Page 2

GAMES & TECH

Cyclist Culture on the Rise in Los Angeles

FEATURES

Art Through the Eyes of Arnold Randall

Page 6

Who Said the Gaming World Was Just a Boys Only Club?
Page 9

NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 5

MAY 2010

INDEX
NEWS FOOD & FUN FEATURES GAMES & TECH LIFE & STYLE 2-3 4-5 6-8 9 10-11

Front cover images courtesy of Else ICR and Zen. This months cover is inspired by the street art and the grafti culture that surrounds Los Angeles. Grafti traces its roots to the early street art movements and has become its own viable art form. Feature on Else ICR on Page 8.

MAY 2010

NEWS
who ride for recreation and fun. The Midnight Ridazz is just one of many websites where users can post and view rides throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Rides like these help connect hundreds of cyclists and is a source of community fun for someone who is new to the bicycle realm. You can ride with fellow bicyclists on any given night of the week, and there are all different types of rides to choose from. Bikes are a great way of meeting new people says Los Angeles cyclist Alex Hopkins. I love that I can go out no matter where I am in LA, and meet someone who has a bike. Alex often rides with the Midnight Ridazz, and has even led his own ride through downtown Los Angeles. Whether you want to go on a social ride with a slow place and many stops, or if you want to push yourself as a rider and cover large distances, Midnight Ridazz has something for everyone. The bicycle is becoming a source of pride and connectivity for the everyday

The Modern Day Los Angeles Cyclist

By Cody Browning Los Angeles, among other cities, is seeing a large increase in cyclists on the roads and bike trails. In many countries bicycles are used purely as a means of transportation and in major metropolitan areas, they are becoming more and more common. Because of the constant congestion and freeway traffic, more people are looking to alternate means of getting themselves around; for most, this means hopping on a bike and avoiding the congestion. It requires no gas, causes no pollution, and, unless there is an unexpected issue, is virtually free. However, riding on a bicycle through LA can be a hazardous idea. Regardless of California state law, most motorists forget to pay attention to the road let alone cyclists. This danger however, does not dissuade them from forming groups and biking all over town. While a great number of people ride bikes as their sole means of transportation, there is a rapidly growing number
Graphic Design

Photo by Cody Browning/Contributor

Bicycle signs are going up all over Los Angeles urging motorists to pass with care. Most signs are in both English and Spanish.

Editor-In-Chief: Kevin Hidalgo Newspaper President: Dante Colombatti Assistant Editor: Justin Fitzwater Games Editor: Andrea Emmes Public Relations Director: Kyle Hogland Marketing and Social Media: Chalita Walden Advertising Graphics: Kelsey Campbell Reporters: Christopher Atkins, Max Beard, Richard Castillo, Tiffany Kantor, Paeng Maneeraj, Leslie Mendez, Ryan Stuhl, Casey Sunich Photographers: Baokhanh Hoang, Brennen Scott Illustrators: Justin Fitzwater Web Designer: Ryan Stuhl Advisor: Khara Cloutier Proof Reader: Andie Karras Contributors: Cody Browning, Christopher Estes, Elena Nishi, Matt Olson Email: News@LACanvas.com Public Relations: PR@LACanvas Sales: Sales@LACanvas.com Phone: (818) 485-2486

rider in Los Angeles. As the number of cyclist rise, so grows the heart and passion for the sport. Whether you are young or old, ride for pleasure or necessity, have a junk bike or ride one that costs more than your car, you will be happy to see that being a cyclist is becoming more acceptable in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.
Photo by Cody Browning/Contributor

Some Midnight Ridazz rides stop frequently to socialize and eat together.

11054

MAY 5, 2010

THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY

For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases, send to News@LACanvas.com

THE ART INSTITUTE of California - Hollywood

5250 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
The college newspaper is published as a learning experience. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibilities of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinion expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, Art Institutes, or any ofce or employee herein. No material may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of L.A. Canvas.

Ask For Juan Lopez Get Special Offers!

Ask About Our Free Phone!

