Week 9-Spring Break

I did not get to do much research during Spring Break, but I got plenty of ideas on how I might try to work my ethnography. One of the things that I think I need to do is get interviews with people who go to the gas station and get their point of view, why that is Bowles gas station is a fixture in our community. Then I can take footage of him and his sons working at the station, along with an exploration of the station itself. Another idea that I came up was to do a montage of my hometown, of the past memories and experiences that I had along with a poem for narration. This would be a creative piece and I think it would be easier in the long run. I just need some feedback on which one I should go for.

Week 8-Discussion Over Readings and Project

The thing that stood out to me about the readings this week were the fact that they all discussed in some detail the interconnectivity that happens when one works on a multimedia project. Because it is multimedia there usually has to be some kind of multitasking with other people on how to get all the different mediums to work. And that is the beauty of such an undertaking. When you reach out and get help from other people you involve them not only in your project, but with your life as well. And by doing so individuals from across the spectrum of disciplines can meet and relate with each other, thus enriching their perspectives from each others skills and experiences. I mean, look at me for instance. I am working on a project that involves people who have never used a computer, to those who can make their own movie videos. I lay between the two drastic opposites, but I know I will succeed by working with each side equally. That is, I will get my research information with those who are low-tech , while composing my piece through the lens of people who know what they are doing with technology, much more so than I. And by working together people will be that more comfortable working with others as well as sharing memories and ideas.

My project has been taken on by a lot of ideas on my part. I was at one time thinking of doing a creative piece about my hometown, set with images of memory that involve my childhood, ambient music, and a creative narration, a sort of poem that relates it all. But I am still interested in doing my project over the gas station, except I will discuss the impact it has had on our town and its people, along with interviews with those who come by to fill up and gossip. These are just a few of my ideas right now and I am not sure which way I am going to go with them. I am going to do more research during Spring Break since I will be home in Oklahoma and that will give me some time to look at it all and think on the premises.

Week 7-Catch Up

I am trying to catch up where I left off last week. I think I will try to add music to my audio and try to work with it some tomorrow when I have time. I will probably do the second interview during Spring Break and get an idea of how to mold the material into the right composition. Dr. Carter talked about us pairing up for the final project and I think that will be a good idea. If I can get somebody to help with the technological aspects while I d0 the research and interviews I can probably pull of a good piece.

Week ^-In the Land of Enchantment

Hi you all, this is my second day in Albuquerque and I am enjoying the hell out of it. The weather is great, right in the high sixties or seventies, and everything is very awesome. This city really gets to you, enchants you even, because of the beauty of the city itself along with the geography that surrounds it. If I could get a professorship here after I graduate I would be in heaven. This is, possibly, my favorite town to hang around at. It is just too bad that I only get to come once a year. But, eh, I am going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Week 5-First Interview completed

I finished my first interview this Saturday morning at Mr. Bowles gas station. It really went well for a first time, but I did not have many questions for him. I need to do research on conducting interviews so that next time I can better direct the flow of information. The interview that I did on Saturday ran for forty minutes, so I am going to try to work with the material that I have on audacity sometime this week. But what I got out of the interview was very good and hopefully I can shape it into a composition where a point is made. I think that will be the real challenge.

Week 4-The Usual

I just back to school today after being sick all last week with the flu. Trying to get everything back in order and so far so good. I really don't have much to say at the moment since my mind is blank. Perhaps after I catch up with my work I will at least have a statement. Sorry.

Week 3-Thoughts of Empowerment Through Capture

I have been reading a book called Facts, Artifacts and Counterfacts for another class and I came across a term that really stood out for me: empowerment. A lot of the time people go through this world without society hearing their voice, hearing their opinion. But looking at this class, this week we are doing audio recordings, I thought about how empowering it is to capture your thoughts, either on print, audio, visual, etc. Once you create a product, something which you have made with your own two hands, you can get your voice across, let the whole world hear what you have to say. I think youtube does that in a way. Though I don't watch any videos with people talking I do watch MMA highlight reels that have been crafted with a message: to highlight a fighter who should be considered, who is worthy to be watched and thought of. Anyways, that is all I have to say right now. Maybe you got a piece of information from this posting. I know I sure did.