Web Spinna

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Haunted Sky - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1vjTJTRn48

Moon Atmosphere- http://margaretnoble.net/blog/sounds-from-the-moon-b/

Heartbeat- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHBk80JiBo8

Regan Alien Invasion- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfejBpD_wm4 (0:02)

Signs Sounds- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADqLmzqeH6M

District 9 Board- http://www.soundboard.com/sb/District_9_movie

Japanese Scientist Alien Invasion- www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpaIWPmiS5w (:10)

Preparing for alien invasion- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6aUrqSagog (1:18) to (1:51)

Starry Night- http://vimeo.com/29582860

Artist's Statement

            The Internet is a crazy, complex and incredibly fascinating place.  It is able to provide loads of information, hours of amusement and immense amounts of work for those looking for it. Who would have thought, however, that the Internet could become a place for creating art just as much as posting it? Through this webspinna, I was able to see the endless possibilities of using the Internet’s media tools to create a wide variety of art forms.

            The biggest thing I wanted to sell with my webspinna was atmosphere. With a topic like alien invasion, we should feel like there is a growing sense of dread and paranoia accompanying it. However, music alone should not be the source for this. I wanted the dialogue and conversations to build upon each other to heighten the tension. Starting from speculation of invasion to preparing for military action, each bit of dialogue builds up to the inevitable climax. It’s almost like writing a musical piece.

            Researching the audio to be used was quite a challenge. In the end, I decided to focus on YouTube links for two reasons. For one very easy reason, it is because it satisfied many of my immediate needs. However, I also wanted the challenge of coordinating each piece of audio and clicking them at exactly the right moment. With practice and patience, I planned and decided when to start each file and when to just let the ambient sound play. Playing a sound at the right time really made a difference for how the piece as a whole worked.

            While there isn’t a huge message in this piece, I do feel it does have practical application historically. When I picked the Reagan piece, it seriously reminded me of the paranoia times of his era. In those days and the decades of the cold war preceding it, this sort of paranoia and dread was actually very common. So it inspired me to try and pluck those chords of that time and evoke those base emotions we have today and seek application in our own lives.

Media Specificity

 

My Comic Strip: Just Read a Book

http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/jjzgamer/546356

Artist Statement

           Comics are a peculiarity for reading in general. Whether they come as strips or full-blown graphic novels, there is a fine balance of visual and written storytelling that needs to be met. While the art can take the steering wheel on many stories, there needs to be a balance where the words can compliment the visual. Having said that, can a comic work when the words are the dominant driving force? This is what my comic hopes to test for the medium. Though I did use a comic application from the Internet since I cannot draw, the intent of my strip should be clear regardless.

            One of the important elements for this work was making sure that the art had was how it is portrayed here. The generator allowed for all kinds of variations in characters and background, but the point I wanted to make required the art to be stagnant. Is it still a comic if there is no action present in the scene? The words explain everything about his feelings, thereby superseding the tell factor over the show. We have seen comics use dense literary language like Alan Moore’s most famous books or comic strips Calvin and Hobbes, but they also had moving images. So do the words really carry weight when it is just a guy on a bench?

            In a way, this is both praise and criticism to the medium of comic writing. For one thing, comics are somewhat the gateway between movies and literature in that it follows many of their similar principles. It requires multiple layers of storytelling so if you can communicate from both a visual and written standpoint, you get the best of both worlds. Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Ghost World and many other comics are powerful because they allow for strong writing on top of vivid, expressive and well-framed images. It creates a world as the writer and artist sees it while allowing enough room for the audience to fill the gaps.

            However, it also shows some of the shortcomings of writing for a comic versus a book or a movie. On one end of the spectrum, many writers shun actual writing to let non-stop kinetic imagery tell the story. Look at any local comic store and you will see many examples of this in the popular trades. On the other hand, some writers have the story take so much precedence you wonder why it wasn’t just a book. I point a finger at Persepolis not that it is a bad comic by any means, but it feels like it could have easily just been a memoir given the subject matter and writing.

            I personally feel comics, like gaming and other “subgenres” or entertainment, can be a serious art medium. When we see how the components of the medium work together, we understand what can be accomplished. I can only hope that Gabe from Penny Arcade is fine with his avatar being used here to help make my point.

Social Media Adaptation

The Official YouTubeChannel:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VvK43f3jyvCI8EB4j_GUw?feature=CAQQwRs%3D

Artists Statement

Group: Aubrey Clark, Camlyn Giddins, Jason Richey, Justin Zarian

Our literary work was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Within that work, we found the Creature’s experience most intriguing. His journey basically compiles the learning experience of a baby, child, adolescent and finally he develops into an adult, and a tormented one at that.

