by Jason Joyner | Sep 7, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I’ve got three boys, ages six, four, and two.
The two older ones know half of the songs from High School Musical in just 2 viewings.
What is it about this show that makes it so appealing?
It is a fairly formulaic movie, especially since it comes from Disney. The two young, attractive leads fight adversity that keeps them apart and conspires from them auditioning for the title musical. 
Troy Bolton is the head of the basketball team, trying to lead them to victory at state and make his coach dad proud.
Gabriella is the new girl in school, a brilliant student who is quickly recruited for the academic team.
After the two of them sing a duet accidentally at a New Years’ party, they find that 1. they can sing, and 2. they are attracted to each other.
If you go to watch this movie, try to avoid giving up at this point – because this is the hoakiest moment of the whole film, and pretty painful to watch. 
I’m not going to give the whole film in synopsis – just wanted to point out this pitfall.
So what is High School Musical’s appeal? I don’t know why a 4 and 6 year old are enthralled with it. The songs are catchy, but not super. The plot, as mentioned, is cliche. The actors do a fine job, but we aren’t talking DeNiro and Streep characterization.
And no, it isn’t due to the amazing costumes…
Whatever the appeal to the younger set, there are several things here that I can appreciate. The characters are overall nice to each other. They may make fun of certain things people do, but no one is belittled with snark, as is the custom in our culture anymore. Even the “bad guys” aren’t nasty with put downs. They think they’re the best and look down on Troy and Gabriella, true, but they could be so much worse.
The girls aren’t dressed skanky. The outfits look attractive on the ladies, but we aren’t innundated with flesh. This movie targets 9-14 year olds, so this is a VERY welcome development.
The morale of the story it to accept differences and get beyond the boundaries of cliques. The message comes across well without preaching or being overt.
What does this have to do with a writing blog? (It could technically fall under the “goofy” I suppose). It is possible to craft a pleasing, thoughtful story that is popular without resorting to nastiness, blatant sexuality, or violence. Oh, and it has a catchy soundtrack.
High School Musical won’t be mistaken for a literary masterpiece. But it is a fun movie that whole families can enjoy. Hopefully more entertainment can be like this. If there was only a way to have a soundtrack for a novel, then THAT would be something!
(Aside – it wasn’t like the high school musical I was in. We couldn’t dance like this. I was the yokel who learned to sing by belting out Petra in my car, while I was paired with an All Northwest alto singer for a duet. GULP. We pulled it off though.)
by Jason Joyner | Sep 5, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I started this blog off of inspiration from my friends at faith*in*fiction. It seemed that “everyone else had a blog”, and I was missing out. 😉
This endeavor has been a great joy so far. I’ve interacted with lots of people. This blog was checked out all over Europe thanks to our summer trip to Germany and the link to the Calling All Nations event. I’ve received free books thanks to it!
I started it to talk about writing. Sometimes I feel this was too bold of a move. As a writer, I really am a rank amateur. My only publishing credit so far is being part of the Scenes and Beans blog. I don’t have the experience to really speak of how to improve your writing.
However, one thing I have managed to do is to network with a lot of cool people. I’ve been part of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour, which has some very imaginative people. You can find neat links under posts of mine like “Firebird” or Steven Lawhead or here. I’ve also joined the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, which does a monthly (and soon to be bi-monthly) tour of the latest in Christian fiction. This is an awesome opportunity. If ever you wanted some good links to people and writing, check out all the links in the left hand side under the CFBA. There are 50+ links there, and if I don’t have the goods, you can bet that someone there will.
Hopefully I can continue my networking and point people to other good resources out there. I’ll let you know when I have new items to explore.
by Jason Joyner | Sep 5, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I started this blog off of inspiration from my friends at faith*in*fiction. It seemed that “everyone else had a blog”, and I was missing out. 😉
This endeavor has been a great joy so far. I’ve interacted with lots of people. This blog was checked out all over Europe thanks to our summer trip to Germany and the link to the Calling All Nations event. I’ve received free books thanks to it!
I started it to talk about writing. Sometimes I feel this was too bold of a move. As a writer, I really am a rank amateur. My only publishing credit so far is being part of the Scenes and Beans blog. I don’t have the experience to really speak of how to improve your writing.
However, one thing I have managed to do is to network with a lot of cool people. I’ve been part of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour, which has some very imaginative people. You can find neat links under posts of mine like “Firebird” or Steven Lawhead or here. I’ve also joined the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, which does a monthly (and soon to be bi-monthly) tour of the latest in Christian fiction. This is an awesome opportunity. If ever you wanted some good links to people and writing, check out all the links in the left hand side under the CFBA. There are 50+ links there, and if I don’t have the goods, you can bet that someone there will.
Hopefully I can continue my networking and point people to other good resources out there. I’ll let you know when I have new items to explore.
by Jason Joyner | Sep 1, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here is a man putting his money where his faith is. Derek Webb, formally of Caedmon’s Call, has decided that the issues he talks about on his latest album, Mockingbird, are important enough to be heard that he is giving the album away.
Free.
Free music.
I don’t know how many of you like free stuff, but I for one am interested. But I am mostly interested in hearing his thoughts and entering into a discussion about them. FreeDerekWebb started today. Take advantage of this, and we’ll talk more about it later!
by Jason Joyner | Sep 1, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here is a man putting his money where his faith is. Derek Webb, formally of Caedmon’s Call, has decided that the issues he talks about on his latest album, Mockingbird, are important enough to be heard that he is giving the album away.
Free.
Free music.
I don’t know how many of you like free stuff, but I for one am interested. But I am mostly interested in hearing his thoughts and entering into a discussion about them. FreeDerekWebb started today. Take advantage of this, and we’ll talk more about it later!
by Jason Joyner | Aug 31, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I mentioned that I had been interviewed by the local paper, The Morning News, regarding my part in Brandilyn Collins’ Scenes and Beans blog. Well, the article is in the paper today! Find all the sordid details here. The elusive author was even caught in his natural surroundings!
Nice article – I hope that people around will check out Violet Dawn and Kanner Lake and find themselves entertained. Thanks for the opportunity Brandilyn!
by Jason Joyner | Aug 31, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I mentioned that I had been interviewed by the local paper, The Morning News, regarding my part in Brandilyn Collins’ Scenes and Beans blog. Well, the article is in the paper today! Find all the sordid details here. The elusive author was even caught in his natural surroundings!
Nice article – I hope that people around will check out Violet Dawn and Kanner Lake and find themselves entertained. Thanks for the opportunity Brandilyn!
by Jason Joyner | Aug 30, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
I wish I had some blue face paint.
I am done going to my job. I have a little more work to do remotely from home, but otherwise I am FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I’m just a little relieved.
I also had an interview today from our local newspaper regarding my role as Pastor Hank Detcher on the Scenes and Beans blog. And, would you look at that! Seems like the good Pastor had an interesting post today: Scenes & Beans: Feast . . . or Fast! I’ll give y’all more on this as I have updates on the interview for the paper.
High School Musical won’t be mistaken for a literary masterpiece. But it is a fun movie that whole families can enjoy. Hopefully more entertainment can be like this. If there was only a way to have a soundtrack for a novel, then THAT would be something!