Modern Music for Macbeth

The information below shows possible modern music to illustrate each act of Macbeth, a play by Shakespeare.

By Kevin Dai, and Brandon Ly

  

Macklemore- Make the Money- Act 1 

Act 1 

Macklemore- Make the Money is a meaningful song about becoming successful through the symbolism of Money. It stresses not to let money corrupt one's mind, and in order to truly make "Money" it is better if one is to create a game where he/she is the master rather than a player.  Make the Money is perfect for act 1 as it foreshadows the position that Macbeth will be in. Macbeth under the cause of ambition, wants to become King or "get money". In a way "Make the Money" also illustrates  that sometimes too much fame can also change a person. Lady Macbeth in a way has changed straight away with the idea of fame. So she let the game change her. later on, the game changed Macbeth as well, and he becomes corrupted, and is eventually put down. Make the money stresses the line "Stay true, stay true", which is ambiguous, as it could mean that Macbeth should stay true to the path of modesty (of not killing King Duncan), or travel to the palace of fame. Since the song's "stay true" may also mean stay true to your dream, which, for Macbeth is killing Duncan to become King. In brief, Make the Money reflects act one, as it somewhat foreshadows the future of Macbeth, but also suggest that Macbeth should go for killing King Duncan, and follow his dream; which readers would find find amusing in act 5. It can also be seen that Make the money is like a setup to the more awing scenes later on. Make the money, could also provide a reason for viewers to agree with Macbeth's ambitious dream, to later on find out the outcome. 

Seeu- Hide and seek- Act 2 

Act 2

Hide and Seek alone, can show how Macbeth was hell bent on killing the king. The lyrics “ Even if you try to hide it is no use” illustrates how Macbeth was going to stop at nothing to kill the king . Also the line “ it’s already to late to run” relates to how King  Duncan was trapped in the room asleep, with Macbeth ready to kill him. At one point of the song the possessed girl walks into the room ready to kill the boy, like how Macbeth was determine to kill the king like he was possessed. Overall, the song gives a sense of insanity, and dread; which compliments the mindset of Macbeth in Act 2.

Andrew Gold-Spooky scary skeletons- Act 3

Act 3

Spooky Scary skeletons is a perfect song to describe act 3, where Banquo's ghost showed up at the dinner party. During the scene with Banquo's ghost, Macbeth's reaction was full of shock and fear ; out of his mind. like the lyrics in the song “shrieking skulls will shock your soul tonight”. Also when the ghost showed up, Macbeth was shaking and surprised just like in the song “ You'll shake and shudder in surprise when you hear these zombies shriek “. Also Banquo’s ghost can be an attempted warning to the other people at the dinner about Macbeth’s cruelty . This song also emphasis how Macbeth was going insane in the middle of the party “ They'll smile and scrabble slowly by and drive you so insane!”. In brief, this song is a perfect fit for act 3 especially the dinner party scene. 

Meek Mill- Dreams and nightmares- Act 4 

Act 4 

Meek Mills- Dreams and nightmares displays act 4 of Macbeth. Firstly, the title "Dreams and nightmares" describes Macbeth's situation as he achieved his ambitious goal of being King. However his nightmares have also come true because of his insecurities of his traitorous subjects.  The tempo of Dreams and nightmares also is in sync with act 4. Mills starts with a catchy but modest beat. This can signify the part where Macbeth first visits the witch, where everything is lightly taken. In the middle, where mills drops the flamboyant beat, it can correlate to the scene where Macbeth murders MacDuff's family. Lyrically Dreams and nightmares also matches Act 4. When the song commences Mill states "see my dreams unfold and nightmares come true" which is an accurate description of the beginning of Act 4. When Macbeth visit the witches again, they tell him his future, but also make his nightmares come true, by the gory visuals, and telling him to fear MacDuff. Therefore Meek Mills- Dream and nightmares makes an accurate description of Act 4.

