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My Dog's Surgery Day: Save Sophie 2013

Thanks to everyone who donated & supported :)

Week # 16

Blog Post # 16: The Fox - by Ylvis

So I'm ending my blog posts with a funny one, because I can. The song "The Fox" by Ylvis has become viral over the summer, coming all the way from Norway as a legitimate song (no, really) to millions upon millions of hits on youtube. Most people can associate it with "Vine", a social media site dedicated to fun 7-second videos made by its users and shared. Whether or not you think this song is completely idiotic, it's catchy as hell. I personally have it downloaded in my phone because I can't get it out of my head its so funny. I watched the video again in my Digital Media / Marketing classes and analyzed why the song appeals to so many - especially children. My professor stressed the fact that this was not just a willy-nilly funny dance song, but a carefully organized and planned out shoot. Everything from the animals to the sounds to the subtitles, to all the lights and dance moves make this irresistible fodder for children. My professor went on to say that is was like "the Ol' MacDonald" of the newer generation. It's interesting how seemingly weird these Europeans are when watching the video - but really, they're geniuses. I love the video even though it's stupid. It's just a fun beat and a good time. Like Psy, Ylvis found a way to transcend language and culture barriers and hit us mashed-potato-brained Americans with a flourish of whimsy. And being the pawns we are, we ate it all up. What does the fox say? Pow-Pow-Pow.

Week # 15

Blog Post #15: The Christmas Creep

Go into any store during the Halloween season... what's in the back? CHRISTMAS TREES. Its not about spreading cheer anymore. Once September hits there's only one thing on America's mind. $$$$ - Money. Making profit. the Holiday season is the biggest money maker of the year, #1 every single time. It seems that Christmas starts early every single year and that is known as the christmas creep. This PBS station in Texas shares their story about how Christmas has taken over Thanksgiving. I think it's atrocious I hate it. I want to hear about Christmas in DECEMBER. After all the trick or treating is done, after the turkey is eaten, and after the football game is over. It starts with the horrible music in the stores. It starts with Black Friday beginning earlier and earlier. Stores used to be closed on Thanksgiving - now? They're opening as early as 7pm on Thanksgiving night. No one who works retail can even have a dinner with their families before having to work for people desperate to make a deal for Christmas. It's sad. The only store that I see is closed for Thanksgiving is the family owned and operated PC Richard's & Son. They publicly went out in ads to say that all their deals will be there on Black Friday, and that their stores will be closed so that people can actually enjoy Thanksgiving with their families before consumerism stuffs Christmas Carols down their throats. It's sad to see. I hate it. I don't give into the hype, and I hope people will start to see it soon. Screw the economy, it's been a mess long before Black Friday shopping. Enjoy your Thanksgiving - and then enjoy your Christmas. After you eat your turkey.

Week # 14

Blog Post # 14: Social Media Revolution - Welcome to the Downfall of Organic Human Interaction

I remember seeing this video in my US History 2 class, almost 4 years ago in my senior year of highschool. It seriously, scared the shit out of me (please forgive my language, its just that crazy). I can honestly say there was a time where I did have a Myspace, a Facebook account, PhotoBucket, I had an iPod, I uploaded to Youtube and helped edit Wikipedia pages. I even had an instagram for like a week. I no longer share my info on the internet (I do have a blog, though) but I can see where the world is heading. There is no longer a natural way to talk to another human - we can instantly be transported anywhere in the world via social media. Advertisers are getting off the TV and Radio and getting savvy about FB & Twitter, eReaders are selling faster than paperback books, and everyone meets on the web. Hell, I even met my fiance on FB (we did go to highschool together though so its not that bad). Watching this video in 2010, I remember thinking "what the heck is going to happen in a year or two, where this is going?" I felt a sense of despair. We are the generation of limitless technological possibilities, and yet we sext body parts to each other's phones and share irrelevant info with a million hastags. No more contributions to society, except on FB timelines. This video had such an impact on me that I couldn't t forget it. Plus, I liked the song. haha. The scariest part? This was in 2010 - almost 4 YEARS ago. Can you imagine how much the stats have changed since then? They change daily! Google "social media revolution" on youtube and see for yourselves. Watch this video, and think twice about that next status update.

