Final blog, Spencer Tasso, Yeehaw

Film is a powerful medium. It appeals strongly to many, because it’s so unique, yet entertaining- just look at the movies. And in today’s world, film, videos, movies, etc. are becoming ever more popular. In short, film is entertaining and is going nowhere because people like it. But with this popularity comes a responsibility to produce uplifting material. Of course not necessarily Mormon explicit material, just uplifting. Although I do love making movies, ironically I’m not sure if I’m going to do it as a career. I may try for business instead. But whatever I do, the things I produce need to be uplifting and good. As a career path, I’d like to work as a social entrepreneur helping people, which in turn would be a terrific medium to document, therefore producing something uplifting, inspiring, and good.

Working on our film, initially I didn’t have much devotion to it. I hadn’t interacted with our subject at all, and wasn’t there for any of the filming. The only exposure I have to him, is watching, re-watching, and editing the footage of him. But interestingly enough, I feel like I know him now. If I saw him walking by on campus I’d want to recognize and talk to him, but of course he’d have no idea who I am. Creepin’.

Working hard with others will bring you a much better product than if you have a solo vision. Honestly, I feel quite proficient in cinematography and editing, but in conceptualization and storytelling/screenwriting, I feel I lack. With our final film, I had other ideas for a story, but was turned towards our current subject, Theo Harris, and although I thought initially the story may lack flare, I find it compelling and meaningful now. To progress and grow, I need to give my best effort into every group project, so I can collaborate with the talents of others and myself. We all got in for the same basic reason- competency in film, but we all excel in such different ways. Learning to work together and to accept the differences of others is how I can get better. 

Blog 9, Spencer Tasso

Gee whiz is there anything more shallow than a stream of feedback summarizing why it’s good, great, perfect, awesome, interesting, or cool? Yes of course there is, and to a slight point, this is flattering, but I think I’ve very much outgrown this monotonous form of response, at least when it’s from my common peers. If my good friend Steven Spielberg solicited me with such a response, I’m sure I would take it with all due sincerity. But nonetheless, my claim persists. I understand many people don’t possess enough knowledge or familiarity with film to critique my work, but even so, an effort might be nice. With my entry film for the program, I got lots of congratulations and consolations, but very little criticism. I did get some on my plot, it was a little hard to understand, or open to interpretation.

The reading talked about finding someone who appreciates your style of film. I find this very important- for example, I have a friend who’s pretty competent with video, although we do frequently have different, even conflicting, productional opinions about what’s good and what isn’t. But this to a point is the nature of film, and I need to work around these differences and breed something substantial and productive from our differences. Compromise is king.

Frequently I wish I had someone, or I just planned better, who could predict or specifically outline shot problems I’ll have before or during filming. Consistently I get back to post only to find I’m missing a couple of shots I really wanted, or what I thought would make sense, doesn’t seem completely obvious, and would be remedied with a simple additional shot. But I suppose this is poor directing on my part.

The opinions of others will almost only ever bring improvement to your work. Others spot what you miss, or improve and find what you ignored. I need to collaborate and produce more projects, taking in others thoughts and compromising the whole way through. Yeehaw. 

Spencer Tasso, Blog 8

In all honesty, this essay, although somewhat fruitful, seemed tedious, long, and was hard to understand. Nonetheless, I did get something out of it.

Firstly, to challenge belief. Socially I see people judge all the time, especially in this BYU perfectionist/molded environment. Most everyone is trying to be the “perfect” Mormon, which is awesome and enlightening, but can be very narrow, even judgmental. I being very guilty of this myself can be prone to judge people by my set of standards, when in reality, this only leaves greater room for error as you judge by your experience, knowledge, belief, etc. instead of the persons. Just today I went to an audition for BYU’s got talent. I myself subjected a few of the performances than a less than extraordinary opinion, when my own bias probably shone through on others. Likewise, some of the judgments around me seemed harsh and unfitting. Relevant to belief, I’ve learned to not judge. Others see constraints differently than what you see. What’s good to you is mediocre to another, and vice versa. Instead of putting down, we need to do as Christ taught, putting ourselves in the shoes of our neighbor, refusing to judge, only uplifting and looking for the good.

