Animation Projects: 2008

My animation is homage to hip hop and its affect on the world. It is a collage of many of the effects that we have learned in animation class. It will use 3D effects, rotoscoping and some parenting. Each sequence will meticulously be timed for the sake of efficiency. The music that will be used is a mixture of culturally familiar sounds accompanied with a hip hop beat.
It will begin with a dance sequence form six different regions; America, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Then there will be an extreme close up of the letter “P” after which the earth will be seen through the hole. As you get closer to the earth you will see the previous dance sequence frames emerge from behind the earth forming an orbit. Next the images will form into a sort of mixing bowl gradually transforming into a record. A hand will emerge from the right side of the frame and scratch the record. The hand will be seen from different angles later revealing the DJ as God. God has a really elaborate set of headphones of which he listens to everyone. When he’s bored he will scratch the record to create the universe all over again. The big bang will show at the end of the sequence and the OM symbol will appear in the middle of the screen followed by a low vibrating sound.

There are many religions in the world that justify their accuracy in achieving enlightenment and humanities connection with divine entities. They create their own literature and assimilate millions into the realm of their beliefs. Many of these religions follow strict regulations and codes of conduct formulated by their fellow man. Judaism, Christianity, and the Islamic religion are among these faiths in which exist tension and histories of violence. Major wars have been fought in the name of religion contradicting the reasoning behind the belief system. What is perhaps more intriguing is that the countering faiths have historically fought less war than the previously stated beliefs. Hinduism and Buddhism are among the most peaceful religions and probably the most accurate. In fact putting a name to a belief is probably one of the main reasons why there is such conflict between religions. Humanity has loss the sense of spirituality and replaced it with the desires of this world. In doing so the ending result seems to be the destruction of ourselves, not by God or an Armageddon rather our incapability to see past the differences that bind humanity together. In order to have peace on earth, we must first see that one’s desires are capping the expansive potential that everyone possesses and second one’s inability to be selfless creates the illusion of restrictions in one’s life.
Hinduism and Buddhism are among the oldest religions, therefore, constitutes the accuracy of their beliefs. Not to say that any of the other religions are erroneous rather they are blinded by the incessant desires that consume them. In Hinduism one is considered to be the microcosm of the universe in other words the singular version of the master of time and space. Once one believes in this connection with the Lord and themselves, the possibilities are endless for that person. Desires are no longer a part of everyday life, instead they are replaced with a series of selfless acts and performing ones duties. This can be interpreted falsely and returned as a form of the cast system. On the contrary it could also be concentrating on the determination of talents that one possess and using it to help others. In so doing one will no longer need monetary supplement to attain happiness, this will come as a reflex to performing ones duties. If humanity as a collective hole concentrate on these same principles then consequently there is potential for peace between opposing forces.
Buddhism has a more pessimistic standpoint; however, it does also have many ideals that constitute its belief system. Communal progression is a more precise way to address the principles of Buddhism. They perceive the world as being controlled by three things confusion, desire, and hatred. These are the principles of war as well. Along with this there is a continuous cycle of causality that is ever changing. Once one escapes the grasps of this session they can see beyond themselves and encourage the growth of others. Pain and self become an illusion. In the event that one receives this enlightenment one can attain ultimate liberation and as such can help others to do the same. If there is a communal understanding that pain is irrelevant as well as the self, then war is a futile engagement. If there is a ubiquitous series of selfless acts then peace on earth becomes a possibility.
Hinduism and Buddhism cannot solve all the problems of the world but it can teach an alternative way to live life on earth. Peace is only a possibility if the desires that drive the world are diffused and the will to be selfless is induced. The American society thrives off the idea of a liberation but constantly it is motivated by the want for materials. War is justified for the sake of aspirations that mankind strives to attain. It would be beneficial if the amount of effort that humanity puts into gaining possession is put into performing unselfish acts of granger.

Written by: Chalice Davis
May 1, 2008