Lico's Words

10 revalations

2010-04-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

1. My first revelation would be the knowledge I have gained about new forms of media such as the internet. To quote"Writing for Television, Radio and New Media" pg 11, the Internet audience is very different from other forms of media. This medium consists of single individuals exchanging information on a one on one environment, even though millions of individuals can be logged on to any particular same site at the same time.

Image curiosity of techland.com

As many others, I am an avid user of a computer. Whether I'm mindlessly googling things or checking the core group of websites in my mental catalogue, I seem to find myself enthralled within hours of mindless activity in front of a monitor. It's not hard to figure out why big corporations are reaching out to audiences through the internet. With promotion and interactive games that these companies create, they are able to promote whatever product they're trying to sell in a manner that's almost subliminal.

During commercial breaks in Comedy Central's new TV show "Ugly Americans", there are commercials for an interactive online game in which player navigate through New York city as the shows main protagonist. Through this game the viewer can learn more about the characters within the show while playing a fun and interactive game.

2. My second revelation was the fact that our brain can be divided into three different sections; the neocortex, limbic and reptilian when we come into contact with an advertisement. All these parts of the brain are stimulated when individuals such as ourselves come into contact with anything.

In the neocortex is part of the outermost part of the brain. The neocortex conceives its most rational thoughts such as decision making. This part takes the product being sold into one's own consideration.

Image curiosity of pictures.funnyjunksite.com/.../ brain-drain/

The limbic brain is where feelings of emotion take place. Also, music and images are taken in through this part of the brain. When a whimsical catchy tune comes on and a shiny product is displayed before our eyes are limbic brain seems to go crazy!

Now the reptilian section of the brain is the oldest part. This is where "basic instincts" come from; eating, mating, sex and fighting. If you have ever heard the term, "sex sells" then one must know that their reptilian brain is being stimulated in the whole advertising scheme.

3. This semester I was able to see the advantages of social networking beyond the book. I use facebook and I find myself going on this site more than I really need to, but there is more to facebook then keeping in touch with old friends.

The past Summer I played in a local Connecticut band known as Freddy & The Yetis and we want to take it seriously for the upcoming months! After taking this class I realized that my band can use these forms of social networking to promote ourselves in a professional and artistic manner. While creating a myspace page, facebook fan page, twitter account and youtube account we can give fans and on-lookers a look and insight to our band. It worked for Dane Cook, why shouldn't it work for me? Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/freddytheyetis

4. After watching "The Persuaders", I felt like I have been violated. These major companies are so concerned with advertising a product, that I feel as though whenever I look anywhere I can't escape the clutches of some cleverly placed add. With changes in trends of society and technology big companies need to find a new way to reach the consumers. I don't know if anyone has seen the promotion for "Iron Man 2", but their are several big companies working with the studio to promote the movie and their product.

5. In chapter 7, "Interview and Talk Programs", there is a great deal of information regarding preparation for interviews. Television and radio are typically constructed with an outline, questions and answers are prepared but the exact words are usually improvised. Now, throughout my home life I've always sat down with my dad on Sundays and watched "60 Minnutes". The journalists always seem to completly fluent, knowing a way to tap into the interviewee's inner most thouughts. I guess I always thought that everything was completly improv but in reality the questions are carefully selected and gone over by both parties prior to the engagement. And while some interviewee's have their priorities sorted out before the interview others don't. I found that very apparent in this video:

6. People always tell me to write about what I know, and what I know is music. I like to account the time when I've been on the road with friends traveling to far away venues to see bands and other music festivities. So I've always been in the process of gaining these stories about the sort of shenanigans that occur and whatever misadventures we might have. The plan is to write a screen play about it when all the thoughts are pooled together. With the thoughts outlined I plan on making a script. Chapter 3 of "Writing for Television, Radio & New Media" talks about developing a detailed sheet or a rundown, then the script would be drafted. And to personalize my script in order to reach out to the audience of the sub-group of people who surround the music scene.

Image of curiosity marqueemag.com/2009/05/

7. When it comes to censorship within television and other media programs there seems to be this overwhelming acknowledgement of the presence of the FCC. In "Writing for Television, Radio & New Media" chapter 5, it states that the Communications Act of 1934 prohibits the FCC from censoring programs but another statement within the act gives the FCC authority to take action against anything they deem as indecent. This is something that I have to keep into consideration when I am on the radio at "Big Heavy World". One time when I was present at the office a song came into their routine where the artist dropped a few F-bombs and one of my co-workers quickly got on the air issuing a statement saying that the artists words were not consistent with the views of our station..etc. Due to the fact that we are an independent radio station we don't get a lot of pressure from the FCC but we must keep public deacencey into consideration to avoid any confronation.

