In the mourning

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa on Michelle Gomez and her epic hair:

In the olden days, if footage was not used in a film, it was either destroyed or erased so they could reuse the reel, because it was cheaper than storing unused film.

You pass by a small crowd of hungry children, and decide you’d rather 455 apples go rotten than give them to some snotty brat who isn’t your problem.

It doesn’t matter how hard you’ve worked for your 500 apples, or that you aren’t the parent of any of those kids. in the moment you decide to walk away, it doesn’t matter why they’re hungry, or who owes who what.

You had the opportunity to help people, you had the ability to help people, you had the resources to help people. You had everything you needed to make a small, tiny little difference in someone’s life, and you decided not to.

“The Dora Milaje needed to look like a real fighting force and I feel that its impact on women is that of empowerment, but it also speaks to young girls who want to dress up as the Dora, but don’t want to wear briefs and a bustier and a belt. They may not really like showing their legs and they may want to cover their bodies and still feel like a superhero. I feel like lately that’s the thing that I have seen that makes sense to me. We’re not teaching our daughters to lead with their bodies, but with their fortitude, minds, and strength. And they’re still seen as beautiful.”

(mild spoilers ahead) When Eddie’s sad he looks miserable and teary and openly expresses why. He shrieks when he’s startled. He panics when he’s confused and worried. He silently screams when he’s angry and can’t do anything about it. He reacts to the events of the movie in a way that someone might actually respond.

Critics are just so used to machismo in their superhero movies that they don’t know what to do in the absence of it.

This isn’t a joke.

Jenna Marbles was one of the original big channel Youtubers. I remember being in middle school and quoting her constantly, and never having to explain the reference. Everyone knew who Jenna was.

Then, time passed as it does. And like most youtubers, her following shrunk overtime. People outgrew her or lost interest. I myself stopped watching her for years, except for the occasion “I wonder what Jenna’s doing” search.

But what did she decide to do? Was she gonna pander to her audience, or do challenge videos to keep her views up?

No.

She decided to do whatever she freaking wanted.

She literally follows whatever crazy, impulsive thoughts she has and doesn’t really care what we think.

One week she thought, “I wonder how many balloons it would take to float Marbles up in the air?” And she found out.

“I should cover my entire face with rhinestones” Yes please.

“I want to blend into my green screen” YES. ABSOLUTELY.

She does what she wants, and its entertaining as hell. I love being subscribed to Jenna cuz I literally have no idea what’s coming this Wednesday/Thursday, but I know she’s gonna be having a great time doing it.

Jenna Marbles is an icon. She’s what I aspire to be. We should all learn from her to follow our dreams, no matter how unusual they may seem.

Bonus: Here’s some screenshots from her as a green screen

Art Teacher: Can you explain some of the reasons why my students would need to refine their writing skills? My Boss: [Long and slightly pretentious explanation about how artists need to explain and unpack the meaning of their art and their motivations and write museum blurbs] Me [a writing tutor, watching a group of 30 students shut down]: …may I say something? Art Teacher: …yes? Me: I’m friends with professional illustrators, folks who work in the comics industries, people who do 3D printing for a living, and people who do commissioned art. And the best reason to refine your writing is to be able to explain to people why it’s worth something, and be able to get other people excited about what you’re doing so that you don’t “die from exposure”. Portfolio summaries are important. So is social media. Everything from instagram captions to Patreon posts- Students: [instantly perk up and pay attention] Art Teacher: [interrupting me with a nervous laugh] Yes well we all need to make a living, but REAL artists- Students: [all tune out again]

STOP!!! FUCKING!!! DOING THIS!!! Art students deserve to know how the skills they’re learning will help them professionally, regardless of how they choose to use their art degree. Teaching that there’s only one way to “make it” as an artist is what literally STOPPED ME FROM DOING ART because I knew I was never going to be a museum artist. (All I wanted to do was doodle fairies.)