Secondly, there is a background to our beliefs. We all entertain different thoughts. We all have different experiences. We believe the things we do, or judge the way we do, largely because of our upbringing. Can we really reject or deny another’s beliefs or ideas, rejecting their opinion because we grew up differently? We need to be able to recognize the differences surrounding us, and choose to not judge, lest we sin and bring condemnation upon ourselves. Who’s to say we are right, other than ourselves? If we don’t respect those around us, we can never expect those around us to respect us. I find my happiness derides mainly by being involved with, talking to, listening to, interacting with those around me. Accepting their differences and loving them for it. I am very much imperfect in this sense, but am looking to improve.    Most of these thoughts have stemmed from my experience at BYU’s got talent. I apologize if they seem monotonous. I learned something though.

Eric Danielson- Cool Cat Cornered Mormon Artist Int.

Audio Track/Podcast

Who is this champ?

                                             

My podcast explores my interviewee, Eric Danielson. It may lack depth when it comes to religious exploration, but we only had five minutes anyway. Also, it may lack flare, although I’d assume most audio interviews do. It gives the audience a good introduction to Eric- what he does, who he is, his music, his quirks, strengths, etc.

I honestly enjoyed this assignment. I learned that I like producing media- videos I already knew, but I didn’t know about audio. I also had some good fun editing this.

I think being a Mormon artist means you have a greater view or the bigger picture. You understand that you can and need to be a positive example, that people are watching. You understand that some things happen to you that may seem bad, but in reality aren’t. Being a Mormon artist gives me better perspective and challenges me to make a difference outside of my craft. 

Blog 6, Spencer Tasso, Wow!

The Islamic display was stunning and informative, to say the least (it’s a figure of speech…) Honestly I know very little about the religion of Islam, their practices, etc. I watched a film a while back on it but I’ve forgotten much of what I learned. Nonetheless, this exhibit helped renew my enthusiasm for a religion that seems to take a lot of flack for extremism, radicalness, etc. Of course in reality, the extremists constitute very little of their religion, as it always is with radical practices.

My overall response to this exhibit was one of reference, awe, and intrigue, although it was all very foreign to me. I’d never really heard that much about Islamic art, it doesn’t seem to be the popular thing on the street around here. I’d never really seen much either. The art was extremely impressive, especially stylistically, which was something I was not used to. It all seemed so time consuming, yet beautifully rendered, and not for personal gain or glory. As is tradition, the glory is to God. Likewise, I was impressed that many of the artists didn’t even sign their own work- they do it to praise God. Something (random) I’ve always wondered is who Muhammad really is.  He’s obviously their prophet and a man of tremendous influence over them, and yet I know extremely little about him, not that I’m an expert or anything. But it seems that Jesus’s life was documented and such, we even know what he looks like. Muhammad on the other hand (once again, not that I’m by any means an expert) seems to have much less documentation. When did he live? Was he a real human? A myth? A demigod?

The following things interested me. The names of God, and how they are paradoxes. The pseudo aesthetics on a pot, the words are meaning less. The circle exhibit at the end. The visual language of their art. Their symmetry, geometry, calligraphy, etc.

Overall I was impressed and awed at what they created. I need to put more time into my own work, praising God more, and being more humble, like them. They are awesome. I’m definitely coming back when I find the time, it was amazing. 

Banana Wars

Hello world. Not to say my life has been a complete disaster, but I definitely hope your doing better than I am. My story starts in the heart of Guatemala, where I’m an adolescent youth free of bruises and hardship. And yes, I am a banana.

2 weeks later. I’m just over a half-month old, I’m learning and growing everyday. But alas, some painful things I would have been better off not experiencing. One day a large man approaches with a metallic box. Suddenly, he lifts and points and Poof! I get hit with a face full of pesticide. Pesticide tastes like the worst thing ever. Dead fish? I think it’s the human equivalent of being blasted with radioactive rays in a tanning booth. But I digress. I endure past the unpleasant chemicals, and anyways, there supposed to be good for me in a twisted sort of way.

3 months later. Enter me, a now full-grown banana, rich with knowledge and potassium, friends and family in a bunch surrounding. The stifling overhead sun vacuums the water from the air. Thank heaven for the rain. I’m a deep yellow, and I’m happy as a Guatemalan banana in August. But this can’t last. One sad day, a machete wielding local approaches, jumps, and swings with deadly accuracy, severing me from my friends and family. From here I’m dragged into a truck piled high with many of my same kind. Days later I end up in a large building with a sticker labeled “Guatemalan” and “Dole”. My name becomes a bar code, devoid of personality and expression. I’m nothing more than a numbered commodity.

Fortunately, us bananas believe in reincarnation, as are my thoughts as I’m being eaten and mashed by some Homosapien, although it really doesn’t hurt. Weird. Be kind to bananas!