Process Piece

Artist Statement

     As film students, we usually focus on the visual and only use the audio to enhance the image. This assignment was based on only using sound to convey a process. So, we chose to use a process that we are very familiar with as film students, watching a movie. We included the sounds of a TV turning on, a DVD case opening, using a DVD player, the actual film sound, popcorn and snacks. It was interesting to fabricate some of the sounds that we weren’t able to have around, like the popcorn popping. We had to use to world around us to find a similar sound, which was fun to discover how to use sounds we already know in a different way. 

     Process is something that, arguably, this generation has lost appreciation for. We are in a world of instant gratification and products. Rarely, do you go into a home and see chickens being raised so that at dinnertime we can actually eat meat. Instead, today we have frozen dinners that take 3-5 minutes to heat up, or restaurants where you can order food without even leaving the comfort of your car. But there is something inherently satisfying in process. For example, I crochet blankets and scarves, not for the product (which I actually give away more often than not) but for the process itself. 

     In class, we had viewings that demonstrated the use of not only sound, but also process. In Mercadante’s Routines, we see a simple, everyday task accentuated by embellishing the sounds that accompany putting on a belt. This is something that we usually overlook in our day-to-day lives, but it was nice to take a moment to acknowledge the process that is involved in our daily routines. Similarly, in our audio piece we drew attention to the tiny sounds that go along with such a mundane task.

     Gary Hecker, the foley artist from Robin Hood (2010) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980) also recognizes the importance of sounds in a process. In an interview Hecker says, “It takes timing and a huge creative mind to… use, chose and change sounds.” He goes on to say, “films are a big canvas of sound, and we paint different colors and textures so that you have a [masterpiece] of sound.” Then for the audiences he demonstrates the different sounds fabricated for his films, and describes the process that it takes to complete a film.

Tiny Stories

"I've been waiting for this day!" he said, towering over me. 

I gasped for air. "You finally got an A!"

"Please, no!" I begged as she raised the knife above her head.

"I want the last piece of cake!"

Looking back he let out a great sigh.

Things will never be the same.

Hello Mac, goodbye PC.

Looking into my eyes he spoke softly,

"I'm gonna have to let you go..."

Emotion coursed through my veins.

My first party will be so fun!

This can't be happening to me.

Of all the people in the world, how could this happen to me?!

I won the lottery!

Artist Statement

          Our world is full of seemingly insignificant moments that make our lives to be a wonderful array of joy and excitement. In my tiny stories I attempted to capture those little moments in life that are dramatic, yet are things that are relatively insignificant. Just like the reading we took from the “Tiny Stories” Twitter page, I did my best to capture a small course of action using a minimal amount of words. I felt that I was able to do so and that the different stories were effective in portraying a certain scenario. One example of this can be seen in the first story I shared. We understand that the person who is being spoken to has just done something they have never done before. In their moment of excitement they let out a gust of air and are told how great their accomplishment was. From the reading of Tim Burton’s tiny stories, he conveyed very small information to us and gave us a big story. When my own stories are compared to his, there is a slight difference between the delivery of the two, but they are both attempting to give the same effect. What I really loved with his stories is how powerful they were with such a small amount of words. One great example of this was “The Boy with Nails in His Eyes.” It simply states what has happened, and in doing so it has a comedic effect on the viewer. My own stories are short and I also attempted to put somewhat of a comedic effect upon my viewers. Another interesting thing to notice about these stories is the medium I used to create them. I drew all of the pictures exclusively in pencil, and the pictures are nothing close to a work of art. But that is exactly how I wanted it to be. The simple colors of grey and white help us to feel the dullness of everyday life hat is supposed to be going on in these stories, and the imperfect drawings help us to remember that we live in an imperfect world. I have never drawn pictures to fulfill an assignment that gave me the option of other mediums, but I felt that in the spirit of the dull and imperfect world we live, I would give it a go. Although we can learn much from many large and voluminous texts, there is a large amount of power that can come from a small amount of words. These tiny stories were meant to show that, and I feel that they really did.