8. Now my family has always watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every Thanksgiving. It lasts around three hours then we all go out run whatever tasks are left before we go to attend dinner. I truly did take for granted the amount of effort put into the production of the parade as well as other major events, it wasn't until I read chapter six when they showed the rundown did I really know how it was produced. The book gives a timing rundown of the event which lasts from 9 am to 11:59 then lists they layout of a series of shots, graphics, commercials and a chronological series of the floats. Everything must be completly fluent allowing commercials to come at ease with the consistency of the floats. I have a greater appreciation for this holiday event and others more than ever now because an event of such magnitude requires great planning on many peoples behalf.

Image curiosity of www.wittywriter7.com/ blog/index.blog?start=12...

9. "Writing for Television, Radio & New Media" describes documentaries was one of the most highly regarded forms of television and radio art. Chapter 6 states that the documentary is able to contribute to public understanding be dissecting the events of the past, look at the present in an analytical manner, or anticipate the future. Being asked to do a documentary about anything would be an honor for me. I'd love to put the time and effort into making something that would inform people about an event or individual. Documentaries are able to stimulate the mind by giving factual information with pristine visuals. I've always wanted to make a documentary and this Summer I plan on bringing my camera with me to document my time on the road.

Image courtesy of imageprocessing.wordpress.com

10. As I sit here at my laptop wondering what to post as my last media revelation I can't help but look at all the things in my room that are side tracking me at the moment. Empty soda cans, chapstick, medicine and other mundane things. All of them are a product of some big corporation and I wonder why I chose these specific brands over others. I don't know if it was a matter of connivence or a matter of brand loyalty. I'd like to think that I'm not another one of the sheep that are swayed and pushed around by marketing ploys but then again I did use AXE body spray in middle school because I thought it would make women physically fight over me...... The fact of the matter is companies are finding new ways in our changing society to reach audiences with a product. The film, "The Persuaders" goes in depth about all the media trends in our current generation, with new forms of media there are new levels of reaching an audience. We have new forms of social networks like facebook where we can see adds on the side of our profiles. On informational site such as IMDB we get pop up promotions. There's no escape from it! Even in the movie "Castaway" we see Fedex and the sports brand Wilson. Wilson!!! What I'm trying to address as my revealation is the effort that companies put into presenting a product. I feel like major companies like Coca-Cola and Mcdonald's don't even have to do any advertising anymore, yet they continue to do so.

Image courtesy of imageprocessing.wordpress.com

"Writing for Television, Radio, and New Media" 9th edition, by Robert L. Hillard

Thomson Higher Education

25, Thomson Place

Boston, MA 02210-1202

USA

Media Meditations2, #3: Acting for the first Time

2010-04-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

Now I've always been a person who lacks co-ordination and direction, how I ended up as the main character in Geoff Klane’s student film I have no idea. I don’t know if it was a sort of process of elimination situation or the drawing of a straw but it still, he choose me. I would have been perfectly satisfied if I was holding a boom mic or a light the whole time but I guess it was time for me to step in front of a camera.

Knowing my lines wasn’t even the hardest part. Knowing how to become this character “Pat” was easily the most difficult; I had to move like this slacker film student, I had to be as unbearable and lethargic as possible like this slacker film student I was playing. All in all I had to be a complete slob with no regard for anyone but myself. Having spent time around people like this it didn’t take long to settle in and really become this character.

As I’m writing this meditation I can’t help but find myself in a mental daze from all the work I’ve put into this film all weekend. On top of all the acting, I’ve been running around with my head chopped off trying to complete the stack of work I have due in the upcoming weeks. It’s been hard trying to do all my stuff while trying to give Geoff the effort of exact performance of this character. I give a lot of these filmmakers credit for their work because in no way is any of it easy. A simple five-minute scene took us over an hour to shoot. All the production had to be perfect; lighting and sound were crucial to any dialogue that was muttered between the characters. Some scenes we had to do over with different camera angles in order to show the emotion and mannerisms that the actors were given. It’s not a good feeling to see the director with his hand in his face to your own poor performance.

Now Geoff is a friend of mine who I met playing guitar at the grind and being at the weekly digital film making screenings but when it came to working on this film, he was the boss. I want to give him exactly what he sees this movie to be in his head…. And that’s hard to do. Given the fact that this is my first time acting it’s hard to find this emotional transfer to put into the character. I try to be a studious person who has a good sense of morals but I’m playing my evil twin. Geoff told me to try and stay in character this whole week until we’re done with all my scenes and I can’t be a prick for a week!

