Collapsus

 click here to see my audio for COLLAPSUS

Karimanifesto and my manifesto

   Here and now is all we’ve got.

When reading Karim Rashid’s manifesto’s ten points,  “Here and now is all we’ve got” spoke to me the most. To quote an awesome movie, Kungfu Panda Master Oogway said, “ The past is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift that is why it is called the present.” This point spoke to me the most because I believe that everyday you should make the most out of it, because we are never guaranteed another shot or another day. When looking at his manifesto and the work he does I can see a correlation of unconventional, and very creative ideas being portrayed. It seems like he creates what he is feeling because the pieces themselves are beautiful artwork. His website even is very different, he has symbols used to represent certain sections and also adds a musical melody when you scroll on them. It’s very different and unique.  I would say his spirituality informs his art because he is creating because he is into his present. He knows that today is what we have been given so make the best out of it. His artwork shows that he is creating the best of what he can because he knows that to not take everyday as a gift, it will go to waste. He also believes that we could be living in a different world.

“Design is about the betterment of our lives poetically, aesthetically, experientially, sensorially, and emotionally. My real desire is to see people live in the modus of our time, to participate in the contemporary world, and to release themselves from nostalgia, antiquated traditions, old rituals, kitsch and the meaningless.”

His artwork shows that he wants to take the step and give us the push to become this different world.

    

What is most important to live and to live creatively? Now that is a tough question. The most important thing to live and to live creatively is to be: passionate in everything you do, never give up on something you believe in, try your best even when things are falling apart, shoot for the stars, think you can, give yourself brain food, enjoy the experience, forget rules, support yourself and be EXCITED! In today’s world I feel like people just take the jobs that have the best salary or will allow them to have the cool car or house. In reality they hate their jobs and are slaves to what they do everyday. 

It’s extremely important to be passionate about what you do! IT’S YOUR LIFE!!! Don’t waste it by doing a job you aren’t in love with, because in the end you gain nothing from it but cheap money. 

Never give up on something you believe in. Sometimes when people tell me that sounds stupid or that won’t work, it makes me want to push my idea even harder and create what I thought to begin with would be awesome. In order to get anywhere in life, you have to take some risks and giving up on what you believe is basically saying you want to play it safe always. This will not help you live, or live creativity. Go out there and make the world your playground and make it the way you believe it is meant to be otherwise change will never happen.

Try your best even when things are falling apart. Once you’ve started don’t give up. Do whatever you can to make it your best still. Sometimes when things don’t go as planned many will give up and say well that’s all I can do. I can’t do anything else to make it better. TRY TRY TRY! These mishaps or mistakes can be transformed into a positive if you want it to be. Always look for other ways, which will help in your life and thinking creatively!

Shoot for the stars, why not? Life is way to short, why limit yourself to thinking only this way or that way is possible. If you want, there are endless possibilities out there for you to discover and accomplish.

THINK YOU CAN!!! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I can’t do it… I can’t do that… I can’t CAN’T, CAN’T, CAN’t!!!” That word needs to be taken out of the dictionary its overused. In order to be creative you have to think you can do anything, you can create anything or else you will be stuck with a mess that you don’t know what to do with because you can’t take control and do it.

Give yourself brain food… keep learning new things, keep up with the times and don’t just get adjusted to how things are. The best way to lead a creative life is to be constantly changing and learning, if you don’t you may find yourself with the same idea and nothing ever unique or different.

Enjoy the experience. I remember this years 48 shoot-out. I loved my crew and everyone I worked with. At the end of it all, we were late in turning in our DVD due to burning issues, but while everyone kept saying oh that sucks or what a bummer. I thought, no this still is our film, this still was an amazing experience and I’m glad I was a part of it. In order to live life creatively and just live you need to take in all the experiences you can.

Forget the rules. In order to live a creative life, you have to make your own rules and live life the way you want it to be. Life is unpredictable so rules have got to change constantly, which is why I would forget the rules.

Support yourself. You can’t depend on others all the time, now I’m not saying you shouldn’t be trusting but I am saying that you can’t just depend on others. You need to support yourself in life. It’s important because it gives you a sense of pride while also allowing you to build character.

Last but not least, BE EXCITED!!! Life and creating things you need to be excited in what you do and life in general. Life is a crazy ride, so hold on and make some amazing things happen.

