Keara Sax
Arts Scholar
Pentathlon Semester 1
As an experiential component of College Park Arts Scholars, I attended a selection of five art events during my first semester. These events ranged in art mediums and each sparked dialogue among my peers.
The Devil All The Time
On September 19th, I watched The Devil All The Time on Netflix with my sisters. The movie was set in West Virginia, containing forest scenery for most of the film. Death and murder were the main focuses in the movie, and the bold contrast in the greenery and blood was an excellent use of complementary colors and added to the suspense. Religion was the main theme, and due to the fluctuation of belief, a muted somber color palette is in use throughout the religious portions of the film(in contrast to the saturated red-green gruesome scenes). The symbolic depictions of crosses throughout the film also raised question as to if the cross was meant to be worshipped and treated as valuable art(and if religion was real) or if it just resembled bloodshed and loss(and all is lost to the Devil). This is seen in several versions of the cross scattered throughout the film, made of different materials and displayed for different purposes. The acting seen in the movie was also artistic in itself- the graphic nature of many of the characters and excess of twisted values must have taken lots of skill to master and convey in a realistic way, as well as be able to earn forms of sympathy from the audience. There was a point in the movie where we were rooting for one of the characters to murder another- and while this is extremely unethical and goes against our morals, the actors were able to tell a wretched story in which we were moved to support the unthinkable. All the characters were also required to speak in Southern accents, which presents skill in itself. Even the soundtrack was art, as its crescendos and deafening silence created suspense and eerie anticipation. The Devil All The Time is a harmonious combination of many forms of art- from music in the soundtrack and characters singing, choreography in the fight scenes, visual art in its color story and cross depictions, excellence of literature in its storytelling, and theatre in its stellar acting. #film
Wallows: Live from The Roxy- Show 2
I've been to plenty of concerts, even attended a live Wallows concert back in February and streamed their Lollapalooza set from 2018 at the very beginning of quarantine. But Live from The Roxy- Show 2, streamed on August 23rd, was my first proper 'Virtual Concert', and it was quite the experience. I watched the end of the live stream with a few friends the day it streamed, but finally got the opportunity to watch the whole show this past week. While it was ominous without an audience screaming, as the show was pre-recorded in a socially distanced, empty theater, the audience interaction in the chatroom and the Wallows' members still chatting made it easier to digest. The production was great, with excellent sound, well-crafted videography, and fun lighting. It gave me confidence that there is still a way to experience the thrill of a concert even while in quarantine. While I didn't hobble home drenched in sweat from moshing and unable to hear, I still was thrilled to have experienced the set. The band clearly took the time to find a safe and fun way to close out their 'Nothing Happens' Tour properly, which was cut short by the global pandemic. The four-set series catered well to the fans and gave those who either missed the tour or had their shows cancelled an opportunity to still see a live performance crafted and performed with care. #music
CPSA: Halloween Origami Night
On October 13th at 7:30 PM, I attended the Arts Advisory Board's Halloween Origami Night on Zoom. We learned how to create origami bats and origami pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns to be in the festive mood of Halloween. It was a chill session, with mellow bedroom pop playing in the background as Amy and Rebekah went through the steps of folding some holiday decor. Working with paper in a creative way relates to my recent field trip to Strathmore, in which we largely discussed the creative uses of certain materials and the value in using humble materials. Many people would look at paper and associate it to art by drawing on it, but the practice of origami is an art form in itself that uses paper in a rather unconventional way to create pieces. I used to be in a club where we made origami cranes to hang in cancer patient's hospital rooms, and it was nice to take up an old hobby and learn new ways to make different objects through origami- plus I made a cute origami pumpkin patch to decorate my room! I do wonder, however, the other folding techniques one could use to make origami bats or pumpkins, and who came up with the idea in the first place... #visualart #artscholarsevent
SEE Presents: Fallapalooza with Finneas
