Feedback

I thoroughly enjoyed this class for many reasons. I liked the projects and got to expand my knowledge of Photoshop. The thought the filming aspects were challenging but fun to complete. The final project was the best, I think, because we all had great groups which we picked ourselves (so no pressure) and it allowed us to really be creative which resulted in a bunch of different styled films. Critical feedback form the class is crucial to the learning process and I liked how we had designated time to do just that. Without it I feel we would never learn. Thank you to all the Professors especially Professor Starosta for making this class great!

Jam Session

Jam Session is a take off of our last film, Traffic Poem. We decided to stay with the concept of traffic for reasons unknown but with some characters and a drive we came up with Jam Session.

We planned out everything but along the way we had to improvise a little bit because of time.We ended up taking out a few shots that we had planned on using but decided against it because they didn't quite fit. The voice over was one thing we had originally anticipated being in the film because we wanted the audience to not only see the actions being done but also hear "Jam's" own thoughts during the action. The soundtrack was a last minute choice when we noticed that narration didn't cover the entire "dream sequence". So we added it to give a little more substance and add noise to places that had none. Overall, I am satisfied with the film. I think the team did a great job filming, recording, acting, and editing. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

The Museum of the Moving Image!

When our class first arrived at the Museum of the Moving Image we were split into groups for a short tour. The tour included looking through a kinetoscope (which was pretty cool) and two audio introductions. One of the audio introductions was about dubbing which I thought was really interesting. I got to participate in the dubbing which made it all the better. This part of the film process I am not familiar with considering I want to be a film editor. I learned that a good portion of the film that is taken during production doesn't have good audio. So when all the shots have been taken the actors and actresses go into a studio and actually record their voice over the shots again. This process can be pretty funny because they have to watch themselves on the screen while trying to reenact the same emotion while sitting in a chair. So the guide of our tour group chose a clip of the movie Wizard of Oz (which just so happens to be my favorite movie). It's the clip when Dorothy first arrives in Munchkin Land and realizes she isn't in Kansas anymore. I read out the two lines and recorded them and everyone thought it was great. Although it was quite embarrassing because my boyfriend joined the class for the trip and was in the room listening and watching me dub over Judy Garland's voice. He also has an interesting take on the film museum because he is an artist and usually doesn't partake in film making. This is what he had to say...,


"In the Museum of the Moving Image, I  learned many new and interesting things that create a film. Film is much more then moving images with sound effects, it is a collaboration of all mediums, such as illustration, music, photography, sculpting, fashion design, etc.  One part of the exhibit that I found interesting was the sound room.  In the sound room actors watch themselves on the screen and rerecord there lines so there voices are much clearer on the big screen. This makes it easy to play around with the audio in the background to make the viewers feel what’s going on in that scene. Another part of the museum I found interesting was the build up and the creation of character and set design.  I liked the concept art, because it shows depth in the character of what he/she looks like. Sometimes by the way they're dressed, the expression in their face, or posture can show the personality of the character. One example is the Dark Crystal, I have never seen the movie but seeing the physical qualities of two main characters gives me a better understanding what the world is like.  Also the swampy setting with its bird-humanoid inhabitants defiantly gives the viewers a feel for its fantasy theme. Lastly is the creation of physical special effects.  For some cases the actor gets an exact render mold of their face so that make up artist can make the actor fit into their role better.  I found the death mask to be very interesting because of the small detailing and the texture technique used in these mask make the rubber look like human skin." 


I recommend the museum to everyone and suggest to try everything!

Video Haiku

In our video haiku on traffic we decided to include clips with cars, people, traffic lights, and jam. The cars of course are one of the things that most people think of when they think of traffic. Whether you are on the highway or any back street you will encounter a traffic jam. The jam shots occur frequently throughout the entire video to ensure that people understand how often traffic jams occur, especially in the city. The last concept we wanted to include is how people can cause traffic as well. People are everywhere and there will always be lines and waiting. These things are part of everyday life in the city and just about everywhere and it seems that we may never get used to it.
As far as progress goes, we will continue to edit the shots together to create a better continuity and fluidity. We want to create with the shots and through editing a feeling of traffic.

