Feature Story Notes

1. Who is your Main Subject?

1. Noah

2. Supporting interviews?

2. Mom and Dad

3. What is the topic?

3. Cinematography

4. Personality

20 Questions for your Main Subject:

1. Do you enjoy making a film?
1. "I enjoy making films mostly because its a faster way of telling a story rather than other forms of art, and I guess I am impatient in that way.

2. What is it you think about when you are editing or filming?
2. "I find it funny because when I am filming all I think about is how I am going to edit it, but while I am editing I am thinking about how I should have filmed it.

3. Do you find cinematography enjoyable?
3."Cinematography is very enjoyable and quite inspiring at the least."

4. How many often are you editing/working on a film?
4."Whenever I am working on a film its pretty much non stop, I usually edit for a while and then look at my work and wont be able to realize whether its bad or not and take a break for a few days before I can come back."

5. Why do you think some people doubt they can create a film?
5." I think they are intimidated by a couple of things, in the same way that someone who is asked to bake a cake for the first time and they don't understand the directions or what ingredients they are supposed to use."

6. Why did you choose UT as the film school you wanted to go to?
6." It came down to UT and Chapman University, and I ended up at UT because it was a heck of a lot cheaper, closer to home and is still today one of the best film schools in the nation."

7. How far are you conformable to go, what if you become famous?
7. " If I had creative control over what I was working on along with being famous that would be awesome, but the reality is that film makers that get recognized by people who want to make films basically force them to tell the story the way they want to, not the way the cinematographer knows is best. Which really destroys the authentic quality of a film and makes it hard to tell the story, that would be very disappointing to me."

8. Do you find that film can sometimes be stressful?
8."Filming can be very stressful and in many aspects, especially when you don't have a team of people and are a film student in college.

9. Why do you create films?
9." I make films because I think that everyone appreciates film to a degree, I find it to be similar to making a painting, where once you are done you get to put it on display. And then the whole world can see what you have done. But in paintings in one piece of work, while rather in films its 60 paintings every second, for about however long the movie is, and they are forced to sit there and enjoy the art that you have made. I know that sounds like a selfish reason, but its the truth, the easiest way to paint a bigger picture is to paint more pictures in general."

10. What do you prefer to film with (equipment)?
10. " I own a dslr camera that I use most of the time and I use a zoom microphone which both of those things in general are fairly inexpensive compared to more professional stuff but they can do more than enough for what I need."

11. How hard to you find it to make a film?
11. " I have had films that were stupidly easy, and some way harder than I thought, but both dependent on how motivated you are to tell the story."

12. Would you say that filming is something everyone is capable of doing?
12." I think that everyone can make a movie, its all about simply telling a story well, and I know everyone can tell a story so therefore anyone and everyone has the potential to make a great film if they really want to."

13. Do you believe that some people are born with a more creative mindset than others?
13. " I think it comes dow to the amount of pasion the filmer has for what they are doing and I think that creativity is in a way learned from trial and error.

14. How hard was it to get into a film school?
14." Im actually not quite sure how hard it was to get into film school, because I only tried once and I got into all of the film schools I chose, but from what I can tell its very hard to get into either schools film programs.

15. Does equipment like camera or editing software effect the quality of a film?
15." Equipment can effect the quality of a film, but its more about knowing the limits of what you have and doing the most with it. We live in a world today where everyone has a better camera in their pocket than Spielperg and other acclaimed filmers didn't have access to when they made films that are still watched today.

16. What is you opinion on people like Christopher nolan?
16." They have all done amazing jobs at producing some really great stories and I hope one day to make films like theirs, at the same time because of all these rising up and increasing cinematographers, movies today are all good. I don't know if any one has noticed, but even most of the bad movies recently are still pretty good compared to movies in the past.

17. Is it hard to imagine that people work on films for years on end only to get less than a 2 hour time frame to share the story they have built, What is your opinion on that?
17. "The journey of having someone put that much time and passion in one moment is part of the beauty and best part of making a film, and it really shows when you watch the movie."

18. Where the film classes in High School helpful or were they pointless to your career?
18." The classes involving film in High School that I did take were definently helpful and a lot of fun too, at the same time the classes developed my skills early so I would be better prepared for college.

