Champlain in 60 Seconds!

1. I was the location scout for the filming in each one of our groups shots. I found locations around campus that showed the beautiful architecture all around the school. We had to highlight the best parts of campus.
2. I feel as though I should earn around a B+, I was very willing to contribute. But I definitely could have done more, and would have liked to but it was complicated living off campus when two of my group mates lived more than 2 miles away.
3. The last montage with multiple people speaking a different part of the speech was the toughest part of the video for my group to edit.
4. Mostly feeling even better than I already had about attending Champlain College because it truly is a wonderful place. I think our video captured this very well, and will make others realize the advantages to attending Champlain College.

Final Paper!!!

We encounter a mass amount of different media frequently on a daily basis. Before taking this class I was unaware of the constant bombardment we experience. Different people have different experiences with media simply because they encounter specific types geared toward their taste. My experiences are explained below.

The textbook touches on how music has been said to have “corrupting influences” (73), but I disagree. Downloading music is something I do most days for at least an hour. Depending on my mood, I search accordingly. I have been influenced by music on most given days and often play it to create or embrace my attitude. I listen to a very vast variety of music and even form some of my weekends around it by going to shows. Live music is intoxicating and instantly grabs my attention. I was at a party this weekend with a band in the basement and sound recording consumed my night. I stood in the front of the crowd dancing and listening intently. Sound recording is the most prominent media in my life.

photo credit to: http://klap4music.com/images/bassnectar.jpg

Since sound recordings consume a good portion of my day I hardly listen to the radio. I am aware of the radio in public settings like shopping on Church street or eating out. I always find it interesting to listen to the different voices of the people on different radio stations. They are very distinct and enjoyable to listen to. Its very amusing that, “The telegraph [was] the precursor of radio technology” (109). To think that Morse code inspired the invention of the radio makes me realize just how far it has come.

photo credit to: http://jukon.net/media/cache/20090313-radio.jpg

Television is a social experience for my roommates and I. We share a mutual love for “The Office” and watch at least one episode most days. The music in the beginning prepares the Limbic part of my brain for the show. After learning that “TV runs at 30 frames per second, [and] the conscious mind can process about 8 frames per second” (3 Dr. Rob Williams) I try to pay closer attention to the show. I notice more of Michael Scotts awkward mannerisms. I also pick up on the depth that the actors put into their characters.

photo credit to:http://www.feedflare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dell_lcd_tv.jpg

I am currently taking art history and the other day we touched on the photographs of Muybridge and his subject the race horse. This pertains to my “everyday” and movies because this was the experiment that sparked the concept of movies. One of the reasons I chose to come to Vermont was to snowboard. When my friends and I are not on the mountain chances are we have a snowboard movie playing on the television. Some of the time its just background noise but we watch a good majority of them. I also try to see a movie once every couple of months because going to the movie theatre is an enjoyable experience.

My phone allows me to have access to the Internet all day throughout the day. I also have my laptop with me the majority of the day as well. Especially on campus and in clasess. The book got me thinking about the scale of all of the information I have access to. I also was unaware that different countries have different laws and regulations about the Internet and computers in general. “South Korea is one of the worlds most wired countries whereas North Korea has few computers, almost no Internet access outside the capital Pyongyang and teaches students about the web by showing them photocopied papers of monitor displays” (44). That fact gives me a greater appreciation for the Internet regulations in this country. I use it so frequently my life would be vastly different without it.

During the summer months I tend to devote my time to other activities besides books. I spend the school year using them almost everyday and feel a break is deserved. The majority of my book usage is done through schoolwork. I still remember the commercial for the Kindle that amazon makes. I think its a really cool concept to store books on a portable device. “Amazon hopes that the Kindle becomes the ipod of the literary world, challenging the printed book” (314). This makes me think of my ipod and sound recordings. I could not go a day without it and I am sure avid readers feel the same about their Kindles.

I do not really spend time reading magazines. Sometimes if I am waiting on line at a gas station or convenience store I flip through them. Since I do not read magazines that often I tend to pick up ones like National Geographic because of the pictures. The book talks about the evolution of photojournalism on 293 and that magazine is geared towards that field. The book states, “There is a dark side to digital technology as well” (291). I agree with this because I am constantly hearing stories about celebrities, the paparazzi, and controversial pictures.

I really like that Champlain gives us free access to the New York Times. Sometimes in the morning before classes at the cafeteria I read it. Because I am a communications major I like to be informed the events of the world and the people that live in it. I do not read the whole thing but I do like the front and art sections. It’s also really convenient when no one can accompany me to eat. It passes the time and I also don’t look as lonely.

