The Current Fall 17

THE CURRENT

ARTS & MEDIA

THE HALLYU WAVE

THE METEORIC RISE OF KOREAN POP MUSIC

FALL 2017

TRADITIONAL ART IN A DIGITAL AGE

LOCAL ARTIST BRAEDEN KELLEY

ENTER THE AVANT GARDE ART HOUSE FILMS

CONTENTS

MUSIC

ART

FILM & TV

03 STREAMING AS A STUDENT

11 TRADITIONAL ART IN A DIGITAL AGE

20 ENTER THE AVANT GARDE

MUSIC SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

UP CLOSE WITH LOCAL ARTIST BRAEDEN KELLEY

04 MUSIC IN MOTION

22 TV STREAMING TRENDS

14 WHAT DEFINES ART?

THE ART OF THE MUSIC VIDEO

TV THRIVING ON ‘CLASSICS’ & BINGING

THE SUBJECTIVE NATURE OF ART

05 MUSIC MAKES THE MOOD

15 ILLUSTRATED INTERVIEW

24 MASTER OF NONE

AIMEE MILLER

USING MUSIC AS A PICK ME UP

06 OPERA STAR: MARY J. JOHNSON

A LOOK AT SEASON TWO

16 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

INTERNATIONAL OPERA STAR & PROFESSOR

26 BEHIND THE BIG SCREEN

FINE ARTISTS OF AMARILLO COLLEGE

07 PIANIST: DIEGO CAETANO

SCREENWRITER RONNIE CLEMMER

18 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

INTERNATIONAL PIANIST & PROFESSOR

27 MOVIE REVIEWS

DIGITAL ARTISTS OF AMARILLO COLLEGE

08 HALLYU WAVE

19 DESIGN, AND ITS PRINCIPLES

THE METEORIC RISE OF KOREAN POP MUSIC

BREAKDOWNS OF NEW & OLD RELEASES

16

BREAKDOWNS OF NEW & OLD RELEASES

08

BREAKDOWNS OF NEW & OLD RELEASES

28 TV REVIEWS

WHY DESIGN MATTERS IN EVERYTHING

10 ALBUM REVIEWS

ART HOUSE FILMS

29 LIFE AFTER AC

ALUM LAURA GONZALEZ & DUSTY GREEN

27

MUSIC

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Streaming as a Student WORDS: BRIANNA MAESTAS

As college students, we are always looking for the biggest bang for our buck, especially when it comes to music streaming. Here are a few of the top and most affordable music services, their prices and what they have to offer so that you can choose what is best.

Spotify is a free music, video and podcast streaming service avail-

With Pandora, the user can create a station from any song,

able on most devices that users can search through using artist,

artist, album or genre and Pandora produces song sugges-

album, genre or playlists. Spotify offers its premium version with no

tions based on the user’s choice. Pandora radio is free to all

ads and offline access to students for a discounted $4.99/month.

but offers an AD free, unlimited skips version for $4.99/month.

Apple Music combines unlimated music streaming with ra-

TIDAL Music is an ad-free CD-quality music and music video

dio-like features. With a subscription the user can unlock the

streaming service offering exclusive content and features. Found-

entire Apple Music library filled with 30 million songs. Apple of-

ed by Jay-Z and other top artists to compete with other services,

fers a student discount of $4.99/month for unlimited access.

TIDAL offers students a premium discount for $4.99/month.

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Music In Motion WORDS: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN | ALL IMAGERY: YOUTUBE

Music and visuals are intertwined like few other art forms. Our favorite songs will have accompanying clips that – for many of us - will play an integral role in shaping our impressions of the composition. Careers have been defined and identified by music videos, not to mention the fashion statements, countless dance crazes that have been popularized and the memorable stories told in these short insights into a uniquely musical visual world. These videos serve as a true sign of the times because they reflect pop culture and life so strongly.

Not only does the artist and the director have a vision for how this clip will be expressed, there is almost always accompanying inspiration behind all of it, whether it be a personal defining moment, a film or even the current political climate. They say a picture paints a thousand words, and perhaps this is true, but a video can be an expression, a narrative, a summation of every-

Drake’s “Hotline Bling” directed by Director X is inspired

thing that is special about an artist and the moment in time in which their music comes to life.

by the work of American Artist, James Turrell.

We as a culture can never forget great music videos just as we can never forget great songs.

Jay Z’s “Moonlight” directed by “Master of None’s” Alan

Norwegian band A-ha’s iconic “Take On Me” was direct-

Michael Jackson’s horror-themed “Thriller” directed by

Yang features a remake of an NBC “Friends” episode. The

ed by Steve Barron. The video uses a pencil-sketch an-

“An American Werewolf in London’s” John Landis is the

video serves as a sort of meta-comentary on black rep-

imation and live-action combination called rotoscoping

most signifigant music video of all time. Thriller single

resentation in media and artistic ownership.

that is even more recognizable than the song itself.

-handedly set the standard for all succeeding videos.

A Mood Changer WORDS: KEEGAN RIED

For as long as people have been celebrating victories or grieving losses,

of these physiological and psychological spaces change our feelings,

music has been used to enhance or change the mood of many situa-

thoughts and behaviors,” she said.

tions. With music being so readily available through electronic devices, people can call up an appropriate song for almost any occasion.

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MOOD MIXTAPE A COMPILATION OF MOOD LIFTING SONGS FROM THE STAFF.

