Artist's Statement

My work is in film - a passion started way back when I was 3, and saw animation for the first time - The Nightmare Before Christmas, if we're to be specific. Then, something gestated in me about being somehow outside of a norm - boxes were boring, but so fascinating to me. From then on, I started an interest in human interaction - specifically, the way we talk, who we talk to, and how we do it - not to mention our reasons as to why. Non verbal communication is my primary focus in film - how a mere look can convey more than a book. I prefer showing this minute conflict under grand pretenses - to show that life is large and grand to those who are living, even in the simplest of circumstances. 

If I were to list influences, I would point you to the works of John Cassavetes and Xavier Dolan, as well as Chasing Amy-era Kevin Smith. Additionally, I'd also point to the world of comics. Specifically, John Romita and Steve Ditko - their design greatly influenced my work. I believe this is because they could create drama from the everyday, with careful control and beautiful imagery - their style became almost as, if not more influential than, the aforementioned directors. 

My prior filmography, in part, can be found at this address. I believe that the images there will represent me as an artist better than anything I can write here. 

Artist Statement

     Growing up in the late 90's/early 2000's, I was naturally inclined to watch MTV's popular show at the time, titled "Total Request Live."  This show was absolutely amazing. Besides for the fact that it frequently brought on popular artists for interviews and fan interactions, most importantly it aired the top ten music videos requested on that day. This show was popular at a time when MTV was primarily known for music videos, hence the name "Music Television." I remember logging onto my AOL slow dial up service to go to MTV.com and request my favorite videos at the time. It made me so excited to actually see them on tv later that day. At that time, there was no youtube, so the only way for me to watch music videos was by tuning in everyday. Although I enjoyed watching my favorite videos, nothing excited me more to hear that they would be premiering a new video later in the episode.

    Nowadays, MTV is known for drama and reality tv shows not even closely related to music at all. That part is not important though, what is important is that this show "TRL" was the inspiration for my interest in writing, producing, and editing music videos. With the invention of Youtube and other internet video sharing platforms, as well as the addition of cheaper professional equipment (DSLR cameras with 1080p Video mode for example), Music videos have only grown and evolved to a point of being very common.
               Music videos give the fan a true visual to the musical piece. It brings the song to life and creates a whole new world around the song. I will never forget some popular music videos I grew up to, for example Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" or Ludacris' "Stand up". Both of these music videos included a creative implementation of humor to accompany the song.
              This is all great, but you are probably wondering "Why comedy music videos though?" I have always been a jokester and I grew up making parody's of my favorite songs. Often replacing words or letters in the chorus to make an entirely different song.
                   As i got older, new artists such as The Lonely Island and Weird Al Yankovic began to create music videos with the video in mind when recording the song. This led to even more entertaining videos such as "I Jizzed In My Pants" and "White and Nerdy." At that time I knew that comedy through the medium of music videos was my passion. I knew that this was now an established genre with demand and competition and that I was suited to compete at a high level in this newfound medium.
         I started out making amatuer videos on a $99 flipHD camera I got, to instrumentals of famous songs. I would download these insturmentals and record covers using a built-in USB mic that projected decent audio recordings. When making my music videos, I would place the camera facing me, on a table. I would then press play and run to my position and start rapping on the camera. I would then edit the videos using consumer software such as the standard Apple iMovie.
                 After about a year of doing this, I had generated some buzz with cover to a Tyga song called "Far Away." I wrote a cover to it called "High Holidays". The concept of the song was that on the Jewish High Holidays, I would smoke all day while "they" fasted and prayed. It was quite humorous and provocative and I knew I had found my niche in the comedy rap game.
                As I returned to school after taking off a semester (to focus on these amateur videos), I knew that I would need to major in film and start networking to meet people who could help me start producing professional quality music videos. In the past year I have met some amazing people who have helped me chase this dream. The most important people I have met are VFX guys. They are the ones that make my videos come to life and allow each of my versus to be illustrated effectively.

 To date, I have produced 2 very funny anf professional videos. The first one was titled "Let's Just Tan" and it was a satire about over-tanning during the summer and not doing anything else (no job or class, just tanning all day).  The second Music video, which I am releasing early next week is titled "The Walk of Fame" and it makes fun of the popular term amongst singles called "The Walk of Shame." In this music video I AM the one that sleeps by a FEMALE and therefore I must go through with this walk the next morning, however I am unashamed and that is where all of the humor comes into play.

   Within the next year I look forward to continuing to learn, meet new people, and expand on my music video production abilities.

-Ethan Kaplan

Artist Statement

This might seem a bit dated, but I remember a time when Friday nights were for going to the movies. I miss the feeling of actually being excited enough to go to see a film. It's been at least three years since I've gone to see one in an actual theater, as it's hard to justify spending twenty dollars on a ticket, ten for popcorn and another five for a drink.
I want people to be inspired again...moved enough to the point that they take a subway across town and spend a full day's pay on a movie. We don't need anymore blood, guts or explosions... We definitely don't want narrative arcs so complicated that people have to enter dreams to save the world. I wan't my work to be a return to the classics from Hitchcock to Tarantino. Yet at the same time I want it to be different, and new.
I want suspense, and thrills and excitement, but without all the cliched let's rob a bank, or the creepy guy who owns the motel is going to kill everyone. I want to bring the thrill and suspense that once enticed people to flock to the movies, but focus on important subject matter. I want revolution, strife, famine to be in the public consciousness, and the news just doesn't make it exciting enough for everyone.
My work will attempt to inspire interest in issues that people wouldn't normally connect with. Last year the 'Cony 2012' campaign was started. Albeit however flawed and inaccurate, it raised public consciousness on an issue that few Americans knew about. My work will aim to enlighten and inform, but hopefully without the need of using a five year old child to sway public opinion (although it was rather an effective way to persuade viewers to rally behind a cause).

Artist Statement

Artist Statement
Sarah Sarway

I look around and see people who have talent using paint, poetry, a camera lens or musical notes. They can take in what inspires them and translate it onto their go-to medium. Last semester I took Media 150; I took the class with the idea that I didn't yet have a go-to medium, and that throughout the many programs I would find something that clicked.  If there is anything that my over-analyzing of my surroundings have taught me, its that art can be found in anything. And, if there is anything that my exposure to the art world has shown me, it's that art can be created with anything. There are no rules, rhyme or reason. And yet, I find myself in this course with an even firmer understanding that my interests lie in the written word, creative non-fiction specifically.

A video montage of moving triangles and shapes can leave a careful viewer quite amazed; a painting made with misaligned peppermint colored stripes could demand one's full attention. From words, to images, to shadows of objects, there are endless options to find the beauty (or lack thereof) in different types of media. I draw the most inspiration from this city. On a purely aesthetic level, I love the contrast of hard, cold architecture alongside beautiful greenery, warm evening sunsets and starry nights. On a deeper level, I am constantly smitten by the variety of people and often catch myself imagining up what they must be like. I have always tended to express myself using words as opposed to graphics or drawings. These words aren't the poetic or fancy kind; in fact, I dream of writing endless lists for Buzzfeed or ridiculous reports about ridiculous things for Gawker one day. I am excited to see what ways I can use the tools I learn in this course...

WELCOME!

You are in Film/Med 160

Section 05 Fridays 1:10-3:00pm

Section 06 Fridays 3:10-5:00pm