Thursday, February 20, 2014--5 pm

Greetings,

I wanted to share some information about a workshop that you may be interested in and find helpful.

TIME MANAGEMENT & STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOP

Monday, March 10th, 2 - 3 pm

Peer and Academic  Resource Center (PARC)

Lassen 2200, Room P

Even if you feel that you have time management under control, it may be useful to attend and pick up some possible new tips and ideas on budgeting time and utilizing effective study habits.

Have a wonderful weekend. See you on Monday.

Monday, February 17th, 2014--5:30 pm

Greetings,

Below you will find the handout I distributed in class today regarding how to view a documentary film and a narrative film.

Also, we are now in the 4th week of the semester and I am concerned about how many students are attending class unprepared for the class session. This class meets only twice a week and there is a lot of work AND the workload only becomes more intense as the semester progresses. My specific concern today was how many students admitted that they had not done the reading for today. EVEN if you had not done the reading, if you had brought your textbook, you could have attempted to address the quiz questions.  It is just common sense in the academic world that when a reading is due, the student brings that text/reading to class. Bottom line: you need to keep current with the syllabus and the blog.
************************

English 1A

Prof. Fraga

In preparation for viewing the second film for the semester

and for viewing a documentary next week.

Purpose:

Just as reading fiction, non-fiction and poetry can aid in the development of a discriminatory, critical mind—and lead to critical writing and analysis in ANY area or topic—the viewing of films can elicit the same result.

A narrative film is a work of fiction.

A documentary film is a form that purports to report on the world as it exists.  The documentary filmmaker uses various well-known techniques taken from the world of news reporting:

• reporting events as they happen,
• recording interviews with participants, and
• utilizing photographs and testimony of historical figures to portray past events.

Sometimes, the distinction between narrative and documentary has to be carefully drawn.

For example, occasionally actors are used to portray characters in historical documentaries such as Ken Burns’ Jazz, usually in voice-over.  On the other hand, narrative films will often borrow various documentary techniques:  Steve Soderberg in Traffic used hand-held cameras and a complicated interweaving of different stories to mimic a documentary “feel.”  Nevertheless, it is clear that Traffic is a narrative film, and Jazz is a documentary.

It is generally assumed that documentaries will not deliberately falsify a view of reality…however, it is true that inevitably the documentary will reflect the filmmaker’s point of view, resulting in some manipulation of the absolute truth.  The main way documentaries shape the story is through

• choosing the interview subjects,
• selecting certain shots and framing devices,
• and most importantly by editing the material to support their vision as filmmakers.

To be sure, the director of a documentary may often attempt to show a balanced point of view by posing questions regarding a problem or by advancing various solutions.

But often a documentary will abandon such an attempt and use powerful evidence to advance a certain ideological argument, as in the classic Harlan County, USA, about a miners’ strike in Harlan County, Kentucky, in 1973.  Here, the miners’ side in the strike is presented through emotional interviews, songs, meetings, and events on the picket line, while what little we see of the owners’ point of view is presented in a negative light.  This kind of documentary that presents an argument is called a rhetorical form of documentary.

In evaluating a documentary it is important to understand what kind we are judging and thus what the filmmaker’s objectives are: 

• Is the filmmaker trying to put forth his or her own point of view or attempting to show a balanced point of view? 
• What techniques are being used to reveal the point of view? 
• What methods are used to gather data? 
• What are the criteria for choosing the people to be interviewed? 
• What kind of shots are used to portray the subjects, and how does editing contribute to the ideological and emotional effect of the film?

THE NARRATIVE FILM—how to evaluate

In evaluating whether a film is “good” or not, it is important to consider a few main points that will aid in discussion and in writing a critical response.

1. Do the most important filmic elements such as photography, acting, editing and design support and complement each other?  Is this unified style supportive of a strong theme?  Does the film fit into a certain genre? Does it imaginatively add something to the traditions of that genre or does it merely copy them in a clichéd manner?
2. Do events flow naturally, and in this flow of action are there surprises and twists that engage an audience’s interest? Is there a strong climax and resolution?  If the structure is nonlinear, do these varied elements build to some powerful emotional and/or intellectual effect?  Does the dialogue seem appropriate to the style and environment of the film? If it is meant to be a realistic film, is the dialogue natural and spontaneous?
3. Do the characters and relationships seem specific and real?  Do we identify with their goals and problems?  Do the actors seem convincing?  Do the actors present well-observed character details?  Is there emotional truth in the playing?  Is the acting style appropriate for the specific film genre?
4. Finally, looking at the film as a WHOLE…Common sense issues are very relevant.  For example, does the film hold our interest throughout? Do we care about what happens on the screen?  After the film, does it have a powerful effect on us?  The answer to this last question separates the great films from the merely good ones.

Wednesday, Feb. 12th, 2014--10:20 pm

Hello!

