Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
REFLECTION ON MY FIRST DST PROJECT
1. What is the essential story behind the piece you created?
The story behind my first DST project is an honest description of my decision to return to school to pursue a Ph.D after a two decade hiatus. It details the initial foray, the struggle to retain integrity, a scary leap of faith, my battle with bridging an arduous technological chasm and my current dedication to the balanced and patient pursuit of my goal.
2. What was your purpose in creating this piece of new media? Do you feel you were successful in communicating your purpose?
My purpose was, of course, a successful fulfillment of the required project. I also wanted to stretch my skills, master the technological conditions of basic digital moviemaking production and explore the art of DST. I do feel I was successful in the communication of my purpose, but, like all creative expression, the ultimate critique of how well I achieved that purpose will fall to others. Although, like many artists, I am really pleased with what I have created and feel extremely satisfied with both what I learned and shared through the work.
3. Who was your audience? Do you feel you were successful in reaching your audience?
My initial audience will, I expect, be my professor, course peers and also friends and colleagues with whom I have shared this project. Because we are required to also “post” the project on a public forum (I chose both YouTube as well as my personal Facebook page), I suppose that there appears no limit to the audience it will ultimately reach. I cannot know at the time of this writing if I will be successful in reaching my initial audience save those with whom I have already shared my work, but I expect that my professor and some of my peers will view it. However, I hope that others view and enjoy it as well.
4. Why did you use your particular approach to media production and media selection? Were you successful?
Because I have never attempted a project like this before, I was not quite certain which “approach” to attempt. Like all of the other skill sets I have attempted to learn, I utilized, I confess, a great deal of “trial and error” and must confess that it thrilled me to no end when a production element actually “worked!” I did enjoy creating the script and felt strong about being able to be honest in telling my story. I appreciated my professor’s guidance regarding editing; left to my own devices, the project would have probably ended up become a feature-length film and taken years to complete! My selection of media was drawn from imagining what images would best resonate with the words I have written. I explored a vast array of images and the ones I ultimately chose to include were those that just “felt” right to me. I was very pleased that I did not feel that I “settled” with any of them. I was pretty assiduous about my research and final selections because this is at heart a piece of creativity that represents me and I wanted it to retain the integrity I address in the actual story – both literally and metaphorically. I knew the song I wanted to utilize as a “bookend” to the piece and made the decision to whistle it at the beginning and sing it at the end as a creative choice that again, just felt correct. I chose the layout, fonts and title/credit styles because they seemed to me to best represent the flavor and tone of the piece. Regarding my success with any of this, again, unfortunately with creative work, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
5. What did you learn during the process of crafting your media piece that you can use in creating future new media narrative?
So much… As I explained in my answer above, this was all new to me. So, I learned a myriad of new technological skills, from crafting an autobiographical narrative piece meant to be married with visual imagery, to locating (then correctly uploading and downloading!) my chosen images, negotiating the creation and recording of computer-mediated audio, matching images to narrative, editing images to both appear at the right moment and also remain fixed for the right amount of time, revising and editing both to rightly express my vision and then, when all was completed, figure out how to publish and post the piece on a public forum! All of this was both a struggle and a thrill. I also learned, as with all things technological of late, that I CAN do it; I just have to be thoughtful and patient! I am hoping that future project will be easier to facilitate from a production sense, which will allow me to explore more sophisticated opportunities in presentation and value.
The story behind my first DST project is an honest description of my decision to return to school to pursue a Ph.D after a two decade hiatus. It details the initial foray, the struggle to retain integrity, a scary leap of faith, my battle with bridging an arduous technological chasm and my current dedication to the balanced and patient pursuit of my goal.
2. What was your purpose in creating this piece of new media? Do you feel you were successful in communicating your purpose?
