*Continuity Project*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDcvHxYZSUg

*Sound-Image Blog*

The scene I chose to analyze is the opening scene of the movie Troy. I really like this movie, and always remember this scene in particular. The scene begins with a long shot of Achilles (Brad Pitt) riding in on his horse, through the Greek soldiers. It is daytime so there is good lighting, but the armor of the soldiers contrasts that by being very dark. Every soldier is raising their spears up and down as Achilles passes them, and I never noticed this before but the sound we hear is of the spears hitting their shields, but if you look closer, they aren't doing that. But then again, it could just be meant to sound like the top of the spears hitting each other . There is a cut to a medium close up of Achilles' face, and then a quick cut to the gigantic soldier he is about to fight. The relationship of the King and Achilles becomes known in the next shot of the king scolding him for being late. Achilles turns around as if he's leaving and the camera cuts to a shot of the old man trying to persuade Achilles to fight. The camera is facing Achilles' profile as he is facing his Greek soldiers straight on. This is an important shot because he is looking his soldiers in the eyes and decides he will fight for them, which shows the type of soldier he truly is, which we don't get to see until a little later on in the film. He pulls out his spear and sticks it in the ground. As he walks towards the soldier he is going to fight, we hear the sound of his sharp sword as he pulls it out. There is silence between the two armies, until the huge soldier turns around towards his soldiers and starts yelling to get them hyped up. They all start yelling, which sounds more like a roar. The next shot is a moving one of Achilles beginning to jog towards his opponent. The camera keeps cutting back and forth between the bodies of Achilles and the enormous soldier. The camera is behind the soldier as he throws the spear towards Achilles, and then cuts to behind Achilles as the spear hits through his shield. In my opinion, the best part of the entire movie comes in the next few shots. Achilles gains speed, and just as he is getting to the soldier, time slows down and we watch the man pulling out his sword, but not in time. Achilles jumps in the air and stabs him between the neck and shoulder. I think what makes this shot so appealing is the combination/relationship of image and sound. The slow motion of Achilles jumping, and the sound of the sharp knife piercing through the soldiers skin work really well together and make a bigger effect on the action itself. The cutting in this scene are obvious, but they aren't balky. I think they flow pretty smoothly. The feel of this movie is intense and action-packed with all of it's fighting scenes, and I think the director, Wolfgang Petersen, did a great job in setting up the way the rest of the movie will be just in this opening scene. Here's a link to this opening scene! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ8S8_O0OYM

*Museum of the Moving Image*

The Museum of the Moving Image is a great place for a film/media student to learn more about the craft and field they are most interested in. I would recommend people go to this museum even if they're not studying film or media studies because there is so much intriguing information about all aspects of film and television, and so much attention to detail that it was overall, a really enjoyable experience. The first area that I walked through was the costume design, life masks and molds, and of course the Breaking Bad exhibit. The life masks were really cool to look at because they're actual molds of the actors' faces made of "Plaster of Paris", and the one that really caught my eye was the life mask of the famous Al Pacino in The Godfather: Part III (1990). The section closest to this was Breaking Bad, which was one of the greatest shows on television and unfortunately concluded this September. The Costume Design section was incredible. It had many different costumes and parts of a wardrobe from various movies and shows. Costume Design didn't become an important component of Hollywood until the film industry expanded in the 1930's. Before then, silent-film stars themselves picked what they wore on set. In this section they showed the boxing gloves that Robert DeNiro wore as he trained for his part in the Raging Bull (1980). I'm a huge boxing fan and Raging Bull is a classic, so seeing that in the museum was nice. Of all the parts of the museum, the one that interests me the most is the "Editing Live Television" section. I've always been extremely interested in television shows, and especially "Live" television shows. These shows are recorded in real time and are edited as the action is happening. I kind of already had an idea of what it takes to run a live show, but being able to actually see it happen was great. The director directs his crew as he views every camera shot on a screen, and chooses what shot will be shown on T.V next. Baseball is a big part of my family, so being able to watch Bill Webb, the director, instructing and "calling the shots" to a NY Mets game was awesome.

*Audio Project - Interview*

I interviewed Seika Paradeis about her love for Dance. Its a bit long, but I didn't want to cut out too much because I thought everything that she said and expressed about dance was really important, and obviously a large part of her life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ7eX3Wxmuw

*Sound Walk*

Walking through the streets of New York City, there is never a dull moment, nor are there dull sounds. Walking to my favorite coffee shop around Hunter College, no headphones, no texting or phone calls, there are numerous sounds being heard and brought to my attention that normally go unnoticed. Most of the sounds I heard on my walk were very loud and chaotic, happening at the same time, and for someone who isn't from NY, this can definitely be overwhelming, but I'm accustomed to it. Walking over the metal grates I hear my feet collide with the metal, making a "clinking" sound. The sound of the train passing below is happening at the same time I walk over it. While I'm hearing that, there is a car honking at a yellow cab for cutting him off. Walking passed the food trucks, I can hear the sizzling of the meat being cooked while the owner asks his customer what he wants to order. I slowed down to listen to students laughing at something. Apparently something funny happened in their last class. There are heels of all different types of shoes against the cement, trucks accelerating making loud noises as they pass. Getting to a calmer street, I hear the sound of a dogs leash being pulled on by its owner. Later on I hear an ambulance rushing down Lexington with the siren on. A helicopter passing by, a chip bag that a student is sticking his hand into as he passes me, and even a bird chirping, which is a little unexpected because I've never really listened good enough to hear a bird in a tree. The texture of sound on most of the NYC streets, in my opinion, can be described as extremely coarse. There is a lot going on and I actually found it a bit difficult to focus on just one sound because there are 10 other sounds happening all around.

*Underground vs. The Street*

While recording this video, I wanted to compare the constant movement that goes on underground in the subway (people rushing, trains passing, etc.) to the movement going on up above it on the street (people walking, cars driving). Here is my video!

*Artistic Statement*

      Writing this artistic statement is difficult because there isn't just one way to define art.  Art can be described and expressed in so many different ways.  When I try to think of one form of art that has my complete and devoted attention, I simply can't, but if I had to cut it down to a few, it would be food, dance, and fashion.  These three forms of art have been a part of my life since before I can remember.  Each has a special place in my heart, and each has a different way of expression. 
       Food is one of my main passions.  I am a food junkie, and watch the Food Network religiously.  One of my main aspirations in life is to work for the Food Network.  I'm not exactly sure what position I'd liked to work in as of yet, but I know that food is my first passion, and one day I'll get there.  When I was younger, I never understood food as an art, but now I've realized that through food, you're expressing your emotions.  When you cook for your family and friends, it's all about the love you have for them, wanting to satisfy them, and make them feel at home.  Food, for me, is an art.  Whether you are a chef, photographer, etc., food can be defined and expressed in a beautiful and creative way.  I'm hoping to advance technically in my studies.  I'm here to learn and grow, and that's exactly what I hope to do in this class.