Documentary Review: Science of Babies

The documentary, National Geographic: Science of Babies is an observational piece that examines the complex and dynamic subtleties of baby development during the first 12 months.  This eye-opening documentary is literally set in stage at the beginning.  The picture opens with a curtain rising revealing the minute and seemingly normal activities of a baby, playing on an empty theater stage.  From this “center stage,” the narrator pulls the viewer into the first stage of the baby’s life, delivery.  Intense B-roll footage of baby deliveries as well as the post delivery process is shown.  However, the magic is shown in the experiments done.  Revealing infant-kind’s inheritance from evolutionary processes, the documentary unexpectedly discusses the magic of language learning, walking, social recognition and other behavioral biology changes a baby undergoes in just ONE year. 

            The documentary’s method of storytelling is literary and dramatic, and real-time in its cinematography.  In terms of the literary working, the concept of a baby is dramatically interpreted as a character on stage, learning, interacting, and experiencing.  One stage of the baby’s performance might be the throwing of a ball, and this catalyzes a camera documentation of research relating to motor skills development.  Researchers and Scientists become the center players now, portrayed through close up shots of Computer Screens and Machinery, Medical Imaging, and Animated shots of orbiting neurons of Baby’s inside world.   In addition to the more literal cinematography, the baby’s point of view is also figuratively established to give an insider view on how a baby actually develops.  This is done through clever camera tilts and jerks give the sense of how a baby walks at first. 

            Although, I loved the artistic and visual aspect of this documentary, the real treasure was the breathtaking discovery and research-based knowledge!  Scientists and Human Development experts from all across the spectrum contributed their perspectives on essentially evolutionary trends on why babies develop the way do.  Neurobiologists, Cognitive Scientists, Behavioral Specialists, and Pediatricians, gave a variety of inputs, resulted in a diversified knowledge.  For instance, when explaining why babies are able to process words in the way they do, Computer Scientists compared their ability to being superior to robots, while Pediatricians looked at the more social and environmental trends that allow one to learn words.  Psychologists focused on how babies loose abilities to detect subtlety in facial expressions of primates, but inherently learn how to do math.  These ground-breaking discoveries weren't the only impressive facets of this documentary.  The social and game/play-oriented experiments through which this research was done WAS ACTUALLY FILMED! Thus, I got not only a literary/informational perspective of the science in general, but also was able to see the proof and play behind it.

            I highly recommend this documentary to behavior science or biology aficionados.  The facts are packed with interesting NEW AND COMING research, as well as a plethora of scientists and well-reputable sources.  For the softhearted and baby-loving audience, this documentary has plenty of sequences of crawling, giggling, and happy babies, are sure to delight your guchi-goo!  A unique balance of biology and babies earns this documentary four out of five stars!

Interfaith Healing: A Lesson from Newtown's Vigil

The tremendously heart-wrenching and sad massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, resulting in the death of 27 innocent lives, has sparked a wave of grief in the humble town of Newtown and the nation as a whole.  As we heal from this tragedy, it came to my attention how beautiful and amazing the interfaith dialogue has been, in helping to alleviate the grief or at least hare it with others.

After watching CNN's broadcast of the Vigil in owner of the victims  I realized many of the commonalities of the religions' messages.  These messages of peace, comfort, healing through prayer, and community strength, all seemed very close to my heart.  It was a joy to see how each major religion had a representative and advocate for peace from their perspectives.

In line with the Vigil at Newton were the International Conference on World Religions  and Blair's creation of its very first Interfaith Club, founded by Juliette Provost.  For me faith and dialogue are too methods of not only healing, but also UNDERSTANDING and AWARENESS.

Prisons: Permanent Punishment or Road to Recovery?

Prison, to me, is not a widely explored social topic.  They are places where the criminals, murderers, robbers, rapists, and fiends of society are locked away, shunned, and kept safely away from the outside world.  This however, raised a question in mind.  Can prison systems around the world serve has a rehabilitation effort rather then total life punishment?

