Museum of Moving Image Questions !

The Museum of moving image was a great experience. Not only was it very cheap, but it’s a gold mine of film history, props, equipment, the list goes on. I definitely plan to go back, I had a great time and I’m sure my friends will too. I thought I knew a lot going in but I did manage to learn a bit from this trip. Some of the steps used in editing, film, sound, and effects. I even made a mini animated cartoon. There are many activities to keep your self-amused in-between exhibits. Ranging from camera tricks to original video games like Super Mario, Tekken, even PONG! I found the museum alone quite interesting and cool. Being a New Yorker I was surprised to see such an awesome exhibit right under my nose. They had Chewbacca’s head! But in particular I found many of the actives to be interesting, the animation computer, the green screen, dialogue replacement, are all things I feel everyone and filmmakers in particular should experience. I worked alone, it made it easier for me to make up questions and to pretty much get lost and not get yelled at. Overall I felt the trip was a great experience and I recommend the museum to anyone who has a dollar and some time to kill. I can’t wait to see how it comes out when they stop shuffling things about and finish construction; the MOMI truly is a gem.

1. How many job positions are their in a full-length film?

2. What prop did Marlon Brandon use in the “God Father” to give him his lisp?

3. What form of communication did Orson Welles use to reach the producers of his films?

4. Costumes used in 2001 – A Space Odyssey, what kind of monsters did they create?

5. What movie is playing under the picture of Eddie Murphy on the 2nd Floor?

6. What other famous mutants reside near Chewbacca?

7. Which famous directors picture is on the 2nd floor under “The Director”

8. Under the costume section of the 2nd floor, which actor wore the ruby studded suit?

9. Which famous green cartoon character resides in the costume area?

10. Which famous sci-fi film has its own shelf of original toys on the 2nd floor?

11. Which sci-fi television show has their own set of paper plates and napkins?

12. In the back of the 2nd floor, which “three” comedians re “selling the product”?

13. Which famous happy days character shares a shelf with Bart Simpson and E.T?

14. Which Tim Burton film is listed in the soundtrack jukebox on the 2nd floor?

15. What movie is the uniform from under the giant lit up “Dumont T.V” sign?

16. Out of the 14 original games on the 2nd floor name 4.

17. What kind of cigarettes is “mummy” James Dean smoking in Tuts Fever?

Questions For 3rd Floor

18. On the 3rd floor, which film poster is closest to the entrance?

19. In the Feral Fount exhibit, name all the things the water droplet turns into.

20. What types of effects are available on the video flip book?

21. In Charley Chaplin’s “Eating Soup” how many times does he get punched in the face?

22. How many cameras are on the 3rd floor? Which are the biggest? Which are the best?

23. Under the animation computer activity, how many different frogs can you use?

24. What sport is being played in the T.V editing room?

25. For the automated dialogue replacement activity, name some of the films you could edit.

26. For the music supervision activity, name some of the songs and movies listed, what songs would you have rather used?

27. For the green screen activity, how many effects can you stack at once?

28. What horror movie props are found on the 3rd floor? Name at least 2.

29. In the original gaming console area on the 3rd floor, name 3 of the games you are able to play.

30. What famous sci-fi film miniature resides near the Freddie Kruger Props?

31. What was your favorite part of the museum? Why?

32. If you could add a exhibit to the museum what would it be? What relevance would it share with the rest of the museum?

Class Reflections ... So far

Over the past two weeks in this English class I can actually say that I’ve learned quite a bit. From the utilization of web tools, to literally getting a better understanding of my reality. I’ve really liked the idea of starting blogs, it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do so that’s a big plus. The class community (cluster) has brought education back to a level that I feel is a great way to expand, not only to help each other out with work but it’s also a great way to socialize on an intellectual level. The subjects and work we’ve been doing are very interesting to me personally, from the Allegory of the cave to the Truman show to the Matrix. I really have enjoyed the way they all seem to go hand and hand; it has made the work enjoyable and stimulating. At this point I’m only wondering what the future of this class holds.

