Reflections on the Class

Throughout the course of the semester there were many parts of the class that I enjoyed thoroughly that I felt could have been tweaked slightly.For instance, it was great to be given a camera to go shoot a short film with with a limited amount of time to do so. It was a challenge to have to think of an idea for a short film and then go shoot the shots needed for it in the limited time we had, but i felt it was a worthwhile one. however. I felt this exercise could have been improved greatly if part of it was to edit the film. As it was we were only meant to shoot as if there was to be no editing process at all, a process which anything that is shot professionally goes through. It also would have allowed for a rudimentary lesson plan on film editing.
Another change I would make concerns the very medium I am using now, the blog. I felt the assignments for the blog were fine for short papers but I felt the blog could be better utilized as a more unique, artistically driven space which pertained to assignments which would have the student involved with more creative endeavors.
Of the many things I will take away from this course my introduction to html will probably be the most important and the one I value most as I venture out into a world of new media.

Map Through Hell

The Beauty of Simplicity

When trying to think of design that I am especially fond of Google immediately came to mind. Google's design and lay out aren't necessarily visually stimulating or complex and that is what makes it work so well.

Being a search engine it would only hinder Google's objective to have anything beyond the search bar, specific categories to search( such as images, video, news, etc.) and its logo. The site is extremely straightforward, you just type what you are looking for in the search bar and click the button labeled, "Google Search". While in the process of typing your search word or words, Google will most times suggest what to search for based on what the most popular searches involving your word are and what you have searched in the past. It does this in the form of a drop down menu coming from the search bar. Due to learned conventions when it comes to internet search engines the user knows that the suggestions are just that, and do not interfere with the users actual search. However, often times the suggestions which drop down can aid a user who is not entirely sure how to phrase their search to get exactly what they are looking for.

Once the user actually clicks the "Google Search" button the results page appears. The first links to appear are almost always the most popular, and most of the time are the most closely related to the search topic. Not only does google show web page results, but also related new stories, videos, and pictures. To the left of the results there is an option to only look at one specific category of results. The way Google is set up it allows the user to continually narrow down their search, and in the process continually simplifying what is going on on-screen.

Although from an aesthetic point of view Google's page may seem plain, even boring, this is exactly the reason it it so effective. Google recognizes that your ultimate destination on the web is not their page, rather it is a means of getting to your ultimate destination.

What I See

Nearly a decade the film "American History X" brought Nazi Skinheads to the forefront of the American imagination Alan Clarke's "Made In Britain" told a story that the people of Britain knew all too well. The Film follows Trevor, a young, unapologetic, racist, skinhead living in Britain in 1982, at the height of anti-immigrant sentiment in England.

The film opens with the screaming guitar of The Exploited's "UK82" playing as we see a close up of Trevor's expressionless face. As if seemingly moved by the music, Trevor aggressively shoots up out of his seat and begins to saunter down a hallway, followed by a group of me in suits. The camera stays with the close up of Trevor as he makes his way through several hallways. This lets us know not only that Trevor will be our main focus but also paints of picture of the way Trevor lives his life, alone. The way Trevor carries himself, the expression, or lack there of, on his face, and the swastika brazenly tattooed in between his eyes all come together to give us Trevor, an antisocial, brutal thug, who doesn't compromise the way he feels for anyone. We can see all this before any words are even uttered in the film.

The music cuts out abruptly and we go from the close up of Trevor's face to a shot of a police officer describing Trevor's crime of throwing a brick through an immigrant shop keepers window. The shot pans from the officer to Trevor who is leaning back rather comfortably. When the judge asks Trevor "You do not invite leniency do you?" he simply replies, "No". It's at this moment "UK82" comes blaring back onto the soundtrack accompanied by strong block letters displaying the title of the film "Made in Britain". The film goes on to go back and forth between Trevor being absconded in the courtroom with no soundtrack, to a few more credits, song blasting. This finally gives way to Trevor walking out of the courthouse with the exact same attitude and expression on his face, as if he hadn't just been found guilty in court.

The juxtaposition of these two very different series of sights and sounds shows the dichotomy between Trevor (and youths just like him) and society which is explored in depth later in the film.

UK82 Stamp...possibly part of a collection?

Convergence in Media Today

Unless you are a complete recluse, avoiding civilization entirely, you are more than likely assaulted by media in its various forms everyday. I use the word assault in reference to my own experience as a consumer of media. Living in New York City there is no shortage of ads, video screens, and news tickers of all kinds everywhere you turn. Now, with the emergence of supped-up PDA’S, mini-laptops, and smart phones that make it possible to access the web in all its glory from anywhere, it seems that many people are now consuming media every waking hour. I cannot even begin to account the number of my peers that I see on a daily basis who have their faces glued to their little illuminated screens, pumping media into their brains at an almost alarming rate.. Not only can one view media and consume media wherever they are, with the leaps and bounds made in technology and the rise of sites such as Youtube, Vimeo, and Facebook one is now capable of recording media straight to their Iphone or whatever similar device they may have, and put it on the internet for all to see in about as much time as it took me to type this sentence.. We are no longer only getting media from traditional outlets such as corporations, we are now wielding a double edged sword. What I mean by that is while free enterprise is a good thing, and that it is great intelligent people are able to put their thoughts and ideas out into the world without having to use traditional channels, one must be wary of all the mindless, narcissistic drivel that will eventually (and already has to some extent) flood our lives with meaningless tripe.