To see the Video Haiku click Here

The Light at the end of the Tunnel

Zarkana is one the newest productions by Cirque Du Soleil. I am not quite sure what the production is about but I have many friends who have seen Cirque Du Soleil productions and they have said nothing but amazing things about them. In this design the outside is dark which draws attentions to the middle of the poster where the arch is. The vines and trees on the edge of the arch signifies life. The light that is pouring out of the doorway is abundant and it casts shadows on the figures walking towards the "man in red". The "man in red" or in my opinion the Ring Master, is the audience he is seeing all the light and interesting people from our point of view. The background also indicated how much there is unknown. The Ring Master can see the lights and clouds but it seems to be concealing more people and objects that we want to find out about. One of the things I like most about this poster is that you have to really look at it and into to see more. Around the edge of the inner arch there are gears in a steam punk design. For me the poster says that there is more under the surface than what you see. That in order to find out the secrets of Zarkana you must walk into the light.

A Commuter School

Hunter College is a commuter school located in the heart of Manhattan. These photos show how a student at hunter goes from the turnstiles in the school right down the stairs and in to the busy subway stations in NYC. This is still a work in progress as I hope to be able to show the transition from Hunter into the city life more efficiently.

Peace Not War

Wars have and are continuing to have a devastating affect on countries and the individuals that inhabit them. I have many family members and friends who are currently serving the United States Armed Forces and although they have chosen to serve and protect our country I still wish that they were home and didn't have to risk their lives for us. This stamp shows how I feel about war and what I think we should do instead. Instead of sending out friends, family, and loved ones I feel we should take a stand of peace. Throughout human history there has always been records of war and devastation but never of peace. Peace is one strategy we haven't tried yet.

This Potato doesn't Fry!

If Mr. Potato head was a chef this is what he would look like. He is jolly with his rosy strawberry cheeks and has very sharp hearing with his grapefruit ears. He loves to cook but I wouldn't expect any fries out of this chef!

Artist Statement

Once when I was seven years old, my family and I sat down together to watch Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. I was not and still not a fan of scary, gruesome, horror flicks so I covered my eyes every time I heard creepy music. Then it came to the part where the headless horsemen was galloping through the town and slaying anyone who stood in his way. I ducked under the covers concealing my eyes and screaming because I thought that the horsemen would come after me too. Meanwhile, my little sister, about five years old, was cheering the horsemen on and saying, "Cut off their heads!" I couldn't believe that someone could watch the same film as me and feel a totally different emotion than I felt, especially at such a young age. However, it wasn't until I grew up and watched more movies and experienced new things, that I understood how movies draw on the audiences emotions and how important that is in the film's success.  

When I first got behind the wheel of a car I was scared, excited, exhilarated, and nervous. But most of all I felt like anything was possible; that I could do anything. Of course that wasn't and isn't true, but I still feel that way every time I get in the car to drive. For me film is the same way; it can make you feel so many different emotions all at once or spread out throughout the film. When I watch a film a whole different world takes me in and I become part of the movie; not just a spectator. I connect with the characters and I follow them through their journey. I hope that one day I will be able to recreate what movies do for me for everyone else through film editing. I want to use film editing to take a shot and put it in a particular way that it will make you experience an that maybe you haven't felt in a while. Everyone is different and we all feel things differently and I want the chance to show that through my work, whether it be through editing or directing (Either would suffice).

Currently I stick to watching comedies, romance, and the occasional science fiction or action movie. Personally, I really love the movies by Peter Jackson. One of my favorites by him would be District 9. The story being told though its documentary style camera operation made me feel for the every character in the film. I am also a sucker for the heartbreaking ending.