Marketing is difficult without Multimedia

Nowadays, the use of multimedia is very common and became necessary. Even a child knows how to use it and would prefer to use it more than any other thing. Multimedia became a part of us that would be very hard to eliminate. That's why businesses took advantage of it. Since multimedia is accessible to everyone, then it's just fit to use multimedia in marketing their product or the business itself. For instance, the picture below:

In every site, there are numerous online ads that decorates its page. It may be at the right, left, top or even at the bottom, you can't escape that. And that's how helpful multimedia is in businesses when it comes to marketing. Imagine if there won't be any use of multimedia, everything will be manually done. Without the use of multimedia, they could still be going from house to house just to market their product or their business. Instead of printing a poster, they could have used their voices just to broadcast to the public their products and services. But with the help of multimedia, things became easier and more accessible. Instead of pourin' your heart out in screaming your products. you can just post it on the net, print a poster then distribute them, post on social sites, etc. 

Everything became just one-click away. That's how big the role of multimedia in marketing is. Without multimedia, things will get rough and would be very hard to every business company. Presently, with the help of multimedia, products are easily and instantly marketed world wide. Products from overseas can already reach us and are already noticeable. Multimedia changed the world and is a really great help. Marketing is difficult without Multimedia.

Idleness is never an option on a rainy day.

When the rain starts to fall, only a thought resides in every student's mind: NO CLASSES! Well, I'd be hypocrite if I'd deny that I myself, had the same thought. Every student can't escape that feeling and it's not good. Suspension of classes is a great opportunity for the students to stop and rest for awhile. Well, if that's the case, then it's good. But if your intention is to suffice your idleness and do worthless things during your break, then that's just a waste of time. Some say that because of the weather, they can't go outside to perform their tasks but that's not a reason for us to be idle, there are tons of things that we can do at home to stay productive.

We can start with the things that don't require us to go outside. I, for one started to cope up with my assignments, projects and chores. Well, as a college student, the word "REST" is nonexistent. Every single minute counts, and if we'll idle ourselves, then we won't thrive in our field of course. And that's actually the highlight of my one-week vacation. I started some of my projects and assignments. Though the cool air is really tempting—how I always wanted to lie down and take a nap that would eventually turn out to be a full 6-hour sleep—but that didn't stop me. I'd rather do my assignments than go out and wrestle with the angry weather.

Let's not just think of ourselves. We might have done the things that we need, but how about others? We had a long week and we thought only for our sake. We should have thought of others as well. Yes, we can't go outside and help them firsthand but we can always be humble enough to say our prayers for them. Pray sincerely for their safety. And later on send them our donations. We're lucky enough to still have our beds dry and sleep soundly, to still enjoy light in our homes and to still have food on our tables. I'm so grateful that my community were not affected by the bad weather, we are all so blessed. Really, what to do on a rainy day? Do your tasks and think of others. Do things for yourself, and for others as well. Idleness is never an option.

Continuous Progression of Multimedia Industries in the Philippines

Multimedia Industries are rapidly progressing nowadays. Unlike before that it's somehow neglected that they don't invest that much to media stuffs. But now that our generation is highly technological that we usually depends on technology, Multimedia Industries are already lining up with other industries here in the Philippines. How? I think that it's primarily because of the influences of the other countries, for instance, US Multimedia Industry collaborated with the newly built Multimedia Industry here, so on and so forth.

Somehow, Multimedia Industry is one of the biggest and most accommodated industries world wide. Almost everyone is engaged in any multimedia activity. Multimedia or its root, media, is very influential and affects most of us. Whecuaatever you put in them will trend and will be accommodated.

We sometimes think that we change because of media, or multimedia products but it's the vice-versa. Multimedia change, when we, benefactors, clients, or customers change. When our needs and wants change. So as the standing an industry has. The state of multimedia industry depends on how we can influence them or on how they can think of something else that could stir  up our interests in their products. Notice that whenever you need or want something new, multimedia industry is already there to suffice your yearning. Industries depend on what their clients need and want, and they'll readily provide them. As long as we need and want something pertaining multimedia products, their industry will continually progress.  It's impossible to stop that.

Arising Family. Arising MMA!

