MMJ at UP - Spring 2019

Visual storytelling gives a, once non-visual, story purpose and character.  A visual story creates a platform for a pressing issue or inspirational story to carry on beyond the typical written medium of classic journalism, and make a longer lasting impact. The global media company Great Big Story recognizes the importance of showcasing unique stories that are otherwise overlooked, and telling it in a way that makes a greater impact. Great Big Story is owned by CNN Worldwide, and was launched in 2015.  They are headquartered in New York, with a bureau in London.  Since the launch, this global media company has had access to over 2,000 stories told in more than 100 countries.  The company produces stories, like experiences, micro docs, series, and digital, television and theatrical films. By highlighting the human experience, this allows room for the different cultural experiences one can learn from another. With an audience of over 10 million people, expanding world...

One of my favorite podcast to tune into is this American Life. I find it a fun playful podcast where you never know what the next episode is going to be about.   I tune in a lot of the time just to sit back and relax and hear about something told in an interesting way. I feel that this American life very much fits the theme of these are stories of American people and its done in a fun playful way often time including stories from listeners who they ask to comment with their own experiences. This bring me to the difficulty of how to specifically nail down what kind of content this American life produces. The first foremost our a podcast dedicated to telling stories and doing it well keeping people listening. To conceptualize it I guess I would say that they pick a variety of topics with something new each time so the listener never knows what they are going to hear but it is done in such an interesting way that it keeps the listener tuning in. for example the most recent edit...

Have you ever feel like the world of pop culture is spinning faster than you can keep up? Or have you ever been heartbroken over something problematic your favorite celebrity just did and can’t seem to understand what is happening? As a society, we are so inundated with information now that major cultural moments and controversies happen in the blink of an eye and just as soon as the information hits us, society has moved on to the next big dispute. But for everyone still trying to understand what is happening in this turbulent time in American pop culture, listening to the New York Times podcast Still Processing might be the fix you were looking for. Still Processing is a podcast by two culture writers for the New York Times, Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham. Each week, the two examine some relevant aspect of pop culture and look at the effect the event (or person) has in a larger context of our society. Discussions regarding Jussie Smollett turn into a broader examination on t...

In honor of Women’s History Month, I was invited to the  2 nd  Annual Visibly Invisible: Unsung SHEros Award Ceremony that was held at the Old Church Concert Hall. Founded by Shalonda Menefee of  SISTAS, LLC, the ceremony honored 12 Black Women within the Portland community. During the  ceremony , I had captured photos that encompassed what the night was truly about. And as you will see, I like to take photos in wide shots. Visibly Invisible producer, Shalonda Menefee’s mission is “Creating an Atmosphere of Healing and Empowerment.” As the founder of SISTAS, LLC, she has a deep passion for helping others live up to their full potential by inspiring women and youth in her community for over 15 years. As a result, she has developed programs, curriculums, workshops, services, and products that promote self-care, spiritual healing and empowerment.   Visibly Invisible means to be visible and useful when needed to get things done, however, also being unhe...

The mother-daughter duo that comprises StyleLikeU was miffed by the representations of bodies and lives which the magazine and fashion industry put forth. While working as a stylist for high falutin publications, Elisa Goodkind frequently witnessed people be forced into a box; their bodies and looks taxonomized to monetize. When her daughter, Lily Mandelbaum, started to battle body dysmorphia and low self-esteem, Elisa decided to make a change. Lily’s multimedia expertise coupled with Elisa’s background in fashion led to the electrifying scenario StyleLikeU puts forth. The team offers a new landscape of media engagement which showcases people living outside of/in spite of harsh norms and dives deeper into what inspires or inhibits self-acceptance. The pair perpetuates a holistic view of style and sense of self through their YouTube channel and website. They interrogate gender, sexuality, sexism and ageism within certain industries, racism, addiction, mental health, eating disorders, ...