19. What about other classes in general, which ones are you using the information you were taught in your career today?
19. "Functionally the things I learned in high school did help me get to a great school, but at the same time a good amount of the knowledge I gained is completely irrelevant to my life now, I think of my high school career more as a test of whether I could put in the work even though the skills weren't directly related to what I wanted to learn."

20. Do you find watching films to be entertaining and give you new ideas for your films?
20." Films to me are very inspiring and give me new ideas for my films and in generally I just simply love movies."

Supporting Questions:
1.What is your opinion Noahs Films?
D1." I think noahs films are great and they are a excellent start, but he still has a long way to go."
M1." I am a little biased because I am his mom, But I think he is awesome and I would agree he has a lot of things to learn."
2. Have you ever made a film, why, why not?
D2." I have made many films, all for different purposes and I understand how hard it really is to make a film."
M2." I have not made a film and don't know the first thing about movie editing, but I do know if I put  my mind to it I could do it."
3. Do you think equipment effects the quality of his films?
D3." Equipment is just the tool that helps tell the story, it does help, but its always the story that matters."
M3."It can help to make things look nicer but without a good story that makes the viewers feel something, the equipment is pointless."
4. How hard do you think it was for him to get into a film school?
D4." I think its very hard to get into film school, and I was very surprised and proud when he got into UT austin. I know that it wasn't just his work that got him into the school though, it was the fact that he was very well rounded because he started at an early age and had strong passion to pursue his dream."
M4." I wasn't surprised at all because he was already making films that were great, but I think he also made it in because he really got involved and set himself apart by going above and beyond."
5. What do you believe makes someone a cinematographer?
D5." To be a film maker is to be a story teller, and applying it specifically to noah, he has been telling stories for as long as I can remember. "
M5." Being a filmmaker really is being a story teller, and we still have the stories noah wrote when he was two. Noah is great at finding a way to convey his story in a way that people find interesting."
6. Do you find his films to be exciting?
D6." A lot of the stuff he is making now in college isnt that exciting because they set limitations and rules on what he can do, but when he was in high school his work was very creative and more fun for him."
M6." I enjoy the talent he has but the work he is making right now isnt entirely his because the school is putting barriers on what he is allowed to due and its hard for him to be very passionate about it when its a strict assignment."
7. Which of his films is your favorite?
D7." The film that stuck out to me was his first big film he ever made where he spent several weeks making it, and its still a great funny film with some really awesome special effects and a fairly good story."
M7." I think my favorite film of his was his film submission to get into chapman because he had to create a film telling why he should get into chapman, but wasn't allowed to be in the film, and no dialogue was allowed either. He did it in a very creative way and it had a twist at the end."
8. How far do you think he is going to go with this?
D8." I hope he goes really far with this, but the truth is that the industry is very difficult unless you are incredibly driven to have success, so I think he is capable of going as far as he can commit to go."
M8." I would say it depends on how far he wants to go, and how badly he wants to succeed."
9. Would you say making a film is something everybody is capable of?
D9."I think everyone is capable of making a film, but I think the better question is, can everyone tell a story through film, and I would say that no not everyone can do that."
M9." I don't think that everyone is capable of making a film because not everyone is able to convey the meaning in a way that grabs the viewers attention."
10. How have films made a impact on the lives of your family, and on the world?
D10." Both of my boys now are cinematographers and I am very proud of both of them, but at the same time I know that everyone knows how to tell a story, but as brothers they are pushing each other forward to tell better ones.
M10." Film and photography has been going on in our whole family tree forever, and I think thats something that has helped them realize it is possible to achieve the dreams that they want to achieve."

Feature Story Brainstorm

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1. Who is your Main Subject?

