Go see this show. I have never given a show as high of a recommendation as I will give this one. So much so that I'm not going to talk about it. I don't care if you live in China. This show is worth the flight. It will change your life.
So today my friend Jared sent me a link to Sara Bareilles' new music video for her song "Gravity". This has always been one of my favorite songs from Sara. The vulnerability in it is captured so beautifully in the music and lyrics, using the metaphor of gravity to illustrate how she cannot escape her feelings for someone, no matter how hard she may try.
But AHHHH, the video. Now, I have no expertise in film, but something tells me that this music video is beyond compelling. At the beginning it appears as if she's standing against a painting of a city, bird's-eye-view. This makes total sense, as someone from this perspective would literally fall to earth if unaided. This already sets up the theme of what it means to be under the pull of gravity. The camera pans out and we see she's standing against a wall on a city sidewalk. She begins to walk towards the camera. The camera moves away from the wall with her, revealing more and more of her surroundings.
This is where things truly get fascinating. We see an oversized streetlight and a truck pulls up with a model of the earth on the back. Immediately we see that, though she's merely walking down the street, something surreal is going on. Her motion away from the earth on the truck works with the lyrics: she's trying to pull away from the gravity of the situation. We see little things. A man walks in front of her holding a model airplane. She walks through steam from a vent. Clouds? Perhaps. People move past her holding illuminated umbrellas. Planets? She passes a tree with an odd glow that, perhaps if you squint looks a bit like a nebula. Lights strung above the street look oddly like stars. The entire video is a constant motion away from her original source. She is moving past everything. There is a sense of contrary motion between her and everything else that permeates the video....until....
She hits the end of the bridge. The passing chaos has increased, but right as the bridge builds we see the effects of gravity hit. The motion changes as suddenly a rush of people holding lights (stars?) comes towards her. On the phrase "keeping me down" they surround her in a swirling motion and the camera pans to a different angle. She stops moving. Gravity has overcome her.
The musical and lyrical metaphors are so beautifully portrayed in the imagery of the video. The surreal world she's in, existing both as a city and a walk through space show the juxtaposition of the metaphor in the lyrics. The camera angles, the motion, everything. So, though you probably won't be nearly as obsessed as I am, watch the video and see if you can tell what I mean... You don't see mainstream music portrayed on such a deep artistic level much anymore. )If you're viewing from facebook, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBiGrHc0Xy4&fmt=18)
So for awhile I've been contemplating taking on a serious project. No, I'm not talking the science fair. I'm talking music. If I'm going to SERIOUSLY make a career writing musical theatre, then it's time I get out of the dreamer mentality. It's time to make this stuff a reality. Of course, I'm still in college, which is not the real world. That creates a buffer between me and the industry, making the industry feel more distant; however, that distance can be detrimental. Once I'm out of college, that's it. I'm in it all. I need to be ready. It's a terrifying and exciting thought, but I'm purposefully starting to force myself to feel like I'm already in the business.
So, it's time to stop dabbling and start doing some serious writing. It's time to start spending serious time writing and rewriting. These thoughts have been in my mind for awhile, stewing, and a couple of days ago I decided that I'm going to write a song cycle. Song cycles are great ways to focus on lyrics and music within a loose context. You can experiment with them without fear of messing up an entire production. They allow room for mistakes without having too much repercussion, unlike a full scale musical. I figure that a song cycle will be the best way for me to gain a deeper understanding about what makes good writing good.
This isn't just a whim. I've got the concept laid out (even have a title), and I really like it. It should allow for some very emotional writing. I want the people in it to be entirely real and identifiable. Tonight I laid down an outline of songs and how the general arc of the show will flow. I'm very pleased with where I'm taking it.
My hopes are that I can have the first incarnation of it finished by the first day of sophomore year. I'm hoping that next fall I can gather the people, musicians, and space necessary to put it in front of an audience. That gives me the rest of the semester and the summer. So, I've got lots of work to do.
I'm not too sure why I just posted this, as it was very non-descript. I'm not giving away any more details though, so don't ask. :) I think I just want people to know that I'm ready to embark on a more serious project, and that you can expect to start seeing some things of more substance surfacing soon.
KMT
Sorry I haven't posted in so long. X.x I haven't forgotten. It's just that the end of the semester was CARAZAY and break was boring. Now life it a bit more steady what with school beginning.