“PINEAPPLE SKIES” MIGUEL

Because the melodies and harmonies that a person hears can have such a psychological impact, many people turn to music in times of joy

The power of music is so strong that it has moved into every part of

and sadness, or just to get motivated for a particular task. “Music can

peoples’ lives. Camille Day Nies, associate professor of music, said mu-

bring back memories,” Salvador Gutierrez, mass media major and FM90

sic has become a pervasive aspect of society. “From ringtones, movie

announcer, said. “Music takes listeners back in their memories to the

soundtracks, grocery store backdrops, advertising jingles and video

moment when they first heard specific song.” Harding agreed. “I can’t

game scores to concert hall music, outdoor music festivals, church

exercise unless I listen to the rock and roll of my teenage years. The

services and singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ you just can’t escape that music

music makes me feel young again, so I think I can exercise,” she said.

is everywhere,” she said.

Music can serve as a creative process, a way to unite people and a form

“CECILIA”

SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

“GOLD ON THE CEILING” THE BLACK KEYS

“CANDY” CAMEO

“SOONER OR LATER” N.E.R.D

Music also has an impact on emotions. “In addition to the commercial

of communication. Nies, who plays with the Amarillo Symphony said she

use of music to keep us involved in shopping or playing that favorite vid-

enjoys “singing together, playing together -- adding our small voice to

eo game, music can enhance our feelings, help us slow down and reflect

a larger community with a common goal of communicating an idea or

or get up and move,” Nies said.

feeling that may be your own, or written more than 200 years ago.”

“BODAK YELLOW”

What is it about music that enables marketing professionals to influence

Harding, a cancer survivor, went through a period where her diagnosis

“OKAY OKAY”

consumer buying decisions and helps parents soothe a crying child? Dr.

looked bleak and she turned to music for comfort, coping and com-

Deborah Lee Harding, professor of psychology, said the power of music

munication. Expressing herself through music helped her deal with the

stems from the scientific inner-workings of the human brain. The right

difficult situation, Harding said. “I wrote a song to all the people I love

side of the brain, which is responsible for emotion and mood, is also

with a line for each person telling them what they are to me. It was a

responsible for responses to creativity and art. According to Harding,

way I could honor them at my memorial service. It was a meaningful way

“music can arouse us, energize us, calm us and open our hearts. All

for me to cope with my possible death.”

“BANANA PANCAKES” JACK JOHNSON

CARDI B

PINO D’ANGIO

“START ME UP”

MICHAEL JACKSON

LISTEN HERE:

http://spoti.fi/2ieAUAz

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Stage to Students WORDS: DESTINTY KRANTHOVEN | PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARY JANE JOHNSON

When you think of the culturally-rich art form that is

Prague Festival, being the first non-Czech artist to per-

opera you think of a fancy high-pitched performance

form a Czech opera in the National Theatre, Johnson

featuring a dramatic piece of music with beautiful

credits winning the first Luciano Pavarotti International

gowns in a grand theater, you don’t often picture the

Vocal Competition in 1981 as her big break. Ascending

Texas panhandle. These things are just not typically

her career to the next level she made her professional

synonymous, but they come together with Amarillo

debut with the Opera Company of Philadelphia the

College’s own Artist Professor Mary Jane Johnson.

following year in a televised performance as Musetta in Puccini’s “La Boheme” with Luciano Pavarotti.

Counted amongst operas’ great sopranos, Johnson is considered one of the arts’ premiere interpreters.

Her professional career continued to flourish with

Originally from Pampa, Texas, Johnson graduated

Johnson taking on some of opera’s most demanding

from Texas Tech University and received her master of

roles and delivering many acclaimed performances.

music degree from West Texas A&M University, where she served as artist in residence from 1998 to 1999.

Now approaching her seventeenth year of teaching at Amarillo College, Johnson’s primary focus is sharing

Despite making history with her debut in “The Mak-

her extensive experience and knowledge with young

ropoulos Case” with the Prague Opera House and the

operatic talent.

Mary Jane Johnson also serves as the artistic director and Italian master teacher for the Taos Opera Institute, which she co-founded in 2007 with Linda Poetschke. The program was designed to bridge the gap between academia and apprenticeships for the aspiring vocal artist. maryjanejohnsonsoprano.com

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Concerts to Classes WORDS: EMILY HERNANDEZ | PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIEGO CAETANO

Imagine traveling the world, performing in front of hun-

at Boulder, a master of music degree from the Uni-

dreds of people, teaching students what you are most

versity of Wyoming and a bachelor of music degree

passionate about and also having a Ph.D. all in your

from Universidade Federal de Goiás in Brazil. He has

twenties. To say the least, Diego Caetano has done

performed in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Europe,

exactly that.

Asia and Africa and has received the top prizes in more than 40 national and international piano compe-

Diego Caetano is a concert pianist and an assistant

titions. He has also won special awards including: Best

professor at Amarillo College where he teaches ap-

Interpreter of Brazilian Composers, Best Interpreter of

plied piano, group piano and theory. He has performed

Spanish Composers and Excellence in Performance.

(and currently performs) across the world as a soloist and chamber musician. “I began playing the piano

Caetano is as enthusiastic about teaching as he is

when I was 11. That is very uncommon because people

about playing. “As an assistant professor at AC, I wish

usually start playing earlier than that. I enrolled myself

to pass on my passion about piano to my students. I

by skipping lunch and saving my lunch money so I

see that every day, especially this semester. I feel like

would be able to afford the lessons,” Caetano said.