1. Noah

2. Supporting interviews?

2. Mom and Dad

3. What is the topic?

3. Cinematography

4. Personality

20 Questions for your Main Subject:

1. Do you enjoy making a film?

2. What is it you think about when you are editing or filming?

3. Do you find cinematography enjoyable?

4. How many often are you editing/working on a film?

5. Why do you think some people doubt they can create a film?

6. Why did you choose UT as the film school you wanted to go to?

7. How far are you conformable to go, what if you become famous?

8. Do you find that film can sometimes be stressful?

9. Why do you create films? 

10. What do you prefer to film with (equipment)?

11. How hard to you find it to make a film?

12. Would you say that filming is something everyone is capable of doing?

13. Do you believe that some people are born with a more creative mindset than others?

14. How hard was it to get into a film school?

15. Does equipment like camera or editing software effect the quality of a film?

16. What is you opinion on people like Christopher nolan?

17. Is it hard to imagine that people work on films for years on end only to get less than a 2 hour time frame to share the story they have built, What is your opinion on that?

18. Where the film classes in High School helpful or were they pointless to your career?

19. What about other classes in general, which ones are you using the information you were taught in your career today?

20. Do you find watching films to be entertaining and give you new ideas for your films?

Supporting Questions:
1.What is your opinion on cinematography?
2. Have you ever made a film, why, why not?
3. Does equipment effect the quality of a film?
4. How hard do you think it is to get into a film school?
5. What makes someone a cinematographer?
6. Do you find films to be exciting and sometimes life changing?
7. What are some films that have really affected your life?
8. Did you learn much about editing or how to make a film in High School?
9. Would you say making a film is something everybody is capable of?
10. How have films made a impact on the lives of your family, and on the world?

7. Background Research
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

8.Where will you interview?
I will be interviewing them in my living room.

9. How will you interview them.
I will be recording them when I interview them.

Current Events Quiz #3.2

1. What are the unusual requests made by the defense attorney?
1. The defense attorney has asked for them not to talk about the case publicly

2. Why are students at preston sitting in the presidents office?
2. There is a lot of racial inequality in their school and they want that to change because its completely unmoral and wrong.

3. What four teams are predicted to play in college football playoffs?
3. The 4 predicted teams to play in the playoffs are Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

4. What are the cities that are considered platinum for biker friendly environments?
4. Madison,Wisconsin,  Fort Collins and Boulder, Colorado,  Portland,Oregon, Davis California have all earned biker friendly environments on the platinum scale.

5. What other films were used to compare against the new hunger games film?
5. They compared it to Star Wars Return of The Jedi, Lord of the Rings Return of the King, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Ed Board Rejects New Fact Checking

 I think its quite stupid how they care so much about the textbooks anyways, they are literally disappearing in front of their eyes. Digital textbooks are so much more convenient and better in way too many ways that it makes me sad to know that we still even have hard back textbooks. I do think that the textbook material does need to be looked over more thoroughly though, saying that they came over as "workers" is very messed up and makes me worried about the people who write these books. How do you accidentally call the people that were enslaved and forced to work and live in horrible conditions, and nevertheless treated like they were of no value, "workers", that is severely disappointing. So I would say that yes our textbooks definitely need to be rechecked and revised, but I also think that the textbook publishers should learn to revise and check it before they released it in the first place. Textbooks in general are not what students use to find out their information, they are fairly accurate, but they are only used when a teacher gives us an assignment that requires us to put together and copy sentences that are only in the textbook, which is pointless. 

Feature Writing Preview

1. What is the difference between a hard news lead and the one you read?
In the story it started with "That voice" and repeated many times instead of being one paragraph that is similar to a thesis statement.

2. In which paragraphs did you learn the following information?
Who? Ted Williams, Paragraph 2
What? Williams singing talent, Paragraph 3
Where? New York, Hudson Street, Paragraph 2
When? January 5th, 2011
Why? People noticed he had an amazing voice and wanted to pay him to work for them, paragraph 13
How? He used to listen to radio as a kid and learned that voice is all a thing of the mind.

3. Are there any quotes in the story?
Yes there are quotes in the story

4. Are those quotes arranged in "Quote transition style"?
No, its not every other like it should be but there are parts where it seems as it is

5. Who is quoted in the story?
William, Kevins Boss, Kevin, Doral, Ken, Tony, Frank

6. What quote is the most powerful in the story?
"We could make him a millionaire." Is the quote I like the most because it shows the amount of potential this guy has up his sleeve and the opportunities that are coming his way.

