Week Ten: Reading the Multimodal Narrative

David Mazzuchelli's graphic novel "Asterios Polyp" is about an old architect starting a new life while finding his true self in the process. Interestingly enough, the novel is narrated by Asterios's dead twin brother, Ignazio. It also frequently goes back into exposition showing what really happened to Asterios before he decided to start a new life.

Mazzuchelli's voice is vibrant in this graphic novel, and if it weren't for this medium, I don't think it would have worked this well. He's able to switch perspectives very smoothly while using abstract imagery to explain his, or his caricatured perception of life through the eyes of both Ignazio and Asterios. So much theory and philosophy is dealt with between storylines that it feel neatly sown between them and it clearly relates to what Asterios is going through: his isolation and detachment to the world, his ability to be wrong and his blunt attitude.

This image was one of my favorites. Since it happened within the first few pages, I was able to understand what the source of his issues are. Twins need each other whether they like it or not. Its just in their blood (I don't have one so I'm not claiming I get it first hand, but my girlfriend does).

It's easy to tell that David Mazzuchelli has dealt with these themes portrayed in "Asterios Polyp". Maybe he's lost a twin brother or maybe he's just a loner. Maybe he's had to fight his pride in being right so he doesn't chase loved ones away with his attitude. While these questions are hypotheticals, the conflicts displayed connects to the writer in some way.

The last thing I'd like to comment on is the thematic use of color palette. Earlier in this scene, Ignazio was commenting on how reality is an extension of yourself and how everyone's reality is different. Then the narrative shows Asterios meeting a woman who would end up being his wife. This moment is so beautiful because it captures two perceptions of reality coming together, testing out each other's waters.

Week Eleven: Long Form Television

For this blog post, I decided to binge watch BoJack Horseman. This is a story about a washed up celebrity who's trying to get his horse foot back into the spotlight.

Regarding media effects, there has been an enormous change in the themes that the twenty-first century television brings, and that's anti-heroes. Anti-heroes are protagonists that aren't the kindest, only interested in themselves and have sociopathic tendencies. BoJack Horseman easily fits this role. Though these characters seem super unlikable from the outside, audience members normally sympathize and even identify with anti-heroes because of one or two universal and positive qualities. In BoJack's case, he's insecure and wants everyone to like him again. Who doesn't want to be loved? Who isn't self-conscious about something? While the episodic goals usually put him in a bad light, the series goal is to show that BoJack Horseman isn't such a bad guy in the inside.

It's intriguing to think why anti-heroes are all the rage in long-form television these days. Here are some similar shows with characters like these: The Office, Sherlock, Rick and Morty, House of Cards, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and more.

Here's my theory on this subject. The majority of the millennial generation were taught that we're special and we can do anything we set our minds to. So we go to college, get a degree in whatever we choose to do and expect to make an impact. We expect so much of ourselves and don't get the results that match. Therefore, generally, we're insecure that we didn't end up as great as our parents said. Maybe we're depressed and disappointed, so if we see character's that are washed up like BoJack, we don't have to feel so alone in our failures.

Week Fourteen: Mcluhan and Media Future

For years now, I've been watching social media applications like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat grow. Something intangible and unreal is now a large part of my life, and most likely yours as well.

It's interesting to look at a person's Facebook and then look at them in real life. Are they the same person? Most likely not. They are two separate identities. A lot of things come into play when generating a Facebook post or deciding if you want to put up a risky pic of you and your friends partying: who's going to see it? Will I get a lot of likes and impress my friends? Should I angle the camera like so to hide the gross pimple I got two days ago? In real life, you get what you see. But on social media, you get what that person WANTS you to see. A clear effect of this type of thing is getting "catfished" where someone pretends to be someone they're not.

Social media apps became an outlet where people can talk, share, bitch, debate and flirt with other people. What's the effect of this? Poor human-to-human skills is the elephant in the room. Let's say Tony is breaking up with Becky, but Tony doesn't want to deal with seeing her cry. So Tony dumps her on Instant Message. Not only did Tony not experience the human-to-human emotion of breaking someone's heart, Tony now learned that he can do something without all the consequences. The next day, Tony goes to school and is approached by Becky's older brother who wants to fight him after school for breaking his sister's heart insincerely. Instead, Tony goes home and tweets about how lame Becky's brother is. Now the entire school is mad at him and thinks he's a coward, which he is. Don't be like Tony.