I’m contagious and rub off on every single one of my students. Every single one of my students seems to

Born in Brazil, Caetano graduated with a doctorate of

have the same passion for music as I do,” he said.

musical arts degree from the University of Colorado Diego Caetano has studied under the guidance of Dr. David Korevaar, Bob Spillman, Dr. Theresa Bogard, Dr. Maria Helena Jayme and Lílian Carneiro de Mendonça. Caetano also studied with Dr. Nadezhda Eysmont at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, in Russia.

diegocaetanopiano.com

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The Hallyu Wave WORDS: JORDAN GIPSON | ALL IMAGERY: K-POP MUSIC ARCHIVES

The Korean Wave (Hallyu) refers to the global popularity of South Korean culture. Leading this wave full-force is the Korean music industry known to the masses as K-Pop. Korean pop music has become a global sensation. With the many groups and solo idols creating addictive melodies, performing challenging choreographed routines and wearing flashy outfits, the Korean music industry is making all the right moves. “I love K-Pop,” Hayley Ingram, an Amarillo College education major, said. “I like listening to it because it is something different. It’s not something that we can hear over the radio.”

With second generation idols such as Rain, BIG BANG, Girls Generation and SHINEE ect. becoming increasingly popular in the United States from as early as 2009, interest in K-Pop has only grown. In 2012, PSY most notably broke into the western market with his parody of the lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul, “Gangnam Style.” The video was the most searched on YouTube in 2013.

BTS (방탄소년단) - DNA

BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys or Beyond The Scene, is a seven-member boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment in 2013. This past year they have successfuly broken into the western market winning a Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist and performing at the American Music Awards making them the first K-pop group to do so.

From left to right: Suga, J-Hope, Jin, Jungkook, V, Jimin and RM.

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K-Pop songs create international appeal by utilizing English words along with the predominantly Korean lyrics, but it’s the sound of the music, the choreography and the clothing that tend to attract American fans. “The big difference between western and Korean music is appearance. K-Pop groups typically wear clothes that coordinate in color, style and pattern. This makes the group eye-catching and can pull people in,” Lyndsee Cantly, a mass media major, said. “I’ve always thought the coordination is the most fascinating thing. Like everything they do, clothes, hair, dance moves are always in sync with one another. It’s honestly wild.”

Social media, particularly YouTube, continues to help K-Pop increase its global popularity. According to Ingram, people who don’t like K-Pop, most likely have never listened to it. ”When I am jamming to it in my car, my passengers usually call it weird, but after a few weeks I find them listening to it too,” she said.

IU (아이유) - Palette(팔레트) (Feat. G-DRAGON)

G-DRAGON - 무제(無題) (Untitled, 2014)

BLACKPINK - 마지막처럼(AS IF IT’S YOUR LAST)

JONGHYUN 종현- 좋아 (She Is)

Arguably the biggest male Idol in South Korea, having

YG Entertainment’s BLACKPINK is the company’s first girl

SHINee’s lead vocalist Kim Jonghyun debuted with the

debuted in 2006, G-Dragon (Kwon Jiyong) is the leader of

group to debut in seven years since 2NE1. With multiple

boy band in 2008 and made his solo debut in 2015. His

one of the Hallyu waves’ pioneering boybands BIG BANG.

number one albums, they are already breaking records

solo efforts have been met with critical acclaim as he

He has also enjoyed enormous success as a solo artist.

globally. From left to right: Jennie, Rose, Lisa and Jisoo.

composes and writes the majority of his material.

Album Reviews PARAMORE AFTER LAUGHTER

WORDS : LYNDSEE CANTLY

Just when fans were losing all hope for a new album, Paramore came back with the beauty that is “After Laughter.” The band’s fifth studio album is perhaps their most daring yet, bringing a stellar mixture of 80s dreampop, gloomy lyrics and Hayley Williams’ amazing vocals to the table.

It leads with the recent hit single “Hard Times,” a seemingly upbeat tune laced with the same angsty lyrics fans have come to know and love. Continuing with various other melancholic songs and even a few anxious love ballads such as “Rose-colored Boy” and “Forgiveness,” the album shows its versatility within the band’s new sound.Perhaps the most compelling piece, however, is “Fake Happy,” a powerful anthem highlighting Williams’, and everyone else’s, feelings of anxiety and pessimism. The track casts a shameless spotlight on the inner cynic in all of us and stresses the fact that Williams is over the ever-so-popular ‘fakeit-til-you-make-it’ attitude society tells us to have.

Whether you’re looking for something to dance to or something to cry to, this album has got you covered.

MICHAEL JACKSON

HARLEY POE

WORDS : CARTER HALL

WORDS : LUKE BALDERAZ

THRILLER

LOST AND LOSING IT

Michael Jackson’s popular album, “Thriller,” touched

Harley Poe is a band I have enjoyed for years. Their

the hearts of fans and lifted them up to the dance

unique blend of horror punk and folk music will put a

floor or at least had their feet tapping to the beat.

smile on your face and a chill down your spine and

With “Thriller” selling anywhere from 65 to 110 billion

their newest album “Lost and Losing It” is no differ-

copies across the globe, this album really made

ent in this regard than their other albums.

Michael Jackson the icon he so longed to be.

The juxtaposition of a cheery bright sound against

Singles like “Thriller,” “Human Nature,” “Wanna Be

dark lyrics is a specialty of Harley Poe and they show

Startin’ Something” and “The Girl Is Mine” helped the

that they still possess the ability to create dynamic

album go both Platinum and Gold, when it released

and compelling songs two years after their previ-

in November 1982. Jackson and “Thriller” are un-

ous album. While this album might be a bit more

doubtably an integral part of music history.

depressing, it is still absolutely worth a listen.

