~For English!~ @ksmith383 - Tumblr Blog

Blog Post #5

Blogging was a very interesting way of showing your ideas to your peers. I liked it because of that reason. I was able to see so many different views on the same videos, giving me a broader view of any topic. I learned that a class that requires you to pick a side on a subject or find your own view can not only help you learn how to find out information on your own but can also show the different sides of an argument through your peers. The most helpful part was that I could choose where my blog was hosted, meaning I would understand how to work the system and not have to deal with a confusing new website. The least helpful part would have to have been that some of the blogs were impossible to get to without an account on the website. This prevented me from commenting on a lot of people’s blogs and seeing what they had to say about the assigned topic. Overall, though, I’m really happy with the blogging.

Research Blog Post: My Topic

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nMEwmmWCbGnKHturZhdbf0CzisdKCQfKx4gw3wU0Ff4/edit?usp=sharing

Blog Post #3

In this given passage, Dr. Sexton is arguing that women cannot display their own bodies without being judged. Women can be put on display for male interest but not for their own personal reasons. When Nicki Minaj puts her body out in the world on her own will, people become outraged and disgusted by her behavior. When a woman’s body is put out for the sake of male viewing, nothing is said about it; it’s considered to be the norm.

“Anaconda” is Nicki’s response to situations like what’s mentioned in Dr. Sexton’s article. Knowing that her popularity and body type would draw male viewers, Nicki made the statement that she is the only one allowed to show off her body. By using the lyrics and some of the motifs (like the exotic fruit) from Sir Mix A Lot’s video “Baby Got Back”, Nicki draws similarities between the two videos. One of which is how all of the women are dressed provocatively and are showing off their butts. But, by pulling the two videos together, Nicki is also showing the differences. In Sir Mix A Lot’s video, the women are there purely to show the type of girl he likes. In Nicki’s video, the women are there to show off themselves and the bodies they’re proud of.

Anaconda ties in with Dr. Sexton’s article in the way that the video itself proves Dr. Sexton’s argument. The large amount of hate this video received showed that people are uncomfortable with women showing themselves off for no reason but because they like their body. People are so uncomfortable because it’s so unusual for a woman to do that.

jleff6

Hobson is arguing that Jay-Z is trying to make himself more cultured and something recognized in the same way as a Basquiat or Picasso painting, but he does not necessarily be recognized in this way. Jay-Z rapped his song Picasso Baby in MoMA, a Holy Grail museum for modern art. Hobson is...

ksmith383

I love how you pointed out Jay-Z's purpose and the fact that he raps about things that are deeper than expected but, why is it that you don't think his music is as complex as Picasso's paintings?

Part 2 : Picasso Baby

“While Jay Z’s performance invites more enjoyment from the audience and clearly exhibits his star power, in contrast to the performative violence of the previously mentioned art works, there is still the recurring theme of “authentic blackness” that artists of color are supposed to embody. Because Jay Z is not readily recognizable as a “performance artist” and is responded to by virtue of his celebrity status and his “authentically” black body, few in his audience will recognize his cultural appropriation as an inherent critique of whiteness and its aesthetic institutions. The very nature of exhibiting his freestyle performance for the gallery space raises questions about what constitutes art and art making and who gets to define it” (Hobson).

In this article, Hobson is arguing that, through Picasso Baby, Jay-Z is making himself seem more culturally relevant than most people assume he is. In the video, Jay-Z brings in many artists from different walks of life: dancing, painting, sculpting, music, etc. By bringing in these different people, he's trying to connect all of them together and show that art is art, no matter the form it is in. Jay-Z ties in the cultural piece by having the artists be of both white and black ethnicity. He's trying to show that, while some don't believe that Jay-Z's form of art isn't actually like the 'authentic blackness', he is able to bring artists together and show that it is.

Part 1 : Tupac v. Biggie

Compare these two covers from Vibe magazine. How does the cover on the left construct Tupac? What about Biggie in his cover? How do they differ? Provide details of mise en scene and framing to support your analysis.

The cover on the left is more darker colors and is monotonous, making Tupac out to be more serious. The glasses that he's wearing give him a look of intelligence or of a person that should be taken seriously. They also make him look a bit like Ghandi. He's the only one on the cover and only half of his face is being shown. This cover makes Tupac out to be someone that has something important to say and that you should be listening. The cover on the right has more vibrant colors and a playful type layout. The car gives off the 'live life in the fast lane' vibe. Biggie is also in it with his wife, Faith, showing that he does everything he can with her. These covers show how Tupac cares mostly about how he views himself while Biggie cares about how his loved ones view him. Also, Tupac, through the lack of colors, is saying the world is currently a darker place that needs to be fixed while Biggie, with his bright colors, is saying he has gotten out of that dark place and has moved into the light.

