Blog 6 essay

I chose the scene from Jurassic Park. The directing in this movie is great, and it is a well-known film because of this. However, they do break the 180 degree rule, but it was for a very good purpose. Here, I will talk about how the 180 degree rule, the rule of thirds and the 30 degree rule apply to this scene.

                In this scene, the 180 degree rule is followed through consistently except for one shot. The entire scene is the characters discussing an experiment. The shots are back and forth between the two. They are OTS shots. Around the time this is broken, the shot is pulled back to show Dr. Grant’s view who is staring out into the wilderness. The camera then breaks the 180 degree rule by showing what Dr. Grant is looking at. Instead of slowing turning the camera or focusing on another object they just switch angles and break the rules.

                The rule of third is also applied in this scene. The two characters that are the strongest in the scene are right on the thirds. Then, when it switches to Dr. Grant his eyes are both on the thirds, and this helps to show that he is looking at something. The other characters eyes are also on the thirds when they are discussing the experiment. The 30 degree rule also shows up in this. When discussing the experiment, the camera switches back and forth from the 30 degrees the entire time they talk about the experiment.

                I think that the directing in this film is one of the elements that helped it to be so incredible. The shots and scenes in this movie were brilliant. One of the best aspects was also sound, but the directing is great too because they follow the rules except for when they absolutely need to be broken.

Blog #6 Storyboard

Project #8

Scene From American History X

The movie American History X displays racism in modern society. A man named Derek is a neo Nazi, and his attitude reflects that of his father’s. He is extremely racist towards black society. His attitude is then passed on to his little brother. His character has an extreme transformation because of an event that causes him to go to prison. In the end he realizes that his beliefs were wrong. His brother ends up being killed because of the Derek’s beliefs. The theme of the movie is that racism can create pain and suffering for both ends. The theme of this story is didactic because they are letting you find this on your own.

This scene of the movie American History X displays a lot of characteristics from our basic concept lecture. The two that I noticed most was tension and release, and conscious and subconscious. Tension rises in the scene as Derek begins talking about his beliefs, and then is released after the entire family has fought and Derek goes up the stairs because his mother screamed terrible things at him.  As for conscious, you are completely aware that this scene of the movie is in black and white. Subconsciously, however, they are showing you this in black and white to show Derek’ beliefs. He is extremely racist towards that black community, and he sees you as either black or white. After Derek’s character transforms and realizes that his beliefs were wrong, the movie is returned to color. The theme of this movie is also displayed through rhythm and movement.

                The rhythm of this scene rises, and gets faster and faster, letting the viewer know that something bad is about to happen. Then, the rhythm smooth out again after Derek completely freaks out. He shoves food in his sisters face, and begins screaming at her and pulling her hair. He then looks at his mother’s boyfriend and begins screaming at him. He tells him to get out of their house, and he is not welcome. Then, his mother goes outside to tell her boyfriend bye, but before she leaves she tells Derek she is ashamed that he came out of her body. This is probably the worst thing that a mother can say to her child. The tension is released her, and everything slows down once again. Movement is also important. The camera movement gets quicker and quicker, until finally Derek goes crazy. Then, the camera returns to a slow smooth movement.

IMovie

Blog 7

Pocahontas is a classic piece of animation to me. Governor Radcliffe is one villain that I could never forget since I watched Pocahontas. This animation uses the three topics color, light and movement to help define the characters in the movie.

                Color was utilized in this animation, when Governor Radcliffe was created. The hue of his clothing, the purple out fit and his very pale skin helped to define the Governor. He is shown as opposite of the Indians. The Indians skin is a deep saturated brown, while his is a very bright white. His clothing is very saturated purple, while the Indians just have brown and simple colors on. This shows his wealth, as well as his differences from the Indians.

                This animation also utilized light to help define Governor Radcliffe. Many times Governor Radcliffe would be surrounded by very bright colors. This helped him to stand out with his very dark purple. I believe that this had some metaphorical meaning because he is this very dark saturated color among this very bright light, showing that he is a dark force against good. His clothing also sets a mood. This deep purple almost puts you in a sad state, and Governor Radcliffe brings sadness among the Indians.

                Movement was very important in defining Governor Radcliffe. He is a very large man, and his weight was really utilized. They made him almost disgusting looking, and the squash and stretch approach was definitely used here. Governor Radcliffe’s nose was definite over done, and his facial expressions were very dramatic, and this is because they used the squash and stretch approach, along with weight playing a big role. Overlapping movements were also used because when the Governor would move his body would flop around to almost create a thought that he was a joke. At the same time, however, he was so big that he was extremely intimidating.