FREAK FACTOR

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David Rendall's, FREAK FACTOR: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness is an article about not becoming the stereotypical well-rounded person. In fact it’s the opposite, Rendall wants people to regain their creativity and uniqueness while at the same time fixing their “flaws”. As he states, the basic three steps to self-improving are:

1.    Fix weakness

2.    Build on strengths

3.    Do BOTH

BUT… Rendall wants us to offer us a better alternative than the ineffective efforts to fix weaknesses.  After reading Rendall’s nine alternative suggestions, here are the three that meant the most to me.

What’s MY problem?

         When reading what Rendall had to say about his “problems” I could relate to what he was saying. Similar to him, growing up my teachers and family would tell me that I didn’t think conventionally… or better yet I was scattered brained.  Even once a teacher had to call in my mother to inform her of a standardized test I took in elementary school. See, there was a question on the test that asked if you have 3 blue marbles in a bag and 4 red marbles in a bag, what color marble would have the best chance of being pulled out? Seems like a simple question to answer, but no, I gave the answer…purple. Therefore, the teachers felt a little concerned with how my brain functions. It was evident when I was growing up I thought outside the box and gave strange answers to questions that a lot of people hadn’t thought of before. It was only until I was in high school that I began to use my creativity as my strength.

1.) There is nothing wrong with you.

Rendall is right! There is nothing wrong with me, I just think unconventionally

      2.) You find success when you find the right fit.

Rendall… you’re right again!  Film and creating different and unconventional things is where I fit in and I believe I will have success in the major I am in.

     3.)Your weakness makes you different.

WAVE YOUR FREAK FLAG!!! Who knows someone might like it!

FORGET IT! Don’t try to fix your weaknesses

         In this particular advise, basically tells us trying to “fix” your weaknesses… WON’T WORK!!! The logic behind such advise is:

>>> It is slow! Since it takes so much time to get anywhere on fixing our weakness why bother? Weaknesses are part of who you are therefore, it is a long and boring process to change who you were always meant to be.

>>>It is PAINFUL! OUCH! Who wants to be told over and over again that your weakness is still there, that it hasn’t been fixed or better yet, you don’t want to fix your weaknesses??? I know when I don’t want to do something, like eat steamed carrots, it’s the most painful experience I can go through!

>>>It distracts us from activities where we could make significant progress and find fulfillment. One, you’re wasting time, trying so hard to fix what doesn’t need to be fixed because you COULD be out and about doing things that add on to your strengths and abilities instead of dwelling on what you think needs to change.

>>>It doesn’t actually work.  Say you fix your weakness… will you still use it?

… I wouldn’t.

The POWER OF UNIQUENESS!

         In this section, it addresses… FREAKS!  It talks about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Though buildings are usually supposed to be straight, this building began to lean after it was built. While most thought it should get fixed, it didn’t. Since then, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is considered a famous landmark, because the build itself is a freak. If one were to fix this building now, it would take away from its uniqueness and beautiful flaws. It would even possibly be said, that the “fixing” of the Pisa would actually make it flawed.

Now picture yourself as this AWESOME building, would you want to be straightened out and fixed? Who would want to see you then, you would be like any other building! BOO!!! As stated, it is good to be normal, but it is better to be exceptional!  So why would anyone choose to be normal? LET’S GO and BE FREAKS!

PERSONAL

         Personally, I think my strengths and weakness compliment each other in a way for the creative process. My strengths include: being creative, being a social person, ability to be outspoken and still approachable, and being able to be open- minded. My weakness would include: not being very logical, sometimes need brainstorming with others if I get stuck in a brain freeze and taking too many people’s advise or ideas, it sometimes makes me have too many thoughts. 

Arielle's villain and hero critic

Arielle’s hero/villain animation I couldn’t watch, the video wasn’t working for me, however Stevie’s animation from my interpretation made the superhero kind of clumsy and shows how he transforms into the superhero, then back to his nerd form and walks away. From the drawings, the football player and the nerd contrast in color. The hero is in white and while the Red Bullet was in brighter in color but darker in the type of color used. The Red Bullet also uses more saturated colors than the hero Stevie. The red and black colors that are used for the Red Bullet separates him from the white and black hero actively because red and black are colors used more for violence or to view someone as evil or bad, where as white seems more of an innocent color. This informs the viewer of who is the villain and who is the superhero. Another contrast between these two characters is their shape, the Red Bullet is very muscular and squared faced, to give him the extra strong and bully look, whereas, the superhero Stevie is a rounder face, showing that he is the kind and hero type of character. The hues of these two characters are the white and black for Stevie and the red and black for Red Bullet, which as stated earlier, is there to symbolize the villain and the superhero. Overall I think the villain and superhero animation idea was interesting and was well thought out. Everyone likes the stories of where the nerd defeats the bullies. 