My purpose was, of course, a successful fulfillment of the required project. I also wanted to stretch my skills, master the technological conditions of basic digital moviemaking production and explore the art of DST. I do feel I was successful in the communication of my purpose, but, like all creative expression, the ultimate critique of how well I achieved that purpose will fall to others. Although, like many artists, I am really pleased with what I have created and feel extremely satisfied with both what I learned and shared through the work.
3. Who was your audience? Do you feel you were successful in reaching your audience?
My initial audience will, I expect, be my professor, course peers and also friends and colleagues with whom I have shared this project. Because we are required to also “post” the project on a public forum (I chose both YouTube as well as my personal Facebook page), I suppose that there appears no limit to the audience it will ultimately reach. I cannot know at the time of this writing if I will be successful in reaching my initial audience save those with whom I have already shared my work, but I expect that my professor and some of my peers will view it. However, I hope that others view and enjoy it as well.
4. Why did you use your particular approach to media production and media selection? Were you successful?
Because I have never attempted a project like this before, I was not quite certain which “approach” to attempt. Like all of the other skill sets I have attempted to learn, I utilized, I confess, a great deal of “trial and error” and must confess that it thrilled me to no end when a production element actually “worked!” I did enjoy creating the script and felt strong about being able to be honest in telling my story. I appreciated my professor’s guidance regarding editing; left to my own devices, the project would have probably ended up become a feature-length film and taken years to complete! My selection of media was drawn from imagining what images would best resonate with the words I have written. I explored a vast array of images and the ones I ultimately chose to include were those that just “felt” right to me. I was very pleased that I did not feel that I “settled” with any of them. I was pretty assiduous about my research and final selections because this is at heart a piece of creativity that represents me and I wanted it to retain the integrity I address in the actual story – both literally and metaphorically. I knew the song I wanted to utilize as a “bookend” to the piece and made the decision to whistle it at the beginning and sing it at the end as a creative choice that again, just felt correct. I chose the layout, fonts and title/credit styles because they seemed to me to best represent the flavor and tone of the piece. Regarding my success with any of this, again, unfortunately with creative work, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
5. What did you learn during the process of crafting your media piece that you can use in creating future new media narrative?
So much… As I explained in my answer above, this was all new to me. So, I learned a myriad of new technological skills, from crafting an autobiographical narrative piece meant to be married with visual imagery, to locating (then correctly uploading and downloading!) my chosen images, negotiating the creation and recording of computer-mediated audio, matching images to narrative, editing images to both appear at the right moment and also remain fixed for the right amount of time, revising and editing both to rightly express my vision and then, when all was completed, figure out how to publish and post the piece on a public forum! All of this was both a struggle and a thrill. I also learned, as with all things technological of late, that I CAN do it; I just have to be thoughtful and patient! I am hoping that future project will be easier to facilitate from a production sense, which will allow me to explore more sophisticated opportunities in presentation and value.
Monday, March 22, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2xG6qxPgY
Here is the link to my very first Digital Storytelling project... It pretty much speaks for itself. Enjoy!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Yes, It Happens Here, too...
As I am watching this, I am thinking of how we have already witnessed dissenters in countries around the world organizing their protests via text messages. Here we see it at UC Irvine. It reminds us all that with video recording capabilities pretty common as a cell phone applications, we must be ever vigilant with behavior, and aware that any public expression can be recorded (either knowingly or unknowingly) and end up forever broadcast for public access through any number of video showcasing websites. I also wonder if perhaps that was indeed the goal of the protesters at UC Irvine? Was this a calculated desire to showcase their "solidarity" to others? Was the goal to utilize sites like Youtube as the vehicle through which to spread their support? Hmmmm... Makes a media psych student ponder...
ISRAEL AMBASSADOR OREN DEFENDS FREE SPEECH AT UC IRVINE
By now you probably know that Muslim students tried to silence Israel's U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren when he spoke at UC Irvine's Pacific Ballroom on Monday afternoon, February 8.