                All together these elements add up to create a sometimes comical and sometimes very scary villain. Because of Governor Radcliffe’s size, weight and apparel, he has been one of my favorite animated villains of all time. Just his size is enough to show that he is a villain, and the rest of the elements just help to add to that. His big bird nose also helped show that he was no good guy.

Blog # 5

Hotel California
Lyin Eyes

LISTENING FRAMEWORK

        (SIMPLIFIED)

LISTENING PHASE 1 (Rhythm)

Tempo [slow, medium, fast] - Hotel California has a slow tempo in the beginning. In the end, however, it changes to a medium tempo. Lying Eyes has the same medium tempo throughout the entire song.

Source [where is the rhythm coming from?] The rhythm is mainly established through the drum in Hotel California. It is the same with Lying Eyes.

Groove [describe how the personality of the rhythm] In Hotel California, I feel like the rhythm is slow, and almost sad. You know the slow rhythm cannot be a good thing. In Lying Eyes, it is just a happy rhythm, even though the lyrics aren’t so happy.

LISTENING PHASE 2 (Arrangement)

Instrumentation [which instruments drive the song?] Guitars drive both of the songs.

Structure/Organization [how is the song built? Order, patterns, etc.] In Hotel California, the song is slow until the very end, where there is a guitar solo. Here is where the tempo picks up. The vocals also end. In Lyin Eyes the vocals last throughout the entire song, and the tempo remains pretty consistent throughout the entire song.

Emotional Architecture [Draw how the song build and drop?] In Hotel California, the entire song builds up for the guitar solo. I feel like that is really the climax of the song. The lyrics also help build the story up for you, and once the story is over the guitar solo begins. In Lyin Eyes, the song builds up for a little guitar solo, but the lyrics remain. It is not as good of an example as Hotel California.

LISTENING PHASE 3 (Sound Quality)

Balance

- Height [high and low of frequency] In Hotel California, the entire song has a very low frequence. At the end, however, this changes, and it develops a high frequency during the guitar solo. In Lyin Eyes there is a pretty consistent frequency throughout the entire song. It is some where in the middle.

- Width [stereo panning left/right] I feel like in Hotel California the stereo is panning to the right, and you know this because of the guitar. In Lyin Eyes, however, I have a hard time determining this. I am really unsure.

- Depth [layers of instruments - via loudness] Throughout the entire song of Hotel California there is a large build up of instruments (Guitar, drums and vocals, etc.). However, in the end when the guitar solo occurs, the guitar is the only instrument that plays. In Lyin Eyes however, the song’s climax is when all of the intsturment build up at the end. It is the opposite of Hotel California.

                The Eagles is one of the best classic rock bands that has ever came about. Songs such as Take It Easy, Take It to the Limit and Already Gone came from the Eagles. I have chosen two of my favorite songs by the Eagles to compare: Hotel California and Lyin Eyes. It is crazy to think that these two songs both came from Eagles because they are so different. These two songs have different depth, groove and tempo which I believe are three of the most important elements of a song.

                The song Hotel California has a depth with the intstruemtns through the beginging of the song. There is drums, vocals and of course a guitar in the beginigng all together; However, the song builds up and in the end the only depth of the song is the guitar, when an incredible solo occurs. In Lyin Eyes, the entire song has a depth of guitar, vocals and drums. During the end of the song though, this depth becomes even greater, as all of these intruments play together loudly. These two songs have opposite depths.

                These two songs also have very different grooves. In Hotel California, the song’s groove puts you in the mind of being on a beach. It is also creates a lot of tension because you know something is going to happen because of the song’s tempo and build up. This is opposite of Lyin Eyes. In Lyin eyes, the tempo is consistently medium throughout the entire song. It is a happy feel good song, with the exception of the lyrics.

                Although Lyin Eyes is a great classic, nothing can beat Hotel California for me. It is one of my all time favorites, and is the song that made me love the Eagles. The underlying meaning with the lyrics also gets to me everytime. It tells such an incredible story, while having amazing instrumentation at the same time. Hotel California is definitely a classic.

Project #4- Essay

                Jurassic Park is a movie that displays great sound techniques. From the monstrous roars of the dinosaurs to the casual sounds, of a jeep running, sound plays an extremely important role in this movie. I have chosen one of my favorite scenes from Jurassic park. In this particular scene, listening modes and the space of sound, play a key role.

                When driving on a trail through the park, one of the scientists begins discussing the chaos theory. This doctor then decides to put on a brief experiment, to prove this chaos theory. He drops a drip of water onto another scientist’s hand. Here, semantic sound is used. A loud drip noise occurs, when the scientists drops the drip of water. This sound would not have been loud enough for an audience just to here; therefore, a representational sound of water dripping was displayed to symbolize the water sounded like when it was dripped.