By next weekend the whole film should be finished and then it will go into post-production. This will require hours in front of monitors on Geoff’s behalf while he edits this film on Final Cut Pro. We filmed the whole movie on a Panasonic HVX using a three point lighting system with a different set of colored filters. Now the interesting thing about the three point light filters is that the color filters act as a means of expression within the mood of the set scene. We only used the colors blue, red and orange but what I could gather from the scene that we shot using these colors was that they really helped set any kind of mood or feelings that the specific scene explored. I haven’t seen a whole lot of the scene because Geoff believes that if I see myself on camera it will make me change my performance. I completely understand that due to the fact that I’ve never acted before and I would want to change any kind of attitude I’ve been portraying throughout the film. We’ll see how I do and I’d be happy to post the video on my blog upon its completion!

I look forward to the completion of this movie because I’m eager to see what my performance was like. Acting is something that I defiantly want to try again in the future if this goes well, and who knows what will happen next year. I might want to take an acting class to truly understand these actual characters we try to mask.

Media Meditations3, #2: Big and Heavy

2010-04-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

It's been about two weeks since I started my internship at a local independent music station called "Big Heavy World". BHW was started in 1996 with an online encyclopedia of regional artists, live internet webcasts from Club Toast. The idea was to promote local artists and give coverage to local Vermont events. Working here has been a dream, not only are the people who work there extremely cool but I've gained a lot of experience working in a real media environment and developed a new set of skills. Since they started they have released fifteen CD titles, constructed a radio station, added an online music shop and public music library. The staff is completely run by volunteers dedicated to supporting Vermont's original musicians. Check them out at http://bigheavyworld.com/ and tune into 105.9 FM

In the weeks ahead they are going to train me on using the on air radio equipment. I have to come up with a clever radio name and then I'm going to be on air playing my favorite local music. If anyone has any clever names for me let me know because I'm completely stumped. I've sat in the radio room many times watching the disc jockey's talk intellectually about current events and upcoming shows.

At every Wednesday at 8 pm there is a program called "Rocket Shop" this program brings in local artists to the studio where they are interviewed and possibly preform live over the radio or they play tracks from a new or upcoming album. The girl Kelsey who runs the program uses a different array of analytical tools to reach out to her audience in the process. Mainly she reaches out to the "plain folks". Her audience mainly consists of Vermont locals and College kids and given that the music scene in Burlington is very communal, people hear something that they like they will often come back to hear it again. She knows that in order to appeal to these people she must present herself as a music goer herself and address the facts in a manner that resembles the thought to the common man. Another tool that she uses would be the "bandwagon" technique. She goes to all these shows that she helps promote and has a wide group of friends that follow the music scene in Burlington. Kelsey says things like, "You'll see me there", and "everyone is going to x tonight so be sure to be there". This girl is well composed on the radio and tries really hard to expose the artists she promotes in a sufficient manner.

Given the technological shift over the years the most up to date radio stations have a wide variety of up to date equipment that sets out a stream of music in a digital format. Since Big Heavy World is a non-profit run organization all their equipment has been donated and is not quite up to par. They still have many cassettes and sound boards that are archaic. But they do have a website, facebook, and myspace page that keeps the viewer up to date daily. This form of personal shift gives the audience news and any kind of information regard the events and artists they help to promote.

I love working at Big Heavy World, I only wish I started working there earlier instead of later because of all the experience I have gained and all the connections they provide within the community. Tune into 105.9 FM to listen in and hopefully you'll here my voice over the radio!

Media Meditations2, #1: Getting Summer Started

2010-04-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

As I turned on my computer the other day I checked the usual websites before I tried to accomplish any sort of work. I checked the facebook, Email, then I logged onto Jambase. Now this website is something of a favorite because it gives up to date tour information on every band as well as providing up to date articles on recent shows(http://www.jambase.com/). So you can imagine my excitement when I found the article entitled "Phish Summer Tour 2010". Now I have been waiting for this news for months and now it was finally upon me. I started the video that came with the announcement and I was immediately captivated.

My limbic brain picked up the beautiful coordination of music in the song, “Taste” from the “Billy Breathes” album. I began to tap my foot and shake my head whimsically as the bright colors and coordination of the synchronized swimmers in the video continued to entice my limbic brain. I felt like a child clapping my hand to the news of the tour dates close to my home in Connecticut. All the emotions that I had felt when they announced the reunion tour in 09 came back to me. That feeling of loving something so much and getting this pleasure of finally being able to see that was this great overwhelming sense of completion. My Limbic brain was literally going to leap out of my skull!!!

