Interactions and influences

The world is a funny place sometimes. So many different things happening simultaneously; War, Famine, Rescission, Marriages, Births, Deaths, hugs, Kisses, handshakes.  Such different things but yet at the same time so very similar. Each of them a simple matter of how one person, or group of people, interacts with another person, group, or a place or thing.

It’s funny; you have these sociologists and anthropologist studying how people interact but what about someone like me, Simple 18 Year old college freshman?  I have no formal training in any sort of social science whatsoever yet here I am laying out my thoughts in this paper that for some reason I have some compulsion to write right now.

To me what interaction boils down to is the way that one person effects another. Not physically or mentally, but in whatever it is that they can add to someone’s life and have it last a lifetime. Things like this may even go unnoticed for years, lying dormant until it becomes relevant.  It can be things as simple as frugality or as complex as teaching someone how to fall in love.  These little “lessons” get compiled and used as building blocks for this amazing set of filters that we look at life through, most people happen to call it a personality. Once this has been set up there are some pieces that remain steadfast for the person’s lifetime, never changing, never moving, and just being the foundation. The other pieces are in a constant state of flux, shifting and adapting to help take in all of the new information that a person receives.  Together these two different types of pieces manipulate how things appear to people and they create some kind of secondary persona or “IT” who mandates what to do and how to do it. Right now you may not believe me and you may be saying to yourself “what is this kid on?”  If so, then I just proved that “IT” exists. IT uses all of your experiences, all of your knowledge, and interprets what people say to you, how or why things happen, and then tell you how to react accordingly.

When I was first presented with this information I was baffled. I didn’t know how to accept it. But I soon got to thinking, in all of my sleepless nights I pondered that if IT is a manifestation of an individual’s interactions with others then, what can I do to be someone who adds to their lives rather than detracts? I began to ask myself this question more and more. “How can I influence people’s lives positively? I’m not saying I went out and paid off people’s debts for them, but even something simple. A smile, a wave, a greeting, even a simple text message to let someone know they’re on your mind can be all it takes. If every person could learn to do something small and have it mean something even if it happens for only ONE SECOND I’m more than sure the world would be just that much more of an amazing place.

Hunter College: This S**t is BANANAS!!!

So first day of classes here at hunter ...... I LOVE IT HERE!  I had Basic Acting and Intro to Economics; I got out of class at around 2:30ish and then I hung out with some friends till about 5.

Basic Acting: My actual professor wasn't here to meet us so she got Professor Drake(I think thats her name) to cover for her. Professor Drake was actually really cool , she had us play some improv games, which I thought were very interesting. They were  called panthers and leopards(works on Creativity, Observation and Memorization), Spacial Matter (Works on Imagination, Physicality and Creativity), and another one that didn't have a name but for our purposes I'll call it the Blind game(heightening the senses other than sight)

• Panthers and Leopards: divide the group into two seperate groups 1 and 2, have  group 1 form a circle  in the middle and then have one member from group 2 stand behind  each person in the circle so there are two circles. 
• You get 15 seconds to get to knowthe person you're paired with at that time, and take in as much of their appearance as you can.  
• When time is called both partners have 15 seconds to turn away and change one aspect of their appearance
• Turn back and try to guess what has been changed
• After you have tried to guess the outer circle moves to the right by one person
• repeat but each time change one more thing Ex. 1st turn 1 thing, 2nd turn 2 things, etc
• and after 4 or 5 turns double the amount of time they get for everything
• go until you've made a full circle
•  Spacial Matter: Sit the group in a large circle 
• One person gathers up some "spacial matter" and creates something out of nothing, it can be absolutely anything you desire
• That person has to use or interact with what ever they've made in some way and then pass it to their right
• the person receiving the object must use what ever they think they've been handed (there are cases where you will be wrong! it doesn't matter just go for it!)
• after they have used it they must discard the object and create a new one by gathering up more "space"
• keep going around the circle, everyone must receive something and create something
• game ends when the original creator receives an object.
•  The "Blind Game": Partner up! One person chooses to be A and the other is B

