Tuesday, May 26, 2009
vimeo channel
You can now view and download all our remixes via Vimeo and our new Cinderella J.A.M Channel. Please feel free to comment and 'like' our uploaded videos.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Ideas Behind Angeline's Remixes
Save Me My Prince!
The central storyline to the classic Cinderella tale is of course that poor little Cindy gets saved my Prince Charming. He saves her from her horrible life of domestic abuse because Cinderella is no match for her tyrannical step-sisters and step-mum. What I wanted to highlight in this clip is what a cop-out that resolution is. It clearly spells out that the end-game is all about snagging that wonderful Prince Charming and that THAT is the ultimate escape from a life of destitution and to a life of riches and security. This is what's been termed as "The Cinderella Complex" and the clips show that throughout the history of the moving image, time and time again the woman plays the role of the victim or the weaker sex, needing the protection and saving of her man. I wanted to make viewers aware that as seductive as it seems on the surface to land Mr Charming Moneybags, it ultimately places the woman at a disadvantage once again, because her fate lies soley in said Moneybags maintaining his interest in her. She hasn't really fostered her own way out of the dumps. The Cinderella dream is a falsehood m'dears, and will turn you into a Princess living in a gilded Cage.
Beauty = Goodne$$
There is the idea first of all as Woman being either a Virgin or a Whore. The Virgin/Whore dilemma lets call it. You are either one or the other, innocent, sweet and non-sexual (or maternal), but if you exhibit seductive qualities you're in the latter, the femme fatale, the home-wrecker, the mistress, you get the picture. First of all in Cinderella it's clear that Cindy's escape from poverty is through her beauty, which Prince Charming falls for. This beauty is the value of her person, and is the sole reason for her success. She is a good and virtuous person because of her beauty (her step-sisters were greedy abusive UGLY womean). What a dismal tale and aspiration for women! But throughout the ages women have been judged and valued on their beauty alone, and this obsession sadly persists today. This remix explores the obsessions with physical appearance and the conflicting demands on a woman to be both Virgin/Whore to a man, of course it's unattainable and pathetic to even want to pander to that.
Sisterhood Lost
This one's for the women. Women vs. Women, I am reminded of Sylvia Plath and her Mushrooms poem of which I will reproduce the ending parts:
Rotten Cake
Originally I wanted to call this one "Breaking the Mould" then "Breaking the Cupcake" but at then end of it all the remix is about the rot inside the supposed wonders of domestic life and marriage, the idealised notion we have about romance and partnership when the truth is much more about compromise and conflict. The cake seems great on the outside, all white cream and sweetness but dig a little deeper and something doesn't taste right. The clips chosen show how historically women have had to sacrifice so much to make a happy home and lose their independence and self-identity, yet somehow manage to delude themselves that this is the path to contentment and happiness. It's the Cinderella trait coming out, the belief in a "happily ever after" through the perfect man, through the perfect marriage but real life isn't like that at all and the sooner you get over that the sooner you can create a vision of life that's really your own.
The central storyline to the classic Cinderella tale is of course that poor little Cindy gets saved my Prince Charming. He saves her from her horrible life of domestic abuse because Cinderella is no match for her tyrannical step-sisters and step-mum. What I wanted to highlight in this clip is what a cop-out that resolution is. It clearly spells out that the end-game is all about snagging that wonderful Prince Charming and that THAT is the ultimate escape from a life of destitution and to a life of riches and security. This is what's been termed as "The Cinderella Complex" and the clips show that throughout the history of the moving image, time and time again the woman plays the role of the victim or the weaker sex, needing the protection and saving of her man. I wanted to make viewers aware that as seductive as it seems on the surface to land Mr Charming Moneybags, it ultimately places the woman at a disadvantage once again, because her fate lies soley in said Moneybags maintaining his interest in her. She hasn't really fostered her own way out of the dumps. The Cinderella dream is a falsehood m'dears, and will turn you into a Princess living in a gilded Cage.
Beauty = Goodne$$
There is the idea first of all as Woman being either a Virgin or a Whore. The Virgin/Whore dilemma lets call it. You are either one or the other, innocent, sweet and non-sexual (or maternal), but if you exhibit seductive qualities you're in the latter, the femme fatale, the home-wrecker, the mistress, you get the picture. First of all in Cinderella it's clear that Cindy's escape from poverty is through her beauty, which Prince Charming falls for. This beauty is the value of her person, and is the sole reason for her success. She is a good and virtuous person because of her beauty (her step-sisters were greedy abusive UGLY womean). What a dismal tale and aspiration for women! But throughout the ages women have been judged and valued on their beauty alone, and this obsession sadly persists today. This remix explores the obsessions with physical appearance and the conflicting demands on a woman to be both Virgin/Whore to a man, of course it's unattainable and pathetic to even want to pander to that.
Sisterhood Lost
This one's for the women. Women vs. Women, I am reminded of Sylvia Plath and her Mushrooms poem of which I will reproduce the ending parts:
We are shelves, we are
Tables, we are meek,
We are edible,
Nudgers and shovers
In spite of ourselves.