What I'm trying to say is that social media can be a short cut to doing actual social things with actual people. This can effect someone's future in many ways. Some can be work ethic by always being on Facebook, personability's so poor that you don't ever get passed an interview, and many more.

I don't think there should be a law against the amount of time we use social media, because that's dictator-like and scary, but maybe we can put our phones away for a Saturday and just relax with friends and family to make sure we continue to hone our ACTUAL social skills.

Week Thirteen: Curate Yourself

I was looking at the course blog to further understand what dynamics my curation should be. A quote that made me decide was this: "These courses strive to help the student become more attuned to issues of ethical and moral responsibility." More specifically, moral responsibility is what got me thinking.

A Japanese anime called "Naruto" was released over ten years ago. As a child, I thought the ninja fights was the coolest aspect, but when I looked back at the narrative in my late high school years and now, I became entranced by the hidden meanings behind the story and the grander lessons the writer is trying to teach his audience.

We follow a young ninja named Naruto who is practically shunned from the village. He has an evil beast within him which scares the everyone community. Twelve years ago, the beast ravages the village and killed scores. It was Naruto's father, the hokage (leader) who sacrificed himself to seal the kyuubi within Naruto.

Despite the constant hatred and isolation he dealt with, he continued to train and became so strong that he is able to protect them and gain their respect. Even before the two times he saves the village, people began to flock around him because of his positive personality and outlook on how every ninja should be. Later, he becomes what he set out to be, the hokage.

I chose to curate this work over others because of the moral responsibility Naruto had for his community. He endured sadness, neglect, ridicule and humiliation to make sure this type of ignorance never happens again.

There is a huge story arch following a rival Naruto met and learned to love. His name's Sasuke of the Uchiha clan. While he was a child, Sasuke's brother killed off every single clan member for the greater good, for this clan was planning to take over the village. Because of these events, Sasuke was just like Naruto, alone. But he only endured so much and went down a path towards evil. Naruto never gave up on Sasuke, though. Their paths were to close for Naruto not to empathize with him, and by tyhe end of the plot, Naruto brings him back. Sasuke resembles what Naruto could have been if he didn't have the moral drive to stay positive.

In reality, I believe in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is my moral ethical responsibility as an artist and I see nothing but inspiration in this piece.

Response to Lea Carpenter's Article

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?
To be honest, I'm generally confused with the text and how it relates to the Bob Dylan song. Yes, they mention that the thief is a big Bob Dylan fan, but how does this story and Dylan's song "Subterranean Homesick Blues"? I feel clueless. (I also didn't have enough time to finish reading the text).

2. What connections did you make with the story?
Not much. As stated above, the thief was an avid Bob Dylan fan.

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story?
I'm not sure. Maybe make the context more clear? If I had time I would read it again to get a stronger grasp on what's actually happening in the narrative. I would then write a screenplay.

For me, this assignment would be better if I had two hours to read and respond. Sorry.

Week 12: Games as a Medium

Video games are an art form that entraps millions into a cyber-reality that reflects the human mind and challenges it's decisions. Even games as simple as Tetris recreate our identity as strategists and competitors.

Today I will be discussing Arkane Studios' role playing game called Dishonored. This action-packed strategy game follows the royal protector in a gothic, British-esque empire called Gristol. The main character, Corvo, is framed for murdering his empress and secret lover as well as holding the princess hostage. The story follows Corvo rescuing his daughter and killing the conspirators who set him up in order to gain complete power of the state.

Dishonored's storyline is rich in universal qualities of storytelling: love, loss, revenge, and questioning the gray area between good and evil. As Corvo Attano, a player has choices just like in reality. One can choose to be an unforgiving killer, or a merciful rebel who knocks out the opposition, which could end up in gaining their support. Most low-level AIs in this game are unaware of Corvo's innocence, but based on statistics, most players kill them off anyway.