Week # 13

Blog Post # 13 - Animating Avatar: the Last Airbender

This video shows an old featurette from the show Avatar:TLA that aired from 2004-2008. I know I'm getting a little dorky here, but I am probably ATLA's (& the new show Legend of Korra's) biggest fan. I know anything and everything about the ATLA universe and the animation thrills me even today. This featurette was aired back in 2005 during the first season. It shows the animation behind the four styles of "bending" and the ancient martial arts reflected in each style. The animators had a martial arts master as their reference and supervisor for all the fighting done in the series. In the show, each nation has a style based on a natural element, and this power can be used by those born with the abilities to bend. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire have a style of Chinese martial arts behind them, and the fighting is shown by their nation's reflected style. The animation in contrast to the martial art reference is spot-on, and I absolutely love that its steeped in tradition and emotion. This show is great and if you haven't yet - you should really watch it. Like, now. Do it Now. ATLA is on the internet & LOK just aired its season 2 finale on Nick.com

Week #12

Blog post # 12 - The Art of Motion-Capture (Batman: Arkham Origins)

Most of you have seen how "new" motion-capture technology has helped to create worlds like in James Cameron's AVATAR (2009)  or even as recently with Bruce Banner / the Incredible Hulk in 2012 with Marvel's the AVENGERS. Motion-Capture allows the production team of a film set up and recreate human--like fluidity and movement which transfers to CGI. Instead of animators having to create these movements and actions themselves, motion-capture technology gives the animators a frame with which to work from that creates photo-realistic images on the computer from an actor's movements or facial expressions. With a reference camera, a 3D-camera, and a motion-capture camera, the actors (in suits fixed with dots on major points to transfer information back to a computer) can actually act out scenes without makeup or costume or set, and yet still be in the movie. The game Batman: Arkham Origins is the 3rd installment of the "Arkham" series of Batman games. The first two games were made by Rocksteady, a video game company. Although easily one of the most critically acclaimed video game series of their respective years, a new company stepped in to create the newest one. Warner Brothers Montreal decided to use motion capture technology to really step up the graphics in this game to set it apart from the first two, and I could tell the change in fluidity of the characters while playing the game first-hand. This video shows how motion-capture was used in the making of the game, and shows how well the final product came out. I absolutely love this game, and can't wait to be animating future Batman games one day.

Week # 11

Week 11 Blog Post: Dogs 101 - English Springer Spaniel

In honor of my pup Sophie, who has been recently diagnosed with a tumor and is awaiting surgery. Springers are the "golden retriever" of Europe, and are used as military/police dogs in the UK's subways, armies and forces. These dogs are amazing hunters and very loyal companions. I was originally studying to be a vet as a kid - but I'm squeamish. haha. I also have been learning a lot about animal training /behavior, and would love to be a zoologist. If my art doesn't work out - I've got back up! This video is from a popular show on Animal Planet about the many different breeds of dogs in the world, and whether they'd be suitable for you as a pet. I love to learn as much as I can about the animal kingdom, and apply it to my art. This video is educational not only to dog lovers, but to people who are very bored and have nothing better to do. Love it. Love my pup. Also, Please click this link to help donate to save my dog's leg -

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

- Thank you!

Week # 10

Blog Post #10 - Thanksgiving Myths

In honor of America's fattest holiday, I put a video from a documentary on the history channel called "Bet You Didn't Know - History of Thanksgiving" which gives us a quirky-but-fun review of the most popular Thanksgiving myths, traditions, and facts. A couple of facts that didn't make the video were:

- When the NFL started in the 1920s, the Detroit Lions made a pitch to start playing a game of football on thanksgiving day
- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924, and has gone on for 89 years since then. It helped department stores kick off their holiday shopping season (most famously - Black Friday)

I thought this video was fun and I learned a lot while watching the documentary. Sometimes myths and traditions get lost in all the stories, hype and hooplah. Its good to get back to the roots of all those historical facts. Woot :)

