Man's Best Friend

Flash Mob

Michael!

Who hasn't wanted to do this at least once during an exam? :)

Xerox: Lock Your Doors!

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McCarthyism

The term McCarthyism was coined during Joseph McCarthy's time as senator. It was a campaign that was against alleged communists in the U.S. Because of this, several of the accused communists were blacklisted. Some even lost their jobs when in fact they were not even a communist. This campaign ran during the early 1950s.

Grid Art

Katy Perry- Part of Me?

I ran out of beads :( need to buy more!

Video Games and Bullying

Personally, I don't believe that video games play a role in bullying. I have plenty of friends who have played video games their entire lives and are not violent people. Yes, there is trash talk involved, but nothing too serious. However, I do feel that when people become obsessed with a type of media or entertainment (video games, movies, tv shows, books) it can alter their sense of reality. The video game itself isn't responsible for bullying, the person behind the controller is. Like Santiago said, those who are mentally ill can take the game out of context. It becomes a social norm and reality to them. This could result in violent behavior and bullying. 

Apple

Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, explained that Steve Jobs used to work in an orchard in Oregon. Wozniak stated that he wasn't sure if there were actual apple trees on the orchard, but he assumes so. Later on, he met up with a someone whose brother had worked on the farm with jobs. That mans brother was the one who actually told Jobs that he should name is company "apple". It was very simple and easy to remember. Present time, everyone knows of the amazing company, Apple Computers!

War of the Worlds

On October 30, 1938, Orson Wells aired a radio episode of an adaption of H.G. Wells novel, War of the Worlds. The listeners began to panic thinking that actual martians were invading Earth. Orson Wells radio episode resulted in panic and anxiety across the nation. People began fleeing their homes in an effort to survive the attacks. Even weeks after the radio broadcast, police answered to calls about the public still believing that aliens were invading the world. 

This incident is proof of how much the radio impacted people's lives during that time period. Everyone relied on the radio for news and entertainment. They believed that everything the heard on the radio was completely factual. People living during the 1930s heavily revolved their lives around the radio.

Color and Sound

Isn't it difficult to follow the yellow brick road if there is no color? Around 1910, film tinting became pretty popular. Film tinting used monochromatic color for a typically silent film. In addition, sepia colored film were also becoming a trend (as seen in the top left photo and bottom video). Color allows the audience to understand the feelings and themes of the film. The Wizard of Oz is a great example of film using color. Though the original film was still successful using sepia, revamping the film using color made it extraordinary. Everyone always remembers the line, "Follow the yellow brick road!". With color, now the road is even more memorable.

In addition to color, sound in film began to evolve around the 1930s. Sound and music can make in exceptional difference within a film. My Dad always told me that the key to a good horror film is the music. That music can make you feel incredibly eerie, full of suspense, and terror when there is almost nothing going on in the scene. Music and sound fills the audience with much emotion. It allows them to connect to the film in an amazing way.

Napoleon

Abel Gance's 1927 film, Napoleon, was an incredibly innovated film during the time period.  Most of the camera angles during the early 1900s were very stoic. The camera was placed in once spot for the scene and it was up to the actors to bring the material to life. However, Gance challenged this method of filmmaking. He introduced hand held camera shots along with close ups and fast cutting. Gance also took advantage of using multiple camera set ups to create the best angle for the film.Every film we see today has been influenced by Gance. How would directors be able to intensify fact-paced car scenes or dramatize crashing buildings without these methods? 

In conclusion, Gance used polyvision to create even more advancements in technology. Polyvision is used as a widescreen format. It allows scenes to become even more theatrical. Because the film would not be reduced to a small screen, the effects were not compromised. Polyvision allowed the film to be displayed in its best format.

The Great Train Robbery

First off, I have to mention that I watched this film while babysitting. The two year old boy I sit for loves (I should say is obsessed) with trains. I wasn't even thinking of that when I had him sit on my lap to watch it with me. The entire time all he shouted was, "Choo choo!...Hi/Bye Choo choo!". Needless to say, he loved the film...I probably should have not let him watch the violence in the film....but he thought it was hilarious. Cute kid!

Now, since I cannot get a good grade for just writing about "choo choos"... I'll give my analysis for the film.  I loved the moving train in the background during the film's opening. This introduced the viewer to the setting in a well-done manner. I believe knowing your setting for the scene is crucial for filmmaking. Without this, the director can lose his audience. 

In addition, the fact that some filming was done on a moving train was very impressive. This showed much advancement in technology since it was a risking move to make. The scene came out very well and it made the acting even more dramatic. 

Speaking of drama, the film must have been extremely suspenseful for the early 1900s. Between the guns, robbery, violence, etc...I am sure the audience was filled with terror and anxiety.