In many instances, American prisoners are often wasting time in their cells, doing some service work but not learning much.  In Turkey and Kuwait, torture is a huge mechanism of fear, thus instilling the concept of a punishing sentence.  However, a unique, strict, yet cleverly effective system is Japan's.

In a Women's Prison near Tokugawa, discipline is taught through doing tasks, such as laundry, meditation  constant cleaning, housekeeping and other sources of occupation.  Creating and maintaining a disciplined lifestyle is often the key to rehab and bettering oneself in prison.  I think other nations should following the Japanese Model.  Rather than having prisoners waste their lives away, why not be productive and turn them into positive members of society instead of returning as  what they were before.

Documentary Ideas: Dance, Language, and Refugees

Although a few vague ideas for the documentary project have been swirling around in my head, its time to solidify them into clear visions.  Here are three.

Bilingual at Blair

Everyday at School, I notice sooo many languages being spoken.  As a group of individuals we are so diverse in our speech.  I want to pinpoint on both ESOL learners and students of equal fluency in two languages   The Documentary will be thus two fold, uncovering the challenges of learning English as well as the ups and downs of being bilingual   The project will be mainly interviewed-based, consisting of real-time footage of students   Shots of classrooms, cultural shows and exchanges will also be included.  The purpose is too relay the diversity and usefulness in being Bilingual.

Documenting Dance

Through both Blair dance classes and local studios, I want to document the learning of dance among teens and kids.  Specific styles such as flamenco, interpretative, Chinese or Indian Classical, and Hip-hop are too be concentrated upon.  The purpose is to relay the pressure, purpose, and craft of learning dance as a process and a journey in learning.  Animation visuals will portray this as a road to becoming that never quite ends, but continues in fruitful quest.

Refugee

A strong number of refugees are present in the DMV area.  Through interviews both far and close, the documentary will portray the story of being a refugee immigrant in the U.S. and how it differs from just normal immigration.  I plan to use poetry as a catalyst for narrating the film.  Historical facts about refugee history will also be given as well as everyday perspectives from refugees, teachers, policy-makers, and refugee organizations such as the Association of Bhutanese in America.

Fall Video Challenge- Leaves and Harvest

1. Tree of Red Leaves

2. Teeny-tiny Pumpkin 

3 Ingredients 

4 Raking the Leaves 

5 Fall Harvest

6 Tracing a Leaf 

7 Basket of Apples 

8 Apple Crisp Ready to Bake

9 Apple Crisp Ready to Serve 

10 Happy Autumn!

Fall is a time of incredible fruit desserts, cool breezes and more fruit desserts.  The foliage is earthy and rich and its a great time of transition but also favorite holidays.  In filming this short video, I use an ipad 2.  I made use of different camera angles and did some preliminary set up of scenes, especially in shots 5 and 10.  I tried to use the movement of the camera to around certain displays of foilage, color, and apples, but also to move toward things such as the tree.

Autumn is a very calm season too me (which is why its most favorite).  As a result, I used calm vocal music and a cheerful Ukulele tune to exemplify the mood.  I did some light blurring of shots just to make it dreamy.  Again, this is to exemplify how I feel about the season.

A Cooking Quest

Now I have to admit.  I may LOVE to cook, but by NO means am I super GOOD at it.  My ideas usually require the help of an adult to be really put into edible form.  However, my ideas are many and here a few.

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients are some of my favorite.  They encompass many different cultures and influences (spices, herbs, liquids, meats, vegetables).  Here are some of new favorite things to cooking with.

Sumac- a Persian herb that I think gives a nice citrus, yet dry flavor. Great in salads
Mixed Herbs- Fresh of course is best.  Parsley (curly or flat), basil, and MINT!
Pomegranate Syrup- Sound kind of unusual? Yea..kind of.  Its got a sweet/tart flavor and surprisingly goes great with lamb.
Fennel- A vegetable that's divine when roasted, and with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt.
Zests of any kind- the zest in my view contains the most intense flavor of fruits (usually lemons or oranges).  Candied zest is great as well.