Staff Picks

TORO Y MOI

SZA

FLEETWOOD MAC

TYLER,THE CREATOR

ANYTHING IN RETURN

RUMOURS

PRINCE

SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES

CTRL

FLOWER BOY

NED DOHENY

PRONE

VISUAL ARTS

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Traditional Art in a Digital Age WORDS: KATIE WYLIE | PHOTOGRAPHY: CLAIRE EKAS

Today, we live in a digital age. Many of the images we see on billboards, advertisements, posters and even clothing are all designed through a computer screen. There is something different, however, about traditional art techniques--something that gives creations a more genuine and authentic vibe.

When onlookers see a piece of handpainted art as opposed to a computer-generated one, they make a different kind of connection with the artist. They may take into consideration the time and effort it took the artist to make the artwork by following color schemes and perhaps even brushstrokes of a painting, or textures of a ceramic piece formed by the artist’s hands. People are able to have a finer appreciation for handcrafted works of art when they know how much time, energy and hours of concentration an artist put into the piece.

Amarillo artist Braeden Kelley creates both digital and traditional artwork. Kelley has been a working artist in the Amarillo area for about three years. He has sold pieces of his handcrafted works of art to places such as the 806 coffee shop. Kelley is the artist behind the signs on display outside of the 806. Kelley recalls that when he was around ten years old, he spent the Christmas holiday in Lubbock with his uncle who is an artist. He remembers flipping through his uncle’s sketchbook and being awestruck by the sketches he saw. That moment was crucial for Kelley’s career as an artist, because it was then he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in a creative field.

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Kelley said that he has been drawing and creating things for as long as he can remember, but he has only recently begun earning a living from being an artist and selling his work. Although Kelley uses traditional techniques for his art, his full time job is as a graphic designer, which gives him an appreciation for the contrast between the two different styles. “I work as a full time graphic designer for a screen printing shop here in Amarillo designing shirts, which is all digital. Outside of that job, I work for myself as a sign painter, which is entirely traditional,” Kelley said. “There’s quite a transition between working with a mouse on Adobe Illustrator and using a brush to paint.”

Although Kelley practices both digital and traditional art techniques, he has a specific appreciation for traditional methods of art. “Traditional methods are important to me because I feel closer to the project. I think anyone involved in any kind of art would agree when I say there’s a connection that’s developed with every piece you make.”

ARTWORK PROVIDED BY BRAEDEN KELLEY

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He also believes traditional methods not only create a deeper connection between

thing for today’s society is to embrace all forms of art because in the end they are

the artist and the piece,there is a deeper connection with the piece of art and the

all connected.

person viewing it as well.

“I think it’s important to embrace all forms of creating rather than turning away from Kelley said a recent art museum visit reinforced this belief. “Recently I was in

something. Being involved in both the digital realm and the traditional side of things,

Orlando, Florida visiting their art museum and they had a couple original Monets.

I can attest to the fact that they’re all connected. Something I learn digitally may

For those not familiar, Monet was a French painter who practiced the Impressionist

also be something I can apply to my traditional works. I believe it’s important for a

style. Impressionism is done quickly and leaves brush strokes, so I could literally

creative person to be well rounded, experience everything once and pick favorites

follow the hand motions of a painter who was creating images in the late 1800s. It’s

later,” Kelley said.

a surreal thing to think about.”

So, while some may argue about the superiority of one art form over another, Kelley Traditional artwork allows both the artist and the viewer to form a relationship with

sees value in both. Art is an ever-changing medium that continues to shape the way

the art by losing themselves through the work of art. Even though some might argue

we think and see the world. Kelley concluded that, although many digital techniques

that traditional art is superior to digital art or vice versa, Kelley suggests the best

are surfacing, there is still and will always be a place for traditional art in the world.

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What Defines Art? WORDS: CLAIRE EKAS

Art has evolved and branched out in many different

a handful of people shouldn’t be the only ones to

ways throughout the years. Originally traditional art--

choose what passes as art. After all, art is ultimately

painting, drawing, pottery etc.--was the mainstay

created for self-satisfaction and therefore shouldn’t

when one thought of art. Now we know there are

have boundaries.

many different interpretations of what art can be. We now have graphic and digital art, photography, fash-

Although a majority of art is created for self-satis-

ion, music and many other art forms. Every person

faction that doesn’t necessarily mean that passion

on the planet has an admiration for some type of art,

equals skill. Just because you personally view a

so, what draws us to these different art forms and

piece of art as good, doesn’t mean the next person

what truly defines art?

will feel the same way. There is usually a definite line between skilled and passionate artists and unskilled,

First and foremost, art is generally defined as: the

but still passionate, artists, but that doesn’t have to

expression or application of human creative skill

mean that one person’s art is conclusively better

and imagination, typically in a visual form such as

than another’s.

painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

This belief then begs the question, should there be a

Commonly, quality art has had an obvious level of

higher power telling the world what is art and what

natural skill applied to it. For many years, there has

isn’t? The short answer is no. A majority of artists will

been a specific set of criteria for what good art is or

admit that they create art not for their fans or critics,

can be defined as. But times are changing and artists

but for themselves.

are defying and redefining these rules.

Art, at a fundamental level, should be for the enjoyIn the midst of all the changes art has gone through

ment of the creator and the rest of the world should

– and is still going through – artists have decided that

take what they want from it.

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ILLUSTRATED INTERVIEW

Aimee Miller

Please draw what you look like.

What is your secret talent?

Origami.

What is your secret vice?

Staying up late on the computer.

