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.