NEWS
Marketing Goes Viral
By Justin Fitzwater
Game Art & Design

MAY 2010

Photo by Justin Fitzwater/LA Canvas

ake websites, fake posters, pretend job postings, elaborate staged press conferences for made-up companies, and rallies for imaginary politicians are just a few recent examples of what is referred to as viral marketing. The idea of viral marketing is not a new one. It is a somewhat higher tech version of what is also known as guerilla marketing, defined by Amanda Vega from VendorSeek. com as Unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. Consumers are going to talk about the things or places they enjoy, and giving them an avenue through which to do that increases the chances that youll be the subject up for discussion. Now the message is being developed and honed daily. You dont need an army of specialists to tell you what the message is, says Saul Kaplan from MassHighTech.com. This sentiment is heartily shared by Nguyen and Thi Tran, owners and creators of Starry Kitchen, which recently opened in California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. In an interview with Nguyen, he discusses how sites, like Twitter and Facebook, have been essential to the success theyve seen thus far. Social networks like these are being used by companies to explore new marketing strategies that are appealing and more accessible to the average consumer. Weve been using social media from the very beginning, said Tran. What grew out of This own passion for creating unique dishes and posting them as profile pictures on her Facebook page turned into a donation-based operation run from the back door of their apartment. The Trans invited friends, who then invited their friends, and using viral marketing on Facebook and Twitter the word about This creations

spread like wildfire. Eventually, the Trans apartment was rated five stars on Yelp.com and they were hosting upwards of 150 people from their living room. It was no question that they were seeing tremendous success, so when the opportunity to open their own restaurant arose they didnt hesitate to act upon it. Since officially opening for business on February 16, they have seen a gradual increase in daily customers with lines that stretch out the front door. As internet and technology become ever more integrated into our everyday lives, it is important for advertisers to continue finding fresh, new ways of keeping consumers interested. Continually evolving their menu and their online posts is an important part of the marketing strategy for Starry Kitchen. Their menu alternates every two weeks, and they have yet to repeat a dish. Nguyen also includes posts about other food theyve been eating or various topics that are on their minds that arent necessarily meant for promoting Starry Kitchen. He uses social media to further our culture of having fun, and that fun is part of what keeps their audience entertained and continually interested in their restaurant. When asked whether he thought they would have seen such success without social media, Nguyen replies, Nowith a big N-O! We wouldnt have gone nearly as far as we did today, and also have the foundation of fandom/family/community that we have now. The success of viral marketing is largely dependent upon the feeling of community that users feel as they are empowered to have a voice about the things they care about. Successful companies have discovered how to utilize this idea to their advantage, and continue to get consumers more involved in the community theyve built.

LA CANVAS ADS STAND OUT!

Largest selection of eclectic vintage clothing and costumes, for women and men.
818.761.6627 11024 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood CA. 91601
SomeoneElsesClothing@gmail.com

SALES & RENTALS Most Everything Photographic LightingDigitalCamerasFilmProjs

4800 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood CA. 91601 Corner of Vineland 9am-6pm M-F 9am-5pm Sat

sales@lac

MAY 2010

FOOD & FUn

L.A.s Original Diner
is unmatched, with its 26 red leather bar stools wrapping a horseshoe countertop, plaid wallpaper and terrazzo floor. Most of the servers, sporting white aprons and paper hats, have been slinging burgers at the Apple Pan for close to 40 years. The menu is short, precise, and affordable. The most popular item is the Hickory Burger. Its served greasy spoon style wrapped in wax paper and without a plate. The process of building this work of art begins with freshly ground meat made freshly into a patty and cooked to perfection on a flattop griddle. Its served on an almost sweet, toasted white bun, along with a huge wedge of crisp lettuce, pickles, mayo, a good slice of Tillamook cheddar, and finished with a splash of their own smoky hickory sauce. This burger is a heavenly experience from first to last bite. Its a perfect dichotomy with the combination of warm beef, crisp lettuce, soft bun, and tangy finish. In addition to this burger event, they also offer delectable apple, pecan, and cream pies. Soft drinks are served from a can that can be poured into a white paper cone that fits inside a metallic holder. There are many pop culture references to the Apple Pan, including film and television appearances, but the largest reference is most likely linked to the Johnny Rockets chain. This chains founder, Ronn Teitlebaum, has claimed that he used the Apple Pan as a model for his popular 1940s-themed franchise. This diamond in the rough is worth the drive, no matter where you are located. If youre looking to save money why not kill two birds with one stone and not only eat cheap but also experience one of this countrys best burgers. The Apple Pan is located at 10801 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 900642105. Theyre open from 11 a.m. to Midnight on Tuesday Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