Do you have any pets?

Old cat (Killaco), fat cat (Chevy), skinny cat (Sugar) and a dog (Miki).

What do you watch?

“One Piece.”

Where do you like to hang out?

Roasters.

What do you like to eat?

Tacos.

What is your favorite album?

TFK’s “Phenomenon.”

Aimee is currently the president of the Amarillo Art Collective and also works as an SGA intern at the CUB. She sketched her answers at home in pencil.

FINE

ARTS

‘KISS AND TELL’ SHANDA O’NEILL

‘JEFF GOLDBLUM’ DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

‘OLIVIA’

SHANDA O’NEILL

‘OLLIE’

SHANDA O’NEILL

‘MICHAEL JACKSON’ DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

‘CACTUS CAT’ ‘MOTHER OF 4’

AARON TAYLOR

‘PORTRAITS’ AARON TAYLOR

JENNIFER HOSCHOUER

‘OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!’ JENNIFER HOSCHOUER

‘CANARY’

AARON TAYLOR

‘RIDING WHALES’ JENNIFER HOSCHOUER

DIGITAL

ARTS

‘BAND LOGO’

‘APOLLO’S MONOCLE’ AARON TAYLOR

‘GIG POSTER’

ASHLYN FARRELL

JOAB COCHRAN

‘THE HOLY MOUNTAIN’

‘FAMILY CREST’

DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

JOAB COCHRAN

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DESIGN

AND ITS PRINCIPLES WORDS: IVAN DEL VAL

If you’re reading this, chances are, something really motivated you to grab this mag-

People don’t like complicated. When they’re reading something, they don’t want to

azine. Could it be the theme? What about the artwork? Maybe the design? A fly was

struggle trying to figure out what a word is because of a complicated font. That’s why

bothering you and you needed something it to swat it with?

many use basic fonts like the good old Times New Roman font. Simple fonts are easy to read and don’t draw attention to themselves. “If you’re trying to inform someone

If you made it this far though, I’m pretty sure I can rule the fly out; however, there was

and not make them feel a certain way and just be direct and informational, you can go

something about this magazine that grabbed your attention and it wasn’t a coinci-

that route too like Helvetica, Futura, stuff like that,” Seth White, an AC graphic design

dence. It was carefully designed to attract and just like other media, there are certain

graduate and visual arts lab supervisor, said. If your purpose is to make something look

aspects that made it unique. In order to attract people, the different types of media

funky and spontaneous, then there are plenty of fonts to choose from.

follow certain principles. If it weren’t so, everything would be like a “Where’s Waldo?” book and just about everyone would get frustrated and forget what they were focusing

If you have a hard time picking what color shirt to wear, imagine how advertisers feel

on. It doesn’t matter what medium advertisers use, the design will either get a person’s

when picking a color for their advertisement that will be seen by millions of people

attention or push them away. That’s the big challenge many advertisers face when

worldwide. Believe it or not, color may be able to make you feel something. Warm

they’re trying to present something, how to get people’s attention.

colors like red, orange and yellow tend to encourage, excite and create a sense of optimism or enthusiasm. Cool colors like green, blue and purple, on the other hand, tend

One efficient way to get attention is to use bold letters. Whenever people grab a

to be associated with peace and tranquility. Depending on what the creator is trying

newspaper, look at a poster or a flyer, the first thing they read are the big bold letters.

to present, the color may make us feel one way or another, and either make us more

Most of the time it’s only a few words that are in bold because they’re the most import-

reactive or make us turn the other way.

ant and those are the ones they want you to remember. We as viewers are trained to look for the big and bold. “Fonts like Impact are clear, bold and as the name states,

In the end, we as viewers judge on the overall look. If it’s all crammed, no real rhythm

meant to make an impact,” Aimee Miller, a graphic design major and president of the

and unevenly framed, forget it. Again, a lot depends on what the creator is trying to

Amarillo College Art Collective, said.

present, but the design principles impact just about everything.

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Enter the Avant Garde WORDS: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

Every once in a while, audiences are graced with a film that has been so beautifully shot that you can hang any paused frame as a painting on your wall. While this innovative cinematography never fails to engage our eyes, the overall purpose of any film, or even any frame, is to successfully tell a story. An image without a story behind it is soulless.

Art house is a film genre that encompasses both stunning visuals and engaging narrative.

True to its title these films are works of art. Made primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than profit, the end products contain highly symbolic and unconventional content. This perfect combination of substance and style-often artistic or experimental- is produced with little compromise to the filmmaker’s personal artistic vision. Usually produced independently and with a low budget, these projects mostly reach a niche audience.

In Alexandro Jodorowsky’s psychedelic masterpiece, “The Holy Mountain,” a powerful alchemist leads a Christ-like character and seven materialistic figures to the Holy Mountain, where they hope to achieve enlightenment in a corrupt, greed-fueled world. Though not as well known as Jodorowsky’s most famous work, the 1970 acid Western “El Topo,” the film holds it’s own with it’s bold themes, sparse dialog and striking imagery.

TV & FILM

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The art house genre never stops growing creatively, whether it’s in the musical score, the writing, the visual element or all of the above and usually it’s all of these things working together that bring us something that we have never seen before, in turn, making a stunningly memorable composition.

The avant garde masterpiece, “The Color of Pomegran-

Andre Tarkovsky’s 15th century-based russian film, “An-

Akira Kurosawa’s, “Ran,” is a 1985 period tragedy and is

ates,” is a 1969 Soviet film written and directed by Sergei

drei Rublev,” is regularly coined the best art house film of

known as Kurosawas’ last great masterpiece. The film is

Parajanov. It has appeared in some scholarly polls as one

all time. It’s not a film that needs to be processed or even

an adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear,” in-

of the greatest films ever made.

understood, only experienced and wondered at.

cluding segments based on Japanese legends’.

