"Lost Your Grip" - Alexa Zaro (Music Video)

"Lost Your Grip" - Alexa Zaro (Music Video) from Alexa Zaromatidis on Vimeo.


Notes for my shots, changed mostly last minute because the continuity/bathroom shots didn't make sense with the storyline.

Editing Analysis

The scene I chose to examine and analyze is from the first episode of the Netflix original, “Stranger Things.” The show is about the unexpected disappearance of a small town boy named Will Byers. The scene I chose tot break down follows the town’s police chief, Jim Hopper. Much like the opening to one of my all time favorite movies, American Psycho, this short clip follows a morining routine. What we don't know as an audience member is how traditional these tasks are, but it can be assumed that whatever Hopper is doing in this sequence, he's been doing for a long time. The very first shot zooms in on a disoriented and sleepy Jim Hopper, creating a humorous tone to introduce Jim Hopper for the first time. He is woken up by the sound of a dog bark on a cream colored sofa, playing with the earthy and brown color tones that almost display a vintage feel (after all, this show takes place in the 1980’s). The next shot is one of my absolute favorites shots, and is the shot that made me chose this scene. There is a scenic pan across a body of water leading to a wide/mid shot of Hopper, stepping outside for a smoke with unbuckled jeans from the night before, shirtless, and inhaling s cigarette. This shot is just so normal, so authentic and gorgeous. Here’s just this disheveled normal guy stepping outside for a smoke. Not Brad Pitt or George Clooney sensually staring into the sunrise, just Jim Hopper doing his daily business.

The next series of shots are quick and abrupt shots of Hopper in the shower and getting ready for his day. Compared to the slow and long panoramic view previously, this fast cutting technique almost brings Jim Hopper back to reality, thinking to himself that he’s got to get ready for his day. The simplicity of the shot sequences, the sounds of a quiet neighborhood, and the eerie 1980’s synth score combined showcases the loneliness of Jim Hopper’s life, but maybe he’s okay with it.

Soundwalk

During my soundwalk, I walked towards Central Park from Hunter College. Generally, the sound got quieter and quieter as I made it further to Central Park. I first examined the soundmarks of Hunter College: laughter between friends, elevator lights blinking, and pacing of footsteps. As I stepped outside of Hunter, the sound became more wide, airy, and open. Now the sound of students making conversation was mixed with keynotes like cars honking, engines revving, and even the sounds of construction. The most significant sound signal I noticed during my walk was actually due to my choice of shoe, as I decided to wear my black leather boots that click and clack as I step on the New York City concrete. I first walked by a group of young girls laughing, creating a distinct sound representing youthful and childlike behavior. I later noticed two dogs across the street, one of them was barking at the other, creating an echo down the streets near Madison Avenue. It got a bit louder once I reached Central Park, hearing in the distance the sounds of hollow horse hooves hitting the ground on their slow walks across the park. New York City’s range of sound is brilliantly diverse. It’s texture is gritty, raw and fun. It’s completely unexpected, just as living or being in New York City is. I found this walk to be very therapeutic in a way, only focusing on listening and tuning out or muting my other senses. Whatever the neighborhood may be, it’s true that the Upper East Side and all of New York City has a unique sound texture, and makes for a great soundwalk.

MoMA Visit

As I did go to the museum by myself, I enjoyed a lot of what I saw. In fact, it was actually my first proper time going to the Museum of Modern Art, I don't believe I've been there since I was little. I first went up to the 2nd floor to observe the photography and the evolution of it (this exhibit was called The Shape of Things). What was very striking to me what the evolution of thought of photography, where it was described as "non-comprehensive" or less cognitive in very early photography, to a more purposeful or truthful expression. What I loved most was the use of shadows in the "French Cathedral" piece by the Bisson brothers. There is so much detail in the tiny crevasses of the architecture, and the shadows each window or cut out makes into the ground create great depth. The idea of normality and mystery is so present in all of the photos I've seen on the 2nd floor. As I made my way upstairs to the 6th floor, the Unfinished Conversations exhibit was much different then what I'd previously seen. Here, the art was way more abstract. On the wall that introduced the exhibit, it was said the Unfonished Concersations pieces display "how art juxtaposes fact and fiction," which left me curious about what I was ready to see. I walked in to see a pixelated piece of art, representing military interventions and the uneasiness of war. When I turned right, Paul Chan's "The Body of Oh Mary's" & "The Body of Untitled" was so intriguing. Here, Chan creates this new alphabet for us to play with. I stood there trying to make sentences with the "oh Jesus" and vulgar translations like "lick" and "squeeze," it was actually quite funny. Another funny yet interesting piece was Kara Walker's "40 Acres of Mules," a large three part piece that was represented of racial and gender biogtry (something everpresent in our society today). Women with penises, mike, and all types of strange creatures roam around chaotically from page to page. It was hard to look away at everything going on, it was a remarkable piece.

Cara's Interview

"Define A Space" Assignment

Media Project #1 (EDITED) from Alexa Zaromatidis on Vimeo.

In Class Exercise

Media Project #1 LOW from Alexa Zaromatidis on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

My name is Alexa Zaromatidis, and welcome to my blog! I am a Media Studies major and student at Hunter College. I have always been involved with arts in my community as a child. Theatre was a huge part of my life, and became more relevant as I continued to pursue it as a theatre major at the Long Island High School for the Arts. I took dance, voice, and acting classes there. I have been in student films and have opened up for Taylor Mathews (America's Got Talent finalist) at his concert there.

Outside of school, my passion is my music. I have been playing gigs since I was 13 on Long Island, and have ventured out to play more shows in NYC (under the stage name Alexa Zaro) since last year. I write original music and have been doing so for as long as I can remember. It was poetry turned into music; that was my creative outlet. Performing these songs live were an even better way to express myself. I write with blue-eyed soul, blues, and contemporary singer/songwriter influences.

I find much of my inspiration in musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Passenger, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, and Jack White: some of the greatest songwriters, musicians, performers, etc. I find music in all forms of media, and I hope to incorporate it in anything/everything I do. The moment I knew being an artist was my calling was the Season 1 finale of American Idol. As I watched Kelly Clarkson sing, "A Moment Like This," my heart and my gut told me this is what I should be doing for the rest of my life.

My single, "Lost Your Grip"  is available on iTunes and all other major music distributors and I post new covers on my YouTube channel every Tuesday.