The Great Train Robbery and Stop frame videos

The Great Train Robbery

Being a film major, I have seen this video several times and I have been shown time and again why it is important. It was the first film to use cross-cutting, on location shooting, camera movement, and composite editing. These things are all incredibly important and are used every day in filmmaking. It also is one of the first films to make full use of the narrative form, making it the precursor to today's favorite films. I personally think its historical significance is one of its only attributes, which are not to be belittled. There were elements in it that bore or confuse audiences today but that's simply because Edwin S. Porter didn't have the technology we do today. On a final note, the film's final shot will always have a place in classic filmmaking and is incredibly clever. I can imagine audiences seeing this for the first time and actually ducking for cover as it breaks the fourth wall in such a purposeful manner.



Stop Frame Videos

These first two videos are stop motion films I created

White Crayon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKs9EWqeIA4

Three Little Birds

https://vimeo.com/95236938

(Password: naples)

These two are videos I've found 

A Girl Named Elasticka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fozbi03UExE

Fresh Guacamole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNJdJIwCF_Y

Wicked Videos Response

Ever since the first time I saw the flying monkeys storm the stage and the great metal dragon blow smoke upon the audience, I was fascinated by the magic of Wicked. Now that was several years ago (about 2007) and not much has changed. When I left the theatre, I stopped by the gift shop and purchased a rather large and rather expensive book about the making of the musical. While I thought I knew everything about the show, these videos taught me in depth about some very specific aspects of the show.



This show was revolutionary and truly awe inspiring in many ways, particularly in the visual sense. The costumes, the set, the lighting, and everything else the audience gets to gaze at through the course of the show was truly incredible and I thought it was absolutely fascinating to hear about how some of these things were created. First, during the special effects video, one of the designers talks about the use of projections. Wicked was the first musical I had seen that had such incredible technology and completely necessarily.  How else would they show you a house flying through the sky? In addition to the special effects, I think the costumes are some of the most unforgettable on broadway. I was amazed to see exactly how many costumes were created for the show and how particular they had to be about it. I was particularly intrigued by the flying monkey video, in which they show how the growing wings were created. This is an excellent example of a perfect marriage of art and technology. Though I wont go into as much detail (as I could write for days on this musical) I think its very important to mention the awe inspiring set. Seeing the clockwork back drop or the wizards head in these videos will never compare to seeing them live. The effect is chilling.



These video did quite a bit for me as a filmmaker/storyteller, particularly in the sections on directing and writing. To me, Wicked is a life changing experience. I challenge you to leave the theatre after Defying Gravity without goosebumps. Almost the entirety of this shows success relies on the discoveries made by the creative team in the creation of the show. The director, Joe Mantello, says a few very note-worthy things about this process

I erase what I learn one day to show up with a fresh mind the next

This is a very interesting approach to directing, though I can really see how it would work out. A director is often so involved in his work that he is unable to pull himself away and look at it as a fresh audience member would. I think this is incredibly important, especially during the pre production phase and I could apply it to projects that I am working on. I must stand back, and look at my work with a fresh perspective.

The best idea wins

During my time in the theatre, I've had to work collaboratively on many shows. I remember the chaos that would ensue when we hit a point in a show that people have differing views. The director would sit back and listen. This doesn't happen in film so much. In fact, many professionals would advise against letting anyone else but the director or writer to have creative control. I think the sweet spot lies in a happy medium. In my experience, I've seen scenes or musical numbers take very interesting turns because someone in the ensemble or even a stage manager sees something that hadn't even occurred to the director. That is the magic of the creative process.

The book writer, Winnie Holzman, also has an interesting take on adaptations

Don't be too faithful to the material

I thought this was rather odd to hear, though it wasn't surprising. I thoroughly enjoyed Gregory Maguire's novel but there's no denying its a very different work than Wicked the musical. This is something that has always confused me because I've grown up with Hollywood film adaptations that rarely deviate from the original work for primarily commercial reasons. Wicked's producer chimes in on the subject saying "understand its essence, then throw it away." I think this is a very compelling method for approaching an adaptation that I may consider in my future works.