                The casual mode of sound was also used in the scene. Throughout the entire scene, the audience cans here the noise of the jeep. It is a loud ringing noise that is consistent with throughout the entire scene. This makes this casual noise because it is the actual sound of the jeep moving, and what was actually created when filming this scene.

                The space of sound is also displayed in this scene. Movement, which is a key aspect of sound as space, is shown by the casual jeep noise. This noise shows the audience that the jeep is moving because any audience is familiar with what a vehicle sounds like when it is moving. Directionality is shown when the two scientists are discussing this chaos theory. When Dr. Sattler shows Dr. Malcolm that this theory is over her head, she makes a gesture with her hand. She makes a noise at the same time she is moving her hand, which lets you know the direction that her hand is moving. This shows the directionality of her hand.

Project #4 Script

FADE IN

INT. JEEP- DAY

    

      Dr. GRANT puts his cowboy hat on, and sits back into his

     seat of the jeep. The Jeep starts up and engine THUMPS.

                            

                            DR. MALCOLM

                The tyrannosaurus doesn’t obey any

                set patterns, or park schedules.

                The essence of chaos.

     

      Dr. Malcom begins SLAPPING his hands off of his legs.

   

                            DR. SATTLER

                    I’m still not clear on chaos.

                    What’s that..

                            DR. MALCOLM

                    Oh, Oh, Oh It’s simply a deal with

                    unpredictably and complex systems.

                   

      The vehicle continues to make a RING. They both shake their heads

      showing they understand. Dr. Malcolm plays with his watch making

      a TAPPING noise.

                           

                            DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                   The shorthand is the butterfly

                   effect.

      He continues to MUMBLE something to Dr. Sattler. She then

      makes a gesture with her hand showing that she has no idea what

      he is talking about. She makes a SWISH noise with her mouth. They

      begin to LAUGH.

                         DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                   Am I going to fast.

      

      He then begins flirting with her and grabs her ear.

                         DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                   I got to fast I did a fly by. Here,

                   grab me that glass of water. Were

                   gonna do an experiment.

      Dr. Sattler grabs the glass of water sitting on the dashboard and

      hands it to

                         DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                   It should be still, the car is

                   bouncing up and down, but that’s

                   okay it’s just an example. Now put

                   your hand flat like a hieroglyphic.

      He grabs her hand and positions it flat. Dr. Grant remains silent       and continues to drive the jeep.

                         DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                    Now let’s say a drop of water falls

                    on your hand. Which was it the drop

                    going to fall off.

      Dr. Grant begins to look over, into the trees. Dr. Malcolm and

      Dr. Sattler continue MUMBLING in the background. Then,

      Dr. Malcolm takes Dr. Sattler’s

      hand and dips it into the water.

                         DR. MALCOLM (CONT’D)

                     Ah ha, okay now freeze your hand,

                     freeze your hand. Don’t move I’m

                     going to do the same thing, and

                     start with the same place again.

                     Which way is it going to roll off.

      Dr. Sattler looks at Dr. Malcolm confused.

                         DR. SATTLER

                     Let’s say back. She points to the

                     back of her hand.

      Dr. Malcolm drops the water on to her hand. They both

      BREATH in looking surprised. The water rolls down the opposite

      side of her hand.

                         DR. MALCOLM

                     Now here’s why. Because tiny

                     variations, the orientation of

                     hairs on your hand.

      Dr. Sattler looks at Dr. Grant.

                         DR. SATTLER

                     Hey, Alan look at this.

                         DR. MALCOLM

                     The vessels, and the perfection in

                     the skin. Never repeat.

                         DR. SATTLER

                     Unpredictably.

      Dr. Grant opens the car door, and gets out of the car

      while it is still moving. The Jeep still continues to make a

      RINGING noise.

                          DR. MALCOLM

                      Here’s an example, Dr. Grant

                      suddenly jumps out of a moving

                      vehicle. And another example, I’m

                      now in the jeep talking to my self.

FADE OUT

Blog #4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-mpifTiPV4

Jurrasic Park Clip

Blog #3

http://changethis.com/

Connect is one of the seven layers. This is basically the layer of connecting with others. It’s not about how many people you connect with, but connecting with people from all over, instead of just your family and the people you see at work. We now have the ability to connect with people because of things such as the internet, but if we fall back into the old system of being trained to go to work, which takes away our time and communication, and then we will not connect with others.

