These are some interesting website for those who want to create their own graphic novels or comicbooks.
Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphics
http://www.kubertsworld.com/
I was given a link to this school through someone I know at the current school I go to now. It's not only a trade school, but a private school that specializes in illustration. It looks very promising, considering the art program I'm in at my school. I hope to be write and illustrate graphic novels when I graduate from college. When it comes to art, I recommend having a mentor over taking art courses.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Artist Proposal/Commentary on Future Graphic Novel
Unlike the previous comicbook that I proposed, an old story that I wrote a long time ago will serve as the dialogue of the comicbook. I want this to be a graphic novel more so than a regular comicbook. I have read graphic novels, animes and classic style comicbooks and I came to the conclusion that classic comicbooks do not do a good job sending a compelling message. Instead, they tend to trivialize it even more. I fine that anime lacks diversity in presenting its characters. They seem to me to be cookie-cutter. I think that a more individualistic approach to creating the characters will be best for this graphic novel, especially when the themes are topics such as libertarianism, culture shift, human rights and collectivism. The story and the graphics will still be science fiction themed. I hope to either eventually add color, or make an adult version of a coloring book. I think if I had more supplies, I'd add color to the graphic novel.
Combining Blogs
I was wondering for those who read this if I should combine my three other blogs to Ungrounded? On one hand, I want to combine the content of all the blogs for convenience. On the other hand, all four blogs are about different topics that pertain to my life. I even considered making two more blogs, one for politics and another for philosophy. I figure the topics about transhumanism can go here, because this is supposed to be a blog aimed at geeks, gamers and the likes. Sometimes I wish that blogs were made like regular sites where the readers can click on the content they want to see. Sometime in the near future, I'll have a whole website if I have enough readers.
Update: I just came up with an idea. I will add the comicbook and digital media content to this blog. The blog about veganism will stand as it is.
Update: I just came up with an idea. I will add the comicbook and digital media content to this blog. The blog about veganism will stand as it is.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Life Circumstances (Random Blog Post)
I feel like today is the worst. day. ever. It feels as though someoneone died, someone really close to me. Infact, a part of me has died this evening. In our lives most of us are guaranteed to go through some sort of loss whether it's a death of someone close, the end of a good (or perceived to be good) relationship, or even a loss of a part of yourself you thought you had, but never had in this first place. Relating to others on an emotional level is what makes human beings so special. It's what keeps our species alive and successful. Sometimes when you think you are as good as the average human being, it turns out you are not. We are all different, of course, but those who are not socially apt are proned to be left out.
I know that logic and intellect cannot always explain why things happen, but most of the time they do. The reason why I'm an atheist is because there is no sound, logical proof for an omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent being looking after the interest of human kind (the most flawed species in the planet). If there were such a being, whether male or female, I would ask him or her why must mankind be the way it is? I would also want to understand why are we emotional beings. I know that evolutionarily, those who were not died off as a species. Sometimes I wish I can feel like I'm truly a part of the human race. It seems as though assimilating to the "normal" standards of what a woman, let alone being human will be giving up a part of who I am. I guess there are some good qualities to being unique. I thought of myself as being proud to be human. When there are problems, we look to people, places and things to blame. Sometimes we even blame ourselves. People will come and go, what I love about having a family is that they love me unconditionally and will always be there for me.
I know that logic and intellect cannot always explain why things happen, but most of the time they do. The reason why I'm an atheist is because there is no sound, logical proof for an omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent being looking after the interest of human kind (the most flawed species in the planet). If there were such a being, whether male or female, I would ask him or her why must mankind be the way it is? I would also want to understand why are we emotional beings. I know that evolutionarily, those who were not died off as a species. Sometimes I wish I can feel like I'm truly a part of the human race. It seems as though assimilating to the "normal" standards of what a woman, let alone being human will be giving up a part of who I am. I guess there are some good qualities to being unique. I thought of myself as being proud to be human. When there are problems, we look to people, places and things to blame. Sometimes we even blame ourselves. People will come and go, what I love about having a family is that they love me unconditionally and will always be there for me.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Old Post: Death Metal vs Doom Meta vs Dark Metal vs Goth Metal
This is about metal. It was a one source research and was posted for information purposes, not a news story or a scholastic research paper. If you see any information you feel that is slightly inaccurate or even completely inaccurate, please contact me. Names will be edited out.
Originally Posted on 17 Jul 2007
I wanted to know more about the differences between dark metal and death metal, so I asked two friends who knew more about the genre than I did. They said that death metal has more screaming, and dark metal has more lyrics. According to them, Dark metal is a subjective (broad) term that includes Death Metal,and other types of metal in the subgenre. Also, according to answers.com (wikipedia) death/dark metal is underground music that rose from the post punk era in the 1990's in Germany. It spread to other parts of Europe including Scandinavia and Great Britain, and later it cross the seas to the United States.
