Final thoughts …
One could be surprised in regards to the various types of guerilla media out there today. Rather you choose to get your work seen on the side of a building, create a mini movie with character of World of Warcraft, or you stand up for yourself and your community in the inner workings of underground press.
I was personally amazed at the drive that individuals had and how they didn’t get let anyone stand in their way. With the films we watched in class regarding graffiti and seeing these individuals risk, not only their lives but possibly getting ostracized by their community. The daring task that people risk to just be heard, if not vocally, than visually; is one that I can truly respect. If only someone could be educated, like I have and others in my class, in regards to guerilla media, than maybe this world wouldn’t be so arrogant to the creative side of individuals.
I once was so unaware of the extend this guerilla media class would go and hearing in depth the stories of people, the forms of guerilla media that I have never heard of, and the how abundant a community could be with followers. It makes you have a entire new outlook and also makes you think more deeply instead of just glancing at the subject or topic in question.
For example, I’ve always seen graffiti artist as being associated with crime but after seeing films, television shows, and reading up on individuals stories, I realized I was completely wrong. Not only was I stereotyping the field of street art but I was underestimating the amount of people partaking in the art.
Another guerilla media form that I really took a liking to was the punk subculture and the D.I.Y form. In researching the scene in its entirety and the reasoning behind these kids doing what they are doing, makes you realize that maybe I should stand up for something I believe in. Rather than sit and turn the other cheek, maybe I need to express myself, rather that be street art, a zine, or even taking an active role in my community. Something to show that I support the guerilla media in its entirety. Even if I wasn’t doing something that would having an effect on my community, I might be able to help someone understand the active role they could take just be being open to change and being open to taking the road less traveled. Seeing how much I have changed my outlook on punk, fandom, fanzines, memes, and hactivism to name a few; I feel almost like a different person because I opened my eyes.
Could just anyone be a graffiti artist or develop a machinima that gets world wide attention? Probably not but it isn’t about being able to do the forms of alternative media but supporting those who do.
For now, I will leave you with my favorite little clips of machinima …. World of Warcraft.
