One project that I completed during my 1st Semester at Gleneagle Secondary was my Eminent final speech. An element of my Eminent Research project for my English/Socials class, I was able to choose any eminent figure that has left a mark on the world with their actions and present a 4-5 minute speech to show this person’s importance. For my project, I chose to educate my class about Lou Costello, a burlesque comedian famous for his infamous skits and movies alongside his straight man Bud Abbott. Writing a speech in the perspective of Bud Abbott, I told the story of Lou from his birth to death in a concise, informative, and creative manner.
With this assignment, I was able to bring in my creative writing and thinking skills, my communication skills, my researching skills, and my skills with public speaking. Wanting to be different more than anyone else, I try to be as creative as possible whenever I am given the leeway to do so. Using my creative thinking, I generated several different ideas on how I could convey my research and facts in an interesting and entertaining way. I would then use my creative writing skills to use my knowledge and convert it into a presentable piece of work, rather than a long list of facts. Finally, I was able to combine my communication and public speaking skills to completely memorize and present my Eminent Speech, complete with loads of enthusiasm, props, and a costume.
A few major challenges or bumps I had along the way of completing my speech included thinking of the most effective ways to capture my audience, finding ways to memorize my speech easily, and cutting down the most crucial parts of my speech to create a concise final product. During all of these struggles, I had to consider many different outcomes and strategies to find the most suitable answers for myself. For example, to choose an interesting hook to my speech, I would ask my peers for their opinion on the matter, and I would take constructive tips to further enhance my writing.
In-Depth. Is it simply just another “passion project” that schools offer to give you a flexible block for a learner to do whatever they please? I don’t think so. The concept of TALONS “In-Depth” Project is a learning experience that not only supports a learner’s passions and interests in a much deeper manner than ever before but ties in with the community around them and provides them with countless opportunities to succeed in their field of choice. Being guided with a mentor, as well as tracking my progress through videos and vlogs, all the pieces have been placed on the board for my first shot at the stage. This year, I will go in-depth with hip hop dancing.
Dancing has always been such a high mountain throughout my life. I was able to observe and look up to all of its intricacies and beauties, but would never even dream to climb to such extremes. Inspired by various dancers at a young age, I have always had a special interest in the art form, and have been blown away and humbled at its greatest. The complexity and creativity that dancing provide seemed surreal to me, and I could have never seen myself in a position to move my body in that manner. It was clear that a path of dance was never to be seen in me.
But, much like many other moments in life, I have challenged my own thinking. Through the project of In-Depth, I have re-sparked my ember for dancing and have put it upon myself to execute what is long overdue in my bucket list of passions. As renowned American dancer Marth Graham once said, “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.” Following this ideology of passion acting as the heart of success, I am ready to launch myself into the world of hip hop to take the lessons I learn and turn them into my pride.
Alongside my fellow TALONS learner and friend Indah Del Bianco, we will be learning and working under the wing of our mentor, Kailey Huang. A grade 11 student and former TALONS learner at Gleneagle, Kailey has been practicing various dance forms for 10 years and is currently the dance captain at Gleneagle’s Musical Theatre Program. A highly reliant and supportive dancer and leader, Kailey is willing to help me and Indah to learn the ins and outs of basic hip hop dancing, for us to hopefully understand the necessary skills and methods to become effective dancers ourselves. Kailey has shown to be understanding, passionate, and highly capable of her task ahead as my mentor, and I have nothing but high hopes. In terms of the when and where of my In-Depth project, Indah and I have had 1 meeting with Kailey on January 9th in the Gleneagle MPR stage from 6 – 6:30 p.m. As of current standings, the 3 of us have collectively agreed to keep that same meeting format, practicing every Thursday for 30 minutes until further notice (rehearsals will most likely extend as time passes).
With all of this being said, I am ready to pursue this new passion and area of interest with all my excitement in a clear and open mind. Let In-Depth become a project where learners of all gifts may learn and travel down a path of their own hopes, as we all hip HOP into our endeavors.
“Abbott Costello Bio.” Billy Shepard, 6 March 2014. 28 November 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8SPtlpKmcY>.
The 45 minutes “Abbott Costello Bio” posted on YouTube expands on both Bud Abbott and Lou Costello’s overarching life from childhood to death. Told in the narrative of remembering the fine duo, the biography goes over Lou Costello’s best moments. With the appearance of notable sources such as Lou’s daughter Chris Costello, this video puts down even more information on the burlesque comedian, giving us more than we can chew.
Costello, Lou. This Is Your Life Ralph Edwards. 1956. Video. 28 November 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWpEOXvnOmA>.
Lou Costello’s appearance on the interview show “This is your life” presents audiences on Lou’s life story from his childhood to his current standing, with Lou being present and able to confirm and deny the facts that Ralph mentions. This is one of my most reliable sources, as the information that I receive can be directly confirmed by Lou himself. This interview covers facts about Lou’s life that most articles do not, and I can incorporate a lot of the information into my speech and learning center.