I'll list the subgenres of this genre of music in chronological order. This is based on what is stated on answers.com(wikipedia)
To understand and get a clear view of how this unique genre has evolved in the world of rock and metal, here's a chart
Black metal:Underground. It originated from heavy metal in the early 1980's from Scandinavia (Norway). It uses drums, guitars and bass guitars. Also followed by Viking Metal, and unblack metal. artists include: Celtic Frost/HellHammer, Bathory and Venom to name a few.
Death Metal: Recently Mainstream. Originated in United States, England and Sweden in the early to mid 80's. It uses Guitar, Double Bass Guitar and Bass Guitar to compose its music. Subgenres include Technical Death Metal, Melodic Death metal, and Brutal Death Metal to name a few, and followed by progressive death metal. There are regions of this genre in Texas, Florida, New York, Scandinavia and Great Britain. It is fusioned by Deathcore to name one. Artists include: Death, Possessed, and Master.
Possessed- Fallen Angel
Death- Cosmic Sea
Doom Metal: Doom Metal is mainly underground and stays in Europe. It originated in there by the Heavy Metal band Black Sabbath in the Mid 80's. It uses guitars, synthesizers, bass and drums. Its subgenres include Funeral Doom and Epic Doom, and fusions include Gothic Doom and Drone, to name a few. It can be found in United States Scandinavia and Great Britain. Artists and Bands include Solitude Aeturnus, The Obsessed and Electric Wizard.
Solitude Aeturnus- Mirror of Sorrow
Gothic Metal: Originated From Death Metal and Doom Metal in the Early 1990's. Region of origin is Europe. It uses Keyboard, Guitar, Bass and Drums. There are no subgenres for Gothic Metal. It is based mainly in Europe, although there is some popularity in the United states. This genre is unique, because it uses influence from different time periods in Europe such as the New Age and Dark Age. They also have two vocalists. Artists include King Diamond, Moonspell and Paradise Lost to name a few.
King Diamond- Give Me Your Soul
Note: this genre is so broad and subjective that it is debated by old and new fans about what constitutes Death Metal, Dark Metal, Genres within the spectrum, and what is mistaken as metal. Vocals can range from screaming, to gregortian chant. The sound of the music should have a dark, sinister sound to it, and the lyrics are anti-religious, epocalyptic, or deathly. The controversy behind this type of music is that those opposed to it may feel that it has a bad incluence on youth, from Church burinings to suicides, to the sad event of the Columbine shooting. Personally it is just a genre of music, no different from mainstream rock, or rap, although it still remains underground.
Originally Posted on 17 Jul 2007
I wanted to know more about the differences between dark metal and death metal, so I asked two friends who knew more about the genre than I did. They said that death metal has more screaming, and dark metal has more lyrics. According to them, Dark metal is a subjective (broad) term that includes Death Metal,and other types of metal in the subgenre. Also, according to answers.com (wikipedia) death/dark metal is underground music that rose from the post punk era in the 1990's in Germany. It spread to other parts of Europe including Scandinavia and Great Britain, and later it cross the seas to the United States.
I'll list the subgenres of this genre of music in chronological order. This is based on what is stated on answers.com(wikipedia)
To understand and get a clear view of how this unique genre has evolved in the world of rock and metal, here's a chart
Black metal:Underground. It originated from heavy metal in the early 1980's from Scandinavia (Norway). It uses drums, guitars and bass guitars. Also followed by Viking Metal, and unblack metal. artists include: Celtic Frost/HellHammer, Bathory and Venom to name a few.
Death Metal: Recently Mainstream. Originated in United States, England and Sweden in the early to mid 80's. It uses Guitar, Double Bass Guitar and Bass Guitar to compose its music. Subgenres include Technical Death Metal, Melodic Death metal, and Brutal Death Metal to name a few, and followed by progressive death metal. There are regions of this genre in Texas, Florida, New York, Scandinavia and Great Britain. It is fusioned by Deathcore to name one. Artists include: Death, Possessed, and Master.
Possessed- Fallen Angel
Death- Cosmic Sea
Doom Metal: Doom Metal is mainly underground and stays in Europe. It originated in there by the Heavy Metal band Black Sabbath in the Mid 80's. It uses guitars, synthesizers, bass and drums. Its subgenres include Funeral Doom and Epic Doom, and fusions include Gothic Doom and Drone, to name a few. It can be found in United States Scandinavia and Great Britain. Artists and Bands include Solitude Aeturnus, The Obsessed and Electric Wizard.