9a

Personally, I think our group presentation of Hell Charms interested the class with the out of the ordinary storyline of the game. However, there were some points that were not clearly or fully expressed to the audience. To review a little bit of what the game is about, you are playing the character of Lilith who is Lucifer’s wife. You have been casted out of Hell by a curse and must get the seven pieces of your soul in order to get back into Hell.

The first point that may not have been clearly explained is how you get the pieces of your soul. Every level has a different piece of your soul and the levels represent a previous life that the character had.  Basically, your character has had seven lives, and now needs to go back to each one in order to get the pieces.  As the levels change, so does who you are, what weapons you can use and what powers you obtained. Which I think is a great idea, because it is like creating one game that has seven mini games in it. Next line of business, once you are near the item, you will be challenged by monsters that guard every piece, this increases the anticipation of finding the next item if the gamer is into only the fighting parts of a game.

Another point that was not fully explained as well is the pet. During the presentation we mentioned that your character gets to choose a pet to help aid in finding items, fight off monsters with you or heal your injuries. However, we did not completely explain how it is possible. The main idea with having the pet is so the character can have a better chance of survival as well as assistance on searching for pieces. The pet is a computer program, and is programmed to follow your character around until you order it to do something, a.k.a. “Battle”, “Help I’m Hurt” and “ I Can’t Find It.”

My group overall could’ve made the presentation stronger by going into more detail about the aspects of the game since it is a complicated and complex idea. Another way we could’ve enhanced the presentation’s overall effect would be by providing better slides and examples of what exactly we mean about the game.

Though there were some weaknesses in the presentation, I think we had some really good strong points. The story line and plot is extremely well thought out and intriguing, not many video games have such mythological and adventures in one game. Which I think helped gain the audiences’ attention and interest into our presentation.  Also another strong point would be that our game is really never ending and can be changed with how you decided to control and play the game. So there are different outcomes, which I think is something people like to think about. A game that has multiple possibilities and only you can cause the outcome.

Objectives I think the most difficult concept to discuss with others.  Since objectives are elements a designer puts in a game that takes the player to different tasks, is a difficult concept to explain. The only reason I think it is the hardest is because when the designer has the idea and image pictured in his or her head, it might be hard to create for others to see let alone just explain what they are seeing in their head.

Mechanics is the easiest concept to explain to others because at one point or another many people have played a video game.  Since mechanics is about what buttons to press and what buttons do what, I think a simple manual or explanation of what the buttons would do the job. Also, it would be really easy to create a game that only requires very few buttons making the understanding of the game and discussion of mechanics extremely easy.

SUPERHERO POWERS

CLICK HERE FOR SUPERHERO WEBSITE

blog 7

For the joke videos, we created two different concepts of the joke about a blonde who walks into an elevator and keeps saying T.G.I.F. while the other person is saying S.H.I.T hinting to her it is Thursday.  The first joke, we decided to make it a Spanish soap opera theme and the second video, we decided to do a futuristic robotic theme to the joke. Rhythm techniques were used to contrast the two videos, while the space was used to compare the two videos.

The rhythm in the videos is an element that contributes to the contrast of the two. The rhythm of the Spanish soap opera video in the very beginning was choppy and had segments of the video cut and put together to introduce the characters in the joke video. This is a seen in typical soap opera television shows, so this rhythm technique really puts the audience in the mood or setting of a soap opera. As the video progresses the rhythm changes back and forth looking at Leon or Andrew as they say T.G.F.I and occasionally you see another character giving a reaction shot of what is occurring in the elevator. Then the rhythm changes again when Leon gets a number and smells the girls hair, it is slowed down the slightest bit to add that extra cheesiness to the story. The rhythm used in the robot video was very limited.  While editing we decided to make the edits as robotic as the scene and theme. As each level gets higher and higher we get the “break” from what is going inside the elevator.  We also changed the rhythm to speed up in the clips when the girl robot is getting more and more frustrated at the man robot. Overall, each of the rhythms puts the audience in the mood or feel of what they are watching.