On November 9th at 8 PM, I watched Finneas perform for Fallapalooza, coordinated by SEE. Being my second proper virtual concert, it was still weird to get used to, with the disconnection of being behind a screen and technical difficulties. However, I believe Finneas, who writes and performs his own music as well as producing his younger sister Billie Eilish’s music, is amongst some of our generation’s most talented musicians in our current mainstream music industry, and his unique techniques and as well as his plethora of talent never cease to amaze me. Despite being behind a screen, he carried himself well and had a consistent flow. His performance was excellent, rotating between guitar and piano smoothly and singing beautifully. I just wonder how he is able to hold himself to the standard he does, between writing and producing with his sister and making his own music- not only did he have the concert today, but he also dropped a song with Billie at 1 PM. I think his creative techniques used in production of his and Billie’s music, as well as the beauty and exuberance of the chords and melodies he writes, are worth contemplation and utilization in further productions of my own music. #music
NYU Shanghai Thespians Society: "The Zoom Play That Went Wrong"
On December 11th, I rewatched NYU Shanghai Thespian's Society's original production of "The Zoom Play That Went Wrong". The play was written by and starred in by my former classmate, Ryan Hoover, and also featured another high school friend. The original play, roughly based off of "The Play That Went Wrong" detailed a murder mystery akin to "Clue", but continuously broke the fourth wall as it is a play-within-a
-play (one that is dealing with a multitude of technical issues, at that). Perfectly designed for a Zoom setting, the play takes a parodical stance on the toils of online school, relatable for a broad audience. I watched the play live on May 8th earlier this year, but grew interested in the functionality of preservation of such a show, as well as the potential to produce more shows fit for Zoom, as we are still participating in online school predominately coming this spring semester. Unfortunately, the recording on the NYU Zoom page was taken it in a way that only the person speaking was shown, while watching it live the play took on a gallery form. This took away from a lot of the hilarious side bits other characters did that elevated the overall comedic value of the show. I wonder if this type of method could be useful in other genres of plays, as the script itself was adopted solely for use over Zoom. Could more serious plays hold their value if done in a virtual setting? What if there really were technical issues and could not be masked by the ones scripted in, such as in this play? Could a musical be adapted in a way that the off-set of timing between viewers and actors alike would be advantageous, or would it be too tedious and inconsistent? However it may cross into different forms of performing arts, I think the show holds its own, and was a fantastic display of the resilience of The Thespians Society at NYU Shanghai. #theatre
Pentathlon Semester 2
Follow along this semester as I document my arts experiences this semester.
#Film
Saturday, February 6th, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Screening
Last Night, I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 on TV. I have already seen the film plenty of times, especially in succession with the other installments of the film, but I think it offered a different experience watching it as a stand-alone. Watching this movie again, one can clearly see the development of the golden trio's (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley) characters, as well as the skill and talent of their actor counterparts. The movie itself is about development and being on the brink of closure, and I think seeing it again I may consider it one of the best films in the franchise. While it may not provide the finality everyone craves from a movie, especially with the cliffhanger ending, I think it gives the characters even more dimension in an imperative moment for them to prove such, and it provides depth for every character involved. Ties are made even more stark and audiences can empathize with the characters on a higher level, incorporating them even further into the franchise. Overall, I think the movie provides a basis for inspiration in use of color palettes setting moods, the fun contrast between the soberness of impending doom and the humor used to cope with it. It also provides ground for exploring the layers of character development, and pausing in the midst of a chaotic storyline to do such. The Harry Potter franchise has inspired me continuously, whether it's the score influencing the way I write music, to the way I develop stories in my lyrics, the visual art I create, and the creative flow of my desire to design theme parks. This movie particularly, though, lets me know that improvement is a long process yet fruitful in its nature, and encourages me to continue to push my dreams and creativity and hone my skills and abilities.
