Summation

MEDP 150 was an interesting course.

I value the new fond appreciation that I have for shots, the inspiration for each shot, each moment, each frame. I've been looking at films from a different scope. I look through my pictures and try to discover if it goes against the rule of thirds. Before this course, I didn't know the technical ways/terms for different images and software. Now, I know of many different ways of how to approach a film, both viewing and creating. Thank you.

Within the semester, I borrowed the film Wings of Desire, from Professor Cherrier. I love the entrance, the range of shots. It began with an extreme close-up of an eye. There were words written in german with voice overlay and in the background was a cello playing, providing a deep, mysterious undertone, followed by the odd plucking of violins. This all created an off balance, errie feeling.
Then the violin comes to a crescendo and we see an aerial view of the city. A man with wings appears and as he looks down, the frame goes towards a girl who is staring up. It then shows girls in a bus, a baby looking up at the sky, and then a little girl on a bike looking up at the airplane. The audience doesn't see anyone talking, but we hear whispers in german, whispers from different voices.
On the airplane, everyone's eyes are down; they all have brown hair, except for this one little girl who is looking up and has blond hair. A guy stares at her as if he was pulled to her voice and he smiles. As soon as Columbo speaks, the guy's eyes trails to him and the smile disappears.
Everyones' mouths were closed, everything was inner thought, but the way the film placed it all together, I found quite brilliant. It made the opening scene much deeper, much richer.

I've watched that scene five times. Anaylzing each frame, each shot to see something different. At first I didn't see all the connections, and I assure you that I probably still haven't even now. I love how films can do that. It seems endless. This semester has confirmed that for me. A film can be seen in so many different ways.


One thing I've tried to work on this semester is my artist statement. I gave in two, one was a revised editiong given in later in the semester. My lab instructor said that I needed to explain certain aspects written in the statement and that there seems to be a lot ofthings mentioned that are not completely synched with one another. I tried to do another one but she said that it is still scattered and not strong enough. But, as I say for myself and in my statement: my life happens in chapters; that's why things might be scattered. Though the class is over, I will keep re-writing my statement to make it better. I feel that there is always need for improvement, both within my statements, and me growing as an artist. Still, I don't know how an artist statement can be judge. Each person has a different niche, a different style, a different perspective, and a different way of illustrating that. How can my statement be graded? I know that was the assignment, but I still feel that way in a sense. I guess, my goal is to still write an artist statement that will be more understandable to the public and one that can still stay true to who I am as an artist.

I really did enjoy this class. I wish that the lecture was longer. I love the scenes that we saw and they really did open my eyes to a different way of looking at films. I loved also how I could come up to both Professor Cherrier and Professor Lucas and ask them questions after class, as well as receive references and more insight. I also enjoyed my lab; this I truly wish was longer. I felt that our filming projects were rushed and that there wasn't enough time. It sucked that my partner and I had different schedules and that for part of the time, she was out of the country. Also, I wish we could have taken the cameras out more, but that's business. I guess these are realities that will happen in the future. I'm okay with that. I guess, I just wanted more time so I could completely sink myself into the project. I also wish that we had time to edit our exercise, the haiku. I'm still going to edit this project for fun on my own. I love my exercise group and feel that we had interesting ideas.
Speaking of groups, I loved working in teams. My exercise group was a blast. My profil piece that I did with my partner was challenging due to technicalities and scheduling, but it was interesting to see how someone else thinks a shot can be carried out and to share ideas. The collaboration was and will always be so important.

Ohhh, so earlier, I've mentioned that I will be watching a few movies a week. I've picked out a couple of movies: The Ledge, Let the Right One In, Push, Casino Jack and The Undeserved. They are all different, but for some reason, I was enraptured by them.

I also saw a short called Eggbaby by Nadine Troung and a documentary called Top Spin by Mina T. Son and Sara Newens. I enjoyed them both. During the showing of Eggbaby, they even had the director discussing the short during the commercial break. It was great hearing her perspective, reasons for choosing certain shots, her inspiration...I will do my best to watch more films, both for enjoyment and creative approach.

There is also one more movie that I want to see, but I forgot the name of it...I will find out tomorroww ^^

All in all, I enjoyed my time in class. Outside of class, I've gained the courage to submit my photos to the Olivetree, a Hunter College arts and creative writing club that exhibits students. Though I submitted my photos last minute and received recent news that my works will not be featured, I'm happy that I still tried. I can't wait to try again next year as I grow as an artist and develop more.

Thank you.
.....and now I must sleep because I have a final.