Ambassador Oren had come to share his historical and personal perspective on the U.S.-Israel relationship. An author, professor of history, and diplomat, Ambassador Oren is politically centrist and regarded as an expert on many issues of vital interest today. But the Muslim students were determined to silence him, deny him the right to free speech, and deny the audience the right to have civil, intellectual discourse at UCI.
The Muslim students had carefully planned their tactics. Shortly before the event began, large numbers of them gathered for prayers outside the Ballroom. They then entered and scattered throughout the room in order to disrupt the speech from different locations. They did. After every few of Ambassador Oren's sentences, a student would stand up and scream unintelligibly at him while the other students involved raucously clapped and howled. The student whose turn it was to disturb the event would then walk proudly out of the Ballroom, escorted by police, while glaring at the understandably upset and frustrated audience of over 500 people who had come to hear the Ambassador's remarks.
After at least ten interruptions, the uncivilized demonstrators marched outside to a spot closest to the wall of the Ballroom. From there, they shouted more slogans, hoping they could continue to disrupt the event. But they could not.
The Muslim students angered the audience and embarrassed the UCI administration. They ignored pleas and reprimands from UCI officials who took the microphone. They ignored Ambassador Oren's request that he be granted the civil hospitality due to a guest of the University. They ignored his urging that they raise their concerns during the Q and A.
Interesting point for media psychology is the point about the protesters allegedly coordinating their interruptions through text messages between them... We have recently discovered that this tactic has been used in other parts of the world... Here it is at UC Irvine... It is tragic, however, that the protesters could not hear any voices but their own. They would have had their chance to share their opinions and those opinions would have held much more weight if presented along the guidelines of the dialogue as organized by the university officials. Now that the dissenters' ungracious actions are being showcased on Youtube, it just creates a negative image for them. This also shows how cautious we must be when there are any types of video recording devices (including cell phones) present. Your behavior could very well show up on a website. I was wondering while watching if perhaps this was in fact the very intent of the protesters. Did they know the potential end result and in fact was having their "solidarity" broadcast on Youtube so that others could see it, the goal all along? Hmmmm... makes a media psych student ponder... In any event, my overwhelming thought is: Can't we all just get along before we blow it all to smithereens???? I hope we can...
The good news is that Ambassador Oren refused to be silenced. He had come to UCI to share his thoughts and did not abandon his right to free speech even as dozens of students coordinated this hostile demonstration. With his elegant manner, he remained calm, and stood his ground. He stood up for free speech.
There are lessons to be learned from this event. The University will need to identify the participating students and decide what consequences they will suffer for their uncivilized behavior. The organizers of the protest were seen coordinating the screams from their seats by text messaging on their cell phones, and the Muslim Student Union president may have been among the eleven arrested for disrupting the event. The UCI administration will need to consider sanctions for the MSU since it was clear to everyone in the audience that the MSU had orchestrated the raucous effort to prevent free speech.
Every speaker can learn from Ambassador Oren's example. Whether the speaker is a U.S. General, an academic, or a representative from another country, his or her right to free speech may very well be challenged. We have seen this pattern spread throughout the U.S., especially this past year. Just a few hours before Professor Oren's event, Israel's Senior Legal Advisor, Daniel Taub, had spoken at the UCLA Law School, and also faced a disruptive demonstration. Like Ambassador Oren, Mr. Taub responded with calm, dignity, and a sincere invitation to the demonstrators that they ask questions during the Q and A. Instead, they, too, refused to cooperate, and marched out, escorted by the police.
The main lesson from Ambassador Oren is that we must stand up with dignity and eloquence for free speech. If we do not, if speakers give up and walk off the stage, we risk sacrificing the civil dialogue essential to education and a bedrock of American values.
Roz Rothstein, CEO, StandWithUs
ISRAEL AMBASSADOR OREN DEFENDS FREE SPEECH AT UC IRVINE
By now you probably know that Muslim students tried to silence Israel's U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren when he spoke at UC Irvine's Pacific Ballroom on Monday afternoon, February 8.