Week # 9

Week #8 Blog Post - Ted x Sydney

This video is seriously amazing. Most people know Ted as the website for forward thinking in science, technology, sociology, etc. They really like to showcase unusual gifts and skills from "ordinary geniuses" around the world at their conferences. This video is about a 20-something guy from Melbourne, Australia. He has a crazy ability to recreate sounds and make music using only his vocal chords. He even samples his own sounds, and plays them back AT THE SAME TIME - making the craziest music you'd ever hear. & it actually sounds great! You would never be able to tell that these were sounds coming out of a person. Its a great talent, and its informative as well as entertaining. Enjoy!

Week # 8

 

 

Week #8 Blog Post: Walking Dead Makeup Tutorial

For Halloween this year I decided to go as a zombie, and scare neighborhood kids with my family. I used this tutorial video as reference and inspiration for my makeup. I've never been the kind of girl to dress as something cute or provocative for Halloween - for me it's just been all about the scares. I love to get a chance to be creepy and not have other people judge me or call me satanic haha. I'm glad there are other girls who embrace the holiday for what it is, and like to be creepy as well. I foud this video incredibly informative and educational - from a visual effects point. I am very much into FX makeup and face paint for kids parties on weekends. This was a chance to branch out my skills and test the waters. I love that the video is straightforward, and gives detailed explanations with what materials to use, as well as a demonstration on how to use them to create the look, as well as before and after pictures. It was a lot easier than it looked and my makeup was a hit this Halloween!

So here's my makeup, in case you wanted to see it because reasons:

Week # 7

Week #7 Blog Post: 10 million Lamps! - HigaTV

So at the risk of becoming completely bored, I gave in and posted something (kinda) informational about (kinda) video-production related stuff. Although this video is hilarious, it also has some inside looks on how the heck people put together something as short as a 4-minute long video with homemade supplies. These guys are my age (21-24) who have the creativity and the resourcefulness of filmmakers leaps and bounds ahead of their time. I love and have been watching the videos of Ryan Higa with my siblings, practically growing with him. I've probably seen every video, and have seen the progression of his talent on the screen as well as behind the camera. Since I was about 12-13, first seeing these videos of the 15-year old kid making videos himself made me feel like I wasn't alone in wanting to make people laugh and enjoy themselves. And although I haven't chosen the same career paths and I have since given up my camera for a paintbrush, I can still relate with everything he has done and every way he has grown - with friends and family by his side through it all. I adore these videos and the increased production value in each video astounds me. From a single webcam and a green ball - to expensive equipment, endorsements, and millions of viewers around the world, Ryan Higa has made his dream a reality and I applaud him for it while I try to make my own way. His youtube channel is nigahiga and his behind the scenes one is HigaTV. Enjoy!

Week #6

Week #5 Blog Post - Dramabug!

There is a mini episode from the webshow Bravest Warriors on YouTube. This is a cartoon by Cartoon Hangover, a channel that produces many funny cartoons that some  may argue are not for kids. These are the same people who made Adventure Time on Cartoon Network. I love this cartoon! My favorite characters are Beth and Catbug. Catbug is so cute & I spend a lot of time drawing him. One day I want to be a concept artist or an animator and create awesome creations such as these. Maybe you'll see me one day. I usually bring in a picture so here are some recents I've done of catbug, plus the link to my online portfolio for more art-stuffs:

fromhermind-tothepaper.tumblr.com

Week #5

Week #5 - Scary Car Commercial Prank

This video is funny and well-done (video production-wise). Its a jump scare prank that I'm almost positive 99.9% of you all have seen. People in the horror movie business rely on peaceful settings and then last minute jump scares in their videos to lure viewers into a false sense of security before finally getting them to jump out of their seats. Once the viewers drop their guard - all hell can break loose! People have been known to laugh, cry, scream, jump, and run. This particular cheesy video holds a special place in my heart because I watched this for the first time with my little brother and little sisters. I was 13, and they were 11, 10 (twins), and 12 mo. With our curious eyes hilariously glued to the screen, volume on full blast, we watched on. Then - BOOM - a monster popped up screaming bloody murder and we all subsequently began screaming and crying and covering our eyes, falling out of the chair and our beds, and yelling for our moms, haha. The only one who didn't get scared was my brother's little sister, Beth, who was only a year old! Needless to say, our moms ran in and yelled at me - blaming me as the oldest and shutting off our computer. We saw this video again a few months ago (we're now 20, 18, 17 (twins) and 8) and we all laughed sooo hard remembering our first watch.