I watched the video several time due to the fact that I was overwhelmed with happiness. It’s great how Phish uses a few persuasive tools such as humor in all there performances and their announcements. In the video we see the drummer Jon Fishman do a cannonball into the pool and smile into the camera underwater. Though he is a very talented drummer he is a mascot of the sort for the band. What’s more funny then a 5’5 middle aged bald guy wearing a dress. The band was named Phish is association with his last name during a night of tom foolery and shenanigans. Then at the end of the whole video we see the infamous Phish logo for the band. This symbol is a perfect embodiment of the band in its entirety. If you look closely at the symbol there are several bits of information and double entendres to it. I would not think it would be appropriate to name what they are but see if you can find them you self…

I look forward for the months ahead when I get to see my favorite band again. I’m getting a taste of that on April 20th when I get to see the movie about their music festival “8” in 3-D. So it looks like I have a lot to look forward to. You will get a media meditation on the movie but we’ll have to wait.

What up Midterm

2010-03-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

1. When I first signed up for Electronic Media Writing I did not know what to expect. Personally, I have always had a vendetta against certain aspects of media, before taking this class I had never blogged or used twitter. Like many others of my generation I am an avid email and facebook checker. I have always been willing to try new things and as time went on I found that the media meditations were a segment of my homework that I looked forward to. What I realized through our meditations and chapter blogs was that blogging was a great way to reach out to people and express my own voice. Other work that I felt very compelled by was the script writing. Learning the different format of dialogue within a script was a stimulating process that gave great understanding of the work put into making a commercial or news program.

2. The most important thing I have learned as a critical reader, writer and thinker was that given the current media trends in today’s society we can see how using the tools and programs of our generation(i.e: Myspace, Facebook, Twitter) can be manipulated to one’s own advantage. This summer I plan on using these forms of social networking in order to promote and network my band.

3. One thing that I myself would have wanted to do differently in class would be to use my blog for more personal use. I enjoyed doing media meditations but I would want to journal my own thoughts. I really didn’t take into consideration the fact that people who aren’t in my class would possibly look at my blog. I have thoughts and ideas that I would like to share with the world.

One thing that I would have wanted to do in Electronic Media writing would be to see more movies in context to promotional techniques that are used in conjunction with the movie. I would want to see how certain things like commercials, reviews, interviews, satire mocking the film, and social networking are used in conjunction with the movie.

5. Looking at the course blog has always been a great way to look back on work or refer to past information. I find that the book provides stylistic and knowledgeable insight on media networking and formatting on specific programs. The book gives great examples like how the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade” are produced. Through this example we the reader have a first hand knowledge of the matter.

Media Meditations #3: Transformers again?

2010-02-28T18:19:00.000-08:00

Nouveau Michael Bay : Explosions !!!
Uploaded by CuberToy. - See more comedy videos.

Movies have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I knew I wanted to be a film major for sure when I was in my high school television production class and we screened the movie 1969 Dennis Hopper film "Easy Rider". The screening of the film was done by my teacher purposely when I told him that I was doing a paper on the "Summer of Love" and needed some insight on media during that year. It was my limbic brain that was captivated by the pristine beauty of the American landscape as well as the rock ballads used in the film combined with the editing technique implored in the film. All of the feeling and emotions that my limbic brain took in were able to set a standard of knowledge of what good film actually is.

The film itself was an outlook on how America looked at people with "long hair" and different ideologies that people were exploring at a time of radical change in addition to an insight on how they treated these different people. My limbic brain was able to take in the message of the film and see what this outlook on society was. It was a lot to take in but the feelings and emotion that came from the movie instilled a feeling realization to which I realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I knew that one day I would want to write a film that would mirror the impact of a select group on society. With this idea in mind as well as a score that might be able to compete with the beautiful rock licks similar to that of "Easy Rider" This movie inspired me and solely helped me to get where I am today.

Since I began studying film I developed a great knowledge of the subject and matter of film & cinematography. Not to sound pompous in any way but I have a high standard of film. To a certain degree I can be a great person to watch a movie with or the worst. So you can imagine my reaction when my roommate had Michael Bay's "Transformers" on... Being the somewhat cynical %&$-hole I am I tore the movie apart to the point where my roommate told me to go &*%$ myself and leave(I'm easy to live with, but don't watch bad movies around me).

The whole thing about Michael Bay movies is you get what you pay for. A few mind-numbing hours of cheap catch-phrase dialogue as well as giant explosions and Megan Fox( To which I am not complaining). The thing about M.Fox is the whole "beautiful people" media tool is always going to be able to get people into movie theaters. But other than the beautiful people tool used in his movies Michael Bay movies totally appeal to the reptilian brain. There is little amount of thinking that is required to figure out what is going on in these movies and little sophistication in any dialogue between the characters. Mostly we watch this film like cavemen look at their paintings and clap our hands in amusement to all the pretty colors. I get the attraction to go see films like this (special effects, Megan Fox, the character actor Shia Labeouf) but to no stretch of the imagination would I call this a good movie.

