Studies in Multimodality & Digital Media
Climate Change: A Citizen's Manifesto
By:
Emma Masur
Description:
For project two, I have created a manifesto about man-made climate change. Similar to the “Slow Food Manifesto,” I approached my manifesto through a written piece with a multimodal component as well. My manifesto articulates the past actions of humans that have propelled climate change to where it is today. The multimodal component acts as the visuals to help articulate my overall message to those who are less concerned about the severity of climate change. The project is reflected visually as a newspaper article. This manifesto is clear and uncut, calling out those that have spurred public disinterest in environmental action and call for an end to the uneducated nonsense that is politicians calling the phenomena of climate change a ‘hoax.’ I will use this manifesto as a means of inspiring change within the greater public; change that envisions greener lifestyles, healthier living and overall deeper care for the world in which we reside. In totality, I created a manifesto that is truthful and direct, a manifesto that insights a desire for change and a further understanding of the implications of man-made climate change and the necessity for action overall.
2020 Sample County Precinct 10 General Election Ballot (Parody)
By:
Bilal Amodu
Description:
This project, assembled in the months following the 2020 presidential election, was an attempt to subvert the serious and objective image of the general election ballot and thereby comment upon the nature of choice in the United States’ democracy from the local to federal levels. Given the recent election, the ballot was intended in part as a commentary on the 2020 campaign season, more broadly on social issues and Americans’ value of agency.
True Gamer for Real: Why Women Have Always Had Their Place in Gaming
By:
‘Aolani Robinson
Description:
For the manifesto, I wanted to focus on the issue of women in gaming. Specifically, I wanted to frame the manifesto as informative and persuasive in order to showcase both the history of women in gaming and the continued harassment that they face. Going through several notable moments in recent gaming history that demonstrate the continued vitriol women gamer face, this adobe spark based manifesto ends with three goals in order to change the face of gaming. Interspliced throughout are examples from Reddit that demonstrate the comments surrounding women in gaming. Reddit was selected due to the fact that much harassment stems from the anonymous platform that still hosts a “Gamergate” subreddit.
The Self-Help Transition Manifesto
By:
Bilal Amodu
Description:
This video is a manifesto about the nature of transition and change, and was assembled through Microsoft Power Point, presentation software Audacity, audio editing software, and Shotcut, video editing software. As the multiple platforms imply, the production of this project involves curating and formatting audio, video and images to create a unified multimodal message. The message’s primary audience are readers and viewers anxious about their lives in a post-pandemic world.
January 6th – A Parody Audio Drama
By:
‘Aolani Robinson
Description:
This audio drama was inspired by the infamous War of the World radio broadcast of the early 20th century. Using a combination of AI generated voice acting, free to use sound effects, and music, this parody mimics a radio show. Copying the events of the attempted Capitol Insurrection on January 6th, this drama follows a broadcast as the events become increasingly more dire. Just as in the original, the broadcast has a happy, although uncomfortable, ending.
Storytelling in the Age of Streaming: Marvel’s New Chapter of Storytelling
By:
Monique Cole and Anthony Laboriel
Description:
This podcast analyzes storytelling done by the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a special focus on Marvel’s transition to making both film and tv shows being streamed on Disney+.
Pandemic Parody Ads
By:
Emma Masur
Description:
For this project, I was most inspired by the Spoof Ads from Adbusters. Since the introduction of the project, I knew I would want to reinvent this canon through a graphic design approach. This past fall semester, I dabbled in creating cookbooks for the final Transmedia project. This project will allow me to practice my digital editing skills while exploring the realm of satirical advertisements.
The art that I have chosen to reimagine is created by Anne Traintor. Traintor graduated from Harvard in 1977 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies. Traintor’s artwork pairs mid-century imagery with modern slogans to reflect themes of domestic stereotypes women faced in the 1950s (and still are subjected to this day). I chose to redefine Traintor’s artwork because I have grown up with her work on display in my own home and have always enjoyed her style and sense of humor. I plan to choose 3 cohesive prints and add my own twist to the slogan of each piece of work. I hope to rewrite each slogan in a modern yet satirical way. Each slogan will be rewritten to express COVID-19, specifically, in a satirical way. While the imagery reflects mid-century themes, I want the slogans to portray current issues that the world is facing today.
