Blog Entry #10

Blocking: The arrangements made for the composition of a scene, especially the placement and movements of actors.



Clip - A brief segment excerpted from a film.



Fade - A transitional device in which either an image gradually dims until the viewer sees only a black screen (Fade-Out) or an image slowly emerges from a black screen to a clear and bright picture (Fade-In). A fade provides a strong break in continuity, usually setting off sequences.



Montage - A method of putting shots together in such a way that dissimilar materials are connected to make a statement.



Perspective - The way objects appear to the eye in terms of their relative positions and distances.



Script - A written description of the action, dialogue, and camera placements for a film.



Storyboard- A series of sketches (resembling a cartoon strip) showing potential ways various shots might be filmed.



Take - A single uninterrupted action of a camera as seen by a filmmaker.



Producer - The person who is responsible for all of the business aspects of making and releasing a film.



Out-Take - A take that is not included in the final version of a film.

Blog Entry #9

http://www.freehalloweenscreensavers.com/downloads/BeautifulFallColors.jpg
Personal Response (SORRY MR. KEENAN THIS IS REALLY LONG)
I was five and my mind raced at the thought of even going on the shortest of field trips. I had heard from my older brother about all the wonderful places the yellow school bus had brought them to. I imagined ancient castles, untamed jungles and adventures worthy of Indiana Jones.
I had waited every day and every second of school for my teacher, Miss Sally, to tell us that we would be going on our own glorious adventures. It was no wonder that when the day finally came our little hearts were bursting with joy. Nothing else filled my mind- even though she did not tell us where we were going. All my friends and I talked about was the endless possibilities of where we would be going. Finally, the answer came a few days later when Miss Sally entered the class in her flowery blue dress and declared, “Class, Tomorrow we will be going on a field trip to the Villeneuve Farm."
I was so stunned! Every idea I had formed in my heart of hearts contradicted the very possibility of this. Field trips were meant to be fascinating journeys of self-discovery. In my mind, Field trips were the core of all adventures. To be going to a plain and simple farm devastated me! I could barely imagine how any rational thought could have led Miss Sally to decide such a thing.
In my mind I thought, “She must have never been on a field trip before! She must not know that we should be visiting places full of adventures and wild animals." I determined that I would speak to her and inform her of her mistake.
I spoke to her at lunch time and revealed my feelings about the destination of our field trip.
"Anie," she said, "I know that it might not seem like a wonderful and exciting place to go right now but you will see. Adventures can happen anywhere...you just have to keep your eyes open and try new things. Your imagination will do the rest." She patted me on the head and sent me off to see my friends.
The next day came quickly. I was not in high spirits and as we loaded the bus Miss Sally gave me a reassuring smile. I looked away, my eyes full of disappointment. The buss driver drove safely through the twists and turns of the road. In no time at all we had pulled into a farm yard and along side an ancient red barn.
Miss Sally directed us out of the bus. I walked alone and my friends seemed to sense that I was not in the mood for company. Mrs. Stevens, the farms owner came over to our group. She spoke of the chores that needed to be done on farms, the animals that lived there and why it was so important. I barely listened. I stood quietly feeling sorry for myself and wishing that I was anywhere but here.
Next we went on a tour of the farm yard. The pigs seemed to be giving me dirty looks. I went along but soon Miss Sally dismissed us and gave us free time to run around. I went and sat by the fence of the pig enclosure. I sat feeling the disappointment seeping through my tiny heart.
“Why so glum, darling?" Mrs. Stevens sat down beside me.
I sighed a sigh worthy of someone much older than me, “I’ve dreamed of my first field trip for so long. I have always imagined that it would somewhere amazing and incredible! This place is normal! I see farms every day. They are just ordinary things!"
Mrs. Stevens laughed, “Then let me show you something." She took my hand and together we walked towards the river that I could see winding in between the trees. She held her hands over my eyes as we neared it.
Lifting her hands, she whispered, “Now Anie- look." I opened my eyes slowly. My little eyes widened and I smiled for the first time that day. I looked around with admiring eyes at the trees dressed in their leaves of fall. The reds, oranges, yellows and greens reflected like rainbows off the river. The sky was clear above it and I felt my heart swell in my chest.
"Things may not always seem extraordinary at first, but there is always more than the eye can see," Mrs. Stevens brushed a silent tear from my cheek, “There is beauty everywhere and in everything. We don't have to travel the whole world to find it. It is right here- right in front of us."
"It is beautiful," I whispered in awe. I memorized every tree and every colour.
We stood noiselessly and I silently wished that I could stay here forever. Eventually we walked back to the farm yard side by side. I let go of her hand and gave her one quick smile. She nodded wisely and turned back towards her house. I felt my heart grow warmer. The picture of the trees and Mrs. Stevens' words burned in my mind. Finally I understood-I could be extraordinary. I lived in a world with endless opportunities and my adventures weren't going to be like those I had read about in books or had seen in movies. My adventure would be growing into someone as beautiful as the scene I had just witnessed. I kept that lesson in my heart and I climbed the steps of the bus with new eyes.