Communicating with Ducks and Dummies

tALKING sIDEWAYS

monday, Beth walked in with a roll of duct tape in her hand and a piece on her mouth. I knew we were in for a treat. After having a piece on my mouth for awhile (as did the rest of the class) we say in silence for awhile until we tried various ways of communicating: texting, sign language, writing on the board. I tried using the speak function on my laptop, which Beth promptly put an end to by taping my fingers together (but not before I got my computer to monotonously say "help...help....help....help") Afterwards, we went outside and explored all the way down to the canal, frolicking and motioning eccentrically all the way in an attempt to communicate after the loss of our mouths. Twas an interesting experiment to say the least: Learning to keep communicate visually.

Keep it Reel

Look 2C

The difference between looking and seeing.........that's a tough one.

looking is the act of an observation.

seeing is this observation carried out to conclusive action. In short, Seeing is the scientific conclusion in which Looking is the trail of an experiment.

Seeing is an realization.

The difference between Looking and Seeing is a pair of glasses.

How often do we say the phrase "I see" when have come to an understanding about something?

Seeing is knowing how a tiny object plays out in the big picture and how they're connected to other tiny objects. It's pulling back from the ever-so present illusion of normalcy and realizing how this piece of the puzzle fits. Why it fits. What will happen to other pieces because of it.

Seeing is the Bigger Picture. We look at things all the time. But only in rare moments, do we actually see them.

Will it blend stereotypically?

sEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Mii

Yesterday's class was shorter than normal. A few brave souls presented their identity projects but we spent most of the class being stereotyped by The Beth. Apparently, I am an enigma. *scratches head* I am rather a confusing personality I suppose to those who do not know me very well. After this, we watched things being blent (<--word?) in a blender on youtube and then all went home to enjoy the wether! Easy Peasy.

the REEL me

I sat and brainstormed this weekend and looked at the things that I identify myself with; the priorities in my life that make up the fabric of my personality. I then decided to list them here, in no particular order.

1. Goofball

Alot of people see me as a goofball. (I'm sure after my vocal performance for class a couple weeks ago, the entire class sees me that way as well.) I get a real kick from making other people smile, laugh, chuckle, or just point at me and laugh. Part of it is just me looking around at what people ARENT doing, figure they won't expect it if I do it, then do it, hoping for a laugh. Sometimes I fall flat on my face, but then again, who doesn't?

2. Responsible

Ok, I know this one is REALLY subjective and I never think at any time that am "responsible" (in a superior sense), but rather am constantly striving for it. It's necessary for my job, my grades, and my capstone. Something my dad always said when I was still in high-school: (I paraphrase) The world is full of people who don't want to work. So learn to apply yourself just alittle and do a hard day's work, and you will always have a job.

3. A Strong Christian

This is one is actually my top priority (but once again, I said I would list them in no particular order). It's like a filter, a funnel. Everything I say or do or think needs to run through this filter at all times. As a Christian, I represent my Lord and Savior. Everything action I take...every decision I make...reflects on Him. This is why I always do my best to apply this to every area of my life. Some of you may have noticed this. Some of you may not. Some of you may not care. Any you're the ones I've got my sights set on, so to speak. ;-p

4. A filmmaker.

If you didn't notice in my little profile-ma-bob off to the left hand side, I like to make movies! In a world full of circumstances outside of my control, being the writer, director, and editor for a film, provides me the chance to create a real imaginary world; one in which I am in complete control. Not only of the characters and circumstances, but if you are watching my film, you have entered my world. And for 90 minutes....I control you too.

Lately I noticed something interesting: We pour ourselves into our work (unintentionaly most of the time.). EXAMPLE: I have running preproduction for a feature-length movie that I'll be doing for capstone. During a recent read of the script for this project, it dawned on me that I had written the entire story about me and my recent events. I had poured my identity into my work without even realizing it. It will provide an interesting basis for future experiments of this nature. Keep it Reel.

deep deep DEEP in the trenches

sEEING sIDEWAYS - class reaction

yesterday was a very serious day for those who had yet to present their experiments. For those of us who were there, no recap is needed. For those of you who weren't, I am not at liberty to share these experiments. Shortly thereafter in an unforeseen transition, we spent the rest of the class discussing (or I should say everyone ELSE) the points of various religions. However, I noticed that it quickly turned into a bashing session. Offensive things were said....MANY offensive things were said. I watched the banter go back in forth under the darkened rim of my hat with a strange combination of both curiosity and mental anguish.

