Ali Ismail
Convergence
10-8-15
Doris Cacoilo
Proposal
The Gates Are Open; The Social Fight Pit
It has only been recently that many people on a global scale are able to have their voices heard on all issues of any kind. The ability to do this was very limited decades ago either needing to be part of a bigger group like the Civil Rights Movements at their peak during the 1950s and 1960s. Even if it was possible, your point of view reflected as part of a larger group, and not so much your own personal beliefs. However now with the rise of the Internet, anyone can comment on anything and have their voices be heard. Criticism, praise, and feedback are now open for anyone to engage in, and can be seen by anybody else around the world. This caused moments such as when Michael Bay worked on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, he wanted to originally change the story to make the turtles aliens instead. The severe backlash that came from the Internet ended up making him not go through the idea. The Internet has a powerful voice among all who use it, but should everybody have the microphone at all times and become a spectacle? What happens when an incredibly misguided viewpoint causes flamewars among the Internet communities, and how much can people get away with from the safety of their computer screen?
The topic I'm going to be dealing with is the sudden rise of what I call "The Social Fight Pit". The Social Fight Pit refers to the idea of everyone around the world being able to voice their thoughts on topics that range from their favorite video games to serious topics such as gun control and women's rights, and how the response on these topics as well as how people act behind their computer screen.
We all know of the existence of radicals having a larger voice about a misguided topic and Internet trolls being a part of our society by just reference of the name. Behind the safety of our computer screens, it's very easy to overdramaticize a reaction to someone else's idea, or make claims such as "I have Aspergers don't be so mean to me" when someone is being attacked in order to relief some of the damage. Actions like this are harmful and affect people's perceptions about ideas around them. For example if someone actually has Asperger's and are apologizing for how they worded something, it can be dismissed because people will think they're making it up because of the possibility of them lying. An average person, especially one with a mental condition couldn't have their voice heard from at all with how the world was before Internet unless part of a large spectacle. Now that anyone has the power to make others or themselves a spectacle, they can compete and fight against each other all across the Internet in what I call "The Social Fight Pit".
I plan to create a narrative video for this assignment that will shed light on these events by satirizing and playing them up for humor to deliver the point without being explicit, but be informative at the same time. The idea of going for satirical humor will be so that it catches the attention of the audience and enhances the experience instead of just being an information dump that we've all heard before and thus will not be as engaging. I've made videos for a long portion of my life both for my own enjoyment, getting better, and for class. If there's an option for me to make it a video, it would be a crime to myself if I didn't do one.
The type of research will vary from finding large moments covered of Internet drama to even the smallest arguments on Youtube comment sections which, along with the tropes, will be personified in the video. I also plan to research the psychological effects the Internet has on people's ability to make decisions, such as the safety of hiding behind a computer screen allowing a person to act far from how they would act in person. While it may be a big widespread social issue, the solutions for some could be as simple as taking a step back and asking yourself "Is it worth my time to type this AND press submit?". The fact that you go through the thought process of not only typing what you want to say choosing the specific words you want to convey, but also the decision of pressing enter. This makes what you say on the Internet more impactful as it isn't like a day to day conversation where you can accidentally say something you don't mean. You have more control when you type a message online, which is why these fierce debates or flamewars are called those in the first place.
The topic I'm going to be dealing with is the sudden rise of what I call "The Social Fight Pit". The Social Fight Pit refers to the idea of everyone around the world being able to voice their thoughts on topics that range from their favorite video games to serious topics such as gun control and women's rights, and how the response on these topics as well as how people act behind their computer screen.
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| Visual representation of a person hiding behind their computer screen. Taken from this website |
I plan to create a narrative video for this assignment that will shed light on these events by satirizing and playing them up for humor to deliver the point without being explicit, but be informative at the same time. The idea of going for satirical humor will be so that it catches the attention of the audience and enhances the experience instead of just being an information dump that we've all heard before and thus will not be as engaging. I've made videos for a long portion of my life both for my own enjoyment, getting better, and for class. If there's an option for me to make it a video, it would be a crime to myself if I didn't do one.
The type of research will vary from finding large moments covered of Internet drama to even the smallest arguments on Youtube comment sections which, along with the tropes, will be personified in the video. I also plan to research the psychological effects the Internet has on people's ability to make decisions, such as the safety of hiding behind a computer screen allowing a person to act far from how they would act in person. While it may be a big widespread social issue, the solutions for some could be as simple as taking a step back and asking yourself "Is it worth my time to type this AND press submit?". The fact that you go through the thought process of not only typing what you want to say choosing the specific words you want to convey, but also the decision of pressing enter. This makes what you say on the Internet more impactful as it isn't like a day to day conversation where you can accidentally say something you don't mean. You have more control when you type a message online, which is why these fierce debates or flamewars are called those in the first place.
Hi Ali!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I like where you're coming from with this project. Looking into WHY we post things sounds very interesting. I do however notice that there isn't anything said about characters, plot, or theme, all of which are crucially important to have down pat before one can begin writing or directing. So that's what I'm interested in knowing. We know the "what," now we just need the "whys" "who's" and "hows."
A professor of mine says that good art can answer questions, but GREAT art asks them.
What do you want the audience to feel when they are done watching your film? It's good that you want to be satyrical instead of preachy but it does remind me of a quote from Archer. Someone asks him "what's satire?" and he replies with "No one really knows." I think that's really important to think about because satire is hard to do and even harder to do well. I'm sure you are familiar with the Colbert Report but if not, watch his stuff as it is an excellent form of satire.
I'm really interested in seeing how this project develops for you. Also, if you do plan on using the internet or texting in your film at all, I urge you to watch this video on the use of internet and texting portrayed in film. It's really awesome and it could stir up some inspiration on directing this.
Good Luck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFfq2zblGXw