Solitude Aeturnus- Mirror of Sorrow
Gothic Metal: Originated From Death Metal and Doom Metal in the Early 1990's. Region of origin is Europe. It uses Keyboard, Guitar, Bass and Drums. There are no subgenres for Gothic Metal. It is based mainly in Europe, although there is some popularity in the United states. This genre is unique, because it uses influence from different time periods in Europe such as the New Age and Dark Age. They also have two vocalists. Artists include King Diamond, Moonspell and Paradise Lost to name a few.
King Diamond- Give Me Your Soul
Note: this genre is so broad and subjective that it is debated by old and new fans about what constitutes Death Metal, Dark Metal, Genres within the spectrum, and what is mistaken as metal. Vocals can range from screaming, to gregortian chant. The sound of the music should have a dark, sinister sound to it, and the lyrics are anti-religious, epocalyptic, or deathly. The controversy behind this type of music is that those opposed to it may feel that it has a bad incluence on youth, from Church burinings to suicides, to the sad event of the Columbine shooting. Personally it is just a genre of music, no different from mainstream rock, or rap, although it still remains underground.
When Celebs Recant Their Statements About Technology
Like any other citizen of the 21st century, I get everything from news to sources from the internet. I even listen to music on Youtube. The battle between the internet and the music industry seems to never end. Especially when proponents of music downloads such as Prince switch sides. Today, I came across this article about Prince recanting his support of the internet. The blog pretty much dismisses the concerns that celebrities and most musicians have when it comes to their work. It's bad enough that the music contracts they are tied to stifle their creation. Prince's quote about the internet is not saying that the internet should be banned. It is basically saying that the internet can be detrimental to the entertainment industry. As an artist, I would have to agree with him.
As most people know, I am a painter. They have places where they can take any picture and turn it into a canvas painting. I remember a long time ago, when I was younger, I wanted to give up art, because it seems like technology dimishes the purposes and meaning of works. My beliefs about this were confirmed when I took a digital media class last semester. I think that if there is beginning to be a lack of appreciation for music, then the visual arts will follow. It seems like anything can be called art these day.
Prince's statement about the internet is about the lack of money being made on downloading music. I still buy CD's, even when I find my favorite musicians on Youtube and other places. I know that there was one musician who advocated downloading music and his songs can be found on his myspace page free for download. However, I heard two of his songs and I was like "Oh, HELL NO! No wonder why it's free". I found his music to be too folksy and too silly.
That brings me to another point. I know that I'm not a musician (sometimes I wish I was), but I know enough to say that like in any other art form, if you want to sell music, you must give your listeners a show and something original. I have a boyfriend who plays music that is closer to folk music on the guitar and another friend at home who plays jazz on the saxaphone. They are from two different cities and they try to go to venues, and the people who visit these places want rock in different forms. To the average person in this day and age, something that is "in your face" such as metal, rock or mainstream rap seem more compelling than soft jazz or modern folk. To draw more audience to any genre, the object is to move the viewers or listeners by entertaining, not bombarding them with subliminal messages about how effed up this society is. People who listen to mainstream music are shallow, they do not care about real issues that are really happening in the here and now. Rap music used to be about racial empowerment in a world of people of color being targeted by the police officers and being ostracized from society due to race (rap is post-Civil Rights Era and Post Modern). Now most of its music is about degrading women, gaining of material goods and the killing of culture and people in it. So, overall, Prince is right and wrong. He's right, because the internet can be a means to obtain so much for so little, and like any other artist, he wants to make money from his work. He is wrong, because music now, in the 21st century it is about entertaining people. Musicians and other types of artists must understand that they are making their works for people who are not talented in any artform, be it music, drawing and painting or understanding of culture. The people who wrote that blog about Prince's comment about the internet cannot dismiss and mock what he's saying, because it's true. I some times wonder if people who make these statments telling artist not to criticize technology are talented in any artform? It seems as though they are not. Otherwise they would understand the dynamic relationship between artforms and technology.
As most people know, I am a painter. They have places where they can take any picture and turn it into a canvas painting. I remember a long time ago, when I was younger, I wanted to give up art, because it seems like technology dimishes the purposes and meaning of works. My beliefs about this were confirmed when I took a digital media class last semester. I think that if there is beginning to be a lack of appreciation for music, then the visual arts will follow. It seems like anything can be called art these day.
Prince's statement about the internet is about the lack of money being made on downloading music. I still buy CD's, even when I find my favorite musicians on Youtube and other places. I know that there was one musician who advocated downloading music and his songs can be found on his myspace page free for download. However, I heard two of his songs and I was like "Oh, HELL NO! No wonder why it's free". I found his music to be too folksy and too silly.