• Partner A makes a noise and repeats it a few times so that B can remember the sound
• All B's go to the edge of the area that you are using, close their eyes, and face out so their backs are to the A's 
• The A's create obstacles using what ever they can find: chairs, boxes, stools, tables, chalkboards, Etc.
• The B's, keeping their eyes shut, turn around to face the A's and the makeshift obstacle course
• A's make their sounds and B's use Hearing and Touch to make their way through the obstacles and to their partners.
• Switch roles and change up the obstacles

Economics: I already took Eco in High school but I absolutely detested that class not really sure why... maybe it was the fact that my teacher would tell us how she hates her job but who knows... This teacher was  better though, her name is Professor George I believe. She opened the class with a perfect example of the Laws of Supply and Demand. First she auctioned off a pack of M&M's  starting at $.10 and then ending at $1.70, she pointed out that as the price went up less people were willing to buy the candy. She also showed that even a slight difference in price can drastically change the demand of a product. When the price went from $1 to $1.10 the amount of people willing to buy shrunk by at least half. Inversely when people are willing to spend more, producers will supply more. She asked someone to sell her their pen for 5 dollars, 40+  hands shot up. As she decreased the price the amount of people willing to sell decreased just as well. It wound up being  sold for $.20 and the 3 prices before that there were maybe 2 people willing to sell. It just goes to show you how very very slight differences can make a drastic change in a market.

MORE TO COME :D

Independent Projects

This is the first of many posts about my independent project! 

I have resolved that I'm going to prepare a list of songs (probably around 4 or 5) and either record them or perform them live.... Maybe even both!  As of this moment the songs i'm throwing around are

1. Nature Boy- Caetano Veloso

2. Meu Fado Meu- Mariza

3. O Leaozinho - Caetano Veloso

4. My Way- Frank Sinatra

 I want one more... I'm thinking something fast paced  but not too silly. Something serious but not something that drags along like a lead weight. 

Now my side salad is the tricky part. 

Luke proposed the idea of learning IPA (international phonetic alphabet) and its interesting but i was thinking of doing something related to fashion. I've never really taken a look at that but its always been something I've been interested in.

I'm open to/begging for suggestions on either! 

Musical Influx- care to add to it??

As of late I've begun to listen to LOTS of  really really good music. Mumford and Sons, Fun., Al Jarreau, Jeff Buckley,  Florence and the Machine, Ben Folds, AWOLNATION, and  Regina Spektor. The funny thing is that aside from AWOLNATION, Ben Folds and Al Jarreau, they're all similar somehow. I found them by clicking on the related artists tab in Spotify. I'm really enjoying what I'm hearing!! if anyone has any musical suggestions please dont hesitate to share them

Famous Actor Peoples

Stanislavsky- Russian director/actor/theatre theorist
He took a very serious and analytic approach to acting. He was a founder of the Moscow Art Theatre, and he was part of the Meiningen Ensemble and an important figure for Russian formalism.
Michael Chekhov- Russian actor/Theorist
Chekhov, though at first a student of Stanislavsky,  went about acting as finding the internal creative self through indirect, non analytic means. Stanislavsky thought of him as his brightest student.
Lee Strasberg- American actor/director/acting teacher
Strasberg is considered the father of method acting. Completely revolutionized the practice of acting. Worked with  actors such as Harvey Keitel, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and Marilyn Monroe.
Sanford Meisner- American actor/ Acting teacher
Meisner developed a form of method acting, based on the Stanislavsky system,  known as The Meisner Technique.
Stella Adler- American Actress/ Teacher
Adler founded the Stella Adler studio of  Acting(NYC) and the Stella Adler Academy of Acting. She was the only American Actor to study with Stanislavsky and after that worked with Lee Strasberg but the differences between the Stanislavsky System and Method Acting were too much for her.
Bobby Lewis- American Actor/ Director/ Teacher/ Author
Founded the Actors Studio. HUGE Advocate for the Stanislavsky System of acting. Disliked method acting because "it discouraged actors from doing the great works of classic writers because of the way they are spoken".