Red Pill ... For sure

The Matrix truly was a great stride in modern cinema. Released March of 1999, this movie set the standard for new films to come in the new millennium. Like most great films, The Matrix is a retelling of some of the best stories of all time; Including the Bible, Plato’s Allegory of the cave, just to name a few. The Matrix made the audience think more than ever before. Not just when the next explosion was, or next hot scene. The Matrix made the audience question their own reality; it directly spoke to us as individuals, and for many of us got the wheels turning. It questioned Reality vs. Illusion, what we perceive and believe to be real. If I was put in such a situation, where I knew there was something else out there. I would choose reality. No matter how terrible, I would choose the truth over anything. Especially if the entire human race had been reduced to the role of batteries, I would hop the hell out of little pink filled goo pod and begin my life, as it was meant to be. Not in some cyber reality where I spend the rest of my days as part of the mindless masses. After you see the matrix you can’t help but think, are we living in the matrix? Can what they said be reality? Even if it was how would we know? The questions come like a never ending train. I wish we had the answers but sadly I don’t think there is a grand scheme. The human races in a sense are exactly what Mr. Smith described, a virus, to be generous. But if there is one thing I am great full for after absorbing all the matrix had to offer, is the message. That we as individuals create not only our reality, but our lives, everything is in our hands. We are all mental prisoners, chained and bound. But we are our own keepers, all of have the keys to set ourselves free. It all comes down to whether or not you choose to continue to pursue a greater understanding (red Pill) or if you are content in your ignorance. (Blue pill)
We are all Neo, we are all Socrates. The tag line to the movie explains a lot to those new to such subjects; “Free Your Mind”, because in actuality there is no spoon. It’s all what we choose to accept as real. Still to this day, many people don’t understand the matrix, as a child I watched the movie in wonder, not fully grasping the concept/message it was presenting. After watching it recently, with a new head on my shoulders I was able to understand and fully grasp every question raised in the film and the philosophy behind it. The Matrix is personal, yet global, in the sense that we all watch the same movie, but it’s what you take from it and how you interpret it can be different from the person next to you.

How to make it in Lagcc ~ Semester Plan

English – with Mr. Smith
So far I can say that my English class has been quite eventful and look like it will be that way till June. I am under the impression that class projects will be in relation to that of my mass communications class and to my American film class. But when it comes to homework and class work, blog spot seems to be a gift from the gods. Being able to check up and see assignments and other classmates work has been very helpful and quite possibly essential to success this semester. My plan for success in this class is to work on my writing skills as much as possible inside and outside the class, try to expand my explanation/writing.

American Film – Joyce
The Syllabi I have received for my film class has a breakdown of each time the class meets, giving specific details on class, assignments and projects.
Written assignments on classes 5, 11
Tests on classes 7, 13, 21
And the final oral presentation on the 22 class
Lectures and screenings are distributed throughout the course. My plan is complete every assignment as soon as I can, stay active in class and absorb as much as I can.

Mass media / communications – Lou
Being the only teacher to use the blackboard, it can be said that completing homework will be easier than expected, direct links to classmates work and teachers input. I plan to expand on my verbal communication skills, immerse myself deep into the media, and to over all be a sponge and gain as much knowledge as possible of the next few weeks.

At this point in my academic career, due dates and deadlines don’t intimidate me, I’m not worried about that. Nor am I worried about my attendance, my plan for success it to learn as much as I can from the professors I have, complete the work in a fashion where I don’t look at it as work, or something I don’t want to do. To me it’s all about how you view your work and your attitude, anyone can complain and not do the work, but it takes more to not only complete your work correctly and properly but to have fun doing it and at the end of the day be able to say “ I learned something”.

This week on reality T.V, Starring YOU!!!!

The Truman syndrome, believe it or not it is an actual condition. A human construct developed in the mind, fueled by television, the media and the never ending train of thought that is our psyche. The syndrome itself being a direct reference to the movie is a psychological delusion where the individual is convinced that they are living in an artificial world where all their movements are being documented and watched by either a live audience, or by the government. This day in age television has become a part of our everyday lives; a hundred years ago I doubt any psychological disorder like this even existed. Society has changed quite a bit over time; egocentric individuals are born every day, that and in combination with our mind melting media, and never ending stream of reality television and propaganda I can see how such a disorder came about.
The site I used to research this was A. Google which led me to the site wise geek. After watching the Truman show, and then hearing about Truman syndrome it wasn’t hard to imagine what it was. I believe the site I used was trust worthy because the information given made sense and coincided with all preconceived notions I had.