The end of the year though, was a mostly positive one. I turned into a hermit for the last couple weeks of the semester as I sat in the basement of Lehman Library for hours on end (we're talking 12+ per day) to study, only taking breaks for food. Not so fun. BUT, it paid off. I managed to do well on my exams and meet my goal of getting above a 3.5 for my first semester (although I'm slightly bitter about missing the dean's list by 0.03). I'm shooting for that 3.6 this semester. I'm fairly certain I can do it.
Also, I'm super excited to be taking on something that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do this soon in the game. The Columbia Musical Theatre Society (whom I did some sound design stuff for last semester) is putting on Rogers and Hammersteins Cinderella this semester, and yours truly is going to be music directing! I'm very excited, as this means I'll be in charge of music rehearsals, pit rehearsals, and will be conducting the show. I miss conducting so much that I even bought my first baton. :) I'll let you know how this all goes as things progress.
With the new year, I initially made the resolution to take more risks, even if they're just little ones. I overthink situations way to much (this isn't exactly a secret) so I'm vowing to introduce a little bit of spontaneity to my life. This resolution holds true; however, the other night something else came to mind. I was watching Rent with my dear friend Rebekah, when, just after Seasons of Love finished playing, she said to me, "Y'know, we should all listen to that song every day. We would all be a lot happier." That gave me an idea. I sat down today and created a new playlist labeled "Songs to Listen to EVERY DAY." And I'm going to do just that. They're all songs that are uplifting reminders of how lucky we are to be on this Earth, or at the very least, songs that make me feel happy. I might not make it through the whole playlist every day, but I'm vowing to listen to at least some of it, be it actively or just while I'm working on my homework. I'm curious to see it's effect on me. I'm a generally happy person with no major complaints, but I have a feeling that this will make life even more worth it.
So, if you're interested, I encourage you to do the same thing. Don't put songs on it that talk about pain, sadness, or heartbreak (not that you shouldn't listen to those songs, just not on this playlist). Put songs that make you feel good. Songs that make you feel lucky to be alive and who you are. Songs that make you feel worth it. Even songs that just make you laugh or smile. And listen to a few of them EVERY DAY. As someone who believes very profoundly in the power of music, I'd be curious to see what effect it has on your life. For starters, here's my list (though I'm sure I'll add to it as I see fit):
"Seasons of Love" from RENT
"The Distance You Have Come" by Scott Alan
"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
"August's Rhapsody" from August Rush
"Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michealson
"100 Years" by Five for Fighting
"Can't Take it In" by Imogen Heap
"Being Alive" from Company
"Say Goodbye" by Scott Alan
"That's How You Know" from Enchanted
"You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray
"Nolita Fairytale" by Vanessa Carlton
"Can't Go Back Now" by The Weepies
"Goodbye" from I Love You Because
"Brave" by Idina Menzel
"Beautiful Day" by U2
"So Much Better" from Legally Blonde
"Love Today" by Mika
"Love, Save the Empty" by Erin McCarley
"I Wanna Have Your Babies" by Natasha Bedingfield
"Steer" by Missy Higgins
"Finale B" from RENT
"Louder than Words" from Tick...Tick...Boom!
"Air" by Georgia Stitt
"Music of Heaven" by Jason Robert Brown
"Defying Gravity" from Wicked
"Happiness" from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
UPDATE: I thought I'd add this video to watch. If you're viewing from facebook, you'll have to click "view original post" to access the video on my blog.
Many of us here at Columbia have been closely in-tune to the battles in California over Proposition 8. For those that don't know, Propsition 8 was a ballot measure brought about as a ban on gay marriage. Most unfortunately, the ballot passed. My initial reaction was anger. Needless to say I let out a rather long string of obscenities when I saw the final results on CNN. Now brace yourselves, kids. I'm about to rant. Probably for a long time.
In an election where we took a giant step forward in civil rights, we also took a giant step back. Remember those segregated water fountains? That time when women weren't allowed to exercise the right to vote? That time when people weren't allowed to marry the person that they're meant to spend the rest of their life with? Oh wait. I forgot. I guess that time is now.
