CSI: Production Analysis

Last week in class, we watched an episode of CSI - Las Vegas. Although it was entertaining, the focus of this activity was to observe the production aspects of the program, including visual elements and the "made for television" plot structure.

Notes...

Project Update

At present, I am in the process of completing the Welcome page for my South Carolina Economic History website. The composer program I am working with is not as user-friendly as I had hoped it to be. I am considering switching to a different application. Nevertheless, the Wecome page will be completed later today, and I will post the link here in the blog.

Two Great Film Classics

For this assignment, the class was supposed to read a specific article on the internet concerning the classic film, Citizen Kane, then write reflections on that article in this blog. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the article in question. Additionally, we were supposed to compare the characters in Citizen Kane with the characters in The Godfather. Due to the fact that I have not seen either of these films, this assignment was somewhat difficult. I did manage to find a synopsis of the two films, however. From what I can tell, the main characters in both stories face a struggle to achieve money and power. Some may call this the "American dream". In their efforts along the way, both characters become subject to moral corruption which draws them into a downward spiral. These films are both said to use unique and effective cinematography, which helps to convey their overall message. This is a key element of any successful film.

Notes on Film: Downfall

In the film "Downfall" watched in class, How do the visual elements of the film assist in conveying the film's message?

- Dull colors of clothing, scenery ~ conveys historical context and dark mood

- Most everyone in uniform ~ war is everywhere, clear and present danger

- Hitler's shakiness and jerking movements ~ losing control of both power and sanity, nervous?

- Weapons, vehicles, phones, typewriters, other props ~ specific to time period

- Destruction, barracades, chaos in the streets ~ surrounded by fighting

- Dead naked bodies, weary faces of jews ~ reminder of Holocaust

- Hitler & Eva's bodies carried out, then burned ~ visual confirmation of death

- Bodies burned ~ prevent Russian soldiers from seizing Hitler's body; cover up the suicide?

- Guns and blood in the bunker ~ confirmation of suicide

- Beating rifles against bricks ~ surrender?

- Woman and boy dressed in Rusian uniforms? ~ pass through Russian troops unharmed?

- Generals/soldiers? committing suicide, graphic images of dead bodies ~ evil men died violently

- Camera follows actors through bunker ~ creates more personal feeling of actually being there

Project Update

I must admit I have been somewhat lagging in progress towards the completion of my webpage on South Carolina Economic History. I have been preoccupied with work for other courses, among other reasons. This is merely an explanation, not an excuse, and I will now spend the remainder of the semester focusing my efforts to accomplish this assignment. First of all, I need to establish a new timetable to follow.

Week 10/22 - Establish a new timetable! Finish gathering images (particularly more historical photographs).

Week 10/29 - Make a final decision on the overall layout of the site, keeping the visual theme consistent with the Economics department site. Design and publish Welcome/Introduction page.

Week 11/5 - Design and publish Transportation & Ports sections.

Week 11/12 - Design and publish Agriculture section.

Week 11/19 - Design and publish Manufacturing section.

Week 11/26 - Design and publish Education & Significance of Clemson University sections.

Week 12/3 - Polish and finalize the website. Upload the site to CU Economics department domain. Write final paper.

Sunday at Noon

This Sunday I rolled out of bed just before noon. I let my dog outside and grabbed my camera phone. Here is the image that was before my eyes...

The weather was nice outside. The sun was shining, and it was the type of day that would make you happy to be alive...if you were not hung over from the night before.

Digital Remix Photos

Our in-class assignment today was rather fun and productive. Our group somehow managed to conceive and produce three digital remix photos in a period of only 30 minutes or so. The following images are the results of our collaboration.

This photo of Stephen Colbert's head on the Lincoln Memorial represents the admiration for Colbert by both liberals and conservatives who are disenfranchised with the Republican party. His recent announcement that he will be running in the presidential primary (only in South Carolina) was our inspiration for this creation.

This is a satellite image of the United States with a picture of the Great Wall of China superimposed on the Mexican boarder. The current debate over illegal immigration and the proposal by some individuals to erect a wall on the boarder led our group to create this image as a satirical statement.

In this digital remix, we portrayed President Bush as the head of Medusa, with the 2008 Republican party candidates as snakes extending from his head. This is intended to represent the widespread sentiment that Bush is a fearsome creature, while the candidates represent a further extension of the Republican agenda.