Blog 3 _Truman show thoughts

Life is filled with experiences and encounters that can alter the way we process the world every day. Everyone’s experiences are their own; never will two different people absorb the same experience the same way. The Truman show is a film that explores the boundaries of perception, and how easily people will accept the reality of the world they are presented. At an early age I began to question a lot of things, not speaking until I was 3 and a half years old it can be said my parents were worried. Growing up seemed like ages ago, when I think back on my child hood it seems almost like a blur, up until a certain point in my life where the way I viewed the world drastically changed. For me things didn’t change all at once, it was a series of events which led to my new way of thinking.
March of 2007, was my first out of country travel experience. I went to a place called Tulum in Mexico, south on the Yucatan peninsula. A place with not to many of the same privileges I had a home in New York was definitely an eye opening experience. Traveling with my mother, brother, and step father, we didn’t check into a fancy hotel, we quite literally spent 3 weeks in a bungalow 10- 15 ft, less than 50 yards from the beach. The town that we were staying in wasn’t one to popular with tourist; it seemed to be a remote spot known by a few keen travelers. We spent our days going back and forth to town, and exploring the surrounding areas. The part of Mexico we were in was known for their cenotes, beautiful lime stone caverns underground and above, filled with cool fresh water and fish and creatures I was quite aware of at the time. We saw a few of these caves in our stay; one cave in particular played a vital role in my own life changing experience. The cavern I was in was half underground and half outside, as I swam about I noticed while I was underwater light shining through the water, but when I lifted my head all I saw was a rock wall. So I went under and swam about 8 or 10 yards and rose up through the light, it was a cut of section of the cave only accessible by swimming underwater. As I sat there alone I had an epiphany concerning my reality, and just how much I didn’t know, and how much more was still out there waiting to be discovered.
The caves were just one part of my perception changing trip to the Yucatan. The icing on the cake, or more so major turning point happened much later in my trip. The trip itself I can write about for days, but I digress. On one of my last night’s I went for a walk down the beach, being almost 2 o’clock in the morning I didn’t have much company. There was no moon out that night, it was the darkest I had ever seen the world, the only light I had was from distant stars as it broke in the waves. Being an astronomy fanatic for as far back as I can remember, seeing the night sky with no ambient light, no moon to clout my vision, I was able to see the sky in a way I’ve never experienced before, I was able to see stars, clusters, cosmic dust, all with just my own eyes. I remember pulling up a chair and sitting on the beach, telling myself to take a mental picture and not to forget this. Still to this day I don’t know how long I sat there looking up. I woke up to crashing waves the same chair I had passed out on. It wasn’t until I was sitting on the plane back to the states that I started to put the pieces together, confined to my chair and my Ipod, All I remember was smiling as I reminisced about my time in Mexico, and I felt lucky being able to come back home with all my new experiences.

Staring at the wall ... still

The Allegory of the Cave, by far one of Socrates more interesting works, depicts a story of people bound in a cave from birth, forced to face a blank wall and the only glimpse of reality, or our version of reality was seen from the shadows cast from the fire behind them. Visions of animals and other objects never actually seen in the physical, a life experienced through a keyhole or in Socrates case through shadows. Socrates attempt to explain just how fragile the human mind truly is and how easily influenced the brains perceptions can be and what some people perceive as reality would in fact be an illusion. He then goes on about a man (who has spent his entire life since childhood bound in a dark cave) would perceive reality. To be dragged out of the world known your whole life and to be quite literally tossed into reality. Some may not want this because for them ignorance is bliss, or possibly they are terrified at the idea of their reality being destroyed. Socrates had many theories on reality, but in “the Cave” it can be said that he is trying to express how reality is a human construct created through experiences, and from those experiences perceptions are created and applied.

I am not a cyborg ...

The idea of cyborgs/robots has been around for a long time. Movies created to depict a future where planet earth is over run or dependant on such inventions that will sooner or later render humans useless. One idea that must be understood is the difference between a “robot” and a “cyborg”. The robot was a man made invention/idea that was made to make human life easier, a tool. Where the cyborg is an artificial human, sometimes given human features, or in “blade runner” even given artificial memories to make to cyborg seem even more human. Ironically this day in age humans have become even more technologically dependant than ever, more and more of the robots/cyborgs are making their way into main stream society. At the super market, at the bank, at our work place. The change seems inevitable. Personally I am on the computer all the day, be it me doing homework, talking to friends, watching videos, listening to music. Playing games, It seems the more needs humans come up with the more accommodating computers have become. The only reason I do not consider myself a cyborg is because I know where I come from and how I got here, or at least I think I do. Take away my flesh vital organs and maybe a few emotions, I just might be.