To recreate the Creature’s experience, we decided to create and gather images and audio. The story behind it all is Frankenstein creating this being from human remains as well as machinery. The images coming from one of the Creature’s eyes, which is a camera. The audio coming from Dr. Frankenstein’s recorder.  

The social media aspect went through many phases.  We first wanted to use Soundcloud and Instagram, but later realized that Youtube would be a good way to combine both audio and pictures in one.  Youtube also allowed us to incorporate the captain character from the book and create a context in which he found and shared these tapes. In the books, Captain Robert Walton was a narrator, telling these stories to his sister in letters. We found it appropriate that he help tell this story over a social media site and created a profile based on his character.

Artistically, we wanted to show the progression of the Creature’s character. The photos and audio also reflect this progression, as far as quality of the images and sound go. His speech and contemplation also improve.

One of the hardest things to do in this class is to curb creativity and focus it in order to not spend a ton of time doing things that are too big for a week long project. This was probably the worst one for that.  A few of us constantly found ourselves wanting to tell the WHOLE story of Frankenstein, but this daunting task led to frustration.  We had to set limits. Even within those limits though, there was plenty of room for spontaneity. We decided to end the entries with something open ended. We didn’t want to recreate the whole story. We thought it would allow for more thoughts and comments to end with themes like Frankenstein’s abandon, or what is a monster?, what is beauty?, why do we react the way we do to ugliness?, what’s in a name?    

We ended up separating the responsibilities, having the guys in charge of audio and the girls in charge of pictures.  While this seemed a good idea at first since we couldn’t find a time to work all together, it caused a bit of a problem as the we didn’t really communicate what each was doing.  Thus when we met up, the guys had recorded something different than what the girls had taken pictures of.  In the end it worked out, but I think if we had had the opportunity to work side by side more it would’ve been easier.  

We didn’t realize how interactive and Facebook-like Google+ is. There is so much room for the interaction, evolution, and instantaneous aspect we talked about in class. In creating our Youtube account for Robert Walton, we found several ways that his character could be more visible and involved. If we gave ourselves more time, we definitely could make it more expansive.

If we were to spend more time on this project, there is room (with all of the class adaptations really) to make a more abstract adaptation. We kept close to the book overall, but toyed around with the idea of straying. Perhaps we can create an account of a boy, in a foreign land, abandoned by his dad, etc. This is a lot like the TV show Once Upon a Time. As the show illustrates though, this can get complicated... but then again, it only gets as complicated as the ‘writers’ want it.

Textual Poaching Assignment

***NOTE***Please forgive the watermark. It was the only way I could get the footage on my Final Cut Pro.

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Artist's Statement

“He's a goofy kid. Everyone sees the big, hard, tough guy, silent, really. He's just a big goofball.” - Bobby Frasor

There is just no way to hide it. Sometimes we have to own up to elements of our personality that we try to suppress out of fear. We want to create something different for ourselves, an identity that fits what is acceptable and enjoyed by the public. It can appear artificial or mechanical. Within the confines of my identity however, there is always one comforting reminder I can come back to when I need a pick me up. It boils down to one little sentence: I am a closeted goofball! It may not be apparent to many people, as I have been told I can come off rather serious and strong willed in many aspects. And yet this is that small part of my personality I have tried to preserve and craft over the years as a means to handle situations. I am sure many of us can understand this duality and how what others perceive is not always what is actually inside.

Thinking about this, two pieces of media came to my mind. The first one was Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times, his classic satire on the rise of industry. Comedy always seems to be an outlet for people to set their lighter and goofier sides loose. Watching the opening acts of the film helped me make a connection I had not otherwise. The arc of this intro shows a seemingly stressed and overworked man becoming a loose cannon when he has had more than he can take. As I saw it, it’s not so much that Chaplin’s character is going insane as it is revealing the bottled up wackiness to handle stress. While he certainly reacts crazier than I would, the way it is expressed spoke to me personally. And with the turmoil and drama in his own life, what better way for Chaplin to show off his lighter side than through a variation of his goofy alter ego The Tramp?

The other piece was Jamiroquai’s Virtual Insanity; his hit single about the way technology drives the world crazier. Other than noticing crazy was a consistent theme with this and Modern Times, I also remember how amazed I was not only the song itself but its music video. The lyrics juxtaposed with the imagery of dancing to a constantly moving room seemed almost the inverse of the previous example. Rather than letting the world pry open his wackiness, Jamiroquai integrates it as a part of himself to counter the problem. It’s not so much hiding as it is putting something in such plain light it is just a part of you. Putting this alongside Modern Times felt fitting because of it.

