Week Ten: Reading the Multimodal Narrative

David Mazzuchelli's graphic novel "Asterios Polyp" is about an old architect starting a new life while finding his true self in the process. Interestingly enough, the novel is narrated by Asterios's dead twin brother, Ignazio. It also frequently goes back into exposition showing what really happened to Asterios before he decided to start a new life.

Mazzuchelli's voice is vibrant in this graphic novel, and if it weren't for this medium, I don't think it would have worked this well. He's able to switch perspectives very smoothly while using abstract imagery to explain his, or his caricatured perception of life through the eyes of both Ignazio and Asterios. So much theory and philosophy is dealt with between storylines that it feel neatly sown between them and it clearly relates to what Asterios is going through: his isolation and detachment to the world, his ability to be wrong and his blunt attitude.

This image was one of my favorites. Since it happened within the first few pages, I was able to understand what the source of his issues are. Twins need each other whether they like it or not. Its just in their blood (I don't have one so I'm not claiming I get it first hand, but my girlfriend does).

It's easy to tell that David Mazzuchelli has dealt with these themes portrayed in "Asterios Polyp". Maybe he's lost a twin brother or maybe he's just a loner. Maybe he's had to fight his pride in being right so he doesn't chase loved ones away with his attitude. While these questions are hypotheticals, the conflicts displayed connects to the writer in some way.

The last thing I'd like to comment on is the thematic use of color palette. Earlier in this scene, Ignazio was commenting on how reality is an extension of yourself and how everyone's reality is different. Then the narrative shows Asterios meeting a woman who would end up being his wife. This moment is so beautiful because it captures two perceptions of reality coming together, testing out each other's waters.

Week Eleven: Long Form Television

For this blog post, I decided to binge watch BoJack Horseman. This is a story about a washed up celebrity who's trying to get his horse foot back into the spotlight.

Regarding media effects, there has been an enormous change in the themes that the twenty-first century television brings, and that's anti-heroes. Anti-heroes are protagonists that aren't the kindest, only interested in themselves and have sociopathic tendencies. BoJack Horseman easily fits this role. Though these characters seem super unlikable from the outside, audience members normally sympathize and even identify with anti-heroes because of one or two universal and positive qualities. In BoJack's case, he's insecure and wants everyone to like him again. Who doesn't want to be loved? Who isn't self-conscious about something? While the episodic goals usually put him in a bad light, the series goal is to show that BoJack Horseman isn't such a bad guy in the inside.

It's intriguing to think why anti-heroes are all the rage in long-form television these days. Here are some similar shows with characters like these: The Office, Sherlock, Rick and Morty, House of Cards, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and more.

Here's my theory on this subject. The majority of the millennial generation were taught that we're special and we can do anything we set our minds to. So we go to college, get a degree in whatever we choose to do and expect to make an impact. We expect so much of ourselves and don't get the results that match. Therefore, generally, we're insecure that we didn't end up as great as our parents said. Maybe we're depressed and disappointed, so if we see character's that are washed up like BoJack, we don't have to feel so alone in our failures.

Week Fourteen: Mcluhan and Media Future

For years now, I've been watching social media applications like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat grow. Something intangible and unreal is now a large part of my life, and most likely yours as well.

It's interesting to look at a person's Facebook and then look at them in real life. Are they the same person? Most likely not. They are two separate identities. A lot of things come into play when generating a Facebook post or deciding if you want to put up a risky pic of you and your friends partying: who's going to see it? Will I get a lot of likes and impress my friends? Should I angle the camera like so to hide the gross pimple I got two days ago? In real life, you get what you see. But on social media, you get what that person WANTS you to see. A clear effect of this type of thing is getting "catfished" where someone pretends to be someone they're not.

Social media apps became an outlet where people can talk, share, bitch, debate and flirt with other people. What's the effect of this? Poor human-to-human skills is the elephant in the room. Let's say Tony is breaking up with Becky, but Tony doesn't want to deal with seeing her cry. So Tony dumps her on Instant Message. Not only did Tony not experience the human-to-human emotion of breaking someone's heart, Tony now learned that he can do something without all the consequences. The next day, Tony goes to school and is approached by Becky's older brother who wants to fight him after school for breaking his sister's heart insincerely. Instead, Tony goes home and tweets about how lame Becky's brother is. Now the entire school is mad at him and thinks he's a coward, which he is. Don't be like Tony.

What I'm trying to say is that social media can be a short cut to doing actual social things with actual people. This can effect someone's future in many ways. Some can be work ethic by always being on Facebook, personability's so poor that you don't ever get passed an interview, and many more.

I don't think there should be a law against the amount of time we use social media, because that's dictator-like and scary, but maybe we can put our phones away for a Saturday and just relax with friends and family to make sure we continue to hone our ACTUAL social skills.

Week Thirteen: Curate Yourself

I was looking at the course blog to further understand what dynamics my curation should be. A quote that made me decide was this: "These courses strive to help the student become more attuned to issues of ethical and moral responsibility." More specifically, moral responsibility is what got me thinking.