Now I hope I haven't totally ruined this movie for anyone because from time to time I like to turn my neocortex and limbic brain off and let my reptilian brain do all the work. Its the constant repetition tool used on his ridicules special effects that keep us in our seats the whole time. Things that go "BOOOOM, BAAAANNG, POOWW!!!" Will have people coming back to theaters provided we all don't get seizures. I hope my cynicism wasn't to unbearable and I'm sorry if this movie is a favorite to anyone who may read this... And a good day to all!

Media Meditations #2: "Starburst contradiction commercial"

2010-02-28T16:43:00.000-08:00

As I was watching the Winter Olympics I found myself entranced by a starburst commercial. Given the fact that most commercials during the Olympics are very inspiring and heartwarming its a rare occasion that when humor is seen it is always a good laugh.

The Commercial starts off with what appears to be scottish bagpiper pointing out, "One contradiction eating another". A scottish korean is something thats both funny and I find vaguely racist. But because this view of a Scottish Korean is so outlandish and a little racist we are able to get a little laughter out of this as well as the movement and actions of the characters in the commercial.

The use of humor in this commercial tickles our funny bone in a way that makes us address the product their trying to sell with laugher and a good chuckle. Humor appeals to the funny bone in all of us as well as the Neocortex part of our brain. Our Neocortex is being used at this moment due to the fact that there is a certain degree of ration thought that is in the inputed into understanding the humor in this commercial. In addition, I believe that because this commercial was seen in the middle of the Olympics we the viewer are more concerned with the outcome of the sporting event that is on. So when we see humor we are pleased more than usual to have our funny bone tickled.

Although today we all bow our heads in sadness to the fact that the Canadians have bested us in hockey we can take comfort in the fact that Starburst is still out there selling delicious candy products!

Media Meditations #1: Phish reboot

2010-02-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

Once Trey had finished his robot dance he got on the mic we all watched idly to hear what words the wise prophet had to tell us. He laughed into the mic at his own words when he mentioned how old he was. "I was around for the invention of pong... The first video game, and it sounded something like this pong." Then Page got on keys and mimicked the sounds of an archaic video game. This use of humor brought laughter among the crowd and we all applauded in enjoyment of the actions of our four leaders.

This use of humor only added to the nostalgia of the whole Phish show. Part of the appeal of Phish is that they are normal guys. They aren't some corporate mechanism that was forced to change their roots and become something they weren't. The whole "plain folks" aspect makes me feel close to Phish. The only difference between the four of them and me is a stage. Their band was able to grow in the city of Burlington the same way so many other people around us have musically and academically.

Medical Marijuana Stops Spread Of Breast Cancer

2010-02-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

SCENE #1: ESTABLISHING SHOT/PAN DOWNWARDS- EXRAY OF HUMAN BRAIN-NARRATION.

SUBTITLE- "San Francisco, CA".

Narrator: Breast cancer kills more than...

SCENE #2: MEDIUM SHOT-WOMAN WALKING IN CROWDED STREET.

SUBTITLE- Marianne Favro/KNTV Reporting.

Narrator: 41,000 American woman every year...

SCENE #3: CLOSE-UP - SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: Researchers at a San Francisco lab...

SCENE # 4: FISH EYE SHOT - SCIENTISTS AT WORK.

Narrator: Are working to shrink that number and they're doing it with an unusual weapon...

SCENE # 5: CLOSE-UP - SCIENTIST CHEMICAL.

Narrator: Marijuana! Or at least a compound from it....

SCENE # 6: MEDIUM SHOT- DR. SEAN MCALLISTER.

SUBTITLE- Dr. Sean McAllister, CPMC Associate Scientist.

Sean: What we've found it that, this compound called cannabidial was particularly affective at inhibited aggressive breast cancers.

SCENE # 7: LOW SHOT- SCIENTISTS AT WORK.

Narrator: First, scientist at California Pacific Medicals have discovered...

SCENE # 8: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT- SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: A key gene which enables breast cancer to spread...

SCENE # 9: CLOSE-UP- TEST TUBE.

Narrator: Then they tested the pot compound...

SCENE # 10: OVER THE SHOULDER- SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: And realized, that could actually inhibit the genes destructive path and stop the spread of tumor cells...

SCENE # 11: LONG SHOT- SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: And potentially do it without harming a patient.

SCENE # 12: MEDIUM SHOT- DR. PIERRE DESPEREZ.

SUBTITLE: Dr. Pierre Desperez, CPMC Staff Scientist.

Pierre: We know that this compound extracted from cannabis is non-toxic in the patient because it has already been used for a different kind of disease.

SCENE # 13: CLOSE UP SHOT- TEST TUBE.

Narrator: The benefits may not stop there...

SCENE # 14: MEDIUM SHOT - SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: Scientists say that cannabis compound may fight other aggressive cancers.

SCENE # 15: CLOSE UP- BEAKER BEING STIRRED.