The actual re-editing and assembly of the movie was an entirely different beast. Along with the long time processing the movie footage, the direction of what I wanted to do was not always clear. The vagueness and imminent due date loomed over my mind and caused stress. I figured maybe I could parallel the influence of technology and how technology was a part of my personality to the point of being crazy. Feedback from roommates and friends online countered this idea. It never really struck them that way. They commented on how wacky it seemed, which was so contrary to their perception of me. That is when the idea solidified itself. I decided to let the video progress more naturally in that wackiness. I even toyed around with a few aesthetic choices, like the motion blur of Chaplin going around the gears back and forth. I needed to let that part of me edit the film and I felt that part was expressed.

 It is hard to quantify this part of my identity to others, yet it is a part I feel others can relate to. We can all be a father, a religious man, a fireman or whatever title we assert. Yet inherently, there is that inner personality we conceal that shows something about our true selves. We can call it a “goofball” or whatever, but it is that side only certain people truly see and only comes when it is invited for better or worse.

The Name's Blog...James Blog: A Look at Skyfall's Intro and An Underrated Bond Classic

I may not be a James Bond fanatic, but I do recognize when a great Bond movie comes out. Casino Royale was a fantastic reboot for the franchise and a glimmer of what Bond can still do in this generation. Quantum of Solace was a misstep sadly, but not a franchise killer. However, everything I learn about Skyfall makes me incredibly excited. The director, the crew, the composer, the cast and so many of the elements/players involved in the film inspire so much potential and hope. One thing that has sealed the deal lately has been the reveal of the new theme song by Adele. Aptly titled "Syfall," I can just say you should listen to it and see for yourself how great it sounds.

Along with that, I want to shine a spotlight on an underrated Bond classic. For all the lavish and deserved praise "Goldeneye" on the N64 received, people tend to forget the other best Bond game ever made "Everything or Nothing." A high octane, well structured and very fun Bond romp, it highlighted the elements that make Bond movies enjoyable while having its own mark on the franchise. It also had one of my other favorite Bond intros with the title song, which is located below. See it in all of its Xbox/PS2 era awesomeness!

Tunes You Play: Highlighting Terrific Music From Video Games

I know I am the weirdo in this case, but I REALLY love instrumental/soundtrack music. There is something about music without lyrics that speaks to the heart. It makes you focus on the tone and mood rather than words. It touches emotions rather than simply logic. It is the backbone to all music.

One area that does not get a fair shake here is video game music. Call me an uber nerd, but I think gaming has some absolutely terrific scores to reference to. Don't believe me? Check out this selection of fantastic gaming scores to listen for yourself. I will refrain from using the obvious ones only because we know how awesome they are (Metroid, Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, etc):

Mass Effect 3- I Was Lost Without You (Sam Hulick)

Freedom Fighters- Main Title (Jesper Kyd)

Gears of War- Gears of War (Kevin Riepl)

Halo 3- Wake Me When You Need Me (Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori)

Bully- Bully Main Theme (Shawn Lee)

Heavy Rain- Painful Memories (Normand Corbeil)

Mass Effect 2- Reflections (Jack Wall)

Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy- Main Title (Angelo Badalamenti)

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves- Nate's Theme 2.0 (Greg Edmundson)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater- "METAL GEAR SOLID" Main Theme (Harry Gregson-Williams)

The Original Showdown at Nathan's - Historical Story

Artists' Statement

     It is one thing to revisit the past, but it is another when someone must try to recreate it for a modern audience. After a quick run through of historical events, we were able to adapt something that most likely few have ever known about. It is a true example of how one little argument could spur a national phenomenon. It is a testament to how something seemingly trivial can become history. After all, why shouldn’t Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest have its roots explored in all of their potentially ridiculous glory?

            Following that thought, we began laying down the narrative of our piece. While there exists and account of the year and winner of the first contest, most of the other details have been lost in time. This allowed us greater flexibility with the storytelling. We were able to insert characters into the story, develop a background and make the narrative progression entertaining. We felt that having such an open historical event would serve the narrative better so we could better pinpoint story beats and a climax.

            Then we moved on to dialogue. Of course we did our research on 1910’s vernacular to make things historically correct. We felt that a few of these references would be consistent with our point about the silliness of the event. The characters are more or less stereotypes, so their dialogue should be appropriately melodramatic.  The style began to gel into what I personally envisioned the script: like an entertaining children’s show history lesson in the vein of Bill Nye The Science Guy.

            Overall, these points and others lend themselves to our main thought: it is amazing what will go down in the history books. You may have to embellish to make it fit as a story, but the premise almost writes itself.