Considering Genre

After researching the controversy surrounding The Interview and the Sony hack, it's time to think about how to format my project.

1.  What genre will I commit to? And why?

For project one, I've chose the quick reference guide. This genre is ideal for succinctly explaining a controversy. If I needed to make a specific argument, an essay might be better. But since I'm telling a story as objectively as possible, I think the quick reference guide is more palatable. Readers can get the big picture without reading five pages of unbroken text.  

2. What genre conventions will I develop in production week? How will these conventions aid my purpose?

Once I have a general outline of the facts, I need to figure out how to divide them into portion-sized sections. One of the key conventions of the quick reference guide is the use of questions to introduce the next section. If one simply scans through the guide and reads only the bold question markers, that individual should still have a very good idea of what the quick reference guide is about. Part of my work this week will be to develop appropriate questions to structure the guide. This will help readers know exactly what to expect and look for as they read. 

Another needed convention is images. Good quick reference guides have pictures, charts, graphs, twitter posts, etc. The purpose of images is to help present factual data in a quick and comprehensible manner. They also allow the reader to connect with the text, to see real figures or pictures pertinent to the debate. This week I will need to find good quick-reference-guide images. 

3. How do I feel?

Melanie. "Dog, Sleeping, Resting, Rest, Canine, Tired, Sleepy" 6/15/2012 via pixabay
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Tired. This week's workload (including but not limited to 109H) was heavier than anticipated, and I still feel I need to do more research. It will be a challenge to balance other class assignments this week while granting 109H its desires. 

Cluster Map

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For the cluster map of The Interview controversy, I divided the conflict into two main camps.

On the left side...

Those who don't support The Interview, most notably: the hackers, North Korea, and individuals who felt the film's plot went too far.

On the right side...

Those who support The Interview, most notably: Sony Corporation, the U.S. government represented by President Obama, the directors/actors of The Interview, and individuals in unequivocal support of free speech.

Check it out here.

Evaluation of General Sources

In this post I'll examine two sources to be used in the first major assignment. The first source is a New York Times interview with James Franco and Seth Rogen. The second source is a timeline of the Sony hack in 2014.

What is the URL? And does it reflect the source's credibility?

Both articles are .com URL's. Generally, this implies a credible website, though not always. Unlike .edu or .gov, a .com website is not sponsored by a governing body. Instead, any individual organization or person can purchase a .com domain and express their opinions there. In the case of these two articles, the news sources which own the domain are the main source of credibility. The New York Times has a solid reputation, and Deadline Hollywood, although more gossip-y, steers away from tabloid news to present accurate information.

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Who is the author? And what's their expertise?

The New York Times article is written by Dave Itzkoff, although it contains direct quotes from Franco and Rogen. Itzkoff, a Princeton English Lit. grad, has an extensive history working with news magazines which dates back to 1999. He has also published two memoirs.

Franco and Rogen, as successful actors and directors with extensive resumes, lend credibility to the topic of their film, The Interview, since both acted in it. Rogen also co-directed it.

The second source is authored by David Robb, a three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee. He has written three books, two of them concerning Hollywood. His work has also appeared in trusted sources like the New York Times and Washington Post.

Is the page up-to-date?

The New York Times article was last updated Dec. 21, 2014. This is towards the end of the Sony hack drama. Since its publication, not much has changed in terms of public knowledge about the hack.

The Deadline Hollywood article was last updated Dec. 24, 2014. Like the first article, it includes the bulk of disclosed information concerning the Sony Hack.

What is the article's purpose?

The main purpose of both articles is to inform. The New York Times article does this through a direct interview with poeple involved in the Sony hack drama. However, its tone is definitely supportive of The Interview, and the article serves the secondary purpose of nudging the readers to watch the film.

The second article is more scientific, providing an exact timeline of the events of the Sony hack as they happened. Like most articles, its tone sympathizes with Sony, portraying them in a positive light.
At the end, there is information on how to rent or purchase The Interview online.

Are there graphics?

The first source provides a series of humorous Rogen-Franco shots from various movies they've acted in together. The photos help the audience to like the interviewees and also inspire us to go see The Interview!

