Saturday, November 21, 2009
Archetypes on Acid
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 4:50 PM 0 comments
Art for the Digital Age
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 4:36 PM 0 comments
It's a Video Game, But is it Art?
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 4:33 PM 0 comments
Friday, October 30, 2009
What the Bleep Do We Know?
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:01 AM 0 comments
Video Games
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Violence & Popular Culture
The internet can pose a threat or an ego boost depending how you use it. There are sites out there for kids who feel isolated in their schools but they feel equal when they enter this site. They can find a good and supportive community within the internet that helps them get through the tough times. The popular culture needs to learn to make their own judgments and parents need to understand what their children are doing and why. This will help prevent another catastrophe such as Columbine.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 3:00 PM 0 comments
Fair Play
This article looks at violence, race, and gender in video games. There is more serious and significant violence in video games than any other kind of violence, as opposed to comedic violence such as jumping on a character’s head. Weapons such as guns are the weapon of choice but there is also a high amount of violence used without any weapons. Violence is a major theme for most videogames and it’s considered ‘not fun’ if there isn’t any kind of violence in a game.
The gender issue is unequal just as it is in anything else. Males dominate the videogame characters, even nonhumans outnumber women. Females are mostly used as props and/or are scantily clad showing off their assets. It is very sexist and stereotypical; while a male would use aggression a female is more likely to use her words. Either if they are male or female their body parts are accentuated to make them more appealing.
Race also poses its own problems with the majority being white and little or none at all Native Americans or Latins. There is almost always a white protagonist, Latinos showed up more in sports like baseball. White are most likely to use weapons while African Americans use their aggressiveness. Every other race besides white was somehow related more towards a sport.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 2:37 PM 0 comments
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Surrogates
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 5:52 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Media Literacy
We have to be aware of the media and its impact on us because if we’re not it could take over and we would have no thoughts for ourselves. Understanding the messages that are coming across our television screens is very important also. It also can teach us about different values and beliefs. Young people are the most influenced by the media since they are very impressionable. We receive a lot of information through the media and it is up to us to differentiate the truth from the fiction. Between the subliminal messaging and the outrageous lies we have to be able to understand to not be sucked in and realize what is going on.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 2:22 PM 0 comments
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Gamer
Without giving away most of the movie I’ll stop there, but all in all it was an ok movie. It sure was interesting and a bit confusing at times. There was a lot of blood and extreme violence which I could have lived without.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 4:13 PM 0 comments
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Super Mario
I feel that there is also a parallel to drugs. The princess lives in a mushroom kingdom and a mushroom gives you an extra life. Mario has to go through these hologram paintings that can seem kind of trippy which leads into another world. There is also all these mythical and inanimate objects that come alive and talk to you.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 12:30 PM 0 comments
The Connections: Life, Knowledge, and Media
We discussed social learning theory in class the other day which is a repetitive reward. We use this theory all throughout our lives from baby to full grown. When were babies we probably got a cookie or something for doing something good, school age we received stars for good work, and now its praise. Getting these kinds of rewards makes us recognize what good we did and how it made us feel when we got praised, so we continue the good work because we want that good feeling again.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:51 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Prince of Persia
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 2:23 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Race & Ethnicity
Video games can portray race and ethnicity as one in the same. I know in some games there is zombie like people cursing at you in a different language and you have to kill them. So just because they are of a different ethnicity you have to slaughter them. Also there might be a large amount of ‘other’ races but they are the bad guys and die in the end. It is very interesting to see how these articles can tie into video game analysis.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:12 AM 0 comments
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Culture of Power
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 12:26 PM 0 comments
eXistenZ
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 12:02 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Workout Plan For Ballet
Since I’ve been home for summer I started working out and trying to get back into shape. It’s been a week now and my entire body is in so much pain. Every morning I wake up at 7am to go jogging for an hour then in the evening I do an hours’ worth of yoga. The running is helping me build up my stamina so I don’t get winded when I walk up a flight of stairs and the yoga is getting my flexibility back. It is tiring, painful, and hard work but it is all for ballet.
Yes, I said ballet! As you may know I emailed a ballet company and the responded telling me I should start out with their intermediate adult class and see where I am from there. Since that email I felt like this dream is becoming reality, again. So I figured I need to get in shape so I don’t like a complete idiot, and if I chicken out of ballet then there is no harm in being healthy. Once I get back to Miami I guess we’ll all see if I pursue it or not. Cross your fingers!
