I think expressionism is an art movement that focuses on death and movement. In all cases that we viewed today (and even the poems we were asked to read tonight), it seemed like death or despair (or any kind of deep and passionate emotion for that matter) was portrayed so strongly through whatever discipline it was being performed in.
A lot of the time, movement was a big deal as well. For example, the Japanese dance Buto, was all focused on movement. Granted, it was dancing, but Buto focused on the speed of the movement, and the emotion behind the move.
I think that expressionism can also focus on underlying emotions and why one should feel some way and how they should portray it through movement. If that even makes sense. I feel like the choreographers and directors and writers and artists who decided to create an expressionist piece of art thought long and hard about the underlying meaning to each action, and the deep visible and non visible emotions that the character or person would be feeling.
Expressionism is all about feelings - when you express yourself, you express your feelings, correct? Makes sense. That's what I think the whole point of the movement was about. To express deep and underlying feelings in dark and strange ways that made a point.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
STAC Live
I really don't know how to put my past few weeks into words. They've been a whirlwind of good and bad with a sprinkle of stress, and I can't even begin to explain to you why. But over the past few weeks, I performed in STAC Live.
Last year, when I saw STAC live I was inspired, and was amazed at the talent level. This year when we started bringing Snuggies into the mix, I didn't really know what to think of it. I mean sure, we thought it was hilarious, but I knew there would be at least one or two idiots in the audience who would actually believe it. Not to say the idea was bad, because it was really funny, but I just didn't think that it was the right time to use it.
Once STAC live was completely changed last minute, it had a completely different feel to it. It wasn't structured, and it wasn't fake. And I liked that. Granted, I wish we'd had more time to figure out STAC live before the actual day of performance, but I think we worked it out as well as we could given the last minute circumstances.
There were a lot of elements to STAC live this year that were really different, that I think some people really enjoyed. Like the circle plays for example. People loved them. They were funny, interesting, and people wanted to know what was going on at all times. I think that the circle plays were a great idea to add to STAC live because it showed off both the writing and acting disciplines.
Another thing that I thought was really interesting that the audience liked were the couple plays. People ate them up. They were eager to see what would happen with the couples, and enjoyed them. I think those were a good aspect to add to the show as well. It showed off our improv ability.
I think "Kooks" showed off our music ability, and I think people were completely freaked out by the Snuggie dance that went along with it, but that was the whole point, wasn't it? Which got me thinking. I don't really think people have to get STAC to like it. I mean, you really can only understand STAC if you're a STACie. I think that this STAC live, that showed passion and determination and work ethic kind of shocked HHS. I don't think they were expecting us to be serious, which we honestly are under all of the fun and creative ideas. I think that showing them that we're serious was a smart idea, and I think that we should continue to do so. I think we should save our crazy ideas for ourselves for a while, and show the school that we mean buisness, because we do.
Last year, when I saw STAC live I was inspired, and was amazed at the talent level. This year when we started bringing Snuggies into the mix, I didn't really know what to think of it. I mean sure, we thought it was hilarious, but I knew there would be at least one or two idiots in the audience who would actually believe it. Not to say the idea was bad, because it was really funny, but I just didn't think that it was the right time to use it.
Once STAC live was completely changed last minute, it had a completely different feel to it. It wasn't structured, and it wasn't fake. And I liked that. Granted, I wish we'd had more time to figure out STAC live before the actual day of performance, but I think we worked it out as well as we could given the last minute circumstances.
There were a lot of elements to STAC live this year that were really different, that I think some people really enjoyed. Like the circle plays for example. People loved them. They were funny, interesting, and people wanted to know what was going on at all times. I think that the circle plays were a great idea to add to STAC live because it showed off both the writing and acting disciplines.
Another thing that I thought was really interesting that the audience liked were the couple plays. People ate them up. They were eager to see what would happen with the couples, and enjoyed them. I think those were a good aspect to add to the show as well. It showed off our improv ability.