The second source has photos of various people involved in the Sony hack: company higher-ups, actors, security guards at a theater. Rather than entertain, the photos attempt to further convey information to the audience.

Is the source biased?

Neither source demonstrates an extreme bias, although both support Sony and The Interview, which benefit from the positive publicity of these articles. Based on other relevant sources, the information portrayed in these articles is accurate.

Does the source provide links?

Both articles contain embedded links, although the New York Times article does a better job at it. Despite being a quicker read, it contains more links than the second article.

Reddit and What I Found There

Reddit is a completely new information source for me. Here are a few observations after exploring some film threads:

1. What kinds of things are people talking about?

A lot of people on Reddit are looking to give or receive advice. How can I become a better filmmaker? What are the best French films to watch? Here are the top ten best opening scenes in cinema. Etc., etc. Most posts are either open-ended questions or specific commentaries on film.

Phillips, Kevin. "Reddit, Com, Vote, Comment, Submit, News, Blogs, Info" 10/2015 via pixabay
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2. What are the two most interesting threads I found?

One of the cool things I noticed about Reddit is that people are taking the time to express opinions and spark conversations about art. I found this thread about Gaspar Noe, an Argentinian director. Although I've never scene any of his films, I found the dispute itself interesting. On one hand, the conversation instigator was unimpressed with Noe and wondering why his films did so well. On the other hand, staunch Noe disciples were (sometimes vehemently) defending Noe's work.

Another interesting debate, although decidedly less heated, was how to make a fake exploding head. Different experts weighed in with their opinions on how to accomplish said task for the camera. Tools needed: rubber masks, fake blood, air compressors, and explosives (among others).

3.  What's my overall impression?

I wasn't that impressed with Reddit overall. Although there were some entertaining feeds, the dialogue seemed a lot less professional. Most individuals seemed set on getting personal advice from anyone and everyone, regardless of their credentials. I guess that's to be expected on a forum, but then again, I've never really liked forums.

Evaluation of News Magazines Stories

In this post I explore two magazine articles pertaining to the field of film. The first talks about the call to change the Oscars Academy voting council, and the second criticizes the gory nature of The Hateful Eight and The Revenant, two recent films.

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What arguments do these articles make?

Let's look at the first article:

For the second year in a row, there are zero black nominees for Oscars awards. Although Steve McQueen made history in 2014 as the first black director of a best film for 12 Years a Slave, some feel it was just a concession of white guilt. The call to revise the Academy voting council stems from the fact that many members are no longer active in the film industry. Doubling both black and female voters is another proposed revamp.

Milton Justice, who won an Oscar in the eighties for a documentary and now participates on the voting council, represents the opposing position. In his view, films are selected based on how good they are, regardless of the race of those involved in the movie-making process. To give more credit to an actor or director just because he or she is a minority is an insult to the art of cinema.


And now for the second article:

This article decries the excessive violence and betrayal underlying The Hateful Eight and The Revenant. It essentially points out the bloodiness that draws crowds to see these films while expressing merciless opinions on their unrealistic and flat plots. For example, although Glass undergoes a hero's survival journey in The Revenant, we see no evidence of character transformation by the films end. Good point. I still liked the movie though.


Who is the most sympathetic character in these stories?

In the first article, Cheryl Isaacs, president of the Academy is the most sympathetic character. Standing up against past traditions, she is making efforts to diversify the voting council so it will be a better reflection of the American population. Although the article doesn't make you feel bad for her, it does make you resonate with her righteous mission.

In the second article, the author, Anthony Lane, is the most sympathetic character. We suffer with him as he recounts gruesome scenes and crass audience reactions to violence in these two films. Because we don't want to be guilty of loving ugliness, we resonate with the author's tone of disgust.


Who is the least sympathetic character in these stories?

In the first story, the members of the voting council are the least sympathetic characters. Since the article portrays these individuals (such as Milton Justice) as out of touch with different cultures and styles of film, the reader feels very little sympathy for them.

In the film critique article, Tarantino and Inarritu (the directors of the two films) are the bad guys. The author accuses them of using violence to attract audiences. Not to mention the glorified themes of greed and revenge plaguing each film.