Space was used to compare the two videos.  Since the scene of the joke was inside an elevator, the space we had was limit to flat. Limited space is used in the first Spanish soap opera video when Andrew is walking to the elevator, but as for the rest of the video it is limited to flat space. The robot video was pretty much flat space, which was intentional to give the viewer a sense of mechanical plainness and futuristic feel.

Both of the jokes were didactive because the joke was explained and tells the audience what to think at the end of the joke. There is no questioning at the end of the film what T.G.I.F. or S.H.I.T. means.  And there were a few contrasts in the films.  While the Spanish soap opera was in color, the robot video was filmed black and white.  Another contrast is, in the Spanish soap opera video had spoken audio, while the robot video only used mechanical noises and songs to express a language. 

animation lenas

CLICK HERE TO WATCH  LENA's ANIMATION

6 b

5b

6a

5a

             The image I chose to re-frame for class is a painting by Salvador Dali. In this painting, there is an eye, clouds, a path and a mountain. What attracted me to me to this image were its style, imagery and the images subtext of God looking down and seeing nothing but bare and stripped land.  The subtext is further established by the contrast of the warm color of tan ground and the cold color of light blue and dark blue of the eye. The warm colors give the feeling of earth and very plain setting, where the eye is “glowing” with the light blue sky surrounding it yet the eye itself is dark blue and black. Thus representing God’s sadness as he looks at the earth. Seeing also the contrast of lines, the straight vertical lines of the path running into the horizon line giving the appearance of it being a long and never ending path. While the eye is a circular line that is looking down at the rest of the image, giving the impression of distress.  I liked how Dali shows the limited space in the painting by adding a variety of shades of blue into the sky and the darker colors of shading from the eye peering down.  In this picture there is also visual intensity specifically at the eye. While everything else in the image is a basic brown or blue, the eye adds a very light blue glow, and white streak in the eye. I noticed how the eye is pretty much in the center of the picture, making it impossible to over look. The use of lines also makes the eyes focus on the eye. The vertical lines that meet at the horizontal line, all lead viewers to look at the eye in the sky. Even the shading on the ground, makes viewers look to the left to see what is causing a shadow, all lines leading to focus on the eye. The lines leading to the eye, gives the feeling of God is watching everything and is sadden by the world He sees. I chose to re-frame the image just focusing on the eye. By taking away the sky, path and mountain, the image is clearly just focusing on what I believe is the most important part.  I used the rule of thirds to suggest that the eye is God’s cheerless look at what he sees.

            I think that Dali framed the original piece the way he did because he wanted to represent the plain dead world, and the gloominess of it all. The background and ground give the elements of depth and contrast in warm and cold colors.  Thus giving the overall effect of the depressing feeling to the piece.

SONG CRITICS: Hanna and David

 

hanna's song

david's song

Soundscape Critics : Joe Battaglia, Lena Al- Hashemi, and Alex Welsh

 

Joe Battaglia soundscape

Lena's soundscape

Alex's soundscape

BRAINWASHED!!!

Check out BRAINWASHED BY CLICKING>>> HERE

Seth Godin's article is about changing how you view things, how you can become a better version of yourself. Godin states that we have the resources and opportunities that weren't available before since we now have the Internet.  Since we have new ways of connecting to other people and changing the world around us, then all we need is to just have the will to do it and reinvent ourselves. Godin also reinforces the fact that we need to change, by addressing the rewards that come along with the change. He wants us to forget what school has taught us and stop following the rules and recreate our brains and way of thinking and that in the end will change everything.

MAKE ART

“Art is an original gift, a connection that changes the recipient, a human ability to make difference. From my understanding Seth Godin is trying to say art can be anything that you are making new and changes things around you. It doesn’t have instructions on how to make art or what is considered art and anyone can do it. Art is taking a risk and trying to do the unthinkable, the impossible, or the “untouched”.  Yet, the art that people create that take the most risk guides us to the best rewards.  