I think "Kooks" showed off our music ability, and I think people were completely freaked out by the Snuggie dance that went along with it, but that was the whole point, wasn't it? Which got me thinking. I don't really think people have to get STAC to like it. I mean, you really can only understand STAC if you're a STACie. I think that this STAC live, that showed passion and determination and work ethic kind of shocked HHS. I don't think they were expecting us to be serious, which we honestly are under all of the fun and creative ideas. I think that showing them that we're serious was a smart idea, and I think that we should continue to do so. I think we should save our crazy ideas for ourselves for a while, and show the school that we mean buisness, because we do.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Horrible Movies
Over break I watched a completely horrible movie called "Waiting for Forever." It was truly truly awful.
For starters, the plot was completely underdeveloped. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. It was like the writers just assumed you knew everything that was going to happen every time a new scene rolled around.
Also, the movie contradicted itself. For example, there was one really whacked scene where the mother is like beating the father with a rag screaming about how much she hates him, and then two seconds later they're laughing and in love again with no transition to tell you why.
The storyline was also just plain weird. I wish I could explain it or summarize it, but I really can't, because I had no idea what was going on by the end of the movie.
The lighting and filming was also horrible. The movie was so dark, and there were constantly shadows over the actors faces. Every time the camera panned an area, it would shake, like some teenager was holding it and making a short film just for kicks.
And lastly, the special effects were ridiculously horrible. At one point in the movie, half of the screen was pouring rain and the other half was not. It was just really pathetic.
Thankfully though, I got something out of this horrible movie. I was so proud of myself for understanding and identifying what makes a movie good, and how and where it went wrong in this movie.
I thought it was pretty funny how you can learn so much more from a bad movie than you can learn from a good movie. If you see a good movie, it's just nice to see and that's it. But if you watch a bad movie and pick up on all of the flaws, you know that you're learning about what make a good movie good and a bad movie bad.
All in all, although it was pretty painful to watch, I'm glad I saw "Waiting for Forever," because it taught me a lot.
For starters, the plot was completely underdeveloped. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. It was like the writers just assumed you knew everything that was going to happen every time a new scene rolled around.
Also, the movie contradicted itself. For example, there was one really whacked scene where the mother is like beating the father with a rag screaming about how much she hates him, and then two seconds later they're laughing and in love again with no transition to tell you why.
The storyline was also just plain weird. I wish I could explain it or summarize it, but I really can't, because I had no idea what was going on by the end of the movie.
The lighting and filming was also horrible. The movie was so dark, and there were constantly shadows over the actors faces. Every time the camera panned an area, it would shake, like some teenager was holding it and making a short film just for kicks.
And lastly, the special effects were ridiculously horrible. At one point in the movie, half of the screen was pouring rain and the other half was not. It was just really pathetic.
Thankfully though, I got something out of this horrible movie. I was so proud of myself for understanding and identifying what makes a movie good, and how and where it went wrong in this movie.
I thought it was pretty funny how you can learn so much more from a bad movie than you can learn from a good movie. If you see a good movie, it's just nice to see and that's it. But if you watch a bad movie and pick up on all of the flaws, you know that you're learning about what make a good movie good and a bad movie bad.
All in all, although it was pretty painful to watch, I'm glad I saw "Waiting for Forever," because it taught me a lot.
New Year, New Goals
Don't you just love how everyone expects the new year to be "the best one yet" or to "fix the problems" that occured the year before? It's pretty funny if you think about it. It's like January 1st is this magical date that's just going to fix everything. Having the clock hit midnight is not going to fix a fight, or change something you said, but don't we wish it could? Granted, I too partake in the cliches that make New Years what it's cracked up to be, but sometimes it just makes me wonder.
2011 for instance. I've learned and accomplished a lot of things. I started high school. I wrote my first song. I learned how to play the piano. I got my first guitar. I got my dream role in Fiddler. I got the freshman chorus award. I learned how to handle people. I wrote a book. I got an iPhone (trivial to some, but that thing is my life). I turned fifteen. I got my first A+ in a math class. I took my first 5 hour test (that damn PSAT). I got into STAC. I took my first midterm, and my first final. I performed in my first high school musical. I got a perfect score on Level 6 NYSSMA. I was the only girl in my class to make All County for voice. I spent an entire morning dressed up as the queen of hearts, screaming at people during battle, and probably had the most fun I've ever had in my life. I got a new baby cousin. I made new friends, and lost some old ones. I watched my brother grow up. I watched my sister grow up. I watched myself grow up.