Elena Siegman-115- Act 5 

Act 5

Elena Siegman-115 best illustrate act 5 of Macbeth. In act 5, Macbeth's life is in ruins ,as his enemies are closing in to end his life.  It can be assumed that Lady Macbeth also commits suicide. Macbeth also shows signs of madness, as he comments that life is meaningless, and that he cannot be killed. "115" is heavy metal, so it fits the theme of madness. Heavy metal has a connotation that those who listen to it will go to hell, and will kill a bunch of people. Macbeth in act 5, reflects the connotation of heavy metal as Macbeth is trying to take the people down with when he is already has no chance for victory. Also Macbeth with all the actions he has done leading up to act 5, (Murder of Banquo, Murder of Macduff's Family) suggest that he is going to hell. Lyrically the song also reflects the Act 5 of Macbeth. 115 states  "I have lost all form and unity where has my life gone" connects to Macbeth as he has changed so much from act 1. 115 also states that "everyone dies" which correlates with the genre of Macbeth, a tragedy, which act 5 emphasis on.

Still life drawing

Salutations ! This is my still life drawing that I did a few weeks back. My associates also did the same still life but in different angles. Hope you check them out as well.

Principle of Animation- Game of Thrones- Chaos

 The principles of Animation, developed by the old  men of disney has is mark on all animations  created today. I will be working on a project of  "kinetic animation"that will illustrate principles of  Animation. As a way to get more familiar with the   principles, I will be picking out principles of    animations in Kinetic animations done by other  people. This animation is done by "RL" and  reflects the novels series "Game of thrones" by  George R. R. Martin.

  1: Arcs- (0:01-0:05) The principle that the  animations will look more realistic if there is an  arc or circle movement. Animations that do not  follow this principle may look mechanical. "RL"  uses the principle of arcs in the beginning of the    video, as the word Chaos is moving in arc. The fact that Chaos is moving very fast in an arc gives a sense of urgency to the word, but also in a very natural movement. The fast twitching of the word in an arc also illustrates uncontrollable movement, and is reminiscent of symptoms of mental illnesses. Thus "RL" uses the principle of arc effectually in his kinetic typography.

2: Squash and stretch- (0:39) The principle that animations will have more volume and weight if there is a squash or stretch involved in it. RL uses Squash and stretch in his animation to give volume and weight to the words "realm and Gods". In other words squash and stretch give emphasis on these words. I believe it is done effectively as the realm and gods in Game of thrones is very significant themes. For instance the "game of thrones" is all about the schemes needed to control a realm and that taking a throne is easier than keeping a throne. Gods also play a role, as in the story, the northern gods (weirwood), have blessed certain people into a "shapeshifter". So the emphasis would be put on the supernatural elements in Game of Thrones. Therefore I feel like RL uses Squash and stretch to put emphasis on the key themes of "A song of Ice and Fire" by George R, R, Martin.

3. Anticipation- (0:22) This principle describes the act of the animation preparing to do an major action, and states that there should be movements before the major action to give the audience a feel that something is going to happen. For instance a jumper would bend their knees before they jump. Animators often exaggerate this principle to make the idea more realistic.  RL uses anticipation before his phrase "The fall breaks them" actually fall of the screen. Every word of that sentence slowly cause the other words to lose balance, until the straw that broke the camels back, "them", sends the rest of the sentence into oblivion. RL uses anticipation very effective as it makes the idea of "The fall breaks them" more realistic. The fact that the other words are only the anticipation to them, which would be metaphorically saying the fall would be like the dagger to the heart. It is like the rest of the sentence would be the scheme and them would be the targets, and will fall if the scheme is on point to the plan.

In my opinion I believe that RL does a decent job of illustrating the monologue in A game of thrones. RL does set the theme of the monologue very well with the juxtaposition of black and white to create a sense of confusion, and madness. I also like that RL tempo with the words. I think that the tempo syncs relatively well with the monologue and slows and fastens itself when the time is appropriate. In conclusion RL does a mediocre job with the kinetic typography as there are instances where he lacks professionalism. For example in (0:43) the heart in "or love" does not fit the theme that he has worked to illustrate. Hopefully in the future RL would change that.

Isolation

Isolation, the process or fact of isolating or being isolated can be a very scary ideal. Yet it can be a very exciting matter, full of blood rush, can cause much excitement for you to live a year in a minute. The red colour overlay represents that, and the tracking of the letters represents that separation; the separation from society, the separation from a team. Isolation is a very dangerous play in basketball. It is when players go one on one with each other, and forget that basketball is a team game. This is most often used when there is a mismatch, or if one player has a clear advantage over the other, such as height. The Cap height of "I" is the longest in the word isolation, and located on the edge of the image. The I is the imaginary "I" in team, and it also holds the ball as well. The ball also represents that separation of "I" from the rest of the word.

