Short Analysis, Part 2

      The fact that there is a reality beyond what we see is scary. Each and every teen is carrying around with them a “viewing glass” that allows the outsider to grasp but a glimpse of this. These gateways into their world can range across many different types of mediums. Three articles present a picture of some examples of different utilities teens use to allow their world to be viewed and understood by others. In, “Film as Identity Exploration: A Multimodal Analysis of Youth-Produced Films”, Erica Rosenfeld Halverson describes the use of film in the lives of teens. In "Adolescents' Expressed Meanings of Music in and out of School.”, the authors describe the affects of music on teen expression, and identity development. Also, in “Shifting selves: the struggle for identity and spirituality in the work of three young women artists”, the authors observe and describe how visual artwork can be used to portray the inner teen world. These three articles work together to show that if the general populous actually took the time to look at and understand these teen worlds, then they could influence teen lives in a positive way and even deter them from making life threatening decisions. 

            Each of these articles explores the concept of media expression, whether it is through the use of “film to address complex issues of identity, particularly the construction of a social identity” (Halverson), or the art of music to “construct, negotiate, and modify aspects of… personal and group identities” (Campbell et al.), or ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­images that are used to “[make] sense/meaning out of everyday life.”

            In Halverson’s article she emphasizes the different ways in which teens used different aspects of the video making process to represent different kinds of emotional aspects of themselves. From transitions, to camera angles, to lighting, all these aspects of a single piece of work contribute to the big picture of the inside of a teen’s world. Various things are portrayed through these different aspects of film. Happiness, hurt, pain, joy, confusion, hatred, the list goes on and on. All of these things make up the stewing caldron of the teen emotional being. Sometimes, if this cauldron is not monitored, it can spill over in destruction, damaging the lives of both the teen, and others around them.

            Similarly, "Adolescents' Expressed Meanings of Music in and out of School.” Describes the role that music, both made and consumed, plays in the identity of teens. Using music as a “badge” (Campbell), teens use music to place themselves in certain groups or associate a personality with themselves. Some are stereotypical such as Emo kids listing to Screamo, and smart kids listening to Classical music. Stereotypical or not, all associations between the cultural definitions of music and personal definitions of music based upon both lyrics and basic musicality, influence the ways in which teens view themselves and others. The article goes on to describe both benefits and disadvantages of active musical presence in the lives of teens, giving the argument solid proof of validity.

            In “Shifting selves: the struggle for identity and spirituality in the work of three young women artists”, the authors explore the vast world behind the obvious of visual creations. There is depth and meaning behind something that a teen creates. They go on to say that these issues of this world connect with “questions and expressions of ultimate concern.” The big picture across all three of these articles is that there really is something behind the obvious! Every film, musical piece, artwork has so many underlying things that will tell its audience stories upon stories of the creators’ lives. So, the big question is, how does one tap into this spring of insight?

            The answer, clearly, is displayed in the very nature of these three articles. None of these works has an anonymous quality to them. In each, the authors roll up their sleeves and get right into the middle of the muck. Every piece of evidence was gathered via investment. See, the only way to actually impact the life of a teen is to invest in them. This is portrayed over and over again countless times in these works. This is the key to the success of understanding this world that is concealed to the outside view. There is only so much support that these articles could give as to the actual “evidence” that is presented, but there is so much more in terms of their methodology of finding this evidence. There is no other way but to stick one’s nose into someone else’s business and really start to figure out the pieces to the puzzle.

            Whatever the “viewing port”, art, video, audio, dance, poetry, literature, there are many ways to access information about one of the most important issues in today’s world. If one takes the time to invest in the life of a teenager, they can understand their “world” and make an impact that will not only affect the teen now, but long into the future.

Works Cited

Campbell, Patricia S., Claire Connell, and Amy Beegle. "Adolescents' Expressed Meanings of Music in and out of School." Journal of Research in Music Education, 2007. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.

Halverson, Erica R. "Film as Identity Exploration: A Multimodal Analysis of Youth-Produced Films." TCRecord: Article. Sept. 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. <http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentID=15948>.

McPhillips, Kathleen, Peter Mudge, and Jay Johnston. "Shifting Selves: The Struggle for Identity and Spirituality in the Work of Three Young Women Artists." International Journal of Children's Spirituality 12.3 (2007): 233-47. Print.