7. How many paragraphs are in the story?
There are 33 paragraphs in the story.

8. How many words are in the story?
763 Words are in the story.

9. What is significant about the lead and the last sentence of the story?
They both involve the phrase "That voice" which I already talked about how it appears many times and conveys the theme that this guy has some extreme talent.

10. Why do you think the writer did that?
I think the writer wanted us to be aware, to know that we may ave already heard this guys voice but not even known it yet. Also I think he uses the word that instead of William because he's trying to show how the talent does not define who William is. He defines what the talent will become of him, and that everyone has a gift, even people others look down on and pass by everyday.

11. Was the story interesting to read?
I thought that the story was quite interesting to read.

12. Before you watched the video did you want to hear his voice?
Yes, It was kind of nagging me to go listen to his voice.

13. What impact did the video have?
Putting a face to the person being described of having the voice of an angel really helped me understand the story more and to appreciate the voice of this individual.

14. Would the story have lost its impact without the video?
No, I think that the story would still have been just as interesting without the video and that people would have took their own time to look the guy up because the story pulled them in. I know I would have even if the video wasn't included in the story.

15. Did they author try to describe the voice?
I would say partially because he only used on adjective to describe the way it actually sounds but when he spoke of it he used positive and uplifting diction to infer that he has a great voice.

16. How did he do that?
The author was very smart in the way he wrote the story by slowly lowering you in without telling you too much and giving you all the information you wanted, so you kept reading looking for what made you read the story in the first place.

Second Opinion Piece Peer Review

Peer Review #1
1. Who wrote the story?
Aaron F, wrote the story.

2. What is their story about?
Aarons story is about Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole, and his opinions on them and their music.

3. What is their opinion about the topic?
His opinion is that Kendrick Lamar is the better rapper but they are both great regardless.

4. Did they address what the other side thought about the topic?
Yes, they addressed both sides very well.

5. Were they wishy washy with their opinion?
No, they were not wishy washy and conveyed their opinion very clearly.

6. Are there any quotes?
There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in?
1st person

8. Can you tell if this person was writing an editorial or a straight commentary piece?
I was able to easily tell it was a personal column.

Peer Review #2
1. Who wrote the story?
Darcy K wrote the story.

2. What is their story about?
Her story is on the unhealthy aspect of Social Media.

3. What is their opinion about the topic?
Darcy's opinion is that some aspects of social media are beneficial but their are more that are harmful.

4. Did they address what the other side thought about the topic?
She addressed what the other side thought of the topic.

5. Were they wishy washy with their opinion?
No she was not wishy washy with her opinion.

6. Are there any quotes?
There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in?
The story is written in first person.

8. Can you tell if this person was writing an editorial or a straight commentary piece?
It was quite easy to identify that she was writing a normal opinions piece.

CE# 3.1

1.  They want to ban the flag from the parade because the confederate flag is a political symbol of hatred and racism.
2. The teen discovered his true identity when applying to a college and noticed a fault in his social security number.
3. The students have to climb a ladder so they can cut down on the 1.5 mile walk they would have to trek otherwise.
4. Whole foods is an organic food distributer, Amplify is in the Healthy Snack Distribution business, Home Away is in the Travel Business.
5. Donio is on a mission to make tech more appealing to women, she's sharing her story with the world and teaching woman what it is they can achieve.

DOING WITHOUT

             This story is a editorial about to choose a life of simplicity rather than unnecessary and pointless complexity. In this story brooks informs about the perspectives of people in todays world and how they can change them to improve their life style. He talks about how its funny that the most simple solution to a less stressful and simpler life seems so complex to everyone, when its simply, the choice of simplicity. David speaks of other people and groups in the past who lived with this mindset, like the quakers. Informing of how people who chose to live without unnecessary things lived and what they were able to achieve. I think that the article was titled from the right because people on the left side may have a different perspective on the opinion and will be compared to that of the people on the right. Davids point was pretty solid but I don't agree completely with it. I do believe that their are a lot of things we choose to place in our lives that are pointless and it would be better if we didn't have them. But at the same time life shouldn't be simple, thats the whole adventure of it, to go and be in a complex situation you have to get yourself out of. Life is meant to be meaningful and having an intent purpose, not a day to day simple motion, a complex structure supporting the truest version of yourself.

