Kimmy's Garden

For the FS100 final, we have pretty much the same structure but 13 films. Now, a slightly different plan. And no other essays to write this week. Yeah!
And one thing I did learn from the mid-term: to review the class discussions & ppts as well!!! I figured I would remember all of the important points in the essay – but in my lighting essay I forgot the whole Myth of the West section of Malicks Days of Heaven (1978). Darn. But this time I am ready ready.
PRO: This week I have no extra essay to write – CON: Work + Christmas prep.

Plan:
1. (0.1h) Write out all films, summary of unit themes, organize text sections to re-scan.
2. (1.5h) Go over first 4 films from first half / midterm + ppts + discussion.
3. (2.0h) Watch next 4 films in 3x (30min max ea) with time code flow chart + journal feedback. Summarize.
4. (1.5h) Collect definitions in booklet.
5. (2.0h) Watch last 5 films in 4x (30min max ea) with time code flow chart + journal feedback. Summarize.
6. (1.0h) At gym, compare & contrast the films.
7. (1.0h) At gym, review definitions.
8. (2.0h) Go over main cinematic devices and discuss the effect in three movies from class.
ie. Long take (Breathless – Patricia’s hotel room v Shining – Danny’s triking around)
ie. Sound heirarchy (Man Escaped – well, everything v Graduate – conversation)
ie. Montage (Potemkin – Kuleshov Effect v Graduate – April sequence)
9. OOps, remember to review directors & main character’s names!
10. (0.5h) Review the improtance of the camera D camera H camera A.

Ask yourself, “What is being criticised by the work?”

For FS100 mid-term there will be a lot of studying to be ready for a lot of writing. Here is what is on the test: definitions, short answers, long answers. Fair.
Here is my plan for the week because I always put it off as long as possible:
1. Watch film for next week (Maltese Falcon) this weekend. Write essay.
2. Prepare definitions with text, internet in a little booklet.
3. Scan text sections again to refresh vocab.
4. Watch movies at 3x (30 min each) looking at chunks (props-costume-human figure-lighting-cine-edits).
Wait, NOT looking at editing.
5. Re-read essays c feedback.
6. Go to gym to review definitions.

OK, I have always wanted to take this course but have dreaded actually doing it, thinking that it would ruin every possible movie watching experience from here on. I was wrong: this course is only improving my ability to discuss films. Wrong again: to give up the dread as I realized
[... ... ... CLOSE UP on blue paper of course syllabus in my hand
[... ... ... Zoom in to XCU "essay every week, to be handed IN CLASS every Friday" (everything else s/b out of focus)
[dissolve to...
[... ... ... XCU to my open screaming mouth]

I was tricked. This is an English course disguised as a film studies course. OMG. We are talking 13 essays, plus a shot by shot, plus a close analysis. Whew. Oh well. I shall survice and expect my writing to be 10fold better after this semester. Well, ok maybe not 10 fold but definitely better. Everyone should take this course! I am not regretting it yet!

An afternoon class of writing poetry last week was quite an adventure. The instructor was Sheri-D Wilson, a fantastic Spoken-Word artist, one of the first & best as a matter of fact . If you do not know what Spoken-Word is, you simply must attend the Edmonton ROAR festival this September.

Anyway, I won’t ruin the magic by telling you in detail what we did all week in order to create, but it was a great week. Pick a theme, do some prompts, learn about others’ poetry, get inspired by each other, sharing our works of art, talk about what makes it soooo gooooood, and take it farther. The poem which I posted on June 8 is something I wrote from one of Sheri-D’s prompts using Anne Waldman’s “Fast Speaking Woman” poem. The next generation of poems you find posted here will be the product of the seeds of the vision that was planted in my brain (S&G) during this course led by Sheri-D through the Faculty of Extension.

Further to the poetry in Edmonton, I was always aware of the Stroll of Poet’s Society , the Stroll (October), and the 12 Days of Poetry (January). Then later I find out that I know Jocelyn Verret-Chiasson, the former President, who put on an enjoyably intimate suite of Monday night readings at the Upper Crust for $5 – and let me tell you, best entertainment a five spot can buy you. A great evening of poetry, socializing, and dessert with coffee!! I recommend this series of events to everyone.

This winter, again, I found out too late about the Raving Poet’s Society who were having readings as well on Wednesday nights at the Casbar (basement of Yianni’s on Whyte). Ah! Next season, I am there!