A4 Reflection: Shit Frat Guys Don't Say

My A4 project with Eric and Evan was entertaining as much as it was educational. I never realized how challenging it was to make a video. There were the technical aspects such as working the camera and attaching it to a tripod to make life easier. Afterwards, the acting was a challenge because it seemed awkward at times with a camera filming everything. Sometimes I felt like I did not show enough emotion. Overall, we were still able to film the majority of our scenes in a span of 2-4 hours. Our scenes take place in various locations ranging from Eric’s room in New-North to the Fiji fraternity house on the Row. As for the scriptwriting, we basically came up with the most unfrattiest things to say or do. The result was a string of funny scenes for the class to enjoy.

 Our video illustrates gender performativity in USC fraternity life. After watching a video dubbed “Shit Frat Guys Say”, we decided to put our own unique spin on that by having our video show “Shit Frat Guys Don’t Say”. Eric, who played the main character in the video, dressed in the most unfratty way possible: thick-rimmed glasses, long-sleeved sweater, and Burberry scarf (at one point, we called it hipster). Meanwhile, Evan and I wore Ray Bans, shorts, Sperrys, and the occasional “bro tank”. I learned through this project that frat guys are supposed to behave in a certain way. For example, frat guys are expected to consume heavy amounts of alcohol and sleep with as many girls as they can. I also learned that “frattiness” goes hand-in-hand with masculinity. Some of the things Eric says or does do not fit in with the fraternity mindset. It might even be considered homosexual to a certain extent. Therefore, it is no wonder many guys want to rush and pledge fraternities in college. Sure the alumni connections and raging parties are good, but guys end up going through pledging to prove their masculinity. In college, being in a frat makes you a man (or so they say).