Balloon flip book!

So in my search for flip book inspiration (i started one already but it was comically bad!) I found this awesome flip book made on balloons and popping them!
http://fragg.me/video/mtv-flipbook-balloon

VHS Vs Beta

The Inside of VHS!

The VCR Tape

A VCR tape is pretty intricate device in its own right, and it's a classic miracle of mass production. It is amazing what you can buy for $2!

If you take a video tape apart, you will find that it contains:

• The top and bottom pieces of the outer shell
• A moving, spring-loaded door to protect the tape

• Two spools to hold the tape

• An 800-foot (244-m) long, 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) wide piece of oxide-coated Mylar tape that acts as the recording medium
• Several low-friction rollers to guide the tape across the front of the shell
• Two spring-loaded locks to prevent the tape from unrolling inside the cassette

• Several screws to hold the whole thing together

When the tape is inserted into a VCR, the VCR uses a lever to release and open the door, exposing the tape. It also inserts apin into the hole to disengage the two locks on the spools. At that point, the drive can extract the tape and play it.

I found this whole set just amazing! It reminded me of the most modern Pippin! The stage is so elaborate, and the lighting placed throughout really shows the advances made in stage productions, and it also possible to see how the most modern productions draw inspiration from the older shows.

I found this really enjoyable to watch! I feel like for this staging and choreography have come a long way, and i really liked the use of the people dancing in the background. I also thought the back drop was very effective, and really enhanced the glitz and glamour of the whole scene!

Technology in this is subtle but interesting. I liked the use of where the stage was placed, with the orchestra surrounding it. This puts a lot of emphasis on the main character, and is a clever technique.

The use of fog in this is what i found particularly creative. It is used when the fairy godmother is casting spells and makes the scene magical and mystical. The carriage itself is also very impressive.

Technology is clearly present throughout each scene of this montage. It plays a key roll in aiding the performers in what they are doing on stage, mixed with the lighting this really highlighted the circus theme. This is further encouraged by the giant blue tent surrounding the scene.

The technology that stood out to me most in this video is the use of the lit up signs to the audience, such as applause. I think this simple use really allowed the audience to connect with what was going on on stage, and feel like they were actually a part of pippins world.

Stage Door Videos

The technology in this scene is evident yet simple. The backdrop creates the image of stars behind the couple, and although it is simply a lit bridge on the stage, the blue of the lighting and how it is lit allows the audience to easily imagine them to be over water.

A light side of Opera!

In light of watching and writing about the Barber of Seville I thought i would post this bugs bunny version of the Opera! http://vimeo.com/2909820

The Birth and Life of Opera

I found the birth and life of Opera a lot more interesting than I was expecting. One of the key things that appealed to me was where it was born, I have visited both Florence and Venice many times, and never realised the history of Opera they have. I now would love to go back and visit some of the sights from the documentary! I was also very interested by the close link the birth of Opera had with the royal family circles, something I was also not aware of at all. Watching the documentary actually made me want to go back and watch some of the first operas and compare them with more recent works. Another thing that really surprised me was that the cancan came from opera! Ive been into the Moulin Rouge myself, and never would have guessed it had routes in opera! I especially like the analogy made that opera is the parent of musicals. I have also been to a chinese opera in Shanghai, so this part was very interesting for me, because it really is like nothing ive ever seen before

Opera

I found todays lesson waay more interesting than i thought i was going to! i never thought i would consider liking or appreciating Opera. I've been in the Paris Opera House a few years ago, and even then, although i was overwhelmed by the size and beauty, i didn't fully appreciate the building and its purpose. I found the section on Castratos particularly fascinating. I don't agree that it was the right thing to do to a child, but even then I can still see why it was done. The voices produced were so pure and flawless, to the point where they cut right through you, almost making you not like the voice! It was both absolutely beautiful yet spookily otherworldly. I think I could go as far as to say i'm actually looking forward to watching an Opera. I have seen a live performance of Mozarts Magic Flute, but at the time i couldnt even get past the fact I didnt understand what they are saying. Because of this i am considering choosing this as my Opera, and this time round truly suspending my beliefs.

5 guys and a piano!!

So I was re-watching the 5 people singing somebody that i used to know on the guitar (because i thought it was fascinating)! and i was suddenly reminded of a similar video I saw a while back! This video is 5 guys around a piano, theres no singing really, so its a little different, but i thought it was equally impressive, and definitely fun to watch! Also if you don't watch and just listen you would never guess the noises at the start were from a piano! Its just a shame its a one direction song (even though im British it doesn't mean i like them)!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqTwnAuHws

Introduction!

Hi! I've done this before on here, but figured i would do it again for my new class! My name is Rosie, and I'm a sophomore here. Im also from England! I have a lot of hobbies, but the most important ones to me are probably music and art (and of course eating)! I play many musical instruments, but my favourites to play are the piano, the saxophone, and I also sing. I've been trying to teach myself the guitar for years now, but im convinced my hands are too small! I have really enjoyed the first two classes so far, and am finding it very interesting. I had never really considered how far back art stems, for example I never thought of stone henge as art! I personally found the link between opera and modern music very interesting and am really looking forward to looking into this more. Even though this class was a requirement for me i would have picked it anyway, I am definitely excited and interested in whats to come!