By Christopher Estes

Graphic Design

I have been eating, and in a way, researching burgers for over twenty years. I have eaten thousands of burgers at various bbqs, stands, restaurants, and dives, but not many hold a candle to the Hickory Burger at the Apple Pan Restaurant. The Apple Pan is a throwback to the early days, and has resisted change even with obvious temptation to franchise. It opened in 1947 on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The ambiance

A Golden Delight
By Matt Olson
Graphic Design

Horchata Cocktail
3 oz Vodka 3 oz Horchata Pour Vodka and Horchata over rocks, mix well, and enjoy. Yield: 1 serving.

orchata is a delicious, refreshing and authentic drink, popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a smooth and light tasting milk and rice drink, made with vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. One legend links the origins of Horchata to James of Aragon, who after being given the drink for the first time by a Catalan speaking local in Spain, was said to have exclaimed Xata! (Thats gold!) If youre looking for something new to mix with your vodka then this smooth, Christmas-y tasting beverage is perfect. Mexican restaurants use Horchata with coconut rum, such as Goldschlager but in good Russian form, I would say to stick with vodka.

Photo by Christopher Estes/Contributer

The Apple Pan Diner serves authentic burgers for all taste buds. This classic burger is a staple of The Apple Pans menu.
Photo by Matt Olson/Contributer

Music

Elena Nishi

Playlist - Tired of England

Hollywood might be famous for its movie industry, but theres something even more important, which keeps getting bigger every year. Heres a playlist with some of the best up and coming indie rock bands of the Los Angeles scene.

10%
( With Ad)

WE

Graphic Design

Name
Asleep At The Trigger Middle Distance Runner Day To Day Momentary Shelter We Are Lost The Other Girl Little Lovers So Polite Sun Hands Angry Storm Love, Violent Love

Artist
Autolux Sea Wolf Eulogies Fools Gold The Like Young Veins Silversun Pickup Local Natives Everest Music Go Music

Album
Future Perfect Lives In The River Here Anonymous Fools Gold Are You Thinking What Im Thinking? Take A Vacation Carnavas Sun Hands Ghost Notes Expressions
volume

off!

BEST PIZZA IN NOHO! Pizzas Starts at $4.99 PICK UP ONLY FREE DELIVERY! 1 BLOCK away from AI
11300 MAGNOLIA BLVD

PIZZA
5250 LANKERSHIM BLVD

818.766.1190

11300 Magnolia Blvd. #9 NoHo CA 91601

M-Thur 10-11 F-SAT 10-12am Sun 11-11

4821 Lankershim Bl. #G, North Hollywood, CA 91601 Tel. 1.818.760.7977 WIFI Internet available

50c / GIFT CARD

100% NATURAL FRUIT SMOOTHIES*ESPRESSO CAPPUCCINO*LATTE*TEA*COFFEE*COCO*FRAPPE VEGGIE WRAPS*SANDWICHES*BREAKFAST

Gift card applies only on item on the menu board

FOOD & FUN

By Christopher Atkins
Media Arts & Animation

MAY 2010

Lose Your Mind with Oldboy

F
rom South Korean director Park ChanWook comes Oldboy, a dark, twisted film about torture, insanity, and the search for truth. Based on the Japanese manga by the same name, this film follows a simple business man by the name of Oh Dae-su as he sits locked in solitary confinement. For 15 years, he remains trapped alone in a single room, struggling daily to keep his mind from the brink of insanity. Suddenly, he is let loose, unaware of why or how he has earned his way to freedom. Unable to simply rejoin civilian life, he searches for answers. Who were his captors? What did they want? What purpose could his imprisonment serve? Witness the amazing web of events that lead to truth and a dark

conspiracy no one could have imagined. See for yourself why this film is rated as one of the top ten Asian films of all time.