I've always found people to be...interesting; the way they talk about things they do not understand. How, in the same breath, they will speak in a tone of superiority and authority but admit that what they speak on is still blurry to them. But then again, you don't know you need glasses until you put on a pair for the first time.

Believe me, I could write paragraphs on the subject if I desired, but I do not wish to stir up a hornets nest. The point of any of this is not to prove who is right, but what is true. I know what is true not because I consider myself any better, smarter, or wiser than anyone else. But because I know the One who knows the truth. And He's kept it crystal clear for me for the last 21 years. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Chris

p.s. In the words of Craig Ferguson, "I look forward to your emails." :-P

The Dreaded Fear Factor.

My expectations:

My expected results is that some of the time people will find what I'm doing to be alittle awkward due to its high chance for failure. Some of the time people will find it amusing and may laugh. Some of the time people will do nothing.

------

My Results:

My results were quite surprising and quite satisfactory. Everyone (while not ALWAYS laughing) did find the whole experiment quite amusing. Beth however, was breathless with laughter. While a professor laughing vigorously at your project is normally signal to an impending F, it was quite the opposite in this circumstance (or at least I hope with bated breath).

There were at least two voices that I did that my voice cracked for, so making sure my voice is up to snuff beforehand would be important for next time. Also carrying some more water might help. Having some starter scripts for each voice might also help me be more prepared for my next routine (assuming there is a next time.)

TALEYHO!!!!!

Facing our fears and Freezing

sEEING sIDEWAYS - DAY....(I forget)

We started the class by playing the practical joke that we had all planned to play on those who decided to leave class early last week. Basically, we replicated the Grand Central Station Freeze and had everyone involved freeze outside whenever Prof. Lykins said "banana." What a blast!

We then went back to class and discussed facing our fears while Beth disclosed most of hers to the entire class. Also a.....blast.

It was a relatively short class and we have a tough assignment to think about over spring break so if you don't mind, I will go back to doing that.

Microscopic GENIUS!!!

sEEING sIDEWAYS - Day 5 (I think. We'll just roll with it.)

Wow, yesterday's class was amazing. After doing some presentations. Beth pulled out her microscope camera and we took a close look at everyday objects (jeans, mouth, tabletop, rocks) to see what they looked like up close. We even made some really interesting designs in photoshop. We then tried to fix our assignment by running outside and CREATING designs in what little snow there was left. Beth even brought her microscope camera! After what turned into a snowball fight, we proceeded to walk across the street to Hardees (a few blocks down the way) and lay down in there parking lot. I felt rather awkward doing it and the ground was wet, but I trusted that Beth knew what she was doing. After awhile, some people came and stood over us to make sure everything was ok. One lady even asked what we were protesting about! lol. I don't exactly know what I was suppose to learn, but I suspect I will before the day is done.

Onion Baby!

Let's discuss Dreams.

When observing this assignment, I was able to come up with several examples of things that looked like something other than what they first were. However, (as per the assignment's instructions) I was unable to create any. So I sat down on a couch, and thought. As I thought, my heavy eyelids sent me to sleep and when I awakened I was hit with an epiphany. Dreams are something I could create but at the same time, I had no control over them. And while some of them may seem like random images soon forgotten, many become inspiration for projects, films, sounds, and seeing sideways. I've even had dreams be inspirations for Computer Science code. A very interesting relationship to my mind indeed.

however, my original project for this blog is posted below and envolves our old friend Pikachu. However, I scrapped the project seeing how I did not CREATE it. Hopefully you'll find both of these interesting.

Bliss and Happy Accidents

This was a very interesting assignment. We were required to take 3 hours for ourselves and do whatever and then (either during this time or apart from it) break the basic rules of a new media program we use on a day-to-day basis.