           

The blogs for class Media 203 is my form of creating art. I’m creating new connections between other students and artists. Though I do not consider myself to be taking any real risks in making these blogs, but who knows! Maybe one day I can show a future boss my website and he/she could really enjoy what I have to say about certain topics, always think of new and unthinkable ideas. I would say blogs have helped me become a creative person also by allowing me to express myself by video postings, audio postings and writing down my thoughts.

LEARN

What Godin I believe is trying to say in this particular point is that learning can occur everyday. Once you challenge yourself, or look at things in a different way; you are already learning new ways and adapting your brain to think differently. Forget what you think you already know and test your intelligence by learning things you need to know. THIS SHOULD BE A DAILY CHALLENGE! I for some reason think of the quote from "Mr. Deeds" with Adam Sandler,  "School is for fools, LOOK AT ME!"

Blogs have helped me become a better student in the sense of “learning”. I’m constantly learning new things and adapting my brain to think in different ways and how to portray the things I want to say.  I’m all for trying different things or seeing things in different light or view, and blogs have helped me view others’ ideas and thoughts about the same things I am learning and thinking about.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR MY SONG!

Songs and Covers

Ever seen the trailer for the movie, The Social Network? It was from the trailer that I was introduced to the song, Creep. The first time I heard this song it was performed by Scala & Kolancy Brothers. Later I found out that what I thought was an original from them, was actually a cover of Radiohead’s song, Creep.  As I began to listen to the original version, I noticed a few similarities as well as differences. The differences I noticed in the songs were their timbre and speed, whereas the similarities I observed were they had the same lyrics and intensity.

The obvious differences I detected were timbre and tempo. Timbre for the original song Creep by Radiohead included two guitars, drums, an overdrive guitar, and a solo vocal that sang the song. The drums and overdrive guitar gave the song the intensity that it needed. Though the solo vocal did increase the intensity, the overall outcome would not have been as effective if the overdrive guitar and drums did not play along. The timbre for the cover of Creep played by Scala & Kolancy Brothers is piano and a choir. The piano plays a simple harmony in the background while the choir takes on the melody. The timbre for the original piece had more variety, while the cover’s timbre was limited. Speed is the other difference that I noticed in the pieces. Radiohead performed Creep in a moderato speed; which fits the style of the song, alternative rock. In majority of rock songs, the tempo is not very fast like hip hop music. However, the tempo of speed in the cover performed by Scala & Kolancy Brothers, the style is choir music and therefore the tempo is slower than Radiohead, giving it an allegro tempo.

Similarities that I noticed between Radiohead and Scala & Kolancy were the lyrics and intensity.  Creep, still had the same lyrics in both the original and cover. Intensity is another similarity that the songs had. As stated previously, the timbre helped increase the intensity for Radiohead’s song, yet, the same intensity is provided by Scala & Kolancy Brothers by the piano and choir projecting their voices louder and playing the piano more forcefully. Then before and after the climax of the songs, the intensity for both is very soft. Radiohead achieved this by the solo voice and little to no drums and guitar, whereas, Scala & Kolancy Brothers achieved the intensity through piano and choir loudness.

            The song that I prefer to listen to the most would have to be the cover, by Scala & Kolancy Brothers. Being an avid fan and listener of orchestral, classical and choir music styles, it is no surprise that I chose the cover. Though Radiohead did originally come up with the melody and lyrics, both of which I like about the song, Scala & Kolancy Brothers did something that was unconventional. More and more songs sound either like synthesizer or auto tune, not that I am purposing that Radiohead used such techniques, I still think that Radioheads version is more common sounding. Scala & Kolancy Brothers covered the song and made it “theirs”. They made the song have a different tone, meaning and feel to it, at least for me. When I listen to Radiohead’s version, I think it’s a cool rock song and when I listen to Scala & Kolancy Brothers version I think I just is extremely unconventional and beautiful sounding.