In conclusion, any video game like Dishonored resembles a reimagined reality that either us humans lived in, could have lived in or could be living in (of course in a dramatized fashion). What would we do in a situation such as Corvo's? Would we bloody our path to satisfy revenge? Or would we take the time to sneak our way around the opposition to respect our deceased Empress who only desired peace?

Games are like a history lesson for future generations. It explains the creator's perspective of reality during whenever the storyline was made. Just like novels, but more interactive.

Voice and the Auteur Theory - Wes Anderson

Today I will be discussing the similarities between three of Wes Anderson's films: Bottle Rocket, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Anderson has a strong voice that passes through each of his narratives. The most apparent theme between these films is the desire to escape the ordinary world. In Moonrise Kingdom, main characters Sam and Suzy desire to, quite literally, leave everything behind them and start anew in the wilderness. In The Grand Budapest Hotel, young Mr. Moustafa willingly drops his life to live and breathe The Budapest Hotel as a simple Lobby Boy. Lastly in Bottle Rocket, Anthony and Dignan decide to steal from Anthony's parents and create new lives for themselves as criminals.

Another couple themes seems to stand out as well. The "Buddy Story" as well as the "coming-of-age" genre. Sam and Suzy are clearly a duet from the beginning, slowly falling in love and finding crafty ways to stay together. On a lesser level, the Lobby Boy and his mentor Mr. Gustave befriend each other quickly. They even end up stealing a priceless painting within the first couple days. We follow them for most of the film in a flashback. Lastly, Anthony and Dignan are childhood friends and both has similar social issues, but they learn and build from each other. Regarding "coming-of-age", all these stories exhibit a young protagonist running through trial and tribulation, becoming more mature by the end of the piece.

Here are some more minor similarities that may not be comparable to all three films. Anderson LOVES actor Edward Norton. He plays the scoutmaster in Moonrise Kingdom and a Sargent in The Grand Budapest Hotel. To add, Anderson seems to love color, reds and yellows in particular. It's clear that production design is very important to him. Lastly, Anderson's directing scheme seems quite theatrical with characters making big and bold movements, complimented with camera movement.

In Class Assignment - Jim Jarmusch Film Similarities

• Most are Black and White
• Slow blocking in action
• All films are coming-of-age dramas
• The man of good intentions forced to do evil deeds based on their differing situations
• All period pieces, normally in rural areas
• Long, static shots of full coverage. Doesn't shoot for normal coverage.
• Multiple main characters - parallel editing until they finally meet
• Tone: Rough, Edgy, out-of-place, 
• POV / Theme: Leaving the conformist world to find the eventual goal
• Lots of cigarettes and alcohol

Adaptation: Costume Designer for Chinatown

Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" follows Gittes, a private detective hired to investigate a case regarding adultery, and instead finds corrupt, greed and murder. Set in 1937, Polanski revisits the narrative style of Film Noir.

As Costume Designer, I'd like to start with J. J. Gittes, a former-policeman trying to make an honest living. I can picture him in a black suit with a fedora of the same color. As he goes through trial and tribulation, the audience gets to know Gittes on a more personal level. By the end, I would make his color pallet change from black to a navy blue. He smokes cigarettes and drinks, just like any classic noir detective.
Duffy and Walsh are a team of lackluster detectives who do nothing but argue with one another. Because of this, I'd like to dress them similarly. Duffy's suit would be a darker tan while Walsh wears more of an oak tan.
Evelyn Mulwray is the female lead who is running from the very beginning. She's been through non-consensual incest with her father, defaming scandals and is constantly on the run after the half-point. As she gets tougher and tougher, I'd like her color pallet to shift from pale pinks (innocence) to a radiant red (fights back).
Ida Sessions, the sneaky woman who posed as Evelyn is the mini femme fatale in "Chinatown". I picture here as a sensual woman, trying too hard to look like she's the farthest thing from a threat. She should have long blonde hair and a semi-revealing dress (we don't want to make it too obvious now do we?)
Noah Cross is the hidden antagonist throughout the entire film. I picture him in a slick dark-gray trench coat symbolizing his apathy towards others, i mean, he killed a man.
Mr. Mulwray was the hardest to conceptualize, for his neutrality between Gittes and Cross. I decided he'd look good with a dark green suit. This implies a sickness to him- a poison. He's only got so many pages to live.