#Dance #ArtsScholars
Sunday, February 28th, 2-For-1 Pentathlon - KPop TikTok Dance
In the first breakout room I joined on the Peer Mentors and AAB hosted 2-for-1 Pentathlon night was KPop TikTok Dancing with Amy and Vicky. We learned the dance trend for Korean rapper Zico's hit single, Any Song. I had actually learned the trend a while back, when Zico collabed with artists Hwasa and Chungha, whom I am big fans of. It was nice to refresh the fun dance as well as experience it with everyone else in the call. We all felt a bit foolish, but at least we all laughed it off and had a good time. I like to learn KPop choreographies from time to time, but this Zoom call reminded me of how much I miss dancing with other people, as well as choreographing. It was a nice reminder that dance is also a form of art, and one that I enjoy at that. With b being stuck at home quarantining, I am not as active as I once was, so I can also utilize my love for dance as a way to stay active in these trying times. I think the activity also tied into the idea of diversity within the Arts community. Korean music has become more popular in recent years, but I only have a pair of friends who I share the interest with. This experience made me curious as to how many people may also share that interest with me, whether it’s the culture, music, visuals, or choreography aspects of the kpop genre. Overall, this experience has inspired me to freshen up on my dance skills, continue to pursue my interest in dance in choreography, as well as reach out to people in the KPop community.
#Presentation #ArtsScholars
Sunday, February 28th, 2-For-1 Pentathlon - Skribbl.io
In the second breakout room I joined during the Peer Mentors and AAB hosted 2-for-1 Pentathlon night Skribbl.io with Maria and Tiffany. The twelve of us participated in a two-round game of Skribbl.io- an online drawing game in which each person is given an option between three words, and has to draw it pictionary-style, while the other players guess in the chat for points. The game was quite competitive, and I ended up placing fourth. It was a nice way to challenge my visual and guessing skills as well as have a light-hearted interaction with some fellow Arts scholars. Images ranged from anything as simple as a bat to something more branded, like the Statue of Liberty and Pikachu. Drawing on a computer is not easy, which was honestly half of the fun. This experience reminded me that art doesn’t have to be serious all the time, or picture perfect at the end of the sketch. I’ve learned through the Arts scholars program and this zoom call that art can be experimental and not end up being exceptional in the end, but not only can it serve as a platform for growth, but it can also serve as an outlet- serving the mind rather than the visual outcome. I think the program Skribbl.io forces you to be creative and think outside the box as well as think quickly on your feet. Moving forward, I wonder how the program could improve one’s visual, cognitive, and puzzle-solving skills as a form of art education.
#VisualArt
Sunday, April 11th, Arts & SGC Painting Project
I have been lucky to collaborate with Marisa Teti and others in the Science and Global Change Scholars program to design a recycling bin on campus reflective of Scholars! Pictured above is the final submission I sent this morning for the design for three sides of the recycling dumpster that will be painted by both Arts and SGC scholars students later this month. This piece marks one of my first on my new iPad, which is allowing me to experiment with drawing and graphic design in a digital fusion. The inspiration I got not only from the learning curve of using Adobe Fresco on the iPad as well as the enthusiasm and creativity from the SGC students participating really fueled this fun activity and my heavy participation in it, as it is thrilling to be able to put their ideas to paper as they otherwise felt they could not. Th collaboration between the two programs has made this a rewarding project to work on, and I am thrilled to go in-person and help paint later this month as well. The theme we chose- 'Save the Planet'- is also heavily reflected in my hopeful major in Environmental Science and Policy. Being able to fuse these two interests of mine- environmentalism and art- and apply it to my campus is extremely rewarding, and it is fun to reflect such an important idea in such a fun way with Testudo decor on campus. I am glad to have the opportunity to make collaborative art as well, as most of my art is personal or completed once it leaves me. To have others work on it after submitting this design and adding their little flairs when painting excites me, as I am happy to see it become an enjoyable task as well as piece of communal art that everyone can work on together and be a part of. Moving forward, I hope to do more collaborative art in which I get to work with others in adding onto each others' work to learn from them or to fuel and inspire my own creativity.
