Prototyping with My Story On My Own

So class today renewed my energy and enthusiasm about my project. I started out doing an info graphic about musicals and their, "Formula" or in other words the fact that their is always a comical if not just a more light hearted piece in a play and then there is a theme song, and reprises and many other musical pieces. These pieces are in every musical and make them very easy to read. In a musical it is precisely the fact that you do know what's coming that generates a bit of the awe. The other elements are the creative things that make a show unique. Because we know the formula, musical production teams have to get creative, using costuming, sets, lighting, backdrops, intricate dancing, music, and themes, in order for their musical to stand out.
I learned the formula when I was very young. I watched the Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and saw the themes, and sets, and acting without realizing the reason I loved watching them. It wasn't until a little bit down the road that I realized what I connected with: the music.
My Mom is an avid Musical lover. I remember her being on the treadmill downstairs listening to Moulin Rouge and Jekyll and Hyde as she ran. They became an inspiration for me too. She listened to them so often I didn't need to be taught the words or the notes or the inflections I just absorbed them all.
When I was twelve I asked for Musical Tickets for Christmas. I went and saw Oliver with my grandma. When I turned 15 I begged for voice lessons. And perfected notes that I'd only dreamed of singing.  At 21 I still sing, my husband (and neighbors) will tell you as much. As for musicals, I still can't get enough of them.

For my curation media project prototype I've decided to show moments of awe in music that have inspired me. And then ask others what music inspired them?
I am also working on an info graphic to try and make the formula for musicals that I describe above more transparent. But for now....

A Song That's Changed My Life: On My Own from Les Misérables (along with a description of it's meaning by Sam Cox)

 

 

"On My Own" it would seem remains the anthem for Les Miserables not only because we all relate to Eponine’s urequited love but because, for better or worse, aside from society and those who mistreat us on from the exterior, aside from those who inflict ‘la misere’ upon us, it is love which proves to be the one which ultimately inflicts the greatest amount of misery upon us. Whilst it proves to be the redeeming aspect of the novel and the show, Eponine is the distinctive reminder of love’s ability to act as a double edged sword. To love, to be good and selfless, whilst these are all such innate, inward qualities which come natural to mankind they are equally ones which we struggle with, ones which, as we lose touch with what would seem to be a cruel, unfair world, we also can forget to value and hold onto.

 

- Sam Cox