Current spring 18

The Current Arts & Media Spring 2018

Contents The

Media

03

THE

06

AC GRAD

09

RIPPLE EFFECT

JASON BOYETT

THE

PERFECT DOSE

04 07 11

BACK TO

THE ROOTS

COMMUNICATION

MELTDOWN

05

AC GRAD

08

TUNE IN TO

RACHEL NELSON

THE FUTURE

Arts THE MILLION DOLLAR

SKILL SET

12

ILLUSTRATED INTERVIEW

WITH SETH WHITE

13 19 23 27

SPELLCASTER

SOUND CRAFTING

15

ART DEVELOPS

IN THE DARK

Entertainment SIGHTS IN THE

CITY OF LIGHTS

LEVELING UP

IN LIFE

MUSINGS ON

MOVIE MAGIC

20

BUILDING

24

PIONEERING A

29

LETTER FROM

AN ICON

NEW REALITY

THE EDITOR

17 21

WHAT’S IN

YOUR BAG?

SHOW UP,

SHOW LOVE

25

HIGH PLAINS

30

MEET

HIP-HOP

THE STAFF

The

Ripple Effect

F

PB S

or nearly three decades, Panhandle PBS has been making an impact in the local community. The television station is an Amarillo College licensed Public Broadcasting System affiliate that provides the community with educational programming, hosts various events and gives students hands-on media opportunities.

“AC students have some of the best equipment and resources through the partnership the college has with Panhandle PBS,” said Jill Gibson, Matney Mass Media Program department chair.

Two studios, professional cameras and control panels and various types of lighting and sound equipment allow students to get practical experience and exposure to a TV station. Gibson said it’s rare for a two-year college to have such an asset.

Many students have also benefited from interning and working for the station.

“Working at Panhandle PBS while also going to school at AC allowed me to gain lots of hands-on experience without losing time—it was productive,” Jonathan Gibson, a mass media graduate, said.

The station also serves local residents by providing 24-hour children’s programming and by partnering with local organizations that provide children’s activities.

Improving children’s reading levels is a key goal for the station, Karen Welch, a PPBS content producer, said.

Making waves in the community

BY JOSEPH HORNE | ILLUSTRATION BY STEVI BRESHEARS 3

The Current

Another PPBS goal is to provide timely information through new technology such as Facebook Live, streaming and on-demand broadcasts. “Providing detailed information not provided by local news,” is what PPBS does, Welch said. PPBS programs such as “Live Here” and the “806ology” live stream are examples of PPBS shows that give local citizens up-to-date, detailed information about local issues, she said.

Despite fears that Donald Trump’s presidency could lead to cuts in federal funding for public broadcasting, Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ball said there has not been an impact on PPBS operations. “Current government funding is there with the continuation budget to keep PPBS financially stable,” Ball said. He added that “even more community involvement and more social media relevance” are the station’s future goals and stressed that the role of PPBS is to remain a community advocacy station and that the airwaves belong to every citizen.

A

marillo College’s radio station, FM90 KACV-FM, is going through some changes. The changes include a new look, a few new voices and a new sound. Amy Presley is the station’s new program director and audio/radio production instructor. Presley is a graduate of AC and has been on-air for 17 years.

She got her start in radio at FM90 and, after graduating, she worked in commercial radio. Presley said she was excited to return to the station where she got her start.

As program director, Presley is making some tweaks to the sound of the station. “I want to make it sound a bit brighter and a bit peppier. The shows are going to stay the same, and the music is going to stay the same. You are just going to hear some aesthetic changes in the near future,” she said.

Another change is the adoption of a new logo. For years, the logo has remained the same, but Presley said she believes it was time for an updated look.

Presley and her team are also working on developing a new station slogan. The slogan has been “FM90: Amarillo College’s Cutting Edge,” said Kyle Arrant, Panhandle PBS and FM90 director of operations. “We’re kind of throwing it back to the Mighty 90,” he said.

This is not the first time FM90 has changed its image and sound. The logo has changed many times and, in the early 80s, the format of the station changed to alternative rock.

The format has been a good fit with college radio’s ability to play fresh new music from new bands and unknown artists. This is what draws in a lot of fans and listeners.

“It’s new music first and that’s why I listen, because I want to hear what’s new,” said Marcie Robinson, AC speech instructor and former FM90 program director.

BY LES JONES

The one thing that has remained constant throughout FM90’s 42 years on the air is that the station gives the students hands-on radio experience that helps them prepare for media-related jobs.

“This station, first and foremost, needs to serve the students and the college. By doing that, it will serve the community,” Arrant said.

The Current

4

Rachel Nelson AC GRAD

BY STEVI BRESHEARS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DEREK WALTON

W

orking in Amarillo College student media can be a difficult job. There’s a lot of pressure, deadlines sneak up and many times there are too many stories and too few reporters willing to cover them.

That being said, it’s also a great way to gain valuable journalism experience. This is a familiar concept for former “Ranger” editor Rachel Nelson.

Nelson attended AC from 2004-2008 and served as the editor of “The Ranger” for the 2006-2007 school year. She held different positions on staff both before and after her editorial reign and her passion for journalism was clear.

“I’ve always had a knack for writing and I realized I wanted to pursue journalism as a career after I took my first journalism class in high school,” Nelson said.

Former Student Media Adviser Mike Haynes said that during Nelson’s time on staff, she proved her “knack” for writing and a strong work ethic. “She didn’t settle for less than the best, and she had integrity in what she did,” Haynes said.

This passion is something that Nelson has continued to exude in her role as editor at “Community Impact,” a newspaper in New Braunfels, Texas.

“Rachel is super competitive and a hard worker,” said her managing editor, Joe Warner. “She is driven and passionate about her job and strives to be better in what she does every day.”

Nelson’s passion for writing is a key element in her career choice, but so is the joy she gets from serving her community.

