MEDP Assignment #3

MEDP160: Final Project: DAZE from Smith Chongvanich on Vimeo.

Blog #4 MoMi

            The Museum of the Moving Image carefully dissects the complex process of media production for the general audience. I found the field trip to be very intriguing as the museum highlights the development process of media throughout history. The museum also acknowledges all aspects of media, from set design to the camera technology. One of my favorite demos from the Museum of the Moving Image was the audio placement demo where participants chose certain audio tracks to be integrated into a specific scene. I found it to be very enjoyable as participants got to see how music influenced a specific scene; a track can have drastic effects on a scene. I have always found that a vital aspect of a successful movie is a memorable soundtrack. A soundtrack may enhance emotions that actors cannot; it provides a very personal sense of connection between the medium and the audience.

            One surprising aspect I learned from my visit to the Museum of the Moving Image was how the audience did not always embrace modernity. In the gaming exhibit, two Atari arcade systems were displayed side by side. However, the futuristic system was not only older, but it was also unsuccessful. Atari resorted to something more familiar in order to grasp the audience.  I found this to be very surprising as this concept is very different from modern day media where people embrace modernity more willingly.

            Although moving image technology has evolved drastically, I feel that the essential aspect of conveyance through moving images has been retained. The advanced techniques, however, have improved the way people experience them. From color, to 3D animation, moving images have taken many forms in order to reach a wider range of audiences and ultimately convey messages and emotions that artists were unable to in the past.

Blog #3 UP Montage Analysis

Pixar’s UP opening montage is a prime display for the collision of images. The manipulation of multiple shots displayed the story of Carl and Ellie and evoked; although the montage did not utilize any dialogue, it successfully evoked multiple emotions and captured the lives of two individual in a short period of time. The montage starts by zooming out on Carl in a tuxedo; the zoom reveals Ellie to be the wife of Carl. The marriage celebration then cuts to the newly wed building their new home. Carl and Ellie and then shown having a picnic date, viewing clouds, at a park. The montage cuts to their occupation at a Zoo where Ellie handles the animals while Carl sells balloons. The primary goal of these shots ultimately shows the interaction between Carl and Ellie as a couple. The montage cuts to another date at the park. However, the clouds transform to little babies, indicating a transition within the relationship between Carl and Ellie. A shot for “preparations” is shown through the painting of a child’s room. However, the lively music dwindles to a slow, sorrowful melody as Ellie is diagnosed with infertility in the following shot in a doctor’s office. Carl revives Ellie’s livelihood is displayed in a shot where Ellie paints Paradise Falls as they begin to fund their vacation through a jar of change. However, a series of unfortunate events are sequenced together where they are forced to use the money within the jar. A mixture of shots showing Ellie fixing Carl’s tie illustrates the passage of time that occurs within their marriage. The aging Carl then attempts to surprise Ellie with tickets to Paradise Falls during a date. However, Ellie collapses and the shot pans right, fading into Ellie in a hospital bed. The music, once again, shifts to a sad melody, as Carl is shown at the funeral, sitting alone. As he faces the casket, it fades into his home as he enters alone. Although many settings of the different shots were recycled, the settings were cut into a way that allowed for the progression of the story. The music successfully reflected the shots that were displayed and evoked many different emotions throughout the duration of the montage. Each different shots showed a different time period within the marriage of Carl and Ellie.

  Although the collision of images allowed for the rapid passage of time to be shown, the themes and settings of the shot also showed fluidity of the story. The church, Carl and Ellie’s house, the park, the zoo, and the hospital bed were repeatedly used in different ways, emotionally and physically; the displayed the dynamic effects of the music and period in time in comparison to the shot displayed. While the montage utilized aspects of the collision of images, it also utilized aspects of the continuity of images in a thematic way; combining two different two aspect into one montage.

LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G371JiLJ7A

MEDP Assignment #2: Audio Profile

Blog #2: Soundwalk

     One of the most redeeming qualities of any great films is, without a doubt, a memorable soundtrack. When I think of The Lion King, I think of Elton John’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.” When I think of Star Wars, I think of John Williams’ “Imperial March.” And when I think of Titanic, I think of James Horner’s “Love Theme.” These musical scores enhance personal emotions evoked by the film and engrave scenes into the memories of every viewer.  However, through earphones and headsets, we often confuse film scores with our life’s own soundtrack.


     I chose a very personal and familiar setting for my “soundwalk.” It was my first playground- the street across my apartment on 80th St, Elmhurst Avenue. It was a playground that I had long forgotten, despite its close proximity. The streets were quiet and dark; it was 9:00PM on a Friday night. Although it was the first day of spring, it was snowing. The playground suddenly became unfamiliar.


     There were no cars passing by the block. The wind gently brushed against the branches of the naked trees. Off the distance were screeching sounds of sirens; the snow did not dwindle the sounds of the of ambulances and police cars. It hinted at a sense of unconditional urgency, no matter what weather or time it was. And then there were no sirens. There were no footsteps. There were no voices. There were no subway engines.  There was no sense of rush. “Even the concrete jungle was capable of peace and quiet,” I thought. An inkling of life slowing down its pace. It was a reassuring sound.

MEDP Assignment #1: Defining A Space

MEDP160: Defining A Space from Smith Chongvanich on Vimeo.

Blog #1: Artist Statement

To give life to pencil marks, whether it be words or sketches, bounded to paper is, perhaps, the greatest gift of animation.

An animation embodies the values and perspectives of the animator. I believe that these are the qualities that truly bring life to animations. 

It is the years of craftsmanship that allows for the audiences to admire Jerry's cunning wits or to sympathize with Tom's persistent demeanor.

However, it is the hearts of the animators that makes the audiences fall in love with Jerry's deviousness and Tom's resilience.

Yet it is the dreams of these animators that allowed for the creation of Tom and Jerry.

While technology has revolutionized the animations industry, Tom and Jerry, at its very foundations, was a simple and silent slapstick comedy animation. However, its animators were capable of bringing a great deal of character to Tom and Jerry through expressions, actions, and movements. These attributes constantly drew my family into the living room one by one for each episode.

Although the story-line remains essentially the same throughout its entirety, Tom and Jerry shows that storytelling goes beyond a plot.

Animation, in its own right, is a powerful form of storytelling. I find that one of the most intriguing characteristics of animations is its ability to bridge between the viewers and the makers, stopping people for as little as two minutes so that they may listen to what the animators have to say and connecting the audiences with one another.

It is a way to share your own story while learning the stories of others. By evoking the perspectives and emotions of your own works, characters and stories, animation, as simple as it may be, is a way for people to learn about others as well as themselves. 

-Smith