Things never get old! Here's pictures, because yeah.

Here's us now: (plus my cousin in the back right haha)

Ariana (17) Nick (18) Me, Karina (17)

Beth (8)

And Here's us back then when we first watched the video:

Week #4

Week #4: Billy Mays Cosplay at AnimeNEXT 2013 - Somerset, NJ

This past June I attended my second con (convention) ever, in Somerset. It's called AnimeNEXT, and its one of the biggest anime/movie/videogame/pop culture conventions in Northern NJ. Lots of people go to shop, sell, hang out, dress up, and just be dorky for a day while being embraced by the culture of people just like them. Cosplaying is the act of costuming and acting like a particular character, game, comic, actor, or pop culture icon. People take Cosplay extremely seriously and its amazing to see what exact and beautifully handcrafted costumes come about every year. This video is about a guy who cosplayed as the late great Billy Mays (from the oxyclean commercials) and its just hilarious. HE SOUNDS JUST LIKE HIM :) I was standing right behind the guy filming this. I costplay myself and went as Louise Belcher from Bob's Burgers - who I'll be cosplaying again next Thursday at New York Comic Con. Picture time :

Week #3

Week #3: Halloween Horror Nights 23 Official Preview

This week (Friday, September 20) kicked off the start to one of the biggest, scariest and best reviewed halloween attractions of the year - Universal Studios FL and Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights 23 !!! I go every year in Orlando, Florida and it is so intense. They hold this event until Nov. 2 in Universal Studios Theme Parks all over the world. Singapore, Japan, Hollywood, and Orlando hold this event where the parks transform overnight into living nightmares. This year in Orlando, the theme is "What Evil Has Taken Root?" and features 7 scarezones all themed with The Walking Dead show. They have 7 mazes that include Evil Dead, Resident Evil, Insidious 2, American Werewolf in London, La Llorona, The Purge, Cabin in the Woods, and so much more. For 4 years in a row, HHN in Orlando has been voted as America's scariest haunted attraction and this year should be no different.

I love Halloween and this event is a must-see for my family every year.  I'm going this year from October 25th to the 28th :D  Watch the video! it gets me so pumped up for this event ( & I love the song.) Here's a Picture of my fiancé and I at last year's event for our anniversary.

Week #2

Post for Week #2 :  I'm a Dog - This is just funny.

I like this video because it's funny as hell omg. I laugh every time. Another reason why is because the dog Jingle in this video is the same breed as my dog, Sophie. She is an English Springer Spaniel, and she's 8 years old. I got her almost 2 years ago as a rescue. She's awesome, just like Jingle here & my constant companion. We go to work together, dress up together, go trick or treating and shopping and even take naps together (she's 35 lbs though!). I spoil her rotten but at the end of the day she's still a bird dog with lots of hunting instincts - so I take her out to the mountain reservation to chase and flush out geese and other birds from the marsh. I've trained her with over 20+ hand, speech and whistle signals. She's a natural and super fast for her age. So yeah. My dog is awesome. Here's a picture

Week #1

Post for Week #1 : Lily Myers Poem - "Shrinking Women"

I watched the video for this poem maybe 5 times last night and it was seriously an eye opener. This girl has a presence on stage that is unmatched. I love the message that is made and it hit me very personally both as a sister and as a woman in general. Society makes women "shrink" to the standards of our culture because it is what is expected of us. Yet the men in our families are taught to "grow" and stand out. I, as a woman in the 21st century, should be able to speak my mind and do as I please. I do not need to give into the norms of society. I should be accepted. I AM the norm.