http://changethis.com/manifesto/45.02.FreakFactor/pdf/45.02.FreakFactor.pdf
2. Whats my problem? We all have problems or "weaknesses" but those weaknesses should be able to help one succeed because of the fact that one should actually embrace those flaws to find success. For example weaknesses are clues as to what one is good at, and because of this uniqueness it give everybody an ability to succeed at different things. And just because you have weaknesses or are a "freak" it isn't bad, it's what makes everybody human, and it is also what makes every different and special. That is the important factor, not to be ashamed of our flaws but rather embrace it. That is the key to success in the creative process.
4. Don't try to fix your weakness- One can try to fix their weakness but it isn't a good idea. It takes along time to fix weaknesses, it is painful because nobody wants to continue to be reminded that they cannot do something right. For example, I'm not good at shooting three point shots in basketball, and I could work for years to get better at it and the whole time get reminded that I'm bad at it with a barrage of air balls and brick and get absolutely discouraged. Or I can cut my losses with that weakness and work on my game under the basket in the post instead and become extremely strong in that aspect. Which in turn also is a reference to the 5th bullet point of the article. Finally it doesn't really work in the end, because we could work and try and fix our weaknesses but in the end it still doesn't do much and we are stuck with wasted time and still a weakness.
8. Freak: The power of uniqueness- Our uniqueness is in fact what makes us desirable. For example the article talked about the leaning tower of Pisa. The article stated how the builders tried to straighten it and even Benito Mussolini tried to fix the tower but actually made it lean even more. In the end even though some leaders and even the builders found the tower to be disgraceful in the end it became beloved and in 1964 the Italian government vowed to prevent the tower from falling and actually help maintain the towers lean in order to preserve Pisa's tourist economy. The main point is that as a person we could either try to fix our flaws or we can maintain them and in the end be embraced as valuable and loved because of the fact that it is one of a kind. That is why our flaws should actually be embraced rather then shamed and attempted to be fixed, or else our personal leaning tower could fall down.
I have many strengths and weaknesses. For example my strength is music and production related, however my major weakness is animation. I have fully embraced the fact that I will have major success focusing on the music aspect and that in the end, even though animation is really cool, sadly, Pixar will not be giving me a call anytime soon. I could chose to work strenuously trying to get my animation skills better even though to begin with I can't draw my way out of a paper bag. Instead of animation I could focus on something I enjoy far more such as music and music production which I am far better at and focus on making excellent records instead of mediocre at best animations that will not get me very far in my possible professional careers.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Blog 9A.
I cannot think of two weak points, however I can think of a weak point and a strong point. For example the weak point I can think of was the overall content of our video game Thunderball. Our game was about wheel chair rugby, and my main concern was that the content could of been considered offensive if we did not present the material in a proper manor. However I feel in the end we presented it in a very respectful manor and did a good job.
One strong aspect of our presentation was the explaining of the rules. We followed and utilized official rules of wheel chair rugby into our game presentation so that way we could give the players a full experience and a proper representation of this sport.
Personally I feel the most difficult aspect to discuss is the objective of our game. We were walking a really thin line and didn't want to be offensive or have people think we were trying to exploit this sport or make fun of it. That was the last thing we wanted to do, so it was fairly difficult trying to explain our games objective at times.
One strong aspect of our presentation was the explaining of the rules. We followed and utilized official rules of wheel chair rugby into our game presentation so that way we could give the players a full experience and a proper representation of this sport.
Personally I feel the most difficult aspect to discuss is the objective of our game. We were walking a really thin line and didn't want to be offensive or have people think we were trying to exploit this sport or make fun of it. That was the last thing we wanted to do, so it was fairly difficult trying to explain our games objective at times.
Blog 8.
www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/178/superpowers
Part B.
Hero- Captain Stickman
Villain- Erosia
Part B.
Hero- Captain Stickman
Villain- Erosia
Blog 7
http://www.neighborhoodstudios.com/MDIA203nord.mp4
follow the link to get to Ryan's video
In both videos we explored various concepts such as Rhythm and Space. The tension and release used in the first video is quite evident. The boss, that happens to be played by yours truly, increases the tension throughout the film with his gradual intensity, frustration, and aggression. During the first interview the audience gets a small taste of what the boss's personality is like and through the next interview it is obvious that frustration is setting in as the boss is searching for the perfect employee. After the boss's explosion one would think it is the release to the tension but alas no it's not. The boss takes a moment to gather his thoughts and even though it's a "peaceful" moment with the boss alone, the audience can sense the tension is still there. Enter the third candidate that has this confidence and "swagger" that the other two candidates didn't have. As the boss grimly asks the million dollar question "what does 2+2=?" The candidate begins to lock the door and closes the blinds thus creating even more tension because the roles are now reversed and it's the boss that is now uncomfortable. However when the candidate states "what do you want it to be?" and the boss smiles is then the relief of all of this tension that was built up is released and the audience knows that the boss has found the right guy for the job.