So, the above ingredients are somethings I'm trying to use more an more in my cooking, yet slowly.
I love making new versions of traditional recipes, but also don't mind have clear cut instructions,  My roasted potatoes with peppers and cumin is a recipe that I whipped up out of the blue but still love.

I also love Christmas and the food that comes along with.  My family loves to make fruit based desserts, along with our family recipe for a dish called "Chicken Korma."  Below is an open tart that I made with store-bought phyllo dough, last Christmas.  At the end I thought the apples were kind of dry so I made a topping with some jam!

Now, I know that CAP students love to bake and cook.  I especially loved Grace and Amy's cooking show.  I am definitely trying their recipe for Pumpkin Bread, as the holiday's roll around.  For all the CAP student/teacher baking and cooking aficionados reading this post, comment below on what your favorite recipe is (if you can).  Why? Well, because I still don't have one and love learning about how other's cook, and their favorite tastes:)

Rock Climbing, Maybe?

Rock Climbing was not a hobby that I expected to get into.  In fact, my interest in climbing stony, spiky walls only sprung after a friend forced me to give it a try at the Earth Trek Climbing Center in Rockville.

I first decided to start out small, at the junior level, with no harness/rope. The walls and courses were short yet still complex ranging from big grip stones to small ones that were further apart.  Mats also provided an extra support in case of fall.  The center does a great job at suiting to your level and interests, with Rock Climbing Instructors helping you along the way.

The point is, a self-paced sport is something I have been looking for forever.  This way, withing a few points I can progress to being in spotted rock climbing settings, and start my way up to higher heights.  I'd also love to extend my interest to outdoors climbing expeditions.  Some possible settings include Sugarloaf Mountain or perhaps Garrett County in Western Maryland.  We'll see! An adventure of possibilities awaits.

A fun place to start and learn!

Where I hope to be (A boulder near Deep Creek Lake)

Career Thoughts: Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine

Dr. Karev of Grey's Anatomy carefully
monitoring an incubated neonatal

My recent obsession with the show Grey's Anatomy has sparked an interest in me for a possible future in Medicine. However lofty this seems, an episode I saw just yesterday really made me curious about the medicine of Neonatals (Newborns), particularly in Intensive Care Units. The delicate care that Newborns undergo (especially when at risk) was fascinating, especially for pre-mature ones. In the episodes "Dark was the Night" and "Suddenly," Doctors Karev and Grey care for a premature neonatal who experiences and ambulance crash on the a journey to the hospital. The emergency care and sacrifice that goes into saving babies was not only heroic but also scientifically and emotionally stimulating.  From incubating the infant, to providing ventilation, fluids, and all core life supports seemed like an inspiring task.
            My research in this field was further driven after watching the episode. I found out that Neonatologists require three years of pediatric residency and additional three years of fellowship. And yes, I am aware that Grey's Anatomy is a dramatized account of medicine, but it still gave me some exposure to a career I think would be interesting.

For a REAL LIFE account of Neonatology, here is an informative video that I found:



Some things I learned from the video:

1. Caring for Neonatal patients is a team effort of nurses, physicians, and parents
2. Emergency situations are common and often times, newborns at high-risk are transported my helicopter
3. A Pediatric Residency must precede Neonatology Training
4. Newborns can have a range of problems as a result of the pregnancy, or in the delivery.  While congenital abnormalities, lung problems, and infections are common, one disorder that interests me the most is hypoglycemia (low-blood sugar) in infants.

Scriptwriter's Reflection

Our script writing is progressing fluidly, with a number of ideas for implementing the dystopian elements.  The first Dystopian elements include the character's dissatisfaction of the society, a worshiped concept, and a dehumanized population.  These three facets, which set the stage of the story are introduced first during scene 1.  Voice-overs of the leader, explaining the greatness of computerized learning, as well as the complete absorption and brainwashing of the computer-drones portray the setting.

