Waking Life

When I first started viewing the Waking Life clips on YouTube, I wasn't sure what I was watching or what the purpose of it was.  I had to fully watch the clip on existentialism once to even try to grasp what I was viewing, and then two additional times to try to understand it better.  Once I started to piece the puzzle together I realized this was a cool new type of media/literacy.  It's a mix between a video podcast and animation.  I wondered who was speaking.  I assumed it was a professor, but was it a real teacher giving a lecture that was taped for the purpose of this video or was it created for the video?  

Regardless, he had a message.  I like the line, "You life is yours to create."  It reminded me of a book I just finished reading, I Am The Messenger.  The main character is instructed by an anonymous person to carry out various tasks and deeds to help out strangers, neighbors, and friends.  In the end, the character rediscovers his purpose in his life and finds new meaning.  

Though, I don't necessarily think we were assigned to watch this for the message but more for the way in which it was delivered.  

I'm not sure if this video/animation has a name, but I found it very mesmerizing.  I couldn't take my eyes off of the computer screen.  Not only were my eyes following the characters movements, but the surrounding too.  I even noticed the sounds in the video.  For example, when the main character and the teacher were walking outside, I heard all the sounds I would expect to hear if I were walking outside.  That's not always true with cartoons.  I also enjoyed watching the characters facial expressions and wondered what they looked like in real life, assuming they are based on a real person.  And I think they were.  I'm assuming this scene or interview was taped in real life and then animation was added to it.  I wonder how long it takes to create this and who is involved in it.

This new form a media is extremely creative and I think it will grab viewers' attention.  After watching the clip, I noticed a Charles Schwab commercial that used the same technique.  It was a clever and innovative way for the company to advertise their business.  I hope this new form of media catches on and others will also use it to sell a product, convey a message, or just entertain.