Cell Phone Addiction Editorial

            The world today is so connected, instant access to the information of the whole world. Almost everyone has practically the entire knowledge of the human race, in their pocket, on a little device that we call a cell phone. This device is the swiss army knife of all tools, its communication, entertainment, information, and the longer its being used the smarter it gets. This technology is greatly appreciated throughout the world, but at the same time a lot of people share the same opinion that it hurts us in some cases more than it is good for us. We are so connected to one another by our devices that we are truly disconnected in reality. By becoming connected, and having constant knowledge of the lives of friends and family, we became severely disconnected, and see them only as people on a screen.
             Cell phones have changed the world in many great, and some horrible aspects. One that stands out, is people on their phones while they are driving. Their distraction leads to a instant consequence that is sometimes fatal. Another is when people are simply walking, and they can't put their phone down. Here at bowie its a common sight to see people walking in the hallways with their heads pointed down at their device, and to see them bump into others.
             Phones have become the super highway for social life, the way to constantly know what everyone else is doing. Meaning that the "social ranking system" is very different in schools now. When something happens people know all about it within minutes, meaning any mistake actions that students make, are instantly known and gossiped about. Students are constantly using their phones to stay connected to one another to see where they are in the "ranks", and who is talking about them.
             A common stereotype is that its only girls, who live their life connected to their devices like this, but thats not the truth. It is more common to see a girl on social media more often than a guy, but not more often for either gender to be disengaged from the environment around them and on their phone. Guys tend to have a problem of playing games on their phone rather than being on social media. Both are quite pointless though, games give nothing in life but satisfaction and take in time, Social Media causes stress and takes up a lot of time as well.
             This is quite fixable though, its called choosing priorities. The world needs to recognize that this addiction to a screen is ruining their lives, and distracting everyone from the adventure that awaits them. The world needs to become more disconnected to become reconnected again. Social Media and Texting, shouldn't be the only 2 things people see of each other. To become less addicted to cellphones everyone needs to become more addicted to life itself, and to choose a life of adventure and true living rather than spending your life living on a screen.

           

Editorials and Personal Collumns

1. My first idea is to have a editorial would be about the way people respond to certain situations, like a fight or flight editorial.

2. The second idea I thought would be interesting is the fashion choice of people here at bowie. It seems as if no one here has the same style and everyone kinda has their own twist on everything. I think this is really cool, but at the same time, the style of some people is just plain disturbing.

3. The last idea I thought would be good to write about was the heavy rain on friday that created the early ending and pointless day of school.

A columinst that I read on a regular basis is my friends blog. She is currently embarked on the world race where she is completing a variety of missions and going on many adventures to change the lives of others and the world itself. Her blog is fantastic and really helps you understand the way she is feeling at the time due to the conditions she is in and the things she is having to deal with. Her style of writing is very casual but at the same time quite energetic and interesting.

Peer Reflection 2

1. Who wrote the story?
1. Austyn Keelty

2. What is their story about?
2. Gender Discrimination.

3.What is their direct opinion on that topic?
3. She talks about how Females are discriminated against in many different ways and her opinion on the topic.

4.Did they address what the other side might think about that topic?
4. Sorda, there isn't really another side for this topic, they aren't generally people against gender
equality. But she does cover other people opinions on what the situation is like right now.

5. Were they "wishy washy' with their opinion statements?
5. She was not "wishy washy" and clearly provided her opinion and the general opinion of other females through her writing.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?
6. There are no quotes in this story.

7. What view is the story written in?
7. The story is written in first person.

Peer Reflection 1

1. Who wrote the story?
1. Alyssa A wrote the opinion piece.

1. Who wrote the story?
2. The story is about her opinion on dress codes and what she thinks can be done to fix the problem.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.
3. "Dress code should either be banished or reduced to a couple rules. By doing so, students will be able to express themselves and their individuality through clothing. " Alyssa said.

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

4. Yes, she addressed what parents and other students think about dress codes.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.
5. Alyssa was not very wishy washy which was good, and got out her point very clearly while conveying to the reader her opinion of the whole situation.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?
6. There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view was the story written in?
7. She wrote the story in 1st person.