Haitian Honey
By:
Tatyana Booz
Description:
This project challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and record something that I wrote for myself. The audio is the first time that I have ever heard myself actually recite a poem. On occasion, I will write my poems for myself and let them live and die on paper. It is interesting to see my poetry come alive using another medium other than pen and paper. The challenge for me while assembling this project was multilayering the tracks in Adobe Audition. It became tedious when I had to make sure that my voice was clear enough while the background music played. In terms of the background music, I chose a track that embodies the culture of Haiti. Therefore, I used a “zouk” instrumental. Zouk is a form of music that Haitians listen to aside from Konpa. Overall, the goal is to capture the listener and make them feel as if they get a glimpse into the culture that I hold near and dear to my heart. Interestingly enough, this project gave me the push to be vulnerable and share my art with the world via audio.
The Masked Writer
By:
Sabrina Louissaint
Description:
There is a need for authentic voice in writing. We need to embrace more unconventional forms of writing so when it happens we’re not always so shocked. Inspired from Hesse’s “Who owns writing,” this manifesto, created on Canva, demonstrates a call to action and rant about the use of authentic voice in the classroom, in terms of writing how you speak and showcasing your creativity.
To Freedom!: The Black Girl Manifesto
By:
Tatyana Booz
Description:
From the mammies, sapphires, and jezebel figures, often, African-American women are subject to poster children for poise, class, and strength. If not displaying all of these characteristics, they are dogged by the “angry black woman” trope. They are not afforded the same opportunities to share their opinions and injustices without receiving the “angry black woman label.” Inspired by the Serena Williams’ controversy, this manifesto is a call to action for the African-American women that have been labeled angry to take the word and repurpose it as a way to push back against societal stereotypes. This trope of the “angry black woman” has been pervasive in modern media for centuries. There is hope that this manifesto will shed light on what it is to be an African-American woman in America.
MCU-Based In Memoriam Audio Eulogies
By:
Carlos Rodriguez Rosa
Description:
This project builds the “In Memoriam” webpage of the fictional grief support organization “Where We Go Now.” The website is a paratextual artifact set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The organization is centered on the support group Steve Rogers led in the beginning of Avengers: Endgame, exploring how an organization of this kind would operate within the fictional world. This project also serves as an extension of a previous endeavor in the Transmedia Theory and Production course, where I had composed 27 eulogies intended to be user submitted content. The two audio eulogies depict the submitters narrating pieces to honor and tell the world about their loved one. The audio eulogies recorded involve canon MCU character Robbie Reyes (Ghost Rider) and original character Milo Douglas.
"The Waterfall" Audiobook
By:
Holland Cuttrell
Description:
This is a short story audio book of my own creation. The project was made using Audacity, a free downloadable audio editing software application. I then curated a variety of sounds and music to accompany my recording and add to my story’s ambiance and presentation. The story is staged in a natural setting and encompasses a single part of a female individual’s day.
“Where’s Covid-19?” Search & Find Game
By:
Jordan Guido
Description:
Based on Find and Search novelty games – This twist takes aim at notable 2020 figures. Exploring what we consider to be a part of our new “normal.” Can you find them all?
Quaranteen Magazine
By:
Sabrina Louissant
Description:
This project is a parody of Seventeen magazine (www.seventeen.com). Seventeen is a bimonthly teen Magazine based in New York City. It has been around since the early 1940s. The audience is typically 13-to-19 year old females. The magazine ran in print for over 70 years, but since 2019 has moved primarily digital. “Quranteen” reflects the climate of the world and the effects of the global pandemic from its start in March 2020. The word quarantine has become synonymous with our new normal. Many news headlines, blogs, and social media trends have surfaces with millions of Americans “stuck in the house.” This magazine edition, created on Canva, takes a spin off Seventeen and highlights the quarantine lifestyle, in a fun, informative, and creative way.
Parody Quarantine Rap Song
By:
Anthony Laboriel
Description:
For the first project, we were tasked with creating a “parody”, I decided to create a rap song in the theme of the popular rap group Migos. Focusing on quarantine and COVID as focal points for the song. Uncovering some of the thoughts and feelings students may have while living in the current pandemic in a comedic parodic fashion.
In Closure: A Hauntology Soundscape
By:
Michael Lynn
Description:
In Closure is a hauntology soundscape to compliment a short film in progress of the same name. Inspired by the works of Leyland Kirby, also known as The Caretaker, In Closure consists of progressing distortion of 1920s-1930s ballroom jazz tracks. The progression into the album represents the progression of confusion and unrest that is associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.