Final Documentary

Blog 10-Turek

Perhaps the biggest portion of my final project that reflects my goals as a Mormon artist is my final project. Obviously, I want to be a Mormon filmmaker, hence the reason I'm in the film program.  This being the case, my final goals are to be making films.  I want to be able to create films that will speak to others, or that will at least have some sort of worth to others.  In this sense, this final project reflects my goals as an artist, because it is the art form that I want to create for a living.  There are, however, other less obvious themes found in the film, and in Jordan, that express my own feeling towards my art.  For example, Jordan states that he is frustrated by the stereotypes that others build up about gamers.  I feel this way about filmmakers.  Often, I see people express concern when I tell them that I am majoring in film.  This is generally followed by one or two things. 1) "Really?  Can you get a job with that?" or 2) "You're probably the next Steven Spielberg, I bet!"  Honestly, both of these seem too extreme of stereotypes to be true.  Can I get a job with my film degree?  Most certainly.  Film is an industry that is almost always stable.  Even if the pay isn't too substantial, I will hopefully be able to find a career in film in some aspect.  However, I certainly don't expect to become a world renown director.  Anything that will make a living will do for me.  Much like Jordan, I feel like the stereotypes centered around my career choices are a bit ridiculous.
Being in the program for just a semester has caused me to learn a lot.  True filmmaking is far more work than the simple works I did in high school.  I have learned that a large aspect of filmmaking is being able to work with others.  For me, this has been slightly difficult, as I always hated group projects in high school, and considered myself a "lone wolf".  (Insert snarky hipster comment here).  Yet, on this project, and the others that I've done like it this semester, I've found that group work can be immensely helpful.  I get far too stressed out trying to figure everything out for a shoot.  However, you do have do make some creative concessions when working with others, which is actually helpful sometimes.  There are pros and cons to working with others, but overall, I find it to be generally helpful.

Blog 9-Turek

I remember back in high school that I hated criticism when it came to my films.  I was the creator, and it was my creation.  I made films exactly how I wanted them to be, and any criticism had to be the shortcoming of the viewer, as they clearly didn't understand my "vision".  I have since repented of my ways.  I have found that criticism can actually one of the most helpful tools in my filmmaking.  Since I don't make films exclusively for myself, I need to realize that if my audience doesn't understand or approve of something, it may be my fault as a filmmaker.  However, I still stick to my guns on certain directions with my filmmaking, as I feel like certain elements in some of my films are necessary.  However, on this next project, I plan on being more receptive to criticism.  There are certain times I think I need to be less stubborn about my work, and this creative project will be no exception.  I think the best way to take criticism in projects like this is to listen to and consider all of it.  After that, I think it is best to ponder and possibly even test changes suggested by others and see what works best.
When it comes to giving criticism, I've always been a fan of constructive criticism.  I don't want to completely bash anyone's project, since I know they probably feel the same love that I feel for my own work.  That being said, I don't think we need to shy away from giving suggestions, since no ne can truly improve until they realize what they could be doing better.  Overall, I would say that it is best to have an open mind when both giving and receiving criticism.  There is a lot of value to be found in the opinions of others, regardless of what we may think.

Blog 8-Turek

I found Marilynne Robinson's article to be interesting, and agreeable to a certain degree.  As a member of the LDS church, I've often found the topic of beliefs to be a dangerous topic to speak with others about.  Like Robinson, I always look to my religion for explanation for anything.  I've never shied away from talking about my beliefs, and why I observe the religion I do.  However, that's not to say that I haven't gotten in some pretty intense arguments over the subject as well.  Much like Robinson, I believe that the easiest way to engage with people of different beliefs is to find common ground.  I absolutely do not believe that this means that we should stray from our beliefs, but nearly all groups of belief (at least those of repute) have common ground of some sort.  This is the kind of conversation that we should encourage between people of two different sets of beliefs.