Lady Gaga : "Paparazzi" Post

The most important sequence in the music video Paparazzi is the part where the camera is cutting between Lady Gaga and the dog because it portrays the story of the video through cuts, colors, and flashing lights. Quick cuts between Lady Gaga and a dog are fast enough to be unnoticed. But, when it is seen, one is dancing while the other looks afraid. The quick cut creates that feeling of fear and shows the parallels between celebrities and animals. “Celebrities are treated like cash cows to the paparazzi” is a huge message in this video, especially so in this sequence. This message is further highlighted by the colors in the sequence. Both Lady Gaga and the dog are black and white making another connection between the two. Black and white is also the color that newspapers usually print in. The camera flashes in the sequence are all cuts themselves, sometimes being the only thing between Lady Gaga and the dog. They further serve as a way to show the parallels between the two. This also creates the feeling of being dehumanized by the plethora of lights. This one sequence most obviously shows the message of the video: the paparazzi treats celebrities like they’re nothing more than show dogs used for money.

ksmith383

The opening sequence of Bad uses the setting to set up the story and mood for the video through colors, camera angles, and conversations with other actors. The black and white color scheme in the beginning gives viewers the feeling of being out of place due to…

ksmith383

ovox-men answered: I like your analysis on the angle at which they shoot the school from the outside. What do you think MJ’s saying about education in general?

I’d have to say that he’s saying no matter where you’re from, you can always work towards a great education.

ksmith383

lorlandic3 answered: Your analysis of the color scheme is interesting! I think the black/white scheme also shows how racially polarized Darrel’s world is.

Oh! That's a good point! I really should have payed more attention to the racial points in the video.

ksmith383

The opening sequence of Bad uses the setting to set up the story and mood for the video through colors, camera angles, and conversations with other actors. The black and white color scheme in the beginning gives viewers the feeling of being out of place due to...

ksmith383

ovox-men answered: I like your analysis on the angle at which they shoot the school from the outside. What do you think MJ’s saying about education in general?

I'd have to say that he's saying no matter where you're from, you can always work towards a great education.

ksmith383

Blog Post #1

The opening sequence of Bad uses the setting to set up the story and mood for the video through colors, camera angles, and conversations with other actors. The black and white color scheme in the beginning gives viewers the feeling of being out of place due to colored videos having been around at that time. This harmonizes with the Darrel’s feelings after the thirty second mark when he feels out of place with his old friends. The lack of color also give you almost a feeling of sadness or anticipation, both of which Darrel feels on the bus ride back home after all of his classmates have gotten off. The camera angles show you what’s going on. They show you different angles of the school in the beginning, showing off how big and prestigious it is. By doing this, they are indirectly saying that Darrel is getting a great education. The scene of all of the kids running down the stairs lets you know that school has just been released for a break, meaning everyone gets to go home. For Darrel, that meant going back to his old friends and home. The director, showing the conversation between Darrel and the other student, shows you that he’s happy that someone is proud of what he’s trying to do. This explains why he’s so disappointed that his friends weren’t too impressed with his schooling. If you bring all of these elements from the first thirty seconds together, you realize Darrel is proud of his education and is worried to go back home, afraid of what his friends with think of him.

davidmedrizzle-blog

Opening sequences in music videos are generally skipped, primarily because of the lack of music. What’s a music video without music? ”Beat it” by Michael Jackson, however, is one that shouldn’t be glossed over as it contains very crucial details that introduce the audience to the mood and...

ksmith383

You really hit every point there. The lighting was a good point, it made me feel worrisome about what may come out of the darkness. I love how you talked about the costumes because that's something not everyone, including me, notices when watching a video. To be able to get this much from the story without even having to listening to the song is really amazing. -Kristin Smith

wwatson9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFvENQBc-F8

In the opening sequence of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”, the blurred motion of Michael Jackson’s moves, shadowy lighting and gangster apparel create a spooky and underground atmosphere that sets up the message of this music video:...

ksmith383

When I watched this video, I didn't see the whole 1920s part. I love how you pointed that out through the costumes and overall vibe of the bar. The part with the door made Jackson look like almost a shadow, really giving him that 'criminal' feel as well. Good job! -Kristin Smith

phoenixera42-blog

Analysis of Opening Scene of Smooth Criminal

In the opening sequence of smooth criminal, the play between blue and white lights and dark alley background sets a tenebrous scene while depicting Michael Jackson as the central subject of the music video by making him appear important, bold and superhuman. The sequence opens as a long shot (still-camera) of a blue-lit corner alley corner, shrouded by an over-bearing shadow of a man. Fairytale-like music plays in the background giving a divine perspective of the shadow. While camera stays still, the shadow moves forward, reducing in size. In the next few seconds, we see Michael Jackson running around the corner, in a white suit, as the tempo of the music increases. The still camera creates an illusion of him running towards the audience. His blue shirt complements the blue-lit walls while his stark white suit provides a strong contrast with the dark alley and dim lighting, giving him a central role. As he turns around the second corner, the camera is focused in a close shot of faces of three ethnically different children staring at Jackson with awe and curiosity. The second establishing shot (taken from behind MJ), consists of a green door, possibly depicting an entrance to a different world/society. When MJ opens the door, bright white light engulfs his entirety and his previously stark white suit appears like a dark silhouette against it; again making him a central figure. Another camera/scene shift shows the trio being blinded by light while MJ stands against it, steadily, when the camera focuses on him. He, therefore, comes across as super-human. The last shot of the scene is a close-up of his face where he tips his hat, confidently, and goes through the doorway. Afterwards, we see back-to-back shots of the trio in shock and descending light from the doorway. Finally, the door shuts depicting the blockage of the outside world and MJ’s bold ascend into another. MJ’s prodigal depiction serves as a perfect setting for his role as a super-natural gang leader whom no force can stop (even army men with guns!).