Our dystopian trailer focuses on a society's to dumb down students
through computerized learning, while books are hidden.  One girl,
strives to read these books and learn what has been kept from the
general population.

            The script transitions to the second scene with the catalysts.  The script specifies a close-up camera angle and voice-over, of Ruth (the protagonist), leaving the computer lab (setting of scene 1), and adventuring out into the unknown woods.  Her transition to scene 2 (taking place in the woods) represents the fear of the unknown, another dystopian element.  The catalyst for change, the most critical part, occurs at this point.  Ruth finds a textbook from the 21st century, and realizes that the current educational practices limit student knowledge.  She rushes home to read the book, and inquire about the past, and how much there is to learn; however, on her way back to school the next day (scene 3) she is halted and interrogated by Computer Police.  The police throw her book into the camera, and the trailer ends.              
             Voice-overs are the primary medium in communicating the thoughts of characters.  The script is specfic about camera speeds and alternating between shots of the computer and students, or close-ups and wide shots of the the police and Ruth.  Furthermore, the storyline is sequential as the movie would be, if made.  The three definite scenes portray the beginning, middle, and exposition to the end.  The throwing of the book will serve as a cliffhanger.  Is the story resolved, with Ruth getting to keep her book, or do the Police demolish the book, ruining a chance for a change?  This is the question the trailer will raise.                

5x5 Video Challenge

Clips

1. Entering the park down concrete steps

2. Walking on a wall of concrete bricks

3. Swinging

4. Monkey Bars

5. Down the Slide

I shot my 5x5 Video during a short visit to my Neighbhorhood Park, using the camera application of the iPad  2.  I carefully edited the clips using Windows Live Movie Maker, which I already had on my computer.  This software allowed me to zoom into each clip, in order to precisely cut the lengths to five seconds each.  The split function was easy to navigate and use, yet the absence of a timeline made a bit difficult to keep track of the exact seconds.

Overall, I am pleased with my the product of my 5x5 video.  My piece shows something I used to loved doing as kid (going to the park).  The movement of my camera as I walked on the pavemet or swung on the swingset, adds a nice effect.

For the next video challenge, I would like to incorporate people and medium closeups shots of their emotions.  The goal of the project would be to incorporate skills of closeups and focusing, in order to portray a common emotion among the participants in the video.  Music should be another requirement so as to complement the video.

Dystopian Trailer Critique

Blindness. Fernando Meirelles. R. 2008.
When an epidemic of blindness forces the the citizens of a town into an asylum, a group of individuals struggle to escape the chaos of rape, filth, and war, and rebuild their lives as a makeshift family in the empty remains of their city.



       Through the use of dialogue, editing, and style, the trailer emotionally captures how the Doctor's wife ( the protagonist) strives to protect her loved ones in the midst of post-apocalyptic control.  The trailer starts with the decay of a city's society, due to a mass epidemic of blindness.  The chaos of the initial situation is relayed through honks of cars and sirens, blurred background images symbolizing disturbance or hazy vision, and a creepy echo that stands for the announcement of the city's mass chaos.  The establishment of the protagonist is done through her brief dialogues with characters such as officers, internees, and her husband.  In one instance, she says, "I won't forget your face."  This quote establishes her prominence dramatically, as she is the only one who can see faces, and therefore, has the potential and goal to free herself and loved ones.  The protagonist's intense motive to escape the premise of post-apocalyptic chaos is shown through the imbalance of slow to fast-paced music and sequences.  As the trailer speeds to a turbulent blow at the end, the audience can understand Doctor's Wife's struggle and perseverance to escape the horror of a blind asylum.
     
        For my group's trailer, I plan to include camera work such as blurring/going out of focus, and including chaotic sounds to portray the setting.  I will edit clips with intense speed and then slow them down towards the credits, in order to give the audience a lasting effect.

