transmission 028 - is the matrix performance- or composer-based?
The 28th transmission from Starship Commander Miquiel Banks.
Quote
If real is what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then ‘real’ is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.
Morpheus
Introduction
There's been an intense argument in the world of Musicians.
Just below the surface, it lingers to their skin.
Some of them wear their badge like a tattoo, others keep their honor in boxed souvenirs in an abandoned garage.
How does The Matrix solve this debate?
As a Divider, it provides us with x-ray vision to rise above Paradigms and get to the Truth.
On one side, we have those who endorse the performance argument.
We'll call this side the Performers.
On another side, we have those who endorse the composition argument.
Let's call this side the Composers.
Explanation of Sides
The Performer
We need a better name than the Performers.
Sure, it provides a category, but it doesn't "capture" the essential power.
In honor of Sol Stein, we have to be more "writerly."
Therefore, pushing ourselves to go deeper, we brainstorm with several terms until one word pops out from the pack.
That's right, we have a Popcorn Pronoun Metaphoric Term!
Trust me, this term captures everything about this side and their reasons.
We will call this side The Jam Band.
The Composer
Do we need a better name than the Composer?
Does it provide a category?
Yes.
Does it capture the essential power?
Yes.
However, you and I know, there's something missing.
Is it too generic?
Is it boring?
And the answer is yes,
But when we take an extra session and brainstorm, another term stands out.
Right there in the pile's middle.
Does it capture everything about this side and their reasons?
Absolutely.
We will call this side The Session Musician.
The Jam Band vs The Session Musician
We've heard the rumors and urban legends of wonderful moments in music history.
On this side, there have been historic performances that have captured our imagination.
The historic performances!
In the Summer of Soul, we have a feature documentary that captures an iconic experience (The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival).
With 40 wins and 44 nominations, the Jam Band's resonance in Pop Culture remains undeniable.
It's easy to pick this side.
But this question begs for more.
Is it TOO EASY?
Defining the Sides
The Jam Band has a strong foundation in American History.
If you're into Music or hopelessly lost in Hip Hop, your love of Music runs deep.
Real Deep.
And in our world, we're drawn to a popular 3-decade Conversation (70s, 80s, 90s).
Across the decades, we marvel at our favorite songs and a few of us wish to know more.
Who wrote that?
We scour the liner notes and two words stick out.
Composer and Songwriter.
And we like the taste, so we want more.
When we look deeper and go back in history, all of our legends have the same foundation - Jazz Music.
No need to argue, Jazz is one of America's highest art forms and it is the pinnacle of the Jam Band.
Does this point end the argument?
The Session Musician also has a strong foundation in American History.
All of those songs we love and cherish from the 70s and 80s, you can rest assured, they were recorded using Session Musicians.
All of MJ's superhuman songs were recorded using Session Musicians.
All of Lionel Richie's multi-platinum hits - done by Session Musicians.
That wonderful charity single, We Are The World, done by Session Musicians.
Remember that all hit songs are the culmination of several people, sometimes hundreds, capturing a perennial experience.
Ask any Producer, what makes a great recording, and they'll respond, a great performance.
Just like the other side, we look deeper and go back in history, all of these legends have one of two foundations - Jazz Music and Classical Music.
And we ask again, does this end the argument?
How does The Matrix help?
What is better, Performing or Composing?
Let's summarize both sides and then end this heated debate.
The Performance Side is concerned with Performing (as its focus) and this side is concerned with shaping the audience's experience.
Performers are concerned with expressing an experience and Composers are concerned with capturing a performance.
Big Difference.
But let’s pause and ask ourselves, does it matter?
Not really.
The problem is that we're still stuck.
We LOVE both sides, how can we get to an answer?
So I ask you, to imaginate with me on a scenario.
Producers and Directors in Hollywood are ALL CONCERNED with capturing a performance.
These people are genuinely "technically proficient" in their positions.
And they were the best at their jobs, all of them.
So what does this have to do with The Matrix?
Does The Matrix solve our debate?
As the Greatest Movie ever made, we must look at its source material to figure out how it soared above the other masterpieces.
And that's where I found our answer.
The Matrix resonates extremely well because of its Stunning Graphics/FX (Performer) and because of its Composition (Source Material).
First, we can argue these Hollywood people use the SAME PERFORMANCE SKILLS on every movie they're involved in.
It is their technical proficiency that allows the Feature Film to be such an incredible experience.
However, when we look deeper, it is the SOURCE MATERIAL that frames One Production's GREATNESS over another.
All Producers and Directors know the one truth in Filmmaking - the script is EVERYTHING!
I know it took a long time, but we finally got here.
And the answer is simple.
The Matrix is the Apex of both sides, Performance and Composition.
Therefore, I am now asking you, Writer and Creator, when you work on your next masterpiece, promise that you’ll use BOTH SIDES to ensure that it PRESENTS WELL and RESONATES WELL.
Our Modern World is full of cliched and empty Projects.
Some of them are so bad, I can’t even call it Art, much less work.
And if you get lost or stuck in the mud, you can always whisper to your soul.
How did The Matrix do it?
