I really don't understand why this has to be my worst summer of my life!!
What happened to the days when you looked forward to summer vacation and lots of activity? New York City that never sleeps needs to take a nap and re-group. The scene is so tired. The most excitement in the last few weeks has been this rediculous Waterfall Exhibit under the Brooklyn Bridge!! That's the best we can do? Half the fun of a waterfall is hearing the sound of the water!! Not here all you here is traffic!!
The Yankees lost the Subway Series to the Mets!! I am sure all the Yankee fans are ready to kill themselves!
Summerstage in Central park is lackluster...but can't wait to see Jill Scott...of course that is one of the Pay Shows.
Can someone open a bar in Bed-Stuy...why must we have to travel to Fort Greene or Park Slope just for a damn drink???
Someone please save NYC!!!
This is the most overpriced city!! Why does everything have to cost so much??? Jobs are almost impossible to find and Apts are worse. Why the hell is it so painful some days??
Foundations of Media Design UNPLUGED!
I truly have to say that this course was one of my most rewarding courses this semester. I was challenged by almost every assignment. I loved being pushed pass my limits and experience. Also, I appreciated the critique from my fellow students and professor Wong. We have had some lively classroom discussions. I truly have learned something from each and everyone in the class. Also, my collaboration with Jen Epstein on the Dream Deferred project taught me so much about how I work on projects and learn new things. I realize that I am my worst critic. I would beat myself up over the smallest setback. Then I learn through Virgil’s guidance that it was the journey of the learning process not totally the final result. I have learned to be more patient and slow things down enough to really focus on the task at hand.
My favorite assignment was the photography mission. This experience of shooting on the transit system really opened my eyes to the world around me. Before this project, I would just blindly ride the system daily with my ipod without even noticing the people around me. Our professor, Virgil Wong, really went out of his way to express the point that we have to look beyond the projects for the true artistic and social value. Working in advertising, I have never met anyone concerned more about humanity than money. It was very refreshing and encouraging to see this quality. Thanks Virgil…YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
Memorable class highlight: The entire class experience has to stand out as my most memorable highlight. We are a mix bag of people coming from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Each week, we have learned more about each other while dealing with the challenges of the course. We laughed, complained and encouraged each other along the way!!
Preferred medium before the class: I have always been fascinated by photography.
Preferred medium after the course: Film and Webpage design…even though I can’t get my page to work the way I want.
A topic/theme/question I would like to investigate in my next project: Wabi Sabi…It has changed my life. I look for it in all aspects of my life now. I would love to shoot a short film all about it. Thanks for sharing Virgil!!!
Something I learned in this class that I can teach someone else (non-technical): Not to be so hard on yourself and to be patient.
Something I learned in this class that I can teach someone else (technical): I wish I could say Photoshop but it would probably getting the perfect camera angles when shooting dolls.
Something I will try to do next semester that I have never done before: I want to create a truly interactive website using flash animation.
Something I will try to do everyday that I did not do before this course: Take the time to look for the simple beauty in the world around me.
A creative project I could do with a restriction-free budget of $150 million: I would create a website for new grad students that would provide a support network during this mind-blowing experience.
How could I do the same project with a budget of $15: I would use social networking sites to create a dialog with the New School grad student population to discuss issues or concerns.
THANKS VIRGIL!!
The search for the perfect website. I am not sure if that really exist today. After viewing several personal and professional blogs, god-awful movie trailers and finally shopping sites, I have come to the conclusion that the Internet that I loved so much in the late 90’s to 2001 does not live anymore. It all seems corporate sponsored now like our music, films, TV and even Broadway. Outside of the search engines, social networking and portals like Yahoo there is really nothing original here. This is our time mates to shake up the Net!!!