                         Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts is a new course here in Lyceum of the Philippines University - Laguna, last two years . Only  few know it for only few are enrolled in this course. This course covers web designing, animation, video editing, photo editing, photography, and many more multimedia-related activities. Many said that this course is a stupid program to be engaged to, for anyone who's not enrolled can do the things which those that are enrolled can do, but I say or we say, "NO, OF COURSE NOT!" Because, they might know and do the things we know, but they cannot professionally profit from it 'cause they are not entitled to it or they don't have their degree. They might have a chance but if we compete with them in terms of winning the job, we would definitely be hired because of the degree, experiences and knowledge that we have. We are not to boast about it, but we just want the world to know that we know what we are doing and we're happy with it.

                         Especially now that we are not few anymore, we are growing in numbers and it strengthens us more. Growing in numbers and having more family members only means having more and brighter ideas. These new MMAs would bring lots and lots of new ideas and talents that would be shared to us, and that's a blessing 'cause together, we will use that talent and soar high.

I'll show you how MMA grew. These are the pioneer MMAs, class 2010-2014:

pretty ates & cute bros! :D

And this is when we stepped into the picture. Class 2010-2014 with Class 2011-2015:

hmmm, still few huh? :(

And now, freshmen came into the picture and made our faces appear very small in the camera because of our huge number! :) 1st to 3rd year MMA!!

now, where am I?!! haha

                         Well, we're still few compared to other courses but compared to what we used to be, we're really getting bigger and bigger! We're really blessed to have more members in the family to share our knowledge and talents. To have little brothers and sisters. To be the ones that they can confide in and ask for help about the problems we've already been through and how we're able to solve it. To teach them what we've learned. To let them know our mistakes and help avoid them as they take the same journey we had. This is not an easy race and will get harder, if we'll only stick together and solve problems together, it'll somehow lighten things up. We may still be few now, but as time pass, we'll become bigger and will soar high! :) AJA MMA!! :D

Philippine Multimedia Industry in a Race

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Can you still remember the last time you waited for hours or even more, days just to get a copy of a newspaper? The last time you watched in a black and white T.V.? Used a film to capture moments and print the negatives? Well, negatives might still be handy nowadays, but it is seldom used. Because nowadays, everything is digital and all the advertisements that we see used high technologies.

And there would not be these amazing products, commercials, and advertisements if a multimedia industry wouldn't exist. Back then, Multimedia Industries especially here in the Philippines are in any ways, neglected. Filipinos would still cling to their culture and nature but as time passes, Filipinos were influenced and now are somehow catching up in the rapid progression of multimedia products, in general. 

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I want to focus on Multimedia when it comes to television programs and Multimedia Companies or the so-called networks are the ones in-charge and we can very well see their progress right from the start. Their network even expands to the whole country and some to other countries. For instance, GMA Network, no offense to its rival, but this network is growing bigger and bigger and even one of their programs has its own branch in other country, in other words, Multimedia Industries cannot be stopped. Lots of ideas fall on them that new and improved things come to pass. Multimedia Industries here in the Philippines, in my opinion is not far behind, we are catching up and lining with the others. Opportunities for us, aspiring practitioners, can't be handled with bare hands! 

A Self-Transformation

Transformation. It doesn't automatically mean to transform like the Transformers, or any other monsters, cartoons, animes that transform. It can also substitute the word "change". Over the past school year, I've seen a lot of changes in me, inside and obviously outside! Let me start with the outer side of myself! :D  We are all subject to change, especially physical  change. Who would dare be like unto a little child though he's already a grown-up? We can't perform certain things when we're little, right? That's why most kids want to grow up instantly so they could do things on their own, but that thought was proven to be wrong. Life is far more complicated when we grow up, small problems transform into super big problems! So, adults would rather stay as a little child.

But here in the GIF photos I made above, I didn't include my childhood days, yet you can see the changes that had happened to me physically from fourth year high school up to present. Well, yes I can say things were tough during high school days, but things became tougher now that I'm in college. When I'm in high school, the only major problem I worried about is the possibility of graduating, including final projects and examinations, other than that there's nothing else to worry about. But in college, even a tiny assignment is something to worry about let alone projects and examinations! These are stuffs that a college student wouldn't dare to belittle. Yes, I transformed physically, mentally and emotionally, so as my problems transformed itself.


