Popular Culture and its Effect on my Life

http://www.glogster.com/Sharon82/popculture-and-its-effects-on-my-life/g-6lioik9o4oru9e8iqqi2sa0 

 

Imagination is the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe.  Philosophy is the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, especially with a view to improving or reconstituting them. (Dictionary.com) In popular culture there is not a movie, book, or religious sect that do not have some aspect of these three concepts.  In this essay I do not want to discuss there differences (as there are many) but rather find how each of these concepts have affected me (through there application in popular culture) in my life and how I believe they are intricately related.

 Since I was a child I had a huge fascination with imagination, ingenuity, and the future.  Growing up I watched films like Star Wars and Star Trek.  Science fiction a steadfast catalyst to my own imaginary characters and ideas of what the future holds.  I was always fascinated with the concept of technology, the future, and how my faith played into that view.  I found myself posting quotes from Albert Einstein, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” (goodreads.com)  Excited to see what the future holds, to my delight, as technology grew, many of the concepts I had seen on television and in science fiction movies were being developed for real use application.  An perfect example is the iPad. 

As I grew up, I developed a love for science.  Taking class after class relating to biology, astrology, and human development.  As much as I believed in the science that I was being taught many people that shared my faith believed I was taking believes that were not of God, as my own.  In their perception I suppose they were right but I could not help but think that science, imagination, and faith were all on the same side somehow; that they were intricately connected in some way.  How exactly was it that religion, philosophy, and imagination are connected?  Most people would argue that they had nothing to offer the other, that these concepts and beliefs were polar opposites fighting for their claim of truth.

 

It was not until I was watching a popular preacher (Christian Popular Culture) named Louie Giglio that I found the answers I was looking for.  He preached a sermon called, “Indescribable.”  He describes science and faith as being on the same path of discovery, both searching for truth.  As I watched it had a profound affect on confirming what I had already believed. 

Then a book called, “The Secret” came out.  It was all about how thoughts manifest into things.  This philosophy had taken root and further confirmed what I already believed.  In imagination, we are free of limitation, free to create something new, and as history of civilization has proved from the creation of the wheel, to the Hubble telescope: That this philosophy was true.  Thoughts (imagination) manifest into things.

With these three completely different concepts at how to look at life, I found the answers I was looking for.  And to think, it all started with Star Wars, a Sermon, and The Secret.  It is funny that the use of popular culture has affected me is such a reflective way, but I am thankful for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUtuEOA0WD8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MulLAfffQoQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwUrJFxYfa0

http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/112754

http://www.trainerscity.com/startrek/ships.php

http://io9.com/5887889/apocalypse-gallery/gallery/17

http://coffee-noon.blogspot.com/2010/08/law-of-attraction-how-secret-works-in.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/LawOfAttractionPro

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/9810.Albert_Einstein

Microreflection

The most interesting information that I learned last week from our in class discussion was what to look for to confirm whether or not a source online is a good source or a bad source.  Not only do you really have to use critical thinking but you need to have a knowledge that the Internet uses a signature of sorts to help us identify whether the website is a good source. ( Examples are: .gov  or .edu) The class discussion was quite educational and fun.  I loved the medical website and the Bigfoot website, they were both real (go figure) and hilarious! Thanks! :)

Book vs Movie

 

Chronicles of Narnia

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I chose to compare The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to be my movie versus book analysis.  I would like to think that I am a book lover and a movie lover for much of the same reasons.  They are a way to escape the perils of everyday and enter a world of imagination, each character coming alive with each word.  A world with no limitations and a way that I too with the help of the author create characters I fall in love with.  While movies allow me to just enjoy someone else’s imagination through the use of film and computer graphics.  Visual effects, music, and the actor/actress bring to life a book I love.  

Personally I find that if I read a book prior to the making of a film, I almost never like it.  In this case, I loved The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  The book and movie were so similar; it was as if C.S. Lewis himself wrote the screenplay for the film.  Because the film was so parallel to the book I had a difficult time discerning their differences. So I had to read the children’s book all over again.  The greatest thing about it was that it was just as good as the first time I read this series as a child.

One of the differences between the book and the movie is that the book is a very easy read.  Large print, designed for audiences from ages eight and up, it has a certain classic appeal to it.  The illustrations were simple, and tasteful, very similar to the illustrations of Winnie the Pooh.   