World Building - "The Book of the Dead"

Topic: What are the precise strategies that are used by its creator to convey the world to us and us to the world?

Edwidge Danticat adds subtle background information to the conflicts occurring in "The Book of the Dead".

On the first page, our inciting incident is Ka, a Haitian-American art teacher and our hero, is waiting in an office at the hotel she and her missing father are staying at. There, Ka gives bits and pieces of what she hears and sees: the hotel manager has a Spanish lilt to his voice and that the police officer is Floridian. Within the first page, the readers already know that we are in a Spanish-section of Florida.

Later in the story, we figure out who Ka is giving selling her statue to: a famous Haitian-American named Gabrielle Fonteneau. Here, we now know the time period. If a Haitian-American is successful and wealthy, our timeline is passed the Civil Rights Movement. I'd say around the 70's to the 80's.'

The Yellow Wall-Paper - Writing Assignment

Set in the early 1900's, The Yellow Wall-Paper is about a woman assumed to have a false disorder called hysteria and is entrapped in an airy, cringe-worthy room prescribed by her physicist husband. Throughout the story, our protagonist slowly goes insane, seeing a woman trapped behind the piss-yellow wall-paper. The subtext of this story implies that this woman is trying to save herself.

The question for discussion: How are relationships between men and women are portrayed in this story?

The physicist, John, is the true antagonist from the first page. He decides who goes where and what happens, even with his sister who assumes her "natural female job" as a house-maid. John has convinced our hero she is insane when, from reading the first couple pages, seems quite normal. Because of John's forceful nature and entitlement to being right and more intelligent, the woman becomes insane due to the situation she is put in.

What I'm trying to get at here is that woman in this era are taught to be submissive towards men and not to question the expectations of what a woman can and cannot do or feel. They are in a constant cage of limited activity, which was contextualized to the T with our hero gaining intrigue in assisting a helpless woman behind the wall-paper. It's really her, trapped in a male-driven world.

A Female Heroin Design

Today I will be designing a female heroin in a world that is a quite dramatic version from our own.

I would like to create a heroin that fights for women's rights and inspires the young generation to break the stereotypical profiles that are brought upon them. Being skinny, submissive and a caretaker are only some prejudices that must be eradicated for women of the world to truly branch out and be whoever they want to be.

Imagine a country where women are enslaved to men. As the caveat for this repulsive life style, a rebellion was formed called "Unity" made up of women and men with common sense. It informally seceded from that nation, Divicious, and constantly attempts to take down that government, but has been having issues doing so. Divicious has the numbers and the technological strength, but their flaws aren't something one can see, it's in their human right standards and life style (clearly). Women who are enslaved to caretake and reproduce only need the inspiration to break from the prejudice they have of themselves and fight back against the oppressors.

Our female lead, Jeffra, was a brainwashed Divicious native that was a trusted secretary and spy for the Vice President. At first, she believed in the oppression, thinking it's where she belonged. After having to "teach a lesson" to a reproductive workforce on strike and then being sexually assaulted by the VP as a "thank you", Jeffra realized how terrible her actions have been for her own gender. She needs to make up for it and make a difference.

This world doesn't have superpowers, but Jeffra's skills are the closest thing to it. In her old days, she would spy on the women workforce's leaders and act accordingly. With this experience, she knows exactly how to blend in a crowd, even a crowd of men.

Jeffra has found herself personally at Unity and quickly skyrockets through the ranks. She's quick, diligent and innovative, but has suppressed aggression that usually always gets her into some trouble during the missions in Divicious. Though, her charisma and kindness trumps her flaw at the last second, therefore being able to give anyone a second chance, because she was given one as well.

Jeffra has never been interested in anything sexual and doesn't identify with a sexuality. This makes her crossdressing very useful when she infiltrates Divicious's governmental meetings. Physically, she is not skinny nor overweight, but that doesn't matter. Her muscles are helpful but not prominent. Jeffra has a business-like fold in her hair on the left side and it only goes passed her ears.

In this story, Jeffra's goal is to redeem her past by being the strongest force to take out Divicious and help create a new, equal community for all: gay, straight, male, female, black, white, and so on.