During my Bliss time, I locked myself in my room, disregarded my schedule, turned around all the clocks, put my phone on silent, and just took the 3 hours to lay there and muse over my current life situation and reorganize my priorities. A personal improvement time. I then ended this time with an unintended (but refreshing) nap.

Outside of my bliss time, I went into Final Cut Pro (a tool I use quite frequently) and, took some old video out to work with. I then went into color corrector and disregarded one of the most important rules when working with video (or any visual media for that instance): jack the contrast all the way up. Pleased with my subsequent results, I fiddled around with some of the other effects and dials and came up with, what looks like, the intro for Doctor Who. I am quite please with my Happy Accident.

My Happy Accident:

Redefining Circles

A circle, to me, is a shape with no corners, usually symmetrical, but not always. As I did this assignment, it was interesting to brainstorm about the different circles we encounter on a day to day basis (both physically and figuratively). I would like to (below) cover 30 examples of circles, the first batch of which will be figurative or ideal circles that exist in life and culture:

1. Promise. Sometimes circles are representative of a promise. In the past, documents, laws, wills, etc. were sealed with a wax seal in the form of a circle to complete the promise. We bind promises to rings that we give to our lovers, our spouse as we say "I do" at the alter and use a wedding ring to seal the enormous promise we just made.
2. Disorder. Designs, architecture, order are typically represented by squares and straight lines. Our world, our cities, are schedules, are made this way. In this environment, a circle represents a huge blot or stain in the perfect order or our day.
3. Progress. circles are used all the time to symbolize completeness or progress. If you don't believe me, check your mouse on your computer screen next time somethings loading in Vista or your Mac.
4. Equality. There is no dominant point in a circle
5. Entrance. A hole, an entrance to another world is usually in the form or a circle.
6. Options. Circles give you options. A square will only give you 4 options. A circle give anywhere from 360 options to limitless depending how you look at it.
7. Absense. While this goes hand in hand alot of times with number 5, it's not always the case. A black hole is the ultimate example of this.
8. Cycles. Life is full of cycles. Not just the "circle of life". Time (hours, seconds,) as represented by an analog clock, is a cycle. Classes have cycles (class, hmwk, quiz, REPEAT).
9. Oneness. Other shapes are made up of many parts. Circles only have one part: A really curvy line.
10. Shortcuts. Circles are sometimes my favorite shape because all the corners are already cut for me. ;-)
11. Lack of progress. Often called circular reasoning, sometimes ideas go in a circle with no progress ever. It's interesting that a circle can be the shape of progress and lack of progress.
12. Attractiveness. This is one is weird so bare with me. Whenever I personally see a circle (especially one with space) I have a desire to fill that space. When I see a circle of people, I personally have a natural inclination to get up and go sit in the middle. A circle on paper begs to be filled in. Perhaps thats why we generally use circles for graphs (pie charts). Because psychologically, we feel more inclined to fill that circle.
13. Status. Alot of times Circles are representative of your status. Online, offline, STOP!, banned, Don't do this, etc. etc.

CROP CIRCLES

The weekend previous to this assignment, my best friend and I did a small film project together involving "riffing" and crop circles. Here's an excerpt from what we worked on (it's still in post)

A Circle of Obscenities (AKA Beth is Back)

sEEING sIDEWAYS - Day 3

yesterday brought about the return of our patriarch Beth Lykins after her recovery from being poked, prodded, and stabbed at the hospital. Hooray! Everyone was really excited to see our eccentric professor come strutting through the door in typical Lykins fashion (frills on the shirt, etc. etc.).

There was no agenda for the class that day (As will be the usual custom for the class I believe). In fact, Beth spent most of the time putting everyone else in authority and giving out random assignments. I got to be one of those people and assigned everyone to go around the room and say a color until they couldn't say a color anymore. It was interesting to hear what people came up with. Eventually we ran out of steam on this task, but not before we stimulated out brains and thought alittle bit about everyday terms that we use that colors in them (blue screen of death, Red with envy, White Balance, etc.).

For next week's assignment, we are to do something with crop circles. I already know what I'm doing, but I do not plan on telling anyone so that they will all be pleasantly entertained. (except for Beth. She already knows.)

RULES....What are they good for?