C.O.D infects my life once again (in a good way)

Yes,

I am back on the video games, back and ready to rage Call Of Duty: Black Op's.

Back home it was the only game my friends and I played in general, and occasionally Fifa Soccer. It became a problem when on some days we wouldn't even bother to meet up, and we would just game together online. This is where I begin to sound like a huge nerd, and will continue along the same route for the rest of my post. At college thus far I have managed to stay off the video games as much as I can. It becomes a way of life, and I do not want to return to the lazy lifestyle of eating chips and playing video games ALL DAY. However, I had to try the new Call Of Duty. I shouldn't have, now i play all the time. Before this I was sitting in front of two monitors, one with a Playstation 3 and the other with an XBOX 360. Both gaming consoles were running the new Call of Duty, and had been for hours. I need to withdraw from my video game addiction immediately before I am back on my daily dose once again. I wouldn't want to end up looking like this dude:

Stomping through the Mudd to EOTO.

Welcome back!!

I return to your mobile or concrete internet device with exciting media reports from this past weekend. I went into friday night suffering from the common college student syndrome; BAHS (Broke As Hell Syndrome). EOTO was performing at Higher Ground that night (local music venue), and I was stuck without a ticket. The bass and percussion combo that this group offers is just outstanding.

photo credit: Foxtheatre.com

They are two members of a popular jam/blue grassish band called The String Cheese Incident.

Anyways as I was settling for a mild friday night, my buddy Alex invited me down to his place in the North End to kick it. I got there and was immediately asked if I would be attending EOTO, and I responded I have no money. Alex responded with "thats no reason to miss EOTO, I'll buy you a ticket". I was beyond giddy at this point, and I paced in his kitchen wondering where to go from there. I returned home and put on all my concert gear and got my light gloves; in order to give light shows all throughout the night...

photo credit: Lucas Huggins

The night was an outrageous success to say the very least. I cant thank my friend Alex enough, he turned my night from jam-less to jam-full in a matter of seconds.

EOTO put on an outstanding performance, and I was so drained from the show that there was no chance of me going to the after-party. So I fell asleep right when I hit the bed, and woke up happy and content.

Dexter the Sociopath

Hi again!!!

I was recently hospitalized after getting jumped, and suffered from a severe concussion. This event was horrible, but led to a television watching frenzy on Netflix instant video cue. I had already started watching Arrested Development, a darker comedy based on a man who is put in charge of caring for his "wonderful" family after his father was put in jail for fraud and tax evasion. I crammed the last few episodes within a couple hours, and then it was time to discover a new addicting show. My buddy Sam suggested I watch Dexter an even darker comedy based on a serial killer who serves justice in a cold corpse neatly packaged in a garbage bag.

photo credit to imdb.com

I was hesitant considering I prefer lighter comedies that don't involve at least one gruesome murder per episode. However, I was instantly drawn in by his character, and from that point on it was nothing but Dexter and percocet that was left to cure my head. I watched episode after episode, taking breaks to throw up when my stomach was writhing. The show offered a common ground for any viewer because Dexter led such a normal life on the surface. He faces many possible downfalls of his career in bloody justice, but manages to escape them with quick action in covering up his footsteps. He deals with family values, and struggles to make decisions because of his lack in emotion. However, throughout the seasons his emotions become more apparent, and this confuses him to no return because he has never felt anything before. Repressed memories are brought back to life, and he is able to see where the killer inside was born. I highly recommend this show to anyone who is willing to have a little scare mixed with a ridiculous sense of humor. Just lock your doors and windows, close the shades, and you are ready for your first viewing of Dexter.

Datsik was DATSICKK

Hey there fellow bloggers!!!

I'm back with another crazy night out on the town. Recently I went to see Datsik, a Canadian Dubstep artist that performed at the local club Metronome (above Nectars). I was originally with a large crew of wacko college kids looking to dance and bop around all night to the heavy bass and ominous tones. I gave my phone to my good friend Kara on account of my lacking in pockets. However, Kara didn't get into the show, and I was left without any mode of contact for the night. I could have cared less at this point in time, but little did I know that I would want my phone more than anything towards the end of my night. I made it into the show with my good friend Evan, only to find a large group of my good friends who had already made it inside. The 2KDEEP crew opened the show, and ripped some really hardcore bass. It was a great start to the night, and I continued to run into familiar faces throughout the night. I love seeing people, but my favorite thing about any show of this nature is the amount of new friends I am able to meet in one night.

