Dystopian Trailers

For my group I'm a scriptwriter. And I've got to say, I'm really enjoying the freedom that I'm permitted. They story is pretty interesting. I'm awesome. Get at me. But seriously, I guess I'll start following the prompt now. The script? It's progressing nicely. The story is pretty much set and we've got a lot of cool shots to boot. I mean it's got a lot of dystopian elements. I don't know why whenever I spell dystopian I get that squiggly red line. Not like I'm spelling it wrong. Alright, I'll try to be frank with describing the plot. Basically, it's about a society that's completely separated by class. The rich control the poor by implanting chips into their brains so they cannot see or hear anyone outside of their society. SO, the main plot line follows a boy who is born without a chip. Don't you dare say it's cliche. I think it's hip. Anyway, this boy travels to where the rich are located and wipes out the generator controlling the power of the chips and there's a huge fight against the poor and the rich. It includes the dystopian elements of civilians believing there to be a utopian society, some sort of tyrannical figure who looms over everyone else, a protagonist who tries to rebel against the power, that sort of thing. Seems kind of obvious. Is that it? But wait! There's more. Um, we've got voiceovers from the main characters, actual dialogue, and those title things! My, we're some overachievers aren't we. The story is pretty linear. With the type of characters we have I don't think it'll be too hard to follow. We've actually got a lot of scenes though. I think it's going to be under 2 minutes 30 seconds. Not as if they're long scenes. Just to give a broader picture of the story. Our script is still in progress. We've got stuff to do. But I think we're in a good position to execute and really get on track for filming and editing.

5x5

1. Establishing shot of Rite Aid.
2. Shot of carrying groceries.
3. Shot of mixing batter.
4. Shot of oven going off.
5. Shot of people eating brownies.

I created the 5x5 with a camera and some ambitious friends. I used a Kodak point and shoot. Nothing fancy. I edited the clips using Windows Movie Maker. Macs are for hipsters. I did hit a "snag" actually. My friend dropped the brownie mix on the way back to the house so we had to buy a new box since the mix spilled out. I am pleased with how it turned out for my video making abilities. I mean it's not like I'm talented with cinematography or anything. I really just want to see Sam Howells'. An idea for our next challenge you say? Whoever can make the best impromptu Jackass short film. Now that's a challenge.

Dystopian Trailer Critique

The Book of Eli. The Hughes Brothers. R. 2010.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, a man embarks on a journey to save humanity by protecting a sacred book, though he is not the only one who finds the book valuable.


Dystopias are characterized by an anti-utopian society, often caused by a political, technological, or environmental crisis. The trailer for The Book of Eli not only encompasses these dystopian concepts, but also shapes an understanding of dystopian society through its cinematography, music, and gripping plot. Immediately noticed when watching the trailer are the distinct colors found in the palette of the film. The colors used are mostly oranges, blacks, whites, and grays, necessary to create the parched, dying setting of a post-apocalypse. Also included in the trailer is a voice over that clearly defines key plot points. The trailer features an intense score, adding more definition to the underlying tone illustrated in the film. The absence of captions until the end of the trailer adds a nice sense of fluidity. The implementation of these effects will play a large role in the dystopian trailer for class. The altering of colors in the trailer may ultimately be a necessary effect to add in our trailer to further shape the tone and setting of the story we are trying to tell. Also, a voice over may be necessary to detail the plot, unless we manage to get the message across in a different fashion.

Communication

It really does intrigue me that these blogs were to be used to display our thoughts and ideas, yet we are assigned which thoughts and ideas we are to display. Anyway, back to business. The article advocates the extended use of collaborative technologies in and outside the classroom, in an effort to create a shared well of knowledge that increases and evolves infinitely. I think it's a nice article. It just about sums up the endless possibilities that are presented with the emergence of new innovations, allowing us mere mortals to communicate in ever more effective ways. Thus, education does not end within the classroom. It continues on through social networking, blogging, email, and even the illustrious Youtube. So all our experiences, memories, and knowledge can be shared to introduce a, in some ways, more effective means of communication, as well as education.