And problem is already included in my inner side. My inner side that I want to include are those that are in the photos to the right that I compiled. These are assignments and projects I made from first year, first semester in college up to present. I didn't include my high school projects for they're mostly videos and they're nothing to be proud of, ha ha. And that's one big thing that transformed within me. My interests. As I said, during high school days, most of my works are videos 'cause I'm more interested in editing videos rather than editing photos. And when I stepped into college, and met our awesome professors my interest suddenly shifted to photo-editing. Maybe because Photoshop was introduced to me, and I love it! But now that I'm in my second year of college, my interest shifted to photography. Every little thing is indeed transforming, and we can never stop that. Every little thing in me changed or let's say, transformed, and even I can't stop it. And most of the time, I can hardly notice it. But that's life. Nothing is permanent. Change is essential and part of our everyday lives.   What matters most is the way we react about it, the way we treat changes in our lives, and how we can find good things in it. Let's embrace changes and live with it. Oh, and they say change, I say, self-transformation.

A Change for Good to be the Best

Changes. Adjustments. Conversions. Developments. Evolution. Shifting. Transitions. Such words might be bare but bear great definitions. Definitions that one can't easily comprehend but is essential in our lives. We may think that if we're happy and contented to what we are now, everything should just stop and stay as is, but we are all subject to change, which is a very impossible thing to stop. Like for instance, the programs we use, different versions emerge just as immediately, it's even hard to catch up with them. 

One example of those programs/software is this Adobe Bridge. It's a file manager that has different features and options that you can use. It's very useful in organizing and keeping files securely. Of course, when you're used to windows explorer, you'll be alienated here in Adobe Bridge. Everything is different, there are so many options, tools to use and if you won't familiarize yourself from them, well, good luck managing your files. At first, I found this very complicated and just a waste of time. But when our discussion about this grows deeper, my understanding widens and it made me interested and thrilled to use Adobe Bridge. I learned a lot from my classmates about this and it's really cool and fun to use. It's very useful especially to photographers, photo editors, and video editors for its specialist in organizing, labeling and rating of files. It's also easier to preview files using Bridge 'cause it can preview videos and Adobe file formats. It'll be easier to determine your files.

Adjusting is really hard but we badly need it to catch up to the raging modern world. We need changes as much as how hard it may be. Transitions are part of our lives that open doors to new opportunities. Knowing such software gives us the power to manage our files wisely and securely. Aside from its wonderful features, it's a time-saving software, because it's easier to search for files and filtering them using keywords and collections. There are so many advantages in using Bridge and let's maximize its use. It may be a very big change but it's a change for good to be the best! 

References:

Icon Archive

DeviantArt

Turning Dreams into Reality

Being a first year college student in a new course (new course, as in a developing course), catching up is hard. There's not an assurance that this course will progress or thrive in the near future. But on the other hand, you still have an "emergency option" in case you think this course doesn't fit you: SHIFT and engage to another course that will lead you to the pavement of success. As a freshman, it's not so bad to still be confused of your course, but being in a second year of enduring the same course, well, it appears you're pretty sure of the path that you're taking, or else everything will only be a waste.

During my first year in MMA, I'm clinging to this hope that I'm on the right track, that this is what I wanted, that I'll be good in this course. Well, it didn't stop with the hope itself, I did everything I can to meet this course's requirements. Trying hard to convince myself that I can do this and that it'll be okay, not knowing that the only way to survive this course is to be yourself. Take it seriously but at the same time, enjoy it, think of it as a hobby, and you'll never get bored or be really burdened. As long as you love what you're doing and you're enjoying it, you won't have big problems. Eventually, you'll get used to it. 10 months in college life, and I think I'm used to it. With crazy seniors and classmates beside you, I don't think there would be a reason not to enjoy this course!

