The Notebook

After discussing various camera shots during class today, I wanted to find a movie in which these shots were apparent so I could blog about it. I began looking through my collection of movies and "The Notebook" stuck out to me. Throughout the movie I came across many of these shots, all which were more obvious to me after learning about them, and all affecting the way I viewed the movie. There were many times throughout the movie when a love scene would come on and the camera shots would become closer, this showing the intimacy between Noah and Allie, the two main characters. One shot that really stuck out to me was toward the end of the movie. I would consider this shot to be close-up. At this point in the movie the drama has really set in, and with this shot the audience is drawn into the situation and it's suspense.

As you can see, Allie's emotions are very apparent because this shot is close-up. Even without being able to see her eyes, just by the way she is hunched over in thought it is obvious there is a burden on her shoulders. Also by the way she is wrapped so tightly in the blanket, it is almost as if it is a "security blanket" to her, protecting her from all that is going on around her. However, I do not feel this shot is invading or uncomfortable as some close-shots can be. As the audience, I was more captivated by Allie's emotions and concerned for her. (However...that may just be the girl in me!) I feel that if this shot was a medium-shot or a long-shot, the audience wouldn't be as aware of how serious the situation is or even drawn in to wonder in the first place. Something I found interesting at the beginning of the film was the first long-shot that was shown. It was not of the main setting or place that was consistently shown throughout the film. In fact, it was of a place that Allie and Noah visited only one time later in the film.

Now this picture is not the exact shot shown at the beginning of the film, however it looks somewhat like it, and this is not the exact place Allie and Noah visited. But, I just found it different that the audience was not immediately introduced to the main setting of the film right off the bat. Obviously, the setting changes frequently throughout the film, (as it does in many films, due to the length and plot) so it would be hard to stay consistent. But, because this was different from what is usually shown, to me, it was a little more appealing and not necessarily distracting- however, this may depend on a viewer's preference. Plus, as I stated before it is harder to do so in a film of longer length and a more complex plot, unlike television shows like "Full House" or "Family Matters." By becoming aware of these different camera shots, I paid more attention to the plot and got more out of it by being drawn into the film. This in turn changed my way of watching the film, which in essence is exactly what directors and producers are shooting for.

A Semiotic Domain

I couldn't put my finger on a certain semiotic domain that I truly felt apart of or dedicated to. Of course there are plenty I'm apart of, some I'm sure I don't even realize. There is the obvious of being a student, loving music, enjoying chick-flicks, etc. However, as I began racking my brain I realized that as I've grown up I have been apart of a variety of different semiotic domains. One semoitic domain that I was consumed in for almost 14 years would be dance, primarily ballet. Although it has been over four years since I have been an avid member of this domain and I'm sure this domain has changed and developed, I still find myself somewhat connected. For example, although I am no longer as skinny as a stick, my hair is not found in a bun on a daily basis, and my posture is no where near what it used to be, I still unconsciously find myself standing in fifth position from time to time. I own enough bobbie pins and hairnets to supply an army of ballerinas, I still don't know what to do with myself on Monday through Saturday without rehearsals, and it is evident from the looks of my feet that I have survived many bloody and broken toes. I will always enjoy classical music, and I've put up more cash on pointe shoes, ballet shoes, and leotards than I even realize. So, it is very apparent that this domain played a major role in my life, however it is amazing how much it still does after not being apart of it for some time now.