“I have loved seeing the positive reactions from the community about how much they enjoy reading our paper,” Nelson said. “‘Community Impact’ reports on issues that have a direct impact on residents, and we package the stories with beautiful infographics that help readers understand the big picture.”

Haynes noted that in addition to her enthusiasm, Nelson’s

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personality and leadership made her easy to work with. “Rachel is a serious-minded person who wants to do things right,” he said.

“She was easy for both students and advisers to work with, but also firm when it came to decisions as editor.”

For Nelson, doing things right is extremely important because she’s telling the stories of the people in her community.

“To me, the best part of being a journalist is that so many people let me into their slice of the world, and I get to hear first hand what they are truly passionate about,” Nelson said.

These are important traits to have, especially at a small community newspaper.

“We laugh a lot and learn a lot,” Warner said. “She can be feisty, which is fine. She channels it into hard work.

“It’s exciting to work with someone who sees the importance of community journalism and is passionate about the job we do.”

SHE DIDN’T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE BEST,

AND SHE HAD

INTEGRITY IN

WHAT

SHE

DID.

Jason Boyett AC GRAD

BY MACKENZIE FARMER PHOTO PROVIDED BY ELLIE BOYETT

A

marillo College mass media graduate Jason Boyett has had many different roles in the world of communication. Getting his start at AC has allowed him to be a graphic designer, journalist, copywriter, ghostwriter and author.

During his time at AC, Boyett was the editor for the “AC Current” and “The Ranger.” As a result, he went on to work as a graphic designer in the advertising world at Cenveo.

“I was good at writing and I was good at graphic design. In the advertising world, those two things don’t always go together.

This allowed me to wear a couple of different hats and be more efficient than other people in the industry,” Boyett said.

Boyett left Cenveo in 2004 to become a communications director at a local church so he could spend more time focusing on his books and developing freelance clients.

Between 2008 and 2009, he decided to set out on his own and has been self-employed ever since. During this time, Boyett began his job as a ghostwriter for public figures, writers and even celebrities.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

YO U C A N D O IN COLLEGE IS EMBRACE

NEW EXPERIENCES, TRY NEW

TECHNOLOGY

AND

MEET

NEW PEOPLE.

“I was an early adopter of Twitter and I live-tweeted former President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009. Through a friend of a friend, an organization contacted me asking me if I could help them with their Facebook and Twitter accounts,” Boyett said.

“Because of that, my name was passed along. I made connections and was hired to write for other people.” While he can’t disclose who he ghostwrites for, Boyett said you have probably seen some of his tweets. He also said that this job has given him opportunities to travel to places such as Europe with his clients.

Boyett said that while ghostwriting can be interesting, it’s not his most challenging job, which is writing books. He has written and published 12 books.

“I always say that the best part about writing a book is being finished with it. The actual writing process is hard, but I love doing it because then you can see something you created. When it’s on a bookstore shelf, or it’s something someone bought and they tell me it impacted them, that’s what is really cool.”

Boyett’s latest project is a podcast called “Hey Amarillo” that launched in October 2017. “I know that there are so many people here who are doing interesting things, have an interesting perspective, have surprising influence or just those who have stories worth telling. I wanted to give these people a platform to share their stories and experiences,” he said.

Boyett said the things he learned at AC laid the groundwork for his career in media and communication. He encouraged students to make the most of their college years.

“It’s less about learning to do specific things right now and more about building a foundation that allows you to learn in the future. The most important thing you can do in college is embrace new experiences, try new technology and meet new people. College is as much about experiences and relationships as it is about sitting in a class and learning something.”

To learn more about Boyett and to listen to his new podcast, visit www. jasonboyett.com.

The Current

6

Communication Meltdown

BY ANDREW MUNOZ, JAXTON ONEAL & LAUREL SEBASTIAN | ILLUSTRATION BY KIMBERLY REID

W

e live in an age of digital distraction.

Computers, cell phones, social media and an endless stream of online stimuli have changed every aspect of our lives.

For some it has become an obsession. Many people feel anxious if they don’t keep up with social media.

Constantly connected, they spend their time staring down at their computers or phones, neglecting family, friends and jobs.

Cell phones have become a ubiquitous necessity.

People everywhere love their phones. “I feel like my phone is so important because it helps in certain situations and in times of boredom,” Abel Valenzuela, an engineering major, said.

Educators worry that technology has become a dangerous time waster that diminishes students’ focus and attention. Most students say they aren’t concerned.

“You know, I don’t care what people think of me being on my phone so much. That’s their problem not mine. They can get over it,” Chase Farwell, an engineering major, said.

There’s no official medical recognition of social networking addiction as a disease or disorder; however, addiction usually refers to compulsive behavior that leads to negative effects. In most addictions, people have this urge to do certain activities so often that they have a negative impact on life, which then interferes with other important activities such as work or school.

With that in mind, a social networking addict could be considered someone with a compulsion to use social media to constantly check social media apps, updates or stalk people’s profiles. It’s

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hard to tell when passion for an activity becomes a dependency and crosses the line into a damaging habit.

Another problem is the impact these digital distractions have had on communication. With each passing year, emojis and other text lingo have become some of the most popular means of sharing information, but students need to be cautious of how these digital shortcuts might affect their academic performance and face-to-face interactions.

“I think that most students use emojis and text lingo in the bulk of their communications, so it can be difficult to then transition to a more formal and academic type of communication,” Jacqueline Llewellyn, a speech instructor, said.

Students may get so used to using an animated picture to express their feelings that they struggle in academic or professional settings. “I think emojis are kind of a part of language now. When writing a paper sometimes I want to insert an emoji instead of spelling out the word,” Draven Gore, a biblical studies major, said.