22 THE CURRENT

What Is Binge-Watching?

WORDS: STEVI BRESHEARS We all know the feeling. You sit down on the couch with a blanket and maybe a

thousands of television shows and movies at the tips of our fingers and that conve-

couple of snacks, ready to start that series on Netflix that everyone is talking about.

nience can be a scary factor.

You’re just going to start it, right? Just an episode or two, and then you’ll get started on the assignments you have that are due tomorrow.

While it may seem like a good binge-session will only harm your GPA, that isn’t necessarily the case. Because most bingers prefer to slip into a Netflix-induced

Then, suddenly, it is tomorrow and you’ve finished the entire series but haven’t done

coma alone, it’s seen as an anti-social activity. In addition to the psychological

any of your homework and you have class in a few short hours. It’s an endless spiral

effects, excessive binge-watching could also lead to depression and obesity.

and once you start, it’s hard to stop.

The bottom line is, binging isn’t healthy. Sure, it can be fun; who doesn’t want to forBinging, by definition, is excessively indulging in an activity. Usually used to de-

get their problems and watch every episode every produced of a certain television

scribe a manner of eating or drinking, but more and more often it’s being used to

show? However, it isn’t that easy. Your assignments and responsibilities will still be

describe how we consume TV shows. On top of that, it’s becoming increasingly

there, but without the friendly “are you still working on us?” reminders. Too much of

easier to do. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime are putting

a good thing is rarely good at all.

What we’re watching:

STRANGER THINGS (2016)

GAME OF THRONES (2011)

PARKS AND RECREATION (2015)

CRAVING THE CLASSICS WORDS: SALVADOR GUTIERREZ A digital consumer survey said only 23 percent of people watch shows on their TV, the rest of them prefer new methods such as streaming services and video websites. While a new show can bring us excitement and curiosity, sometimes we prefer the comfort provided by our old favorites. Sometimes we even notice details we didn’t see before.

We all know that committing to new shows can be hard and for that reason, we re-watch “How I Met your Mother” three times in less than six months. One of the reasons we watch our favorites so often is because with new technologies, we can access our shows whenever and wherever we want. We can watch our show with no commercials and with the ability to stop and start over where we left off. In the past, we had to watch our TV-saurus with 30 minutes of ads.

While we can blame nostalgia for our constant need to revisit our favorite shows, we keep re-bingeing on the classics because they require less mental energy to process. We like doing what is easy. Psychologists have found that watching something repeatedly creates a bond with the show. Just like seeing our hateful relatives every year at the holidays, we don’t like them but we love them.

So next time your relatives show up and start asking awkward questions, just invite them to binge-watch “Golden Girls” and give them something else to talk about.

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24 THE CURRENT

(S2:E9) AMARSI UN PO

(S2:E8) THANKSGIVING

(S2:E6) N

Jack of all Trades WORDS: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN | ALL IMAGERY: NETFLIX

Modern romance. Religion. Friendship. Family.

short guys, deaf black women with marital issues, elderly Asian men caught in love triangles, reality TV fanatics, black

These are just a few of the realities that “Master of None”

lesbians growing up and falling in love, falling out of love,

season two addresses. The first season presented a lot of

stepping out of your comfort zone, those that appreciate

questions that dealt with the joys and hardships that Dev

vintage Italian music and film, food lovers, African cab drivers

Shah, played by Aziz Ansari, has in life. Season two stands

that just want to have a good time and so much more.

out to me the most because Ansari and co-creator Alan Yang took these questions a step further by adding depth

This brings us to an overall theme that stood out to me the

— not only to Dev’s story but to the ordinary people that

most. The importance of diversity in Hollywood. This unique

operate outside of his bubble.

show tackles daring truths that people around the world can relate to at some point in life, they just happen to mainly

(S2:E1) THE THIEF

NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU

This review could easily focus on the captivating cinema-

focus on people of color. These are stories that have

tography, carefully curated soundtrack or even its excellent

been told plenty of times. This show feels so fresh and

portrayal of a classic love story. But what this show gets

new because we are finally getting a chance to see them

right is it’s ability to step outside of its main plot to tell the

through a different set of eyes.

stories of others — therefore making the main storyline stronger. Sure you get to see where Dev ended up after

What I love most about “Master of None” season two is that

season one and where he’s going. But what makes this

is shows the human condition at its best and sometimes its

season so impactful is its storytelling. To put it plainly, you

most depressing. That it’s OK to not have it all figured out.

care. You care about each character introduced, no matter

We’re all on different walks in life. We all have our fun, we all

how mundane or silly.

have our faults and that life is not going to be comfortable all of the time. But it’s those tough moments that make it all

This season tells stories that just about anyone can enjoy

worth it. Sure it’s cliché, but we all need this reminder from

and relate to. Indian people, helpless romantics, tall guys,

time to time.

THE CURRENT 25

26 THE CURRENT

Behind the Big Screen WORDS: LAUREN EBBEN

“In the beginning was the word,” said Hollywood

keeping them all present in the mind simultaneously:

producer Ronnie Clemmer. “No one ever made a

story, character, tone and clarity. Keep remembering

great movie out of a bad script.” Credited for his work

that you’re telling a story and that there is ultimately

on many independent films, television movies and

an ’audience’ for your story.”

studio features, including box-office hit “A League of Their Own,” Clemmer said that the most crucial

But there is no business like show business and

ingredient to screenwriting success is passion.