A Japanese anime called "Naruto" was released over ten years ago. As a child, I thought the ninja fights was the coolest aspect, but when I looked back at the narrative in my late high school years and now, I became entranced by the hidden meanings behind the story and the grander lessons the writer is trying to teach his audience.

We follow a young ninja named Naruto who is practically shunned from the village. He has an evil beast within him which scares the everyone community. Twelve years ago, the beast ravages the village and killed scores. It was Naruto's father, the hokage (leader) who sacrificed himself to seal the kyuubi within Naruto.

Despite the constant hatred and isolation he dealt with, he continued to train and became so strong that he is able to protect them and gain their respect. Even before the two times he saves the village, people began to flock around him because of his positive personality and outlook on how every ninja should be. Later, he becomes what he set out to be, the hokage.

I chose to curate this work over others because of the moral responsibility Naruto had for his community. He endured sadness, neglect, ridicule and humiliation to make sure this type of ignorance never happens again.

There is a huge story arch following a rival Naruto met and learned to love. His name's Sasuke of the Uchiha clan. While he was a child, Sasuke's brother killed off every single clan member for the greater good, for this clan was planning to take over the village. Because of these events, Sasuke was just like Naruto, alone. But he only endured so much and went down a path towards evil. Naruto never gave up on Sasuke, though. Their paths were to close for Naruto not to empathize with him, and by tyhe end of the plot, Naruto brings him back. Sasuke resembles what Naruto could have been if he didn't have the moral drive to stay positive.

In reality, I believe in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is my moral ethical responsibility as an artist and I see nothing but inspiration in this piece.

Response to Lea Carpenter's Article

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?
To be honest, I'm generally confused with the text and how it relates to the Bob Dylan song. Yes, they mention that the thief is a big Bob Dylan fan, but how does this story and Dylan's song "Subterranean Homesick Blues"? I feel clueless. (I also didn't have enough time to finish reading the text).

2. What connections did you make with the story?
Not much. As stated above, the thief was an avid Bob Dylan fan.

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story?
I'm not sure. Maybe make the context more clear? If I had time I would read it again to get a stronger grasp on what's actually happening in the narrative. I would then write a screenplay.

For me, this assignment would be better if I had two hours to read and respond. Sorry.

Week 12: Games as a Medium

Video games are an art form that entraps millions into a cyber-reality that reflects the human mind and challenges it's decisions. Even games as simple as Tetris recreate our identity as strategists and competitors.

Today I will be discussing Arkane Studios' role playing game called Dishonored. This action-packed strategy game follows the royal protector in a gothic, British-esque empire called Gristol. The main character, Corvo, is framed for murdering his empress and secret lover as well as holding the princess hostage. The story follows Corvo rescuing his daughter and killing the conspirators who set him up in order to gain complete power of the state.

Dishonored's storyline is rich in universal qualities of storytelling: love, loss, revenge, and questioning the gray area between good and evil. As Corvo Attano, a player has choices just like in reality. One can choose to be an unforgiving killer, or a merciful rebel who knocks out the opposition, which could end up in gaining their support. Most low-level AIs in this game are unaware of Corvo's innocence, but based on statistics, most players kill them off anyway.

In conclusion, any video game like Dishonored resembles a reimagined reality that either us humans lived in, could have lived in or could be living in (of course in a dramatized fashion). What would we do in a situation such as Corvo's? Would we bloody our path to satisfy revenge? Or would we take the time to sneak our way around the opposition to respect our deceased Empress who only desired peace?

Games are like a history lesson for future generations. It explains the creator's perspective of reality during whenever the storyline was made. Just like novels, but more interactive.

Voice and the Auteur Theory - Wes Anderson

Today I will be discussing the similarities between three of Wes Anderson's films: Bottle Rocket, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Anderson has a strong voice that passes through each of his narratives. The most apparent theme between these films is the desire to escape the ordinary world. In Moonrise Kingdom, main characters Sam and Suzy desire to, quite literally, leave everything behind them and start anew in the wilderness. In The Grand Budapest Hotel, young Mr. Moustafa willingly drops his life to live and breathe The Budapest Hotel as a simple Lobby Boy. Lastly in Bottle Rocket, Anthony and Dignan decide to steal from Anthony's parents and create new lives for themselves as criminals.

Another couple themes seems to stand out as well. The "Buddy Story" as well as the "coming-of-age" genre. Sam and Suzy are clearly a duet from the beginning, slowly falling in love and finding crafty ways to stay together. On a lesser level, the Lobby Boy and his mentor Mr. Gustave befriend each other quickly. They even end up stealing a priceless painting within the first couple days. We follow them for most of the film in a flashback. Lastly, Anthony and Dignan are childhood friends and both has similar social issues, but they learn and build from each other. Regarding "coming-of-age", all these stories exhibit a young protagonist running through trial and tribulation, becoming more mature by the end of the piece.

Here are some more minor similarities that may not be comparable to all three films. Anderson LOVES actor Edward Norton. He plays the scoutmaster in Moonrise Kingdom and a Sargent in The Grand Budapest Hotel. To add, Anderson seems to love color, reds and yellows in particular. It's clear that production design is very important to him. Lastly, Anderson's directing scheme seems quite theatrical with characters making big and bold movements, complimented with camera movement.