Good thing I learned from my 10 months of studying as an MMA student lots of ways and principles in editing, I'd used it during my vacation to help my brother in his business. Actually, the day after my final examination last semester, my brother instantly asked me to help him and it took me almost a month helping him. Well, though I didn't really enjoy my vacation for I'm stuck in my brother's house editing day and night, non-stop, unlike the usual that my sisters and I would go places to have fun and rest, I didn't regret helping him, because it caused me to help myself as well. Aside from having additional allowance, I gained experience and at the same time, learned more from him right then and there. He taught me principles that I hadn't learned yet from school, and I used the principles I learned from school to his business. It's a tiring, stressful and yet a wonderful and worthwhile experience. After that experience, it dawned on me that this is it! I'm on the right track and I knew from then on that I'll progress through this.

Now that I'm on my second year of taking up Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts, I'm pretty sure that this is what I want, and that I'll do my best to thrive in this course. There's no turning back and there's no other way to progress in this course but to do your best, study hard, heed to others' counsel and apply whatever it is that you've learned. Before, I thought it'll be hard on me to accomplish whatever our seniors, the third year MMA students now, had already accomplished, but when I looked back on our previous projects as freshmen, I was amazed and surprised like, "can we really have done that?!" Accomplishing something so great by yourselves is merely a dream to me back then, but now little by little, I'm starting to reach and turn that dream into reality. Now, for me, MMA is a new but raging course. Things might get tough but worth the risk. I know that this course will expand to its widest and will influence not just us, the students, but all other people around the world. 

Blog #9: Today's Art

                         Contemporary art as said by Shelley Esaak, "art that has been and continues to be created during our lifetimes" (http://arthistory.about.com/od/current_contemporary_art/f/what_is.htm), in simple words, it is the arts today. It ranges from 1960's, after the world war II, up until today. Contemporary art may occur right after the World War II, but it's not a reason for art to vanish. In fact, it even inspired many artists back then to pursue art and make it even better. Expressions were then, shown through art. Feelings that were not noticed before are now very noticeable and impressive.

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                         New set of styles emerged and art definitely became open to all. What I like most about contemporary art is that, it extends up until now wherein anyone can be his own artist, it has no limitations, as long as you can create a masterpiece, it's an art. However, nowadays, even the unintentional art is really impressive and could really leave impressions to the viewers.

photo-to-painting

                          Contemporary art doesn't only cover still arts. It covers all kinds of arts, even Multimedia arts. It covers, paintings, architectures, sculptures, photos, videos, animations, music, and even performing arts such as, dancing, singing, poetry, plays, and many more. Art is no longer limited. Anyone can already express himself in any ways he may prefer to. And any form of art it may be, no one can ever question it, for art is art, everything depends on the artist and the viewer in different perspectives. The artist may mean this thing but the viewer would think and interpret differently, that's art! It's unpredictable. Flexible. 

                           Even children, with their young age can have their own art. And later on can be developed. Actually, artists start at a very little age and then will be enhanced if it's practiced. Parents might interpret their children's doodles to be annoying and just a burden for them that need to be cleaned, but little did they know that it's their own art. Because of Abstractionism, just a drip of paint or ink-blots are already considered art. Emotions are really hard to express through words, and even through visual arts, but with the help of abstractionism, everything is now possible.

                            Even a student like I, can already be an artist in any way I could, just like the above photo that I transformed into a painting. Well that's art! It's unstoppable and even extending to its widest. Express things through art, it's the easiest way if you prefer to express things without using your mouth. Well, that's contemporary art! That's TODAY'S ART! :)

(you can view my article about my photo-to-painting art here: mlbelen.wordpress)

Blog #8: All is movement, all is sensation. Dynamism.

                        The 8th group's topic is the 20th Century Art. Apart from modern art, 20th Century art put aside the traditions of the past in a spirit of experimentation. They started a world of experiments. They created new ways of seeing things in an artistic way. This is the era where the advent of Abstractionism took place. 

                        20th Century art consists of many styles, and among those styles, Futurism is what I like the most, for it follows a principle called, "Dynamism". According to their report, dynamism, "defined as the theory that force or energy is the basic principle of all phenomena. All is movement all is sensation." From the word itself, dynamic, full of energy. Here's an example of dynamism, The Street Light by Giacomo Balla:

The Street Light

by: Giacomo Balla

                         For Giacomo Balla, dynamism is more important than the subject matter, the movement is more important than the thing itself. In this painting, it shows that the subject is in constant movement, and that leads you to see the movement, not the subject. That's how artists of futurism see things, remarkable. Creating a masterpiece as that is really difficult to achieve, you'll need a richer imagination to see things as that.