Hit Girl Saves Kick-Ass

By Paeng Maneeraj
Fashion Design

Rating: 2 out of 5 Kick-Ass kicked some a** at the box office, but I must say that it didnt kick as much a** as I expected. Ill give it props for giving it a catchy title, but this superhero flick really wasnt one to mark down in your books, not even as a wannabe-hero. For those who have read the comic and now love the movie, I could care less. Watching Kick-Ass was mildly entertaining, and though David Lizewskis humiliation and failed attempts at common sense kept some of us awake and kicking in our seats, for me it was casual: he was humorous but not entertainingly hilarious. Hit Girl, played by Chlo Grace Moretz, was a spectacle. She carried the film, and without her as the lead, it

would have probably been a great just got my a**-kicked type of movie where not even Nicholas Cage in a fake batman costume could have saved it. The father-daughter relationship scenes plus all the bloody graphics were unexpectedly impressive. Some might reject the idea of

watching violence surround a violent eleven year old, but lets be real, the film is called Kick-Ass. Dont take the kiddies to see something that sounds like they wont be playing with toy guns and action figures. The McLovin kid, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, played Red Mist, whose purpose is to be the films lame excuse for a villain; but instead of having his character be super bad, he was just another excuse to practice my eye rolling exercises. The soundtrack was pleasing though and fit into the action sequences quite nicely. Though Kick-Ass failed to deliver street cred in his green suit and combat boots, thanks to Hit Girl and some hyper-violent scenes, the movie was tolerable to sit through. It was slightly more than mediocre, but just short of awesome.

Banksy Film Offers an Inside Look at Street Art

By Richard Castillo Rating: 3 out of 4 French shop owner Thierry Guetta proved the old saying that art imitates life after he attempted the impossible by trying to make the first street art movie. The subject of graffiti art and its artists is fully explored in the hilarious documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop. The movie follows the obsession of Guetta as an amateur filmmaker. In sweetly funny moments, we see his
Digital Filmmaking and Video Production

9am - 7pm

Custom Body Trims Engine Service Custom Wheels Sounds & Accessories Car Sale Consultants

domestic life with his wife and kids, as he captures every minute with them on film. In the late nineties, Guetta became fascinated with street art after following his cousin, Invader, who went around pasting up images of characters from the video game, Space Invaders. Through Invader, Guetta was introduced to another famous street artist, Shepard Fairey. Fairey recently regained notoriety with his Hope design poster for President Barack Obama. Guetta thirsted for more, and grew obsessed with the underground art world. His dream came true when he got the chance to interview the infamous Banksy. It was at this point in the film that Guettas passion let him to test out his own talents as a street artist. As he performed and displayed his graffiti art, he became known as Mr. Brainwash. The movie is filled with humorous insights about one man whose own obsession ended in turning his whole life upside down. He is not the most inventive filmmaker, and his limited talent becomes apparent as he edits many hours of interviews and graffiti paintings into a boring documentary. The film, however, does have some touching moments and the audience feels for Guetta who has a genuine love for his subject matter and struggles to express who he is and what he really wants. Any fellow filmmaker would surely understand his agony.

MAY 2010

FEaTURES

l l a d n a R d l o n Ar
s e y e y M h g u Thro
My artwork is a description of life as seen through my eyes.

Art

h c i n u S y e s a By C

ign Fashion Des

efore I even met Arno ld Ra nda ll, every time I lo oked at one o f his piec es, I felt I already k new h im. A s I turned the corn er of th e roo ftop ga llery ato p the Music Box at Projec t Ethos la st mont h, h is f irst piec e to o k my b rea th away. We a re t he unt old, the forgo tten,

o ppo rtu nities a nd overseeing the p ro c ess o r p rogress o f co mp leted records a nd demos. He enjoy s working

