PAA Promotional Video

*How effective is the video raising (or lowering) your interest in attending PAA? Be specific. 
*Does the style of the video match up well with the content (with the main ideas being presented?)
*What changes would you like to see? 
*Is there any material or activities associated with PAA that you might like to add? 
*How did the music and dialogue match up with the visuals? 
*What do you think of the motion and template elements - for example, the use of two different video windows at the same time?



The video does an excellent job of accentuating the various programs and activities at PAA. If I was an 8th grader observing this promo, I would probably be quite impressed and think very seriously about attending this school.


Stylistically, the video does not offer anything that I am particularly enthralled with. For the purpose at hand, however, the sort of cheesy-inspirational look mashes up well with the content, which is similarly displayed.


One thing I don't like about this promo is its length. I would condense it to around 3-5 minutes if it were my choice. The music and dialogue matched up well with the visuals, however (e.g. the chapel music was playing when members of the praise band were being interviewed and so forth). I thought the use of two different visuals at one time was highly effective. For instance, when parents were talking about their children, there were two different clips that were shown instantaneously: The parents talking, and the children performing the activity they were talking about.

High School News Group

http://www.mvhsviewpoints.com/sports-links/

Broadcast News: Response

This film offered an intriguing and imaginative gateway into the work environment of a news organization, while instantaneously fusing complex emotional issues into the story with the various characters involved. Essentially, this movie was centered around three characters: Jane (an up-tight, fiery executive producer), Aaron (an arrogant, yet genuine and quite brilliant reporter), and Tom (a somewhat uneducated "pretty boy" anchor).

A confusing tripod of romance ensued between Jane, Aaron, and Tom. This tension reached a climax, and then dwindled into a befuddling resolution that never really explained itself. Part of the controversy was that Tom was not as authentic as he presented himself to be (crying 'fake' tears and all). Aaron was disturbed by this, venturing to the point of claiming Tom was the 'devil', saying that he went against everything Jane stood for. To a point, Jane looked past this in her tunnel vision love for Tom, but immediately backtracked when stumbling across an ethical mishap Tom displayed in an interview.

I believe Jane was the most complex character. She seemed to be the least secure in her identity and  appeared as though she was chronically discontent with her decision making process, while at the same time accepting them to be 'true' to herself.

Portland City Lights

From a distance, they flicker - swirling like magic in the cold air

in awe, I stare.

Provoking delicate thoughts, creating songs in my head

readying my weary mind for bed.

A story exists in each twinkle, unending

accentuated by vagueness of sprinkles beginning.

Breath like smoke, common at last...

fall's in bloom, summer is past.

Ideas churning, lids lose sight

Goodnight.

Juxtaposition

Specifically, juxtaposition means 'to place side by side'. One way Morris has used this in his film is by having several different interviews consecutively intertwined, which include: The fella who creates animals out of brush, the circus man, the naked mole rat connoisseur, and an expert of robotics.

My personal favorite would have to be the lion trainer. There is such an element of danger to his profession.

Also, lions are my preferred creature of interest. Somehow, they fuse lazy and ferocious in an indescribable, yet glorious fashion.

These stories are connected because each occupation in this film share several odd and incredible characteristics. All four professions are extremely rare, and it takes some form of genius to successfully practice any of them.

What perspective does Mr. Morris take?

Tough question. To myself, it seems the direction he takes is that he is obviously quite intrigued by the character's unusual expertise (simply judging by the fact that he is making a movie about them). At times, Morris inserts random video clips as B-Roll. Generally, the clips are of old films. It appears as though he is accentuating how technology is and has progressed because of individuals like the ones shown in the documentary.

In two words, I describe this film as "happy haunting".

Forgive me, professor(s) for turning in my homework a day late. I have saddened myself because of this unfortunate reality. 

Poem (Script) Rough Draft

Masquerade

Masquerade, ball room dance

Moon shines like a natural lamp.

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between. 

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between. 

 Shivering, reaching for air

Gravity is grabbing me, pulling me under.

Masquerade, Masquerade. 

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between. 

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between.

Sleep beneath the surface, rest.

Ignore the flawed, let the soul persist.

Resist the light, dark is calm

Wake with weary eyes, regret weary eyes.

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between. 

Step, step, step (breath). Dance in between. 

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control

So far, this film is intriguing in how it is shot. The visuals, in conjunction with the circus scenery is interesting. I am a fan of lions, and elephants. Especially lions. Also, the clanky, quirky music is memorable. It is haunting, in a happy kind of way.