                         As an aspiring artist, such a work as that is one of my goals to attain someday. To see things in a different way ordinary people could. To develop a richer imagination, see things in an artistic way, where "all is movement, all is sensation." (8th group)

Blog #7: Leading Lights = Grandeur

                       Modern art is the topic that was discussed by the 7th group. According to their presentation, "modern art begins with the changes in the representation of space as introduced by artists of the late 18th century. Unlike Renaissance masters, who sought to open up endless vistas within the canvas, the artists of the latter 1700s thrust all of the imagery toward the picture plane. The flatness or two-dimensionality of the canvas surface was asserted by the use of planar recession rather than linear recession." 

                       Modern art, covers powerful styles, that made it more interesting. One of them that I like the most is the Impressionistic style. Impressionism is a style that conveys emotions, opinions and personal views of the artists. In this style, we can say that art speaks. In this style, artists make their own rendition of things when perceived by the light. Here's an example of an Impressionistic art:

  

Le Moulin de la Galette
by: Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 - 1919)

                       But in this case, the artist, Renoir, didn't just portray things when perceived by the light. He painted a scene that seemed like it just happened yesterday. He used the "leading lights" composition, it's when you look at the painting from the bottom left, the light will lead you the center then to the top-most right then back to the top-most left which is the main subject. It's a very powerful technique and is very difficult to do.

                       Digitally, creating a masterpiece as that is really hard to do, what more if it's a painting (from scratch)? It's really remarkable and amazing. I, for one, would want to create a masterpiece as that!! I want to use this painting as my inspiration to create my own. No photograph can match a grandeur painting as that!

Blog #6: Art Excluding the West

                       The 6th group discussed the Arts beyond the West, and obviously these are arts excluding the western part of the Earth. Its styles are: Naturalism, Expressionism, and Figurative. But most of their art focused on their religion wherein they used Expressionism and Figurative style. 

                       Arts beyond the West are very impressive and made in detail. It may look simple but if you would look on it closer you would see the details and know how hard it could have been made. We should also be influenced by that, being diligent in creating a worthwhile artwork.

                       But since this art also covers Asian art, I would like to focus on it. China in particular, who influenced almost all of us and not just in ancient times but up until now! Good thing about Asian art is that their art is not just for the art itself or the typical only-for-display art  but also useful in our everyday lives.

                       Personally, I want to create the same art, that I can always use everyday, so that I can always see my creation as well! And that's something to be proud of. I really think that's the characteristic that we should inherit from them, to create a masterpiece that would be useful in our lives!

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Blog #5: An Art Caught on Act

                       I belong to the Group 5 and we discussed about the Baroque period. Baroque period ranges from 1600 to early 18th century. A continuation of Naturalism and Classicism of the Renaissance period. Characterized by Motion, Tension, Drama, Detail and Grandeur. Compared to Renaissance, which showed the moment before an event took place, Baroque artists chose the part when the action was occurring. That made it unique from other art periods. And also the thing that impressed and made an impression to me.

                       It's really hard to capture an event using paint brush, like really, an on-going event. And that's how remarkable Baroque art is! And not just because it's in motion but also because of other characteristics that made it really impressive. One is tension. How Baroque artists showed emphasis on a particular subject. The use of lights and shadows. Another is the drama. Every Baroque art has its own historical background or scenery  that made it more interesting to the viewers. Another one is detail. If you would observe one Baroque art, you would notice how detailed it's been created, 

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that it seem like it's captured by a camera with a very high shutter speed (for it's in motion). How hard is that? Really hard! And lastly, Grandeur. If you would combine the 4 characteristics given, then you'll find the art impressive! How the scene was depicted perfectly. How complete the Art is!!