“making it big” means failing just as big. Like the heroes in their scripts, screenwriters face a myri-

“You have to love movies and you have to have the

ad of challenges. “One of the most difficult things

passion for movies.” After nearly 30 years in the

about writing a script is getting the structure down,”

film industry, Clemmer, who has served as a guest

Clemmer said, “Finding the scope, finding the point

lecturer for classes at Amarillo College via Skype,

of view, how are you going to tell the story.” But even

understands the crucial components that go into

the best script in history won’t make it to the pro-

writing an award-winning script. “All great writing is

duction stage if it isn’t seen. “Think of it as a roulette

rewriting. No one is perfect enough to write a good

wheel of possibilities. Try to give yourself as many

script the first time.” Lastly, Clemmer said, write what

number of times on the wheel as possible to increase

you know. “Cinematography is to paint with light and

the odds because they are always against you.”

even as a screenwriter, you are painting with light.

Don’t just tell it, show it.”

Finally, just like at the end of every script, a hero emerges. “Passion and persistence are your best

Clemmer noted that good writers must concentrate

friends in any part of the business,” Clemmer said.

on a number of areas all at the same time. “I’d say

“Don’t take failure as a final chapter. Just keep going.

there’s not really a single ‘most important focus’

Great writers don’t give up.”

for a screenwriter but a pastiche of elements and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (1992)

Film Reviews

05

MOONLIGHT (2016)

WORDS: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

“At some point, you’ve got to decide for yourself who you’re gonna be. You can’t let nobody make that decision for you.”

However ambiguous this statement may be, this is a powerful message that runs through the beating heart that is Moonlight; a captivating film that draws viewers in with its meticulous details of its cinematography by touching on different situations of human existence.

In the film we are taken through a three-part story from childhood to adulthood of Chiron (played by Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes respectively) with act one titled ‘Little’ followed by ‘Chiron’ and ‘Black’ each appropriately symbolizing stages of his life. With each act being filled with struggles centered on family, human connection, self-discovery and sexuality, this is more than a story of a young black boy growing up in Miami, but rather a tribute to those who have managed to persevere through similar obstacles. Based on an unproduced play called ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue’ and taking influence from aspects of the director’s own childhood and experiences growing up; Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight is one of the best made, visually captivating films I’ve ever seen and quite frankly, everyone needs to see it.

WIND RIVER (2017) WORDS: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

Staff Picks

In a 21st century western mystery thriller, “Wind River” is a 2017 American film directed and written by Taylor Sheridan. The film takes place in the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and includes a pair of avengers in Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen along with Gil Birmingham and Graham Greene.

The story begins as a young woman is running on a freezing cold night barefoot. The scene is set on a snowy mountain and a long stretch of open field land perfectly sets the mood for the film. A terrible death follows shortly and the film’s main focus is established. U.S. Fish and Wildlife hunter Cory Lambert (Renner) and FBI agent (Olsen) team up to bring justice to a death of a young woman in a place that seems like hell in frozen land. With great poetic dialogue, memorable visuals and great performances, the film really strikes and keeps the viewers focused. The film was released Aug. 4 and was received well by critics. The movie receives a bright recommendation from me and is available on iTunes, Amazon Video, DVD and Blu-ray.

LEGEND (2015)

IT

(2017)

THE INCREDIBLE JESSICA JAMES

(2017)

OKJA (2017)

TV Show Reviews SHAMELESS (2011) WORDS : TANAHALA HUGHES

If you’ve ever wondered what life is like for families just above or even below the poverty line, then Showtime’s series “Shameless” (a spin off from “Shameless UK”) is for you. Looking into the lives of the Gallaghers was a bit personal for me, knowing what it’s like to be beneath the line; however, it is a good dramatic/comedic insight into living in poverty.

The Gallaghers deal with a drug and alcohol addicted father, Frank Gallagher, played by William H. Macy; a bipolar mother who is never around, Monica, played by Chloe Webb; and the Gallagher children have problems of their own. Fiona Gallagher, played by Emmy Rossum, is the sister and a stand-in mom. A young woman in her early 20s raising her younger sister and four younger brothers all while going through her own life problems.

The show has a vast variety of characters with everyday problems and is still extremely entertaining. I would 100 percent recommend this show to any and everyone. The show is not for all ages, however, due to the use of drugs, excessive alcohol use, moderate nudity and a strong language.

I’M DYING UP HERE (2017) WORDS : BRETT HERRING

Staff Picks

The Showtime Exclusive “I’m Dying Up Here”, produced by Jim Carey is a television show that explores the comedy scene in the early 1970s in Los Angeles, California. It’s based around a young group of up- and -coming comedians striving to land the rare seat on the couch of the Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.”

Where five minutes on the stage might make you famous but a seat on the couch guarantees everybody knows your name. The show is a creative masterpiece, getting you heavily involved and invested in these character’s lives. Being a huge comedy fan, this show was absolutely worth one-hour episode and having to wait patiently for a new episode everyweek.

INSECURE

CHEWING GUM

TABOO

WESTWORLD

(2016)

(2015)

“I’m Dying Up Here” is definitely worth the time to binge-watch, or watch a single episode at a time, just watch it! If not for the laughs for the amazing characters and storyline. This show will teach you to go for what you want and don’t ever let anything get in the way of your dreams.