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 10:13 AM 0 comments
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Don't Give Up Dancing
For the past few weeks people have been telling me that I should go back to dancing. I’ve had interventions at work and in class about how I should pursue it again and not give up on it. They tell me if it’s my passion I should go back to it and that my eyes light up whenever I talk about ballet. They say not to be scared and I'm going to regret it when I get too old to go back to it. I know they are right but I’ve been too scared and it costs a lot of money. After so many people telling me and encouraging me I have started to consider it. The other day when I was presenting my blog to my online media and blog class everyone was practically yelling at me to do it and giving me so much support, and I guess that was the last straw for me.
I started to think seriously about it and even looked up some ballet schools. I also talked to my parents to see if they would help financially, since I am a broke college student and need someone to sponsor me for funding. While looking I started to get excited which was mixed with anxiety and skepticism of course. I emailed this one place and told them my story in a nutshell to see if they could give me some advice. Now I’m just waiting to hear back from them and ponder this decision a little more. It is going to be a big step for me and I’m kinda scared, but I guess well see what happens…
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 2:11 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ballet Gamonet
In this video Art 360 interviews premier choreographer Jimmy Gamonet of Ballet Gamonet as he takes the audience through the steps and moves of his latest creation. He describes the dance and the story behind it. Since dance isn’t told with words it has to be expressed through the body. The dancers look as light as a feather and they make it seem effortless.
He was a dancer before he became a teacher which gave him the knowledge and language of dance which helps him speak to his dancers. It is much easier for him to relate and teach his students with his prior knowledge. Carmen is the main character who meets with her lover but they fear getting caught by Don Jose.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 6:16 PM 0 comments
Thursday, June 11, 2009
SYTYCD Top 20
It was the top 20’s first performance together on Wednesday and it was pretty good but I wasn’t overall impressed. The dancers were chosen at random and they picked a style of dance out of a hat. The judges were, of course, Nigel, Mary, and Adam Shankman. There were all different styles of dances performed last night from bollywood to the foxtrot. My personal favorite dancer on the show would of course have to be the “naughty ballerina” Melissa, I have to support ballet. The best performance would have to be the bollywood one. It was different, quick, and hard but they nailed it with such ease. The most intriguing and memorable, in my opinion, would have to be the crash test dummies jazz routine. It was very unique and Nigel was right people will talk about that routine. Each performance was good, some better than others, but I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt that it was the first night and they are just getting into the swing of things. I can’t wait for things to really start to heat up and get interesting.
The first couples up were Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb dancing hip-hop. All three judges agreed that they did a good job. Next up was Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune whose style of dance was Broadway. The judges thought they could have done better saying that they played it safe but it was danced well. Then it was Karla Garcia & Jonathan Plateros turn. They danced the cha-cha very well according to the judges who thought they did amazing. Randi Evans & Evan Kasprzak did a jazz dance. The judges loved them and thought it was fantastic and smoldering. Paris Torres & Tony Bellissimo also did hip-hop which they didn’t execute very well. All of the judges agreed that it was just good and not memorable. Caitlyn Kinney & Jason Glover did a fantastic bollywood number. They rocked it and the judge’s review was that it was strong and beautiful. Then it was Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant’s turn to show off their moves in the foxtrot. They judges liked it calling it lovely and effortless but there was room for improvement. Another jazz dance was performed by Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau. The judges said it was different but marvelous. Melissa Sandvig (my favorite) & Ade Obayomi did a contemporary dance. The judges commented on their performance saying it was moving and it flowed well. Last but certainly not least, Kayla Rodomski & Max Kapitannikov danced the samba. They were brilliant and terrific and Mary even put them on the hot tamale train.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 5:16 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What Is Ballet?
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 12:46 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 7, 2009
In The Wings
I just finished reading the book, In the Wings behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet by Kyle Froman, and it was wonderful. It really brought me back to when I was a dancer and I could relate to everything he was saying. It had me reminiscing on the long and grueling practices, the pain, fatigue, and injuries, and the joy and excitement of recitals. I felt as though I was living my life as a ballerina all over again. This book sums up a day in the life of a dancer; “These are the world’s finest dancers, and this is a chronicle of their struggles for perfection, and sometimes their struggles just to make it through the season able to walk” (Froman 1).