I n m a n y way s, i t a pp e a r s o u r d i g i t a l wo rl d i s rew i r i n g u s. Yo u Tu b e, Tw i tte r, Fa c e b o o k a n d I n s t a g ra m a re re p l a c i n g in-person human i n te ra c t i o n , a n d d i g i t a l d i s t ra c t i o n s a re s p i ra l i n g i n to d a n ge ro u s o b s e s s i o n s fo r s o m e.

If you find yourself becoming obsessed with digital media, you need to be honest. Certain internet activities can be addictive, so limit your time spent alone on the computer or smartphone.

There are healthy and responsible ways that you can enjoy these outlets and not become obsessed or addicted. Just make sure your social life extends beyond a screen.

Tune

Future

R

E RANG

THE

IN TO

THE

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

BY KIPPER SINCLAIR & CLAIRE EKAS ILLUSTRATONS BY KIMBERLY REID, JAKE WAGNER-RUSSELL & CLAIRE EKAS

I

n the ever-evolving world of media, job duties have started to rapidly evolve and expand. Something new is always around the corner and working in the media field will be no different.

“The ability to cross-promote between platforms will be a critical skill in the future. Sound journalists’ skills will be mandatory because many more stories will be broadcast or texted from the field without the direct oversight of a supervisor,” said Walt Howard, managing editor and anchor for NewsChannel 10.

“The future of media is expanding every day, I think that in 5 to 10 years the possibilities are endless,” said Savannah Tarbet, AC mass media graduate.

NAME:

Although news stations seem to be the ones primarily affected by the advances in technology, other areas will have to learn to adapt as well.

the way the world is changing. The media, along with other businesses, want to be where the eyes are, so they have to go to the people,” Tarbet said.

blog and you have to know social media,” Presley said. People will have to act as their own copy editor, sound editor and video editor.

Audio broadcasting will require much more than just being an on-air personality.

“What I am seeing now are jobs that are based in many different areas. Not just contained to one thing,” said Amy Presley, program director of FM90.

Just as most employees in any job position must be capable of more than one skill set, media jobs will be no different.

Even in the field of PR, the future of jobs are becoming interrelated. “Data and analytics will become increasingly important in every industry. Public relations professionals are uniquely qualified to take data and make it understandable, compelling and actionable,” said Mary Coyne of MCMC Advertising and PR.

The biggest cause for change in media jobs is, of course, social media outlets. People everywhere are constantly plugged-in.

“The majority of businesses, nonprofits, public figures, and even news outlets have adopted social media platforms because of

“Reporters must master the skills of web articles, posting and responding to social media without injecting personal opinion, and deal with non-traditional news gathering...” Howard said.

It is going to be a similar situation in radio broadcasting. “If you are going to be on the radio, that is not going to be your only job.

You are probably going to do a podcast,

Despite all the changes in media, professional stress the importance of fundamentals. “Keep up with the latest advances in technology. Get it right, not just first,” Howard said.

The Current

8

STUDENT MEDIA PRODUCTION GOES GLOBAL

BY JUAN RODRIGUEZ

A

radio program created by an Amarillo College student is now rocking the airwaves and social media in the US and Latin America. “La Dosis Perfecta” began as an FM90 radio show focused on alternative Spanish music and has grown into an international social media hub for indie Spanishlanguage tunes. An Amarillo College mass media major Salvador Guti�rrez, created the radio show.

He called it “La Dosis Perfecta” which means “The Perfect Dose” because, according to Guti�rrez, it is the only show in the Texas Panhandle playing indie in Spanish, which makes it the perfect dose of that music genre in the area. “La Dosis” has been on the air with Guti�rrez as host and producer since December 2016.

From the beginning, his vision was to expand the radio program into a multimedia brand that incorporated radio, social media, video content and a webpage. His main goal for the project was to shine a light on Spanish artists and bands that weren’t mainstream and reveal their music to the masses. “I wanted to show the world that music in Spanish is more than banda and reggaeton,” he said, “I wanted to promote music in Spanish from all around the world.”

“La Dosis Perfecta” has become a popular source for independent music. “Our Facebook page has more than 46,000 followers,” Guti�rrez said.

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THE PERFECT DOSE

The reach of “La Dosis” led Guti�rrez to expand his team.

“We now have eight reporters from different parts of Latin America and two content creators from Mexico and Colombia that manage our social media,” said Guti�rrez, and added that another collaborator from Mexico joined the team recently.

“His name is Diego Alejandre and he is producing videos on our YoutTube channel.”

Keegan Ried, another AC mass media major, has also contributed to the success of the program and its social media pages. “I watched Salvador make ‘La Dosis’ from scratch, and during that time he enlisted my help as a graphic designer and content creator,” Ried said. Ried created the official logo of the project. “Keegan was a key piece in this project,” said Guti�rrez “We went from 700 to 6,000 followers in one weekend.”

Guti�rrez said he has a passion for bringing new independent music to the masses and broadening people’s musical horizons. He and his team are always working to discover new music and reach out to new bands “I’ve conducted phone interviews with musical artists from across Latin America and Puerto Rico,” said Guti�rrez.

Many of those interviews have been aired on FM90 and have been posted on the “La Dosis” social media sites.

The show is not only an open door for Spanish music; it also provides an opportunity for all the collaborators to show their journalism and media production skills to the world.

Karla Valdez, a content creator and reporter from Mexico whojoined the team in 2017, sees the success of the project as the result of teamwork and the sum of everyone’s skills. “The project is getting bigger and that increases our interest to contribute to it and be part of something big,” said Valdez.“‘La Dosis’ has a cultural impact on each one of us because we are working with people from other countries and we are learning from each other.”

“La Dosis Perfecta” airs at 10 p.m. every Wednesday on FM90.

Find the La Dosis Perfecta Facebook page online at http://www. facebook.com/ladosismundial or visit www.ladosismundial.com.

