5x5 with "DB" Fair

The Best of "DB" Fair



Clips -
1. "DB" Fair eating two McDoubles smashed together with two McChickens
2. "DB" Fair playing one of his favorite games in the yard
3. "DB" Fair running through a fountain to collect lost coins
4. "DB" Fair losing an intense table tennis match
5. "DB" Fair preforming a dance routine on the Wii

I filmed my 5x5 project and editing the whole thing on my iPhone using the camera and iMovie app. I am extremely pleased with my final project. I believe it captures "DB" in a unique, comical way.

For our next video challenge we should all have to create a scene that branches off from another persons, creating one very long project. Or we should be required to tell a full story only using a set number of words.

Movie Trailer - A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange. Stanley Kubrick. R. 1971
In futuristic Britain, Alex (Malcolm McDowell) is found guilty of murder and rape. While in prison Alex is chosen for a experiment called the Ludovico Technique, which will allow for an earlier release after completion. Alex is later released from prison but all the effects of the experiments have not worn off and he undergoes a long recovery.



The movie trailer for A Clockwork Orange is exemplary of a quality movie trailer because the director fully develops a premise and dystopian protagonist through clips and quotes, directly from the film. The premise is developed by showing the murder and rape committed by the protagonist, Alex. This is then enhanced when they use a quote from one of the characters, "there's no law and order anymore." The dystopian society is then shown by the clips of Alex being chosen for experimentation and footage of the actual experiment. Violence in the society is frequently shown throughout the trailer. The protagonist is established as the viewer follows Alex's crimes, time in prison, and experiments throughout the trailer. The director does not fully establish that Alex will be seeking change in his society but clearly establishes him as the protagonist and the society as a dystopia.
When creating my own trailer, I will be sure to clearly demonstrate through film, why the society is a dystopia, and even add a quote or two, from the film to ensure the viewers understanding. I noticed the quick clips, that get right to the point, effectively convey what the director intends even when using a lengthy quote, other clips can be shown over the sound. Also, I will follow the protagonist throughout the trailer, so that the viewer can understand that this character is the main one, who will eventually be responsible for sparking change in the dystopia.

Web Learning

I recently read World Without Walls: Learning With Others by Will Richardson and annotated it.

The article can be found here.

In his article, Richardson covers how the world of learning is changing drastically. He recognizes the changes occurring to how students wish to learn and behave outside of the classroom. Unlike how I would expect him to react, Richardson is a full supporter of the movement, and even finds trying to ignore it "unacceptable for our kids". I would believe older generations to be against this new movement of technological learning. But Richardson realizes the extreme benefits to the new style although it discourages face to face interactions.

Richardson says, "we as educators need to reconsider our roles in students' lives, to think of ourselves as connectors first and content experts second." This is extremely important part of the topic of new styles of learning. In order for this new style to be effective, classroom teachers must recognize their new role. If teachers refuse to do so then the learning process can become very untidy and confusing for students.

We can use this strategy. Instead of using class time to learn editing techniques or filming techniques, students can use the world wide web to do so by utilizing the tools of the virtual world and then class time can be focused on projects.

I like the idea of spending more time on projects in class rather than learning about how to do the projects. The internet is full of experienced editors, camera men, actors, and writers, that if taken advantage of correctly, can assist us to reach new heights in our learning.

Cinema Review

Anthony Lane, a writer for The New Yorker, published "Batman's Bane," a review of the newest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises.

Lane's review, annotated by myself, can be found here.

Lane's review focuses very little on the cinematic and dramatic aspects of the film. Lane takes this opportunity to criticize director, Christopher Nolan. Lane criticizes the tactics and work of Nolan and expresses his ideas that Nolan did a very poor job with Batman. Lane rarely analyzes the plot, characters, conflict, setting, theme, point of view, mood, or symbolism in the movie. Acting, sets, costumes, and make-up are mentioned very little except for a few lines about the acting of Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway. Lane chooses not to touch on any cinematic aspects of the film except for Nolan's choice of music, which he sarcastically voices his opinion on. Lane is very critical of the film and follows a very vague outline. He begins to describe a part of the plot but then stops to express his opinion and take shots at Nolan.

For our reviews we should be required to touch on literary aspects, dramatic aspects, cinematic aspects, and voice our own opinion of the film. We should not base our reviews heavily on one or two of these components. We should be able to write in any structure we choose as long as we include all four components. I would prefer to have large amounts of freedom when completing this quarterly assignment to make this project more enjoyable. Being able to complete this assignment on any film would make easier to complete and much more fun.

Number One

Hello world,

This shall be my first of many blog posts. My name is Sebastian. I am participating in a video class for the fourth time in five years. I enjoy being a camera man and editing much more than being on camera. Editing is my favorite part. In eighth grade at Takoma Park Middle School, I created a autobiography video on my own. I enjoyed this process greatly. Unfortunately, due to a computer crash, I no longer have a copy. I enjoyed this project because it was mainly editing, not filming. For the most part, I used still photos and voice overs. Another project I was thrilled with was an eighth grade PSA I made with a group about returning your books on time. I was a director and editor in this production. It was an extremely fun project because of the freedom we were allowed to have and the group I was able to work with.

I believe the use of blogs for school work will be extremely useful. We can use the blogs to make group projects much easier. This makes showing what you've been working on much easier. Also, the blogs can be utilized to share useful sources when we start learning new topics. Students can share things they've found that have helped them understand what we are learning. Corroborating is much easier with these blogs, as it provides a way to group things together. We can use our blogs to post about our progress on our change projects too. Groups can share what they've been working on and possibly get ideas from other groups.

The image I have uploaded represents me because I eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. My world basically revolves around it, occasionally a little too much, leaving less time for other activities.

Image credit: World Pond Hockey Championship