As I've said before, I could talk about this show for ages, but for now, I'll have just covered these bases. I really enjoyed this assignment because I got to look at how this show was created and more so, how I could apply these successes to my work as a filmmaker and story teller. Who knows, maybe one day I'll do the film adaptation...

Class Response 9/5/14

Research and compare the similarities and differences between the stock market crash in 1929 and the housing crisis in 2008

Well, let me start by saying this is a pretty big question and even after hours of research and thought, there's no way I'll be able to cover everything, as I'm not an economist and cannot begin to fully understand these two crises. Even worse, I find it very difficult to relate this question to the world of art and technology but I digress and shall try my best.

There are a few very obvious similarities and differences between these two different economic crises. First, its important to not the difference in time and the advancements that separate the two. The 2008 crash was entirely different from the one in 1929 because of the birth of the internet and our multimedia society. Because of social media, international news sources, and our advanced system of communication, word spread about the crises across the globe giving it more attention and the ability for people to collaborate and face our problems together.

Another major difference is that the crash in 1929 had to do primarily with the stock market while the one in 2008 had more to do with the housing market. The Economic Populist summarizes the differences pretty well, explaining that the crash of 1929 was due to the collapse of the "Main street economy" and everything that followed. In 2008, however, it was the financial sector that fell first, and a completely different order of effects occurred. (Economic Populist) Chuck Johnson from Tano Capital notes that in both situations, "Common to both crashes is the first step of easy and available credit." (Johnson)

One last, but very important, difference between these two situations is the amount and quality of government involvement. Being one of the first major economic disasters the US has had since its birth, the government could not have been fully prepared for what was going to happen. Not even skilled economists and brokers fully understood what was happening up to the point of the crash. In 2008, we've experienced a handful of financial troubles and in each situation the effected parties have learned and put in place precautions to prevent future calamities. Obviously though, we could never be TOO prepared. Its also important to note the differences in the Hoover administration and Bush/Obama administrations and how it effected their reaction to the situation. In 1929, the United States government was interfering in private business and economies for the first time something that still sparks debate today. The Hoover administration and all involved parties had to be resourceful and creative, leading to tax cuts and government regulations, much like the government did in 2008. In 1929, however, the government also implemented social and public welfare programs. In Johnson's essay, he writes, "The Hoover policy was to exhort people to think positively, to work harder and to accept personal and local responsibility to expand in order to offset the effects of the crash. He tried to carry the message to the nation that business was sound and that he intended to provide a framework in which the nation could continue to prosper." This is very different than the 2008 situation where panic and finger pointing were the initial reactions and it became all about the business, banks, and markets and less about the welfare of the people. (Johnson)

A comic illustrating one of the major differences (Pakos.me)

I would like to conclude by relating the subject to art and technology, as this course is designed. As I've said before in an earlier post, art will always work in tandem with society and culture. In both 1929 and 2008, society and consequentially, the culture, were effected in the aftermath of the crashes. As was mentioned in the video we watched in class on broadway, film and music, specifically, took on a somber tone in light of the depressing times. During the Great Depression, spirits were down and the art of its time began to reflect that. On a kind of obvious note, resources became less available because of the terrible economy. As a result, artists weren't being paid as much and were therefore unable to create. 2008, however, didn't exactly see the same consequences. The 2008 financial crisis effected different people on different levels. For the lower and middle classes, times were hard and they experienced something quite like the great depression. The upper class as a whole, however, didn't feel the shock in the same way and in this modern age, the upper class are the artists (at least in popular culture). Were someone to look back on this time, one would see almost no noticeable differences in the art before and after the crash because the pop artists and hollywood stars were not clearly effected. Not even the subject matter changed during this time.

http://pakos.me/2008/11/14/best-of-craigslist-do-not-eat-pringles-fat-free-potato-chips/

Johnson, Chuck 2008 http://www.tanocapital.com/news/2008/11/14/tano-capital-reseach-the-crash-of-2008-vs-1929-similarities.html

http://www.economicpopulist.org/content/great-crash-1929-vs-panic-2008

The Birth and Life of Opera

I have to admit, this was a pretty difficult video to watch. I wouldn't say that I like opera, nor that I hate it. Rather, I would say I have an appreciation for it. Opera has lead to the creation of so many fantastic things that it would be unfair to dismiss it as anything but a form of high art. Unfortunately, I found it really difficult to stay engaged at a few of the musical numbers presented in this video. Perhaps I'm not well enough acquainted with it. Perhaps its simply because I can't understand it due to the language barrier or a different background in music and theater. That being said, I powered through it and fortunately got some information about opera that intrigued and amazed me.