I have always wanted to create a website, actually more like a portal that would allow creative types, filmmakers, writers, musicians, graphic artists and DJ’s to showcase their work. This site would be a fully multimedia locale that would allow for the posting of clips and audio files that could be viewed or listened to but not downloadable. There would also be an opportunity for feedback and an exchange of ideas about the work. Also, this site could serve as a networking and promotional tool for the artist. We would also try to provide links to other services that would help the user in creating his or her own works. Here are a few sites that I like that have the same general “feel” I would like to have on my site.
http://www.chicagohousemusicfestival.org/
I like this site for its use of Flash animation. The animation is not over used and it follows not only the feel of the music on the site but the mood of the event message. It also caters to the audience of a “housemusic” festival. The short fall is that the info is outdated. I would have love to go and film it.
I like the overall look and feel of this site. Its use of Flash works for the content of the site. The images are beautiful, which is nessecary for a photography site. The only drawback I see it the way the menu bar works. The scrolling options are too small. I also like the use of music on this site but it may be too much for some views but at least you have the option to mute it, which always works!! This site is also for a fellow New School student.
http://www.jonathanmannion.com/
This is the site of one of my favorite photographers. I really love his work and it is beautifully displayed on this site. I like the site’s menu list. It’s listed by category, which makes it easier for the viewer to navigate. Why waste time in the search for information. Time is money!! His use of multimedia is very effective in the viewing of his collection of films, videos and commercials.
The Creative Collective SITEMAP
Department of Communication, Master of Arts in Media Studies
1 Mission & About US
The overall purpose for the site will be detailed here
2 Creative Spotlight
Each month a different artist would be showcased in this seciton.
3 The Collective – These sections would include profiles and examples of work
3.1 Filmmakers
3.2 Photographers
3.3 Graphic Artist
3.4 Writers
3.5 Musicians
4 The Message Boards
5 Collective Blogs
6 Super Links
7 What’s Happening - News and Information
8
Contact
I absolutely love this book. Thank you Virgil for requiring this book. It has truly opened my eyes. For many years, I have been all about living life in the fast lane but after reading Wabi-Sabi I decided to slow down and embrace its teachings. I am seeing the importance of nothingness everyday now. I have suddenly become aware of all of unnecessary needs for perfection, power, success and money. Why was it all so important? For the last few weeks, I was missing my old life as an advertising executive for all the wrong reasons...I wanted my money and perks back. I now know that it is important for me to embrace my new life as a unemployed grad student.
As I watch the film over again for the tenth time, I realize that it is not perfect but more Wabi-Sabi. The creative process with Jen was a great experience. We have totally different approaches but we allowed each other full expression. Yes, we encountered many set-backs with technology but were able to overcome them after much trial and error. Now that I re-visit my feelings about the project & after reading Wabi-Sabi, I realize it is beautiful in its incompleteness. We stressed out so much about making it perfect but I know now that the important thing is that we realized our vision for the story. Special thanks to Jen for putting up with me all those late nights!!
As I watch the film over again for the tenth time, I realize that it is not perfect but more Wabi-Sabi. The creative process with Jen was a great experience. We have totally different approaches but we allowed each other full expression. Yes, we encountered many set-backs with technology but were able to overcome them after much trial and error. Now that I re-visit my feelings about the project & after reading Wabi-Sabi, I realize it is beautiful in its incompleteness. We stressed out so much about making it perfect but I know now that the important thing is that we realized our vision for the story. Special thanks to Jen for putting up with me all those late nights!!
As I watch the film over again for the tenth time, I realize that it is not perfect but more Wabi-Sabi. The creative process with Jen was a great experience. We have totally different approaches but we allowed each other full expression. Yes, we encountered many set-backs with technology but were able to overcome them after much trial and error. Now that I re-visit my feelings about the project & after reading Wabi-Sabi, I realize it is beautiful in its incompleteness. We stressed out so much about making it perfect but I know now that the important thing is that we realized our vision for the story. Special thanks to Jen for putting up with me all those late nights!!
you need a good dose of WABI SABI MAN! read more
on I hate NY this week