Reflections on Sound: Dumbo, Pink Elephant Scene

Critique of the scene:
Listening Modes- This clip uses many semantic, or representational sounds. As the elephants are singing, their trunks turn into trumpets. We can see that the trunks are representing an actual trumpet. The use of this semantic sound is diegetic because the characters and the audience see what is happening and can hear the sound. The source of the sound is both on screen and off screen. We can see the representations of sound but the actual orchestra is not on screen, although is portrayed through the shapes the elephants make. Causal sounds are not used in this clip. If causal sounds were to be used then we would be hearing actual elephant noises.
Gestalt Principle and Illusion- Illusion is not used in this clip because a bountiful amount of sounds are used and overlapped. The sounds blend together. Some of the sounds are illusion though as some of the instruments play one at time as well as some of the sound effect are played one at time. There is a lot of orchestra that uses more than one sound element at a time which is why illusion is not a term that would describe this clip. Figure and ground are used very uniquely because the scene Pink Elephants is in a black space with out a clear representation of spacial boundaries.   As elephants move closer or grow further away the sound mimics these actions by getting louder or softer. The pitch and intensity also change as the appearance of space enlarges or depletes. This is visually done by changing the size of the images.
Overall sound for this clip is important because it is needed to express what is going on as well as add emotion and movement. A few characteristics of this clip include semantic sounds, lack of illusion, and figure and ground.

Finding Your Howl

http://changethis.com/manifesto/51.01.YourHowl/pdf/51.01.YourHowl.pdf
Jonathon Flaum writes of two stories. The first is the story of a red wolf that is released back into the wild after being in captivity. The second is the story of life and how you find yourself by doing what you least want to do, in this case it is Mumon dying. I found the first story to be interesting. Mumon spent his life in an enclosed area having scheduled meals. He did not know how to live in the wild but once out there his natural instincts begin to take over. By the end a farmer kills him but through this Mumon finds his howl. The only way out was through and this is true for us as well in order to find our own voice.

There are many poems, songs and lyrics that speak to me on a creative level. Currently a favorite of mine is the song "What I'm Looking For" by Jonny Diaz. The whole song is fantastic but I really am moved by the beginning of the song;
My heart feels so empty, and my soul is so dry
How can life be so heavy when there's nothing inside
I have searched 'till I'm worn out, I have looked everywhere
For my place of contentment and a reason to care
God, tell me if You're really there
(http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=31082)
I find that most people in life have a feeling of emptiness at some point or another. While you go through life feeling empty there is still a part of life that is weighted. This part of life that is weighted is a mystery especially when you feel nothing inside. People spend an entire lifetime trying to figure life out and try so hard to fit into somewhere. I like how the artist, Jonny Diaz, feels this dryness in his life but asks for God to essentially fill him up.
The chorus of the song is;
'Cause I've been all the places, I've seen all the faces
I haven't found what I live for
And I've played all the games and they all seem the same
I'm looking for something more
Are You what I'm looking for... oh, are You what I'm looking for
 (http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=31082)
People are always looking for more and I feel as though Diaz thinks he might have found a solution to his emptiness. He is questioning what he thinks he has found and I like that. To be creative I feel means asking yourself questions of uncertainty. These questions mean that you are thinking about things and having a creative process. Things do not just happen all at once and turn out perfect, it takes time and reflection.
The next part of the song;
I have painted the smile on my unhappy face
And I've laughed like a child, but I feel out of place
And my life is just skin-deep, and my music's all gone
Who will bring me a melody? Who will give me new songs?
God, tell me if You're the One

(Are you what...) I'm looking for inside of me?
Are You the air that I can breathe?
Are You the path that leads me to a smile?
Oh, when everything inside of me tells me that it's You I need
You stand there with arms open wide, and with tears in my eyes I let down my pride,
'cause You're what I'm looking for
 (http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=31082)
These two verses continue Diaz's thought process in the discovery to fulfill his emptiness. He feels out of place but then realizes that in order for himself to achieve what he wants he needs to lay down his own pride and give himself up to get to something greater (like the red wolf in "Finding Your Howl"). This goes through the a creative process that I feel I model/ can model my own creativity after. 

 By the end of the song the mystery of the pain is resolved in the lyric;
'Cause I've been all the places, I've seen all the faces
And now I know just what I live for
And I've played all the games, oh, but You're not the same
And now I am looking no more
I've found what I'm looking for... I've found what I'm looking for... 
(http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=31082)
For me, this resolution comes out in such a powerful way. Although it took a lot of searching and even the giving up of the life you are used to, it is worth it in the end to feel the weight and dryness go away. You have to endure the pain to discover and accept the results. Personally, I think my creative works in this way too.  It is as if Diaz found the puzzle that he is the piece to and it fits perfectly. There is a hope with this song that people want to hear and creatively it gives me the thought that no matter how uncreative I feel and how awful I think things are going, there is a resolution because the puzzle is in front of me and all I have to do is put the pieces in the right spot.

