Empire State of Mind- Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a famous landmark that has always been adored by not just New Yorkers, but residents of other states, and foreigners from a vast majority of countries for over a century. It does not just connect Brooklyn to Manhattan but people everywhere because universally, we are all equal and capable of greatness. This piece is not simply a collage of pictures arranged in any old fashion. This is my story about the historical, geographical, artistic, and personal joy, and inspiration that resides behind the bright lights and fancy designs. From 1806 to 1869, John A Roebling, a German born engineer designed the 3,460 foot long Brooklyn Bridge. Work on the bridge began in 1869. He was one of the first visionary bridge designers to use steel cables in his projects and invented a machine to twist steel wire into cable. It took approximately fourteen years and $15,200,000 to build the bridge. Historically, it was completed in the year of 1869. After years of strenuous work, on May 24th, 1883, the bridge officially opened.




The Brooklyn Bridge was a solution to the huge gap between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Before the bridge was built it was nearly impossible to get from the rugged streets of Brooklyn to the more bright light world at the end of it called New York City. The Bridge made it possible for people from Brooklyn to travel to the island of Manhattan and vice versa. Before this, work in Manhattan was primarily for people in that borough. Also, on holidays it must have been pretty difficult for families in Brooklyn and Manhattan to visit each other.

This video is my visual story of the Brooklyn Bridge entitled The Bridge of Ages. The title represents the many years that the bridge has been standing. The bridge celebrated its 125th year anniversary on May 24, 2008. Memories such as the nonchalant walks with friends, quick tours with relatives, the observation of distant couples, the drive into the city, the number four train ride along the bridge, and the beautiful fireworks released into the air, are moments I have lived through. These moments I have shared are portrayed through the souls of others. The Bridge of Ages is my personal anecdote from a radical point of view. Beyond the bright lights and the enthusiasm, there is an underlying message. From a personal perspective, the bridge is a manifestation of the goals within us all. We are the pioneers of our dreams and we must preserve our dreams by going after them. The metaphor can be used for the designer of this bridge who had a vision in mind and the workers of bridge assisted in making those dreams come to reality. The workers themselves worked arduously and now the world can see it was more than worth the while. The bridge is the gap between our dreams and our successes and we need to close the gap.




The music that is featured in this video is Empire State of Mind II by Alicia Keys. This song complimented the visual aspect of my story in such a powerful way. Everything that I tried to portray was what was Ms. Keys alluded to in her music. Some of the words have inspired me as well to incorporate certain scenery in the video such as the dark alley that gave the illusion of driving through it. This idea came about when Alicia Keys referred to the city as a concrete jungle. That metaphor was not only touching but very easy to represent symbolically. Although this video refers to the famous Bridge and New York in general as a place where dreams come true, the central message is that dreams can come true for all people in any part of the world. Metaphorically speaking, by walking to the end of the bridge and back, we can conquer the world.

Onetruemedia.com has assisted me in creating this beautiful montage of the Brooklyn Bridge. My video capitalizes on how the city can be boisterous, beautiful, and bold. Imitating these same qualities, we can discover our true passions each time we leave our homes, and travel along the bridge into the limitless city streets.

By Prescilla John
Dedicated to the extraordinarily talented Alicia Keys

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Brooklyn
• Bridge
• The
• of
• Ages
• NYC
• Alicia
• Keys
• Pretty
• sights
• Manhatten
• OneTrueMedia

[LastBlueMist]

Shame so many workers suffered horrible illnesses and the bends (including Roebling Jnr himself) as a result of working in the caisson under pressure during the construction of this magnificent structure.

[tvoh01]

great expose