First of all, I loved hearing about the Camerata. As a person who can identify (to varying degrees) with quite a few of the individuals listed in the group (musician, writer, scientist, philosopher), the Camerata sounds like the kind of thing I'd be interested in being involved with today. To me, this seems like the kind of "think tank" that can lead to some pretty incredible discoveries, as it did with opera. It's the interaction of differing studies that leads to groundbreaking revelations. It's the kind of interaction that fascinates me and keeps me thirsty for knowledge.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the various reincarnations of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Since the first time I performed this myth in Ovid's Metamorphoses, I've been in love with the story and have since explored the various adaptations across pop culture. Though I knew of Offenbach's opera, I'm now recharged with a need to explore these other versions. It also brings to light that this is an incredibly universal story, so it's not surprising that I identified so heavily with it. The narrator puts it perfectly "the humanist manifesto... by creating beauty, mankind could potentially catch a glimpse of divine perfection." I highly agree with this statement and hope to see this tale stay alive for generations to come.

This film takes a lot of time emphasizing that opera is, as John Adams (American Composer) it, the "ideal form for dealing with the issues." As we saw with the french revolution, just a couple of hours in the opera house can rally people in a common cause. In a way, opera was an early form of political theatre. As we saw in Amadeus, opera could be something very much like "Saturday Night Live" in which theatre and music are used to criticize or expose certain truths. Because of its power, opera could very well be considered "high art" which, to me, means an art form with the power to inflict social, political, or even economical change. " La Muette de Portici" almost directly caused the Belgian revolution, making Daniel Auber a kind of revolutionary. Richard Wagner restored the dignity of the German people, making him a Nationalist hero. Opera had an immense amount of power in the height of existence and even today influences the world to some degree. Because of this video and how it reveals opera as a transformative force in society, I have realized the true importance of this fading art form.

Class Response 9/2/14

Why was Sigmund Freud important?

Sigmund Freud was important for quite a few reasons. So many that I will boil it down to how he was important for the world of art. Art has, since its first days, developed alongside society. As the dominant people's tastes and interests change, so does the artwork that is produced.That being said, with the emergence of Sigmund Freud and his theories, society began to think differently about sexuality. In the past, it would have been forbidden to even hint at sexuality the way that people were now beginning to do. Freud also opened the floodgates for the exploration of taboo subjects. After Freud introduced theories about psychology and sexuality that explored incest, the subconscious, and even more bizarre subjects, we began to see such concepts appear in the opera houses. Two very prime examples of this would be Elektra and Salome. In both operas, the characters develop an unusual and disturbing sexual relationship with their father, something that is the result of Freud's Oedipus theory. Suddenly, audiences became intrigued by these disturbing subjects. Even more so, I think the scene from Salome with St John the Baptist's head can be related to Freud's work, though I cannot even begin to analyze it specifically.

Watch the Madame Butterfly video and post comments.

Visually, I really liked this video. I've always been a fan of stop motion filmmaking and I thought the use of a hodgepodge of materials and gothic emotion made this a very interesting piece of art. I particularly liked the use of background and lighting to make it seem as if it took place in a hell-like realm. However, I was completely lost on the point. The plot and character relationships were pretty clear, but I found it difficult to see exactly what the artist was trying to say.

However, after a quick visit to the wikipedia page, I found that this video condenses the entirety of the original opera with a slightly different ending. Knowing this, I found it to be much more interesting and even had to watch it again to get the full effect. I really like the addition of the butterfly and the choice to have her dismantle herself rather than commit suicide with a sword. I think its a far more beautiful and artistic choice that really tied the video together.

