Film Analysis Activity

As a student in the English cohort, I tried to think of this assignment in terms of how I could teach video analysis while also incorporating literature. 

For this specific assignment, I am incorporating the book Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, in comparison to the Disney cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland from 1951.  For this specific assignment, I am having them closely examine just one scene, instead of the whole novel versus the whole film, because I feel that would be too much information to absorb.  This is a good introduction to film analysis when they have a specific scene to focus on in detail.

I would first have the students read the novel.  After that, we would go back and closely examine the scene in which Alice enters the realm into Wonderland.  I would the students pay attention to imagery, detail, dialogue, voice, and tone in the text.  From there, we would watch the movie (I’ve included a clip of this scene from the film).   Similar to after completing the novel, after watching the whole movie we would go back and back specific attention the scene in which Alice enters Wonderland and pay attention to and critique things such as detail, music, character voice and pitch, camera angles, tone, dialogue, and drawing technique (since it is a cartoon). 

After re-watching this scene, I would have them make a venn diagram of the similarities and differences between the novel and film (using the notes they took from the elements of the book and the movie).  From here, we would have a discussion for the reasons behind changing the story in the book for the film adaptation.  This would help them tone their analysis skills of film and force them to think of the important structures and tools used in film creation and the purpose behind those choices. 

Car worries... keeping me up at night.

This week's post is devoted entirely to my terrible car.  I could have written about being dumped in a text last week, the jerk who did it, post a picture of him and his number, and spend five paragraphs trashing his all-around terrible personality... but I decided to take the higher road.... and talk to people about it in person where I can be more vocal.

Anyway, back to my car.  The car (which is a white Pontiac Grand Prix) has been in my possession since before I got my license at the age of 16.  Therefore, it's clearly seen better days.  And yes... if you're wondering if it has a name, it mostly certainly does: The Stallion.  While it usually gets me from point A to point B... there have been some snafoo's (yes, I just said "snafoo") in between.

Let me take you back...

One hot, humid morning this past August, I got in my car thinking life was great (that was my first mistake... the minute you think that, it all goes to pot).  I turned on the car like normal and started heading down the street.  As I approached a stop-sign, I pushed on the brake pedal (because I hear stopping at those is important).  I noticed the brake pedal seemed a bit "sticky" and that I did not really make a complete stop (despite my attempt to do so).  Yet, I trucked on... I had important places to be and things to do (aka: going to my parents' house to go "grocery shopping" in their fridge).  Halfway down the road, as I approached a stopped car ahead of me, I again braked... yet this time, I did not stop.  Thankfully I coasted to a very slow stop and did not hit anyone or anything, but needless to say... I pooped my pants.

From there the problems have only gotten worse.  Since having the brake in my car fixed, I have begun receiving calls about leaving dark "oily" spots on people's driveways where my car has been parked.  One morning, on the way to my job at Plymouth Middle School, I looked over to the passenger side and noticed standing water on the ground.... a mini lake inside my car.  I still don't know where it came from.

Most would think that this would deter me from driving... and you're right.  While I use the car because I have no other mode of transportation, I am contemplating a move to New York City mostly because I would not have to drive or own a vehicle there.

Until next time (if I make it safely to class in The Stallion today)...

Vlog EXCITEMENT! (and by excitment... I may mean boredom)

Felicity: The Greatest Show of All Time.

Here is my annotated video clip of "Felicity" (first season) and Ben and Felicity's first kiss... doesn't get any better!

Hope you enjoy my annotations and can laern to appreciate the greatness and artistic quality that is Felicity!

My week in a blog-sized nutshell...

Hello again all! And by all, I mean my ONE follower. Note, I say that in the singular form because I have only one follower (THANKS DAN! You are the opposite of a "dummy" question, in my book at least).  I am working on the followers, however, and have started asking friends from class and semi-random acquaintances if they'd like to read my blog... more often times than not, the answer is no.

Well, it's been a busy week.  Last Wednesday (after my first post) I went to the Dave Matthews Band show at Excel Center in St. Paul... it was awesome. Dave is awesome. The whole night was... well awesome.  It was the best setlist I have seen/heard in 10 years of Dave shows. (Note to you, the reader, if you do not like my references to Dave... please stop reading hence forth).

School has been busy (and by busy, I clearly mean -pardon the French- kicking my ass).  I have never read so much in my life!! I've started practicum at Crosswinds and also tutoring for Avid at Plymouth Middle School! It's so exciting interacting with real-live specimens (er... I mean students), and learning how to best teach and educate them! The hands on experience is definitely something I cannot learn in methods course.  Now... I just have to figure out how to get some of the stubborn students to actually like me.

On a personal note (is it "kosher" to include that on here?): I am somewhere in the limbo of dating someone and single... I thought a break-up conversation was coming as of yesterday, but I received an interesting text last night.  Nothing like figuring out relationship status via a text! Oh, the technology age in which we live!  After I figure out this I will be sure to blog about it so the world (aka Dan) can hear about it (not that he doesn't in class! Ha).  I probably will never get over the stage of wanting to talk about my personal life to people who really don't care... so why not put it on a blog as well?!  I'd almost be content at this point to live the rest of my life out with my dog Niki (please reference last blog post).  I am posting a picture of Niki in this posting so you can understand the adorableness that he encompasses.

On a completely separate note: I am currently at my parents (which is down the road from my job at Plymouth Middle School) and eating lunch courtesy of them.  The left for Africa today to venture on a Safari... looks like free lunches for me until they get back!

Well, until next time, Au Revoir!

The love of my life... lounging like he does best.

I've lost my mind... I'm talking to myself

Hello All!

I say that as I stare at the side of my blog... the "all" really just refers to me, as I have absolutely no followers.  I'm literally talking to myself right now.  I'm contemplating "following" myself, so that I can see that I have a follower, but I'm worried that will have the opposite effect and just make me feel worse. 

So, this is not only my first attempt at making a blog, but really at following blogs at all!  My only interaction with a blog is the movie "Julie and Julia"... (sidebar, I love Meryl Streep).  I wish I knew how to make this blog look truly unique; however, I honestly don't have the patience or intelligence to design this thing.

I enjoy writing (big surprise for a future English teacher!), so I'm looking forward to updating this!  Even if it's only my Mom and I that read it (and I'm forcing her to), I think this will be fun! Maybe I'll read it out loud to my Standard Poodle, Niki (the coolest "person" I know), and make that number of followers increase to 2.5 people (yes, as Niki is a dog he only counts as half of a follower).

So, until next time...