While the movie was intense with vivid color, dramatized graphics, creating Narnia as a magical and surreal world.  The cinematography striking, literally taking you to another place, another world.   

One of the parts of the book that was missing from the film was in a scene when Father Christmas comes to greet the beloved four characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.  He gives them each their destined weapon.  Explaining their role in Narnia and what is expected of them.  After giving their gifts/destined weapons, Father Christmas pulls out from his red bad, piping hot tea for all to enjoy before they continue their journey.  In the film, this scene is completely taken out.  I believe the screenwriters took it out because it held no significance to the plot of the film, thus not using the scene from the book.

In the book C.S. Lewis describes the beloved Aslan, the Lion, Ruler of all Narnia and known on earth by many names, as so intense, so radiant, that one trembles in his presence.  That his eyes so penetrating that you could not look into his face.  In the film, Aslan the Lion is portrayed as gentle strength.  So gentle that he often comes to young Lucy because of her unshakable faith.  I believe that the film makers made Aslan come across as gentle strength because had they made Aslan fierce, he would have come across as evil but since he is a good and righteous character they made him beautiful, gentle, and a great leader, using the voice of Liam Neeson to give authority to the character.

There was very few differences between the film and the book but the differences mentioned above were all necessary on behalf of the film makers.  They created a film the proceeded the expectations of the book merely by re-creating Narnia.  The book is sweet, sincere, and has beautiful illustrations; but the film helped the book sort of grow up and turn into something incredible.  I love both the book and the film because they compliment each other and support each others talents not to mention they are appropriate for all ages and will continue to influence generations to come. 

References:

http://avaxhome.ws/ebooks/novels/0064471047.html

http://emilygrace-blog.blogspot.com/2011/01/30-day-challenge-days-2-3.html

http://eq5.net/baynes/xl-n-sett/coll06_2lww_baynes_2006_l.html

http://eq5.net/baynes/xl-n-sett/puff2lww_b.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9t3Xs8Sgc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtXTmA98oo0

The Parent Trap Movie Poster Comparison

http://voicethread.com/share/3027472/

  

The first release of Walt Disney’s The Parent Trap was released in 1961.   Haley Mills the lead actress of this film played teenage twins that found each other at a summer camp.  After discovering that they were twin sisters they join together and create an elaborate plan of switching places to get to know their estranged parents and get them back together. 



As you can see in the above poster on the left, the designers of the 1961 Movie Poster The Parent Trap, Walt Disney pictures had a specific audience in mind.  Young teenage girls and their parents were the films primary focus.  On this poster are cartoon characters of the teenage star Halley Mills playing twins in this film.  Each  cartoon of Hayley Mills are showcased in a cute and fun fashion.  Looking at each other as if they are singing together.  One twin character adorably feminine whiles the other twin a bit of a tom boy but no less cute.  Together it appears as if they are singing to their hearts content, enjoying the festivities of getting there parents back together.  The twins parents played by Maureen O’hara and Brian Keith, very big names of that day.  The film uses these big names to bring in their preferred audience. While the use of color, text, and the cartoon picture of the parents on a wild ring ride; brings a certain feel that although this film is dealing with difficult marital issues into the mainstream light, that you will have a fun time doing so.

A video clip gives the perfect feel of exactly what this poster is trying to convey in the song, Lets Get Together,written by written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. 

The second movie poster above on the right, has a modern and contemporary feel.  Using modern computer graphics to create a backdrop of the city and pictures of the stars; Lindsey Lohan as the twins, Natasha Richardson as the mother, and Dennis Quaid as the adoring father. 

Although the basis of the story is the same the use of the posters is quite different.  Not only does the movie poster seem to be more serious but its demographics or the audience it is trying to reach is quite different.  Because Walt Disney casts Lindsey Lohan as a young girl around the ages of eight to ten, I believe it safe to assume that is the age they are targeting to come and see the film is also the same.  Also there are much larger images of the parents in the background embracing each other.  As the viewer looks at this poster the viewer is lead to believe that this film is a love story.  Based on the look of the poster, this film is mostly directed at the parents of the youth that Disney is targeting.  Here is a short trailer of the second release of The Parent Trap in 1998.

