Filed under: Art
I love film and history, so this New York Times video where reporter Caryn James covers a multimedia exhibition at Grand Central Station titled “Celluloid Skyline: New York and the Movies”. Based on the book by James Sanders, it’s a nice reminder that when filmed effectively, the environment can play as large a part as the actors. A bit of nostalgia, but fun.
Recently, I watched a film and upon conclusion, was asked what I thought about it. In hindsight, the film’s story lingered with me for days, provoking a variety of thoughts and debate (which speaks well for that film), but on the spot for an immediate response, the first thing that came to mind was that I loved the cinematography. It was actually in a suburban setting but the angles and visual pacing were impactful and memorable. So sure, New York City give a lot on its own, but in the hands of capable directors and cinematographers, as we can see through this exhibit, it’s incredible the canvas it offers visual artists.
“Current & the Alliance for Climate Protection are looking for creative and provocative ecospots; very short video messages that will drive your friends, community or government to get involved in solving the climate crisis…”
A few years ago (while with Spin Communications in Greensboro, NC), we developed a short campaign for Wrangler called “You Call The Shots” where, like similar user-generated promotions, some samples are posted for reference, some materials you can use are posted, and winners are eventually chosen. Fairly common (as exhibited through big names like Chevy’s SuperBowl Challenge and winning spot “Car Wash” and Frito Lay’s SuperBowl Challenge winning spot “Live The Flavor.”
This one of course is less about selling jeans, cars, & chips, but a cause. Assuming that the prizes are donated for the cause, it’s fairly encouraging that such methods of promotion are now being used directly for human campaigns (unlike the back door where Chevy was given plenty of “anti-Chevy” ad spots by protesting applicants). Although just a small effort for further P.R. about Global Warming, advocates could look at it as a worthy endeavor, potentially engaging even more of the general tech public. And those that believe Global Warming to be a hoax, well, at least this is the “free market at work” as are the wave of green corporatism we’re increasingly seeing in media (including the cover story of the Sept. 2007 edition of Fast Company). History and science will eventually look back and document the facts, but for now, I look forward to seeing the winning spots.
Filed under: Greensboro
UPDATE: Today’s (8/14/07) Boston Globe covered the ECON 201 course/game, a nice piece for all concerned. As it mentions, it’s not Doom type of a visual/gaming experience, but it’s increasingly evident that it’s an evolutionary step in online learning.
ORIGINAL POST (8/26/06): This is getting some buzz (check out this Yahoo Finance article), and for good reason. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has been developing ECON 201, a video game for college credit teaching the principles of microeconomics. The story follows “an alien species that must learn how to survive after crash-landing on a futuristic, post-apocalyptic earth.” With the past decade’s boom in gaming, this makes sense. I think one day these will be more common but to take it further, it’s just another evolutionary step. Imagine a course (a few decades down the road) built in a virtual reality environment, where a student can study a foreign language and culture by virtually visiting Japan’s stock market, an Indian corporation, or a North African bazaar.