PHOTOS BY CLAIRE EKAS, ERIC ROJAS & JULIAN FAJARDO

The Current

10

The

Million Dollar Skill Set STORY AND PHOTO BY

STEVI BRESHEARS

C

Since AC is a community college, there are many nontraditional students. This means that many students are juggling marriage and parenthood with school and work.

For college students, it is especially important to learn how to communicate effectively.

“Communication is key in my marriage,” said Jordan Lowe, a math major. “It’s how we solve issues, especially in a new marriage since we’re still learning each other’s likes and dislikes.”

ommunication is the backbone of society.

Without it, we would never be able to accomplish anything. By simply using words, humans can do incredible things. On a smaller scale, though, good communication skills are essential for day-to-day life.

At this point, students are just figuring out what they want to do, forming connections with people who will help them reach their goals and entering the workforce.

“Good communication skills are essential in the workplace and employers know this. Simple communication exchanges such as reminding a co-worker of an upcoming deadline or clarifying a confusing question can make the work day much more productive,” said Lesley Ingham, a speech instructor and honors coordinator. “More complex communication skills such as ‘reading a room’ and the art of de-escalating a heated situation are valued by employers and co-workers alike.”

For many students, however, finding a job isn’t the only place where communication comes in handy. College is a time when many relationships are formed, both professional and personal. Many lifelong friendships are developed during these years.

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However, the ability to communicate well is also important in friendships. “It is important to communicate because we’re all in this together. When your friend is going through a hard time, what do you do? You communicate with them and discuss the problem in light of possible solutions,” said Aden Sharp, a religion major. “Only communication could build a bond of friendship and love on a level like that.”

Many people hold the opinion that this generation struggles with communication. It’s easy to see that — it’s a generation riddled with technology, social media and plenty of things to keep us distracted from one another.

Ingham, however, disagrees. “I personally haven’t seen much of a decline in communication skills. I began teaching at AC in 2008 and I’d say that my students have stayed consistent in terms of their willingness to discuss topics as a class and with a partner,” she said.

Illustrated Interview with

SETH WHITE

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR? A FLYING FERRARI.

PHOTO BY LILY GAMBLE

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW MORE ABOUT? THE STOCK MARKET.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP? THE 806.

WHAT WEIRD FOOD COMBO DO YOU ENJOY? SOUR GUMMY WORMS WITH BUTTERED POPCORN.

DO YOU HAVE ANY STRANGE OR UNIQUE PHOBIAS? GETTING ABDUCTED BY ALIENS.

SETH WHITE GRADUATED FROM AC WITH AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND IS CURRENTLY A LAB SUPERVISOR AT AC.

WHAT IS AN OBSESSION THAT YOU THINK IS OVERRATED? MAKING SOMETHING GREAT THAT NEVER WAS FOR EVERYBODY. The Current

12

F

OR A CLASS ASSIGNMENT, STUDENTS IN DEREK WEATHERSBEE’S DIGITAL PUBLISHING II COURSE DESIGNED A LINE OF GUITAR PEDALS. THESE SMALL METAL BOXES SIT ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT

OF THE GUITARIST AND CHANGE THE TONE OF THE MUSIC BY CREATING EFFECTS SUCH AS FUZZ OR REVERB. THEY ARE CALLED PEDALS BECAUSE THE GUITARIST SWITCHES THE EFFECTS ON AND OFF USING HIS OR HER FEET. TO DECORATE THE PEDALS, STUDENTS CREATED ILLUSTRATIONS THAT THEY FELT BEST EMBODIED THE SOUNDS THEY CHOSE. THE CLASS PICKED A NAME FOR THE BRAND OF GUITAR PEDALS AND WEATHERSBEE BUILT A LOGO DESIGN BASED UPON THE STUDENTS’ IDEAS.

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FLASH

DISTORTION

MELTED CASSETTE

LOOP

PHASER

REVERB

TREMOLO

OVERDRIVE

GLITCH

FUZZ

ARMANDO RAMIREZ

JUSTON CHRISTENSEN

SALVADOR CASANOVA

JESSE KAISER

KIMBERLY REID

LUCAS HITE

AIMEE MILLER

CALEB MORALES

QUIANA TOINES

CLAIRE EKAS

The Current

14

R

ows of computers with state-of-the-art software reside within the building that houses Amarillo College’s photography program. Just down the hall lies a set of tools from another era — the darkroom.

BY ALLISON RICENBAW

Despite the digital innovations that have transformed modern photography, black and white film development is still an essential part of AC’s photography program. The college’s photography professors say anyone doubting the importance of the darkroom is simply in the dark.

Darkroom processing uses film, chemicals and light sensitive paper to create images. The process has been around since the 1830s and was the first way to develop film. Since then, photographers have found many different effective ways to develop photos. Each technique gives the print a different tint or look.

When developing film, the room is often left in total darkness or lit by a dim red or amber-colored

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CLAIRE EKAS

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light so that that the light-sensitive photographic paper does not become overexposed.

The first step in the darkroom process is rolling the film onto a spool. Then tanks are filled with different chemicals to process the images. The film is put into a developer, then a stop bath to halt the development using either clean water or a chemical solution. The film is then placed into a fixer, which makes the image light resistant.

Finally, the film is washed in clean water, rinsing off any remaining chemicals and hung up to dry.

This process creates the negatives of an image.

After the negatives are made, the negative is put into an enlarger and projected onto a piece of light sensitive paper. The light that is projected through the negative creates the reverse image on the paper.

This timeless method of developing photos is still taught in colleges because of its significance to the art of photography.

“It’s humbling,” Rene West, a photography and visual arts professor, said. “It’s harder, but more importantly than that, it connects our students to the history of the medium.”