That brings me to another point. I know that I'm not a musician (sometimes I wish I was), but I know enough to say that like in any other art form, if you want to sell music, you must give your listeners a show and something original. I have a boyfriend who plays music that is closer to folk music on the guitar and another friend at home who plays jazz on the saxaphone. They are from two different cities and they try to go to venues, and the people who visit these places want rock in different forms. To the average person in this day and age, something that is "in your face" such as metal, rock or mainstream rap seem more compelling than soft jazz or modern folk. To draw more audience to any genre, the object is to move the viewers or listeners by entertaining, not bombarding them with subliminal messages about how effed up this society is. People who listen to mainstream music are shallow, they do not care about real issues that are really happening in the here and now. Rap music used to be about racial empowerment in a world of people of color being targeted by the police officers and being ostracized from society due to race (rap is post-Civil Rights Era and Post Modern). Now most of its music is about degrading women, gaining of material goods and the killing of culture and people in it. So, overall, Prince is right and wrong. He's right, because the internet can be a means to obtain so much for so little, and like any other artist, he wants to make money from his work. He is wrong, because music now, in the 21st century it is about entertaining people. Musicians and other types of artists must understand that they are making their works for people who are not talented in any artform, be it music, drawing and painting or understanding of culture. The people who wrote that blog about Prince's comment about the internet cannot dismiss and mock what he's saying, because it's true. I some times wonder if people who make these statments telling artist not to criticize technology are talented in any artform? It seems as though they are not. Otherwise they would understand the dynamic relationship between artforms and technology.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Posts I'll Make for July
As said earlier, the end of classes is almost here (tomorrow to be exact). I'm a little excited, and yet worried at the same time. I just hope that I do well on the written portion of the exam. The paper portion is not that bad. I just have to write as much as possible tonight with sources at hand and edit in all my sources. I think I'll do well if the paper makes sense.
Anyways, after class tomorrow, I'll spend more time working on this blog and writing more posts. I think those who read this should expect at least two or three blogs a day. So far, I haven't really exposed my blog yet. I showed it to only a few people.
Shows I'll be watching and writing reviews on:
Videogames I'll be writing about:
Anyways, after class tomorrow, I'll spend more time working on this blog and writing more posts. I think those who read this should expect at least two or three blogs a day. So far, I haven't really exposed my blog yet. I showed it to only a few people.
Shows I'll be watching and writing reviews on:
- Battlestar Galactica (Reimagined, season 1, re-watching)
- Cleopatra 2525 (a cheesy scifi I came across)
- Jake 2.0 (Review coming soon)
- Darkness Falls by Kyle Mills
- Some works by Ayn Rand
- Octavia Buttler works (If they have them at the school library)
Videogames I'll be writing about:
- Bio Shock 1 and 2
- Call of Duty series
- Why I do not like mainstream culture
- Why I'm an Atheist
- Older Post: Black Metal vs Death Metal vs Doom Metal
- My Opinion on Games as a Girl Gamer
Monday, July 5, 2010
End of the summer session at school and BSG
The end of the mini-session for summer school is around the corner (Thursday to be exact). So... after this week/session is over, I'll have the rest of the summer until school starts to do whatever I want to do until like three weeks before school starts again in the Fall Semester. I've been very lazy this summer, so I hope that I get at least B in my core humanities class.
About Battlestar Galactica (BSG)...I had the fortune to watch the entire series and the two movies made for the re-imagined series online. Because I watched BSG: The Plan, I decided to watch the series again reviewing and writing a critique about it from season to season. So far, BSG is one of the best, if not the best science fiction shows ever made. It's better in my opinion than Star Trek and Star Wars. It's raises more philosophical, cultural and religious concerns than ST and SW. The premise is more similar to The Terminator than Star Trek, because BSG raises ethical questions about the ethics of nanotechnology and use of technological advanced weaponry. When I write about this series, I will keep in mind that someday if we ever develop advance machines that they will not only fail on civilization, but they will also rebel against mankind, even if we try to program them not to.
About Battlestar Galactica (BSG)...I had the fortune to watch the entire series and the two movies made for the re-imagined series online. Because I watched BSG: The Plan, I decided to watch the series again reviewing and writing a critique about it from season to season. So far, BSG is one of the best, if not the best science fiction shows ever made. It's better in my opinion than Star Trek and Star Wars. It's raises more philosophical, cultural and religious concerns than ST and SW. The premise is more similar to The Terminator than Star Trek, because BSG raises ethical questions about the ethics of nanotechnology and use of technological advanced weaponry. When I write about this series, I will keep in mind that someday if we ever develop advance machines that they will not only fail on civilization, but they will also rebel against mankind, even if we try to program them not to.
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