But all in all, I'm still Sarah. I'm still the girl who is completely obsessed with The Little Mermaid. I'm still the girl who could listen to a Taylor Swift or a Lady Gaga song on repeat for hours and still get chills. I'm still the girl that watches High School Musical whenever she gets the chance, and sings along to every song. I'm still the girl who gets sick all the time. I'm still the girl that sometimes doesn't shut up and repeats herself constantly just because she's so damn excited about something. I'm still the girl who can't get up in the mornings for her life. I'm still the girl that is obsessed with theatre and obsessed with wanting to become better and better at her music. I'm still the girl that is always cold, even if its sweltering hot outside. I'm still the girl that shudders when music on the radio has been pitch distorted. I'm still the girl that can be cured of anything with a Jennifer Aniston rom-com and some oreos. I'm still the girl who worries about everything. I'm still the girl who belts showtunes when she's home alone. Bottom line, I'm still me.
Sure, 2012 will bring a lot of new and great things. But a new year can't change or fix everything. To me, a new year just means new beginnings, more growth and expansions, and bigger and better accomplishments. A new year can't cure a broken heart, but it'll give it time to heal. A new year can't change everything, but it can change one thing in a big way - if you let it.
So this year I'm determined to have more accomplishments than the list I posted above, but to still keep all of the qualities I already have. This year I want to write a complete album, and I am determined to do it. I'm 3 songs in, and I know that with a lot of work and dedication that I'll be up to 10 by the middle of this year. I want to write another book (though I know it'll be so hard considering I don't even have time for myself). I want to work on my acting, and make it better than it already is. I want to get dancing again, and I want to improve and learn new things because I miss it so much. And this year I want to try new things, and to just have fun.
2011 for instance. I've learned and accomplished a lot of things. I started high school. I wrote my first song. I learned how to play the piano. I got my first guitar. I got my dream role in Fiddler. I got the freshman chorus award. I learned how to handle people. I wrote a book. I got an iPhone (trivial to some, but that thing is my life). I turned fifteen. I got my first A+ in a math class. I took my first 5 hour test (that damn PSAT). I got into STAC. I took my first midterm, and my first final. I performed in my first high school musical. I got a perfect score on Level 6 NYSSMA. I was the only girl in my class to make All County for voice. I spent an entire morning dressed up as the queen of hearts, screaming at people during battle, and probably had the most fun I've ever had in my life. I got a new baby cousin. I made new friends, and lost some old ones. I watched my brother grow up. I watched my sister grow up. I watched myself grow up.
But all in all, I'm still Sarah. I'm still the girl who is completely obsessed with The Little Mermaid. I'm still the girl who could listen to a Taylor Swift or a Lady Gaga song on repeat for hours and still get chills. I'm still the girl that watches High School Musical whenever she gets the chance, and sings along to every song. I'm still the girl who gets sick all the time. I'm still the girl that sometimes doesn't shut up and repeats herself constantly just because she's so damn excited about something. I'm still the girl who can't get up in the mornings for her life. I'm still the girl that is obsessed with theatre and obsessed with wanting to become better and better at her music. I'm still the girl that is always cold, even if its sweltering hot outside. I'm still the girl that shudders when music on the radio has been pitch distorted. I'm still the girl that can be cured of anything with a Jennifer Aniston rom-com and some oreos. I'm still the girl who worries about everything. I'm still the girl who belts showtunes when she's home alone. Bottom line, I'm still me.
Sure, 2012 will bring a lot of new and great things. But a new year can't change or fix everything. To me, a new year just means new beginnings, more growth and expansions, and bigger and better accomplishments. A new year can't cure a broken heart, but it'll give it time to heal. A new year can't change everything, but it can change one thing in a big way - if you let it.
So this year I'm determined to have more accomplishments than the list I posted above, but to still keep all of the qualities I already have. This year I want to write a complete album, and I am determined to do it. I'm 3 songs in, and I know that with a lot of work and dedication that I'll be up to 10 by the middle of this year. I want to write another book (though I know it'll be so hard considering I don't even have time for myself). I want to work on my acting, and make it better than it already is. I want to get dancing again, and I want to improve and learn new things because I miss it so much. And this year I want to try new things, and to just have fun.
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