ksmith383

Wow! I was initially going to do this video but realized that I couldn't really do much other than point out how the glow of the door seemed otherworldly. Your analysis of it really sets the way for the story and shows off Michael's character. The white suit REALLY makes him stand out, as well. He's pretty 'smooth' with that hat tip, though. -Kristin Smith

phoenixera42-blog

Analysis of Opening Scene of Smooth Criminal

In the opening sequence of smooth criminal, the play between blue and white lights and dark alley background sets a tenebrous scene while depicting Michael Jackson as the central subject of the music video by making him appear important, bold and superhuman. The sequence opens as a long shot (still-camera) of a blue-lit corner alley corner, shrouded by an over-bearing shadow of a man. Fairytale-like music plays in the background giving a divine perspective of the shadow. While camera stays still, the shadow moves forward, reducing in size. In the next few seconds, we see Michael Jackson running around the corner, in a white suit, as the tempo of the music increases. The still camera creates an illusion of him running towards the audience. His blue shirt complements the blue-lit walls while his stark white suit provides a strong contrast with the dark alley and dim lighting, giving him a central role. As he turns around the second corner, the camera is focused in a close shot of faces of three ethnically different children staring at Jackson with awe and curiosity. The second establishing shot (taken from behind MJ), consists of a green door, possibly depicting an entrance to a different world/society. When MJ opens the door, bright white light engulfs his entirety and his previously stark white suit appears like a dark silhouette against it; again making him a central figure. Another camera/scene shift shows the trio being blinded by light while MJ stands against it, steadily, when the camera focuses on him. He, therefore, comes across as super-human. The last shot of the scene is a close-up of his face where he tips his hat, confidently, and goes through the doorway. Afterwards, we see back-to-back shots of the trio in shock and descending light from the doorway. Finally, the door shuts depicting the blockage of the outside world and MJ’s bold ascend into another. MJ’s prodigal depiction serves as a perfect setting for his role as a super-natural gang leader whom no force can stop (even army men with guns!).

ksmith383

Wow! I initially was going to do this video but I had no idea what to say other than the light of the door making Jackson and the place he was walking into look otherworldly. The fact that you depicted him as superhuman makes a really good point and describes him for the rest of the video. He's a 'smooth' guy with that hat tip haha. -Kristin Smith

Blog Post #1

In-Class Notes

Nancy Griffin’s “The Thriller Diaries” & “Thriller”

Directions: Copy and paste the questions and quotes into a new document. Then, work in pairs to answer the questions on the worksheet. Lastly, choose ONE question or prompt and using your notes, write a paragraph response (and post to your blog).

“Thriller”

As we watch “Thriller,” consider costuming, lighting, framing, camera angles. How do elements such as costuming, makeup, and framing set up the two characters? How does form help tell the story? (Consider, here too, what Griffin says about Jackson’s costuming and image.)

Video within a video

Story

Confusing

Bright red costume

Extreme detail to make-up

Unites dancing

Goal of costuming was about framing / body type / favorite stars

Masculinity

Never growing up

“The Thriller Diaries”

Where does “Thriller” fit within the history of MTV? And, music videos more generally.

It gave MTV a huge boost in popularity. It music videos, it set the way of what successful videos look like.

What is Griffin’s argument and/or the larger purpose of her essay on “Thriller?”

It showed not only what was going on upfront (or what people saw) compared to what was going on behind the scenes (what people didn’t see).

For Griffin, where does “Thriller” fit in Michael Jackson’s career trajectory? Pull a quote from the article that supports your statement.

It was really the peak of his career. It was the point when he was most popular because of his music. “’Thriller’ marked the most incandescent moment in Jackson’s life, his apex creatively as well as commercially”

Griffin weaves key biographical details and themes throughout her essay: Jackson’s childishness; Joe Jackson’s violence; and MJ’s obsessive nature. What is the effect of emphasizing these key details?

Explicate the following quote: “Most serendipitously, Jackson was the ideal video star. Not only did he radiate an epicene glamour that was at once innocent and intensely erotic, but he was also conceptually inventive, a great dancer, and a sartorial trendsetter. He judged the quality of what the fledgling rock network MTV was airing to be poor, and felt he could do better. ”

Explicate the following quote: “Thriller seems like the last time that everyone on the planet got excited at the same time by the same thing: no matter where you went in the world, they were playing those songs, and you could dance to them. Since then, the fragmentation of pop culture has destroyed our sense of collective exhilaration, and I miss that.” Then, consider what’s at stake in Griffin ending her essay in this fashion.

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