Music Mosaic

Debut by Anberlin (click here)

Artist's Statement

       Debut by Anberlin is a rather strange song, and one that I never really appreciated. However, upon a closer listen and a desire to analyze, impressions came that were not there before. It showed me a world I never saw before. The song itself begins quietly and only gets more loud and intense as it continues. Near the middle of the song there is the sound of sirens heard and with that sparked a flurry of images in my mind. In our world today there is a strong desire to build and become greater and better than the next city or nation. In our frenzy to build and become better, we often forget about the simple beauties of life and force ourselves to conform to the cold hard world. I conveyed this idea through the first seven images by finding examples of the constructed sphere. The color of those images have been dulled and faded to represent the fading light of natural beauty. The song is chaotic and captures that sense of urgency that so many of us can feel in our own lives. The second image in the series is an example of the bondage of our world, as is portrayed by the crossing lines in the foreground. The space behind is deep and appears to go on forever, which is the perfect example of the demise we live in. We think that we are being free and building on with endless possibilities, when in reality we are forgetting our roots and binding ourselves to the expectations of others. The photos climax in the fifth picture, where we see the silhouette of a completed building with man made wires binding us to it. Men can reach the sun, but what is the cost of losing our individuality? In the seventh picture, the lines from the bars lead your eyes to the door, and above the door we see that it is an exit. As the music mounts to a climax the song suddenly and abruptly ends, directly contrasting  the insanity that was building. It is as if we have stepped through the door and exited the world behind us. The last image is pure nature and it’s bright and vibrant colors are in direct contrast to the images before it. The greatest sense of enlightenment won’t come until we leave the dark and dreary world behind us and step into the light.

Pitch Perfect or Trite Tone?

In every college across America, you can find the exact same people. The rich girl, the nice guy, the funny fat kid, that guy who seems like he wants to help you but really wants to help himself-- they’re all there. As if we haven’t seen them enough, Hollywood is relentless in shoving these cliches in our face time and time again. The year 2012 was no different as Jason Moore’s comedy Pitch Perfect hit the theaters, saturating us with yet another dose of overdone teen drama and antics. 

Pitch Perfect is nothing we haven’t seen before, a bunch of girls who are all different overcome their conflicting characteristics to accomplish a common goal. While each of the characters have very different and dynamic personalities, they all fulfill a different stereotype. Our “school diva” is found in Aubrey Posen (played byAnna Camp), the rich spoiled girl who constantly reiterates to the others, “It’s my way or the highway,” and forces the others to support her in her selfish quest for stardom. We’ve seen this character countless times before, such as Sharpay Evans from Disney’s High School Musical. Her persistent nagging and overuse of “Barden Classics” makes you want to only follow her in doing one thing, vomiting. I think we’ve all met Aubrey in high school already, what’s done is done.

Another well known personality to the movie screen is everybody’s favorite, fat, funny guy. Right? Rebel Wilson fills this role as “Fat Amy” and does all she can to remind you of the fact she’s a bit heavier than the rest of the gang with fun lines like “I’m gonna finish him like a cheesecake!” or “Even though some of you are pretty thin, you all have fat hearts, and that’s what matters.” It’s great that she’s put on some extra pounds but it doesn’t mean we have to endure two hours of her persistently pestering us with her protests. Do I really want to keep watching obese people slam themselves year after year with every new comedy that comes out on film? Fat chance.

Pitch Perfect continues to fill it’s cast with all the other fun cliche kids we’ve always seen before. The lesbian (Ester Dean), the sex addict (Alexis Knapp), the weird Asian girl (Hana Mae Lee), the down to earth rebel who rejects those around her (Anna Kendrick), and the young adorable heart throb who just happens to posses every trait any girl would love (Skylar Astin). The list goes on and on (and on) and helps us to see that America is obviously full of idiotic, half baked numskulls who are just trying to push your buttons and prove that they’re different by being exactly the same.

This barrage of stereotypical behavior is not only a nuisance to those who view it, but even causes a negative impact on the rising American generation. Scientific studies have proven that teens who watch films that glorify sex, beauty, and alcohol use are more likely to have issues with their self-confidence, and even encourage them to engage in those activities. This simply results in a flood of corruption filled with drowning teens wishing they were someone else. Not everyone is supposed to test the waters.

True, it can be said that Pitch Perfect is just a fun, carefree comedy that means no harm. The film itself did well with audiences across America, making over $100 million from the time of its release and causing an outpouring of YouTube videos with fans performing the famous “Cup Song.” The film has many fun and entertaining musical performances, taking many of our days hit songs and turning them into a smooth reality of any a cappella boy’s dreams. But is it really worth it? Is it worth the onslaught of cliches? Is it worth sitting and watching the same story we’ve seen a million times play itself out for no doubt not the last time? Is it worth lowering our moral standards to watch something that will just make us feel bad? No. We don’t have to throw ourselves into a downward spiral of idiocy to find a good slice of entertainment.

It’s time to think outside of the box and move away from the trite cliches of our time. They’re just like a thorn in our sides that makes for a painful viewing experience. I know that we’ve all cracked a joke or two about those stereotypical people we’ve run into throughout the years, but isn’t it time we gave it a rest? Film is much more dignified than the teeny bop fantasyland we’ve thrown ourself into. Don’t you think we can do better? Well you know what they always say, times are a changing-- let’s change for the better this time.