Blog Assignment #4

In this scene from Matrix you can hear audio used in many ways.  Right from the beginning you hear Agent Smith and Neo aka Mr. Anderson throw their guns away with very little echo telling the audience that they are in a small enclosed area.  We also hear constant buildup of the music in the background helping us feel the growing tension between the two characters.  Throughout the scene as the characters go blow for blow against one another we can hear the Speed and Loudness gain as their kicks and punches land with more ferocity. The breaking of the concrete pillars and shattering glass also stands out as they destroy the environment around them.  In the scene we can also hear an Emotional aspect to the music, such as when our hero is thrown to the ground or against the wall we have very sudden stops in the fast-paced music causing the audience to feel worried for the protagonist.  The music and sound in this clip are extremely important to setting the mood for the audience.  

Blog Assignment #3

Read "Brainwashed" by Seth Godin at changethis.com

Acknowledging the Lizard:

The lizard part of the brain tells us to conform and work within the parameters that are drilled into our minds as the right way to do things.  It fears being laughed at above all else and attempts to suppress our creative urges.  We need to acknowledge the the lizard part of our brain but then ignore it so that we can  go forward and be creative.

Ship:


Ignoring the lizard part of our brain and be willing  to reinvent yourself.  Be the person who gets things done and acquire rare skills. Make and create things that people really desire.

Make Art:

No rules or instructions, creating art enables us to connect to other people at the most basic level.  We take risks even though people my not like it or they may laugh at our efforts. These risks we take are what lead us to being rewarded when when creating and showing our art to people.



Thinking about these layers and how it may be connected in these blog assignments. I start to realize that I have had to acknowledge the lizard part of my brain many times.  I can proudly say that I was able to ignore that part of my brain and do what is necessary to get the job done.  Creating new characters that people perhaps laugh at or find uninteresting, yet I've be rewarded with people enjoying the characters and their stories.  I think that these assignments help me with the creative process by fine-tuning all my ideas.  I also think that overall it will help me with my future decision making when it comes to my future courses that call on me to be more creative.  Perhaps one day I'll be able to takes these aspects and apply them to what I hope to be doing professionally one day.  Attempting to create something and give it to the world so that even one person out there can be effected in a positive way would be a wonderful thing.  Making (my) Art and having the courage to  "Ship" it seems much more attainable after reading "Brainwashed", and I am looking forward to what my creative future holds in store for me.         
   

Blog Assignment #2

Part I:
Finding Your Howl
The full story can be found at www.changethis.com

Johathon Flaum's article FIND YOUR HOWL can be summarized as a story of a wolf named Mumon trying to find his howl after being born in captivity. In the beginning Mumon the wolf  is released from captivity and back into the wild to learn the ways of living as a wolf in the wild. Through his journey Murmon meets with other animals that help show him that life's circle is necessary and to not be sorrowful for killing and death.  In the end the wolf not only regains his howl but we also learn that  people need to live their own lives and do the things that we are meant to do in life.  This  I feel is what the author Flaum is trying to get across as the lesson to be learned.

Part II:
One of my favorite quotes is an old Italian proverb:  
"Once the game is over the king and the pawn go back in the same box."

I am going to talk about why this proverb has meaning to me.  First, let me start off by giving a little background on the subject.  In the game of chess the king is the most valuable piece and pawn is the least valued.  In the end, no matter the outcome of the game, both pieces are placed back in the box from which they came. That saying means a few things to me.  Some say that it's a metaphor that when we die we all end up in the same box or "coffin," but to me it also means that when the game is not being played we all become the same people without titles, without ranks. I also see this as all of us being pieces on someone's gameboard other than our own.  They use us to gain what they desire. No matter if we are the pawn or the king, we are used as they see fit.  Lastly, it reminds me that life can be viewed as a game of strategy where we the player must make smart decisions with the moves we make so that we can protect and gain what is important to us.  We may not wish to lose what is most important to us (our "king"), but is it alright to keep it safe at the expense of all of our pawns?  We all have risks that we are willing to take, and in doing so, we may lose some of the pieces that we have. I do think that one of the most important things to do is to look at each and every one of your pieces closely. When you put them away in their box, what you may have thought were all pawns may actually turn out to be kings and what is important to us.


- AZ

Character Creation : Kalex Gaul

The elements of the Jedi Master Kalex Gaul character:

Color:

The calm blue ocean best describes the color for Kalex.  Because of his Jedi teachings and he's always able to keep things from boiling over and his emotions in check.  It also has significance because he fights for the Galactic Republic as he carries their standard into battle.








Light:

 I chose this picture for Kalex's lighting because it shows that while he is the center of attention he has many, many fans.  He works towards goals that are for the betterment of all the people and because of that he is definitely treated more or less like a rock star.








 Shape:

The bursting light of the Sun in the picture symbolizes Kalex Gaul's not only great power but the fact that it tends to give off feelings of it radiating from him.  The radiating power has a warmth and goodness to it. It feels like no evil could ever overtake something so pure.

Character Creation : Darth Fade

The elements of the Darth Fade character:

 Color:                                         

The Blood Red Moon symbolizes the rage, murder, and mayhem that Darth Fade exhibits when attempting to accomplish missions on behalf of the Sith Empire and certainly when dispatching his personal enemies.

Light:                                              

Always the shadowy figure, Darth Fade always maintains a high level of secrecy about all aspects of this life.  Everything from his real name to where he comes from is a great mystery.  He is also always seen wearing a mask to hide what rumors say is a disfigured face that is due to a run in with a nemesis of his known as Jedi Master Kalex Gaul.

 Shape:

The Sphere most symbolizes Darth Fade because of his uncanny ability to fend of and defeat any attackers no matter the direction they attempt to attack from.  At times it almost seems as though Fade has an impenetrable shield all around him.  This makes him a formidable foe no matter the time, setting, or place.

One of my favorite Super Heroes

One of my favorite super heroes would have to be Batman.  His stoic demeanor and vigilante attitude towards fighting criminals appeals to me.

Below you'll find a good example of this criminal interrogation tactics that show just how effective he can be at getting the information he needs to stop Gotham's super villains.