Monday, May 12, 2014

Final Project Buzzed Video




Did you know that nearly 13,000 people are killed each year due to alcohol-related incidents, or how about an estimated 32% of fatal car crashes involve an intoxicated driver or pedestrian. It seems that even though these statistics are increasing yearly people still tend to do it. Is alcohol that addictive that people must drink and drive? It is sad to say that people have to learn the hard way for them to understand the danger that they put themselves in when you drink and drive.  A story I feel like everyone should know about is “Went to the Party” by Brett M Christensen, where an innocent young women went to a party and decided to drink sprite instead of alcohol because her mom asked her to, but of course others were drinking alcohol at the party. Young adults, a party, liquor, and driving this sounds like a recipe for disaster, as it was because on her way home a drunk driver from the party crashed into the young lady’s car. The only thing she could do was tell her mom that she loved her through the words of journalist who was there recording everything she said. I encourage anyone who sees this to read this story because it can save life. One day the message will ring a bell and people will stop drinking and driving, but until then I hope everyone makes it home safe from the parties that they attend.



Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Final Project Top

Don't Drive and Drink, Think!

Aiden and I will be doing a report on the student body's "Buzzed" event as well as talking about drunk driving.

This podcast will combine both video, audio, and images, and will be mainly focused on the student's trying to prevent harm to their peers, as well as some facts about drunk driving and its risks.

Aiden and I already have a lot of video, and some pictures, but pan to use copyright/royalty free images in order to create an image gallery to accompany audio which will be more informational about drunk driving.

We want to perpetuate the understanding of drunk driving and it's ramifications, and hopefully this video will prevent any future accidents, and help raise awareness around drunk driving and how preventable it is.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Video 2 Critique

Hula Hooping and It's Place In Society

Hula hooping is an old traditional activity that was said to be created in England back during the 14th century,and hit international fame in the late 1950's.

Traditionally the hoops were made out of willow rattan, grapevines and grass but today they air made out of plastic with creative colors and accessories. "Hula" came from the Hawaiian dance because of the hip movements you have to do in order to keep the toy swirling around your waist.

 The "hula hoop" was used by the Native Americans as a form of storytelling dance, as they used over a dozen hoops to create shapes and formations representing symbols, animals, and storytelling elements.

 Recently the popularity in hula hoop dancing has increased exponentially, especially in teens and young adults.There is actually a "World Hoop Day" to celebrate hooping and you can find the hooping activity at a couple of festivals.  Today we consider hula hooping a recreational activity.

It creates a steady rhythmic groove when twirling the toy around your waist, neck, arm, or leg so that the hoop doesn't stop twirling. The hoop can provide a simple cardio exercise as it speeds up your heart beat, but also give you the sense of pleasure and fun.

Originally created for pleasure and exercise, the hula hoop was more often sen as a fun play toy, rather than an expression of creativity. But since individualism has become more highly prized in society, many teens scramble to fit in.

 Adult hula hoops are about 40 inches and kid’s hula hoops are 12. Hula hoops are being made with certain weights and size due to the advancement in tricks, and modernization of hooping. The heavier and larger hoops are used for slow hooping and body tricks.

Lighter hoops are used for the hoop for fast twirling and quick hand tricks. Hula hoops are used in a glow in the dark circus act using glow sticks and LED technology, they are also used in tricks in which the hula hoop is set on fire through kerosene and professionals are able to hoop. 

Since festivals and EDM have become a prominent part of young culture, many young people, and young adults begin using their leisure time to learn hula hooping, poi, and other related activities.

I (Aiden) went to Electric Forest and Camp Bisco my senior year in high school, actually the summer after I'd graduated. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had, both spiritually and mentally.

I'd never been out of state without my parents before, so both experiences fueled my independence. I felt like an adult, and individual amongst this sea of bodies, paint, and bright clothes.

After the festivals, I kept up my interests, even picked up some poi techniques. Poi is a combination of body and wrist movements which controls the direction of two balls, either colored or LED, which are held by rope or cord and spun.

I got the hula hoop pictured, Rainbow Dash, for Christmas last year and since the suns come out, I have been avidly trying to relearn all skills and tricks.  It's been a struggle.

David did really well, keeping his body and legs even, and understanding that the correct hula hooping motion is back and forth with your hips, less of a "bring it around town" motion. He eventually got it on the third try, and kept the hoop on his hips.

The trick, called the vortex, is extremely hard to learn, but easy to master once you've gotten the knack for it. The rule is to use the opposite hand from the way your hoop is going.

You use the motion of the hoop to create the illusion of the hoop moving like a hurricane around you. Once you've mastered getting into the vortex, you can keep trying to get out, and then learn other tricks, like cat eyes, isolation's and others.

Keep practicing, and don't get discouraged! Hoop like nobody is watching!