#Film
Sunday, April 25th, Deadpool 2 Screening
Today I watched Deadpool 2 with my siblings. While this film is raunchy and action-packed, I think the character play and clever script are what makes the films so charming. It is often seen that action films, especially superhero films, are weak in dialogue. This movie steps outside those boundaries with a clever script delivered by silver tongued Ryan Reynolds and outstanding supporting cast. As the eleventh installment of Marvel’s X-Men series, and the sequel to blockbuster Deadpool, stellar effects, action sequences, and clever quips were expected. But even Marvel is no exception to flopped sequels. Despite all this, Deadpool 2 holds its own within the MCU with new interesting characters, equivalently comedic timing and script to the first installment, and a solid cast of compelling characters intertwined with enthralling plotlines. The movie is nothing short of excellent, going above and beyond what is expected of a Marvel Comics film. Especially after Ryan Reynolds’ failed dabble in heroism with DC’s Green Lantern in 2011, his run as antihero Wade Wilson is nothing short of exceptional. The film represents that an excellent piece of film does not have to sacrifice humor, and said humor can be dirty but not outrageously offensive. The film defies every standard it is set to, as a Marvel-affiliated film, a comic-turned-movie, a sequel, a film with a leading man who failed in hero movies before, a nontraditional superhero, and a mix of several film genres. It goes to show that compromise is not inevitable, and lack thereof doesn’t necessarily lead to a niche subset of viewers who can enjoy it. Deadpool 2 is a strong enough film to meet and defy expectations of millions and stand as its own movie aside from its prequel, and should be looked at more in the film industry as an experimental success story as a movie that has begun to innovate within adult action, adventure, and comedy films. Particularly for me, the film inspires me to explore comedic timing and script writing within the acting realm, as well as attempt to explore the genres it lies in to see if I can find other examples of films that marry similar genres as Deadpool 2 did in exemplary fashion.
Pentathlon Semester 3
Check out all the cool events I do this event with my fellow scholars friends!
#Dance
Saturday, September 18th, GGWB and Ganji Kpop Dance Workshop and Random Dance Play
At the NextNow Fest, I had the pleasure of attending GGWB and Ganji’s Kpop Dance Workshop to learn the chorus choreography to Fancy by Twice and participate in the Random Dance Play they hosted. I had not danced in a public setting in over two years, and not in a workshop or random dance play, so the experience was very new to me. I learned a lot simply about my personal body expression simply through dancing in front of a mirror and attempting to synchronize with other dancers in its reflection. I wonder if I would have enough stamina to learn an entire Kpop choreography and perform it full-out if I were to audition for either of the crews. The entire Kpop industry is a fusion of cultures and ties people together globally through the universal languages of music and performance, which is a concept promoted by Arts Scholars, and was heavily reflected in The You In Music, the workshop I took last semester. The event really opened my eyes to the large community of Kpop fans on campus and clubs I could participate in in order to celebrate and participate in an aspect of the Arts I care about a lot. Often Kpop is notable for its visuals, but the talent found simply in the idols’ dance abilities and the complexity of the choreographies they execute so flawlessly is a testament to their talent and the quality of the industry as well as its versatility in terms of touching different aspects of Arts- music, dance, and performance.
#Film
Friday, September 17th, Miyazaki Film Festival: Spirited Away
At the NextNow Fest, I had the pleasure of viewing one of Studio Ghibli's most iconic films: Spirited Away. Miyazaki not only emulates a deep understanding of elaborate storytelling, but excels in the visual aspect in a way that would be difficult to emulate but worthwhile to examine in the field I want to pursue. As someone who aspires to design theme park attractions, world-building is not only the next big thing but, in my opinion, the optimal addition to a holistic experience. For example, the bathhouse that Chihiro is recruited to work for has little details all over each individual frame that reflects a maximalism approach to realism that is not only uncommon but keeps even passing scenery immersive and interesting to the eye. The setting of the story overall is so robust and ever-changing; every scene presents a new aura with change in color palettes yet it all ebbs and flows as once concise piece. These skills Miyazaki flawlessly executes across his repertoire are so refined but could be such a large asset in the future of ride design. Additionally, I think Miyazaki films have a well-balanced audience reach. Unlike competitors such as Disney, Ghibli films don't feel dumbed down or childish as you get older. The fantasy is mature, as are some of the plotlines, but the artistic choices that make the film so fantastic do not dwindle with age. Even as a young adult watching it for the first time, Spirited Away feels nostalgic and refreshingly new at the same time. The film, now 20 years old, hasn’t aged a bit- I hope to further explore what it is about the charm of a Ghibli movie that allows it to defy time and age- and how I could apply it to my designs in the future.
