Swim with the Sharks

When I was In Hawaii last summer, we had the great opportunity to swim with the sharks (ha, well we were swimming in a barred metal cage with the sharks swimming around us). Needless to say, what I learned from this exhilarating experience was incredible. At first I was a little scared, but happily volunteered to be the first to get into the cage, following me was one of my brother's and best friend. Once we had floated out a ways from the boat what I observed underwater was amazing. The deep blue of the water in the ocean was unlike any color I've ever seen so vivid and rich. There must have been at least 15-30 sharks in our vicinity (that we could see) at any given time. The urge to reach through the bars and touch one of the sharks as they swam by was so strong, yet my common sense reasoned with me as sharks are so fast I probably would lose my arm within seconds. The ocean so vast and the grey color of the sharks contrasting with the vivid blue of the deep ocean was one of the most gorgeous experiences I have ever seen. I couldn't help but just float there in complete awe and utter amazement. 

1st Test Shoot-Photographer: Jamie Luca

Photographs by Jamie Luca

Recently I got a modeling contract with Page Parkes Management and these are some of the pictures from my 1st test shoot. The perception people have on models is rather farfetched (in most cases) so I wanted to express  my views and experiences with it. Modeling is not just about 'sitting there and looking pretty.' Although that is what it looks like and ultimately ends up being, there is far more that goes into than meets the eye, that people often forget to realize. Modeling, like acting is about being yourself and reacting to certain situations and environments utilizing them them to your benefit. You have to be able to express all kinds of emotions, translating them into each photograph, while also being aware of all your body parts and angles, and knowing which of those makes you look best translated through the lens. If something feels awkward it most likely looks good on the camera, you have to be light with your hands and fingers have to be in soft positions, because the placement of every body part matters in capturing an image. In addition to all this, models are often shooting spring/summer wear in the winter and winter wear in the summer to get ready for the upcoming season, so they are often coping with extreme weather conditions in consideration with what they might be wearing. Among all of this, your running around changing in and out of clothes, driving to different locations, changing make-up, etc. and if you don't do a good job you can get replaced in a second.  There is far more to it then meets the eye. 

Intertextuality with Pepsi

This Pepsi Ad from the 2009 Superbowl is overflowing with intertextuality, so much so it is even making connections within the ad.

Vertical:

Within the video there is vertical intertextuality where we connect across multiple genres to create meaning. The commercial takes you on a journey across different cultural texts from musicians, to movies, to technology, to sports (surfing, skateboarding) making a connection across all them as it shows how they have all improved together overtime with each new up and coming generation "Refreshing Everything"

Horizontal:

Within the video horizontal intertextuality occurs as they have several different texts connecting with in a single genre. For Instance it goes from Bob Dylan to Will-i-am in the music industry, from candles lighting up a dark space to cell phones lighting it up, from old cars to newer, old cafe's to more modern cafe's. The commercial shows horizontal intertextuality as it takes new technologies or more current people equating them with the older ones of time causing you to connect between old generations and new as each one,  "refreshes everything".

Tertiary:

Personal or public commentary on cultural text that influence our understanding of those texts. The way Pepsi perceives all the different things going together through one song "Forever Young" emphasizing that how each thing connects and everything advance while some things grow old other thing are also growing new. 

LeBron James

I think this is an interesting take for an NBA commercial. I thinks it's original I enjoy the dichotomy of the "warrior" listening to Time after Time as his pump up song for the big game. Expect the Unexpected very fitting for the NBA and also LeBron James as his athleticism ceases to amaze me. Overall, I think the ad works well and have taken quite a liking to it. 

Look at your old Work

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Copyright

I was looking through my old photographs from my high school photography class when this caught my eye as I remembered it as being one of my favorites as well as my photography teacher being quite fond of it. I took if of myself for a project of self-portraits. It's odd how our art work whether intentionally or unintentionally reflects how we might feel, what's on our mind, or what we want to bring notice to or emphasize. I remember when I took this photograph it was at a rough time in my life when a lot was going on. I wanted it to look scary and have an ominous kind of beauty. Today, my artwork still revolves around finding beauty in the unlikely and often at times becomes fantasy-like. (I will share more later)

Take a fencing Lesson

Looking for an excuse to get some anger out, test your reflexes, your intuition, and of course  ability to trick people. Try fencing, it's quite a good exercise and allows you to release any pent up energy in an unusual kind of way. I am taking it for a class and finding it quite fun, and at times amusing due to the funny nature of the fencing stance. So try it out, release you inhibitions, yes it is a little awkward at times, but so what. 

Ask an opinion

I asked my 16 year old brother what he thought a funny ad was and this is what he showed me- Messin with Sasquatch. My brother only thought this ad was funny, but didn't really care about or take notice of the product being advertised. This fact ultimately means the ad was ineffective for guys like him (and a little older), other than the "teenage boy" humor which is what he mainly took notice of. From my perspective I have to say the whole caveman/neanderthal/Sasquach thing is old news. For me it died before the first Gieco cavemen commercial even came out. Those ads have always irritated me as does this one. Yes maybe it's a little funny, but overall I don't think it does the most effective advertisement for the product its trying to sell. It definitely doesn't make me want to go out and but Jack Link's Beef Jerky, and I generally like beef jerky.