Ambassador Oren had come to share his historical and personal perspective on the U.S.-Israel relationship. An author, professor of history, and diplomat, Ambassador Oren is politically centrist and regarded as an expert on many issues of vital interest today. But the Muslim students were determined to silence him, deny him the right to free speech, and deny the audience the right to have civil, intellectual discourse at UCI.
The Muslim students had carefully planned their tactics. Shortly before the event began, large numbers of them gathered for prayers outside the Ballroom. They then entered and scattered throughout the room in order to disrupt the speech from different locations. They did. After every few of Ambassador Oren's sentences, a student would stand up and scream unintelligibly at him while the other students involved raucously clapped and howled. The student whose turn it was to disturb the event would then walk proudly out of the Ballroom, escorted by police, while glaring at the understandably upset and frustrated audience of over 500 people who had come to hear the Ambassador's remarks.
After at least ten interruptions, the uncivilized demonstrators marched outside to a spot closest to the wall of the Ballroom. From there, they shouted more slogans, hoping they could continue to disrupt the event. But they could not.
The Muslim students angered the audience and embarrassed the UCI administration. They ignored pleas and reprimands from UCI officials who took the microphone. They ignored Ambassador Oren's request that he be granted the civil hospitality due to a guest of the University. They ignored his urging that they raise their concerns during the Q and A.
Interesting point for media psychology is the point about the protesters allegedly coordinating their interruptions through text messages between them... We have recently discovered that this tactic has been used in other parts of the world... Here it is at UC Irvine... It is tragic, however, that the protesters could not hear any voices but their own. They would have had their chance to share their opinions and those opinions would have held much more weight if presented along the guidelines of the dialogue as organized by the university officials. Now that the dissenters' ungracious actions are being showcased on Youtube, it just creates a negative image for them. This also shows how cautious we must be when there are any types of video recording devices (including cell phones) present. Your behavior could very well show up on a website. I was wondering while watching if perhaps this was in fact the very intent of the protesters. Did they know the potential end result and in fact was having their "solidarity" broadcast on Youtube so that others could see it, the goal all along? Hmmmm... makes a media psych student ponder... In any event, my overwhelming thought is: Can't we all just get along before we blow it all to smithereens???? I hope we can...
The good news is that Ambassador Oren refused to be silenced. He had come to UCI to share his thoughts and did not abandon his right to free speech even as dozens of students coordinated this hostile demonstration. With his elegant manner, he remained calm, and stood his ground. He stood up for free speech.
There are lessons to be learned from this event. The University will need to identify the participating students and decide what consequences they will suffer for their uncivilized behavior. The organizers of the protest were seen coordinating the screams from their seats by text messaging on their cell phones, and the Muslim Student Union president may have been among the eleven arrested for disrupting the event. The UCI administration will need to consider sanctions for the MSU since it was clear to everyone in the audience that the MSU had orchestrated the raucous effort to prevent free speech.
Every speaker can learn from Ambassador Oren's example. Whether the speaker is a U.S. General, an academic, or a representative from another country, his or her right to free speech may very well be challenged. We have seen this pattern spread throughout the U.S., especially this past year. Just a few hours before Professor Oren's event, Israel's Senior Legal Advisor, Daniel Taub, had spoken at the UCLA Law School, and also faced a disruptive demonstration. Like Ambassador Oren, Mr. Taub responded with calm, dignity, and a sincere invitation to the demonstrators that they ask questions during the Q and A. Instead, they, too, refused to cooperate, and marched out, escorted by the police.
The main lesson from Ambassador Oren is that we must stand up with dignity and eloquence for free speech. If we do not, if speakers give up and walk off the stage, we risk sacrificing the civil dialogue essential to education and a bedrock of American values.