(2017)

(2016)

LIFE AFTER AC

THE CURRENT 29

Start Here Go Everywhere WORDS: STEVI BRESHEARS | PHOTO PROVIDED BY DUSTY GREEN

For many, the Texas Panhandle is like a trap. These roll-

their jobs and sell off all of their belongings in 2006, then

ing plains have a way of capturing their residents and

in August 2007, “Two for the Road” was born.

not letting them go. For Borger native Dusty Green and his wife, Nikki (who is from Claude), however, it’s a whole

What began as a dream for the Greens quickly became

different story. The Panhandle is home for the Greens,

a career. Together, Nik and Dusty tackle every aspect of

but it’s also “Point A” on a greater journey. “We’re get-

producing the television show, which began as a web

ting to travel the world,” Dusty said. “To date, we’ve been

series, was picked up by Panhandle PBS and Public

to about 40 countries across six continents and we’ve

Television Station affiliates throughout the nation and,

seen, done and experienced more of this world and this

in August 2017, began running on the Create TV chan-

life than we ever thought possible for a couple of kids

nel, a national sub channel of PBS, making “Two for the

from the Texas Panhandle.”

Road” available to more than 90 percent of American households. “It’s just the two of us doing this after all, so

Dusty studied mass communication and journalism at

we’re great big underdogs in the very classic sense of

Amarillo College, where he served as editor of the stu-

the word,” Dusty said.

dent newspaper, “The Ranger.” From there, he went on to work at KVII TV, ABC 7 news in Amarillo, rising quickly

For Nikki and Dusty, “Two for the Road” is so much more

to the position of news anchor and then to news director.

than just a cool job that allows them to document their

Then, in 2006, the Greens made a decision that would

world travels. It’s also a project that allows them to ex-

change their live forever. Dusty and Nikki decided to quit

perience life in ways that many only dream about.

Dusty Green and his wife Nikki Green are continuing thier epic global adventure with “Two for the Road,” being available to public television (PBS) stations nationwide beginning January 2018.

twofortheroad.com

30 THE CURRENT

From AC to NYC WORDS: KEEGAN RIED | PHOTO PROVIDED BY LAURA GONZALEZ

From Amarillo College to New York City, Laura Gon-

discovered a new passion in the study of communica-

zalez is following her passion for mass media and

tion. Gonzalez’s new passion and determination even-

marketing. Born and raised in Amarillo, the Caprock

tually led her to accept an internship with an advertis-

graduate followed the same path as many other stu-

ing agency in New York City. “A desire to continually

dents. She began her college career at AC pursuing an

envision the future and proactively piece together the

engineering degree and graduated with her associate’s

puzzle pieces that will bring this vision to fruition led

in 2013. Gonzalez transferred to the Cockrell School of

me to knock on the doors of RD Thomas Advertising,”

Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin but after

Gonzalez said. She was eager to learn more about the

just one semester at UT, she said something didn’t feel

industry outside of the knowledge she had gained in

right. “I felt weighed down by stress, anxiety and felt a

the classroom. She said she knew that an internship

lack of passion for the track I was pursuing.”

with RD Thomas would give her the insight for which she hungered.

Gonzalez began looking for other classes and course offerings to add variety to an otherwise stringent de-

Gonzalez said that intense commitment and compas-

gree plan. She enrolled in a communication course the

sion play key roles in helping her determine the course

following spring and her outlook changed. “I knew oth-

of her life. “To this present day, choosing to act on my

er fields of study did not spark the same intensity and

heart’s desires in my career and personal life has em-

energy I felt when gaining insight into what drives us to

powered me to mold a fulfilling life I’m eager to contin-

navigate this complex world,” said Gonzales. Gonzalez

ue and expand on.”

Laura Gonzalez was valedictorian of the Texas Tech College of Media & Communication, Gonzalez was chosen twice for the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ Multicultural Advertising Internship program. linkedin.com/in/lauragonzalez72

MEET THE STAFF:

EDITOR

DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

ASSISTANT EDITOR CLAIRE EKAS

THE CURRENT 31

PAGE EDITOR

PAGE EDITOR

STEVI BRESHEARS

SALVADOR GUTIERREZ

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: “Art is real! Movies are real! Music is real! It affects people, it’s

glitz and glamour to 15th century Russian cinema. There is

real…”- Prince Rogers Nelson

definitely something for everyone.

Art is created through personal connection and through this

This semester’s issue began like any other project -- ambi-

connection we get to learn that much more about ourselves,

tiously. We gleefully got together to discuss countless ideas,

how we think, how we react and what we want from life. A

themes, elements we wanted, elements we didn’t want—

connection can be made to anything, but the connections

some did not end up making the cut. Needless to say it was

that we make with art, whether it is music, film or visual is

a journey to create and we purposely tried to take you -- the

unlike anything—nothing can affect you quite like it. This con-

reader – along throughout. Writing this has felt like a bit of a

nection in turn gives you a new conception of reality, opens

journey in itself. That being said, I will wrap it up. We hope you

your mind and opens your heart.

like this one and you connect with something inside– even a

THANK YOU

JILL GIBSON MADDISUN FOWLER STEPHANIE JUNG DENISHA KRANTHOVEN TONY FREEMAN POLT NEOTERIC GOOGLE

little bit.

If you made it to the last page I would hope that you know that this magazine is focused on arts and media. Throughout these pages we have given you everything from South Korean

Your Editor.

COURTESY SCREENSHOTS & IMAGERY ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT BY DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

A STUDENT PRODUCED PUBLICATION

AMARILLO COLLEGE | 2201 S. WASHINGTON ST. | AMARILLO, TX. | 79178