I think perhaps the biggest thing we should avoid when addressing those of different beliefs is pride.  While there is absolutely nothing wrong in believing that you are correct in a religious or political discourse, proverbial "Bible Bashing" should always be avoided.  Constantly trying to "one-up" the other guy will almost always lead to conflict.  I believe this was what Robinson was trying to communicate in her article as well.  Science and religion are not as distant as we sometimes think.  I've always agreed with that sentiment.  I don't believe that either side of this faction needs to feel a sense of superiority.
When I think of a film that helps me connect to those of other beliefs, I think of the film Saving Private Ryan.  Before I saw this film, I always imagined war as being pretty black and white.  Sure, I've always seen the Nazis as human beings with the same problems as us, but in the end we the Americans were always right, and never did anything evil.  This made it especially shocking to me when I saw the Americans executing unarmed prisoners and then laughing about it.  We're the good guys, right?  How could we ever do something that grisly?  However, as the film played out, I watched the horrors that these mens fight through, and watched as their friends were brutally killed in front of their own eyes.  Does that mean that these men were justified in killing innocent Nazis?  Absolutely not.  But at least I was able to understand where they were coming from.  Will I ever condone the execution of combatants surrendering?  Most likely not.  Will I ever accept atheism and believe it?  Most likely not.  However, civil conversation with those who are involved in these things has allowed my love and understanding for them to grow, which is exactly what we all should be doing, I believe.

Blog 7-Turek

As Mormon artists, I feel like we have certain challenge.  Having been given the fully restored gospel, there is a truth that we as Mormons should understand that others may not.  To me, this means that we Mormon artists should absolutely always strive to have the Spirit with us.  However, I don't think this means that we have to sugarcoat everything with our art.  Why wouldn't we want to face the troubles we see in the world?  Everyone certainly has issues, and Mormon's are not exempt from this in any regard.  I think an issue that we find in Mormon art is that we often try to make things too "Sunday School" as Dean Duncan would say, where everything works out well, and there is never any conflict.  This is never the case in the real world.  The real world is a tough, dark place sometimes, and I honestly think we are doing a diservice to other if we never acknowledge that.  Does this mean that we glorify that bad things in the world?  Certainly not.  Rather, how can we, as Mormon artists, find a balance where we acknowledge darkness and evil without accepting it?  To me, it's simple.  If we plan on showing strife and wickedness in our art, we need to show how these problems can bring people to the light.  We can present them without glorifying them.  This is why I often find some R rated films more edifying than PG-13 films.  If we don't find war truly horrifying, are we more prone to dismiss the horrors of those in war?

In short, we as Mormon artists need to stop being so "butterflies and daisies" and take a step into the real world.  We can do this without accepting the wrongs of the real world, however, and I think this is something we Mormon artists have struggled with for a long time.  It's not impossible.

Mormon Artist-Chase Rice

What are your project's strengths and weaknesses as a podcast?
I really like the atmosphere of my podcast.  Anyone who knows Chase knows that this podcast describes him very well.  Chase takes his music very seriously, and he takes rock 'n roll very seriously.  He yearns to bring back the days of "real rock n' roll", as he calls it.  Chase is also slightly monotonous when speaking, which makes his singing even more powerful.  In that sense, I think this podcast capture the essence of Chase and his music making very well.  However, my podcast certainly isn't perfect.  One thing that I don't necessarily like is that I don't have much time of Chase singing without a voice over.  This was difficult for me.  I thought I would easily be stuck within the time limit set on the assignment, but as I made the podcast, I found it becoming far longer than I had anticipated.  I wish I would have been able to allow more time for the music to simply play, but I found so much of Chase's insight on music to be fascinating.  I couldn't figure out what I wanted to cut, so I left most of it.  In the end, I tried to find a balance, with music playing in the background at almost all times.

What did you learn about yourself as an artist while creating this project?
I found that I have many fascinations as an artist.  I generally used to believe that I only had an interest in cinematography when it came to art.  However, I'm beginning to find that I appreciated this project a bit. Despite not necessarily agreeing with Chase in every aspect, I appreciate his commitment to his art.  I'm beginning to find myself fascinated with music as an art form.  I've always loved music, but I haven't truly taken the time to pick up theory.  I think now might be the time.

What does it mean to you to be a Mormon artist?
To me, I think being a Mormon artist can go a long way.  I realize that many believe that being a Mormon artist means that all art you create needs to have some connection to religion or even our Church.  I don't necessarily agree with this view.  In fact, I don't even believe that all Mormon art needs to be happy.  I think the Spirit can speak to many in different senses, and sometimes I think tragedy can speak to many more than melodramatic cheese.  That isn't to say that Mormon artists should condone overtly sexual or gratuitously violent media, but I think it means that we shouldn't shrink away from some of the harsher realities of life.  I think the most important aspect of Mormon art is making sure that the Spirit is with you.  With the Spirit, you can create all sorts of art that can speak to a wide variety of peoples and cultures.  Sometimes, I think nonmembers need a reminder that we are not that different from them, and are not trying to belittle them in any sense.  I think the most important aspect of art as a Mormon is connecting to people in some emotional sense.