“I think it’s important to learn how to develop photos in a darkroom because even though it’s not used a lot, it’s still good to know how to use the different techniques,” Jalynn Vinson, a mass media major, said.

“Working in the darkroom also teaches students about the technical aspects of developing photos”, said Brent Cavanaugh, a photography professor and the visual arts department chair.

“Developing film takes a lot of patience, but in the end, students often enjoy it because of the tangible nature of the process,” he said.

“I like the old school feel of creating your own images. It allows you to go in there knowing you created something,” Crystal Davis, a photography major, said.

West said that, although digital photography is faster and mistakes are easier to fix using photo editing software, working with film teaches students how to compose a shot and forces them to learn how to properly expose their photos.“If the picture doesn’t look good on film, there is not much you can do to fix it,” she said.

According to AC photography professors, developing film is a physical process that requires greater patience than digital photography and teaches students important techniques.

Working in the darkroom shines a light on the history of photography and allows students to develop an understanding of and appreciation for photography’s past.

While computers, software and digital cameras have an important part to play in photography education, the darkroom holds an equally essential role in exposing students to key aspects of their craft.

The Current

16

What’s in your bag?

A LOOK AT TWO STAFF MEMBERS’ DAILY ESSENTIALS

Claire Ekas

EDITOR OF THE SPRING 2018 EDITION OF “THE CURRENT” AND A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR 17

The Current

Salvador Gutierrez ASSISTANT EDITOR OF THE SPRING 2018 EDITION OF “THE CURRENT” AND A MASS MEDIA MAJOR

The Current

18

A

marillo College took 17 students to Paris, France over spring break 2018. It was spectacular.

Paris is an extremely old city, but don’t let that fool you. Paris has amazing places to visit and plenty of modern architecture as well. No matter where you go in Paris, one thing is for sure, pictures don’t do it justice.

The Eiffel Tower stands tall and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

The sight itself is beautiful but becomes even more attractive when the sun sets.

Every hour on the hour after dark, the Eiffel Tower has a light display that sparkles for five minutes. It’s one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.

The Louvre is another magnificent structure. It spans 652,000 square feet and contains massive amounts of artwork and sculptures. One of my favorite parts of the visit was watching Stephanie Jung, an art professor at Amarillo College, describe the artists and the stories behind the artwork. It was such a surreal feeling to see all the art in person. I’ve known about these sculptures and paintings and have seen them in textbooks and online, but I never truly knew them until they were a fingertip away.

Seeing these things in person really opened up my eyes to the culture in the world. I’ve realized that I never truly understood the value and cultural significance of these pieces of art and architecture until I took the time to see them with my own two eyes. Every moment in Paris let me experience these masterpieces and monuments in the flesh.

The experience of the entire trip has changed how I see other cultures. I recommend to everybody that the next time you get a chance to travel and experience something in person, take it. I will never forget my excursion with Amarillo College in the City of Lights.

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Sights in the City of Lights

BY JOSH BALLARD PHOTOS BY ANDREANNA SIMPSON AND MACKENZIE SHIRLEY

“I

’m going to be late,” Ray Newburg thought as he turned down yet another one-way residential street in downtown Dallas. “I gave myself two hours to get here and I’m still going to be late. I really need this job.” He spotted a row of office buildings, connected together like a rundown strip mall.

There was no sign out front. “That can’t be where I’m supposed to be,” Newburg thought. But it was.

Building an

ICON

BY LAUREN EBBEN

ILLUSTRATION BY JAKE WAGNER-RUSSELL

Sure enough, when Newberg finally arrived at Irene Corey Design Associates, he was 15 minutes late. As soon as he walked through the door, a young woman with brown hair made her way through the maze of cutting tables and life-sized characters, placed around almost hazardously, and shook his hand. “We’re so glad you’re here,” Suzanne Lockridge said with a smile. “Time to get to work.”

Nobody knows Barney quite like Amarillo College Theatre professor Ray Newburg, who spent the summers of 1999 and 2000 building Barney costumes at Irene Corey Design Associates.

The late Irene Corey, Newburg explained, is “considered one of the greatest American designers for theater.” She was known for her impact on costume and makeup design and her various character costume designs, including Barney the Dinosaur. Along with her niece, Suzanne Lockridge, Corey created ICDA (first known as Irene Corey Costume Design). She was also involved in designing and creating sets, costumes and makeup for multiple productions and she consulted on character designs for many companies, including Chick-fil-A’s famous cow.

But in 1999, Corey was seeing purple. Barney the Dinosaur was about to go on tour and the company needed extra help building costumes for the friendly tyrannosaurus rex.

Newburg decided to go for it.

He was hired to help construct costumes from Corey’s designs.

For the next two summers, “It was a world of purple,” he said.

Newberg admitted that once he did try on the Barney costume, but he never performed in it. “Even to this day, I hate purple fleece,” he said. “Still, it was one of the most exciting places to be.”

Newburg’s best memory, however, doesn’t involve Barney at all, but Irene Corey herself. “She’d bring coffee and lace cookies almost every afternoon,” he said.

“She was such a sweet woman,” Newburg reflected, “I felt fortunate that I got to meet such a great designer and was just very appreciative of her work.”

At the end of the summer in 2000, Newburg got a call from former AC President Paul Matney, asking Newburg to take a position at Amarillo College. Shortly after that, Newburg left Barney and the cluster of office buildings behind.

“I tell my students, ‘As you’re getting your education and you start going out into the workforce, let it lead you wherever it may,’” Newburg said. “‘You might be surprised.’”

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S H O W

U P

SHOW LOVE

BY TITUS GILNER

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ILLUST RAT IO N BY JAK E WAGN ER -R USSELL

I

t’s important to note that most people are skeptical of “local” music, much less local shows. Be open-minded to the fact that performers can improve and gain experience over time. A musician’s craft takes practice. Give local artists a shot. You might be surprised by the talent that is hiding in your own backyard. You may ask

yourself, “Where do I start?” Here are a few simple steps to get the most out of your next local music experience.