Expressionism

So looking around I found the "real" definition to expressionism. "Expressionism- a manner of painting, drawing,sculpting, etc., in which forms derived from nature are distorted or exaggerated and colors are intensified foremotive or expressive purposes." This definition is taken from Dictionary.com which, for the most part, tends to be pretty reliable. I think that this is much too vague an answer. I think that Expressionism is a form of art that creates a beautiful connection with life (not even just living but things that are alive ex. animal, plants, organic shapes, etc) and death or oblivion. Things tend be on the heavier or more depression side of the emotional spectrum but the products of this movement have been some of the most highly regarded pieces of art of all time.  Fritz Lang's Metropolis, Murnau's Nosferatu,  and many many more have all come from expressionism. 

oh wait.. we're supposed to be the mature ones..

I honestly feel like the issue isn’t being handled in the way that it should be. It’s clear that there are some problems present within our group and the fact that no one aside from me and Ashley are addressing is stupid. My group obviously feels like we are being pushed aside and ignored, whether or not that was the intention doesn’t matter because the fact remains that we are not happy. Yes our idea was undeveloped and yes we didn’t exactly know how to explain it and given some time we would've gladly come up with something to show but our ideas were shot down and it can be said that they weren't shot down a thousand times over but that still wont make it true. I would've been fine just listening to everything but as I looked around I watched some of the others completely disregarded and disrespect the conversation we were having, they were talking, they were on the computer looking at dresses, they were texting.....aren’t we supposed to set an example for the other grades?  Aren’t we supposed to be the mature ones? I'm not trying to make the other groups bad or wrong they are just as entitled to their opinion as anyone else is and it's just as much their project as it is mine.... but you know its a problem when someone as strong as Ashley to start crying. After I left I called her to make sure she was okay, I listened to the pain in her voice and I was awestruck by the fact that she had been pushed this far. She also explained how one of the other seniors  came up to her later on and said that her ideas were of no benefit to the group. I'm all for trying to make this project  something  amazing... but there are some major obstacles we're gonna need to get over first.

Life is.... strange

I've begun to notice that the world works in very mysterious ways.  Like I've shared several times in class what I want to do as a career is become a chorus teacher my family happens to have a different view. they want me to become a scientist. Why a scientist? i have absolutely no idea but their hearts are set on it.  I lik the sciences but not enough to spend the rest of my life with them. I love music so much and it's gotten to the point where I've been pushed to tears by the screaming my father and I have done, I'm surprised Caitlin hasn't heard it from down the block. I love my father very very much but its really difficult to remain calm when your dreams are being shattered like sugar glass in a Michael Bay film. he says that he doesnt want me to get out of college and not be able to find a job and i understand that... but isnt that something i should face on my own. One of the parts of the STAC code is Bold Optimism... how can someone have bold optimism without risks?

Long time no post..

So I havent posted in a while and I have no excuse, but i'm  going to change that.
Since my last post  alot of different things have happened in STAC. We went to the city, we've been working on dada projects in art and in our own chosen discipline, and in general we've been having fun.
The trip: The trip was so much fun! It was wet and rainy but aside from that I enjoyed it. I think that my favorite parts of the trip were sculpture center and the show. Sculpture center(mainly the first floor) was so interesting, I happen to really like the work that Sanford Biggers put up. The concept of the whole project is really cool too, following slave trade in its reverse order from Portugal to Brasil to Western Africa, I really want to see the other videos that go along with the "Cosmic Voodoo Circus"  the first one is being shown at the Brooklyn Museum of art so maybe i'll go see it  when I get a chance. That show was also really good! It was so funny and the fact that we were so close to the actors themselves made me feel like I was a part of the show. I went to the libaray and took out a book of plays by Eugene O'Neil and i started laughing when I saw all the stage directions in it.
DADA: I'm really excited for the dada expostion, I'm a little nervous though because to me what we're doing doesnt make much sense. I guess I have to wait until it's all put together and then it'll make more sense but for now its just a whole bunch of sounds that dont really go together, but i'm sure it'll be better when its all together.