#Dance
Saturday, October 16th, Nrityalaya School of Indian Dance: HERstory
On Saturday morning, I watched the livestream of a performance by fellow Art Scholar Anushka Tandon. Her classical Indian dance troupe collaboratively tells the tale of the struggles of mental health. This two-year-long work, along with the four mental health webinars they had in addition, cumulated into Nrityalaya School of Indian Classical Dance’s HERstory. The plot follows HER, a young passionate Odissi dancer who struggles with depression. Through Odissi, the talented dancers are able to raise awareness and also desensitize the stigma surrounding mental health. By using mood lighting, elaborate costumes and costume changes, music choice, and variation in dance expressions, Nrityalaya was able to distinctively and beautifully tell each step through HER’s story of experiencing and coping with their depression, and how they begin to heal from it. Particularly, the scene following postpartum depression before HER attempts to take her life is a well-executed climatic scene, with a dramatic change in the color palette for costumes and lighting, song choice, and dance style. The deep reds and use of silhouettes, along with the distress clear in HER’s eyes as they’re surrounded by dark, scary figures and the music continues to build allows the audience to feel what HER did as her rapidly declining mental health spirals. The use of Odissi to express a relatively modern advocacy point is unique and also compels me to learn more about classical Indian dance and how it is used to discuss modern ideas. While the showcase did deal with very serious topics like mental health, depression, and suicide, I think it tells a tale of hope and ends on a bright and optimistic note. What it does for destigmatizing mental health and the conversation around it through such a particular language has a lot of value to the mental health awareness movement.
#Presentation #ArtScholars
Saturday, October 23rd, Peer Mentor Disney Channel Halloween Night
On Saturday night, I hosted a 'movie night' with my mentees. We made cookies, drank apple cider, and snacked on popcorn while watching Disney Channel Halloween episodes in the projector room of Bel Air. As a student taking FILM319K, which analyzes Disney and the animation industry, it is interesting how certain animation techniques are utilized in Disney shows. An example is 'Mickey-Mousing', or the intentional timing of action to corresponding music. Such techniques founded and developed by Disney, along with following the classic sitcom formula, makes Disney Channel have a unique viewing experience. The Halloween theme emphasizes these aspects, such as the Halloween soundtracks altering the original soundtracks and sound effects for each of the shows to give it a spooky feel, yet continuously remind you that you're still watching the same show. All while still maintaining a child-appropriate plotline. From watching older Disney Channel Halloween episodes like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody in comparison to more current shows such as Good Luck Charlie, you can tell how Disney has made an effort to make their Halloween episodes kid-friendly and honed their formula to continuously create a sense of nostalgia for viewers to experience as they get older. Despite having just met a few months back, we have this nostalgia we can bond over and enjoy without any strings attached, due to its simplistic yet iconic nature. This play on iconism and nostalgia that Disney manages to do so well is what I aspire to achieve with my Capstone project. Harry Potter is a massive franchise and serves as a point of nostalgia for many people my generation and above- I hope to create an easy source of entertainment and escapism that players of my game can enjoy while also limiting their anxieties of everyday life.