Thanks to Courtney for the link to the film, Daughter from Danang, which you can access on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AU_VUe2HX0

Also!
A reminder to complete the mini "analysis" assignment with the childhood illustration that you have from another student. Please type and double space your response. A minimum of one paragraph, please. To recap, you will write about what YOU see in the drawing. What might you guess about this person's childhood?

Have a most wonderful, safe weekend. See you Monday!

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014--12 noon

Greetings,

Just a quick reminder to complete and bring the assignment I discussed yesterday in class:

Draw a picture of a scene from your childhood.
Do not put your name anywhere on the picture.

See you tomorrow!

Sunday, February 9, 2014--1:00 pm

Greetings,

I hope your weekend is going swimmingly....
okay, that was REALLY a bad pun! :)

As I am sure you have already noted, you need to view the documentary, Daughter from Danang, by Monday, February 24th.

Here is a brief summary of the film:

Daughter from Danang (2002)

In 1975, as the Vietnam War was ending, thousands of orphans and Amerasian children were brought to the United States as part of "Operation Babylift." Daughter from Danang tells the dramatic story of one of these children, Heidi Bub (a.k.a. Mai Thi Hiep), and her Vietnamese mother, Mai Thi Kim, separated at the war's end and reunited 22 years later. Heidi, now living in Tennessee - a married woman with kids - had always dreamt of a joyful reunion. When she ventures to Vietnam to meet her mother, she unknowingly embarks on an emotional pilgrimage that spans decades and distance. Unlike most reunion stories that climax with a cliché happy ending, Daughter from Danang is a real-life drama. Journeying from the Vietnam War to Pulaski, Tennessee and back to Vietnam, Daughter from Danang tensely unfolds as cultural differences and the years of separation take their toll in a riveting film about longing and the personal legacy of war. 

The documentary is now available to check out and view in the Library Media Services on the first floor of the library. You will need your One Card ID to check the film out.

There are two copies available. The film is 83 minutes long and can be checked out for two hours at a time. There are laptops available to use in Media Services to view the film OR if four of you wish to view together, that can be arranged in a separate room.

SUGGESTION: you may want to be ready to jot down notes while you view the film. Your first in class essay will be based on the film.

The following seven questions DO NOT need to be answered and submitted to me. They are to serve as a guide while you are watching. They will give you some ideas about what to think about and focus on. We will your ideas regarding these questions as a class before you write the in class essay response. IF YOU HAVE A RESPONSE JOTTED DOWN TO EACH OF THESE QUESTIONS, YOU WILL DO VERY WELL WITH THE IN CLASS ESSAY.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS---THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
1. One reviewer describes the film as a “gut-wrenching examination of the way cultural differences and emotional expectations collide.” Would you agree this is an accurate description? Why or why not? Explain specifically.

2. Were there parts of the film that made you feel uncomfortable? If so, what were those parts and can you articulate why they made you feel uncomfortable?

3. Heidi acutely feels that she has been rejected by two mothers: her birth mother who gave her up and her Tennessee mother, whose cold, untouching demeanor drove a wedge between them. How does this fact impact Heidi and what she ultimately experiences when she returns to Vietnam?

4. The film is considered a very powerful one by many other small filmmakers as well as many reviewers. In your opinion, what makes this an effective or ineffective film?

5. What preconceived ideas about home are proven inaccurate after viewing the film?

6. In an interview with the filmmakers, they admit that when they decided to film Heidi’s return to Vietnam, they assumed that the reunion would be a healing story, a kind of full circle coming home. The war in Vietnam was long over and they felt they could create a film that would ease the collective pain that is still connected to the war. Instead, what they did discover?

7. Some viewers have condemned Heidi for representing an aspect of American culture that they believe is selfish and individualized. What do you think and feel about Heidi’s reaction for the family’s request for money?

Tuesday, February 4, 2014--4 pm

Hello everyone,

I have received a few emails from students who still seem to be confused. So I am compelled to explain one more time about how to read the syllabus.

Q and C #1, which is due tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5th, is on the two readings from Packet 2, not Packet 1!!!!!

If you look at the syllabus, immediately after "Packet #2 due" you will read "Q and C #1 due."

Monday, February 3, 2014--9 pm

Greetings,

I have just added the link to one of the stories you are to read as Packet 2 on the original post where the information for both Packets 1 and 2 are listed.

So, to make sure all of us are on the right track,
you will be submitting a question and comment on Wednesday for the following two readings:

"Show and Tell"
 and
"The Wig"

If you have kept up with the blog, you already know where to find the links for these readings.

I want to just gently remind you, also, that if you are going to be successful in this course, you need to seriously stay on track. Read ahead in your syllabus. Come prepared to class every Monday and Wednesday.

See you Wednesday. And if you have questions about anything, please ask! :)