Blog 6-Turek

I found the Islamic art exhibit at the MOA to be fascinating.  Due to the climate of the world we live in today, I feel like Islam often gets a negative connotation.  However, the more research I do, the more I realize that Muslims aren't that different from us.  Despite some religious views and actions that may seem strange to some, Muslims are a very devoted people.  In the end, giving glory to God is paramount, much like us Mormons.  This was all very visible in their art, which all seemed to have some connection to God or religious teachings.  I found the phrase "God is beautiful, and God loves beauty" to be particular fascinating, especially since it tied back to their view of beauty.  It was interesting to note how Islamic art is far different than a lot of Christian art, especially LDS art.  LDS art is generally pretty reserved and not too ornate (temples granted).  This is the polar opposite of Islamic art, which focuses almost entirely on vibrant colors and ornate calligraphy and stenciling.
I did, however, find it interesting how we can see influence of Islamic art in the world around us quite often.  To me, this was most apparent in the rugs on display at the museum.  It seems like a lot of the modern rugs we use in our houses now days seem to be at least influenced by these Islamic rugs.  Also, with these rugs and other art, especially ceramics, it was apparent that geometry is very important to Muslim art.  It is obvious that math is a key part of the Middle East, since the numbering system we use today is based off theirs from ancient times.  This being the case, math is also apparent in Islam, and especially in their art.  Much like the beauty mentioned earlier, the math, especially geometry, found in Islamic art is another tribute to God.  The perfection of math is meant to reflect the perfection of God.
Overall, I enjoyed the exhibit far more than I had anticipated.  The art truly was beautiful, and it was fascinating to see pieces that were  made hundreds of years ago.  It was truly inspiring to me.  I also loved the Islamic view on art.  Any talent in art we have should be attributed to God rather than simply ourselves.  That is a beautiful way to view art.

Blog 5

I think an interesting audio story needs to paint a picture of sorts.  Since there is obviously no video to accompany audio story, I feel like the audio landscape of the audio stories need to help create one in the listeners mind.  In the podcasts we listened to in class, I found the most interesting to be those that created an atmosphere.  For example, those that had sound effects, such as cars honking for a cityscape or a slight breeze for nature.  I also found that the best podcasts had a very human element to them.  For me, I needed to hear interviews from people, real people, not some kind of staged, pre-written narration.  This helped me connect much better with the audio stories.  For me, stories that were strictly narration or ones that used music as a crutch seemed a bit tacky to me.

http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2011/nov/28/death-mask/

I really liked this podcast.  First of all, it was a very interesting story.  Like, who knew that this death mask became the mold for CPR dummies?!  It's just fascinating.  Not only that, the podcast was very well made.  I loved the playful banter between the DJs, because it gave the "human" aspect to the podcasts I mentioned.  It was also very interesting to hear the interview of the grandson of the man who had the death mask.  There were plenty of interviews and background sound effects that definitely immersed me in the podcast.  It definitely painted the visual landscape for me, as I mentioned.  I also think the creators' use of music in the film was very well implemented.  It didn't seem too over-the-top, it actually added to the experience.  It was also interesting to hear the DJs finish each others' sentences.  This podcast certainly kept my attention, and that is what I'd expect in a podcast.

300-Word Fiction

“The CPAP is your friend,” the note read.  The man had to remind himself that constantly.  Sure, the machine would keep him from suffocating in his sleep tonight, but that might have been what he wanted anyway.  He’d devoted 30 years of his life to the business, just to have it all cut off abruptly by some up-and-coming yuppie that was half his age.  It was degrading, demoralizing, and frankly offensive.  He was old enough to be his supervisor’s father, and the boy had the gall to fire a veteran?  The very thought disgusted the man.
            The man rolled over and stared at his ceiling fan.  It never stopped, spinning in the exact same circle unceasingly.  It would never move beyond its set bounds, though.  It’d never progress.