our r elevan ce is wea ker th an the c au se yet we ar e stro nger th an any bomb ca sua lties of war, is t he quote a tta ch ed to Ra nd alls p iec e. Th ere a re some t hings you co me a cro ss in life an d they cha nge you. Th is piece cha nged me. After viewing h is work , I t old my self I had to get t o kn ow h im; I h ad to get to know th e ma n behind t he ar t. Ran da ll wa s born in En gla nd and moved to West Afric a at a young age. He rememb ers his many experienc es and memories thro ugh ou t his ch ildh ood. T he Af rican sun, the b egga rs an d the h omeless, the beauty and the foo d, a nd th e beatings t hro ugho ut his s chooling which all co ntr ibute t o his ma st erpieces. Alth ou gh he says he h as on ly been pain ting for little over a yea r, th e one th in g th at tu rns his a rt fr om good to gr eat is t he f eeling he gets from his past , con tinuing t o meet n ew peo ple a nd int erpreting t hose diff eren t k inds o f peop le. His biggest suppo rter by fa r, he say s, ha s been his mot her. Sin ce his ch ildh ood , she alway s push ed him to exer cise h is talents, use his gifts, an d fo llow his dreams. When asked who his biggest influ enc e was, Ran da ll didnt hes it ate to rec all ba ck to his f irst a rt sh ow wh ere he met Charles Bib bs. I c ouldn t catch my br eath fa st eno ugh after seeing h is work . His art in spired me a lmo st as much as h is stor y. During t he show he walked over to my art display steadily chew ing his gum, with his ha nds cla sped b ehind his ba ck h e smiled, th en lo oked at me and said So n, you got it . Ha! T ho se th ree wo rd s really mad e me feel like ar t wa s my calling. Sur pr isin gly, Ran dall has h ad no fo rmal ar t tr aining; h e was self -t augh t fro m trial an d error. His experimenta tion with vario us tech niques a nd differ ent st yles growing up h as str ength ened his a bilities. He reca lls trying to copy the images of ra ndom peo ple a nd wo uld pick th e fac es th at seemed to have the most to say. He wo uld capt ur e tha t intense feelin g of emo tion thr ough pencil a nd pa per, and being an art ist mys elf ; I c ould easily f inish his sen ten ce for him Its a p retty powerfu l f eelin g. Wh en he is no t c reatin g, Rand all works fo r AG One En tertainment, a gra ssro ots mu sic entity b ased o ut o f Orange Co un ty, Ca lifo rnia. He wo rks in th e marketing an d d evelopment d ep artment exp loring

there bu t so on hop es to c onsid er h imself a fu ll time a rtist, crea ting mea ningfu l art fo r oth ers th at send a p urpo sefu l messa ge. Fo r Ra nd all, the d ay he sto ps p ainting with ou t a message rela tive to him an d his life, will be the day h e puts dow n his brush forever. Photo grap hy has been on his min d recently and h e ho pes tha t travel will further in fluence h is a rt. However, the b u siness side to p romotin g himself keeps h im b u sy eno ugh . As many a rtists d o, Arnold stru ggles w ith c reatin g pieces o f work an d bra nd ing himself to cu ra tors a nd buyers, a s well a s prospective c ustomers. H e reco mmends the latest book he ju st p icked u p called Th e Business of Being a n A rtist by D aniel Gran t. I t ta ught me a lot a lready, the bu siness like my a rt, will get better w ith time, said Ra nd all. Pa tienc e is the most impo rta nt lesson Randall has learned ab ou t b eing an a rtist. Dealing with the frustratio n an d the c reative blo cks that c ome with an artistic c areer is d iff ic ult, and he rec o mmen ds dro pping everyth ing and just walking away. I have never fo rced ou t a piece o f art desp ite my fru stra tio ns, says Ran da ll. Faith with ou t wo rk is d ead . He remind s himself th at its great to have faith tha t yo u c an a nd w ill d o b etter in life; bu t w itho ut actio n th ere is no thing. He has go tten to w here he is bec au se of a c tion and the belief th at h is hard wo rk will o nly o pen doors to b igger a nd better o pp ortunities. At Project E tho s in Ma rch, Ran da ll showc ased all his best piec es. Two yea rs ago he had never ima gin ed he wo uld be pa rt of such a hu ge event. He to ld me he wa s supp osed to premiere in the 2009 sh ow a fter a friend gave him a plu g and E tho s liked his wo rk. Only one pro blem, tho ugh , he ha d ju st a sma ll handful o f p iec es, no ne o f which he was 100% happy with . E tho s con tinu ed to like his wo rk well in to the next yea r and inv ited him a gain to be a pa rt o f the event, I a c cep ted , a nd the rest is history, he said . In the future, he wo uld like to make a healthy liv ing off his art o r p ossibly work as an a rt d irecto r somewh ere in c o rp ora te America, o r may be bec o me a n a rt tea ch er. You can catch a ll o f his amazing p ieces, stay up d ated with all his events and learn even mo re ab ou t him on his web site at w w w.arnold ran da lla rt.com.
Art and Photos Courtesy of Arnold Randall