Twitter and What I Found There

Recently I explored the film community on Twitter. Since controversy over the all-white cast of Oscar nominees has been in the news lately, I expected to find Twitter opinions weighing in from all angles. Not so. Here's what I discovered:


1. What are people talking about?

New Films. People are excited about new releases, especially Indie stuff. Often there are links to reviews, video essays, or podcasts that critique or analyze certain aspects of a film. There are also lots of conversations about how to become a better filmmaker: links to interviews with professionals, the latest equipment, competitions for getting your name out there.

Meineresterampe. "Camera, Film Camera, Film, Recording, Watch Tv" 10/2015 via Pixabay
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2. What caught my attention?

There seems to be an ongoing debate on the value of shooting on digital versus film stock. Since digital isn't able to replicate the exact feel of film, some directors refuse to make the switch. On one profile I came across this article about Roger Deakins, an acclaimed cinematographer who advocates digital shooting. On another twitter profile I found this video interview in which director Christopher Nolan maintains that shooting on film is vital to the art of cinema.

I also really enjoyed a video essay analyzing the postmodern morality of the film In Bruges. Having recently viewed this dark comedy, I enjoyed the thoughtful analysis. While watching it I definitely had a few "aha!" moments.


3. My overall impression:

People in the film industry are talking about the things I would expect. Although I was surprised no one had made much comment on the diversity controversy with the Oscar nominations, it made sense after thinking about it. Those interested in film are interested in film, not the politics surrounding it. Rather than discuss nominations, people are more excited to discuss the films themselves. Are they doing anything new? How's the cinematography? Is there an important message? Symbolism? And then: how can we make films as good as these?

Evaluation of New York Times Stories

In this post, I'll analyze two New York Times stories. The first concerns musician B.O.B.'s claims that the earth is flat, and the second concerns a provision on a potential bill that supports Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Let's look at the B.O.B. conspiracy first.

1. Is there a protagonist?

Sort of. While B.O.B. is presented in a friendly light, it's hard to get behind a man denouncing five hundred years of common knowledge. Nonetheless, B.O.B. is the central character, stoically denying the world order conspiracy that the earth is round.


2. What is the setting?

The story unfolds via Twitter, where B.O.B. first posted his conclusion. Photos from specific locations and elevations reveal flat horizons, the basis of the argument. In the article, Twitter posts are used to guide the narrative, breaking up paragraph segments. Not only do we get posts from B.O.B., but famous physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in with responses. Which leads us to the next point...

Venita, Oberholster. "Ship, Map, Navigation, Vintage, Collage, Art, Nautical" 9/2015 via pixabay
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3. Is there a conflict?

Yes. After Tyson responded to B.O.B's tweets, the rapper released a "diss track" condemning Tyson. This sparked further Twitter dialogue between the two. For B.O.B., the motivation seems good-willed enough. He wishes to inform people of the lies they've been told. Truth is at stake. For Tyson, very little is at stake. As the one with the weight of popular opinion behind him, his comments are less forceful and instead resort to subtle shots at B.O.B.'s worldview. No pun intended.

Now let's take a look at the second article.

1. Is there a protagonist?

No. The story focuses on the Customs Bill (already passed through the House) rather than any individual. President Obama, however, is given considerable mention as one with the power to veto the bill. Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., is portrayed negatively whereas a few organizations taking action against the empowerment of Israeli settlements in Palestine are championed.

2. What is the setting?

The article begins by painting a picture of Ambassador Dermer's Christmas present to the White House, a collection of products made in, ironically, U.S.-condemned Israeli settlements. This sets the stage for the discussion of the new U.S. bill, specifically pointing out the Oval Office's power to veto.

3. Is there a conflict?

Yes, but specific characters aren't emphasized. Rather, the conflict is presented as a struggle between  Israeli colonization and the Palestinian workers it affects. By framing the issue in this light, the U.S.'s compliance with the pro-Israeli provision is seen as an acquiescence to human rights violation.

The 4 Course Projects

This blog post concerns the four major projects assigned this semester. It is a reflection on my hopes and fears, confidences and misgivings, for the spring semester. Will I be young, reckless, and carefree?