Narrator: Including prostate cancer. The next step...

SCENE # 16: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT- SCIENTIST AT WORK.

Narrator: Animal studies, then clinical trials. So it may be several years before patients can benefit from cannabis caner fighter...

"Summer of the Phish"

2010-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

The Summer before I entered my freshman year of college was unlike any other. With high school behind me, a few friends and I planned a road trip around the North East seeing a few bands that we adored as well as a a plan to see a few music festivals. The band that we centered our trip around predominately was Phish. This Burlington Jamband had reformed after a five year which seemed permanent break-up for their first tour since their last shows at the Coventry festival in 2004.

This band was more than just a band to us. Having been a Phish head throughout my high school career I yearned for the day that I might finally witness the magic that I had been told of by generations before me was the pinnacle of a perfect Summer. For Phish was more than just a band to me it was the blood that ran through my veins, the glimmering hope inside me and the net to catch me if I ever fell. It was more than a year ago today that the news of a reunion in Hampton, Virginia was upon us and these four men would be on stage to rekindle a flame that many thought had died long ago. Only this time I would be there to witness it.

To my own dismay personal distractions (i.e:graduating high school) stood in my way from being there to see Phish reunite. Instead I waited idly in front of a monitor to see a set list unfold as I gritted

my teeth in frustration to what could have been. But my summer would soon kick into "the high gear of my soul" when I made my first stop at Hunter Mountain's 5th annual Mountain Jam music festival.

Mountain Jam was a time when me and my buddies could blow of the steam that had crowded our eyesight for the four years of our high school careers. It was a magical time filled with the shredding guitar licks of Warren Haynes and the timely southern jams of Allman brothers. The Grateful Dead once wrote, "I spent a little time on the Mountain"- New Speedway Boogie. And that was just what I was doing.For three days I was given the responsibility to have no responsibility and I enjoyed every minute of it. But the best was still yet to come, in just one weeks time I would be at the Jones Beach amphitheater seeing my favorite band of ll time. Soon I would enter Phish's magical land of Gamhenge.

The Jones beach run came and for the first time ever I saw them...Phish. I was only but a slave to the music, arrays of feelings washed over me as I began to realize where I was going and what I was doing. I was entering college and about to grow into the man I would become and it was these moments of my summer vacation that I cherish greatly. For lack of a better term this was it!

At this point I would like to address the fact that although the Jones beach run was good there was still more to come. In Hartford, Connecticut I was going to see them for my third time with a more extended amount of my friends in a latter string of their summer tour. Now keep in mind phish had been broken up for five years, so in other words Jones beach was just a warm up. I drove up their with our destiny's unbound for what was about to unfold before our eyes. I watched as the lights of Chris Kuroda captivated me as the music swayed in turned me every which way. From what was evident it was to be what "phans" call a "Gamehengde" night!

For those who are wondering what a Gamhenge night may be it is a set list that takes some of the songs the band had written for the guitarist Trey Anistasio's senior project at Goddard College. These songs tell the tale of a magical land that our pro-tagonist Col. Forbin entered that was enslaved by an evil tyrant known as King Wilson. We won't go deeper into the story but I strongly encourage all to find a audio of "The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday".

But as the set list unfolded excitement and emotions ran high among the crowd. We all asked ourselves what these four magical wizards had up their sleeves. Then a song that hadn't been played in over ten years was brought to our ears. "Icculus", the song that told of a legendary man who lived atop a mountain in Gamhenge was played. I was captivated by the words coming out of Trey's mouth. He addressed certain aspects of media in our generation, stating that we are slaves to machines such as Iphones and video games. He then went on about a certain aspect of the nostalgia of his childhood, stating that he was around for the invention of pong. The audience was so captivated by every motion and word made, his sense of humor on the matters of technology in our generation brought fourth a charisma of great energy among the crowd. For me this song brought forth new feeling of completion as well as a recognition of a new milestone in my life. I knew that in a few months time that I would be back to my studies only this time in a new place with new people. Although this fact was frightening in one not it was also comforting in another. I had graduated with a 3.8 and had made it to a milestone where I was off to uncover the new life that lay before me. It was during this song that I turned to my friend Jack and said, "We did it dude. We're here and we're doing it! He smiled and nodded his head and went back to the groove that the entire audience was sharing in.

Looking at the whole crowd from the lawn as we all witnessed the magic was something beautiful. We were all one organism sharing in an experience that people will tell about long after this band has ended. I'm proud to say that I was there in Hartford, and I saw the magic.

Months later I moved up to Burlington and began what was my new life. I've grown and I have matured into the man I am today. I cherish the fond memories as my last Summer as a high schooler and will never forget the day that I reached a new milestone in my life. All that's left to say now is... I'll see you on the road this summer guys!