Juan Carlos Delgado

Juan Carlos Delgado's work is actually a very good example of multimedia. In class we defined multimedia as "Time controlling tools working in synergy." Delgado's Cuatro Norte (2011), in particular, shows temporal change as temperature effects the copper. Together, the refrigerator and the copper (as well as a little help from the atmosphere of the room) created the effect of the ice, giving the piece its charm. In addition, 100 Cubes of White Light (2000) also shows an example of "time controlling tools working in synergy. The "tools" in this case would be the sun/moon and the cubes of light. Though the piece can stand on its own in either night or day, I think its important to note that time does have an interesting effect on it, presenting something different depending upon the time of the day.

Class response 08/28/14

Think of examples of "Deus ex machina"

"Deus ex machina" or, "god from the machine" occurs all throughout history and even appears in the modern age, both in fiction and, in a way, in reality. Throughout the history of storytelling, there have been instances in which seemingly unsolvable plot conflicts were solved by unexpected and often outrageous means. A few famous examples include Moses' parting of the Red Sea, Frodo and Sam's salvation by the eagles in The Lord of the Rings, and Dorthy's "there's no place like home" moment in The Wizard of Oz. In each instance, the story had come to a halt and the author solved the problem in an impractical manner. Even in modern times, writers and artists alike have employed the use of Deus ex machina to resolve conflict and complete the story. For example, in almost any hollywood blockbuster, such as a Marvel film or a book adaptation, everything will go wrong for the main actor and all hope will be lost but by some miracle, they will be triumphant. This happens in such films as X-Men: Days of Future Past, in which the mutant resistance is almost completely destroyed and suddenly they are warped to an alternate timeline, and Game of Thrones, of which any example I give will surely be a spoiler. I think the use of Deus ex machina can either be clever or unimaginative. Good writers will never use it haphazardly, as it shows they were written into a corner and created an excuse to end the story, instead, it should be used originally and with enough wit to justify the absurdity of it.

Are we in the neo-Baroque or Neo-Rococo era? Why?

I find this to be a difficult question to answer because the times are always changing and its almost impossible that we will ever revisit an era, at least not exactly. Instead, I believe each new period borrows from its predecessors and builds atop it. That being said, I believe it would be safe to say we are experiencing a blend of neo-Baroque and neo-Rococo, as well as numerous other influences. Its not hard to see that we are living in extravagant times. Some of the most obvious evidence of this can be found in the commercials constantly streaming on TV. Throughout the year, we're bombarded with these advertisements that feature jaw dropping effects and content. It seems every company is now competing for our attention, and trying to one up each other in the process. This is especially common for car, liquor, fashion and technology advertisements. I think this is also pretty evident in the music industry. Like the examples we watched in class, artists today are using every resource possible to create lavish and over the top music videos, concerts, and publicity. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj, and Miley Cyrus are amongst the most frivolous. Overall, I think its difficult to say definitively that either of these terms would fit our time. Though there are a lot of things going on that would qualify as neo-baroque/rococo, there's just too vast of a popular culture for it to be the dominant culture.

Discuss the concept of "Bread and Circus"

After just a few sentences into research on the term "Bread and circus(es)", I was immediately reminded of the Hunger Games, in which a spectacle is put on to distract the people from the evils hiding in the government. For a while, this kept the rich content and the poor obedient by simply drawing their attention towards pageantry and competition. With a little more research, I began to understand this concept as something much more subtle and despicable. Since the beginning of society, those in power have had to maintain it and carry out their intentions. As challenges presented themselves, some have had to turn to immoral means, such as bread and circus. The colosseum games in Rome and the performances of the Globe Theatre are two prime examples.
Terrifyingly enough, the use of "bread and circus" for organizations and individuals to achieve their means has not only persisted into today, but some might argue it has become even more prominent. We live in such a media-saturated world that we are constantly flooded with distractions and who's to say its not intentional. The government, whether officially or not, has power with the media and can use that power to manipulate it and consequentially, us. Quite recently, the world exploded in a series of serious tragedies around the world. In a matter of weeks, the Middle East erupted once again in chaos, there was a domestic battle in Ferguson, Missouri, and disorder struck in the Ukraine. In light of all of these tragedies, the media drew people's attention to more harmless things, such as the ALS ice bucket challenge or the Ebola scare. Though it would likely be called a conspiracy to suggest such connections, I think its important to note that the majority of people in this world can easily be distracted from serious issues, especially because of social networking and the internet.