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Or will I fold under the pressure?

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1. What am I nervous about?

I'm worried I won't find a controversy in my field that I'm interested in. I'm also having a difficult time synthesizing ideas for all four projects, let alone ideas for the first one. Not being excited about a subject makes me nervous because I know how dreadful a dull research project can be. Then again, I haven't made much of an effort to find a topic. So I withhold judgement.


2. What am I excited about?

I'm really excited to make a podcast segment and a video essay. Music and film are passions of mine, and I love messing around with audio and visual media.  The thought of finding a beautiful thought or story to share (within the parameters of the assignment) is also very exciting.


3. How do I need to plan/prepare?

Research isn't attractive to me. I love learning and exploring new topics on my own. But as soon as I have to write an essay about it, something dies in me. Citations and minimum word counts weigh heavily on a man. So I'll need to make sure I start my research early. In fact, I should probably make a schedule and set some personal deadlines leading up to the final project deadline.


4. What skills am I going into these projects with?

I have some film and audio editing experience which will help with the video essay and the podcast. Previous English classes have also given me a decent understanding of grammar and rhetoric, which will undoubtedly prove to be useful. I've also taken some creative writing courses. Though I won't be writing any mystery novels in this class, the principles of story apply to a large array of genres. I hope to incorporate a bit of this particularly into the podcast segment. All my favorite podcasts are interesting stories.

I've also messed around with the interview genre a bit (check out my last project here), so excited to interview some more people.


5. Do have any other questions?

Do the four projects need to be in the same category? And are we required to stay within our major, or can we choose another topic?


Course Projects Reflection:

It's not surprising that some of us have similar excitements and concerns for this semester's workload. Olivia and Avalon both pointed out extra causes for worry I hadn't even thought of! I'm joking, but only partially. This class will certainly have its challenges. But I like that. I like that we're experimenting with new genres. My main concern still is finding a topic I can be passionate about within the constraints of the prompt. Olivia expressed excitement over the freedom these assignments provide, and while I agree they allow for much more creativity than your average English class, I would love no other prompt than: "Go make a podcast segment." Or: "Go write an essay."

Investigating Genres

One of the exciting things about living in the 21st century is the cambrian explosion of communication media. Not only are there more ideas and opinions available for general consumption than ever before, but the options for sharing these ideas are expanding and evolving rapidly. In this post, we'll take a look at one new medium which has risen to prevalence in recent years: the podcast segment.

1. First, what's it used for?

Podcasts are used to rapidly convey a piece of niche information. This could be a strange story, the process behind writing a specific song, or a new scientific discovery.

2. Where do you find podcast segments?

Podcast segments usually exist in independent episodes from a single source. Just as one follows their favorite tv show, listeners can follow their favorite podcast sources, available for download or streaming online. Many podcast programs are offshoots from a wider media platform such as radio or television. These podcasts exist within the framework of their parent conglomerate. Take ESPNs PodCenter, for example, a podcasting source devoted entirely to sports. Or NPR podcasts, which inform on politics and culture.

3. Who are podcast segments for?

The podcast segment is for the modern renaissance man or woman. Those with innate curiosity. Podcasts go deep and move fast. Only the most engaging and relevant portions of a story are included, leaving listeners with tidbits of information. While this information may or may not be useful, it is interesting...

The podcast segment is for story-lovers. What makes podcasts unique is their rootedness in the human experience. The best podcasts pull upon interviews, narration, and music to present information artfully.

Finally, the podcast segment is for the modern commuter. Few traffic jams are better spent.

4. What distinguishes podcasts from other communication media?

A podcast is somewhere in the gray area between a news clip, a talk show, and a short story. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to genre-blend these common ingredients into something flavorful. Imagine a smoothie. You want something healthy, but also something filling and aesthetically pleasing. Respectively, you include kale (for nutrition), peanut butter (for density), and frozen strawberries (for that thick, smoothie texture). A podcast is like that. A little bit of nutritious information, a little bit of substance to satisfy the soul, and a palatable production to top it off.

