviously used them to his advantage. Especially the rule of thirds with the window that looked out into the sea of exploding buildings. This made the scene stronger visually, thus can be felt more emotionally. He also really used the 180 degree rule well. The characters interaction was perfect and the distance was very well measured and it all felt so smooth. It's because he followed these guidelines and rules correctly, that the end of this movie was as strong as it the potential was.

Blog Assignment #5: Comparing "Red Right Hand"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrxePKps87k&ob=av2n (Nick Cave, Original Version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7psIbGeoij0 (Arctic Monkeys, Cover Version)

            Lyrically there are no changes to the song. However, the way they are sung, gives them different meaning. They're both about a strange man who seems to have control of the whole world and can do whatever he pleases. Nick Cave however, seems to be most content with the man and is giving more of a warning about the man. As if he is telling a small child to watch out for this guy. The Arctic Monkey's version (sung by the fantastic Alex Turner) seems to be sung much more in fear. Alex Turner has an urgency in his voice, as if the man is watching from over his shoulder over the whole song. However, Turner seems to have control as if he is cooling warning you from a stool at a bar. It's almost as if Turner was the child Nick Cave had warned and he's at the back of a bar telling you all that has happened. Lyrically this song is fantastic, and due to the style the Arctic Monkeys' adapted during this time, this cover fits well with the rest of their material. Lyrically this song is very Arctic Monkeys's just as it is Nick Cave's song. Both singers take the song and make it their own.
            The Melody is also the same. Turner's vocal pattern is the same as Nick Cave's and is sung also the exact same. The melody in the organ and guitar solo's are also the same. The cover (just as they did with the lyrics) keeps the integrity of the original melody, and amps the speed up. The organs both play the mysterious lead melody that feels as if the man with the red right hand is right there with the band, and is always watching. The Melody is simple, yet dark and dirty. It helps the lyrically vibe move forward, and creates the atmosphere.
            The Monkeys made a few changes to the song. Rhythm is similar but with the bass and drum parts it's a little funkier and more of a head-bobber. The Intensity is similar, both rise from the verse to the end of the chorus. They both have an intensity that makes you nervous as well, as if the song could change very quickly. The Monkeys's did a good job keeping the intensity of the original (the original version is very well known for being in all the Scream movies). Organization, is the same and the Monkey's stuck close to the original for it. That being said Alex Turner's voice is higher than Nick Caves, and that's the major difference in Pitch between the two. Timbre, the Monkey's have a better production and therefore many of the instruments sound better and crisper, and overall have a strong more obvious Timbre. Finally, the Monkeys' bumped the speed of the song up quite and bit giving the song a personal vibe to the band, but keeping the integrity of the original. Which is what all good covers should do.

In class iMovie assignment

In Class Stick Fight (Warning: Almost too much violence)

Enjoy watching as I did making it. Look out, lots of waving.

Blog Assignment #4: Fight Club Script

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Huy-JP1xo&feature=related

Blog Assignment #3: Brainwashed

http://changethis.com/     


Acknowledging of the lizard: It's the part of our brain that tells us to stop and listen to what "the man" wants us to hear, and than do. It's what tells us to do what others would want, and not what the brain actually wants. "The Resistance" is the voice in your head that tells you to quit.

Make Art- Art is original, and it's making something original, doesn't follow instructions. It's connecting to others on the most basic level. It's taking the biggest risk, for good or bad.

Learn: The act of thinking differently. To discard everything you think you know, and learn what you need to know. Learning can be everything from blogs, to news, to art, as long as you think differently.