photo credit to Kyle Tansley

The night continued on with a bunch of 2KDEEP crew members tearing club Metronome a new one. Finally, Datsik came on stage, and he didn't show his skill until at least 1 am. From that point on it was complete insanity, I had seen him once before at a much larger venue at a festival. I was able to appreciate his skill much more from the front row rather than at the back of a 2000 person dance tent. He was able to get the whole crowd involved, and even had us screaming lyrics like in this video of him performing live in Denver, Colorado:

SNOWBOARDER MAGAZINE

Photo Credit to Snowboarder Mag

TITLE: Snowboarder Magazine

THESIS: Snowboarder Magazine spreads information based on the latest hot spots, riders, gear, and much more that revolves around the sport of Snowboarding. The Magazine rehashes the evolution of snowboarding, and how much bigger riders go today than when the sport was first invented.

FIVE FACTS: FIVE FACTS ON RECENT ISSUES OF SNOWBOARDER MAGAZINE CAN BE FOUND HERE.

BRAIN: The Limbic brain is most active when reading Snowboarder magazine or viewing the videos on their website. Due to the music and colors changing throughout the video you are completely drawn in through your Limbic brain function. Your Neocortex kicks in when you ask the questions like: Are these guys crazy? How hurt do they get? And resulting in the conclusion of they are crazy, I can’t do that. However, once I am on the mountain I find myself taking risks I normally wouldn’t or dealing with cliff drops that are a complete surprise, which is where the Reptilian brain takes hold of your actions.

8 TRENDS: Snowboarder Magazine uses both the traditional WORD format as well as DIGITAL MEDIA CONVERGENCE. It uses articles that have been written by various authors and journalists, and then manages to incorporate videos and music to go along with the text.

7 PRINCIPLES: In terms of TRADE-OFFS the magazine promotes a view on snowboarding that is glamorous and very uplifting. I completely agree, however there are negative outcomes to becoming this good at boarding. For one thing it is dangerous, time consuming, and restricts your travel options to colder climates or places of a high altitude. Snowboarder Magazine presents a wide variety of PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES: Sound effects in the videos, music to vibe with the actions, fonts to emphasize articles and riders names, video that promotes riders, the magazine, gear, and a variety of other techniques. The EMOTIONAL TRANSFER is used to portray a life of risk and adventure into any other person’s life whether they are at their desk in the offices smallest cubicle reading, or on their way to an Alaskan peak in the helicopter. The PACING of Snowboarder Magazine allows the reader to casually flip through the articles without reading them in any certain order. VALUE MESSAGES consist of a positive outlook that in my mind tells me to get out there, have fun, and take risks to get better and be happy.

29 PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES: BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE is used all throughout Snowboarder Magazine for example it says subscribe now to see where this is (showing a rider ripping a huge kicker with beautiful women in two piece bathing suits boarding and staring at the rider in the air). BIG LIE is used when there is a fold out advertisement for Burton Snowboard but on the outside it states “same great flavor” and “tasty products inside!” PLAIN FOLKS is used when on a montage of pictures of professional boarders hitting crazy jumps; the title of the montage is “Sick Days” referring to the common man who takes a day off work to hit the slopes.

#3 Mid-Term Thoughts and Analysis

Mid-Semester Reflection

1. The main concept that has been covered throughout the class as well as text readings is the transformation of medias different mediums and how they’ve adapted to modern day technology, or if they just died out all together. For example our most recent reading discusses newspapers, and how even though many people don’t read the actual paper anymore, they still end up reading it digitally. All search engines may lead you to newspapers.

2. My reading comprehension still struggles, but when the information is rehashed and discussed in a classroom setting it refreshes my memory and keeps me involved. I like to think that I chime in with insightful comments that in turn make fellow classmates think and challenge my opinions. I truly enjoy face-to-face unedited human interaction, especially when it is geared towards an educational debate. My thoughts run deep when analyzing the brain, so it takes me some time to come to solid ground.

3. The blog is outrageously helpful, and I get a lot of use out of the text, but if I had to add something it would be more notes. Not in class notes, but I would make flash cards of key concepts and new terms from each chapter. Also I would have literally laminated my power tools, and studied in the shower because my quiz taking was weak, and all the mini quizzes add up.

4. I would personally vouch for one quiz every week instead of a quiz twice a week for each class. Or as an alternative have one quiz based on power tools, and the other based on the most recent chapter(s) reading. The fresher the information is in my mind, the better I will do and I’m sure most of my peers agree.

5.