The fact of the matter is that Proposition 8 is legislated segregation. Many people are taking the position that "California spoke." That's right, it did speak. The supreme court also spoke when Plessy v. Ferguson was passed. I don't think anybody would argue that that was the right decision. Marriage within the government, in purely legal terms, is a paper allowing rights between two individuals. The denial of those rights by the government to two people is unconstitional. Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, and a blatant act of discrimination.
Of course, many like to defend their positions against gay marriage by citing their faith and the Bible. Personally, I believe that the Bible is a book that teaches love over all. Each of the 7 "clobber passages" in the Bible frequently cited against homosexuals can all be interpreted differently, with the error of human translation getting in the way. I see no sexual perversion in two men or two women who love each other in the same way that a heterosexual couple does. The love is the same, and I believe that it is just as sacred.
However, even if you do believe that homosexuality is an abomonation, regardless, then you still have no founding against gay marriage. Those beliefs are yours, or those of your religious affiliation. Separation of Church and State is a very real and foundational concept within our government. The very churches that exist within our country depend upon it for their existance; however, most of these churches would have gay marriage banned. Doing so upon foundation of religious views undermines Separation of Church and State, the very thing which allows for the the independent existence of these churches and religious instutions. I take no issue with an individual or church not recognizing a gay marriage as sacred. That is the view of the individual or church alone. They have every right to it (also protected under Separation of Church and State). However, this is no reason to ban it within the government, a SEPARATE institution.
Many people prefer to remove the argument of religion in their opposition, recognizing it as a weak one; however, the general response is that of protection, saying, "gay marriage will undermine traditional marriage." It is my personal opinion that heterosexuals do a perfectly fine job of undermining traditional marriage on their own, what with the divorce rate at roughly 50%. If something is wrong with your marriage, then it's because of problems between YOU and YOUR SPOUSE. Can people honestly blame the problems of heterosexual marriage on gay marriage? To reference a comedy routine by Wanda Sykes, "are straight couples really in marriage counseling now saying, 'we just ain't been working together since Bill and Ted hooked up'?" I mean, really, people. And if by "undermine" you mean "make less sacred," then please see the paragraph above.
Lots of people support civil unions. While I take much less of an issue with civil unions, I still find them to be offensive. Civil unions, while giving LGBT couples many of the rights of a marriage, are still segregation. I like to compare them to Jim Crow Laws. They're separate, but "equal." Those water fountains that say "white" and "colored" overtop of them look oddly similar to this. After all, both whites and blacks had access to the right to drink out of a water fountain, but they were still forced to do so under separate labels. It is the same with the terms "marriage" and "civil union." I recognize that civil unions may be the next step in the path towards equal LGBT rights, but they are merely a step, and should not be satisfying.
Lastly, I turn to gay adoption. In Arkansas, a ballot measure was passed in which all "unmarried couples" were banned from adopting children. This originated as a means of banning gay adoption, as, of course, LGBT individuals cannot marry in Arkansas. I find the banning of gay adoption to be incredibly tragic. Not only is it tragic that two men or two women cannot adopt a child together, but it is also tragic for the children. There are thousands of children out there, looking for a loving home. Because of laws like these, more and more children will be left without a home, or will be bounced around in foster care. I do not, in any way, intend to knock foster care, as it is a wonderful thing that provides homes for children. It does not, however, provide continuity. Adoption allows for these children to find a home with people who will love them, and love them as a parent loves a child. Who is to say that a homosexual couple can't raise a child with the same love and care that a heterosexual couple can? These laws banning gay adoption rip apart the potential for so many loving families.
What I truly don't understand is why people take such an issue with gay marriage. It does not affect you. Why are people so concerned with messing with the lives of people that they don't even know? Why are people so adament about taking away the rights of another individual? Just because one loves someone of the same sex does not mean that their love is not pure. It doesn't mean that they're sexually perverse. It only means that, given the current state of things, they're not going to be able to exercise their full legal rights. Sure they could marry someone of the opposite sex, but what good is that going to do for any party involved? The bottom line is that people are prejudiced. They are afraid of what they're not used to. They're afraid of differences. Our country learned a hard lesson in that area about 50 years ago. I pray that we have not forgotten.