Garcia, Jean Pierre Llanos. "Smoothie, Strawberry, Texture, Bubbles, Fruit, Healthy" 9/30/2015 via pixabay
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Another cool thing about podcast segments: they are a listening rather than viewing media. Like listening to the radio, podcast segments can be enjoyed while multi-tasking. This is a little harder to accomplish with a television, and even harder with a written source. Texting and driving is illegal for a reason!


5. Now that we've talked a bit about podcast segments, let's come up with a working definition:

A podcast segment is an audio story-telling device, usually between five and twenty minutes in length, that utilizes sound narration, sound effects, and music to present stimulating information on a given subject.


Now go check out some podcast segments!


Investigating Genres Reflection:

It was cool to read Amelia and Evan's posts. I was particularly impressed by Amelia's blog layout, into which she evidently invested more time than me. Although I am, strangely, a fan of the bitonal orange layout I hurriedly selected, I'm willing to explore some other options. I also liked how personal Amelia's blog set-up was. From the title to her bio, it was clear she is a person who chooses to be interested in things rather than begrudge them.

 I, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled about making a blog. But the funny thing is, I actually enjoyed writing my first few posts. Visiting Evan's blog, I could tell he isn't too excited about this whole blog thing either. However, I think there's something to be said for embracing you're situation, so I hope both of us can strive to become better writer's and more engaged students this semester.

My Writing Process

Every writer can be loosely lumped into one of four categories. In this post I want to talk about my writing process as a Sequential Composer. First, though, let's take a quick look at the four types of writers:

1. Heavy Planners -- Write out the essay. Then begin it.

2. Heavy Revisers -- Speak first, think later.

3. Sequential Composers -- Write a little, edit a little. Repeat.

4. Procrastinators -- You know who you are.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these methods. But for better or worse, I am a sequential composer. And I stand by it, dammit! Let's take a deeper look at the art of sequential composition....

Ochel, Evita. "Treehouse, Trees, Natural, Nature, Trunk, Green, Wood" 2/25/2015 via pixabay.
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What exactly makes me a Sequential Composer? 

For me, writing is like building a treehouse. I have a vision, but it's up in the trees. Not quite concrete. Forget consultations, blueprints, and logistics -- you don't plan a treehouse, dammit! It's a work of imagination.

So I start with my hammer, a few boards and some nails. Once a couple pieces are in place, I step back and survey my work. Hmm... that one still has a nail sticking out. Bang, bang. This board is supposed to support the whole treehouse, but it's not resting on the thickest limb. Bang, bang. Okay, now let's add a few more boards...


Am I a pure Sequential Composer, or do I sneak in some other techniques now and then? 

Of course! Why box yourself in? Though the bulk of my method is Sequential Composition, I like to incorporate a few [Light] Planner elements. Let's get this straight, I won't be drawing up council-approved blueprints for my treehouse. But before I start, I might sit down with a crisp sheet of printer paper and a selection of bright crayons. That way I can have a vision of my treehouse to guide and renew my inspiration as I build.


Is there any downside to Sequential Composition?

Yes, yes, I'll admit it. Sequential Composer's aren't perfect. Like all mankind, we have our vices. Namely, the sin of digression. Without the structure of a blueprint, the Sequential Composer often finds him or herself in the stony wasteland of irrelevancy. Remember when your high school teacher told you to stick to the prompt? Head wisdom, all ye wayward creatures!

Yes, Sequential Composers sometimes build a window in their treehouses where they should really build a door. But this isn't all bad. Sequential Composition allows for a writing piece to unfold organically. It leaves room for the work to shape itself, for the muse to strike. As some of the great thinkers have speculated, perhaps even our sin is holy. Innovation and style distinguish the architecture of a Sequential Composer.


Could I benefit by expanding my methods?

Absolutely. In my opinion, the greatest artists possess an uncanny ability to implement paradox. To simultaneous plan and go with the flow. To be some days ahead of schedule and others nights sleepless before a deadline.

Specifically, I think my writing could be improved by a deeper respect for final-product editing. Sure, I edit as I go, crafting a sentence or paragraph before moving on. But when my treehouse is finished, is its design functional holistically?  Do all the elements work together? A beautiful sentence loses life when not rooted in the earth of a whole work.


So what's your writing method? Any other sequential composers out there?