Soundscape

FIND YOUR HOWL JBO

FIND YOUR HOWL

In the first part of Flaum story it talks about Mumon, a red wolf who is on his way finding his howl. Being released into the wild after being forced into captivity, Mumon struggles trying to find his way in the world. Though many of the other wolves cannot figure out how to find their howl, Mumon knows that he needs it to survive. It did not take long for his hunger to get the best of him and compel him to hunt. Despite the fact that Mumon used to be handed food at certain times of the day, he began to let his inner instincts take over and hunt a deer. The fact he was letting his inner instincts take over him and began learning about what he actually was meant to be, “wild”, showed that Mumon was finding his howl. Thought at the end to truly find his howl ended up costing him his life; Mumon became the wolf he was meant to be. The main point to this story that I got out of it was not to lose who you are in the world. Let yourself be as “wild” as you were always meant to be. Don’t let society form you. The second part of the story Flaum talks about a paper that a Fifth grade student wrote in his class. In the section, the story is about a tiger that tries to escape from his cage at the zoo. However, instead of being freed he just got put into a different cage at a different zoo. Soon the tiger realized that he will always just be moved around from different cages to different zoos, he will never be stuck in one place.  The main idea I got from this passage was that sometimes you have to see the good in the worst situations. Life is not always going to go the way you want it to go, so its best to see the good it can provide.

14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas

Running out ideas on how to come up with ideas?  Have no fear Mitch Ditkoff is here!  Mitch Ditkoff has posted an informative and beneficial article titled conveniently, “14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas.” Ditkoff recognizes two different ways people view ideas. On one standpoint people believes is something inspires the innovator to come up with ideas, while the other perspective believes the idea is already there and the individual has tuned in and unraveled the thought.  Though he distinguishes the differences between the two, Ditkoff says people now are, “most likely a hybrid” of the two beliefs. Personally, I think the article provides excellent ideas to get ideas. Below are some of the suggestions that Ditkoff listed in his article that I found most motivating.  Want to check it out at this website and see other suggestions? Click here for the article. Click here for the website. 

1.) FOLLOW YOUR FASCINATION

Though I feel like this is the most important rule when trying to think of an idea, I think it’s a rule that many forget to use. Several people like myself, might have a vision or dream instead of “following” it through we convince ourselves that the idea is ridiculous and not worth trying. What’s the harm in pursuing desires? Someone told me when I was younger, “If you never try, you’ll never know what could’ve been.” Ditkoff explains that fascinations aren’t an accident instead they are significant. Fascinations are what drive us to create masterpieces!

In the beginning of my schooling it became obvious that math and science were not my “strong suits.”  I was apparently very right- brained and had minimal left- brained abilities.  Participating in exercises to “train” the left part of my brain and getting tutors for math and science, I became more and more educated in how to think using my left-brain. Once I began to think about what kind of career I would be able to excel at I knew it had to allow me to be creative. While my parents were worried about what kind of income and lifestyle a film career would provide, all I could focus on was all the possibilities it did offer me. I became fascinated with going into film production. Ditkoff’s suggestion to follow your fascinations I think is the most beneficial thing anyone could do.

                        1.) What new idea is fascinating you?

            The idea that has captured my interest is the Xbox connect. Never played with one yet… but the idea that a robot can trace movements and incorporate it to the screen is mind blowing! I think this new idea is even borderline scary, kind of like the whole “terminator” thing going on. Still, the idea that someone had to make this contraption is awesome and fascinating.

                        2.) What new possibility has captured your attention?

            The possibilities are endless every moment of our lives. The most recent possibility that has got my attention is the 48 shoot out coming up.  Just thinking about the challenge and how much work its going to be, makes me so excited about all the possible ways my group can film or make the story line. Since I’ve only been in one other film competition, the fact that there is a lot of chances to film and create is very thrilling to me. This possibility being available is something I am very happy about.

                        3.) In what ways can you honor this inspiration today?

            I can honor this inspiration by experiencing new things and taking on a challenge. The 48 shoot out is something that can help me learn how I need to take on any job in the future. Put all my efforts in it and get the project done and meet the deadline.

           

           

4.) MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS

            The best way I can summarize what Ditkoff is explaining in this post is, 1+1 = 2 and 0+0=0. These are both valid and accurate. If you never expand your horizons, you’ll be stuck seeing everything as you always have. No new ideas come from what you already have seen or known! Ditkoff’s advise I agree with completely because sometimes after talking to new people and hearing their perspectives I can get ideas or expand my knowledge.  Connections only can lead to different place, when I think about connections I picture bridges. Making new bridges creates new paths for individuals to travel on.