In the second film we used a Contrast to space. Most of the film takes place in the interview room where there is use of various close up shots that give the audience a sense of sitting right there at the table listening to the interview. However to give a break to the audiences eyes there are a few shots of the waiting room so the audience can re adjust their eyes for a second. Another use of space is in the end. When the third candidate gets the job it cuts to an outside shot with various depths of space that gives the audience a visual 180 degree turn because they are use to looking at a tight ranged office and then all of a sudden they are looking at an outside scene. It makes is much more visually appealing.
follow the link to get to Ryan's video
In both videos we explored various concepts such as Rhythm and Space. The tension and release used in the first video is quite evident. The boss, that happens to be played by yours truly, increases the tension throughout the film with his gradual intensity, frustration, and aggression. During the first interview the audience gets a small taste of what the boss's personality is like and through the next interview it is obvious that frustration is setting in as the boss is searching for the perfect employee. After the boss's explosion one would think it is the release to the tension but alas no it's not. The boss takes a moment to gather his thoughts and even though it's a "peaceful" moment with the boss alone, the audience can sense the tension is still there. Enter the third candidate that has this confidence and "swagger" that the other two candidates didn't have. As the boss grimly asks the million dollar question "what does 2+2=?" The candidate begins to lock the door and closes the blinds thus creating even more tension because the roles are now reversed and it's the boss that is now uncomfortable. However when the candidate states "what do you want it to be?" and the boss smiles is then the relief of all of this tension that was built up is released and the audience knows that the boss has found the right guy for the job.
In the second film we used a Contrast to space. Most of the film takes place in the interview room where there is use of various close up shots that give the audience a sense of sitting right there at the table listening to the interview. However to give a break to the audiences eyes there are a few shots of the waiting room so the audience can re adjust their eyes for a second. Another use of space is in the end. When the third candidate gets the job it cuts to an outside shot with various depths of space that gives the audience a visual 180 degree turn because they are use to looking at a tight ranged office and then all of a sudden they are looking at an outside scene. It makes is much more visually appealing.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Blog 6
6.A
I have no idea why I am unable to post videos onto blogger from my laptop, but I don't even see the insert video icon, I hope it's ok if I post links to my videos from youtube....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az8pg5D0kWQ
6.B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1I-hiEBCyQ
I have no idea why I am unable to post videos onto blogger from my laptop, but I don't even see the insert video icon, I hope it's ok if I post links to my videos from youtube....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az8pg5D0kWQ
6.B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1I-hiEBCyQ
Blog 5
5.A
I chose the photo of the Owl by Ben Goossens. I decided to actually focus on the owl because to me it was the focus of the photo. The original image game me a vision of someone who really enjoyed reading and had high intelligence would spend their whole some with their head would be soaring in the clouds all day. However because of either an illness, old age, or fear the person would never leave their house, with their window being the only way to view the actual outside world. The image of the "wise old owl" is what gave me the visual and the walls having blue sky and white puffy clouds gave me the image of the world inside the person or in this case, the owl's mind as they read their books, but still suffered fear to explore the outside world.
The photo I cropped is a focus of the owl where as the original photo had more open space, I chose to crop it close so that way the viewer could get a better look at the subject, however I feel the original image makes the viewer actually have to zoom in on the subject themselves thus letting the lines in the image do their job.
The actual photo is a long range shot, you can see the whole body of the owl, but also if a human were to be standing in the room next to the owl, they also would be revealing their full body. All of the lines in the room are also directing attention to the owl. The lines in the chair are pointing at the owl as well as the lines the walls make point towards the back of the room where the owl is located in the field of vision. The photo also establishes the rule of thirds. The owl is located in the lower right quadrant where as the window is located in the upper left quadrant.
5.B
I couldn't get the video to upload so here is a link to it on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Pw6Pq8vFE
I chose the photo of the Owl by Ben Goossens. I decided to actually focus on the owl because to me it was the focus of the photo. The original image game me a vision of someone who really enjoyed reading and had high intelligence would spend their whole some with their head would be soaring in the clouds all day. However because of either an illness, old age, or fear the person would never leave their house, with their window being the only way to view the actual outside world. The image of the "wise old owl" is what gave me the visual and the walls having blue sky and white puffy clouds gave me the image of the world inside the person or in this case, the owl's mind as they read their books, but still suffered fear to explore the outside world.