While both movie posters are very different and targeting a different demographic, both films are a beautiful tale about how families that are torn apart can be brought back together. 

http://www.cinemasterpieces.com/parentmay08.jpg

http://www.impawards.com/1998/parent_trap_ver2.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-0gWnXdBZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxtyAC59AeE
 
 

Jack Johnson ~ Pop Music Website Analysis

 http://jackjohnsonmusic.com/welcome

 Jack Johnson is a musician that always tells a story in a calm, cool, collected, and mild way.  He combines a funky, grove-laden like spin, on acoustic folk rock, while establishing himself as a musician that sings with soul. His music can be heard in pretty much any coffee shop across the United States. 

His music has a certain air to it that causes the listener to feel as if you were seaside with a cold beer surrounded by friends and family.  Taking it easy and enjoying life.  It makes me think of cool breezes, laughs, and a relaxed day at the beach.  He sings songs about love, pain, and life. He sings from a calm place in his soul and touches millions of listeners all around the world. 

His web page is just like his music.  Instantly is makes you feel relaxed.  The background of the web page looks like old gray wood, the kind you find at the shoreline, dried out and bleached by the sun.  It looks like a bookshelf you would find in a beach house. The background has accents of a cool light green color, making the viewer experience a relaxed feeling while connecting with the earth.  On each shelf are pictures of an old video recorder, film, a jar filled with old coins, a camera, a black and white photo, and the all-defining acoustic guitar.  Each piece on the shelf a relic of what is important in his music.  Capturing life, celebrating it, and singing about it. 

Centered in the web page is what appears to be a poster.  It says, “ Best of Kokua Festival” saying it is Jack Johnson and Friends. Kokua is a Hawaiian word, that translates as "extending loving, sacrificial help to others for their benefit, not for personal gain..." (http://hawaiihubbub.blogspot.com/2007/04/meaning-of-aloha-and-kokua.html) The poster is an advertisement that Jack Johnson is sing for a benefit called the Kokua Hawaii Foundation.  Again using his talents to help others and to encourage people to do their part in there community.  The letters of each word are a light cream color with a darker sage green border.  Again eliciting a calm experience geared to make the fan feel like a friend, a part of the Jack Johnson movement. 

From one visual point to the next Jack Johnson’s website brings forth exactly what the musician defines himself as.  In his music, his life style, and his website that audience feels that he is a good person that just loves to sing, chill at the beach, and love people.  Doing his best to change or evoke change in the world.  

I am a diehard fan of Jack Johnson’s music.  I love nothing more than taking a bubble bath with his music, imagining the ocean hitting the shoreline, sitting in Sand Diego, hanging out with my little brother and little sister.  His music touches me.  After actually looking into his website and discovering that he is doing this wonderful benefit, I feel even better that I buy his music.  The way this website is designed and Jack Johnson's type of music, I find myself truly identifying with this musician in a profound way.  As I too try to live my life in much of the same manner.  Family, friends, music, and the beach, it sounds like paradise.

Lovemark

                                                     Walt Disney ~ My Lovemark <3

                    http://www.glogster.com/sharon82/lovemark-walt-disney/g-6lj5tr6heqrfca720tu5ma0

Walt Disney animated films or anything Disney is my Lovemark.  A lovemark deep rooted in family and dreams.  I was raised in home that didn’t have a television.  As I grew up I would hear about the newest Disney movies and would dream about seeing them.  As my parents views on life changed, along with their belief that movies were wrong, my dad, did the impossible.  He took me on Daddy and Daughter date night, to my first movie, EVER.  It was Walt Disney’s Peterpan, shown at the local theater in our small town.  The anticipation and excitement of not only my first movie I was going to see but also the fact that it was actually a Disney film, was almost more than I could bare.  The fact that my dad took only me, I felt infinitely special and loved.

The opening seen with the castle of all castles, and the music, “If you wish upon a star” began to play, I watch in awe and wonder as the beautiful animated characters appeared on the screen.  After experiencing Peterpan, Neverland, and the lost boys I was hooked forever.  Never had I seen the imagination captured so well.  It was like these films entered into my own child like imagination and painted them in pretty, magical, and exciting ways across the screen.  Each character another way I could make sense of the world. 

