Today we had another guest speaker in class, journalist, storyteller and visual photographer Jonathan Malat. I really loved the presentation of his work he showed us in class today. He explained to us again the importance of storytelling and getting people’s stories out there for the world to hear. One of my favorite pieces of work he showed us was a story about a man who made his living selling Obama merchandise out of his car. Malat first broke up the video in smaller clips and only showed us a little at a time, that way we were able to think about what we saw and predict what was going to happen and who this character really is. When he did this, it really brought to focus the ideas that our brains create based on things we see. We were provided with very little audio at first, just images and we were able to create fairly valid assumptions. As we finished up the video and watched the whole story together, it became known that the man selling obama related items out of his outdated vehicle was homeless at one point, a drug addict for 25 years he was able to turn his life around and make something of himself. He proclaimed how he’s been sober for two whole years and how he’s made it his goal to promote and support the Obama campaign, and make sure people go out and vote. This short two minute story was so well told and you can tell that when it leaves a lasting impression on you. Like our previous guest speaker, Scott Resberger, Malat really emphasized the importance of finding something you really have a passion for and working because you love it. If you find something you truly love doing, you’ll never have to work another day in your life.
me in public:
me in the halls:
me in a crowd:
me when I meet someone new:
me at parties:
me in class:
me when someone tries to make small talk:
me at family gatherings:
me home alone: CAW CAW MOTHAFUCKAHS *dances about wildly*shout-sings broadway tunes* BAHAHAHAHA FUCK EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT THIS. *makes derp faces in mirror*I’M JUST A POOR BOY, NOBODY LOVES ME *watches my shows and openly sobs and writhes from feels* PEACE OUT BITCHES I’M FREEEEEEEEE
We talked about the importance of different forms of symbolism in class this week and I couldn’t help but again think of a scene from the TV mini series American Horror Story. In the scene above, Tate Langdon played by Evan Peters is talking to his psychologist about fantasies he’s been having over the past few years. Fantasies of himself going into his high school and killing his classmates. Now, if you haven’t seen the show and plan on watching it, stop reading now! SPOILER ALERT. He did go into his high school and kill several of his classmates previous to telling his psychologist about these fantasies he’s having. Tate’s character is also a ghost, (something we don’t find out until later in the season) shot by the SWAT team after brutally murdering several from his high school. Now you don’t find this out until later in the series but the directors hide little hints throughout the show through symbolism to get your mind running and thinking about what’s really going on with this kid. Now I really like this clip because we’re unsure if this vision and flashback of these fantasies he’s having is what his psychologist is seeing or what he himself is seeing. The major symbolism here, of course, is he all black attire and the skeleton face, foreshadowing the fact that he is already dead. Near the end of the clip, Tate’s character looks up and it’s a quick shot but he sees himself, standing behind his psychologist covered in blood. Another quick glimpse and hint letting us know that something else is going on. This scene just really stuck out to me because when we talked about the symbolism of color and appearance and how different things have different meanings in film and television.
I’m not the same person I was a year ago. I’m different. I used to be such a party girl and I’ve calmed down so much. I never drink or go out or really do anything. I’m a good kid. I’ve been working hard, paying my rent on time, going to school, making good grades. Yet it’s New Year’s Eve and my parents are treating me like I’m a high school sophomore. Like I’m going to go out get wasted and make horrible decisions. That I’m going to drink and drive…which I would NEVER do. I get it…kind of but part of me feels like all my efforts to change and be a better person have gone unnoticed. I’m hoping 2013 is different. I hope I’ll be able to prove them wrong and make them proud, for once.
I’m not the same person I was a year ago. I’m different. I used to be such a party girl and I’ve calmed down so much. I never drink or go out or really do anything. I’m a good kid. I’ve been working hard, paying my rent on time, going to school, making good grades. Yet it’s New Year’s Eve and my parents are treating me like I’m a high school sophomore. Like I’m going to go out get wasted and make horrible decisions. That I’m going to drink and drive…which I would NEVER do. I get it…kind of but part of me feels like all my efforts to change and be a better person have gone unnoticed. I’m hoping 2013 is different. I hope I’ll be able to prove them wrong and make them proud, for once.
