1. Gee, what would surprise me now compared to in August? I guess the fact that I have made it through with my brain fairly in tact. I would be totally surprised that I had gain some weight an not kept up with my swimming. That is a little disappointing. I worked so hard to loose it last year and now it is back. I do understand that because of my heavy work load that I did not have the time to put in to the swimming. Like right now, as I am typing this blog, I should be swimming. I just don't have enough hours in the day to finish everything. I know that after I graduate, then my life should be a little more normal and I will have time to spend with my swimming as well as my filming. This has been the hardest semester for me and I was hoping it would get a little easier. As far as my "artistic" thinking, that has changed radically. I have never though of myself as an artist and after reading that book, I can truthfully say that I am an artist. So, now when people ask me about what I do, I can say that I am an artist. That gives me a good feeling and that really surprises me!
2. Hmm, since the beginning of my college career? That was quite awhile ago - eight years to be exact. When I started college, at Baton Rouge Community College, I just took one English class and that was right after my knee replacement, I went to class on a walker because I was still learning how to walk again. I wasn't sure I could even do this "college thing." The last time I was in college was in 1980. I wasn't sure that I could handle the work load. For six years, I made it through BRCC taking one or two classes at a time. When I decided to go full time at LSU, to be honest, I was terrified that I couldn't handle it. After all, I'm not as young as I used to be and my energy level is not what it used to be. If I could have seen myself now - back then, I would be completely, totally, unbelievably surprise. I would have never guessed that I could do such a thing. I had been a terrible student when I was in high school and I never would have thought that I could have the GPA and be able to handle so many classes. I never thought I would ever get my BA in anything. It has been so hard for me. My husband tells me that if it was easy, everyone would do it. That is some comfort. Getting my BA is a dream come true that I have waited 39 years for.
3. I can't really think of anything right now that I haven't already mentioned that really surprises me. To be honest, my life is pretty much the same as far as my relationships go. My husband and I have had a hard time with my crazy schedule, but that will change after school. He understands what school means to me and is very patient and supportive. Like I said earlier, I now see myself as an artist and that has changed. Now that I have earned my BA, I can see myself going on to get an MFA in film production at UNO. I never thought that would be possible. Of course, I am going to take a long well deserved break (and try to pay off my school bills). I don't see myself getting into the film business. If I was younger, maybe. I am looking forward to traveling with my husband. Our church is planning a trip to Greece and surrounding areas tracing Paul's missionary path. I am hoping we can get enough money to make that trip! It is next March. I plan on bringing my camera and making a film about it. It would be a good film to use as a audition film for UNO! This has been a really good class and I have enjoyed it.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Journey entry 12 - magic wand
If I had a magic wand to get rid of annoying things, especially in television, it would be laugh tracks in sit-coms. It can't stand listening to a laugh track when the joke or situation is not funny. Does adding a laugh track suppose to make people laugh? What is worse is the exact same laugh track over multiple shows and the same one on different shows. I have stopped watching most sit-coms for that very reason. Maybe because I am older, but I remember when sit-coms were taped live and the audience that was is the studio had real reactions to the actors performances. Even the "variety" shows like Carol Burnett were taped live. You can watch them now as reruns and they are still funny making them timeless.
For example - check out this link:
Carol Burnett Show - Dentist
Since this clip was filmed live, the actors themselves couldn't keep a straight face which made it all the more funny!
As far as LSU goes, it would be nice to see the plays and shows (especially the comedies) filmed with live audiences. I know the department is building their archives and this would be important when it comes to the editing process to let the live audience sound stay in the final version.
It would be nicer to see more original plays or footage produced at LSU. Maybe a "Creative script/screenwriting" class would help. I know that LSU has screenwriting classes now and I'm not sure how much of the "creative" part is emphasized or how much of the script form is taught. Maybe this is an area that needs further attention. I would to see more all round fun productions whether they are on film or in the theatre. I get so tired of the same old tragic stories whether they are tragic love stories, or action dramas. Why can't there be just some fun films.
My third magic wand trick would to make plays and film with less bad language. There are so many good stories to be told that can be done without all the bad language. As a rule, my husband and I will not go to an "R" rated movie because of that very reason. I know I have to watch movies and plays with bad language in them for school, but I don't always like what I hear. It seems to me to be a lack of creative writing in the script to have to put the "MF" word so many times. I had to screen a movie for one of my classes at BRCC. The teacher asked me if we liked or didn't like the movie and why and not "just because." I said I didn't like it because of the lack of creativity in the language. She accepted my answer. The answer to this could be the same as in my second pet peeve, to have more "creative" writing courses available at LSU. It seems to me that some of the best plays and movies were made when there was sensors to limit the amount of cussing in them.
