I'm Fancy

I found the concept behind I'm Fancy to be very intriguing. I think that the message that was sent is that it shouldn't matter who your race, age, size, sexual orientation, gender, religion or anything else. Equality is key. I think that is what is so beautiful about most forms of art...the artist does not have to be known. The beauty in their masterpiece is not judged based on what people think of the creator. The only form of art that this really doesn't pertain to is music...for generally, people know who it is behind the instrument..or voice. I think that's what makes I"m Fancy so brilliant. The artist takes the viewers power to judge away from them. And forces them to judge the actual song itself.

The music video I chose to do for the second review was the song by Eytan and the Embassy. For a low budget music video, I think they did a good job at fulfilling their vision.

The chorus of the song is "If you're tired of being yourself, go on and be somebody else". I believe this line is the meaning of the whole song. And the production people behind the video wanted to visualize this theme.

The character in the video starts out as someone from the Beatles...which would be the 1960's. He then proceeds to change into a major entertainer from different years all the way to Lady Gaga who is now. I think this shows that nothing is permanent. Time goes on and people change. All of the entertainers that he chose, changed who they were and made themselves who they wanted to be. This "theme" screams the meaning of the song. Life is what you make it. If you don't like who you are or where you are...do something about it. Change.

I thought our final project was a blast. From the very beginning, Jeff and I had a fairly good idea of where we were going. with it.

These were the props used:

MMA boxing gloves
Socks
A vintage suit case
2 pair of corduroys

We filmed outside around campus using an iPhone. Each clip was a minimum of 10 seconds long for editing purposes.

Facebook

10% of the entire world checks Facebook regularly? I don't know how I feel about this statistic. As of 2013, there are 7.1 billion people in the world. So, in a sense I feel like 10% isn't really that many. Not that I think it is good that millions of people are checking their Facebook regularly. Because I don't. I'm just shocked with how much of society depends on social media that it is that low. I guess that's not recognizing the large portion of the world that doesn't have access to internet or Facebook. So maybe it is high. Either way, I don't think that Facebook is going to die out anytime soon. I think that it is imbedded into our culture.

Netiquette

Netiquette...what?? It is heart-wrenching that people are awful enough that someone feels the need to write an article like this. Respect towards others is something that should be instilled in all humans. What respect looks like does not change as you navigate through platforms of life... this includes the internet. It's unfortunate that people feel that they can treat people however they please just because it is not direct. Get away with netiquette, or get away with the internet.

Low Budget

Low Budget music videos are either a win or a complete loss. It is amazing the things we can do with such little money because of technology today. But at the same time, if you can't execute the vision of a project well, it leaves the views wanting to vomit instead of put it on replay. Sometimes, they can be hilarious, other times horrendous. I think that the low budget music videos that we watched in class were fantastic. They were engaging and entertaining. But there are so many that are not either of those things. When planning a low budget music video...I think that it is essential to know that you will be able to execute  your vision without exceeding your budget before you begin filming. Otherwise it's a waste of your time. And everyone else.

Narratives

Narratives are fascinating and wonderful. I find it incredible how a music video can depict an entirely different message than what you originally interpret the song to mean. Putting picture to the music allows the listener/viewer to experience an entire new set of emotions. Well..sometimes. Other times I think that the music videos can take away strong emotions that the music and lyrics posses by themselves. I understand that sometimes it makes sense to make a metaphorical or funny music video; but sometimes I think that really subtracts from the songs value. I love the power a narrative  has, but I loath artists who use them in the wrong way.

What you love...for a bigger purpose

Joe Trusslow's interview is inspiring. I think his most dominate point is that as artists (of all forms) it is important that we recreate our favorite parts of the world. Because it's a big, huge and somewhat scary place...but there are so many wonderful parts to it. You would thank that because there are so many different aspects to life and the world we live in, that artists would  never get tired of finding new stories to tell and new ways to tell them. But Trusslow fears he is going to become trapped doing something that he loves. I find that so ironic. How can a person become trapped doing something they love? I think that is is why it is so important to be doing what you love for a bigger reason...a bigger purpose. Every day we need to renew our mind and remind ourselves why we do what we do. In my case...all for the glory of God. Not saying that I don't need to also remind myself that I do love what I am  doing...but remembering that it is for God will help refuel the flame behind the passion.