It starts off at 10:15am explaining a dancers daily routine before class begins and how they warm-up before warm-up. The dancers prepare their Pointe shoes and start their barre exercises. Everyone is rehearsing for their big show. It’s now 11:30am; he talks about how dancers have a physically demanding schedule and the importance of maintenance for their bodies. There is every kind of machine and therapist under the sun to help heal them from their toes to their hands. At 2:15pm the rehearsals become more demanding and nerve-racking. There are several run-throughs that help perfect the dance. “For dancers, there is nothing so transporting as hearing the orchestra for the first time and feeling the stage lights electrifying the stage. The overwhelming buzz we feel when everything finally comes together makes the tedious rehearsals before worth it” (Froman 57). 6:15pm superstition leads the way as each dancer performs their ritual before the show. The chaos behind the scenes is filled with excitement and anxiety as everyone scrambles to get ready. They prepare themselves and their shoes. It’s Showtime! “For all the work dancers do during the day, the reason we do it is that short time onstage” (Froman 95). As that curtain rises there is an unimaginable feeling that goes through each dancer. When the light hits their eyes the audience turns black and if feels as though you are dancing for yourself. As the music starts the dancers start the dance. The dancers feel and move as one. The show is tiring and seems never-ending but it is all worth it in the end.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 3:53 PM 0 comments
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Best Living Male Ballet Dancer
Does the name Mikhail “Misha” Baryshnikov ring a bell? Well, what if I told you he starred in the last season of Sex and the City? Ding, Ding, Ding, yes he was Carrie’s boyfriend better known as “the Russian.” I bet you didn’t know he is a famous Russian ballet dancer. He was born in 1948; twelve years later in the 60’s he began to study ballet. After only four years of training he was winning honors and leading roles. Baryshnikov danced for the New York City Ballet in 1978 and continued to get the leading roles. Two years later he became a director of the American Ballet Theater.
His production of the Nutcracker was aired by CBS in 1977, since it is the most popular creation. To this day it is the most popular and sought after performance. He received many awards and nominations throughout his career. Baryshnikov was in many films such as The Turning Point, White Nights, and Sex and the City, even though, he’s divorced, he has three children with a former partner and ballerina.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 1:03 PM 0 comments
Friday, June 5, 2009
Positions of the Arms
This is an addition to the five basic foot positions. This video is going over some beginning ballet moves and positions. These are the positions for the arms. Your feet and arms follow the five steps together. If your feet are in 3rd position so are your arms. First position, the arms look like you are holding a big ball. Second position, your arms separate mimicking your feet. Third position, one arm goes above your head while the other one extends out to the side. Forth position, your one arm stays above your head while the side arm comes forward. Finally, fifth position both arms go up above your head.
While doing all five of these positions your elbows should stay slightly bent and round. It should be a nice flowing motion from one position to the next. Your arms and feet move together going from 1st position to 5th. It is all one unison movement that is elegant and flows smoothly.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 3:03 PM 0 comments
Thursday, June 4, 2009
To Try Out Or Not To Try Out?
Like I've mentioned before, I wait every year for So You Think You Can Dance to start and every year I get very excited. I get very involved with the show and it is very intense, I feel as though I was one of those dancers up on that stage. Every summer when it comes on I always say I'm going to be on there, but of course every year I’m not and I’m just sitting on my couch watching it. Everyone is very encouraging and tells me that I should go if I love dancing so much. They have confidence in me but I don’t.
The truth is I’m scared out of my mind! I was watching SYTYCD last night and I realized why I am so petrified to tryout. The judges were grueling and harsh last night to even the best dancers. An amazing dancer was even kicked off and she had the choreography down pat and everything. I see and feel the emotional rollercoaster they go through and I don’t think I’d be able to endure it. The judges are downright mean and have no mercy. I am too shy to get in front of all those people and perform; ever since I stopped dancing I won’t let anyone see me perform, I only do it for myself now. I feel as though the harshness of the judges and emotional abuse would discourage me. Standing on that stage and hearing that you aren’t good enough would be crippling for me. I’m afraid that it would discourage me so much that I would never dance again, not even for myself. I would constantly think im not a good dancer and as if I were one of those people that they make a mockery of. I am afraid of rejection and losing my passion.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 3:33 PM 0 comments
I Have To Move On...
Everyone tells me that I should pick up dancing again if I miss it so much, but they just don’t understand. I would love to start it up again but my fear and anxiety gets the best of me. I always hear from my grandmothers and parents that they loved to watch me dance and I looked so elegant and graceful on stage. They tell me they miss seeing me up there and the joy I had in my eyes.
After a few years of no formal training I would be embarrassed to walk back into the dance studio with all the other dedicated dancers. I fell as though that I gave up on my dream and just walked away from it all nonchalantly. My greatest fear would be feeling inadequate compared to the dancers beside me. Besides being terribly horrified, let’s just say… I don’t have my dancer’s body anymore. I might not be overweight but I’m defiantly not in shape anymore. So to sum it up I let my nerves get the best of me and I’m a scaredy cat.