Make art is another layer to this system. Making art is unlike the old system of following a schedule, and doing the same thing over and over again. Art is doing something that is different, and creating something new. Everyone has the ability to do art, but if they don’t have the desire than they will not create it. Art is about taking risks and creating something that might not be like, but sometimes great risks come with great rewards.

Acknowledging the wizard is the most important layer to me. It means that the things that we have been “brainwashed” to not do because it may not be socially accepted, actually holds us back. Artists have to go against this, and they cannot worry about being made fun of or not accepted. That worry of thinking people may not like it is the lizard brain that is holding us down. Instead, we must let go of those fears, and create things that we believe in, and this is where true art is created.

                These layers that I have chosen apply to the assignments in our class. After college, all of us will face whether or not we will live by the “brainwashed” method. Most of us are here, however, to go against the system because we are studying media arts.  Some of us may fall back into this system because of money or because of what is socially accepted, and some of us will go on to show our creativity and our artistic ability. I believe that the most important layers that apply to this class is connecting, making art and acknowledging the lizard.

                In this class, I believe that connecting is a very big part. I am from a very small town, and in my town everyone has the same beliefs; however, when I came to Ohio University, it is a completely different scenario. There are many different kinds of people with many different beliefs, and in this class I am working and “connecting” with new people that I would have never met if I would have stayed in my town, it this “brainwashed system.

                Making art is an extremely important aspect that this class teaches us. Instead of being taught mathematics equations that can only have one right answer, we are instead taught to create our own ideas. I believe that art is creating something that you believe in, and that does not have one solid answer to what it is about. There can be many more than just one interpretation of art, and that is what makes it so great in my eyes. In this class we are not taught to create a certain thing that has to be a certain way. Instead, we are given the freedom to create something that is our own. This gives us the ability to express our ideas.

                I believe the most important layer is acknowledging the lizard. This lizard brain that we have been trained to have, can suppress our creativity and ideas. Many people do not create art because they are afraid of their work not being socially accepted. Art will never be created if everyone lives with the lizard brain. If people are not afraid to be different, and create their own ideas, than many times they will be successful. In this class, we are among many other students expressing their own ideas and creativity. This environment gives the opportunity to express our ideas, without worrying about what others will think.

                Many people do not create art because they live by a repetitive system; however, the class gives us the tools to go against this system. In this class, and through these projects, we connect with new people, create our own ideas and not have to worry about what is socially accepted because when doing these projects we will find that there is no certain answer or way to do them.

I Wish You Were Here- Blog Assignment 2

                The song “Wish You Were Here”, by Pink Floyd is a song that I have a real connection with. There are a lot of reasons why I love this song, the fact that classic rock is my favorite music genre being one of those reasons; however, the main reason is probably because of the lyrics. There are a lot of incidents in my life when I have felt that the words to this song is exactly how I’m feeling, and this specific part of the song especially. I felt extremely connected to this song when I lost one of my close friends, and when I moved from home.

                My junior year of high school, my close friend, Lexi Bender, was killed in a car accident. It was a couple days after she passed away, that I first heard this song on the radio. It instantly have me chills, and I went home and immediately downloaded the song onto my iPod. The part of the song that says, “Wish you were here,” had an obvious connection because I missed Lexi and I wanted her to be there with me. I wanted her to hear the song that was making me think of her. I didn’t leave my room for days. I didn’t want to face anything or anyone without my Lexi.

Then, the song continued, “Were just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, running over the same old ground, what have we found the same old fears wish you were here.” I had never paid attention to the rest of the lyrics, but then in a moment it hit me. I was closing myself off from everyone that loved me, just because I was afraid of being without lexi, and even if I hid in my room, like the fishbowl, I would still have the same fears, but if I went out and faced the fear of being without Lexi, then I could let go and move on. If I let myself retreat back to feeling this pity for myself, then I would never be able to move one from Lexi’s death, and “year after year” I would be stuck in this small space, like the lost souls swimming in the fish bowl.

A few years after Lexi’s death, I decided to come to Ohio University. At first I was very afraid, and I was not used to so many people coming from such a small town. I was also used to having my family to come home to every night. Instead of seeing the opportunity I had been given, I saw all of the things that I didn’t have, which was my family there with me, and this caused a lot of fear. I once again retreated back to that state of loneliness, and I shut myself off from others. I would go to class and then return back to my small, prison like dorm room. Once again I was back in the fish bowl.