Lastly, I wanted to mention the importance of color. There a few scenes which introduce color into the film. There is a little girl trying to wake the injured man, people dancing, and a scene where guns are firing. All these scenes were hand colored to produce the variation in color. Using color in film was a new method during this time. I must say it worked to the film's advantage.

A Trip to the Moon

A Trip to the Moon was a very technically innovative film for the early 1900s. I thought that using two scenes to introduce the ship's landing on the moon was actually interesting. First, they showed the ship landing right on the moon's eye. The technology used to create the moon's face and animation of the crash is impressive for the film's primitive age. In addition, the ship was shot in a different scene depicting the landing on the moon's surface. This gives the audience two completely different viewpoints about the act. Once on the moon, the scenery is completely different than it was on earth. It is almost like a dream sequence. There are women's faces in stars and a lady sitting on a crescent moon. The stage gives off a very whimsical feel. In addition, I was impressed during the umbrella scene. When the astronomers places his umbrella on the ground. From there, it grows into a mushroom. This film reminds me a little bit of Alice in Wonderland. The whimsical and unpredictability of the film proves how advanced it was for the time period.

History of Photography

It is pretty remarkable to see how far we've come with photography and technology. Now we have nine year olds posting random mirror picture to their social networking sites using their iPhone. I need an iPhone....just thought I would throw that in there. In all seriousness though, the art of photography is being wasted because of technology. The pictures we can get from our smart phones come out awesome! It would take so much time and effort years ago to create the same effects we do now in five seconds.

It is so interesting to see how the first movies were made. Taking individual pictures are forming them into into a "moving picture" must have been so exciting to witness back in the day. I was just watching the deleted scenes from Titanic the other day (yes, I am obsessed with that movie and am still not out of my leo phase) and Rose jumps right in from of a camera stating that she could be a "moving picture actress!". It was the same type of camera we learned about in class. Click on 1:27

If you don't like Kristin Chenoweth, then I don't like you!

I have to say, I did not realize how much of a Broadway geek I really was until the clips kept playing and inside I kept saying "Ohh, I love this song...I love this song too!". This class definitely reminded me of my best friend. She's been dancing since we were toddlers (and yes, I went to every show!) and I was always singing. We must have been so annoying to our parents. We just loved musicals.

We would watch Greece over and over until we got older and discovered even more musicals. Hands down....we love Chicago. She owns the movie, I own the soundtrack. We know every word to all the songs. The plot was so intriguing. Women dancing burlesque while all on death row for murdering their men. This was definitely not Greece! The music is so amazing. The costume design is gorgeous.

When I downloaded my friend the soundtrack from Wicked, her sister wanted to kill me. She never stopped singing the songs for months. The stage decor for this broadway musical is fabulous. It is very interactive. For example, when singing "Defying Gravity", Idina Menzel is lifted up off the stage to make it appear she is flying. Also, the costumes and make up are remarkable.

Opera

I have to say that before this class, I was not the biggest fan of opera. However, after studying the subject, I do have much appreciation for the art. Once I understood the story lines and actually watched an opera myself, I could begin to see the beauty in it. I love the history behind the operas...the struggles of society, government policies, scandals. Everyone is drawn to that information. 

Not only are the story lines intriguing, the costumes, stage props, and all other technologies bring something more to the table. The fashions and actors really do their part to transform the audience into the time and setting of the story line.

I remember watching Amadeus in high school. I am so interested in the history and true facts that happened "behind the scenes". My flaw when taking history exams was that I could never remember the typical, mundane information that was needed for the test...but I always knew who the king's mistress was and who was beheaded. In Amadeus, I was very interested in who Mozart really was. I believe that with knowing that information and his struggles, I was able to connect with his music on a more personal level.

Madama Butterfly

My first impression of this animation was that it was very odd. However, I felt like I could not look away. There was something interesting and captivating about this piece of work. The combination of the beautiful music and animation create a brilliant piece.

The animation was completely filled with emotion. I believe that that's what draws the audience in. I felt so sorry for the woman. There was much longing and heartbreak. It was very depressing. I can understand wanting to wait for someone....knowing that they will come back within a reasonable time. Not years! Also, don't cry when the man tries to take your child away...get her back! Fight for your child and stand up to the barbie.

That being said, it was definitely a thought provoking short. The animation and detail throughout the film were done extremely well.

More Posts Coming Soon!

Bear with me, I'm behind in my classes due to sickness. More in depth posts will be up shortly!!

First Class

Hi, I'm Lindsay MacTavish. I am a senior at the University of Tampa and I'm studying graphic design. I am hoping to graduate spring 2013. Fingers crossed! Currently, I am enrolled in Art 211 with Professor Echeverry. I believe this course will help me understand the interrelations between art and technology/new media. Echeverry seems to be extremely passionate about the curriculum so I am sure to get a lot out of the course.