FINDING LOCAL EVENTS

THE PERFORMANCE

The easiest way to find local shows is by going to Facebook, clicking “events” and navigating to “events near me.” From here you can explore the vast array of events, from DJs in clubs on Polk to open mics on Sixth Street. If there’s a venue you are already familiar with and comfortable in, look for a monthly schedule of events on the website. Most venues even have hand-written calendars displayed in-store. House shows can be trickier. Find local artists you like and follow them on social media. Don’t forget, it’s OK to be a fan. If these locals are ever going to succeed, they need all the support they can get from people like you.

During the performance, the only thing you have to worry about is being natural. If you feel like dancing, then dance. If you feel like bobbing your head, then, my friend, do your thing. Don’t just sit there not enjoying yourself. The moment you stop enjoying yourself, leave.

It’s all right. It’s not for you. You’re tired. You have work tomorrow.

You had a long day. It’s just not your thing. It’s OK. Performers have heard it all and they understand. It’s cool, really. An unhappy viewer makes for an unhappy show. Show love. Show love to the people onstage. Show love to the people around you. Do what feels right and the performance will go well for everyone.

PREGAME

POST SHOW

Local shows are unpredictable, so prepare accordingly. Steer away from wearing anything too nice to a local show. It’s fine to look different. You’re among artists and you’re there to have fun. If you plan to drink alcohol, drink some water and make sure you’re hydrated before you get there. Go in with a good attitude and expect to have a good time. Local shows depend heavily on the energy of the crowd.

If you act uninterested during the performance, the performers will reciprocate that vibe. If you’re not feeling it, don’t go.

Give the musicians some time to catch their breath. Rushing them immediately as they get off stage is nice and kind, but giving them a second to get some water and a breath is really appreciated. Then slide in. Buy those killer musicians a shot and give them a pat on the back. Tell them what you thought. If you really dug the performance, ask for social media info. These local artists have no label, no money and no way to become successful without people like you supporting and sharing their art, so get those credentials and hit follow.

Amarillo is home to many different musicians. Hip-hop is growing; the metal and country scenes are killer; jazz is having a renaissance and cover bands can still be heard nightly across town. There is no need to look outside of the city when there are so many amazing artists working hard everyday here in the 806. Supporting local artists, whether it be through attending their shows, buying their albums or rocking their merch is a priceless way to show support, and if you show up and show love, they will show it back.

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LEVELING

M

LIFE

“It just makes it a lot easier for people to communicate with another person they don’t know,” said Juan Cueto, a graphic design major. “I mean if they don’t normally talk to people on a regular basis and they find out they like games, then they will talk to them and they will make friends out of that.”

UP IN

BY PATRICK NGUYEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAKE WAGNER-RUSSELL AND SALVADOR GUTIÉRREZ

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any Amarillo College students are boosting their critical thinking skills, building friendships and mastering new technology—all by playing video games and watching video gameplay.

Being part of the gaming community also helps with social interactions.

Gaming unites students. “Basically, what happens is that these people have the same common interests come together and have their own culture,” said Elizabeth Rodriguez, coordinator of the psychology program at AC. Avid gamers also devote time to watching other people play video games — both in person and through streaming services such as Twitch. Gamers say watching gameplay provides entertainment, while giving them tips on how to play a game. “Sometimes you look at other people playing at a higher level and try to understand how they got to that level of playing,” Cesar Rodriguez, a graphic design major, said.

Many streaming gamers are also popular entertainers. “Often times streamers are all about personalities, and the game is just there like white noise,” he said.

Gamer Justin Phommachanh, a business administration major, said he enjoys watching gameplay. “First, you come for the content and after that, you stay for the person. the more you look into the streamers, you see their personality,” he said.

Phommachanh said watching gameplay helps people find role models through entertainers. Gamers make friends and create jokes based on the games they’re playing. They find inspiration and entertain each other. They practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

So, playing games, watching friends play and watching streaming gameplay can provide valuable benefits. If you doubt the benefits of gaming, just ask any of the pastime’s passionate fans.

O

ut of breath, your boots are soaking, roaring winds slap against your skin.

Checking your inventory, you realize there are no more med-kits and the group that has been chasing you has you circled.

Well then, it’s time to switch games; suddenly you’re scoring championship winning goals or speeding down back roads in Argentina.

Your alarm clock buzzes, letting you know it’s time to go work. The real world calls and you must answer.

Looking back just 10 years ago, the scenarios described above sounds like something most people would only experience with a controller in hand.

With recent modern advancements in technology consumers around the globe can fully immerse themselves in these scenarios as the main character.

Virtual reality, is a simulation of a 3-D image or environment that users can interact with in a seemingly real or physical way with the proper equipment.

The idea of VR has been toyed with since the early 60s when Morton Heilig built a prototype dubbed ‘Sensorama.’

The prototype was accompanied by five short films that were produced in a way that the viewer could experience what they were watching as if they were actually there.

Fast-forward roughly 70 years and the concept is the same, but far more advanced.

“Virtual Reality is a frontier regarding technology and, as it stands, we don’t know what lies beyond that frontier,” Dewayne Higgs, a computer information systems professor, said. “Currently we are using it in a variety of applications, but where I see its potential growing is with usefulness in the biology field,” he said.

Augmented reality, another recent technological advancement, superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world. “It has potential to help with the disabled. People may be able to use Augmented Reality to enhance their quality of life,” Christopher George, a computer information systems instructor, said.

PIONEERING

In fact, AR could possibly be used to scope out the houses of criminals before a SWAT team actually has to enter, which would protect the lives of both parties far better than said team going in completely blind.