The photo I cropped is a focus of the owl where as the original photo had more open space, I chose to crop it close so that way the viewer could get a better look at the subject, however I feel the original image makes the viewer actually have to zoom in on the subject themselves thus letting the lines in the image do their job.
The actual photo is a long range shot, you can see the whole body of the owl, but also if a human were to be standing in the room next to the owl, they also would be revealing their full body. All of the lines in the room are also directing attention to the owl. The lines in the chair are pointing at the owl as well as the lines the walls make point towards the back of the room where the owl is located in the field of vision. The photo also establishes the rule of thirds. The owl is located in the lower right quadrant where as the window is located in the upper left quadrant.
5.B
I couldn't get the video to upload so here is a link to it on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Pw6Pq8vFE
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Blog #3
The song I chose was "Feeling Good" originally recorded by Nina Simone, and was later covered by Joe Bonamassa. The original follows the trends of the 1960's music genres in which it was also recorded (1965). The song starts out with Nina singing, no instruments backing her up for the first verse, and then after that the instrumentation begin with no fade in, it starts with the usage of drums, piano, strings and horns. It offers more of a big band sound rather than the standard 2 guitars 1 bass and drum set makeup. Of course with this song being recorded in the 1960's it has a distinct timbre that gives it a sound of being played in a tin can, it's for lack of a better word it has some "twang" to it. The speed of the song is fairly slow 4/4 pace. but it doesn't give off a meandering feel, there is purpose to the speed even if it is rather slow. Finally, the intensity of this song is quite mild, yes it has some loud sections of the song, but Joe Bonamassa's version is much louder.
Joe Bonamassa uses the fade in t for exampleechnique when beginning the song using a keyboard as he sings during the first verse then enters the rest of the song with a growling guitar. He is then accompanied by drums, bass, and keyboard. a more traditional "Rock N Roll" set up. The song was recorded several years ago (2008)so the sound quality is much better. Because of this the timbre has more control. The timbre for this version is a lot deeper and warmer. The guitar has a nice growl to it that adds to the depth of the song and makes it a little more inviting for this generation of music listeners but still showing a tribute to the original. The speed is the same tempo as the original, but because of the speed of the guitar solo, it could be construed that it is a faster version when in fact it is not. The intensity is also different. The instrumentation is a lot louder compared to the original. The guitar has a prominence in the piece that increases the intensity where as in the original there was no guitar. Finally in both versions the lyrics stay the same. Sometimes artist will adjust the lyrics to a song in order to make it their own or for it to make sense if a woman is singing a song sung originally sung by a man or vice-verse in this case, however Joe Bonamassa stayed true to the song and did not adjust a thing lyrically. For this I commend him for "staying true" to the roots of the song.
In conclusion, both versions are very well done, and I enjoyed both of them. Separated they are both very good versions and together when compared, you can make notable differences and similarities. But the key is that the cover feeds off of the original, and doesn't do a complete 180 from the original.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
blog Number 2 retry
here is the link to the story finding your howl
http://changethis.com/manifesto/51.01.YourHowl/pdf/51.01.YourHowl.pdf
http://changethis.com/manifesto/51.01.YourHowl/pdf/51.01.YourHowl.pdf
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Blog number 2
I forgot to add the link at the top, but here is the link to the article....
http://changethis.com/manifesto/51.01.YourHowl/pdf/51.01.YourHowl.pdf
Sunday, January 16, 2011
1.B 14 ways to get Ideas response.
First of all you can find the reading at this link:
http://changethis.com/manifesto/49.06.14Ways/pdf/49.06.14Ways.pdf
Mitch Ditkoff's suggestions I feel are very useful, he discusses different ways to get ideas in a process that offers a low stress atmosphere and a go at your own pace standard. The ways that are offered are not that grueling. The exercises may last a week for example where one writes down ideas as they go, or it may promote the urge to try something new they normally wouldn't. Another idea given was to just meet new people and surround yourself around people who you wouldn't normally be around with. This is to help promote opportunities for ideas to come through by listening to other experiences. Another option is to just create a list of different items and see if there is a way you can connect them in order to create different ideas. In fact I think it is a very smart way to go about it because only one person can control the way someone goes about getting inspired for ideas and that is themselves. So regardless of what other people may say, someone can only go about getting ideas in a manor that works for them.