Full Song;
My heart feels so empty, and my soul is so dry
How can life be so heavy when there's nothing inside
I have searched 'till I'm worn out, I have looked everywhere
For my place of contentment and a reason to care
God, tell me if You're really there

'Cause I've been all the places, I've seen all the faces
I haven't found what I live for
And I've played all the games and they all seem the same
I'm looking for something more
Are You what I'm looking for... oh, are You what I'm looking for

I have painted the smile on my unhappy face
And I've laughed like a child, but I feel out of place
And my life is just skin-deep, and my music's all gone
Who will bring me a melody? Who will give me new songs?
God, tell me if You're the One

(Are you what...) I'm looking for inside of me?
Are You the air that I can breathe?
Are You the path that leads me to a smile?
Oh, when everything inside of me tells me that it's You I need
You stand there with arms open wide, and with tears in my eyes I let down my pride,
'cause You're what I'm looking for

'Cause I've been all the places, I've seen all the faces
And now I know just what I live for
And I've played all the games, oh, but You're not the same
And now I am looking no more
I've found what I'm looking for... I've found what I'm looking for... 
 (http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=31082)

Deconstructing Characters: Villain

Villain: Doc Dark
Color: The black and gray stripes represent the monochromatic hues for the villain character, Doc Dark. These colors are actually taken from the same hue and are just changed by adding white to it. By adding what the saturation is changed giving a less pure and less intense color. In this case black is used and the various shades of it to create the core for the Doc Dark character. The dark color is easily identifiable as evil and mysterious. Monochromatic hues of black also create little emotion so the audience is not as connected to this character. The gray in Doc Dark also brings boredom that makes the viewer not want to be on his side. Overall the colors give a sense of creepiness and trouble that is a warning to steer clear and the stripe image is an example of the monochromatic color scheme use to represent the color motif for Doc Dark.
Light: The image titled "shadows" is a representation of the light the expresses Doc Dark. This villain is always larking in the shadows under the cover of darkness. This keeps him from being noticed because he will just blend in with the surroundings. The shadows also create a mood depression and the little light adds eeriness. Whatever light that is being cast just creates a dark place for Doc Dark to creep. There is little intensity to this light but a lot of hardness that keeps the light from dispersing; this gives an effect that there is danger setting in by Doc Dark. Overall the light gives the effect of danger, evil and depression that is trying to be depicted to set the stage for the Doc Dark villain character. 
Shape: Shapes are very important in depicting the state of the Doc Dark character.  A rectangle body shows that he is brave and yet at the same time unpredictable. The squiggles that are his arms and legs give a sense of motivation and impulsiveness that drive him to the edge, making him seep with evil. The image of the rectangle with squiggles on it; stand in place as Doc Dark's body, arms, and legs. The emotion given from the shapes is that of mystery and bravery. A rectangle is one of the basic shapes that is easy to identify which helps to describe the Doc Dark character. The squiggles add direction and impulsion. Overall the motif given by the rectangle and squiggles gives the Doc Dark character a body that represents a brave, yet unpredictable villain. The image of the rectangle with squiggles on it is a great example of how those shapes describe the Doc Dark character. 

Monochromatic Color

Shadows

Rectangle with Squiggles

Villain: Doc Dark

Deconstructing Characters: Super Hero

Super Hero: Sonny Sunshine
 Color: Orange and yellow are two hues that are next to each other on the color wheel. This makes them analogous, giving Sonny Sunshine an analogous color scheme. A high saturation of these two colors makes a motif of pure and intense color that creates emotion. The emotion being created is to give the audience a happy feeling that is warm and genuine. Orange can mean energy and yellow can mean wisdom giving Sonny Sunshine a good mix of powers. Not only do these hues have a good meaning, they also look nice together and have an attraction that plays into the emotion trying to be expressed through Sonny Sunshine. The emotions and meaning of the colors also adds a rhythm that gives the audience knowledge that help from this Super Hero is on the way. The orange and yellow beanie represents the colors for Sonny Sunshine.
Light: Light is literally used to see objects, direct attention and gives shape, depth, and emotion. This character emits light from himself. Having the light come from Sonny Sunshine changes the focus from being directed to him as a spotlight would do, but rather emphasizes his surroundings. By being a light to those he is helping it gives a sense of caring selflessness and people have a sense of trust in him. The religious image has two people with a halo of light surrounding their heads as if they were emitting it. It gives a feeling of trust and compassion which is what Sonny Sunshine has. The light represents pureness in addition to trust and compassion.
Shape: A circle and a triangle are two basic shapes that are easily recognizable. They also have lines that show direction and give definition. A circle is a representation of peace and expresses trust as well as a meaning of compassion. The triangle is a very strong shape and means leadership. Sonny Sunshine is a mix of the circle and triangle giving him a vibe of that of a go-getter with determination (to save the townspeople by being a leader that's caring and compassionate). He also is physically strong that is shown by the triangle. The image of Disney's Epcot represents the strong triangle and the circle of peace. Sonny Sunshine relates to this and this makes him a power house of two shapes.

Analogous Color Scheme

Light from the source

Circle and Triangle Powerhouse

Sonny Sunshine Super Hero

A Larry Boy Music Video

Larry Boy: Favorite Super Hero

Larry Boy is a super hero on Veggie Tales. He is my favorite because he is not a typical super hero and doesn't have powers. He also messes up a lot and has downfalls to make him more personable, even though he is a cucumber. His comedic relief makes him a fun character watch to on the children's show.