- Daniel G. Gorham (2/12/17)

Writing Assignment #2 - True Grit

When Western books and films are usually stereotyped as male-influenced, over the top and has a lackluster story quality, Charles Portis' "True Grit" breaks the mold by having a dominate female lead and a strong narrative structure.

Charles Portis has a lot to say under Mattie and Rooster's vibrant dialogue. To me, there's a direct contrast between both these characters. Our hero Mattie is an assertive teenager hell-bent on revenge while she follows the law everywhere she goes. On the other hand there's Rooster, the wild-card archetype which usually supplies the brawn...and no brains. While Mattie is the wise and careful character, Rooster basically acts as her sword and, specifically in the end, savior. With that said, does Portis mean the best way to achieve to one's goal is to have balance?
LaBoeuf, the Texas Ranger, made me question my previous theory. Maybe he represents that balance. For example, he had his guard up and was an ass towards the beginning, but then after all the conflict, learned to eat his pride and appreciate Mattie for her maturity and self-sufficiency and gained a right mind to help Rooster when he needed it most, just like when the roles were turned. It may be over-reaching, but for half the novel, LaBoeuf was bad, and the other good.

On another note, "True Grit" reflects greatly on the ideas of Western mythology. Classic Western tales from hundreds of years still have an effect on modern-day reality: how people act, it's popular in literally every medium and is a successful source for advertising.  Usually, a story revolves around a western male, or "cowboy". They tend to be a self reliant outsider, unwilling to conform to society. Cowboys also prefer friendly intimacy with comerads over women while they live on the wild side. Some more characteristics are intelligent and experienced in conflict and combat, fit and handsome, unable to be domesticated and usually have a heavy disdain for authority.

Rooster clearly fits this hero-type...minus the handsome part. Our hero, Mattie, doesn't quite fit this cowboy role, but is more intact with the "Child Savior Myth". This myth is essentially innocence teaching experience.

Prologue About Me

Hey everyone! My name's Daniel G. Gorham, a film senior at Ringling College of Art & Design. I was born and raised in central New Jersey.

In my childhood, I played a lot of soccer starting from the recreational level and worked myself up to join the top club team in my town. I usually played left wing even though I'm right-footed.

In middle school I picked up my first camcorder: a digital JVC with standard definition. I made embarrassing shorts with my friends (looking back at it now) and called the YouTube channel "Top Hat Productions". When I entered high school, I deactivated my account and created a new one: "DanG Films". Recording ping pong trick shot videos, air soft games and more narrative shorts, I gained up to 450 subscribers locally. I even worked with the school to make some videos to broadcast for HSPA testing and the annual "Spirit Week".

In my junior year, I directed a short film called "Ghost" about an unstable young man who blames himself for the death of his brother, and because he's prescribed too much medication, he sees glimpses of his brother throughout the film. I was awarded a scholarship from JK Design.

When I began furthering my education at Ringling, I decided to drop my YouTube channel so I could focus on classes. As the years went on, I found myself more and more fascinated with developing something out of nothing: story. How life influences could effect ones writing, how much one word could describe a thousand through subtext, and how much emotion an audience member or reader receives from viewing it. I want to make my audience feel pain, nastolgia, despair, happiness, and most importantly learn from the mistakes I've made, which will most undoubtingly be lined underneath everything I write.

As an audience member, I enjoy all types of film, from thirty-minute sitcoms to forty-five minute dramas to feature-length psychological thrillers. As a screenwriter, I wish to wet my feet in every genre to see what I'm best at and what's the most enjoyable. My middle goal is to become a staff writer for television like "Rick and Morty" and / or video games like "Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series" and my end goal is to become a screenwriting professor at the undergraduate level.

I've wanted to be a teacher since I graduated high school. I was never the best student. I had a short attention span and I could never really wrap my head around problems that were too big. To add, I have a large amount of anxiety. In short, I was limiting myself. Now as a senior, I've worked passed what I thought was the impossible and want to assist students that have the same difficulties as me. Seeing the next generation prosper and make even stronger content then us and our elders would be such a beautiful sight. I want to be apart of that push.