Roz Rothstein, CEO, StandWithUs
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Yin & Yang
It's been awhile since I've posted here, I know. I have been trying, as usual to keep all all the "plates" in my life balanced and spinning properly. Working on a digital movie for one class, while at the same time studying neuropsychology for another has been an interesting trick in compartmentalizing, to be sure. But thus far (and at least today!), I feel pretty good about where I'm at. Of course I've no doubt that it will all change as deadlines approach, but for now... all is good. I didn't win an Oscar again this year, but I also didn't lose one. So... I guess I can't complain!
My fellow SAG-ians are ALL OVER THIS!
SAG Advocates For Actors Against Digital Theft
Combating the destructive practice of online theft of copyrighted motion pictures and TV shows is a top priority for Screen Actors Guild.
Illegally downloading or streaming stolen content and/or purchasing illegally made or copied CDs and DVDs poses a considerable threat to the livelihoods and futures of the tens of thousands of actors and others employed by the entertainment industry.
SAG has worked with labor allies and industry partners to engage in intense activity designed to combat this destructive practice. Among the activity SAG has undertaken over the last 12 months:
• SAG President and AFL-CIO Executive Council member Ken Howard, along with other labor allies, urged passage of an Executive Council statement in support of industry efforts to fight digital content theft. Howard’s remarks addressed the impact of digital theft on entertainment union jobs and workers. The measure was unanimously approved by the AFL-CIO Executive Council. See the full Statement of Support here
• SAG Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, National Executive Director David White and other labor leaders participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Under Secretary for the Patent and Trademark Office David Kappos. The event was hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
• Former SAG President, National Board Member and National Legislative Chair Richard Masur, and SAG National Director of Government Affairs Nancy Fox joined with the DGA, IATSE, the MPAA and several studios to have an in-depth meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and key staffers to discuss how DHS, Justice and the rest of the U.S. Government can work with us to interdict theft of film and TV work.
• SAG NED David White and other labor leaders met with Vice President Joe Biden. In a joint press statement, White said, “We greatly appreciate the opportunity presented by Vice President Biden, Attorney General Holder, Secretary Locke, Secretary Napolitano, Director Mueller, I.P. Coordinator Victoria Espinel and other Administration officials to participate in the discussion of how to prevent the theft of intellectual property.”
• SAG NED David White and other labor leaders met with White House officials Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Larry Summers, director of the President’s National Economic Council, to discuss the need to address digital theft in upcoming Network Neutrality discussions.
• SAG President Ken Howard along with White and other SAG staff attended a congress of the International Federation of Actors and, along with SAG's sister unions, gave support for a presentation by the Motion Picture Association of America's Robert Pisano and Fritz Attaway regarding TV and film theft.
• SAG Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, NED David White, National Board members, committee chairs and staff received presentations from Paramount Pictures regarding digital content theft.
• SAG NED David White and other labor representatives met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and other personnel from that office. USTR is the lead U.S. Government agency on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, Free Trade Agreements and Special 301, and is a key player in the development and implementation of U.S. international intellectual property policy. The event was hosted by the MPAA.
• SAG NED David White, along with other labor leaders, met with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Deputy Under Secretary of Labor for International Affairs Sandra Polaski to discuss labor issues and prepare for the upcoming G20 meeting and international meeting of labor ministers.
• SAG, DGA, IATSE and AFTRA jointly filed comments with the FCC on the issue of Network Neutrality. You can read the statement here
• SAG has partnered with other entertainment unions and the MPAA to create a broad-based educational campaign to de-romanticize so-called "piracy" and name it for what it is—the theft of our work.
More work is ahead. SAG representatives are to meet with other labor leaders in a roundtable luncheon with Under Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Robert Hormats to discuss the U.S. motion picture industry’s priorities for intellectual property protection overseas.
Our concern is not simply for actors working today, but for the actors, directors, writers and craftspeople of the future. We will continue to publicly and visibly engage in a sustained effort to protect members’ livelihoods. Those new developments will be posted on SAG.org
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