Today in Class...

It has come to my attention that when students take some sort of film class they have a greater appreciation for the art of cinema.

It is one thing to learn how to make a film. You are more likely to appreciate it if you understand how it has been constructed but what if you were just told to watch movies?

After interviewing a friend of mine about is film class I have learned that he has come to enjoy watching movies more so than he did before this class.

He told me in his class they watch a different genre of film every week. For example they have watched "Citizen Kane" for mystery.

"It's nice because you are able to discuss with other students why one movie should be considered for one genre or another."

He said it has been interesting to talk with his fellow students why certain movies have certain plot lines or why the cinematographer shot a scene a specific way.

I always enjoyed my film classes in high school and in college so it's nice that others are enjoying it as well.

The Results

"If you have the words there's always the chance you'll find the way." 

Like with most new experiences people tend to learn several news concepts and skills. Blogging has been a new experiences for me in which I have gained knowledge on expression. I am not one to hide my opinion but through blogging I feel I have expressed some of them in creative ways. It has become a new medium for me to use my way with words.


“Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” 
― C.S. Lewis


Throughout the semester I have blogged about various aspects of the film industry and I have tried to treat each blog as a new conversation.  I have tried to be mindful of my words and the specific effect I wanted it to have on that certain blog.
I feel with each new post my blog has gained more and more depth. It has become a place where we discuss more than why we liked a certain film.


“Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there.’"— Jef Mallett

Blogging is journalism with out some of the same limits. I am able to publish my own content and control it how I see fit. I act as the editor journalist, and page designer. I feel for the most part having a blog has helped me practice my journalism skills with out considering all the rules.

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
— Theodore Roosevelt

Blogging has allowed me to venture into the world of cinema. I have been able to observe and explore all the different perspectives of film making. I have been able to share my love for film in interesting ways.

"A blog is only as interesting as interest shown in others." 

The most important thing I have learned from blogging is the topic of my posts. People will not read your product if they think it is just you venting and its endless copy. Be aware of the look and content of your blog. 

The Market

While there are negative aspects of the affects social media has on the film industry, there are also some benefits.

With the advancement in technology has come cellphones which act as both a camera and marketing tool.

According to social media strategist, Sam Milbrath, cell phones have been the death and life of filmmaking. Although it has made it easier for those to on a budget to make, produce and promote their own films it has also helped those with oodles of money and no set budget.

For cinematographers working in a massive studio social media serves as a cheap way to promote their film and receive pre production feed back. It enables them to spend their money and time more on the overall content rather than the small picture aspects.

Milbrath also said that the film industry can use social media to connect fans and build almost a community like situation.

Feedback on social media can be used in keeping an audience interested.

Small budget films also benefit from social media because if it is from an unheard studio with an unknown director and actors then they all can become known with social media.

Peer Pressure

Tweets, Pins, photos, and blog posts change people’s perceptions. It can sway one’s own opinion into a certain direction.

However, how does changing opinions affect the film industry?

When one is contemplating a film to or its overall meaning, they often seek other perceptions.

For example, recently there has been buzz on numerous social media networks about the new Beauty and the Beast film.

According to actor Josh Gad, his character, has been portrayed as gay. There has been several opinions posted on this news. A majority of them are from people who are boycotting the film because of its modern adaptation of one of its characters.

Now people who may be contemplating their attendance of the film may feel it’s inappropriate. It would depend on the ratio of encouraging or. discouraging posts.

According to digital analyst, Brian Solis, seventy five percent of people are influenced by the positive social networking the research when choosing the films they watch.

So the overall effect this has on the film industry is engagement in films. Though a seemingly small issue it potentially could escalate if the influence of social media continues to increase.

The Birth of Social Media

For several decades there have been numerous advances in technology affecting aspects of many professions.

Over time is has been easier for doctors to save lives, for journalists to filter news and for creative storytellers to circulate their visions.

The advancement has also enhanced day-to-day activity in the common aspect of life. Last century it was the norm for loved ones to not see or hear from each other for months to years.

However, with cell phones and computers people can speak and virtually see each other everyday.

With this new technology has come new features.

In fact, the advancement has birthed a new phenomenon: social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others are used as tools for citizens to report aspects of life.

Although at times harmless and beneficial, social media has its overwhelming disadvantages.

It as become a hosh posh of thoughts and opinions.

Specifically in the film industry social media has had both positive and negative effects on the viewing, distribution and perception of movies.

Hidden Figure

After weeks of attempting to see it, we finally made it. We had wanted to see the movie for ages but because of the hectic lives of a college student slash journalist and a library tech slash future teacher, we were slammed with our realities.

However, today was the day. It was our time to escape the realities and venture into a world of empowerment. 

We went into the theater not knowing how Hidden Figures would make us react but we hoped we would enjoy some witty statements from the three NASA genesis.

Throughout the film we laughed, we groaned and we sat there contemplating the astonishing difference between American civilization in the sixties and American civilization now.

There was one particular sequence in the story that I found at first unfortunate but happy with the resolution.

Katherine Johnson, an amazing mathematician, was selected to work on the task force in charge of sending the first man to the moon.

As the only African American there, for the first time, there were no "colored" bathrooms. Therefore, she had to walk across the NASA campus to use the restroom. She wasted forty minutes everyday.

One day her boss noticed and dumbfounded he decided to rid NASA of separate bathrooms because and I quote:

"Here at NASA everyone pees the same color."

With an uproar of laughter, the entire audience found this both hilarious and powerful.

Oscars' Mistake

And the winner is...La La Land 

No wait. It was Moonlight.

All the craziness at the Oscars were very interesting last week. I have had several conversations that have found the incident either a publicity stunt or an honest mistake.

According to one of my classmates, "you can't fake something like that."

He seemed to think the whole thing was planned and that it was an attempt of the Academy to make the awards ceremony more entertaining.

However, others view it as a simple mistake. 

No one can truly determine what happened. All we can know is that a stage hand must have given the wrong envelope to the presenters.

There's one thing for certain, the best picture of the year 2016 was Moonlight.

Though I have not seen it, I am glad that a film with such an important message was recognized as the best.