Doose, David, et al. Abbott and Costello. 13 October 2019. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Abbott_and_Costello#External_links>.
New World Encyclopedia’s article on Abbott and Costello contributes to my learning of Lou’s general life as a comedian working with Bud Abbott. Helping to back up and refine previous information from other sources, as well as explaining some of the duo’s hardships and struggles, this source is an overall solid base for my research. It gives me a general idea of most of the information needed to cover Lou’s story.
Editors of TheFamousPeople. Lou Costello Biography. 10 January 2018. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/lou-costello-8831.php>.
TFP’s biography on Lou Costello stands out of the crowd for its in-depth information on Lou’s start as a burlesque comedian. Explaining key points in his early Hollywood life, backed up by dates and locations, I find this article to contain some of the major points for Lou’s personal life rather than his “biggest movies” or “best skits”. Easy and concise, the biography only mentions the major points in Lou’s spanning life but picks out the most critical moments to expand and explain in depth.
Lankford, Jr., Ronnie D. Lou Costello. n.d. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lou-costello-mn0001828321/biography>.
Los Angeles Times. Lou Costello. 18 June 2006. Website. 28 November 2019. <http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/lou-costello/>.
MeTV Staff. 11 forgotten facts about Abbott and Costello. 2 May 2017. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.metv.com/lists/11-forgotten-facts-about-abbott-and-costello>.
MeTV’s compelling list on several notable facts about Abbott and Costello gives me a wide variety of interesting information that I can use for my learning center, most notably during my social interactions with guests. Simply a collection of “fun facts” through the duo’s career, I found the information quite enjoyable and worth sharing with others.
Rotten Tomatoes. Lou Costello. n.d. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/lou_costello>.
Shephan, Ed. Lou Costello. n.d. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182579/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.
The Telegraph Editors. 15 Comedy Duos Who Secretly Hated Each Other. 18 October 2017. Website. 28 November 2019. <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/comedians/comedy-duos-allegedly-hated/bud-abbott-lou-costello/>.
“Any great comedy is how far you can take this silly idea” Jerry Seinfeld.
Eminence
Lou Costello first began his work in comedy in 1930 as a minor burlesque comedian. He would then later meet his perfect straight man Bud Abbott, who Lou would team up with in 1936. Finding better success as a duo, the team soon became a hit in radio and film, quickly finding themselves among the most popular, respected, and highest paid entertainers during their time. In 1938, Abbott and Costello would perform their routine “Who’s on First?” that would later be deemed the best comedy routine of the 20th century.
Based on many other wordplay routines, this hysterical routine revolving around a baseball team manager and his weird player names placed Abbott and Costello as some of the best performers in radio, film, and television. Before Lou would work in the field of film and comedy, he had a life in sports. Recognized as a gifted athlete in school, Lou excelled in baseball and basketball, even winning an athletic scholarship to Cornwall-on-Hudson Military School. But unexpectedly, Lou Costello would turn down this offer to pursue his performing career. This was due to two major reasons. Firstly, Lou feared that the amount of work and effort he would need to put in to become a top athlete in Hollywood would be too much for him and would ultimately not be worth it. Secondly, Lou was inspired by exceptional silent film actor Charlie Chaplin since he was a boy and wanted to be just as good as him in Hollywood. With these two factors in mind, Lou traveled to Hollywood to become a respected actor. It was easier said than done though, with Lou only able to secure stunt man work in his first few years of moving. It was not until the mid 30s when Lou would move from film to stage work, becoming a growing comedian. Lou had to endure through many obstacles in the start of his career to reach his status now, but the eminence he holds now is immeasurable to the world of comedy.Lou Costello died on March 3, 1959 at the age of 52 from a heart attack. It has already been 60 years since his passing, but Lou Costello’s legacy has continued to live on until today. His exceptional work in his performing career won him 3 Hollywood Walk of Fame stars in TV, film and radio. The “ding” he has left has inspired millions of people in America, where even the hometown of Lou (Paterson, New Jersey) would name the Lou Costello Memorial Park, complete with a statue of Costello holding a baseball bat in 1992. Finally, Lou Costello along with Bud Abbott would be among some of the only names memorialized in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for their work on “Who’s on First?”. A video of the routine continues to loop even today in the exhibit area.