For example I think the very first idea of "Follow Your Fascination" is a good process because some of the best ideas were discovered because the person had an interest in the field. I mean why would someone want to come up with ideas for something they don't have an interest in? For example Les Paul the famous musician helped develop the first electric guitars, why? because he wanted to evolve the sound and the use of the guitar into something that would make it revolutionary which ended up helping the development of Rock 'n Roll by laying down the foundation. Just imagine what could be created if people acted on their interests and fascinations more often. That is why I think I will try and pay attention to things that fascinate me more and see what ideas I can come up with because who knows what the next big thing will be.
I also think the third suggestion of "Tolerate Ambiguity" is also a very helpful notion. The first or "rough draft" if you will, will not be perfect the first try. This is why this suggestion is so good. Instead of giving up, keep at it, keep evolving ideas until you look at all aspects of the thought. I felt the Thomas Edison quote of "I didn't fail, I learned 800 times what didn't work." Offered some insight as to what was the whole point of this suggestion. If something doesn't work, just adjust it, and then try again. In the end you might find something. I think I'll try and do this more often, instead of getting frustrated and giving up, I'll just evolve the thought until I get that right combination and if not well I'll just keep trying.
Finally I think one of his best suggestions is to "Fantasize." Some of the most creative ideas ever imagined happened when someone was day dreaming. The thought of just letting one's mind wonder around without a leash can really bring together some very creative ideas. In fact in some song writing work shops they preform an exercise where everybody day dreams for like five minutes and then everybody writes down the ideas they gathered from the day dreaming exercise. Personally I believe fantasizing could only help with coming up with good ideas and I might try and do it more, except for when I'm in class...
What new idea of yours is bubbling on the brink of breakthrough? In what ways can you stay
with it, even if something in you is impatient for a breakthrough?
Well I have an idea for a song I'm working on, I've been struggling with the lyrics but I pretty much have the music figured out. I just can't seem to find the lyrics I need to complete the song. I can stay with it in many different ways. For example, I could work on the song a half an hour a day, I can look it over, go through the music I've written down, work on the timing in the strumming pattern and I can revise the lyrics I have written down. By doing this everyday, I can constantly have "fresh eyes" looking at the project and I'd be able to see something I hadn't the day before. This process will help me because by looking at other ways of improving the song I'm working on, I could make the song even better then what is now and hopefully have the song reach it's full potential.
http://changethis.com/manifesto/49.06.14Ways/pdf/49.06.14Ways.pdf
Mitch Ditkoff's suggestions I feel are very useful, he discusses different ways to get ideas in a process that offers a low stress atmosphere and a go at your own pace standard. The ways that are offered are not that grueling. The exercises may last a week for example where one writes down ideas as they go, or it may promote the urge to try something new they normally wouldn't. Another idea given was to just meet new people and surround yourself around people who you wouldn't normally be around with. This is to help promote opportunities for ideas to come through by listening to other experiences. Another option is to just create a list of different items and see if there is a way you can connect them in order to create different ideas. In fact I think it is a very smart way to go about it because only one person can control the way someone goes about getting inspired for ideas and that is themselves. So regardless of what other people may say, someone can only go about getting ideas in a manor that works for them.
For example I think the very first idea of "Follow Your Fascination" is a good process because some of the best ideas were discovered because the person had an interest in the field. I mean why would someone want to come up with ideas for something they don't have an interest in? For example Les Paul the famous musician helped develop the first electric guitars, why? because he wanted to evolve the sound and the use of the guitar into something that would make it revolutionary which ended up helping the development of Rock 'n Roll by laying down the foundation. Just imagine what could be created if people acted on their interests and fascinations more often. That is why I think I will try and pay attention to things that fascinate me more and see what ideas I can come up with because who knows what the next big thing will be.
I also think the third suggestion of "Tolerate Ambiguity" is also a very helpful notion. The first or "rough draft" if you will, will not be perfect the first try. This is why this suggestion is so good. Instead of giving up, keep at it, keep evolving ideas until you look at all aspects of the thought. I felt the Thomas Edison quote of "I didn't fail, I learned 800 times what didn't work." Offered some insight as to what was the whole point of this suggestion. If something doesn't work, just adjust it, and then try again. In the end you might find something. I think I'll try and do this more often, instead of getting frustrated and giving up, I'll just evolve the thought until I get that right combination and if not well I'll just keep trying.