5 rules that shouldn't exist:

1. Progressive tax rates
2. You have to get a facebook for a class....
3. No food or drink
4. Quiet in the library
5. No running

5 rules that should exist:

1. Pro Sports should be banned in states with a defecit.
2. Find a way to make chocolate healthy without destroying it.
3. Songs older than 5 years should be legally free
4. new media students should get a discount on film equipment
5. Fun is now the new f-word and you must say it at least once a day or be put in jail for the weekend.

Unplugged during a Snowstorm

sEEING sIDEWAYS - Day 2

After a week long hiatus due to Martin Luther King day, we returned to the classroom and resumed seeing sideways. Probably the most notable part of the day was the weather. Me and a few other classmates had a direct line of sight through the doorway and hallway window that revealed the courtyard. A blizzard was blowing and while it was a small surprise (considering it had been 40 degrees and raining the day previous), did not throw us off too much.

During the beginning of class one of the first things the instructor asked us to do was to put away our laptops as we would be without them for the majority of the class. Most of us (who were new media students) were alittle hesitant to unplug (myself included). And if this were not enough of a shock, upon putting my laptop away and looking to my right, I observed that the snowstorm that had been blowing not 5 minutes earlier had come to a dead stop. This peaked my curiosity enough to inform my fellow students of the weather outside. After a brief conversation on snow, we continued our class with introduction exercises and talking about the egg and eye exercises we had done. A few minutes later, we looked out again and the snow was blowing again, quite violently I might add. Strange indeed. Would the pattern continue? I waited anxiously, paying attention to the presentations but keeping one eye fervently watching the weather.

Then foolishly, I turned my head to see something in class (i do not remember what), abandoning my unassigned post. When I turned my head back again, the snow was gone! To the dismay of the student presenting, I caused everyone to turn and look out the window at the rediculous weather change. Just imagine....I would have not have even noticed if I still had my laptop out. Interesting.

The Eye and the Egg

I found this to be a very interesting assignment. An egg is a funny little thing. Alot of people on a day -to-day basis, simply reach into their fridge, crack the shell of the white wonder into whatever concoction they're about to cook and think little more of it. But when time is allotted to sit down and ponder the egg (which doesn't happen often in my schedule, I'll admit), it becomes more than JUST an egg.

As I handle the egg, the first thing that I am consciously made aware of is how fragile the shell is. However, something very very important lies inside of this egg. Something that could be crushed or killed or cracked at any moment. But if this creature inside the egg hatches, it'll become something far more complex and wonderful then you could have gathered, just by looking at the egg.

To me....the egg represents an Idea.

All Ideas start as eggs. Good ideas, bad ideas. Good eggs, rotten eggs. You don't know what it is yet, because it hasn't matured, but you are very aware of the existence of some sort of idea, thought, or fathom. We "crack open" each others' minds. We "hatch" plans. Some ideas have great potential, but for whatever reason, die a painful death in the skillet of criticism. Some ideas make it to full maturity; they hatch. They reach the full glory that looks much different then just a regular egg of an idea. And just likes eggs and chickens, Ideas, when they have matured, give birth to other Ideas.

Funny little metaphor, isn't it?

Keep it Reel.

The First day of class

sEEING sIDEWAYS - Day 1

The first day back at school was yesterday. Instead of being filled with dread like most students, I was filled with excitement and ready to start the school year off with a bang! My last class of the day, Seeing Sideways, helped to do that.

The teacher for the class, Beth Lykins (who is absolutely amazing btw) was still recovering from a major surgery the year previous (of which she had reminded me at least 15 times. Extremely thorough if you ask me :-p). Due to her absence for the time being, the amazing Sue Tennet was substituting that day. It was quite a deja vu moment for me as I had just seen Sue early that morning for lighting class.

We started by reviewing a previous blog post by Prof. Lykins talking about wanting to be a tree. This caused us to think and after a moment of pondering, Prof. Tennet went around the room and asked us what we would want to "come back as" if we had the chance. I decided I would like to come back as a Camera. I might have to elaborate on that topic in a future assignment, so I will refrain from doing that now.

And now the egg. We have to write on an egg.

I do believe I am going to enjoy this class.

Keep it Reel.