            The clock read 3:13 A.M, but it felt later than that.  If time flies when you’re having fun, then it must crawl when you’re depressed, he thought.  The silence of his empty house wasn’t helping.  The man at least thought he’d feel valued at work, since his wife had made it abundantly clear that he wasn’t at home.  This was the most apparent last year, when he came home to an empty house.  He had yet to hear from her.  His children were all off at college, or married with families of their own.  The very people he gave life to had now progressed past him.

            So what was left?  His whole life hadn’t been a waste.  There had been joy, success, and love beyond anything he could ever describe.  But it was always easier for him to focus on the negatives.  They certainly were common.  The man grabbed the CPAP and slipped it over his head.  It was his friend.  One of the few he had left.  He’d sleep well tonight.

30 Second Film Project- Seth Turek and Spencer Tasso.

Just follow the link...

http://vimeo.com/36457278

Photo Essay- Home

For my photo essay, I chose the topic of home.  However, I wanted to show how "home" has different meanings for different people.  For this reason, I chose to take pictures of multiple people and their dorm rooms to show how their dorms, or what they do in their dorms, affects their definition of home.  For this reason, I found much out about the people too.  While taking these photos, I found that Jared and Daniel (those in the fourth photo) were fascinated with a video on Youtube.  Chase (6th photo), however, was finding joy in playing piano.  Clark (9th photo) was riding his Razor scooter around the halls.  All of these activities were different and unique to each person, but they were all something that these people enjoyed at home.  The different personalities of these people are what made their "home".  These personalities also reflected the state of these people's dorm rooms.  For example, Chase is deeply involved in music, and this is reflected in his dorm which is decorated with dozens of posters of rock classics, such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
As for the location of the "home" photos, I chose my own dorm building.  I've heard many argue that the New Heritage buildings are gaudy and lifeless.  I've heard some compare it to living in a hotel.  I disagree with this sentiment.  I used many of my pictures to illustrate the "beauty of the ordinary", like we talked about in class.  The blank, sterile hallways were visually fascinating to me, as well as the signs found in the halls.  Even my filthy bedroom (3rd photo) has a kind of "college charm" to me.  This is my home now and I find it beautiful.  I also find that the people who inhabit this building is what gives it personality.  Jared, Daniel, Chase, and Clark also call this home.  Since they personalize their homes in their own way, we, collectively, are what make this dorm building "home". This is what makes living in the dorms great.

An Ode to Star Wars

The Dark Side.  What is the Dark Side?  Why can we all identify with it?  For as long as I can remember, Star Wars has been a part of my life.  I remember Hoth being the greatest battle I'd ever witnessed, as I prayed that the Rebels would be able to hold off those Imperial Walkers.  I remember giggling Boba Fett yelp as he plunged into the depths of the Sarlacc.  I remember cowering in fear as the Emperor tortured Luke.  Why do I remember these things?  Because Star Wars transcends any kind of time, class, or race barriers.  It's a story of archetypes, and thus there is some kind of primal connection we all feel with the characters.  Who didn't feel shock and sympathy for Luke when found out Vader was his father?  Who didn't feel triumph as the rebels destroyed the Death Star, saving the planet of Yavin IV from imminent destruction?  Who didn't feel sheer, giddy joy as the Ewoks picked apart the most structured military in the universe?
  Now, I know many would argue that the dated visuals, camp, and prequels have ruined the Star Wars franchise.  Not so.  It is true that the visuals of the original Star Wars have aged a bit over time, but that is part of the inherent charm.  Star Wars is a bit campy too, which is again part of the charm.  It is also true that the prequels lacked a certain feeling found in the original films, but since they complete the mythology, they can be so powerful.
  And Star Wars isn't just an action packed saga, there is a strong sense of moral commitment in the films as well, and it makes uncountable references to ancient legends and mythology.  One cannot help but feel chills as they see the undeniable connection between Emperor Palpatine and Adolph Hitler.
  Star Wars isn't a story.  It's a universe.  I know the names of dozens, if not hundreds, of characters, planets, creatures, weapons, races, and ships.  Star Wars is beautiful.  I love it.  I love it, love it, love it.  It is more than a film.

Why Digital Media Caters to the Ordinary...