#Music
Friday, November 5th, Again In May Concert
On Friday night, I went to see my high school friends’ band perform in their first headlining gig in Baltimore. The band, known as Again in May, played their entire debut EP, Feels Like Home, as well as a few surprise covers. As an Art Scholar, I've learned that growth is a very important part of art and learning, and having watched my friends play basement gigs up to their singles and EP all amounting up to donning their merchandise at their first headline performance was an honor to witness. To be in a sea of fans and supporters screaming for an encore as they come on and do an impromptu cover of a song they used to perform in our friends’ basement with all the people who have been there since the beginning was rewarding but prompted a wave of nostalgia along with a sense of revitalization and newness from the growth and change. This duo of heart-warming emotions is the energy I hope to invigorate in those who play my video game that I am creating for my Capstone. Banking on the universal nostalgia introduced to many people by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I hope to present a fresh new approach to the franchise with my unique gameplay and excite fans, new and old, of the iconic fantasy series. The concert reminded me of how much music can affect mood, and has me questioning if I should add music to my video game and the value that it would present to the experience the plot already provides.
Pentathlon Semester 4
Follow along as I attend some fun arts events during my last semester in Scholars!
#Dance
Friday, February 4th, GGWB Mentor/Mentee Mini-Workshops
This Friday, I attended four different mini workshops taught by some of GGWB’s more vetted members, all of which being mentors in our new mentorship program. The objective was to show potential mentees the mentors’ teaching styles and dance abilities in a concise and fun way. While the workshops were fast-paced and in rapid succession, they did exactly what we wanted, in that they showcased our mentor’s strengths and provided potential mentees with an idea of each mentor’s personality and unique characteristics, which will help in the selection process. Throughout the evening, I not only learned quite a few different style dances, but I learned a lot about the different approaches to teaching dance- differences in not only how others go about learning choreography but also the value they place on different aspects of dance, such as valuing clean movement over stylistic alterations. This makes for vastly different performances, despite having learned the same choreography initially. I also learned more about my personal learning style, and how I absorb choreography best, which will help me in making my choice on who I want to be my mentor. Additionally, I had the pleasure of learning more about my fellow club members. For example, I learned that our Treasurer, Alvion, wants to be a teacher; this explains why her portion of the Zoo workshop was so concise and easily digestible. I think this experience not only served well as a trial for future club endeavors, such as my aspiring Beginner Workshop program, but much about myself as a dancer and the ways I can improve simply based on becoming more aware of how I learn best.
#Presentation #ArtsScholars
Saturday, February 19th, Love Song Karaoke Night
On Saturday night, I hosted a ‘love song’ karaoke night in the Bel Air lounge with my peer mentees. I always think it is interesting having these types of nostalgic events with my mentees, as I always observe how we have shared memories of popular culture staples, despite not having known each other at their release. This connects us in a way, and observing these similarities through the arts is always interesting. For example, my go-to karaoke love song is Love Story by Taylor Swift. My tie to it is that I sang it for four years in a row for my annual talent show in elementary school. Attendees also remember growing up during the peak of the songs’ popularity, and we were able to not only enjoy the song but reflect on our own nostalgia through it and with each other. I think this concept of bonding through nostalgia and shared experiences is what I strive to revitalize in the Harry Potter fandom with my project, as I made it initially for nostalgia’s sake. Every Arts Scholar or otherwise who I have spoken to about my game development has shared some joyful connection they have to Harry Potter, and I hope to unify and revitalize these shared happy memories through my gameplay. I think the experience also reminded me that art doesn’t have to be anything but intrinsic- it doesn’t necessarily have to be good in order to be beneficial. I sure know my vocals weren’t the best, but my time reliving old memories is intrinsic in its own right.
#Music
Sunday, March 13th, P1Harmony Concert
On Sunday night, I attended P1Harmony's Peace Tour at Warner Theatre in DC. The Korean 6-piece had a lot to offer, including performances of their songs from their three mini albums to unit numbers. Despite operating out of Seoul, Korea, the members made great efforts to communicate with their fans and keep the performance interactive, with pauses in between songs to express their gratefulness for the audience's support and playing games with the audience members. The video montages in between acts served to set the tone as well, showcasing (some rather questionable) acting from the members and a behind-the-scenes look at preparation for the tour. The combination of video, along with the dance and vocal performances and the stage lights and screen effects behind the group added to the overall experience. Referring to the unit performances, I am curious how they decided on each piece. One member performed a freestyle solo dance, and I am curious as to how he goes about changing up the choreography every night to the tour. Additionally, I am curious about how the venue prepared for this type of act. The stage is rather standard but the structure is very fancy and more for theatrical performances- I wonder how, with such minimal lighting setups, the lighting crew went about making decisions in order to create such a youthful craze that also illuminated the dancers enough to enjoy the choreography from each level of the audience. Despite not being an avid fan of P1Harmony, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I hope to analyze the choices made by the group and the Warner Theatre staff to carry over into my own performances, so that people who are not already familiar with my performance work may enjoy the content I create.