Elaboration

Okay... so why don't I like STAR TREK? Here's why: I feel that the fact that they used aliens and spaceships to send out a pro gay message  trivializes it to a point where it doesn't matter anymore. Another thing that makes me dislike it  is that the entire premise of the show is stupid to me, granted I still watch cartoons, but I just don't find it at all entertaining.

STAC 2012

I'm really excited for this year! Last year one of my big HUGE problems was my lack of discipline but this year i'm ready to get shit done! I did some growing up over this summer  and I feel like I'm in a much better position to work now that I've actually gotten things done.

So today in STAC we began the year with!......STAR TREK.. I really didn't like it much, the entire idea of the episode was great and so was the acting but the fact that they did it with aliens and gave it such a crappy ending really really irked me.  If Sorrin really loved Commander Riker then she would've gone with him and  they would've been happy together but i still feel like it was a complete and total cop out. Also when Luke said that someone had the idea that a man play Sorrin, I agree, it would've been a much stronger message that way. I believe that people should be able to be with whoever they want in order to live a life that is, in their eyes, happy and fulfilled.
I miss the prisoner so much though! I'd much rather watch that again from the beginning then watch Star trek again. The Prisoner was intelligently directed and wonderfully acted. Every episode was mindbomb after mindbomb and there were times where it got headaches from thinking too much but it was worth it because everything else about the show was so good! I think that we should have a day where we just finish the show for old times sake and I know that others that would agree with me.

But all thoughts on Star Trek aside i feel like this year is going to be very eye opening and fun. I cant wait to meet all the newbies and i'm sure we'll be great friends. Here's to a great year! :)

Final Jim Bonney Workshop and what I've taken out of them

I didnt know today was the last workshop with Mr. Bonney. Im honestly very upset about that.   Working with him has made me realize a lot of things  not only in acting but in my own life. I feel that after  being in his class I see the world in a different way.  Since getting into STAC  many things have impacted me on an emotional level: Swan Lake, Meisner training, The Empty Space, but none of these are quite like working with Mr. Bonney. I feel like a baby seeing the world for the first time  If I hadn't gone to these classes two things probably would've happened. 1. I'd probably be an emotional wreck right now. I had gotten so used to keeping my emotions holed up inside me and these classes gave me a chance to release all the emotions that I'd hidden. The first few classes I walked back up to the school crying and  afterwards I had never felt so good in my whole life! The way Jim Bonney works is amazing. I dont know how he does it but he can he me to feel things that no one else can and I really admire that but it also scares me. 2. My preformance in Urinetown would have been terrible! 

               I really had no idea how to play Barrel until the  the day of the first show. I cut it super close but in my opinion I did it  pretty well albeit with a hitch or two but in the end pretty well done.  Barrel turned out to be a ruthless 6 year old in a mans body who falls in love with Officer Lockstock. Thats a pretty big difference from him being "Shrek" like I had intentionally planned. I got laughs and I  was even recognized in school, people came up to me and said that I was their favorite character. I felt very confident about how I played Barrel, I knew what to do and how to do it well. I dont think I felt this confident with any of my other characters. I feel like I've come a long way from freshman year, I'm not the nervous kid playing Andrew Stein's dad anymore.
             
                      What I liked was that I eventually gave Barrel a personality that made him stand out from everyone else. I got my lines right, I held up the basses in the songs and I did what I could to make the show better. What I didnt like was that  a few times in each show I got carried away and it took away from what was happening in that scene. I tried so hard to make myself seen that I forgot it's not the Jon Ghandforoush show. I had sooooo much fun but I messed with the others, I know I shouldn't  have  but I'm glad I took the risk so I could figure out what was good and what was too much.  I took a risk and benifited from it, all in all Iwas happy with what I and the feedback I got.

