Final Reflection

This course has really changed the way I do research. I learned the differences between reliable or better yet credible resources and other sources like that are not so credible. I learned to gather information and use only what is most important for me. I also learned how important it is to cite whenever I quote someone or use someone else's opinion or research in my own work.

If I could give advice to someone who is looking forward to taking this course, my advice to them would be to manage their time wisely. Being that this is a hybrid course, the class only meets once a week. This may seem like they have enough time to get things done but in reality time will go by fast, and before you know it, the semester will be over. Time management is of the essence. Setting goals and prepping your paper or brainstorming are all good practicing to help you be successful in this course. I never used most of the research links provided in this class, and I wish I had, that way I could have had an easier time doing research. Lexis Nexis was by far the most difficult for me to use because I could not seem to find articles related to my paper. But eventually I learned how to use general word to narrow down my search, and thankfully I found some good articles. I would advise any upcoming student to practice using these platforms, such as Lexis Nexis and the Gale Virtual Reference library to do research so that when the time comes, they can be comfortable using this cites for their research.

If I could go back and change anything I did this semester, it would be to  hand in my milestone 4 even though it wasn't completed. I feel like even though I had only 5 pages, and a handful of sources, I could have gotten some kind of feedback to help me in my final draft. I also would have focused on completing every single hybrid hour questionnaire. The questionnaires were guides to help us complete parts of our paper and even understand how to write a research paper. 

Close Reading of Film Stills in The Notebook

The first screenshot of the movie up top is a dark and moody scene, which symbolizes a lot of emotion. There are candles lit and Allie is wearing red, which is considered a romantic color in most western cultures. The screenshot focuses on Allie’s face which is filled with emotion after she begins to remember that the girl in the story Noah is telling, is her. You can see the tears in her eyes and on her face because there is just enough light in the dark room for her tear to glisten on her face. The second screenshot is a calm setting. The angle of the camera shot is centered on the both of them. Behind them is a calm lake which reflects tree branches, letting us know that there's probably a forest there. The sun is shining and the light jacket Noah is wearing tells us that it may be a bit chilly. Noah is holding the book in his hand; it is open while he looks at her and Allie’s face looks confused and she is starting down at the grass. There's a lot of natural lighting which changes the mood into a happy one. Allie is once again wearing red in this scene but the red look much brighter, to resemble to color of a rose. Noah’s posture on the chair tells us that he is relaxed. His back is against the back of the chair and his elbows rest on the arms. Allie on the other hand has her hands crossed on her lap and her back is not rested on the chair. She looks worried and confused. Although this isn’t a close up of her face, we can still see her mental state at that time.

Blog Assignment #1

   I chose research paper number two. I chose this topic in particular because I believe it will be interesting to view a film from a different lens. I'm using a book called " The theory toolbox" which helps you to decipher certain ideas using a set of tools. Basically, I’ll be viewing this film trying to see what things the director is using to help deliver his message. The film "The Notebook" by Nick Cassavete is based on the story of a young couple who fall in love despite their social class differences. They spend a lifetime together, and after many year the women develops alzheimer's. Her husband takes it upon himself to help her recover her memory by retelling their life story through a love story he reads her everyday. It will be interesting to find the points in which meaning is created maybe by the music playing in the background or the lighting in a room.  I'll be able to explain what impressions I got from tones set in different scenes and how the human mind works in any impactful moment that gave meaning to the movie. I may be able to argue what could have been done better and relate it back to what other critics have said about the film.  I am a visual learner and I retain a lot of information this way. I am excited about being able to view the films from a different perspective.

The second research paper idea "Portraying Human Minds in Film is by far my favorite topic. Let me start off by saying that I love watching movies, whether is a documentary or a thriller, I love them all. I am a visual learner and I retain a lot of information this way. I am excited about being able to view the films from a different perspective and for reasons other than trying to be entertained. I am currently still debating between movies "The Notebook" and "A Beautiful Mind". I've seen "The Notebook" before which gives me a better opportunity at not only viewing the surface idea of the film but to analyze it more in depth. I can sort of ignore the obvious. I've never see "A Beautiful Mind", and so I will probably have to take in a lot of information.