Palindromeproductions's Blog

So You Think You Can Dance Alaska?

palindromeproductions — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:24:57 +0000

On April 24, 2009 the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Dance Club hosted “So You Think You Can Dance Alaska?”. The night was filled with variety and excitement as local dancers showed the crowd what they’ve got.

The event, held in the Student Union, was packed even though popular comedian Brian Posehn was performing to a sold-out crown in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium

Students, family members, residents and friends filled both the top and bottom floor of the Student Union for the event.

Anna performs a modern dance piece for the solo portion of the competition.

Shannon O'Laughlin performs a hip hop dance piece to a Missy Elliott tune for the judges, all dance faculty at UAA.

Dance Club president Joshua Lee (pictured right) was in charge of putting on the competition.

Emery Tyler and Daniel Schramm do a salsa number for the duos portion of the competition.

The "Alaska Native Group" performs using drums and fans.

Kagan Ford and Rebekah Temple perform a modern dance routine.

"Teamo Supremo" wows the judges with the group's breakdancing.

"Teamo Supremo" are announced the winners of the competition and are invited to perform with the UAA Dance Department.

Meet the Members of She

palindromeproductions — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:10:44 +0000

Feeling the Finals

palindromeproductions — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:39:30 +0000

As finals are only one week away at the University of Alaska Anchorage, many students are feeling the pressure. Haley Runa studies for an engineering exam in her home April 22. Aperture f/2.8 Shutter 1/8 ISO 800

Easter Aftermath

palindromeproductions — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:01:08 +0000

The week after Easter has the once treasured chocolate rabbits sold for the lowest prices possible. Shoppers at the Northern Lights Fred Meyer leave the bunnies untouched April 14, 2009. Aperture f/2.8 Shutter 1/50 ISO: 100

People Picture

palindromeproductions — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:42:31 +0000

Girardo Arias focuses on his studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage April 8, 2009. Aperture f/2.8 ISO:3200 Shutter:1/90

Photo Story Analysis

palindromeproductions — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:17:14 +0000

All in all I was fairly pleased with my photo story. If I could go back in time, I would practice shooting in low-lighting action arenas–but there really is no way to plan for that. Shooting a band is incredibly challenging, especially with a band like She. The are constantly jumping around, as is the crowd and it is easy to miss some good moments. Not mention that I was holding expensive equipment. Also, I wanted to integrate photos of the band members in their daily lives. I wanted to do that to humanize the members. It was hard to get good photos of the bass player, it seemed like he was always in the same position. Also more wide angle shots would have been fabulous. To be able to set the scene. I guess it could be chalked up to a learning experience. Already I am interested in redoing it. I did like my variance in lighting conditions. In the end, I was pleased, but it always can get better.

Wild Card

palindromeproductions — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:57:46 +0000

Three concert goers await Ceremony's performance in the basement of the "Teenage Wasteland" Aperture f/ 2.8 Shutter speed 1/45 ISO 1600

Photo Story: A Week With She

palindromeproductions — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:30 +0000

Andrew Sims, Mercy Aster, Justin Fergeson and Matt Hanson got together for three main reasons: to make music, to be creative and above all else to cause some mayhem. Their hardcore band She entered the Anchorage music scene last year and they aren’t shrinking violets when it comes to their music and their message.

Lyrics for She’s song Pinch:

“He loves me.
He loves me not.
He loves me.
He loves me not.”

She used to pick
the petals off flowers.
Now she just grinds
their heads between
her thumbs.

Andrew Sims, vocals, talks to friends before their show at the appropriately titled ‘Teenage Wasteland” on March 8 2009.

Justin Fergeson, the band's drummer sets up before the show begins. Behind him two girls paint while the band plays. "We are really interested in creating more of an art scene in Anchorage," said Sims, "It's more about being creative than being a hardcore band."

Sims, Fergeson and guitarist Mercy Aster rock the Wasteland, at one point even causing bits of the ceiling to fall to the ground.

The band's influence is undeniably becoming more of a force in Anchorage. "I went to the mall the other day and some young kids came up to me and said they liked my music," said Sims, "It was really wierd."

Driving out to the valley for band practice at Justin's parent's house in the garage. Sims and Aster meet in Eagle River and carpool to the valley.

Aster and Sims prepare for rehearsal as they wait for the bassist Hanson to show up---which he never does. The band still rehearses--that is until 8pm when Justin's parents ask them to stop.

Working out the final details for their new song, deciding if it's better to say "shot to shit" 3 times or 4. A debate that takes the better part of an hour.

Fergesen, who the band says looks like a wizard when he plays the drums, is known as the pretty one of the band.

The band sets up for their show with nationally known hardcore band Ceremony at the Millennium March 13, 2009. The all ages venue is a good start, but the band hopes to play other places in Anchorage as well.

Sims, Hanson and Aster prepare themselves for the show. Seeing as Ceremony is a big influence on them, this one has to be good.

Aster and Sims rocking out, as the filled to the brim crowd rocks to the music.

Aster after the show at the Millennium who hit his head on his guitar during the show. He asks, "Is it bleeding at all?"

Perhaps it can be said that a show isn't a good show unless you leave some blood on the stage. Well, that might not always be true. But, for a truly hardcore band like She it most definitely is.

Seattle Post Intelligencer Goes Online

palindromeproductions — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:12:38 +0000

Well, being from Washington I was always a Seattle Times kind of gal before I was a Seattle PI frequenter. That being said, the Seattle PI going completely online on March 17 marks the beginning of a new era.

This won’t be the last time that this will happen. Soon, due to lack of interest and lack of resources most, if not all, of the world’s papers will probably be fully available online and not in hard copy. That is, if they can afford to make it that long.

True, I am nostalgic for an era of morning coffee and stepping out to grab the paper. But, at the same time it is possible to change with times and find new rituals to fill the old voids.

As a journalism student, I can’t lie that the Seattle PI going fully online isn’t a little frightening. I am not, nor did I previously think I needed to be computer savvy. Now, I don’t know how I will be able to get a job without those skills, which wasn’t a thought that entered my head even four years ago. So much has changed. And with it we are lying the newspaper industry in her grave. And, the worst part is that I can’t say I’m not a contributer to the problem.

Now spoiled by technology, not only do I want to read the story, but I also really enjoy the short documentary videos on the subject. With the wonders of technology in news now you can watch a picture slide show while listening to an audio clip about the same subject. So, yes it is scary because it is uncharted territory, but as journalists it is also exciting. Now we have the ability to fully capture a story if our minds are willing to learn the new technology.

It is sad to think of all the journalists in newsrooms losing their jobs every second. But, that is not to say that the work is gone. Now, theoretically, you can write for any publication in the world that wants your work on your expertise. There is a website for everything, news is no exception. Although, the Seattle PI had to drastically cut it’s staff for this transition and that is never a good thing.

Even though I always preferred the Seattle Times, I truly hope that the Seattle PI survives. This is because more than one local “newspaper” serves as a checks and balances system for the community. The opportunity to have more than one viewpoint is important for the reader. And the PI, for the most part, always has a different take than the Times.

And in the meantime, if you were to get so sad that you couldn’t read your Seattle PI in it’s original hard copy form, there is always a printer. But, you won’t be able to print the videos.

Mug Shot

palindromeproductions — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:20:11 +0000

As midterms are in full swing at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, Tony Maldonado begins to lose his mind in the midst of it on March 4, 2009. Aperture f/2.8 ISO 800 Shutter speed 1/100