Project #1

The stakes are high. Visuals include massive explosion, riots, fire, fallen buildings. 

Just kidding.

I plan to use three (possibly one or two more) pictures as primary visuals for my video. These images include: the one with the woman and stylish red dress, the city and moon, and the road(s). 

I will be performing an original piece of music as the sound portion, and singing along with the music as my voice over. For text, I will intersperse my lyrics as poetry.

 

Project 1 Plan

Though I have not actually organized the photos, or thought deeply about the writing content of my project, what I am hoping to do is write a poem, or abstract short story that will be represented by my photos. I plan to either arrange the music myself, from personal compositions OR utilize a song from Saul Williams. Many ideas will be formed, few executed. I am excited.

Colorblind Soldiers

An edgy band of rocker poppers hailing from the great Northwest. I've learned they are playing two consecutive shows next week end, the 17th and 18th of September. They also might have a new song about WWII devastation debuting on one of these dates. To find out, attend.

For more info, go to colorblindsoldiers.com. 

Response

1. Write a 1-2 sentence synopsis of the movie. Who are the major characters?

 

'My Kid Could Paint That' is a documentary film about the sudden and unexpected rise to fame a four-year old girl, Marla, receives from her work as an abstract painter. After the initial several minutes of a happy story about a little girl who loves art, the tale changes to a dispute between grown ups, and their quest to find the truth.

2. Marla's parents give permission to the documentary director of the film, Amir Bar-Lev, to make the movie. At a certain point, they change their minds. There is a tug-of-war over who owns the story. Who controls the story now? Marla's parents or Bar-Lev?

 

In my opinion, Bar-Lev takes control of the story. He has the power to either restore the family's reputation, or confirm that the 60 Minutes incident was valid. I think overall he did a fairly decent job not being too one sided in his documentation.

 

3. Marla's story started off as a cute little human interest story. As a result of media interest, the story takes a dark turn when people began questioning if her father is helping create the paintings. What determines when a story has "run its course?" When is a story in the media done? Can you think of examples in the news where a story seems to have run its course, but is artificially kept alive in the press?

 

A story has 'run its course' when conflict seizes to exist, and there is no discovery. If the story had continued to be perfectly organic, interest would have diminished. People stayed intrigued because of an apparent flaw in character. Jon and Kate Plus 8 would be a great example of a story that is artificially kept alive.

4. In the beginning, Bar-Lev was allowed into the family's home to document a sweet little story about a four-year old child. And then the story began to change...

What sort of responsibility do you think a documentary filmmaker or non-fiction writer has?

Is Bar-Lev just documenting the story? Or is a part of the story; is he helping actually create his own version of the story?

 

 Statistics can be very deceiving at times. Distorting the truth, or omitting important elements of an event can completely change a story. I think it is up to the documentary-maker's discretion, in this case Bar-Lev, to honestly create a piece of work that reflects on his honest opinion of the situation, and to give the public a chance to formulate their own subjective opinion.

5. What did you think of the documentary overall? Did it capture your interest? How did it change the way you perceive how stories are portrayed in the media?

 

I really enjoyed the documentary. It was extremely fascinating. Seeing something like this definitely makes me wonder who and who isn't telling the truth in the media. Or, is anybody telling the truth?

6. The story has now seemingly fallen off into oblivion. The documentary was made in 2007 so what information can you find to add to the story? What has happened since? What are your final feelings/thoughts regarding this story?

 

Apparently, Marla has still been busy with a paint brush. There have been more videos proving the legitimacy of her paintings, however she obviously has not been attracting nearly as much of attention these days. My final thoughts on the story are fairly mixed. I think that the father was probably not completely truthful about everything, but overall had good intentions. The media did what they always do.

 

My Ex-Dog, Brutus

He was American, bull dog. Cute face/natural eye patch. Constant frown.

Brutus was not an academic. He flunked bomb sniffing school before my family adopted him. 

More than anything, he was confused. I don't blame him... he lost parts of his anatomy that no living, breathing organism should have to endure grieving over. 

Though he was not malicious, he could be unintentionally aggressive at times. He was an indoor dog, living outside (my father is allergic to anything not human).

He now happily resides with the mayor of Bay City, Oregon. She treats him like a child.

Brutus, there are times when I think about missing you.

Spectating

I yearn to find a mediocre LaCrosse team to loosely follow. Will keep you updated.