Finally I think one of his best suggestions is to "Fantasize." Some of the most creative ideas ever imagined happened when someone was day dreaming. The thought of just letting one's mind wonder around without a leash can really bring together some very creative ideas. In fact in some song writing work shops they preform an exercise where everybody day dreams for like five minutes and then everybody writes down the ideas they gathered from the day dreaming exercise. Personally I believe fantasizing could only help with coming up with good ideas and I might try and do it more, except for when I'm in class...
What new idea of yours is bubbling on the brink of breakthrough? In what ways can you stay
with it, even if something in you is impatient for a breakthrough?
Well I have an idea for a song I'm working on, I've been struggling with the lyrics but I pretty much have the music figured out. I just can't seem to find the lyrics I need to complete the song. I can stay with it in many different ways. For example, I could work on the song a half an hour a day, I can look it over, go through the music I've written down, work on the timing in the strumming pattern and I can revise the lyrics I have written down. By doing this everyday, I can constantly have "fresh eyes" looking at the project and I'd be able to see something I hadn't the day before. This process will help me because by looking at other ways of improving the song I'm working on, I could make the song even better then what is now and hopefully have the song reach it's full potential.
Blog entry 1.A who inspires me...
I'm a fairly creative person, I find my inspiration in many different ways. For example, I may get an idea just by walking to class, or from an article I may read. Sometimes it just dawns on me as I sit outside and play my guitar. I'd be enjoying the day, and next thing I know I'm working on a strumming pattern and chord progression. I feel as if I'm very versatile when it comes to ways that I find my inspiration.
However there is one artist that inspires me as a musician. That is the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a blues guitarist in the 80's known for his powerful guitar playing, deep lyrics, his passion in his music, and his revival of an interest in the blues is what caused Stevie Ray Vaughan to become someone that inspires me.
The first example is a song called Tightrope by Stevie Ray Vaughan. He wrote this song about overcoming his drug habit and the people he hurt. This song shows an execution of tension and release. It begins at an uptempo pace and the beginning lyrics "Caught up in a whirlwind can't catch my breath. Knee deep in hot water broke out in a cold sweat. Can't catch a turtle in this rat race, Feels like I'm losin' time at a breakneck pace." allows the listener to relate because at one point in anybody's life I'm sure they have felt that way. This song continues and allows the listener to feel the intensity until the very end where Vaughan allows the listener to relax when he ends the song thus "releasing" the listener.
A second example is another song by Stevie Ray Vaughan called Couldn't Stand the Weather. The song shows a use of text and subtext. For example to the casual listener it sounds like a song that is about weather and a guy going about his day, but after closer listening and looking at the lyrics it is actually a song about a society who can't get along and someone who "couldn't stand the weather" and made a change.
My final example is a Stevie Ray Vaughan instrumental called Lenny, this is an example of contrast and affinity. For example this song is different compared to other Stevie Ray Vaughan songs because of the lack of lyrics and the sound of the song. In this song there is a lack of distortion and has a cleaner sound compared to other Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. However it is similar to his other songs because of the powerful solos and temporary distortion throughout the song.
However there is one artist that inspires me as a musician. That is the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a blues guitarist in the 80's known for his powerful guitar playing, deep lyrics, his passion in his music, and his revival of an interest in the blues is what caused Stevie Ray Vaughan to become someone that inspires me.
The first example is a song called Tightrope by Stevie Ray Vaughan. He wrote this song about overcoming his drug habit and the people he hurt. This song shows an execution of tension and release. It begins at an uptempo pace and the beginning lyrics "Caught up in a whirlwind can't catch my breath. Knee deep in hot water broke out in a cold sweat. Can't catch a turtle in this rat race, Feels like I'm losin' time at a breakneck pace." allows the listener to relate because at one point in anybody's life I'm sure they have felt that way. This song continues and allows the listener to feel the intensity until the very end where Vaughan allows the listener to relax when he ends the song thus "releasing" the listener.
A second example is another song by Stevie Ray Vaughan called Couldn't Stand the Weather. The song shows a use of text and subtext. For example to the casual listener it sounds like a song that is about weather and a guy going about his day, but after closer listening and looking at the lyrics it is actually a song about a society who can't get along and someone who "couldn't stand the weather" and made a change.
My final example is a Stevie Ray Vaughan instrumental called Lenny, this is an example of contrast and affinity. For example this song is different compared to other Stevie Ray Vaughan songs because of the lack of lyrics and the sound of the song. In this song there is a lack of distortion and has a cleaner sound compared to other Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. However it is similar to his other songs because of the powerful solos and temporary distortion throughout the song.
Friday, January 7, 2011
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