My hope is that this new administration can turn things around. It is very obvious to me that, as an overall population, young people feel very differently about gay rights. I think in a few years, as my generation begins to take control, things will be very different. Take a look at the media. We can see so many instances where LGBT individuals are displayed in a positive light, being shown to live lives no different that that of straight individuals. I'm so happy to see shows like "Brothers and Sisters" and "Grey's Anatomy" on television. Individuals like Ellen Degeneres, T.R. Knight, and many others are changing minds. These things show a trend in our nation leaning towards equality, but unfortunately we are not there yet. Proposition 8 showed us that. My heart goes out to those in California effected by this unbearable blow. Keep your chins up though. This fight isn't over.
Wow, it has been a long time since I've written one of these. I'm not even going to try to encapsulate everything that's happened since then, but I'll hit the big stuff. I should be reading the Symposium right now, so I'm going to have to make this fast.
First off...the election!!! I am STILL elated by the results. For one, Virginia went democratic. I don't mean to pick a scab with those of you who were McCain supporters, but I am SO PROUD of Virginia. Not because they voted in line with a party, but because they finally broke the strings of "tradition." They heard the call for change and responded.
But more than anything, I feel proud to call myself an American for the first time...in a long time. I don't want to spend this blog talking about the Bush Administration, as I've already put them behind me, but I will say that I am happy beyond belief that they're being replaced by a man as fantastic as Barack Obama. I realize that many aren't thrilled with his election (as is always the case with elections), but I feel that this election really is different than all the rest. Obama stands for change. Many argue that every new president stands for change, which I believe is true to a degree; however, the change that Obama stands for is that of a different kind. There is something about this man that rises above the political undertow (good for you if you caught that Broadway reference). He promises a government based upon honesty and conscious social responsibility. Wait a minute...honesty in politics? Social responsibility in politics? Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is change. Change we haven't seen in an incredibly long time. And I'm not just talking about the past 8 years. I'm talking decades.
I truly believe that the announcement of Barack Obama's win on the night of November 4th, 2008 marked the beginning of a new era. Many criticize Obama, saying that his campaign has focused too much on inspiration and was empty of policy. While I do believe that this was initially true (which is why I didn't vote for him in the primaries), it is certainly not anymore. Anybody who watched the debates can't say that Obama didn't talk policy, because that would be lying. You can read his 83 page blueprint outlining his proposed policies here if you need more convincing. Not that you have to love all of his policies, but please don't claim his idea of change is an empty one, because it simply isn't.
Bottom line, I feel that Obama is a good man; however, he's not only a good man within context of today. He's a good man who's not afraid to bring our country forward. He looks to the future, recognizing the problems that we're facing. He's not naive, and has made it clear that we have gigantic job ahead of us, but his character somehow has been able to relieve most of the country of its cynical attitude. Regardless of your political positions, it cannot be denied that we need that kind of change. We need an American people who believe we can build a better world, and somehow this man has been able to bring out that side of so many of us.
For instance, Columbia is widely known for being extremely cynical about...well, everything; however, something amazing happened on election night. The entire buzz and attitude on this campus shifted. I only wish that everybody could have been there to see mob of students who flooded the streets of New York upon the announcement. People were cheering, sobbing, blocking traffic, and swinging from lampposts; however, it didn't at all have the college party feel. There was a certain pervasive optimism that began that night and is still buzzing about campus. Sure, I know that Columbia is a liberal school, but from all I've heard and read in the papers, this was a scene repeated all across the country. People didn't just vote to end 8 years of questionable governing, but they voted knowing that they wanted a brand new country to live in.
So, my message to those who didn't vote for Obama. I encourage you to ride this wave with us. You don't have to necessarily support every policy, but get on board with the movement that we're undergoing. Try and leave behind your cynicisms. Be a part of the mass of people who want to live up to this nation's potential to be the socially responsible leader that the world so desparately needs us to be. Allow us to move forward into that new era where people can believe in the good of others, and share it.
I'd also like to address a topic that I generally ignore. For the first time, we're going to have a minority in the White House. People, this really is a big deal. A very big deal. Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc., will never be gone, but just take a moment to reflect on what Obama's election really means. Just over a generation ago Barack Obama would have been drinking out of a different water fountain than me. Now he's been elected president. We have come SO FAR. It's not over, and never will be over, but the fact that a black man can be elected says so much. It's taken me awhile to really comprehend what a big dealt this is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About me
