LIFE &ART
THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014
Parodies satirize original music
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Halloween returns with classic horror movies The Shining (1980)
you need to stick with it, because people want to subscribe to a channel they know As new music is consistently released has a certain programming structure. Mine by famous singers and artists, it is in- is parody videos, and people love that.” Baker uploaded a music video parody evitable that those songs and their reon Sept. 14 of Nicki Minaj’s famous viral spective music videos will receive both song “Anaconda,” which quickly received praise and criticism. When songs rise in a lot of views and many laughs. As many popularity, it is common for their music people already found the original music videos to dramatically increase in views video for “Anaconda” to be ridiculous on YouTube. With that in mind, many and somewhat funny, an actual famous YouTube artists will decide to humorous interpretation of it create parodies of music videos in orclearly brought enjoyment der to gain views as well. to YouTube viewers. Other A parody of a song or music famous artists whom Baker video is a humorous interpreparodies include Lady Gaga, tation produced to imitate Miley Cyrus, One Directhe original. The main point tion, and Taylor Swift. of creating a parody is to Another famous parody make viewers laugh, as they artist, who goes by the stage are usually heavily exaggername “Weird Al” Yankovated in order to generate a coic, also released parodies of medic effect on the audience. popular songs between the A large number of song and later 1980’s and early 1990’s. music video parodies can be found Some of his parodies actuon YouTube. There are several ally became hit songs on immensely popular channels music charts. Yankovic’s and artists that focus mainly most popular parodies on creating parodies of fawere those of Michael mous music. Some of these Jackson’s songs “Beat It” and well-known channels and art“Bad.” ists include Barely Political, Most believe that paroBart Baker, College Humor, dies are made just for Illustration by Emmanuel Maresca and many more. fun and to make people One of the most popular laugh. However, they may bolster negaaforementioned parody artists is Bart tive comments and criticisms targeted toBaker, a YouTube artist who holds more wards the original artists. than a million subscribers and over 500 “I watched some parodies of popular million total views from his parodies. songs that were actually really fun [to Baker uploads a different parody almost every week solely for his and the view- watch],” junior Eric Thai said. “I think ers’ enjoyment. In an interview with parodies are meant to be made for fun, but New Media Rockstars, he stated that he some parody artists take it to the extreme found making parodies was an easy way and make ones that upset [the original artto make himself known on the Internet ist and their fans].” Many people upload their parodies of and earn money. music videos on YouTube to have fun and “It was clear that there was much to get people to laugh. When you are feelmore traction with parodies,” Baker said. ing bored, perhaps watching some paro“I think if you find something that works, dies will be an enjoyable experience. Roland Fang
Photo by Saul Bass CC/BY
Based on a novel by Stephen King, The Shining follows Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, a writer and recovering alcoholic who takes up a job as a winter caretaker for the isolated Overlook Hotel. During his job interview, Jack is told that the previous caretaker Grady had violently killed himself and his own family. Jack’s young son begins to possess psychic abilities called “the shining,” which enable him to have visions of the past and the future and see ghosts that inhabit the hotel. With writer’s block and the demons of the hotel haunting him, Jack begins to spiral out of control, and the situation takes a turn for the worse as he attempts to follow in Grady’s footsteps. This film has been dubbed one of the greatest films of all time, both in and out of the horror genre.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Photo by Walt Disney Pictures CC/BY
This horror comedy follows the Sanderson Sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who are convicted of witchcraft in Salem, MA and put to death during the 17th century. They are brought back to life when a teenager named Max, his sister Dani, and his friend Allison accidentally resurrect the witches on present-day Halloween. They must stop the sisters’ sinister plan to “drink” away the life force of the children in their town to regain their youth. The funniest moments come from the witches as they struggle to situate themselves in 20th century life. This funny flick was geared toward audiences who prefer the fun, mischievous side of Halloween over the blood and gore.
Carrie (1976)
Photo by Dmon1 CC/BY
Carrie White is a shy high school girl with no friends and an abusive mother who has telekinetic powers. After an embarrassing incident in the showers, a boy feels sorry for Carrie and invites her to prom. However, one of Carrie’s classmates hatches an evil plan that leads to the iconic scene of Carrie in her prom dress, completely covered in blood. The prank turns horribly wrong when Carrie’s mental powers are unleashed and she destroys nearly everything in her path. Carrie is both scary, with its pop up images and screechy violin music, and creepy, with its building tension and vaguely disturbing ideas guaranteed to cause all-nighters. -Briefs written by Kim Pham
Ancient, scary stories haunt San Gabriel High Auditorium Ghost
“The Haunted Hallway”
Students pile in and out of the auditorium for assemblies without knowing the dark secret that lurks backstage. It cannot be dismissed as a petty rumor because there are people to prove it. It was on Nov. 28, 2000 when he heard the noise. Paul Posada, brother of the drama teacher, Mr. Posada, was alone at night in the auditorium at 1 a.m., painting for the drama set. When he finished, he turned off the lights and as he was getting ready to leave, he heard someone shout “Hey!” as all the lights turned back on. When Paul looked back into the room, no one was there. A year later, drama actors were rehearsing for a play in the auditorium at 9 p.m. All of a sudden, the actors stopped what they were doing, and they all pointed at the beams where the lights were. “Somebody is up there!” they yelled in unison. The students claimed they saw a shadow running across the light. The two stage managers went up to the beams to find the mysterious person. However, when they reached the top, they did not see anyone.
As told by Patrick Posada, Drama teacher
Photo by Jazzmin Perez/El Camino Real
The Little Girl in the Bathroom Every school has their own little haunted restroom story. SG also has its own story. In the girls’ restroom, there rests a little girl. Whenever anyone goes in there, the little girl is heard making conversation with them. No one uses that restroom anymore.
The Office Has Its Own Ghosts Working late into the evening, staff members who work in the offices often hear eerie noises. Six years ago, Mr. Castillas was working after school in the attendance office when he heard the sound of little kids giggling coming from the nurse’s office and then the door suddenly slammed shut. Thinking that it was a prank, he went to investigate the noise; however, when he entered the nurses room, no one was there. Likewise, Ms.Beda, who works in the Students’ Services office said she often hears noises as well. Staying as late as 8 p.m., Ms.Beda was alone in her office, but the noises she heard said otherwise. Being the only one in her office, she said that she would hear thumping and creaking noises as if someone were inside the office with her.
As told by Joe Castilla and Beda Ramirez, Data entry control clerk and Guidance tech
As told by Patrick Posada, Drama teacher
Illustrations by Annie Huang