                       I also liked the idea that they used models form the street, unlike the previous eras that used characters from the bible, myths, legends, and many other fictional characters. Baroque artists portrayed the things that occur around them, and gave the ordinary people a chance to be the subject, the center of attraction or of an art. Just like nowadays, anyone can take a picture of himself and upload it to the net for everyone to see, it's just that it lacks in style. 

                       I always thought about how great previous artists are, and how creative their minds are! Which inspires me to strive harder and practice harder in order to reach or even just to follow the lead of "the Greats". It's not bad to dream high, reaching it is the problem. We should continue to pursue styles as this period possess and make a difference. And create an art caught on act! :D

Blog #4: Rinascitá

                       "Rinascitá" is an Italian word meaning, "rebirth or "reconstruction", according to the fourth group's report, where the word, "Renaissance" came from.

                       Renaissance is the period where art broke away, reconstructed into a wider range that it was no longer centered on religious things but also on the feelings artists have. Artists then had the freedom to express their emotions through arts, that everyone could relate to, not just the Christians. Art became a universal language. Arts became more alive! Renaissance is also the period where famous styles began or emerged. Different styles were then created and many artists benefit from them, even until now. During this period, art was more appreciated, it's free from everyone. And I think it's the most influential art of all, 'cause art was revived from scratch.

                But Renaissance doesn't just focus on other things, in this period different versions of interpretation emerged. Though freedom of expression was practiced, Classical and Christian art was not forsaken. Artists even made their own version of some of the artworks from the Classical and Christian Art, they just differ in style. We'll then see from there that their inspirations were still from their ancestors. Renaissance art is a really interesting period, almost everything that we know now about arts are originally from this period. We owe them and should continue to enrich our artistic skills. We should also make a difference that our offsprings or the new generation will feast upon.

Let's leave footsteps that are worth walking in to. Let every artistic skill count.

Blog #3: From forbidden to unforbiden.

                       As we all know, during the Christian Art period, Christianity is strictly forbidden, illegal to be exact, but Christians didn't seem to mind it, in fact they built catacombs underground to support their religion, and that's one thing to admire for us, Christians. And the fact that the moment Christianity was legalized, they suddenly want the whole world to know by the use o f art. Well, who wouldn't do such thing after being hid for several years, right? I truly admire their devotion to their religion that it became the center of their lives and also the center of art.

                       Of course it's a good thing to center the Almighty in our lives but it doesn't necessarily have to mean that we shouldn't think of anything else. We should still have to balance things, unlike in Christian Art period, they focus only on religious things, I'm not saying it's bad, but how about the true art, the true feelings most people have?  They can't just leave them behind? Also, the interpretation of most of the events in Bible became the seed of contention, competition as to who can interpret it the best, and if we would talk about God, we shouldn't think like that, we should be in harmony with each other.

                     We should all be grateful that after years and years of waiting, Christianity was then legalized and we, the new generation, can no longer experience persecutions and all that. Christianity unites people, having one belief and faith. There is only one God, though there may be lots of religion but we worship and believe in just one and true God. Thanks to our ancestors that made it possible for Christianity to be legal and that we are now enjoying the freedom express our beliefs. Christianity can't be stopped, from forbidden to unforbiden.

Blog #2: Art as Language

                       The second group discussed about the classical art, and I can say that they did a really great job! They explained everything we need to know and really got everyone's attention, or maybe because it's about the Greek & Roman art wherein every art is attractive—but still they did a great job! And one particular subject caught my attention. I don't want to stick to the common subject, "the conquered became the conquerors, and the conquerors became the conquered,” rather, I want to ponder on what the reporter discussed about the "Dark Ages" wherein art is the only language the people back then used.


                       Nowadays, some use art just for fun, neglecting its value and taking it for granted while it should be used as language. And that's what I learned about classical art. Feelings are really hard to express that even you yourself find it unfathomable that it's best to express it through art and let them know what your true feelings are and to know for yourself who you really are. Some might think that they already know who they are but until they create an artwork expressing their inner selves, then came the time for them to know who they really are. Even you can try and do this and know for a surety that art is indeed a better notepad of your feelings.

                     Use art as language, just like when you're talking to a very important, famous or "big time" person—with utmost respect. Let's not waste the use of art, instead treasure its use be grateful for it's existence.C