#Film
Sunday, April 3rd, The Adam Project
On Sunday night, I hosted a streaming of The Adam Project with my mentees on Netflix Party. A newly released feature by Netflix, The Adam Project follows Adam Reed, played by Ryan Reynolds, as he time travels back in time and teams up with his 12-year-old self to save the future of the world. The film features a star-studded cast, with Zoe Saldana, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Garner alongside Reynolds. Despite being a relatively shorter film in comparison to recent action and space time continuum movies, it moves very quick and keeps viewers on their toes with many twists and interesting developments throughout the 1 hour and 45 minute runtime. Reynolds is known for his comedy and sardonic approach to scriptwriting, such as in films such as Deadpool and Free Guy, but what I feel is often overlooked about his work his how he uses humor to tell stories of grief and tackle larger issues. This film discusses the loss of loved ones from fathers to spouses, and demonstrates the grieving process in its different stages. The lessons taught and the discussions had make me question much about my own losses, and how it affects my relationships with those left to grieve with me. The film presented an excellent balance between humor, sadness, and adventure, which is a balance I hope to also maintain within my video game. The way the different emotional aspects meld together so perfectly is quite a tedious task flawlessly pulled off in this film, and I intend to analyze it further for my video game. It also is an interesting exploration of character interaction, as young Adam Reed, played by Walker Scobell, and older Adam plays on the interesting and literal presentation of hindsight bias, which would help in my character studies and writing character interactions into my capstone's script. I do wonder how the script was developed, how much was adlibbed on set by the actors, and the initial intention of the film by the filmmakers. Overall, I really enjoyed watching the movie over Netflix Party and look forward to potentially hosting another similar event.
#Dance
Saturday, April 9th, GGWB Ultimate Showcase
On Saturday night, my club and I hosted a dance competition and exhibition titled Ultimate Showcase. We invited K-Pop teams from around the DMV area to join us at Hoff Theatre in STAMP Student Union to compete for the grand prize of the Ultimate Champion. Aside from competition teams, we had many exhibition teams that performed in different genres, such as traditional Chinese dance and hip-hop. I had the pleasure of not only competing with UMD's K-Pop interest club, Ganji, but also co-emceeing the evening with one of my fellow executive board members. I had the opportunity to write a script for the showcase, and it was an interesting combination of professional writing, scripted comedy, and improv the day of. I used to do quite a bit of theater back in high school, but this was a very different experience for me. It taught me not only to plan ahead and to take my time garnering audience reception before presenting the day of, but also to continue to stay flexible and leave wiggle room in the script for personal commentary that can only be gained form experiencing the event one is emceeing for in-person. I was able to work towards finding a harmonious balance between preparation and improvisation to keep the audience intrigued and the showcase running smoothly. On the other hand, performing and competing as a dance crew was also something completely foreign to me. I never danced with a team before coming to college this year, let alone compete against other teams. I gained a lot of knowledge about not only working together as a team, but also how to improve as one and how to showcase individual talents as one. We received feedback from the judges after the showcase, which will be key in helping me move forward and improve as an individual and team dancer. I do wonder if next year the format of the showcase will be altered, and how that would affect the emcee's jobs or how entering the competition will look. Overall, I am thankful for the opportunities to try new things that the Ultimate Showcase presented me and I look forward to it being held again next year.
picture credits: Ethan Chou