To be quite honest and frank, I believe these exercises are a huge waste of time. All these blogs are meant to get us thinking creatively yet none of them felt like I was doing anything creative. I understand fully what these are trying to do. However, I want to be an Audio Engineer, I will NEVER create a superhero in my creative lifetime professionally. If this class really is about the creative process, and working with others we should be doing other things. I think the actual class lecture part of Media 203 is really fun and interesting. The labs however (including the blogs) are lacking. I feel like the labs and blogs are to help people "discover who they are and what they want to do" however, I feel like most people in our Media Arts group are very aware of what they enjoy doing and therefore we are doing redundant work. Also, I feel doing power points are silly. The most interesting and helpful thing we've done is when we  wrote those scripts. If we're trying to get people to try new things we should at least be realistic about it. Many of us minus the actual video game designers will never actually make up a game. However, majority of us are much more likely to help write a script, or at least a few jokes for a movie or game. I think recording a song, for a movie or game will be very helpful. I think we should also be forced to write a pop song. At the end of the day video game's soundtracks are starting to be a mix of orchestral instruments, and pop songs. For example, the soundtrack to the game Portal is electronic instruments, and a normal soundtrack orchestra. At the end of the game, the main antagonists sings a pop song. This was repeated in the sequel, and has been done in other games too. Making videos are also going to be a big part of it. Actually doing things in general will be much more enjoyable, and will get better results. All students are going to put more work into a song, or video than a power point. We should be out doing things and experiencing things like all these blogs tell us too, and not just sit in a room and think about what color a superhero should be and then write 100 words instead of 3 sentences to explain it. That's my quick side note, 100 words just to say why a super hero is yellow, is impossible and silly. I think this is a great class, we just need a little bit more hands on direction

Blog Assignment #2: Finding Your Howl

http://changethis.com/manifesto/show/51.01.YourHowl
In the 1970's there were only 14 red wolfs remaining, to save their specie they were put in captivity. Many years later the offspring of the 14 red wolfs were put into the wild. The problem the young pack had was they lost their howl. Mumon decides to look for the howl himself. After eating a deer, and being shot by a farmer. He finds himself in the center of Earth howling, when he wakes he finds his pack howling back and he's alive.

The point he tries to make with this story, is that you need to go out into the world. Experience things, be apart of things you aren't comfortable with. All your experiences, and influences make you unique. It gives you your howl, your identity. Once, you have your own identity, you can share it with others and therefore continue the cycle of creativity and life.

My favorite lyrics are from the Beatles' song- "In My Life"
There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All this places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
In my life-- I love you more 


This song speaks to me a lot as a creative person, and not just a few lines but the song as whole. First we'll need to look at this as a poem as this is based on the quote not the music which makes this song even more amazing. The opening section is so well written, and it makes you really connect with the author (A Lennon-McCartney collaboration, though as time has told it was more Lennon). The first part makes you think about the people and places from your life that mean something to you. You think about the good times, and the bad and how they have effected you in your life. As a creative person, I think in terms of how to express this section in my own words. To be able to reflect in such a simple, yet elegant way. To think of everyone and everything from your past, alive or dead and what they ment to you. To think of writing lyrics in a way like this always pushes me creatively. This is a good example of a song that doesn't have to my rhyme every line as long as message is still there, and it's tasteful. This also has a classic case of Beatle's writing that reflects love. The Beatle's song writing in general has influenced and pushed creativity for generations and generations to comes. This song will always be a lasting reflection on the time in which it conveys, and how we should all live our lives today. Beatles's music will survive for as long as civilization exists and it's songs like this that make this true.  It's a happy reflection, something that only true artists are ever able to really express. The second section has Lennon explaining an even tougher idea. To respect the past, but not to live in it. As a creative person, I need to think in terms of what in the past has influenced me, but not stay in the past and not learn from it. You don't want to make a living re-writing Beatles's songs, you want to learn from what made the songs great and add other touches that make it unique to you, or finding your "Howl" as a stated earlier. The final section re states all these emotions and feelings and ends with Lennon never forget, and never giving up love for what is and what came before. This song speaks to me, and tells me how to live as a creative person, and as a human. That's what a true artist is able to convey at some point in their life time. This song helps push me to hopefully one day be able to follow in these foot steps. If a song can speak to you on different levels, and be there for you in a time you need it. Than it is a special song. If I've had a bad day or week, and I really need to feel like someone out there understands me, I'll listen to this song and reflect on the week. Take in what was good from the bad, and move on and stop worrying about the past.

