Fellow Pixar Planet members, for my final English project, I had to define what an American Identity truly means. I had to present a project (music/movie) than give a speech, analyzing how the project relates me my American Identity.
Being the music lover and movie love I am, it is hard for me to decided what to present. That was when I thought, "why can’t I just do what I am good at? Combining both into one music video?
I started thinking what song I could use and what movie I could use. Well, I am indeed an overly obsessed fanatic of Incredibles. So I had my movie of choice. Then I started thinking of a theme to go with it. I always thought that Americans had goals, ambitions, and dreams in life. So I decided to use that. This made my song choice a little easier. “It Doesn’t Matter” is one of my most favorite songs of all time. So I started planning how I could combine all three into one project. After a week or so, I finally had it done.
I encourage you to watch it first and then read my analysis. Trust me, I think you will learn from my perspective and gain some inspiration. And now, with out further ado, here is my. . .
The Incredibles: American Identity project.
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Everyone has a dream. Whether it’s going to college, having a family, having a dream job, it doesn’t matter. We all have dreams. Well, what is your dream? Are you determined to achieve it? What were some of the challenges you had to face in order to accomplish your dream?
This music video that I made sort of explains what my American Identity is. Basically, I believe Americans are determined dreamers. The movie I used in this music video was The Incredibles, written and directed by Brad Bird. The song is called “It Doesn’t Matter”, sung by Tony Harnell.
This first stanza describes how I don’t show off, or brag about what I do. Instead, i live by my own goals, my own dreams, and my own style. I refuse to live up to what other people expect of me. I have my own heart of gold that I follow . . . my heart of gold.
One of the challenges that Americans face in accomplishing their dreams is other people. In this world, many people try to bring dreamers down, conforming them into the “normal” society. I see Americans jealous of people’s dreams. What do they do? They mock, criticize, tease and taunt the dreamers in an effort to bring them down.
However, according to Dash, he says that, “our powers were nothing to be ashamed of. Our powers made us special.” This means that Americans should not be afraid or ashamed of their skills, their goals, their dreams. Dreams are what make an individual special. Hiding it will only hurt you.
Looking at people everyday, one must come to ask himself/herself. What is normal? Each person has their own different dreams, talents, abilities, and goals that make them all unique. There is no such thing as normal.
It doesn’t matter what happens, what people say, or what people think. Most Americans and I refuse to give up on our dreams. Rather than running away, people fight for what they believe in. They won’t stop while they are still passionate about it. It doesn’t matter what the obstacles Americans face, just as long as they are determined to get over them, nothing can stop them.
There isn’t any time for dreamers to look back. If they look anywhere else, thy won’t see the road ahead of them. Life is too short to be regretful.
Just like a Super’s identity, dreams are people’s most valuable possession. He/She must do anything and/or everything they can to protect it. Even if it means using their own power that he/she possesses.
These words have followed people who have accomplished their goals from the start. Go for it, face all challenges, fight it, and come out victorious in the end.
You pursue your own dream, your dream. This isn’t anyone’s but yours. That is the message in this stanza. Only you can follow it. You make you dreams happen. One must take the initiative to do so.
Doubt is one of the few obstacles that you face in life. Only you set up this obstacle and therefore, only you can overcome it. You have the power to do it. All you must do is dig up the courage within you. When the time comes to make something happen, “you’ll know what to do.” The answers come from inside you.
In the 1950s, Martin Luther King “had a dream.” he dreamed of ending segregation and racism. But was this dream easy to accomplish? No it wasn’t. Was the road to racial equality smooth and easy? No it wasn’t! Martin Luther King faced many challenges and difficulties during his pursuit of freedom for all the blacks. These included violence, death-threats, bombings, etc. But that didn’t stop his dream. Not even death could stop his dream. Martin Luther King desired to make his dream a reality.
So I ask you once again. What is your dream? Are you determined to achieve it? What were some of the challenges you had to face in order to accomplish your dream? Because, accoring to Bob Parr, your dreams “are [your] greatest adventure.” Don’t miss it.