Passionate and Personalized Learning: My Thoughts

          The article, Preparing Students to Learn Without Us explains how children are perfectly are capabale of desinging their own course of lesson planning through individualized learning. Core content is expressed and applied through mediums of the child's interests such as listening, debating, reading a book. Secondly, the article highlights how students learn more in depth according to their passions. To do this, individual assignements can be given according to specific learning styles.
          An ideal example of providing personalized learning in a still, monitored enviornment is in the following quote: "Using Google Docs, students continually update their progress, and she provides regular feedback. Students also give one another feedback on their plans as they go. Everyone follows a rubric that covers such areas as standards, learning outcomes, artifact explanation, blog posts, learning activities, work ethic, and research." In this way, students are not only voicing their own opinions and reflecting with each other, but the teacher can still keep up with the work while instiling values such as work ethic and research. However, the teacher's monitoring of the learning enviornment is just enough to allow the students to be FREE and learn on their OWN.
          So far, in our class, I have not seen a great deal of personalized learning. Hopefully, as the year progresses, we will get to indivdualize our learning through exploring our passions in film topics/genres, filming and editing technqiues, and how to write about film. I hope Mr. May doesn't give strict rubrics, but rather guidelines to follow in order to help us find out about what we like. The blogs will also facilitate this through peer reviewing.
          In terms of the class curriculum, I would like to learn about lighting and angle composition techniques for emphasizing mood and emotion in the overall story of a film. I would like to learn this by analyzing these  techniques in films and then applying observed skills into my/our own work.

Movie Review Assignment

Annotated Movie Review:

http://www.diigo.com/annotated/1ecf906271fd8e3ee64645d6cf61210f

The movie review of "Precious" written by New York Times writer A.O. Scott highlights the powerfully painful emotions of the story and film itself.  The review starts off with a general synopsis of the characters' background, introducing there abusive and impoverished life in Harlem, New York.  The three aspects of film are woven in seamlessly, mentioning the acting or directing of key scenes and descriptions of the plot.  For instance, after mentioning the climax, in which "Precious," the antagonist, escapes her abusive mother's beatings, Scott talks about the acting and personal training of the actress her self.

Overall, the reviewer focuses on the movie's tone as the overall backdrop for his review.  His main mission is to tell the reader that the movie is not just about absuvie families or poverty, but about a complex journey through obstacles.  To relay this message, he uses key aspects from the plot and acting/directing of the story.  Cinematography is scarcely discussed.

For the movie reviews, the three elements of film (Literary, Dramatic, and Cinematographic) should be discussed.  However, liberty in organizing and integrating these elements should be given, so as to allow for a fluid-sounding piece.  Acting examples can alternate with story elements (such as describing how a character's actions in the plot were skillfully portrayed through personable acting.)  Elements of Cinematography should alternate with the director's vision and purpose for the film. Thus, the reviews will be natural-sounding and relate each of the elements with each other.

A Brand New Journey

An empty boat embarking on a new journey

Hello! My name is Abir and I am sophmore student in the Communication Arts Program (CAP) at Montgomery Blair High School.  I am very excited to further extend my interests in film-making.  Two of these interests include pre-production scriptwriting and shot composition and camera movement during the production phase.

           In the past, I contributed to an animated short film about anti-bullying, in my seventh grade media class.  I was in charge of storyboarding the script, shooting paper stills with stop-motion animation, as well as editing the final product with iMovie.  Experience in these three stages will help with this year's work.

             For the 2012-2013 school year, the cap blogs can be utilized for communicating with members of group projects.  Change Project and CAP Hollywood Groups can tag individuals with whom their working, and group themselves within the network of blogs.  Posts, Updates, Pictures, and other media can be shared among themselves.  For instance, blogs can assist the Change Project Process through a number of ways:

1. Keeping a finance widget/gadget to record budget statistics and amount of money raised and needed for the project.
2. A section for web links and names of organizations.
3. A comment and post section, exclusively for group members.
4. Photo and Video Posting section for planning the final media portion of the project.

I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year, filled with blogging that is both expressive of my interests and functional for group projects!