· Power Tools: Very useful for mini-quizzes. The main use I found for power tools understood the structure of my own mind. My brain is all over the place and always has been. When I snap I can blame it on my reptilian brain, it’s human nature! But with smaller conflict my Neocortex is able to take control in rational decision-making. Most importantly my Limbic brain is very strong and always doing its thing, because music is my one true love that triggers many other brains to get going.

· Our course blog is like a chapter review written in words that are easier for me to absorb. I love it because it is like a big notebook that I am only one piece of the educational puzzle. I have some trouble with blogger that can be frustrating such as right now. It is nothing more than technological issues that can be easily solved.

· I enjoy the freedom our personal blog allows. It makes work fun, allowing me to write about enjoyable media experiences I have had. I love going to concerts, meeting new people, and seeing new films. Now I have the chance to rant to the world about my everyday routine. What is better than talking about yourself, and others good times as a homework assignment? Not much.

· Our in class quizzes definitely keep me on my toes. I just dislike the regularity of them. Like I stated before I would love one quiz a week as apposed to one every time the class meets. Just based on that chapters reading rather than the power tools also.

· I love our films because I am able to absorb a lot more from a visual with dialogue and music, rather than a chapter reading. For example the video we watched on radio.

· The book we use is very up to date, and full of interesting articles that apply to our modern day technology. I can easily say it is my favorite textbook. I find most books to be outdated or just boring, but that is not the case with our current readings.

#2 Bisco 8 Lazers, Madness, and MUCH more.

Hey Class,

I'm back with more spewing of my own personal media experiences. Today I will enlighten you about the three day art and music festival that is Camp Bisco. In this case I will speak of Camp Bisco 8. Given It wasn't the most recent Bisco, but it was better than the most recent experience I had. I packed my Acura TSX to its brim the day before take off. Waiting for the next morning was like being a little kid waiting for his parents to wake up on Christmas morning. The anticipation was killing me. Finally I took off on my trip to Mariaville NY, only twenty minutes from my friends house in Albany. Once you arrive, it is a whole new world, filled with good loving people, and a whole bunch of crazies, all rallied together by the Hells Angels. It is total and complete freedom on an indian reservation, police have no jurisdiction in this area. The music and lazers began as I amsetting up my two room columbia tent.

The tent was raised, and it was time for the fun to begin. I met with more of my friends to help in setting up a massive tent community. I met at least ten people within my first hour there, one of which was going to be my girlfriend for the next four months. I had no idea. The first Disco Biscuits set came on, and we all rushed to the main-stage like a bunch of string puppets ready to bop and groove. It had only been a few hours and I could already tell this was going to be a highlight in my life. The music, the people, and just the vibes made my weekend close to perfect. Everyone had a great time, and when it came time to leave there were some tears and big hugs for friends who live far away. I returned home covered in paint from head to toe, and had no shoes left worth wearing. My mother was just happy to see me return home in one piece. I slept for about twenty four hours, and woke up to the old boring reality. I still had those memories and new friends to help me through every day, and to this day I keep in touch with nearly everyone of those friends (or festival family).

picture by Lucas Huggins

#1 Media Rant Boodock Mediocrity

Greetings fellow bloggers,

Welcome to my page. My name is Lucas and you will be hearing me rant for the next few months, I hope you like what you hear. My most recent experience with what I thought was going to be an interesting film was The Boondock Saints II all saints day.

(Picture Credit to Film Master Reviews)

I was excited for the viewing of the film with all my friends in my living room. We plugged in the HDMI cable, and began the what I thought was going to be an epic screening. As it turns out, the storyline didn't stand up to the original film what so ever. It was more of just a meaningless bloodbath, not that I expected a lacking in violence. Waste of bullets with a poor sense of humor, and the actors throughout the film just seem burnt out and uninvolved. It was not as satisfying of a revenge compared to the first film. IT IS RIDICULOUS the roof jump, the horrible humor the movie uses, and all other aspects really disappointed me. Overall I give it a bad review, watch it if you'd like but in my eyes its a waste of brain space.

Personal BIO

1. Hey my name is Lucas Huggins, I was raised in Sharon, MA. However, I spend a lot of time in San Francisco where my father resides.

2. I love music, and my favorite media event of the summer was either Camp Bisco 9, or the Big Up. Both of which are three day electronic music festivals that took place in New York.

3. Modern media advances allow me to keep in touch with old and new friends on a regular basis, which provides comfort for me in my new residence. But, I HATE junk mail.

4. I may dip into professional writing during my stay at Champlain, but my dream is to become a recording arts/music tech major.