MAY 2010

Painting It Gold
Interview with Grafti Artist ELSE ICR by Leslie Mendez
THe Beginning I was born in New York, but grew up in North Hollywood on the Sun Valley border. I started doodling as a kid in New York City, but my doodles werent really anything, until the early 80s, when the hiphop movement changed the way when it came to graffiti and street art. Art EdUcatiOn In Junior High, I got noticed by TDK; a Los Angeles street crew from Pico Union. They became my first street crew and my first established crew was GFA. BABA and GREM were the writers that took me under their wing and opened my eyes to a lot. I will always be thankful for that. They took me to all the original L.A. yards: the Belmont tunnel, the Motor Yard, and Union Pacific Yard. They showed me what the first generation of L.A. graffiti was all about. GraFFiti & Gangs Its never been a gang thing. Graffiti has always been graffiti. At some point, it got lumped into hiphop because it came out of New York along with similar movements, but if you look at the original writers, half of them had nothing to do with hip-hop, they were just graph writers. It was its own independent thing. Graff has worked the same way skateboarding has to pull away from surfing culture and become its own art form. Writers BLOcK I pull influences from different things and force my way through it. I will draw, draw, draw and keep going. Sometimes I get frustrated, and I will be stressed out and worked up for two or three days. I laugh at the fact that I am stressing out over drawing letters. Its just the English language. I know its totally ridiculous, but its what I do. OLd Vs New ScHOOL There was a time when the older top guys really looked down on all the newcomers. I didnt understand that. Over the past few years, we have reconnected with a lot of kids, making sure to bring them up with us by training them. The top guys at one time were like, I dont talk to toys, then the thought of MySpace just dawned on me. I was the first graff writer that I knew of who showed their face and shared aspects of their private life on MySpace. Everyone thought I was crazy, but these kids looked up to me and started to hit me up. I dont look down on these kids for wanting to identify or connect with us. I think its natural. I mean, if I was a kid and had the number to someone on the Dodgers, I would call him up, too. I feel like we cant blame anyone but ourselves if this scene gets destroyed. I made an effort to connect with these kids not on a fan level, but on a real level. THe FUtUre Most writers have gone into tattooing or graphic design; those seem to be the two most popular avenues. I am planning on taking Graphic Design and Web Design at Trade Tech because I want to have skills to design, but I dont want to turn into a designer that used to be a graffiti artist. I want to be a professional graffiti artist. I am a graffiti artist. Its tough because no one else is doing it. I dont want to take the easy, safe way out. I believe one day there will be as many legal graffiti yards as there are skate parks. I want to open up nationwide outlets for kids. I feel like its part of our culture and its not going away. It needs to be understood, and if you give kids a place to do that, they will. We need more outlets for the kids in LA. Being ReaL I dont know where I came up with this, but it just stuck with me. It was something I wanted to put up next to a piece and it became a catch phrase for my crew and me, and its become a slogan I live by: I used to paint it all black in my dark days for my story thats told, but on my rise to the top I paint it all gold. I feel like the kind of people that would pull something from that are the kind of people Im trying to reach. THe Masterpiece The one I havent done yet. I dont think I am ever going to have my masterpiece, its always going to be an evolution. I feel like I am old but not so old that I cant accomplish new things. I want people to look at the body of work Ive done the way people look at the Sistine Chapel. I just want to keep pushing and keep pushing.
Graphic Design

FEATURES

Photo Courtesy of ELSE ICR

Else sprays the nishing touches on his character and always represents his hometown, L.A.

