Everything's Changing Music Video Production!

Over the course of the semester Meredith and I (Elizabeth) have been working hard going out filming and experimenting with stop motion as well as camera angles.We had never done it before so with my cannon camera we went out to the Rumsey monument and started practicing stop motion. For part of the movie she puts on animal mask. This part goes along with the lyrics "Everything's changing faces changing places"- The chorus is about everything from what is natural to industrialize. We show this idea by showing a woman dressed nicely with different animal faces changing. The animals haunt the girl and follow her around as a reminder of what is real. what belongs in its place.

On tuesday the april 26th we went down to a secret spot along the Potomac river, to film at the ruins.

The animals keep haunting her and calling her out to nature.The animals and scenes in nature remind the girl to appreciate what the world has to offer with out technology and material goods.

On thursday April 28th we edited our video from 2pm - 10 pm at night and got it finished.
On Friday April 29th we are working on the final touches. Directors commentary and exporting it out to youtube. 

Realism in Music vs Television!

Music Video is my life.

- Bruno Mars- The Lazy Song (Official Video)

Music Video has been a huge influence in American culture, especially for the youth of today. When I was in high school my life was fast paced and I was stuck in my own little world, which isn’t a bad thing. I did however have an outlet to the outside world. In the morning I would get up and watch MTV music videos. I would learn the latest trends from hairstyles, clothing and attitudes that the music videos would portray. I was able to understand why certain people who weren’t in my circle of friends did what they did. I was never big into rap but the kids who immersed themselves in it, were able to embrace that culture through music videos.

 As I got older I was able to see how MTV music videos didn’t just influence peoples attitudes, hairstyles, and clothing but our daily lives, as we know them now. Music Videos also reflect whats new and popular in our culture. An amazing example of this is Bruno Mars Music Video called the lazy song. In the lyrics the first part goes

“Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything”

--I feel as if this part applies to many of the high school or college kids and even the adults with jobs. Haven’t you ever woken up and said those words? I know I have.

The next lines are as followed:

“I'll be lounging on the couch just chilling in my Snuggie
Click to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie
'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man”

The snuggie was a huge hit in the advertising industry and almost became a joke.

 

Then Bruno talks about how they should "teach me how to dougie" which is one of the newest and most popular dance moves. Recently at Shep Fest. they had a teach me how to dougie comeptition and you cant go into a dance club with out hearing this song:

 the next lyrics are : 

"Tomorrow I'll wake up, do some P90X
Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex
And she's gonna scream out"

P90X is a commercial that comes on MTV so naturally it has become a big hit. Its another workout DVD to get people into shape and its a joke when people talk about it but slowly people like my little brother have been influenced to try it out.Of course by having a great body women will flock to a man and the it insinuates that you will have sex with a woman if you are ripped and built. All i have to say is sex sells.

The next lyrics go:

"Yeah, I might mess around
And get my college degree
I bet my old man will be so proud of me
But sorry pops, you'll just have to wait"

Getting your college degree has become a huge part of our culture.From where i come from everybody tells you that getting a college degree is vital to moving up in the world and living a successful life. But the students can relate to this because they are being pressured to work so hard in school so that they can get their degree but sometimes we all just need a break. I feel as if by just this song alone we can see how well it merges with society as a whole. I would even argue that Media and Music Video is one of the dominant groups in our culture that dictates the social norms that we follow.

Importance of Interpretation

Why is it important to frame the class by spending a week talking about the art and science of interpretation? It is important to spend time talking about the art and science of interpretation in class because the three forms of knowledge (technical, practical and emancipatory) are deeply rooted in the human experience. When talking about cultural hegemony we come to gather an understanding that whatever ideas they think of become the social norms for the rest of the culture. People feel as if these ideals that are now the social norms benefit them when in reality it only benefits the dominant group that is in power.

            Furthermore, Cultural Studies is focuses on how the media is a hegemonic force or as I explained above, the dominant group. Media in my opinion is becoming the dominant group that helps steer people into choosing different political ideas and opinions that in truth are not beneficial to them. Media is everywhere. It is the dominant aspect in everyone’s life, unless you are Amish J. When you wake up the average person turns on and looks or listens to their television, radio, and cell phone. That’s why its very important to be able to interpret the media because with out a solid basis and idea behind your criticism and interpretation of media we wouldn’t be able to understand some of the social norms of human life in this age. In conclusion since media is the dominant group it determines societies social and economic classes.