Personal Connections
I first saw Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on first” sketch when I was about 7 years old. Frankly, I doubt I understood anything back then, but I still always find myself going back to re watch the infamous skit as well as many of the duo’s other greatest hits. Comedian Lou Costello and Straight Man Bud Abbott are some of the biggest names in comedy today, whom I greatly look up to. When it was time for this project to come around, I had already had my eyes on Lou Costello, as I wish to both express my love for his work and learn more about the life outside of the stage. As Lou Costello is one of my biggest role models, I connect to both his comedic writing and preforming abilities, as well as his work in film and television. I have always had a knack for comedy and getting laughter out of people, and I greatly respect and admire the way Lou is able to do it. The way he can deliver comedy in such an innocent almost quirky way; he never fails to disappoint me. His work in film and television is also worth mentioning as Lou’s comedy career was greatly boosted by his films and television specials. Film is also a field of work that I am passionate about, so I believe I can connect with Lou even greatly with these similarities.Some qualities that I believe capture the essence of Lou Costello include determined and passionate. These qualities can be displayed through a story that began in 1942. As Abbott and Costello’s fame was rapidly growing in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Lou had struck an obstacle in his life. One that may change his entire career. Lou Costello was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, a disease that affects the heart, brain, joints, and skin. This had resulted in Lou staying out of radio and film for an entire year, when it may have been most critical. Lou then returned in 1943 but was struck with another tragedy. His infant son “Little Butch” had drowned in the family pool, just 2 days away from his first birthday. And although this could have been a great day for mourning, Lou Costello did not cancel his special comeback broadcast but rather stated “Wherever he is tonight, I want him to hear me”. His broadcast that night was rather hilarious and just as successful as before. Nobody knew of the child’s death, until Bud Abbott mentioned it to audience at the end of the show, emphasizing that the phrase “The show must go on!” was proudly displayed through Lou’s actions. This story shows that even though Costello faced incredible tragedies in his life, he continues to push through. He stays determined that he can still do what he wasn’t able to for an entire year. Even if he had his son unexpectedly die, Lou still had that burning passion within him to continue the show. These qualities are ones in which that I may possess fragments of, but I strive to improve to the extent of how Costello did. The next handful of years grew Abbott and Costello into the staple name they are today.One key goal that I have here in the TALONS program is to be a leader amongst leaders. Being placed in a program that emphasizes on being social and taking initiative, I am striving to be a respected leader in my environment. Lou Costello exemplifies my goal for also being respected and noticed among the masses. Through his work in comedy, he brings laughter and joy to people every single day and had the power to influence many people in whichever way he chose. To the public eye, he was a natural performer and pioneer in his field of work.A few barriers that I will come across while trying to connect with Lou Costello include my race, my upbringing, and my geography. Firstly, I am a Korean Canadian that was born and raised here in BC, while Lou Costello was an American with ties from Italy, France, and Ireland that was raised in New Jersey. Lou Costello was also a renowned athlete in his youth years, which that I am not. I believe these barriers will not need to be addressed in my speech, as I will be writing and presenting in the form of Bud Abbott, not myself.
A specific I want to set for my research next is finding out more about Lou Costello’s various films and radio shows, as I have only understood the face value of these components.
“That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted” – Lou Costello, reported final words.
1. How might your digital footprint affect your future opportunities? Give at least two examples.
Your digital footprint is a permanent marking that you create and leave behind as you continue to use online resources. A digital footprint can and will affect your future opportunities in several different ways, both good and bad. One example may be in an application situation, where a workplace or a school will check your digital footprint to see what you could be like outside of what they know. This can be helpful in a way that they could find out previous work experience that you may have had, or positive passions that you are known to pursue. This can also be negative as well, because workplaces can see all the negative things you have done and put on your digital footprint, that may result in you not able to get hired.
2. Describe at least three strategies that you can use to keep your digital footprint appropriate and safe.
One common strategy to keep your digital footprint safe is to use THINK before you post. This means you will ask 5 relevant questions to what you are about to post, text, or show to the internet. Is it true, hurtful, inspiring, necessary, and kind? If your digital mark can meet the criteria of not being hurtful as well as meet every other question, then it is appropriate and safe to post. Another helpful idea is usually to just ask a friend of family member around you. It is always good to get a second or third input by the people around you, and see if they are okay with what you might be posting. Finally, one last strategy for being safe and appropriate on the internet, is to use common sense. If you genuinely think that whatever you are doing is smart enough, then it should be fine. Do not just click on an ad that makes you believe that you’ve won a jackpot, or text a stranger that may know more about you than you think.
3. If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently online? Think of what type of advice you would pass on to your younger self or other students. How could you go about explaining it to them?
I believe that I am quite responsible in my digital world, as I don’t like to share lots of personal information online to begin with. The best advice I can genuinely give to younger students and possibly even myself, would be to imagine what the consequences of what you might do or say. No matter how you are feeling, there will be an outcome from your input in your digital world, and a lot of it can turn out to be negative.
3) Tool Bar – In your toolbar you can “Add Media” and “Add Documents” into your posts, this is the best way to create visual representations. You can also change fonts, hyperlink, etc.
4) Publish – Here is where you control what items are public and private. You can also control when they are published to your website.
5) Categories – Here is where you choose where you want your post to go. This is your digital binder with all of your subjects. Make sure to categorize each post with the relevant subject. E.g.Categories -> English
6) Tags – Here is where you tag posts with one or two of the most readily applicable Core Competencies. These tags can help you find things quicker on your blog and help you stay organised. E.g.Tag -> creativethinking
7) Publish – When you are done, simply “Publish” it. If it has been edited, press “Republish” to update with the latest version of the content.