12.) LOOK FOR HAPPY ACCIDENTS

           

Ditkoff titled this part perfectly! I completely agree with his advise on looking for happy accidents.  Sometimes the best things in life come without warning and without reason. When answers or ideas just come out of nowhere that’s when many just see that idea as something amazing or get taken back. Whenever I have ever had a happy accident I just feel like a genius, who is very lucky. With that being said I continue and look forward to finding more happy accidents. 

AND IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

   SPONTANEOUS! Fun, unconventional and unexpected describes my creative style. I cannot however, take all the credit for my style.  Various movies, television, music, music videos and photos all have influenced my development; either as things to do or things not to do. Kind of like Shakespeare… “ To be or not be…” my translation,“ To create or not create…” 

   To pick only a few people out of the thousands who have influenced me is quite a challenge; yet, I think I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites. Oliver Stone entranced me with his 1994 film, Natural Born Killers.  Stone’s application of contrast in this film as well as trailer constantly creates chaos as it transforms from black and white shots to color and then to even color filters of blood red. In the trailer the contrast of photos along with the changing of color shots creates even more confusion and horror to the film. The affinity style that Stone uses in the trailer is the opening with the American flag upside down and at the end flag still upside down with the title, Natural Born Killers on it. 

   

  


Personally, though the trailer is very intriguing it does not do justice for this film. Not only does the film cover the black and white film and color film, but also Stone uses standard movie film, animated cartoon and even sitcom parody television film style.  Stone has overall influenced me by throwing out the rules of standard filming and creating an epic unique movie roller coaster!

   

   Have to say Schindler’s List was extremely depressing but equally amazing! Steven Spielberg in this particular film has impacted my creative style in many ways. The main influence is to remember the importance of symbolism and the usage of make scenes objective and subjective at the same time. When the little girl in the red coat is wandering around the Jewish camp, the most memorable scene, Spielberg incorporates the use of both objective and subjective.  From the objective stand point; Spielberg is representing history of the massacre that happened to many innocent people in the Jewish community.  Showing a line up of people being slaughtered, and having a little girl walking past oblivious to what was going on created an eerie feeling to the already haunting shot.  The subjective part of this scene comes from Schindler, who is watching this bloodbath from on top of a hill.  Ignorant and thinking only like a businessman was what Schindler was in the beginning; then when he witnesses the true events, it was if his eyes were opened. This was the turning point in the movie where viewers can imply Schindler’s ignorance was “murdered” at the same the Jews were being killed.

 Guillermo del Toro director and writer of the film Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy I and Hellboy II are by far my favorite screenwriter.   Pan’s Labyrinth is usually a “hit or a miss” with viewers because of Spanish and English subtitles; as for myself it is one of my favorite foreign films.  Toro’s application of tension and release is perfect during a monstrous dinner scene.  Ofelia, a curious girl who has been assigned tasks to accomplish so she can return to her kingdom as a princess, enters a mysterious room through a door drawn on her wall. Before she enters, she has read specific instructions. Rule one, you have to get out of the room before the time runs out and rule two, not to eat any of the food when in this room for if she does a children eating monster shall awake. However, her curiosity gets the best of her. Tension begins to build as she eyes the table of delectable cuisine laid out in front of her. As her fairy friend keep trying to warn her to stay away from the food, she just simply shoos them away.  Pluck goes a grape and into her mouth. While she is enjoying herself, behind her the monster is waking up. Talk about a tension builder! As the monster begins to come after her, Ofelia begins to run to the door. Toro’s shot at this point shows the hourglass is just running out of time and the door is shut as Ofelia is still stuck inside.  Ofelia struggles to get her chalk out to draw another door and the monster gets closer and closer. Finally, she draws the door and barely escapes a gruesome death.  Once she shuts the door and the door itself seems to be sealing itself forever, release is given to the audience. WHEW! CLOSE ONE!!! The way Toro writes is something that inspires my creative style greatly. Reminds me to keep the element of surprise and suspense going!

WHY VIDEO PRODUCTION YOU ASK???

I decided a long time ago that I enjoy movies WAY too much to not get a career in the field of Media. During high school I was able to take a class called Videography and fell in love with filming and film editing right away. Being creative and inventing new things is something I enjoy doing with film.  I have always been a fan of unconventional angles, colors, styles and techniques in film; makes it more challenging to watch!  The main reason why I want to be in the film industry is to add some spice and be able to create!