                I heard the song again, during this hard scary time. Once again, I sang the lyrics, and I remembered their meaning. If you withdraw yourself from the world, your fears will still be there and you will just be repeating the same thing over and over again. I wanted to change this, so I got on my computer. I applied for five different internships, and wrote the leader of a group for video production, and asked to join. Then, I went out and visited some of the girls that lived on my floor. Because I faced the fears of being away from home, and away from my family, I was able to see all of the opportunities that I was given. Here I have made new friendships, and am in a wonderful program for video production, which has been my dream for years. I am no longer afraid of being on my own, and I know that no matter where I am in the world my family will support me.

                Life can be almost terrifying, and if you let it get the best of you it will, and if you do not face the things that you are afraid of then they will always be there to imprison you, from the things that you want out of life. On the other hand, if you face your fears, then you can overcome them. You can reach anything that you want because you will not be withdrawing yourself, and you will have the potential to accomplish your dreams in life.

1.       )Gilmour, David and Waters, Roger.  How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. And how we foundThe same old fears. Wish you were here. “Wish You Were Here” Wish You Were Here. CD Pink Floyd Music Limited. Pink Floyd Music Limited http://www.lyrics007.com/Pink%20Floyd%20Lyrics/Wish%20You%20Were%20Here%20Lyrics.html

Finding Your Howl- Blog Assignment #2

http://changethis.com/

In Jonathon Flaum's article, Finding Your Howl, he tells a story about a wolf. The wolf was one of only fourteen red wolves left in existence, and when he was let into the wild he knew how to do everything, except for howl. He was in captivity. Instead of being afraid, however, and running back to captivity, he decides to go out and find his howl, no matter how scary it may be. At the end of the story, the wolf gets shot by a hunter, but when he dies and escapes his imprisonment of life, he goes to the center of the earth where is able to howl, and he is born again.

I believe that the message of this story is that it can be almost terrifying when you are trying to find out who you are in the world, but once you do it is well worth it. You will go through difficult things in life, but you cannot let that stop you from being who you are and "finding your howl."

Character Project- Antagonist

The antognist's name is David. David is a man of violence, and only see's thing his way. He is a narcasist. I chose a square for him because he is always standing very squared. This shows how much power that he holds, and how antimidating he can be. He is almost like a statue, strong and hard. He also sees the world very black and white, which is the main reason that he does not understand why his daughter once to escape the life that he is built for her. I believe that a square represents this well because it is the most simple shape there is, which correlates well with a black and white view of life.



David is a very dark person, which is why there is alot of shadow cast upon him. He is a very dark, and evil person. This is why I chose this picture to represent him. The light around him that his daughter brought was very bright because she is a good person, but he is the exact opisite of that. He is almost like her shadow, always following her and bringing a dark side of her life. This is another reason for showing a persons shadow to represent him. Everything about his image is dark and has alot of shadow to it. In a way this could also represent his past because it is like a dark shadow upon him. If it wasn't for his past he would have never became evil and this dark person.



This image represnts David's color. Because he is such a dark person, I chose a picture with alot of black. When you think of someone bad, you imagine someone where darkness follows them. There is a hint of gray in this image because of his daughter. The lighter gray represents the lightness and goodness that she once brought to his life; However, now that she is trying to escape, he can not let this happen because it she is the only good thing in his life. If she escapes from him, then he will be a completely dark person on the inside because he will not have his daughter bringing the good in him. This could cause even more violence from him, which is why the daughter must stop him, so that she can escape this darkness.

Character Blog- Protagonist

My character was the protagonist. Her name is Emily because this name’s meaning is good and virtue. I chose a triangle for my character because this is the way her body is shaped. This shape is used to show that she is moving, and running. In her picture she is running because she is trying to escape the life that her father has forced her into. He has forced her into a life of violence and this is not what she wants, because she is good and the hero. Movement is very important, and I believe that the triangle represented this best because it is more complicated than a square or a circle, and the character is complicated because she is trying to escape.

I chose this picture to represent Emily’s light. She is a very bright light among a lot of darkness, which has been created by her father. She is against the violence that her father strongly believes in, which makes her good. I believe that bright light represents good in life, and the dark represents evil; Therefore, she is very bright because she is good and her father is very dark because he is evil and is made from violence.

The main colors that was used for the character Emily was blue, black and white. The white was used to show how bright she is, and it shows her goodness. The dark blue, and the black represents her father. The black and blue are very saturated to show how strong of a force her father is, and how far he is willing to go to get her back.  It shows the darkness that he brings upon her, and that she is trying to escape. Her pants were different colors to show her youth. They are bright, and laid back pants because this is how young people dress most of the time.

Superhero:)

My favorite super hero is spiderman. The movie spider man is really exciting and action packed. Tobey Maguire is one of my favorite actors also, so I loved the movie. I am not really into super hero movies, but spiderman is my exception.