A NEW

With this new technology still in its infancy, it might be the perfect time for you to get accustomed to it or even try to get into the field yourself. Travel, shopping, education and all aspects of entertainment will be impacted.

BY SIR GAREN GRAYSON

Get ready to experience your world — and other worlds — in a whole new way.

REALITY PHOTO BY CLAIRE EKAS

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High Plains Hip-Hop

BY BRYAN ARVELLO

COURTESY PHOTO

25

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Long known for its devotion to country music, the Texas Panhandle is turning to a new musical genre. The hip-hop scene is riding a wave of popularity on the high plains. Over the last few years, the number of hiphop artists from the area has grown, leading to more live performances.

B

oth performers and fans alike say the scene has seen steady growth in both impact and artistic influence. “I see it growing, getting stronger,” said Ugly Chulo, a popular Amarillo hip-hop artist. “You know, it’s kinda like, I see

“TNGLWD started just as like a creative agency. We didn’t have big money. We were

the first few years, as kind of a struggle, maybe some bad music here and there,

noticed my music and it just so happens he had some friends that could make music.

but you know, to get to another level you gotta go through that. I just see progress

He started linking me to people and TNGLWD started growing into a kind of label.

happening. I just want to build this, build it with people in the city,” he said.

Now we have a bunch of artists; Wasabi, Machine Six, Bad Grammar, Fish Lips,

Up until recently, an aspiring musician, especially one interested in being involved

just four artists,” Ugly Chulo said. “I was working with the group as a graphic designer.

Then months later we did events, some art shows, then Titus Gilner, who started it,

n0body_cares. It’s just a group of artists, musicians and designers,” he said.

with hip-hop and rap specifically, would have had to go to Dallas or Austin to

Two major events to feature such artists are the annual Bad Magik Music and

acquire any amount of notoriety. Finding a record label to record with was difficult

Art Festival at Sam Houston Park and the Lovestock Music and Art Festival.

without leaving the high plains. Now aspiring hip-hop artists have more options.

Both events will have a variety of artists to feature but will include a number of

“I feel like here in Amarillo it’s all about who you know and you have to be a people

hip-hop oriented performers.

person,” said Gozz de Odd, a local rapper and Amarillo College recording arts

“We realize there’s no reason for anyone to come out to these shows, like there’s

major. “You need to be able to stay humble, that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned.”

no famous people performing, there’s no one really all that ‘special’” said Titus

Gozz de Odd said that gaining a following in Amarillo requires a different approach than in bigger cities. “In Austin or Dallas you can just go at it and do your own thing because there’s a ton of connections there and you can work with all sorts of

Gilner, the creator of the TNGLWD project. “We realize that. So what we try to do, especially with those two events, is we try to make it about you, about the community, give you a reason to come out... to come see our music.”

varieties of people, but here it’s so conservative you kind of need to find your clique

Local music is also available online, Gilner said. “You can find anything that comes

and from there you can go big. I feel like I’ve gotten a good feel for what’s an actual

out under TNGLWD, so Ugly Chulo, Machine Six, Fish Lips, n0body_cares, Hotel

music scene here in Amarillo. I’ve made my way by being a people person and being

Lobby, Bad Grammar, Wasabi; you can find all of their music on YouTube, Spotify,

humble and respecting their art,” he said.

Soundcloud, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, all of it.”

Amarillo’s hip-hop movement has connections beyond music. The hip-hop

Ugly Chulo and Gozz de Odd said they are excited about the future of locally-

producers that Ugly Chulo works with, TNGLWD Records, are not only an outlet

produced rap and hip-hop music. “It’s kind of hard to believe, but if everything goes

for music but integrates photography, graphic design and other forms of art.

as planned, then Amarillo will be the next city to get famous,” Gozz de Odd said.

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I was floored. I had just left the theater with my parents after

situations in a new and sophisticated way. Payne contrasts

watching Alexander Payne’s “Sideways” for the first time. For the

these intimate, personal struggles with wide-reaching

first time, I saw deeply flawed protagonists, whose actions at times

cinematography and lush scenery, most notably with the

were downright despicable that you could still be sympathetic

Santa Barbara wine country in “Sideways.” Through

toward. These characters dominate the majority of Payne’s films,

these journeys, the characters discover the true nature

mostly middle-aged men coming to terms with their self-imposed

of their beings and gain self-enlightenment. Alexander

consequences of existential failure. Dealing with these crises,

Payne perfectly straddles the line between comedy

Payne’s characters begin their transformative journeys. Whether

and tragedy, unafraid to take risks in exploring dark

it be David Grant entertaining his senile, alcoholic father by taking

depths of the human condition to find nuggets of hope

him to retrieve a mail scam prize three states away in “Nebraska,”

and humanity in imperfection. If you’re a fan of anti-

or Matt King’s attempt to reconcile his relationship with his

heroes, biting dialogue and a few hearty laughs, I

daughters, after a boating accident leaves his wife in a coma in

can’t recommend Payne’s movies enough. He’s a

“The Descendants,” each character is forced to deal with these

true American treasure.

Amy Poehler has had audiences rolling since the start of her career as a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Her work on “Saturday Night Live” earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and her role as Leslie Knope in “Parks and Recreation” earned her a Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Musical or Comedy Series in 2014. The humor Poehler has put into her roles on TV series and countless comedy films has brought joy and laughter to the hearts of many. The way she seamlessly transitions between all facets of comedy while still garnering critical acclaim is

a skill some actors never achieve. On top of being a phenomenal actress, Poehler is also a humanitarian and advocate for feminism.

She co-founded Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, an organization aimed at helping women and girls around the globe empower themselves. Her ability to bring out little pieces of herself in every role she plays has taught me that being your authentic self is never the wrong decision and is a quality all actors and actresses should strive for.