  Digital media is the perfect medium for the ordinary.  Why is is this?  Because digital media is often created by the ordinary!  It no loner requires a film studio, a record label, or a publisher to have your work appreciated by millions.  Thanks to the internet, almost anything is possible in the modern world.  Websites like Youtube, Vimeo, and Blogger allow everyday stories to be made public to anyone with internet access.  Since this is the case, Gerald in Scotland can post pictures of his new car, while Melissa in Virginia can post a video of her baby singing, and Christina in Ecuador can comment and share both.  Since such networking is so easy, thanks to the internet, the ordinary is beginning to be glorified in our society.  There are dozens, if not hundreds who have become famous from their home works.
  One such medium that has exploded recently is vlogs or video logs.  Olan Rogers was just an average guy from Memphis, who loved to make funny videos with his friends, Joshua Pursley and Thomas Gore.  They called themselves Balloonshop, and they excelled in absurdist humor Youtube skits.  After the group went their separate ways, all of them decided to work on their own individual videos.  Olan Rogers' career in particular has taken off.  Thanks to Youtube and Facebook, Rogers is a now a renown comedian, actor, and director.  He started most simply with vlogs where he explained his views on certain things in the world.  However, since then Rogers has gathered a massive following, reaching the 5,000 friend cap on Facebook and over 24,000 followers.  He has directed epic series, such as New Prime, which have hundreds of thousands of views.  He even has his own clothing line.  Rogers is also currently on a comedy tour across the United States.  This all started because Rogers decided to make some ordinary videos with his friends.  The ordinary is what Youtube thrives on.

You can check his website here...
http://www.olanrogers.com/olan/

The Internet is for Activism

This last week has seen an explosion in digital storytelling being used as a mode for activism.  SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is a congressional bill that intends on ending piracy on the internet by censoring much of the internet and tightening copyright restrictions on almost all major websites.  SOPA has been considered unconstitutional infringements of rights for many across the country, and they are getting their voices heard.  Since the internet is the subject of SOPA, it has also become the medium of communication against SOPA.  Websites and major companies such as Google, Youtube, Bungie, RapGenius, Mozilla and Wikipedia have all made public, internet statements speaking out against SOPA.  Wikipedia even went as far as to blackout their entire website out today, except their page on SOPA, stating:
"For over a decade, we have spent millions of hours building the largest encyclopedia in human history. Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could fatally damage the free and open Internet. For 24 hours, to raise awareness, we are blacking out Wikipedia."

It is obvious that the role of artists is essential in the world today, especially on the internet.  Almost the entire internet community is in an uproar over SOPA, and is expressing it.  Since the internet (for the time being) is liberally and readily accessible by almost the entire globe, it is the perfect stage to protest SOPA.  Major sites are making this known, and encouraging their users to write their representatives to protest SOPA.
Fingers crossed, it won't pass.

Lupe Fiasco- Words I Never Said

I've been a really big fan of Lupe Fiasco from the moment I heard him, which was about two and a half years ago.  Unlike many rappers on the scene today, Lupe is more concerned with social issues than making money and using women.  This being the case, I've kept up with his music for years now.  I'll be the first to admit that his latest album is not his best or most impressive work, but this song (and its accompanying video) is a standout.
At first glance, one thing is very obvious about this music video; Lupe Fiasco is very mad at the state of the world right now.  While I certainly don't agree with all the arguments Lupe makes in this song, this song is very relevant in the world right now.  I'll be the first to admit that we live in a conflicted, confusing world.  There is currently a global economic recession, wars are being waged across the world, media is beginning to become inescapable, and subjects such as SOPA begin to question whether or not our First Amendment rights are still being protected.  These are all issues Lupe faces in this video.
This song also works very well as an internet music video, because it is so indicative of the world we live in.  The handheld camerawork hearkens to Youtube videos, where any average citizen could capture footage of the events in the video, such as Lupe being apprehended. The same freedom found in posting these videos is the one being taken away from the citizens in the video.  Despite being so modern, this video is still certainly influenced by past forms of story telling.  The plot of the video is very similar to dystopian literature such as George Orwell's 1984, or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Yet, by updating the same dystopian concept through a music video medium, the message of this song/video is current, relevant, and almost disturbing.
Overall, that is Lupe Fiasco's goal with this music video.  Viewers are supposed to be disturbed by what they see. If we aren't disturbed by the condition of the world today, what does that mean for our future? The fact that our 1st Amendment seems to be endangered, the fact that the world is at war, the fact that we are addicting to money, and media, and medication... All of this is very concerning to Lupe Fiasco, so he makes this song and video to convey his message.  Successfully so, I'd say.