She's the Man

This morning I was brainstorming with Miss Holly Reiber about something I could blog about, because nothing was jumping out to me. We were discussing movies, specifically "She's the Man" with Amanda Bynes, and Holly pointed out how amazingly the movie was connected to the "Value of a Challenge" myth. Although this may have been mentioned in class, I did not realize how closely connected the movie and myth were until I looked a little deeper. In the movie, Amanda plays on the women's soccer team for her high school, however the program is cut because of funding. In turn, Amanda decides to prove that girls can do anything guys can do by dressing for the boys' soccer team...disguised as her twin brother. In order to achieve her goal of proving not only herself, but girls in general, Amanda takes on many challenges, some being unexpected. While striving in disguise to confirm that girls are just as capable as guys, Amanda suddenly falls for Duke (Channing Tatum), the forward for the boys' soccer team. This, in a girl's world at least, presents a challenge in itself, especially when you're playing the role of your jock brother. This obstacle throws things a curve, pushing Amanda off track for achieving her set goal. Of course, just like any chick-flick, the world comes crashing down on Amanda and she questions why she ever put herself up to this in the first place. However, don't think this chick-flick didn't end in a "happily ever after", because as expected Amanda proves herself and wins the guy in the process. I feel the myth, "Value of a Challenge," correlates directly with this movie. Amanda sets a goal of proving herself after the women's soccer program is cut, and although obstacles such as Duke are thrown her way, she achieves and overcomes the challenge. In turn, getting more out of it than she has expected. In fact getting not only the guy, but also proving herself, both things to be valued from the experience.

Mississippi Burning

In class while dicussing the myths, I wasn't sure I would be able to find a connection between any media text and a myth, they just seemed to far out to find a connection. However, once I started thinking of movies I have watched and books I have seen I was able to match up almost every myth. The closet connection I was able to find was with the fourth myth and a film I watched recently called "Mississippi Burning" starring Gene Hackman and William Dafoe. The film is set in a small southern town in...you guessed it, Mississippi. It takes place during the 1960's, a time when racial tensions were at their peak. To make a long story short, two FBI agents are sent to the town to investigate the murder of two young civil rights workers. They find that the town is completely divided and that it is full of secrets. No one seems to want to agents there and at first the agents find it extremely difficult to investigate. Either people are part of the Klu Klux Klan or they are afraid to speak out against them. Eventually, the secrets begin to unfold and the agents begin to realize that they are dealing with a giant conspiracy. It ends up the Mayor, Sheriff, and other prominent members of the community were connected to the murders in some way or another. The myth, "The Presence of Conspiracy" is directly related to this film. The conspiracy in this film is the cover-up of the murders and how the secrets in the town lead back to town officials. The agents then step in to fix the situation, bringing justice to the community. Just as the myth professes, the agents do fix the conspiracy behind the harmful secrets; this film fits the myth almost perfectly.

We Wear the Mask

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!

-Paul Laurence Dunbar

When I first read this poem I was immediately intrigued how something written in 1896 was still so apparent today. Now Dunbar, an African-American from Dayton, Ohio, was not necessarily experiencing first hand what life was like in the South, however through this poem it is evident that he was aware of the circumstances. So, as I said previously, I was immediately intrigued how something written in 1896 was still so apparent today, but I wasn't really referring to racial protest. Instead, I interpreted this poem as something people in general do everyday in our society. We hide any sign of weakness or any sign that we may be invulnerable. We don't want anyone to "count our tears and sighs." We mask our true emotions and situations with smiles, in hopes that there will be no questions asked. But why? And what exactly does this have to do with media? (Since I'm sure you're beginning to wonder...) Well I became questioning why we do this and instantly I thought of the media. How often in Hollywood do we hear of someone doing something good or worthy of praise? Not often. Instead, when the world comes crashing down or even a single tear is shed everyone has heard about it. This in turn showing the whole world that this famous celeb may not be as strong as we all may have expected. Well of course not, they're human. Even with all that glitz and glam life isn't always going to go their way. And although some may think so, I begin to keep in mind that they are wearing a mask as well, maybe even more than we think or do so ourselves. Yet, even though our stumbles won't be on headline news that evening, we still hide behind a mask. And these masks we hide behind aren't just simply smiles. From the make-up to clothing, the media exhibits this persona that with the right look everything else will fall into place. Now, I'm not Dr. Phil here to tell everyone to just be themselves and stop hiding behind masks, because honestly I'll be the first to admit I don't want people seeing me cry. However, if the media was not so influential in how life should be lived, would we peek out from behind those masks a little more than we did before?