Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

Content:

1. What did you do over the break with your senior project?

A crucial portion of my independent component is combining research with real-world situations. Luckily for me, my research involves watching films. In fact, I was able to watch quite a few over my break--Top Five, Annie, The One I Love, La Belle et La Bete, Populaire, Fanny, Marius, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Since I am analyzing these films and not simply watching for enjoyment, I created a doc where I could log my thoughts once I finished viewing them. I am working on developing a spreadsheet where I can continue logging the films, my reactions and my opinions on them so that I may have a clear, organized way of displaying my research when I turn in my Independent Component. 


2. What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why? What was the source of what your learned? 

I feel that I learned the most from Top Five and The One I Love. 
Movies are often praised when the director's "artsy-ness" is displayed through obvious methods. When I think of artsy sequences in films, scenes where laws of physics are suspended briefly or specific camera placement and lighting are used to create a certain mood/tone come to mind. Directorial choices are made for artistic purposes. I felt that Top Five was artsy, though in different ways than most films. There aren't any scenes that suspend logic or overt artistic choices that I could perceive as typically artsy. I believe that is due more so to the dialogue, storyline, and atmosphere. Basically, my point is that the film taught me that there doesn't have to be dramatic lighting or camera pans to get one's point across in an "artsy" way. 
The One I Love, however, taught me that it is still very possible to surprise viewers, even a little. As a fan of The Twilight Zone, I was immediately drawn to the tone of the film because I could tell that it had to be inspired in some shape, way or form by the show. The reason I love of the show, of course, is because it is transcendent and the endings are still baffling, if not shocking, some sixty years after it originally aired. The One I Love did the exact same thing with an ending I definitely was not expecting, so even though the typical movie-goer may have a bit of cynicism in them, it may still be possible to surprise them. 

3. If you were to do a ten question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why? 

I would probably talk to seasoned writers, directors, producers, and distributors, among other people who have roles in filmmaking because there are so many aspects that make a film memorable. 

Blog 10: EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Example EQs:

• a. This EQ could allow research on healthy weight loss and what contributes to it, for the researcher to argue based on what they've researched, and makes sense--Meets Rule of Three
• b. This EQ allows for research on successful convictions in criminal investigations, it doesn't list prior convictions and facts about them, and makes sense--Meets Rule of Three
• c. This EQ is a little subjectice--what satisfies one customer may not satisfy another--therefore, arguing would be sort of difficult--Does not Meet Rule of Three
• d. This EQ allows for research on anesthesiology and chronic pain, arguments on treatments, and make sense--Meets Rule of Three

3. What techniques can be employed to develop, produce, and distribute a film that is either well-written, interesting, visually striking, timeless, or a combination of all these characteristics.

Blog 8: Research & Working EQ

1. Working EQ:

What are the best techniques to create an aesthetically pleasing film?  

2. Possible Answers

• Choosing the best shots, angles, or focal points.  
• Utilizing the film's premise/storyline and character's attributes to create a vibrant or memorable color palatte.

3. As of now, the resource that has helped me the most in my attempt to answer my EQ is Filmmaking for Dummies, written by Bryan Michael Stoller. 

4. My mentors are Amanda DiPiazza and Phillip Miller (my ROP teacher). So far, I haven't discussed cinematorgraphy techniques with Amanda. However, with Mr. Miller, I have learned various camera shots and such in ROP. 

Blog 5-Mentorship Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

For the most part, I have been emailing independent production companies, as they are easy to contact and executives within the companies are much more willing to work with me regarding my project. I currently have a couple of prospective mentors, as well as possible interviewees. I have had less difficulty than I did during the summer due to the fact that I am using more websites and resources to find people in the entertainment industry. 
2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

I have been reading published film scripts, which has been extremely beneficial for my research as well as my own work. As I have written a few scripts myself, I am learning about the amount of detail that goes into screenwriting, which helps me tailor how I write. Because screenwriting involves visual writing as much as it involves a story and dialogue, I have found that it is important to observe other writers' works to determine what techniques I can use in my future screenplays. 

Blog 3: Topic Choice & Working EQ

1. Film Production/Development

• I will be focusing on the artistic side of the development of films, such as writing scripts. 

2. What are the beginning stages of production and development?

2-Hour Presentations

1.  What presentations did you see?

• Karate
• Educational Nonprofit Management
• Special Education
• Plant Science
• Defense Systems Engineering
• Firefighting
• Beauty Salon
• Computer Science
• Clinical Pharmacy 
• Hippotherapy
• Magic The Gathering
• No Kill Rescue Shelters
• Information Technology
• Public Transformation Services
• Computer Technical Services
• Structural Engineering 

2.   What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.  

As of now, I cannot think of any questions that I have about the senior project. 

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

Honestly, I think there are several extremely important things that impact one's senior project. The first would be making time, followed by the topic itself, and keeping the audience amused. I found making time important, as it determines one's grade. The topic is also important because it can impact how someone presents. Their presentation could be lighthearted or solemn, free or structured, highly interesting or unbearably dull, etc. I found this was true throughout a large portion of presentations, because some seniors were highly enthused by their topic, while others  appeared to be repulsed. This also ties into keeping the audience interested, because if a presenter seemed to abhor their topic, or was only moderately enthusiastic about it, the presentation became hard to watch. 

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

Currently, I am considering doing film or TV production for my senior project. Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated by entertainment, and I would love to be a part of what occurs behind the scenes. 

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

I have found a mentor who is a producer at ABC and has agreed to show me around sets, interview her, and observe the producing process. I plan to meet with her several times throughout the summer.