Weeks Five and Six Reflections!
Posted by derelictz on November 28, 2006
Sorry for the late post. I was bogged down by tons of work, in school and out of it. Well, here are my 2 weeks’ worth of reflections consolidated into one post.
Week 5
We started class with a debate of sorts on Aristotle’s theory: if plot was indeed more important than character in a story. Personally, I think both are important. But I do agree to a certain extent that the character is more important than the plot. It is usually harder to hatch a strong plot that can compensate for a weak character, whereas a strong character may be able to substantiate a weak plot.
Ryan then shared with us the cause-and-effect chain should there be an absence of a character. We were also given guidelines on how to create a strong 3-dimensional character; paying attention to meticulous details on the character’s physiology, sociology and psychology, as well as his/her “interior” and “exterior” are crucial.
The lesson was heavy in content and it also bothers me how hard it is to actually conceptualise a 3-dimensional character. There are simply too many facets we need to take note of! We were also shown a small segment of a masterpiece of Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver, and watched how he created a 3-dimensional character in less than 10 minutes of screentime. Oh my god! It makes me wonder if I will ever be capable of it.
We then watched a short film by Francois Truffaut, of Day For Night fame, the movie we watched in week 1 during Introduction to Film. Les Mistons, his short film made in 1957. The lesson ended after the screening as we did not have sufficient time to discuss it.
You can find my week 5 notes here.
Week 6
We started Week 6 with a discussion of Les Mistons, which we watched at the end of our previous week’s lesson. We had a discussion on the “virginal heart” as well as what we have inferred from the film.
Week 6’s lesson, in my opinion, was an emotional and highly-tensed one for most people. We were divided in to small groups of 3 to 4, and asked to share our Letters to the Past. At the same time, we were also asked to give constructive critique to our peers on how they can improve on their letters. Well, the comment I received from Kane on my letter was that it stated everything, rather than involve the reader emotionally. Well, that is true, and I had mixed feelings while writing. I guess I was holding something back. Well, I guess I have to hit the canvas again.
We also watched a short film, Intransit. I think that it is an artistic and abstract film as we have to infer quite a number of details. But I feel that this is also quite a fresh approach, as we are not spoonfed details and information. Instead, we feel compelled to discuss about it and share our views.
We also learned to write for an audience. We learned that the writer is a very powerful character as he is the one who connects multiple elements such as their vision, the material available as well as drama. Other than the aforementioned, we also learned that we should look inside ourselves for a story. We just need to find out how to connect to it.
Well, that’s all for this reflection. I will change the style I write my reflections soon! Stay tuned. Cheers!
You can find my week 6 notes here.