Photo By Brennen Scott/LA Canvas

GamES & TEcH

By Andrea Emmes
Game Art & Design

MAY 2010

Gaming Isnt Just a Boys Club Anymore

s the gaming industry moves toward the future, one would be safe to assume that the workplace is also changing with the times; however, women are still finding it difficult to break into an industry strongly dominated by men. With high definition visuals and 3-D cinematic qualities that rival most films, technology in the gaming industry is advancing just as quickly, yet being a women in the game industry still makes you a minority in a male driven industry. Because of this, careers in this field are becoming more viable and sought after, making it difficult for even the most qualified woman to earn one of these coveted spots. When asked, Judy Tyrer, of Red Storm Entertainment, explains that she got into gaming because she believed there was a vast market of games for women that was untapped, and I wanted to build games that I wanted to play,

and use games to bridge the gap between what kids wanted to learn and the way our schools numb them to what is valuable to learn in life. Tyrer is one of three technical women on a team of 80 engineers, and is faced daily with issues of diversity in approach and validation amongst her peers. Tyrer is also the chair of the Quality of Life SIG, monitoring the treatment of developers in the industry. Jason Martin, Senior Concept Artist for a slot machine game company in Florida, states that 43% of video game players are women, and though theyre a minority in most studios, thats a growing minority. The majority of my bosses in design and animation studios have been women, which I think is a great sign of the times. Women in gaming have always seemed to exist merely as visual stimulation for an audience largely comprised of males. Lara Croft, a popular heroine icon, is still largely portrayed in a strongly suggestive light. There are a few strong female characters like Samus Aran and Nariko, but new heroines like Bayonetta are still overly sexual. Huge AAA titles like Halo, Final Fantasy and Gears of War have provided games with strong women leads whose sexuality is less of an issue than their playability.

Dona Bailey was the first female game designer to create one of the biggest arcade games, Centipede. Even though most games are designed and played by men, women are becoming a force to be reckoned with in an industry thats becoming less of the boys club it once was. Not only are female developers thriving, but games geared towards women, like Mrs. Pac Man, the Sims, and Farmville are seeing huge profits from the girl gamer community. Women, both in the real and digital world, are increasingly seeing the sort of respect they deserve. While the ratio of men to women in the workplace remains low, it will take a strong, steady influx of talented female designers, developers, and engineers to prove that women belong and can thrive in the gaming world.

Apples New Tech Toy Hits Market

By Rhyan Stuhl
Web Design & Interactive Media

On April 3, Apple Inc. released the new iPad on the market and it has since been the number one topic around the water cooler. Apple Inc. reports an estimated 300,000 iPads sold on their first day on the market. So...whats the verdict? Hot or not? To begin, the iPad has the same design flaw that the iPhone has: a battery that cannot be replaced. Conversely, specialists argue that using a non-interchangeable battery allows for an extended battery life. So, should you rush out and buy one or not? Heres the nitty gritty. The pros: You can watch videos, read and respond to emails, and read eBooks on a large, back-lit screen. People who are used to using an iPhone in place of a laptop can now have the best of both worlds.

fancy iPad. Currently the iPad runs on the iPhones operating system iPhone OS (currently, version 3.2) not OS X which means it shares its limitations. There is no flash support or multitasking capabilities. Another major drawback is the lack of USB ports, meaning you cannot save files, projects, powerpoints, or homework. One of the most important aspects of the iPad is the availability of applications. No longer will you have to hold the screen an inch from your face to play a game, or wear reading glasses to play Scrabble. The apps of the future will make this a worthwhile investment for the average person on the go. Is the iPad the best bang for your buck? It really depends on your needs and budget. This product is a work in-progress, so you might want to wait for second or third generation before jumping on the iPad band wagon.

Screen capture of MLB 10 game play.

Play ball!
Pros: Best presentation Ive seen yet! Cons: Bugs, crashes. Rating: ABy Max Beard
Digital Photography

Maps will be able to utilize new, augmented features, paving the way for advanced apps. Here are the cons: It has a larger, more vulnerable screen and is not easily portable unless you carry a purse. The 3G network provided by AT&T is great if you are in a bigger city like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or another major metropolitan area, but if you are in a spotty area, you get no service for your