May I always see your wonder...

Words can't express how much I love this article. I think that every DMA major at Huntington University should be required to read it. (As well as the youth ministry majors.)

So often, many DMA majors find themselves so discouraged. We are living in a world where the Church does judge and condemn so many forms of art. From content in films to lyrics in songs. The problem is that the content behind these art forms can most definitely still be gratifying to God. As the author said, all art not only recognizes the artists but also the artists creator.

For an artist to not be thinking of something bigger, he would be nothing more than a narcissist. Art is a reflection of God's beauty. All forms of art. This concept should be instilled into the minds of our students and the churches of today.

Media shall be the death of us all

I think a knife is the perfect analog for what media is doing to our society. We are always being constantly fed all sorts of messages through different platforms of media. And without being aware of it, it manipulates what we think and feel about different issues in life. I think this is so incredibly dangerous for viewers. However, as Christians, this gives us the opportunity to be a light in dark place. We can use our mediums to produce a positive message in our stories. This is one of my favorite aspects of Huntington University. That they teach students how they can be a positive light in a secular workplace through their story telling...no matter what medium it may be through.

It's me or the game...

That's kind of my mindset when it comes to playing violent video games... pick one. Me...or the game. Now I promise I'm not a controlling, psycho freak like that statement makes me sound. Okay, well maybe I am. But for completely different reasons. Just hear me out for a second. These games are REWARDING people to kill, steal and destroy...um...that's okay, why? I don't think it is. You look at all of these scientific studies done that prove that it effects a person's brain and thinking...yet we try to justify it as being acceptable? Not to mention all of the theft, sex and drugs that also happen in these video games. My heart breaks for the young kids whose parent's don't see the problem with these games. Yes, many, MANY people play these games and lead very normal, successful lives. But what if your child was the one child whose brain processed these games in the wrong way. And it DID lead them to commit a heinous crime. Or change the way they view violence. Why risk it? There is no good reason to.

The Power of Social Media

In ten years Facebook has changed the world...well...I highly doubt that the college genius who invented it would ever think that this is what it would come to. That's a pretty incredible accomplishment, right? I mean you come up with a website that becomes almost a necessity around the world? However, I'm not sure that I could live with it's success on my shoulders. Is he to blame for the mindless, internet addicted, zombies that Facebook has helped create? Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic. But still. I guess he isn't to blame...let's be for real. If it hadn't of been him, some other web-making genius would have come along and created the next best thing. I'm just personally not a fan. Which is ironic, because I'm personally an avid Facebook user. But I don't want to be. So I blame Mark. and the 21st century.

Body Image

These statistics did not surprise me at all. Young girls without a doubt judge their own bodies based on females on tv and in advertisements. It is so sad that they don't recognize that those females are below average when it comes to their bodyweight. However, I do understand that those actresses are below average in body weight and I still find myself comparing myself and other people to them. This begs the question, how do we fix this? Is it even possible? I think that for this generation, it is not possible. It is already so imbedded into the minds of young people. I do believe that media can do a better job of showing that there is beauty in all body shapes. I also found it interesting that kids are more susceptable to have poor body image when their mother's have poor body image.

History of Music Videos and I Screen, You Screen

I found I Screen, You Screen: The New Age of the Music Video incredibly comical to read. The article discussed how MTV is no longer the main platform for music videos. Instead, the Internet, MySpace and AOL music are becoming main platforms. It’s fascinating how quickly things continue to change through the age of technology. Although this article was only written ten years ago, the information is already drastically dated. MySpace is dead to our generation. And I’m sure what AOL music is. While I’m sure that watching music videos on TV was once incredible exciting, I can’t imagine how tiring that would be. Most young people have the mind set that they want to watch a music video when they want to watch it, not when a TV channel is going to play it.

Watching the history music videos was very interesting. It’s crazy how far technology has come. People tell so many stories through music and music videos. I can’t imagine life with out having moving pictures as a medium to express ourselves.