The quote "experts are at our fingertips, through our keyboards or cell phones, if we know how to find and connect to them," is a really nice quote. I mean I really, really like this quote. It just defines modern technologies that exist in most developed parts of the world. I mean, just imagine you have a question. Any question in the world. You whip out your fancy new Iphone, type a few words, and bam. You have your answer. Knowledge is spread at an astounding rate, with people simultaneously sharing and receiving information. It's quite the concept. 

The only aspect of the article that surprised me was right in the beginning. Since when are eleven-year-olds so hip that they have "readers." Makes me really wish I had readers when I was eleven. Seriously, all I did when I was eleven was watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. Sorry, but I don't have too much insight to provide here. 

I think I said this earlier somewhere, but this type of communication, by which I mean through communicative technologies, is a really very great idea. There is lots of great potential for the things it could accomplish. In and out of the classroom. Or in and out of CAP even. It will be interesting to see what kinds of advances in the field pop up within the next ten years or so. 

Here's my Diigo link, since it seems to be so popular: http://diigo.com/0sy2i

Film "Assignment"

Ah. A movie review assignment. Alright. You know, Pulp Fiction has always been one of my favorite films, mainly for its unrestrained use of wit and sarcasm, often portrayed in more cynical ways. I got my review from The Washington Post because you can't go wrong with the Post! It's written by Desson Howe, who seems like a nice enough guy. Pulp Fiction is directed by Quentin Tarantino, who's other works of art include the Kill Bill series, as well as his breakthrough film Reservoir Dogs. The film follows a nonlinear plot line, switching between episodes of Samuel L. Jackson as a flamboyant hitman, and Bruce Willis just being Bruce Willis. As a result, the film should not be enjoyed for its plot, but for its artistic use of dialogue, the depth of the acting, and the sheer awesomeness of watching Uma Thurman get stabbed. But on to the review. Even though's its from the post, it doesn't really touch on a lot. It opens with a fresh analysis of what is Pulp Fiction: "brilliant and brutal, funny and exhilarating, jaw-droppingly cruel and disarmingly sweet." Sheesh, I love that sentence. But aside from that, it only really talks about the plot. After watching the film, I already know that Jackson does a kick-ass job and that a quarter-pounder in France is called "Le Royale." That being said, the author does a good job of conveying his hip sense of style, using phrases like "disarmingly sweet." The review reflects nothing but utmost praise for Tarantino's great addition to the film world, which is nice to read since it's my favorite film. 

How we should structure an assignment? Being the teenage anarchist that I am, how about no assignments? But if I had to offer an opinion, I'd say to let it be as liberal as it can. Let us create our own prompts. Let us write what we want to write about. Film is an art, and therefore, can be interpreted an infinite amount of ways. The confines of a quarterly prompt are not conducive to exhibiting the raw potential for the great academic products as all of us are capable of. 

Here's my link: http://diigo.com/0sva2

Gotta go. It's past my bedtime.

The First Blog Post

Hey. My name's Jordan. I go to school. At Montgomery Blair High School. It's nice. I learn things. That's what I do. Having been in the Humanities and Communication Program at Eastern Middle school, I've been exposed to various types of film for roughly three years prior to coming to Blair. I've always been interested in the cinematographic aspect of film making; using different camera angles and shots to provide an enhanced experience for viewers. Yeah. Always liked that stuff. Actually, in the 8th grade, we took this real cool trip to New York where we shot an interview of a former actor and were later required to create a brief documentary about said actor through the use of both A-roll of the interviewee and B-roll created from shots around the city. It was a really great project. There was actually a small rodent in the hotel we stayed in. I'm still not sure if it was a rat or not. Either way, we killed it. Don't worry, I'm kidding. Oh wait, I'm not. Being involved in the project really got me interested in the film world, which led me to get my own cheap camera and start shooting away. Anyway, let's see. Ways we can use these blogs this year. I mean I guess we could use them to share our thoughts on classes in CAP 10, as in thoughts on assignments or lessons plans, to work to benefit the educational environment. But I bet loads of people have already come up with something similar. Or how about to showcase some of our accomplishments during the year. Maybe we could even use them to raise awareness about how much of a problem procrastination is. All are possibilities. Well! That's all the assignment asked me to do so I guess that's it for now.

Oh wait. I have to find a picture.




Check it out. Alright. That's it.