Laugh Tracks

The ideas presented within Chuck Klosterman's "'Ha ha,' he said. 'Ha ha." are not at all what I was expecting.  While I agree with his suggestion that laughter is often used to fill "empty space", it is hardly appropriate to assume that the desire for stimulation (however impersonal or small) is a social flaw. Furthermore, the suggestion that laugh tracks are used only to teach a viewing audience how to react is not entirely accurate.  Laugh tracks set the mood for the type of surface-level, slap-stick, situational comedy that viewers still find highly entertaining. Take, for instance, the episode of Friends entitled "The One With All The Thanksgivings". Within this episode both Joey and Monicas heads (at different times) are stuck in the open end of a turkey. Assume, first, that the writers have done a competent job of setting up the situation so that the joke is not outside the realm of believability. On both of these occasions, as expected, a laugh-track or enhanced audience reaction is present. Imagine now this same situation in the dead silence one experiences while watching The Office or 30 Rock (both shows of equal merit).  No matter how well-prepared the situation may have been, the presence of a man with a tukey on his head would be instantly perceived as awkward or unrealistic due to the lack of comedic preparedness on the part of the audience. This type of conditioning, as suggested by the author, is a direct result of the laugh track, though hardly has the adverse effect suggested in the article. Quite the opposite, the laugh track allows the audience to achieve what they have desired all along--the opportunity to laugh.
Also worth mentioning is the effect that a laughing audience has on an actor's comedic timing.  While the audience's reaction may be altered during editing for whatever purpose, their presence at all allows the actors to extend a punchline, cut an action short, or in many cases ad-lib at the approval of the audience, creating a more enjoyable final product.

Afghan Star

Having only seen a portion, I am already very interested by the subjects and conflicts of the documentary; the film encompasses two subjects in which I hold a very strong interest.  Global political activity has always been of interest to me and, as a music education major, watching others be influenced and helped through musical experiences is both enjoyable and reassuring. The way that both the audience and the performers involved in the talent competition discussed how music has influenced their lives made it clear that, regardless of socioeconomic or political differences, music plays an important role in the lives of everyone.  There was a quote given by a young boy near the beginning of the documentary stating "Without music, there is nothing".  While simple and naive at first, this quote mirrors my own feelings about music's importance, and made me realize that people a world away whos culture is so different than ours still hold the same outlook on music, expression, and personal freedoms. I look forward to finishing the movie and am inclined to learn more about the subject.

Research Topic

The subject that I am primarily interested in researching is performance anxiety, or "stage fright".  I would like to learn more about its causes, effects, and the ways in which people address it as a problem. As a flute performance major, this particular topic has played an unfortunately large role in my education, and I hope to discover ways in which to help myself while researching the topic. Some prelimiary questions that I hope to answer:
-"Is there a 'cause' to performance anxiety? Ie., is it psychological physical?"
-"How does it manifest itself in others?"
-"Who does it affect? Are there famous performers who encounter these problems?"
-"What are the ways in which other performers manage their anxiety?"
-"Is there a 'cure' or simply ways by which to keep it under control?"

A Soprano on Her Head

Ristad, Eloise. A Soprano on Her Head: Right-side-up Reflections on Life and Other Performances. Moab, UT: Real People, 1982. Print.

This book is a first person, nonfiction reflection on performance anxiety, or "stage fright" and its effects on the creatively talented. The author first examines individuals who have struggled with anxiety, then provides suggested solutions to the problem accompanied with data supporting the given remedies. While the fundamental information provided within the book provides practical remedies to performance anxiety, perhaps the greatest benefit is the books capacity to generalize a condition that most feel affects only themselves, eliminating any alienation that one might feel. This book is pertinent to my subject in its direct approach to resolving performance anxiety, a topic in which I am very much interested.

Unplugging

After reading the article "Attatched To Technology And Paying The Price" I realized my own technological problems. While I wasn't tempted to shift screens or check my phone while reading, the article brought to my attention my inability to simply be focused on task; I become bored too easily. The article introduces the Campbell family as the typical American "high-tech" family, with the father figure being the example by which to judge. He finds it impossible to focus on the present, constantly checking his other means of communication. I found myself relating in my tendency to text, email, or check facebook whenever with my friends or family ("Who are we eating dinner with tonight?", prompted by the buzz of my cell phone). The point at which the article deviated entirely from my own beliefs regarding technology was the suggestion that the youngest child, 8, posessed her own laptop, ipod, and a number of other expensive devices. While, as a music major, I would never argue the importance of keeping music in a childs life, I think that 8 years old- second grade!- is very young for a personal ipod, let alone a computer with which to search the internet in its entirety. I am by no means suggesting that technology is an evil that must be wiped out, but I agree with the skeptical stance taken by the author of the article. Communication and constant entertainment are addictions that mediums such as Facebook Mobile, Skype, AIM, StumbleUpon, and Twitter are only feeding. Just as judgement must be used to keep alcohol from interfering with a family, so too must it be used when dealing with technology.
-B

The Preface

I suppose that a proper introduction would begin with my name.  I am Brenna, a sophomore dual music education/flute performance major at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I am a Pittsburgh native, and have always enjoyed being in the city. I have no siblings, but regard my friends as my family and am a very active member of the Kappa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Rather than continue on with the standard introductory qualities or attributes, I feel that I would be better served to supply a short list of unusual personal facts that might provide for my "audience" a more entertaining blog-browsing experience. I find fish/water fascinating and have a large aquarium in my apartment. I love urban-boho style, both in clothing and music. (Ingrid Michaelson- Look her up!) I cannot look any direction but forward while running, or will trip when my feet try to follow the change in direction.  I have seen every episode of Friends ever aired and know the punchlines to all jokes, and I am a Scorpio with a nearly pathological fear of Scorpions, live or otherwise. I'm not sure that I would have started a blog of my own accord, but so far so simple. If this keeps up, I hope to perhaps gain the skills with which to maintain a blog in the future.
-B