Messin' With Sasquatch

2010-02-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o0-ay4bVAs

"Jack Link's Beef Jerky"- "Messin' With Sasquatch- Cold One"

SCENE # 1: ESTABLISHING SHOT - A GOLF COURSE- NARRATION, VIEW OF JERKY PRODUCT.

Narrator: Jack Link's Beef Jerky presents...Messin' with Sasquatch.

Jerky appears on screen with pop up text

SCENE # 2: MEDIUM SHOT OF TWO GOLFERS.

Golfer # 1: FIve feet from the hole, right here...

SCENE # 3: CLOSE UP SHOT- GOLFER #1'S FACE.

(Golfer appears to take swing until he notices sudden movement in the brush.)

SCENE # 4: MEDIUM SHOT OF SASQUATCH CHASING A RABBIT.

Sasquatch: Raw, Grr, Rrr ( looks up at the golfers-aknowledgeing presence.)

SCENE # 5: MEDIUM SHOT- GOLFERS, GOLFER #2 EMERGES FROM THE GOLF CART.

SCENE # 6: MEDIUM SHOT- SASQUATCH TAKES A STEP BACK.

SCENE # 7: CLOSE-UP SHOT OF TWO GOLFERS WHILE THE EAT JERKY.

(Golfer #2 grins and taps on the shoulder of Golfer #1 in a Scheming manner.)

SCENE # 8: WIDE SHOT OF GOLFERS AND SASQUATCH.

(Golfer #2 grabs a beer and shakes it then slowly approaches Sasquatch.)

Golfer #2: Hey big fella, want a cold one...

SCENE # 9: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF GOLFERS FROM SASQUATCH.

(Sasquatch snatches the beer and the golfers are taken back.)

Sasquatch: Roar!!!

SCENE # 10: CLOSE-UP SHOT OF SASQUATCH.

(Sasquatch struggles with opening the beer.)

Sasquatch: Roar!!!

SCENE # 11: MEDIUM SHOT OF TWO GOLFERS.

Golfer # 2: Come on, you can do it...

(The two of them gesture how to open a can.)

SCENE # 12: CLOSE-UP OF SASQUATCH.

(Sasquatch opens beer and foam hits him in the face.)

CAN OPENING, FOAMING

Sasquatch: ROAAAR!!!

SCENE # 13: CAMERA TILT RIGHT, GOLFERS RUN IN LAUGHTER INTO THE CART.

SCENE # 14: CLOSE-UP OF SASQUATCH.

(Foam covered face.)

Sasquatch: Roaaar!!!

SCENE # 15: MEDIUM SHOT OF GOLFERS IN CART.

(Golfers flee the scene in laughter.)

LAUGHTER AND CART STARTING

SCENE # 16: MEDIUM SHOT OF CART FLEEING.

(Sasquatch charges the cart and rams it over.)

Crash

SCENE # 17: WIDE-SHOT OF GOLD COURSE WITH JERKY PRODUCT.

JUNGLE MUSIC

Narrator: Jack Link's Beef Jerky...Feed your wild side.

(Text appears, "Feed Your Wild Side."

BANNED SUPER-BOWL ADD

2010-02-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

Steven Lico

Week #5, Class # 10

2/11/10

SCENE #1: ESTABLISHING SHOT - A GIANT MANION, BENTLEY PARKED IN DRIVEWAY

TWO PEOPLE ARE SEEN IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. DANICA PATRICK IS SEEN UP FRONT WHILE LOLA IS TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR.

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA: Meet Lola….

LOLA: Hm..Hm..Mh

SCENE #2: CLOSE-UP SHOT – PORTRAIT OF LOLA, THE NAME “LARRY JONES” IS CROSSED OUT IN PINK READING “LOLA”

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA: The day Lola retired from football…

AUDIO: Crowd cheering

SCENE #3: MIDDLE SHOT- DANICA SEEN IN FRONT OF LOLA’S PORTRAIT

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA: Lola started chasing his biggest dream…

SCENE #4: SLOW ZOOM OF LOLA INSPECTING LINGERIE ON MODEL

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA ENTERS

DANICA: A business of his own, Lola’s first step …

SCENE #5: CLOSE-UP OF LOLA

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA: He built his website with GoDaddy.com

LOLA: Mmmhmmm

SCENE #5: MIDDLE SHOT OF LOLA AT COMPUTER, DANICA ENTERS

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA:… And with GoDaddy’s easy to use commerce tools, Lola…

SCENE #6: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF LOLA’S MONITORS OF GODADDY.COM

KEYBOARD LOOP

DANICA: Lola, was soon selling his line to he world

SCENE #7: MIDDLE SHOT OF LOLA

KEYBOARD LOOP

LOLA: OOH-WEE!