MLB 10: The Show is a baseball simulator by SCE San Diego Studios that aims to perfect the genre. It features 30 Major League and several AAA and AA minor league teams. Throw in bonus Gold and Silver era all-star team members, such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Reggie Jackson, and Ozzie Smith and you have one heckuva baseball game! Theres so much to like about this game. My favorite mode is The Road to the Show where you create a player and level up their stats before getting drafted into the major league. You can choose from a list of

pre-recorded names, and if youre lucky, youll find yours amongst the greats. Hearing the announcers announce my name to the crowd gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling every time I stepped up to the plate. The most glaring flaws in the game are bugs and crashes that seem to appear during the most pivotal moments. Luckily, these issues have already been addressed by a free online update. Once youre online, playing becomes extremely competitive. Your competitors will do whatever they can to strike you out, and it quickly becomes a psychological battle between players. There have been many sports games over the years, but few can instill the actual feeling of playing a sport or being in a stadium. MLB 10 does not disappoint as its presentation comes ever closer to simulating its real life counterpart.

10
MAY 2010

LifE & STYlE

The most surprising trend re-appearing this year are Harem Pants from MC Hammer himself. Dress them with a cute summer tank and your favorite pair of wedges for a cute outt ready to go just about anywhere. The last trend taken from our mothers is the long boyfriend buttoned blazer plus shoulder pads. This super cute blazer goes well with dark skinny jeans and pointed toe stilettos. Keep the shoulder pads, especially if you have small shoulders, however, if youre broad shouldered try this style without.

Mom Inspired Vintage Trends

By Casey Sunich
Fashion Design

From the 60s comes the ever stylish collared button-up denim shirt. Worn as a shirt with colored cut-off shorts or as a tunic style dress with leggings. This fashion DO is one that will continue to be dressed up differently in your wardrobe for years to come.

This month in the spirit of Mothers Day, I wanted to do a tribute to all of our mothers and their fashion DOs. Throughout the years they have managed to combine comfort with fashion without sacricing style.

Another great trend from the 60s is the leather head wrap that really brings out the hippie feeling. This summer add a feather, charm or bold ower to dress it up with your outt.

A great trend from the 70s are fur wraps. Faux or not, this piece inspired by the Audrey Hepburn craze in Breakfast at Tiffanys, will give you the ever so classic vintage little black dress feeling with any evening outt.

Daisy Dukes, a staple of the 70s, are the perfect addition to any beach ready bikini. Also known as hot pants, these became popular from the Dukes of Hazzard TV series. Originally made as high waisted, theyre cute high or low, dark or light, and can be worn at the beach ... or not.

Quarterly Fashion Show Comes to Indexx

Free Delivery Catering Vegetarian & Non Vegetarian Cuisine Lunch Specials: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30-3:00 Dinner: Sun.-Thurs. 3:00-10:00 Fri. & Sat. Dinners: 3:00-11:00

By Chalita Walden

Fashion Marketing

Buy one lunch or dinner with 2 beverages & receive the second of equal or lesser value FREE! From A La Carte menu only, max value $10.95

Lunch or Dinner

Any Delivery, Take-Out, or Dine-In

On any orders of $20 or more from A La Carte menu only

Indexx Clothing store will be the hosting venue for the Fashion Show Production course at the Art Institute of California Hollywood. The show will be Friday, May 28 at 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend but dont be fooled, this isnt your ordinary walk-in event! To take a peak at this show, RSVP with your full name at: FashionInsideINDEXX@ live.com by Monday, May 24!

LifE & STYlE

11
MAY 2010

May Must Haves

By Tiffany Kantor
Fashion Design

The weather is getting warmer and beach days are growing nearer, so this months Must Haves include a crotchet cover up and some colorful ankle wrap sandals that will compliment any pool or beach look. A white crocheted cover up is perfect for the hot sun and covers just enough skin while still exposing some of the bikini hidden underneath. You can find them in stores this season at Forever 21: www.forever21.com If you want a little less exposure while covering up, try an embroidered tunic or gauze summer dress. H&M offers some great options of tunics for any look: www.hm.com For some great Elan gauze dresses and beach pants, you can find a great selection at Dianes Beachwear: www.dianesbeachwear. com To add some more color to your white cover up, try a wrap or braided sandal. The shoes come off regardless of the style when youre at the beach, so why not have some cute sandals dangling from your fingertips? Urban Outfitters has a great selection of both styles. Be sure to pick a color that pops and contrasts the bikini underneath: www. urbanoutfitters.com

Photo Baokhahn Hoang/LA Canvas