Our kind multiplies:
We shall by morning
Inherit the earth.
Our foot's in the door.The poem to me is about women and their struggle for equality. The use of "we" makes it sound like its a joint effort. But the reality is as I try to explore in the remix, women are more often than not their own worse enemies. We don't see each other as sisters, we see each other as competitors and that's a damn shame. What is it about our sex that just loves to rip another woman down to bits? I don't know, but I wanted take the focus off the Man in this remix, and turn the attention back on oppression of women by women.Rotten Cake
Originally I wanted to call this one "Breaking the Mould" then "Breaking the Cupcake" but at then end of it all the remix is about the rot inside the supposed wonders of domestic life and marriage, the idealised notion we have about romance and partnership when the truth is much more about compromise and conflict. The cake seems great on the outside, all white cream and sweetness but dig a little deeper and something doesn't taste right. The clips chosen show how historically women have had to sacrifice so much to make a happy home and lose their independence and self-identity, yet somehow manage to delude themselves that this is the path to contentment and happiness. It's the Cinderella trait coming out, the belief in a "happily ever after" through the perfect man, through the perfect marriage but real life isn't like that at all and the sooner you get over that the sooner you can create a vision of life that's really your own.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Miriam's Remixed Clips
Women Transformed
How can natural beauty begin in the hands of a hairstylist? If attractive people are the leaders of society then barbers and beauticians are the molders of leaders... Is this really how our society views attractiveness? Do attractive people really have a better chance at establishing a meaningful or successful life? Why is there so much pressure on people to be attractive not only to the opposite sex but to gain recognition among classes? The ugly stepsisters may not have been so unfortunate if only they put their beauty regime in the capable hands of a professional!
Good Girls Gone Bad
The notion of the "bad girl" has been titillating audiences for centuries... What if Cinderella really was a bad girl under all that niceness and good? What a facade! This clip explores bad girls in a tongue and cheek manner.. even though they are labeled bad because of the choices they make... they are still THEIR choices.. who are you to judge?
I think they are far more exciting than all that boring conformity... these girls let loose a little.. and that's not such a bad thing... is it?
Popular
Are you popular? Are you wearing the right shoes, clothes, makeup, hair product? Are you driving the right car? Do you even care? Cinderella could only achieve princess status after a magical fairy godmother popped out of thin air and granted her with all the social graces that you need to snag the perfect man... Now listen closely and take notes or maybe just wait for that fairy to appear.
The Charming Couple
Who's your perfect match? What's your criteria? Do your friends have to like them? Someones Prince Charming may be another persons Hunchback of Notre Dame .. Does everyone have something in them that can be loved? Who are you to dictate someone's decision for a mate? Even if THEY are the dictator?
How can natural beauty begin in the hands of a hairstylist? If attractive people are the leaders of society then barbers and beauticians are the molders of leaders... Is this really how our society views attractiveness? Do attractive people really have a better chance at establishing a meaningful or successful life? Why is there so much pressure on people to be attractive not only to the opposite sex but to gain recognition among classes? The ugly stepsisters may not have been so unfortunate if only they put their beauty regime in the capable hands of a professional!
Good Girls Gone Bad
The notion of the "bad girl" has been titillating audiences for centuries... What if Cinderella really was a bad girl under all that niceness and good? What a facade! This clip explores bad girls in a tongue and cheek manner.. even though they are labeled bad because of the choices they make... they are still THEIR choices.. who are you to judge?
I think they are far more exciting than all that boring conformity... these girls let loose a little.. and that's not such a bad thing... is it?
Popular
Are you popular? Are you wearing the right shoes, clothes, makeup, hair product? Are you driving the right car? Do you even care? Cinderella could only achieve princess status after a magical fairy godmother popped out of thin air and granted her with all the social graces that you need to snag the perfect man... Now listen closely and take notes or maybe just wait for that fairy to appear.
The Charming Couple
Who's your perfect match? What's your criteria? Do your friends have to like them? Someones Prince Charming may be another persons Hunchback of Notre Dame .. Does everyone have something in them that can be loved? Who are you to dictate someone's decision for a mate? Even if THEY are the dictator?
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Jenna's remixed clips
The Factory Line
This remix explores the notion of women forced to work like machines for the pleasure of men. In this clip the man has complete control of the situation, while the women are merely there to undertake the wishes of the man. This clip was motivated by the premise of the Cinderella tale in which the women all try to impress the man in order to meet his wishes. By juxtaposing this relationship between the man and the woman with clips of women working in a factory, presents the notion of Man as boss and Woman as worker.
The Trouble with Women
This remix parodies the stereotypical notion that men are the breadwinners, while women are homemakers. The man in the clip is adament that men are better workers than women and attempts to persuade his boss to fire the new female employee. His poor arguments of women as absent, married and all round feminine come under fire from his more accepting boss. The basis for this clip was originally an instructional video calling for equal rights in the workplace between men and women, but is very different from what we would see today.