 

Every time a new Disney film came out, my dad would take me.  It became a cherished tradition for just father and daughter.  It was in this tradition and my love for animation that created a Lovemark that helps define a big part of who I am.  Disney films are a great way to connect with your family.  As often the films have tragedy that takes place, as does real, life: It helped me face my own tragedies.  These Disney films allowed me to see that life was hard, that there were scary people in the world that wanted to hurt people, and that people we love can die.  It also helped me see that even tough we face adversity we can overcome and triumph over evil and the everyday battles that we face.  Not only that we can overcome these adversities but also we can sing, dance, laugh, cry, and imagine.  Imagine or imagination is the key to my world.  As an artist I would study these films, copy the images, and imagine one day I would be creating a world for children to love and appreciate, as I loved and adored Walt Disney’s animated films.  

                       

The beauty of Walt Disney is it does not stop in the theater or the comfort of your own home.  Walt Disney created a real, innovated, and magical kingdom that allowed the animated world of Disney’s characters to be tangible. Something I could touch, experience, and love. 

A Few years after my first experience with Disney’s films, my mom and dad took is the the happiest place in the world, DISNEYLAND!!!  As I stood there at the base of the castle I became apart of Disneyland.  I was Tinkerbell, Bell, Wendy, Jasmine, and Cinderella,; I was anyone and everything I wanted to be.  I was no longer the little chubby girl that got picked on, I was a beautiful princess, that fought evil queens, where my dreams came true.  It was a place I could take bits and pieces, maybe Cinderella’s glass slippers, or Mickey Mouse’s ears, and take them home.  They were a piece of a make believe world that was tangible and real, because I could hold on to it.

As I have grown up, I find that I still have this child like fascination of the world and to this day I am a diehard fan of Walt Disney films.  I am the first to go see it, taking anyone of my family or friend’s children with me.  Sharing and enjoying the magical world that I used to escape the everyday trials of life, not much has changed.  Sometimes I just need to escape into a world that is boundless, evil NEVER prevails, and I am safe and happy.  These are what make the world of Walt Disney my lovemark, a place to call home, and a place I feel loved and cared for.  Its magical, imaginative, and creates a magical world of family, friends, and overcomers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1IfpwJmHd8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_0Y4aSY1hM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhfp6Z8z1cI

http://images2.layoutsparks.com/1/93429/tinkerbell-19-wings-fairy.jpg

http://www.makems.com/graphic/tinkerbell-6.gif

http://www.makems.com/graphic/tinkerbell-9.gif

 

Friends & Their Technology Predictions

1)      Andrew –  A former Marine said that the next best thing in technology that will have a great impact the military is the application of Nano-technology being applied to the military uniforms.  Its capabilities will be having a range of sensors build into the fabric allowing medical personnel to monitor patients vital signs such as: temperature, heart rate, hydration levels, and other physiological indicators.  The reason this world be good is it will allow the Commanding Officers and Medical Personnel to have all information needed to make better decision for active missions, ultimately saving lives.

2)      John -  According to John and his apocalyptic views of the world.  Creepy, realistic robots are going to take over the world!  In this case after seeing this website, the possibilities of this are applicable.  As technology gets smarter and artificial intelligence becomes available to the public sector, AI will become more and more a social norm.

                           http://www.jokeroo.com/videos/cool/creepy-robot.html

                 

3)      Christine –  The next big thing in technology is going to be 3D printing.  Every businessperson across America is going to put this cutting edge technology to use.  3D printing is a computer-controlled printer that has the capabilities to manufacture everything from tools to aerospace parts allowing quick and effective manufacturing.  Increase product productivity your business will increase financially.  That is every businessman’s goal.

4)      Ashlee -  Believes that the big thing in technology will be in mainstream media. That all media will eventually converge into one single usable unit base media.  This phenomenon is called Media Convergence and it will provide every media source into a one-stop center.  It will be like the Wal-Mart of media.  Everything at low prices. 

5)      Seth –  A music lover believes that the next big thing in technology that will affect the music industry is Hologram Concerts.  Initially the cost of creating a concert such as this will be a lot.  But imagine being able to have twenty-five, fifty, or even a hundred concerts taking place in the states and around the world.  Fans are happy and so is the music industry.  It will be a sad thing for a person like me who does not want the beauty of a live concert and the talent of the musician in person, live, no additions that the entertainment world will most definitely add to a show.