For example - check out this link:
Carol Burnett Show - Dentist
Since this clip was filmed live, the actors themselves couldn't keep a straight face which made it all the more funny!
As far as LSU goes, it would be nice to see the plays and shows (especially the comedies) filmed with live audiences. I know the department is building their archives and this would be important when it comes to the editing process to let the live audience sound stay in the final version.
It would be nicer to see more original plays or footage produced at LSU. Maybe a "Creative script/screenwriting" class would help. I know that LSU has screenwriting classes now and I'm not sure how much of the "creative" part is emphasized or how much of the script form is taught. Maybe this is an area that needs further attention. I would to see more all round fun productions whether they are on film or in the theatre. I get so tired of the same old tragic stories whether they are tragic love stories, or action dramas. Why can't there be just some fun films.
My third magic wand trick would to make plays and film with less bad language. There are so many good stories to be told that can be done without all the bad language. As a rule, my husband and I will not go to an "R" rated movie because of that very reason. I know I have to watch movies and plays with bad language in them for school, but I don't always like what I hear. It seems to me to be a lack of creative writing in the script to have to put the "MF" word so many times. I had to screen a movie for one of my classes at BRCC. The teacher asked me if we liked or didn't like the movie and why and not "just because." I said I didn't like it because of the lack of creativity in the language. She accepted my answer. The answer to this could be the same as in my second pet peeve, to have more "creative" writing courses available at LSU. It seems to me that some of the best plays and movies were made when there was sensors to limit the amount of cussing in them.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Journal entry 11 - restoration
To rejuvenate myself means usually baking something, cookies, pies, or whatever. That seems to be my "security" in which I am doing something that I love to do and I feel like I am accomplishing something, although it is not so great for my waistline. Baking makes me very happy and I wish I had more time to spend on my baking. I even used to bake bread about once a week. The problem with baking bread is that it takes up so much time and I just don't have the time for it any more, mainly because of school.
Artistically, it depends on which artistic thing I want to do. When I want to choreograph a skating program for my students, I will listen to a lot of different pieces of music with my student in mind and try to pick out the best music to fit their personality. Then, I love to spend some time on the ice, skating around listening to the music to get inspired about which moves to choreograph for the program. I don't get much time to just skate for me and I definitely do more if I am able to.
For my lighting design, I will spend time reading the script and/or the story to dream about how it should look on the set. When I am designing the lights for our church plays, I will play with the light board to find the best way to help tell the story with the lights.
When I am getting ready to film, I will spend time looking for interesting shots in which to film. I also love to watch movies. I don't always get the time to go see movies. My husband and I will watch movies and shows on Netflix. I know it is not the best thing as far as the "Artist Date," however, I did find time during the spring break to watch the Godfather trilogy on AMC. I love this series of movies and well done they were made. Since becoming a film student, I look at movies in a whole new way.
During spring break, I also spent a great deal of time working on my documentary for the film festival. This was great for my artistic side in that it wasn't just for a class, but for me. With all the projects I've done in the past 2 years, it has been difficult to anything just for me. I don't know how good it is but, even if it isn't my best, it was still a learning experience that I enjoyed. It is really hard to pick one specific thing that I would or should do to rejuvenate me. I think once I am finished with school, I would have more time to really devote to spending time to rejuvenate my artistic self. I know that seems like an excuse, but the fact is that there is just not enough hours in a day to do everything I would like to do.
Artistically, it depends on which artistic thing I want to do. When I want to choreograph a skating program for my students, I will listen to a lot of different pieces of music with my student in mind and try to pick out the best music to fit their personality. Then, I love to spend some time on the ice, skating around listening to the music to get inspired about which moves to choreograph for the program. I don't get much time to just skate for me and I definitely do more if I am able to.
For my lighting design, I will spend time reading the script and/or the story to dream about how it should look on the set. When I am designing the lights for our church plays, I will play with the light board to find the best way to help tell the story with the lights.
When I am getting ready to film, I will spend time looking for interesting shots in which to film. I also love to watch movies. I don't always get the time to go see movies. My husband and I will watch movies and shows on Netflix. I know it is not the best thing as far as the "Artist Date," however, I did find time during the spring break to watch the Godfather trilogy on AMC. I love this series of movies and well done they were made. Since becoming a film student, I look at movies in a whole new way.
During spring break, I also spent a great deal of time working on my documentary for the film festival. This was great for my artistic side in that it wasn't just for a class, but for me. With all the projects I've done in the past 2 years, it has been difficult to anything just for me. I don't know how good it is but, even if it isn't my best, it was still a learning experience that I enjoyed. It is really hard to pick one specific thing that I would or should do to rejuvenate me. I think once I am finished with school, I would have more time to really devote to spending time to rejuvenate my artistic self. I know that seems like an excuse, but the fact is that there is just not enough hours in a day to do everything I would like to do.
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