BRAINWASHED!!!

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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!