Growing up, one of the movies I remember the most was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Somehow this movie has always managed to, and still does, captivate me. I firmly believe that some of the credit for that can be given to Tim Burton. In a lot of his movies that I have watched, Burton has managed to create and capture such interesting characters. It’s not just his characters that are unique though, it’s everything from the sets to the costumes and of course the storyline. I think Burton has a skill for making movies that are out of the box. He has made several stop motion animation movies that all seem to have a similar dark or gothic-like theme. While they may be dark, they are still extremely creative. I personally

admire that his movies are so unique that you can easily spot one of them because of the theme or tone. Almost every movie he has made has a dark theme, but a lot of his movies are also extremely whimsical and childlike. Whether it’s because of the sets, themes, characters or overall tone, Burton somehow manages to always bring you back to your childhood.

“Because I’m Mexican,” said Guillermo Del Toro to a reporter when she asked him why he has the ability to look into the shadow side, into the darkness of human nature, fantasy and terror. One of the first things that comes to people’s minds when they hear the name “Guillermo Del Toro” is monsters.

Del Toro’s work has revolved around monsters since the beginning of his career. When he first started working in TV, he was part of a show called “The Marked Hour.” The show was a Mexican horror TV series where many film and art directors had their first chance to venture in the film-production industry.

Del Toro’s monsters are not like those made popular

by Universal Studios. His creations are fantastical beings that, most of the time, seem to have more values and morals than the earthlings in the movie.

Darkness and fantasy are signature facets of Del Toro’s films and sometimes, as an audience, cause us to be more frightened of the humans than the monsters. Del Toro’s imagination pairs perfectly with his directing skills and that’s why he won the 2018 Oscar for best director. He finds the perfect way to tell stories about monsters without keeping us awake at night. Guillermo Del Toro turns violence into flights of fancy and human nature into nightmares.

Beloved Hollywood actress Kristen Bell found her calling at 12 years old, when she was cast as a banana in a theatrical production of “Raggedy Ann and Andy.”

From that point on, the Detroit native has made audiences die with laughter with her hilarious performances in films such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “When In Rome” and “Bad Moms.” Her breakout role as the titular character in the critically acclaimed TV

series “Veronica Mars” has won her numerous awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television, and the movie continuation of the series that came out in 2014 was a hit. She also won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series for the lead on the show “The Good Place.” Her debut on Broadway in 2001 as Becky Thatcher in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” was a success and she later went on to play the voice of Anna in the Disney movie “Frozen.” Her outgoing personality, comedic timing and onscreen presence has truly made her one of the best actresses in Hollywood.

An actor, by definition, is someone who assumes a role to help tell a story. A truly good actor is someone who assumes many roles throughout life, bringing a sense of genuineness to each one. One great example

Woody in “Toy Story,” Forrest Gump in the movie of the same name, Chuck in “Castaway,” Paul in “The Green Mile,” Captain John Miller in “Saving Private Ryan,” Captain Phillips and more. He’s won numerous awards for his work on the big screen, including best actor on several occasions and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. The thing I love most about Tom Hanks is

of this is Tom Hanks. Hanks starred in his first film, “He Knows You’re Alone,” in 1980. Since then, he’s been in numerous films, taking on the roles of

his ability to not only tell you a story, but to make you believe it. He brings an authenticity to every role he has and the fact that he has the capacity to do that is incredible. I’m excited to see how he takes on the role of Mr. Rogers in “You Are My Friend” but, since he’s Tom Hanks, I’m sure it will be fantastic.

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om

Fr r e t t e L

– R O T I E ED

– TH

O

ver the past semester, "The Current" staff has worked as a collaborative team creating this magazine. We have carefully chosen the stories, the artistic design, the colors, the fonts, and so much more to convey the overall theme of arts and media, always with our readers in mind. We updated you on AC alumni, discovered a little more about one of our favorite lab technicians, reminisced about the importance and experience gained from Panhandle PBS and FM90. We introduced you to a fellow student whose small production has gone global. We discussed the value of journalism, arts and the media. We have shown you the blossoming music scene in Amarillo, from the recent rise of hip-hop, to local artists that perform all across the city. All of this aside we hope that, in reading this magazine, you will realize your own potential, and use it not only to better the world, but to inspire others to do the same.

I would like to especially thank: Jill Gibson, a humble, yet extremely hardworking and brilliant woman who is a joy to know and strives for nothing but the best for her students and staff. We would be nowhere without her mentorship. Maddisun Fowler, an incredible woman who was once herself the editor of "The Current" and knows what it is like to be in our shoes. She is always showing us new and innovative ways to stay creative. Mike Haynes, who dedicated 25 years of his life to leading AC Student Media, and continues to advise and support us in any way we ask with humor and patience. Tony Freeman, the general manager of Cenveo Printing, who has helped publish every issue of "The Current" and generously advises "The Current" staff each semester. Jenna Gibson, who set high standards for interesting content and artistic design when she was spring 2017 editor of "The Current" and for always being there to bounce ideas off of. Derek Weathersbee, who without his impossible knowledge of graphic design and typography the magazine would not be what it is. I want to the thank the writers, who gave a voice to the stories that needed to be told. I would also like to personally thank my fantastic staff who not only made this magazine possible, but also made the process of creating it fun and enjoyable.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you, the readers, because without you, we would not be able to create a new edition of the magazine every semester or have this amazing expressive opportunity.

“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”

– Vincent van Gogh 29

The Current

Meet the Staff CLAIRE EKAS

SALVADOR GUTIÉRREZ

Editor

MACKENZIE FARMER Page Editor

LAUREN EBBEN

Assistant Editor

Assistant Editor

STEVI BRESHEARS

JAKE WAGNER-RUSSELL

Page Editor

Graphic Artist

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A Student Produced Publication Amarillo College 2201 S. Washington St. Amarillo, TX 79178