The pointe shoes lie there
Calling for me to come dance
I have to move on
-Abby Taylor
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:29 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
My Retirement
The answer to everyone’s question, Why did you stop?...
Ever since I was a little girl I would tell my mom “I want to be like her. I want to be a prima ballerina.” She gave the motherly answer of: “Okay hunny. You can do anything you put your mind to, but you do know it’s a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Throughout my dancing career I went through three phases: quirky and cute little girl, the “I’m too cool for anything” phase, and then the loud and proud phase. As a little girl I started off with tap, jazz, and ballet, but I really took a liking to ballet (obviously). So I dropped the tap and jazz to focus on ballet. As I got older in the late elementary and middle school years I was ashamed of being a ballerina since everyone made fun of me for it. Then I grew out of that phase and was proud of being a ballerina and didn’t care what people said. It was my passion and it made me happy.
As I got older the classes increased in quality and quantity, and it feels like I’ve attended every dance school in and around Philadelphia. Practices were long and grueling but it was worth every second; the recitals were my drug and gave me a high. I felt on top of the world and it was the happiest day of my life. I was even able to perform in the Nutcracker; which was a breath taking experience. I worked hard every year for that one day that made me feel so good. For twelve years I went on that stage and performed my heart out. I got to a point in my life where I would have to go professional, and I wasn’t ready for that. I would have had to dedicate my life to nonstop practices, eat, sleep, and live in the studio. I didn’t feel like I would be able to juggle dance and school and give each 100%. After countless practices and twelve glorious recitals the prima ballerina called it quits.
Now I regret it and wish I could turn back time.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 5:53 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 31, 2009
SYTYCD Miami Auditions
So You Think You Can Dance was back in Miami after 4 years and they definitely brought the heat. There were a variety of different dancers that gave it their all. The guest judge was choreographer Tice DiOrio; I think he was a bit too critical and just downright mean to some of the dancers. Miami had great contemporary, ballroom, tap dancers, and much more.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 4:07 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Art of Ballet
Although a dancer's grace creates the illusion of effortless movement onstage, the art of ballet demands intense physical and mental discipline from its students.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:22 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Extreme South Florida Video
To all the South Florida residents:
Show us the extreme side of South Florida! Do you sky dive, bungee jump, wrestle animal or eat crazy things? Upload your extreme South Florida video on uVuVIDEO.org now and MAKE SURE TO ADD YOUR VIDEO TO THE "CONTEST" CATEGORY!
Rate the videos listed on this page. The video with the highest rating and most views will be our Best Extreme South Florida winner and will be featured on uVu TV!
Contest ends August 22, 2009
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 11:14 AM 0 comments
So You Think You Can Dance
My favorite show of all times, So You Think You Can Dance, started last week and I am so happy. Every summer I look forward to this show. I lock myself in my room and need complete silence since I am so involved in this show. I get very passionate and emotionally involved with the show. Every year I wish/wanted to tryout for the show but I am always too scared and nervous to go and actually do it. Maybe one year…
The show is filled with very talented people that are skilled in all different types of dance from ballet to hip-hop. The people that try out, no matter good or bad are all very passionate about dancing. Dance is a great form of expression; it is very powerful and moving. The one thing that bothered me about the show is when they are trying out and the judges don’t like the way some people dance; they shouldn’t be so harsh and criticize them. I feel as though no matter how “bad” you dance you shouldn’t make someone feel bad about it. If it makes them happy that should be enough, it doesn’t matter how you dance it just feels good.
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 10:04 AM 2 comments
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.
I was dubbed the nickname "twinkle toes" because I developed a habit from ballet class; I am always walking around on my tiptoes. I was a ballerina for 12 years of my life; I first started off doing tap, jazz, and ballet but really took a liking to ballet and stuck with that. Sadly I had to retire because I was at a point in my ballet career that I would have to commit to it five times a week and become a professional ballerina. I have regretted that decision every day of my life wishing that I never stopped. Fortunately I still have a place for it in my heart.
My ballerina habits have never left me and sometimes when no one is home I put my toe shoes on and just dance. I watch every dance show that comes out, especially So You Think You Can Dance; it sends chills up and down my spine. Dance is my love, my passion, and my life. So dance like no one is watching…
Posted by Liza E. Bruno at 12:20 PM 0 comments