SCENE #8: MIDDLE SHOT OF POOL AND MANSION, DANICA IS SITTING WHILE LOLA FLOATS BY

DANICA: Lola dreams big…

LOLA: Uh-Huh

DANICA: … And who’s to argue

SCENE #9: ADD EFFECTS- “GO DADDY” LOGO

DANICA: SEE MORE NOW AT GODADDY.COM

END.

Obama's 2010 State of the Union Address

2010-02-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

1. When we first sit down and take note of all that is going on at the House of Representatives we take note of all the politicians and the layout of the people inside in terms of seating arrangement. This is just the first feeling that comes to mind from the neocortex. But as Obama begins his speech we tune in on a rational level because Obama posses the the gift of gabb. He is able to address millions of Americans at a level of compassion and hope that speaks to us at a normal level. In no way do I personally feel that I am being talked down to or being mocked. I feel as though this appeals to my sense of rational thought in my neocortex. This gift of gabb he possesses is what won him the ability to succeed as a Democratic candidate in the 2008 election. As we listen to the words of obama we are engaged by the visual of his body language as well as those around him. This indeed utilizes certain aspects of the limbic brain, causing a more emotional response from the visual.

2. One of the main trends that noticed was the use of technology implored in the Obama administration. Given the age of technology we live in there are many different kinds of social networking that Obama uses to reach people. The white house has a facebook page, you-tube account, and even a twitter page. This makes any operation of progress notable to all the people with a laptop sitting at a desk or even a person with a smart phone riding the subway. All the information gathered from the speech is there for the taking out in the open for anyone to see.

3. Of the seven principles listed in our notes I see the emotional transfer more evident than anything else. My family has been greatly affected by the current recession as far as the financial status of my grandparents. My grandpa used to work for GM and is not retired. Since the financial down poor he has lost his pension and struggles with his health. Today we help him out but this would not be necessary if someone behind a desk had actually done their job right. Anyway, when these current economic problems regarding retirement and healthcare are brought up I feel very emotional towards these subjects.

4. Obama is able to use many aspects as far of the 29 techniques of persuasion-

-Symbol: American made suit, flag pin

-Nostalgia: WWII; American troops on Omaha beach, the perseverance of American's during the Great Depression.

-Repetition: He addresses issues like creating jobs for Americans and going green over and over

-Humor: When he talks about the bank bailout he comments saying, "That idea was about as popular as a root canal".

-Group Dynamics: He doesn't address the problems that we look to him to solve as his own they are our problems. It is something that he brings to work with him everyday the same as how we face these problems every day. ie:"My fellow Americans"

-Scapegoating: He mentions how these problems that our nation faces today is the product of a former administration and its decisions.

5. The main idea that I got from Obama's speech was that change is imminent it only takes time. There is mention of the progress that was made and how all is seeing to be resolved only it isn't just going to happen over night. I see a metaphor for our current social economic hardship to be that of a person ordering a big meal at a restaurant and leaving it for some one else to pick up the tab.

6. So far the Obama administration has provided 25 different tax cuts for small businesses, parents, home buyers and eight million Americans paying for college. Jobs have been created for Americans like the 12,000 in North Carolina making environmentally safe batteries. And the 30 billion that wall street has given back to the tax payers would be used to help keep small local banks afloat.

I feel comfort when Obama speaks. I would like to think that this is the right guy for the job given our complications that our nation faces as a whole. He gives mention of children out there asking him why they have to leave their homes. I believe that he will get these children their homes back. Let's do it Obama!

Music in your day to day activities

2010-01-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

When I wake up in the morning to the sound of UVM radio. I roll out of bed do my mundane morning activities then put my headphones on and walk to my morning class. Whatever song wakes me affects my mood for the rest of the day. Whatever song I listen to on my way to class will affect my participation and impute for the days curriculum.

People all have different tastes in music. For me I listen to a mix of improvisational, jazz, classic, and experimental rock. How I developed this taste of music can date back to the appeal I saw in the actual live concert experience.

But enough about me, I don't want to bore anyone with my own musical taste. But what happens in your brain when music is played? Well, when music is heard by an individual it activates nearly every region of the brain. Music listening involves the auditory cortex, which is one of the first places in the brain that the music is processed but then it gets shuffled off and different parts of the brain extract pitch from rhythm from timbre and melody and harmony.

Regardless of your own preference in music when you listen to a favorite band it provides an blanket of comfort and security. Say you listen to a lot of metal, the pitch and validity of the heavy rhythms of metal make you happy. For someone who doesn't listen to metal it might make you scared or uneasy. This drags on throughout your day and give off feelings of uncertainty.

I'm eager to here what favorite genre of music people have and how it affects them. Talk about a specific day where music was prominent in your life or a possible music experience.