Blog Assignment #1

My hero's name is: Leo The Light

Leo's color is very flame like. He has a very warm image, of red and yellow. He is the eternal light of what is justice. His honor is showen through the yellow, the bright part of his being. The red is the bravery on his mission for justice. It also explains his short tempter for people who do the wrong thing, or cause horrible things to happen. The colors are very similar to that of the Sun, which gives the world warmth and life. He feels the same way with saving people, but predicting the people as the Sun protects the Earth. The warm colors show that he is there to help, and be a hero for his people. 

Leo is very bright. Both for his intellect, and his physical being. He is seen everywhere he is. He does not hide in the shadow. He does not want justice to have to hide in a dark back alley. He is very focused as is the a shining light. To his enemy he is as blinding as staring into this light. He will also blind you (literally he'll punch you in the eyes if you're a villain). Bright is a symbol for good and the day. He uses his color and his shades of bright light to be a beacon of hope for people.

His is shaped similar to a lantern. Being similar to a lantern is a part of the image of being a "Light." His image a lantern leading people through a dark forest "of crime" to show them the good and to get them to a save place. By adding this shape the metaphor for the light comes full circle and gives people the image of him at first mention. By being bright this normally strange shape makes sense and thus my hero Leo The Light, is born.

Villain: Dasani

Dasani is a much darker color than our hero to show the contrast of emotions, personality, and motivation. By being a color opposite to the hero physically, people can identify him as a different entity entirely. He is named after the water company, and is the water to put out the light that Leo the Light is. He is the dark color opposite to the bright colors of the hero Leo. He is much more of a dark under water color. Much darker than a water fountain or even rain. He is much more like a rain cloud or the dark under belly of the ocean.

He is a very dark shade. To show that he comes out of the darkness. He crawled out from a dark, and disturbing past. He's goal in life and motivation is for the world to be put into a similar darkness, so that everyone feels his pain. He is the darkness that our hero Leo, will brighten up with his lighter shade of shadow. He is often hiding in the shadows plotting his next evil scheme, or to watch his new scheme unfold. He uses the darkness of his shadow to sneak up to people as well. By being a dark color he IS his own shadow, a Metaphor for the Human evil within.

Even though the blue of his outfit is much a darker shade of blue. This is the shape he takes. He is the water to stamp out and suffocate the light Leo represents. His shape is however, similar in a few spots to our hero. This shows off the fact that they are brothers. Coming from the same family, Leo lived with his Mother whom was rich and kind, giving Leo is kindness and love of humans. Dasani lived with his father who was a miserable bastard. When both of their parents die on a date trying to re connect. Both of the boys then decide to go out and fix how they think the world is broken. Leo being the light to show people to way, and Dasnai to put water on the light and kill it. They both have a more rounder bottom and a top point. This is how the visible connect of their heritage is shown, but the colors and shade contrast show their differing motivations, and personalizes.

Favorite Superhero

My favourite superhero is Batman, for obvious of reasons.
1. His back story
We all know his back story, classic American tale of "Rich kid watches his parents die, uses left over fortune to fight crime." I love it. It's dark, it has a purpose, and I mean we all have thought about what we'd do if we were rich and our parents were dead. Fact is, his back story helps set up a character so hardened by his parents death, and devotes his life to cleaning up the crime that killed them.
2. He's smart
He's got the name "The Greatest Detective," the man knows what he's doing.
3. The Villains he fights
He fights the most disturbing and well thought out bad guys in all of super hero "land." Seriously though no Superman villain or Spiderman villain put together has anything on The Joker.
4. He's a badass
Honestly, this man is a badass. He fights crime wearing all black, and his million dollar gadgets, and drives a tank you shaped like a bat. The man is what all super heros should be, badass, yet mentally messed up.