Flip Book: Dad's Balloons

Flip Book: Dad’s Balloons

                                                                                      

To Start off with, lets clear my name for the creative design- not my best work. Also free hand drawing isn’t my forte. But the reason why I chose balloons was because it is one of my best child hood memories growing up. My dad, with a career in finance, never worked in the entertainment industry BUT had a funny way of expressing to my brothers and I, his emotions. He blew up balloons of all sorts and shaped them into fun creatures and objects. From dinosaurs to flowers to even a dog with a leash, he was the true creative mastermind at heart. And he did this my ENTIRE childhood till I was at least 12-13 years old. And if I kept every balloon to this day, we could fill Plant Hall! My Birthdays, I had a room full of balloons, all sorts of colors, shapes, sizes, and with a theme each year. It was like Cirque Du Soleil but with Helium. All my friends used to be so excited for my over-the-top birthday parties because they knew it was going to be quite a SHOW- aesthetically anyways. And he did this for all four of his sons! My best experience was Chinese New Year when I was 11-12 years old. He put on a show for the whole neighborhood. With the help of his friends, he managed to turn our house into a dragon festival using balloons and colors that would make you gleam. Dramatic ensembles just using balloons, and created huge dragon like creatures- floating all over the house. In our living room he hung a dragon so large that probably expanded 8-9 feet and filled it with glitter and money so when he popped it, colors exploded everywhere. Quite an experience growing up when you can wield a child’s creative mind using plastic balloons and helium. As simple as that may sound, so much thought went into each holiday, birthday, basically at any given moment, I could walk into my house, and overnight, be in an alternate world. But my parents got into an ugly divorce going into college and haven’t had contact with him for a few years now- to sum up this story and bring you to present day. So I figured I’d use one of the books he gave me to read my freshman year and re-create my childhood. So though this book was just stick-figure drawings, the drawings themselves, the book, and how the balloons floated away-  were a huge part of my life and symbolize years of my life growing up.

21st Century Technology: Digital Streaming- Video

21^st Century Technology: Digital Streaming- Video

In the era of information overload, society is experiencing a transformation into the digital age. In the last decade, humanity has advanced farther in technological innovation faster than we have in the last century. As the gaps shrink between connecting the world through the internet, technology in my opinion, will evolve without the help of man. We unconsciously use these A.I. like ‘bots’ in social media messenger apps, instant advertising across omni-channel platforms, and automatic recommendations with online shopping. Though science continues to create and enhance the consumer experience, a majority of the technology we have access to today, stems from the ideology of past creation. In particular, digital streaming with video. From the age of Film Strips, VHS, DVD, Mail order options and now having instant access from your PC, digital streaming has changed the way we control what we watch- forever.

Looking at this technology from a generational view, baby – boomers are still a major player in society and control a majority of the work-force. By 2020, Millennials will double the baby – boomer populace along with its ideology of what technology was for them. With this in mind, our millennial generation already considers digital streaming a standard service in our everyday lives.

The term VHS has become extinct with DVD and mail order options soon to follow, in the next few years. All these innovations of video access, though taken lightly in the public eye, have occurred in the last decade. Keep in mind, VHS was a dominant player for almost three decades up until the early 90’s. DVD became a dominant player and phased out of the industry in a third of what the VHS era completed. Mail order access only lasted half that time with almost 5 years with Redbox, and in theory, bankrupted every Block Buster in North America. Today, digital streaming has monopolized all these past technologies and now gives us access to anything, in real time. In my opinion, being a millennial, the movie theatre industry is the next to go. A communal space that has been valued for the last century, will be potentially replaced by desktop, mobile and tablet platforms. And when you take all this information into consideration, 21^st Century technology is literally wiping out the past with little to no regard. The consumer demand, with the help of YouTube and Vimeo, are only going to want the same information, even faster. A seamless experience with zero lag.

Reviewing how past technologies led to digital streaming with video, the future of digital streaming is going to evolve dramatically- faster than ever before. I believe digital streaming will change not only the movie business, but also transform how brands communicate with consumers. The advertising and marketing arenas are already experiencing a shift where video is King, and that concept isn’t going to change. Social media has taken over this concept with live streaming, seeing experiences occur in real time has given video a whole new meaning. Another industry that is experiencing a paradigm shift with digital video, is the video gaming world, using virtual reality headsets to transcend one’s mind into the game itself. Not too long ago,  Video was only accessed from a tangible product like VHS and DVD, and now is a service that can be downloaded in seconds from your laptop in just a quarter-century. These technological advances in digital streaming is a chapter still being written for everyone, as society plays catch up with the very technologies  we are building. 

BROADWAY EXCERPTS 

50 PERCENT 

This Broadway struck me because this excerpt hits near and dear for anyone that has felt an emotional attachment to someone that is out of reach. 50 Percent tells a story that has a commonality with a vast majority of people today. In my opinion, I think we all have had or will have a strong attraction for someone, at a point in time, where that individual isn’t available to us- 100%. And in that moment, we will attest to the idea of having at least ‘some’ of them, rather than none at all. The law of attraction grants us to think outside the box, and putting us in circumstances that are not always common of true relationship building. Perfect example in Barbara Streisand’s version- “ I may hold him through the night, he may not be here, when the morning comes.” Meaning, you know the outcome of this situation, but regardless of the ending, you still will take the reality of your situation and make the best of it. In a perfect world, everyone would be paired with a perfect match made in heaven, but 50 Percent, hones in on a real problem that many face in their everyday lives.

THE COLOR PURPLE

The Color Purple is another Broadway musical that addresses issues very prevalent in society today- even though this was originally filmed over 30 years ago. Not to mention, a winner of the Pulitzer prize and over a dozen Tony/Academy Awards, The Color Purple brings to light problems that are re-surfacing today. Some key aspects are rape, racial conflict, social order, and most importantly- sexism. Jennifer Hudson’s performance was phenomenal and awarded graciously. In my opinion, The Color Purple is another musical that sheds light on issues (regardless of gender) that at one point or another, people deal on a daily basis. Whether it’s in the work place, home or social atmospheres, society still deals with these problems. This Broadway is loved by the public around the world and will continue to do so because this musical is abundant in both emotions and gospel.

STANDING OVATION – THE ANTOINETTE PERRY AWARDS (TONY AWARDS)

This excerpt was a collection of iconic Broadway musicals at the Tony Awards, which happen to be the Oscar equivalent of achievement in one’s career. Highlighting some of the most memorable opening ceremonies like Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Grease, The Act, Annie, Sweeney Todd  and many more. From this collection, my personal favorite was the opening ceremony at the 99’- 52^nd Annual Tony Awards with host Rosie O’Donnell. This performance featured Patti LuPone from Don't Cry for me Argentina, Jennifer Holliday from Dreamgirls, and Betty Buckley from Cats. Just an overall powerhouse experience packed with women who are royalty bloodlines in Broadway.  

Another favorite from the Standing Ovation excerpts was with Liza Minelli performing “City Lights” a piece from The Act. She was then awarded that same night for the Best Actress in A Musical Tony Award. Liza Minelli ceases to amaze spanning over six decades and one of the few who have received an honor with a  Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy. Her portfolio just sets a standard in the entertainment industry and her works have been well accepted around the globe, from theatre, film, television and music. Simply put, she’s iconic.