              Working with Mr. Bonney was very fun I'm really going to miss the workshops, anyone that gets that chance is lucky because you really begin to find yourself during these classes. I want to start taking acting lessons with him. I feel that if I work with him I can get really really good.

               

workshop #5

Today we got all of the interviewing done and I believe that it is being edited. Today we expaned the final project and it's coming out really really well. Miming is alot of fun and I'm gonna miss it when its over. At least I can say I know how to mime. This whole experience was very different but very very fun

Workshop 4 with Gregg

This past workshop with gregg went very well. We expanded our final project  and its starting to be very fun to do. I like the rituals  that we're putting into it  the way its going the "play"  will  possibly strike some people  and I'm gonna love watching their reactions.   I dont wanna spoil the surprise so I'll stop there  more on Tuesday!

3rd workshop with Gregg

Today we started working on our final project with Gregg. I think that its gonna be really cool after its all finished. We've based it on common "rituals" (traditions, ceremonies, ect) and so far it looks awesome even though we dont have much done but we have some time to add and tweak so this should be an interesting few workshops coming up.

Workshop #2

The second workshop with Mr. Goldston was  kind of boring. We spent alot of time doing "the robot" I wanted to do normal human miming and we did do that but not as much as I'd hoped. I honestly do like miming but its much harder than I expected it to be. The leaning on thin air is dificult and  so are the  rapid facial changes but i've been practicing at home so I feel like i've gotten a little better.  I'm curious to see what Mr. Goldston throws at us next. Until next time

Workshop #1

Working with Gregg Goldston today was very different from what I'm used to.  Today we learned a few different mime moves and we did a basic scene  of walking into a bar and ordering a drink. I found mime really interesting I didnt think it was going to be as dificult as it was but I had alot of trouble with some of the moves. My favorite part was "the dog". "The dog" is a move where the mime pretends  to be walking a dog that starts misbehaving. I'm feel like I'm going to get the hang of it eventually and I hope so because that was really fun.

Gregg Goldston

Gregg goldston was first exposed to mime in 1975 when he saw a Marcel Marceau show. He soon began pursuing the art of mime. Starting his training in Hollywood, California he then proceeded around the United States and then the world, having shows in Hong Kong, Moscow, Taiwan, Korea, Canada, and Poland. He has been apart of The Funny Bones and The Invisible People. His shows have been presented in a variety of New York venues including: Lincoln Center’s Meet the Artist program, The New York Theatre Workshop, The Urban Stages program, and Lincoln Center’s Reel to Real Series.  Gregg Became very close with the very person that inspired his miming Mr. Marcel Marceau.  The relationship that emerged between Gregg Goldston and Marcel Marceau lasted 22 years.  Over time it evolved into a deep personal friendship, while maintaining a Master/disciple mentorship becoming the most influential relationship in Goldston’s life. Goldston was given the rare honor of performing as Assistant to Marcel Marceau during the Marceau U.S. Tours in 2000 to 2002,.  Furthermore, Goldston also performed lead roles with the Marcel Marceau Nouvelle Compagnie de Mimodrame, during its 5-week run at the American Repertoire Theatre of Harvard.  These performances in 2004 were the final company shows staged by Marceau prior to his passing in 2007.

Well ..... I didnt see that coming.

I went to Home Depot for the second time to look for materials for this instrument and again they didnt have the things I need. Now I have to wait  and go to some fancy schmancy plumbing supply store with my dad  next sunday. Hopefully they'll have the parts that I need for the drumbone. I still need decorating ideas so if any of you guys have any I'm all ears.    Till next time

Can we build it? Yes we can!!!

So monday we had been talking about the song  that we are gonna do for stac live and I was doing homework and going through Youtube at the same time(gotta love multitasking) and I thought I'd listen to some Blue Man Group and I went to my favorite song drumbone(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-nzQg97uUs) and afterwards I thought to myself  "this would be pretty damn cool if i could make one of these and use it for stac live!" I plan to spend this weekend working and hopefully I'll have it done soon. I need ideas on how to decorate it though so if you have any ideas I'm listening.