Wedded Bliss
And they all lived happily ever after... or did they? This remix details a possible future scenario for the happily wedded Cinderella and her Prince Charming. Did the young couple survive the trials and tribulations of married life? Or did they rush into their marriage too quickly without properly counselling? This remix explores both ends of the spectrum, from the young couple who get marriage counselling before taking the big step, to the couple whose once passionate love is ultimately destroyed by a single symbol; their wedding rings.
The Outsider
Cinderella, the classic tale of a lonely outsider who is magically transformed to become a beautiful Princess. It is a life and experience that many dream of, but will never achieve. So, what would Cinderella's life have been like without the help of her fairy Godmother? Probably very similar to many other teenage 'outsiders' growing up today. It is not easy being on the outside of friendship groups and feeling alone and this remix attempts to show what modern day Cinderella's are faced with - minus the fairy Godmother. It can be the harsh reality of being a teenager.
This remix explores the notion of women forced to work like machines for the pleasure of men. In this clip the man has complete control of the situation, while the women are merely there to undertake the wishes of the man. This clip was motivated by the premise of the Cinderella tale in which the women all try to impress the man in order to meet his wishes. By juxtaposing this relationship between the man and the woman with clips of women working in a factory, presents the notion of Man as boss and Woman as worker.
The Trouble with Women
This remix parodies the stereotypical notion that men are the breadwinners, while women are homemakers. The man in the clip is adament that men are better workers than women and attempts to persuade his boss to fire the new female employee. His poor arguments of women as absent, married and all round feminine come under fire from his more accepting boss. The basis for this clip was originally an instructional video calling for equal rights in the workplace between men and women, but is very different from what we would see today.
Wedded Bliss
And they all lived happily ever after... or did they? This remix details a possible future scenario for the happily wedded Cinderella and her Prince Charming. Did the young couple survive the trials and tribulations of married life? Or did they rush into their marriage too quickly without properly counselling? This remix explores both ends of the spectrum, from the young couple who get marriage counselling before taking the big step, to the couple whose once passionate love is ultimately destroyed by a single symbol; their wedding rings.
The Outsider
Cinderella, the classic tale of a lonely outsider who is magically transformed to become a beautiful Princess. It is a life and experience that many dream of, but will never achieve. So, what would Cinderella's life have been like without the help of her fairy Godmother? Probably very similar to many other teenage 'outsiders' growing up today. It is not easy being on the outside of friendship groups and feeling alone and this remix attempts to show what modern day Cinderella's are faced with - minus the fairy Godmother. It can be the harsh reality of being a teenager.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
how did it get like this?
People
Want to be connected with other people
Want to be loved by other people
Social Networks a natural extension of our the innate urges?
Evolving as fast as technology enables it, but in accordance to the behaviour and preferences ie. natural selection of its users?
Big Bang Theory
Web 2.0 -> Social Networking is like a Creative BIG BANG…An explosion of applications and platforms. Some come to dominate, many replicate, and a few actually innovate. But it’s hard to tell right now who’s going to be around tomorrow…only the process of evolution and will tell.
Technology Enables. Human Behaviour Shapes. How we communicate online
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Social Themes within Cinderella
- feminine beauty
- beauty = goodness
- ideal man, masculinity (moneybags, handsome)
- materialism, desire for wealth = happiness
- pitiful girl/vulnerable woman/damsel in distress (that needs saving)
- saviourship through a man/shining knight/
- marriage as gateway to happiness/success
- women turning on women (bitches)
- men getting choice, women getting none in the dating game.
- GOOD WOMEN v BAD WOMEN (nice girls win, bad girls dont, they die usually)
- education, lack of education.
- SOCIAL CLASSES is definetly one
- beauty = goodness
- ideal man, masculinity (moneybags, handsome)
- materialism, desire for wealth = happiness
- pitiful girl/vulnerable woman/damsel in distress (that needs saving)
- saviourship through a man/shining knight/
- marriage as gateway to happiness/success
- women turning on women (bitches)
- men getting choice, women getting none in the dating game.
- GOOD WOMEN v BAD WOMEN (nice girls win, bad girls dont, they die usually)
- education, lack of education.
- SOCIAL CLASSES is definetly one
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Unpacking Cinderella
*To keep in mind - Cinderella classic plotline:*
C's beloved mother dies - father instantly remarries
Stepmum & 2 ugly step sisters despise C and force her to do the dirty work
Prince throws a ball - Stepmum & ugly sisters force C to help them get ready
(C wants to go too)
Stepmum taunt and deny C to come with them
Fairygodmother/Some magical interception helps C out with nice dresses and
an awesome ride (so she'll look the part)
Prince tries to find his runaway ballpartner with the slipper
Finds C, the shoe fits,they live happily ever after.
*
Some ideas that drive the tale of Cinderella to keep in mind:*
A Man will set you free (if you're beautiful) and take you from:
Rags to Riches
Controlling idea: CLASS: we can transition from being from poor to rich,
THROUGH A MAN, through our FEMININE WILES → BEAUTY.
//need to be able to manipulate a man in order to change your social status
(TRUE fact back in the day).
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