The "SOLA" of isolation would be closer in in terms of tracking, as it represents the useless screen. "I" will not use the screen, but will rather take the clear lane to the basket, indicated by the negative space in the left corner. "SOLA" is also positioned diagonally to affect the speed of which isolation is said in the readers mind. In basketball, isolation is commonly shortened to "iso" so the "lation" is left out. Also in basketball, on of the most notorious ways to beat a defender to the rim is a change of speed; meaning you advance the ball slowly, and catch the defender of guard with the sudden motion towards the rim. Thus the Isolation is in a curve to try and achieve that idea. Many people think of isolation in many different ways. It could be scientific, isolating a matter in a homogenous mixture. It could be for for the hermit lifestyle. However when I hear isolation, I think of basketball.

Urbanization- Weekly blog post 5

Urbanization, it makes us feel safe in numbers, rather than alone with a few people in the wild. However is it true ? Sometimes it may be that everyone is in their own world, and that safety in numbers is false. That when someone is in need, we tend to think that someone else will offer help, and thus you do nothing. The next person feels that way, and at the end of the day no one assists. The city itself often feels chaotic in my opinion and once in a while, it is nice to go into the wilderness to enjoy to peace. To actually see the stars in the sky, and experience a cool pitch darkness. A scene where you cannot go outside without a flashlight.

This is a time lapse video of "Shanghai"  done by "Rob Whit-worth" in countless photographs. Whitworth uses a very unique style of time lapse where he captures the whole city and even concentrates on varies activities of some motor vehicles. Whitworth turns the whole city into art, despite all the chaos, and organizes it into a structure. Withworth gives an illusion that the city can be as beautiful as if it belonged to mother nature herself; with all the artificial street, and city light. Witworth illustrates that if a city is seen in a different perceptive, which ignores the pollution; the fact that everyone is in their own little world; can see unity, and beauty.

Rob With-worth inspires me to be a better artist and maybe look at matter in different ways. Perhaps something that may seem disgusting, like a very polluted city like "Shanghai" can emit lights that awes viewers. It makes me wonder, that if you capture an image of a maggot in a certain way, or parasite, it has its own beauty.

Fiery Motivation- Weekly Blog 4

Motivation, I usually get my motivation from my failures and bad experiences,  or just from my mom yelling at me. However there always has to be something to ignite my motivation, and that flame always dies off, and I start getting lazy or not even trying to reach my goals. I do not know if it is erotic fatigue but it sparks an idea in my mind that motivation is like fire, it feels so compelling and strong in to moment, but after a week or even the following morning, there is only ashes left. I think Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls even said "My worst fear is for the flame to die off", in other words, to loose his motivation.

This makes me wonder; is there a way to keep my motivation ? That every day I use my uttermost effort to get things done, or do I have to find sources to ignite something that I already have within me. Maybe to get the maximum motivation, is like a relationship, having the goal to be apart of your life, but only doing it slowly. Maybe for getting everlasting motivation is to have an extreme degree of failure, enough to create an everlasting flame, that does not die even after you death.

There is a Chinese story, of an old man trying to remove a mountain all by himself. He digs day after day, but one day there was a traveler. The man trying to dig up the mountain amused him. He ask the man "why are you digging up this mountain, you know it will not be achieved in your lifetime?" . The old man replied "in my lifetime I will definitely not remove this mountain from this earth, but I will tell my son to continue my work, and so will his son, and after many generations, this mountain will no longer exist." (Picture from http://dreamatico.com/fire.html.)

Little Things Matter - Weekly blog post 3

As a basketball player I've heard the phrase "ball is life" many times but have not given it much thought. From a very shallow perceptive, ball is life refers to playing basketball every day from dusk to dawn. However, if one were to give to more thought to the figure of speech, then the theory arises that life is connected to ball. Meaning if you don't do the little things in life, like making ones bed, then on the court, one would not do the little things, like yell "shot" when an opposing player shots. In other words, your persona and attitude towards life, reflects your play style on the court. So next time when someone says ball is life, he/she may relate, not to the dedication towards ball, but the correlation between ball and life. This may also mean eating healthy, and having an organized lifestyle may improve you game.