EPJ Final Project Update

Mired in Flash! (Not quite Flash hell, but I can feel the heat.)

EPJ Critique: Lauren Greenfield’s “Fashion Show”

In a word – OUTSTANDING!

I wouldn’t necessary call it “objective journalism.” It is not journalism in the sense that it explains much for the viewer. It gives a glimpse to the viewer of what it is to be a high fashion model and that environment – from the media circus to the behind the scenes at the shows. It is journalism in the same way that an op-ed piece is journalism. It has a point of view and expresses it clearly and effectively although through visuals and music, not words.

The audio is a character in this piece. Stills and video are segmented and sequenced to the beat of the audio track. The effect on the viewer is one of a machine. A global beauty industry churning out the next hottest fashion, no matter the toll that it takes on the models or the practicality of wearing such “garments.”

This fits right in line with the scope of Greenfield’s work. Greenfield has been examining pop culture and the effect on the population for her entire career (as I know it). I was introduced to her work with the Fast Forward project – kids growing up in wealth and how that plays out for a pre-teen. She has delved deeper into the issue with her books/work Girl Culture and Thin. Fashion Show falls right in line with all that work and examines the root of the fashion industry.

As for production, I didn’t really have many issues. There were 1-2 pictures I wish were held a little longer. Photos that I wanted to explore more. However, I think keeping the pace was more important and fits with the theme of a high-powered, fast-paced environment that high fashion is.

This is what multimedia storytelling can be. Whether or not there is an economic model to support it is another matter.

EPJ Final Project Update

So this is ridiculously overdue but here it is.

I had several things fall through on me since my first proposal at the beginning of the semester. I am now focusing my project on Crystal City, MO and the ongoing story between a proposed iron smelter and the development of a massive underground recreational facility in a former sand mine.

This is obviously too large a project to finish in this semester for EPJ but I will bite off two parts as Dr. Greenwood suggested. I will be building on some of the work I did last semester for MPW and building a history of the area slide show (or possibly interactive map). And I will be focusing on the former mine that the owner is trying to develop into this recreational center.

Not too much happens in the mine at this point, a little construction and minimal use by various community organizations. However, on the Saturday before Easter the owner opened it up for a day long open house. Of course there were Easter egg hunts, but also an air soft tournament (similar to paintball but with little plastic beads), and a bunch of other activities. I also got an on-camera interview with the owner that day.

Here are a few photos from one of the egg hunts. The kids turned in the plastic eggs for prizes at the end.