Final Portfolio

121-bendig

Process Folder

121-bendig-1

121-bendig-2

121-bendig-3

121-bendig-4

121-bendig-5

121-bendig-6

Process letter and group evaluation

121-bendig-groupevaluation

121-bendig-processletter

A love story for the books

There are some films that take you by surprise, and leave you with a sense of heartache. It is not a bad heartache, but more of a longing. A longing for something you see in the film, a characteristic that a character has, the dream mansion, or the perfect love. In the film The Notebook, the one thing a person will walk way with is the longing for the perfect love story.

Like many big screen classics, The Notebook is based off of a book, which bears its same name. The book was written by author Nicholas Sparks, who was unknown at the time, in 1994. The next year, the book was sold to Warner Brothers and published in 1996 (www.nicholassparks.com). This was the start of many heartfelt novels Sparks would pen, including another well known story that was brought to the big screen, A Walk to Remember, in 2001 (www.nicholassparks.com) .

For the most part, the film does say true to the story, except for a few details that are really minor. First are the ages of Noah and Allie. In the book, Allie is only fifteen and Noah is seventeen. In the film adaptation, Allie is said to be seventeen, and it is assumed that Noah is also (www.hubpages.com).

The length of the separation of Noah and Allie is also changed for the film. In the book, the couple was apart for fourteen years before they are reunited, while in the movie it is only half of that time (www.hubpages.com). Another difference is the time span of World War II and the summer Noah and Allie met. In the movie, the war breaks out one year after the summer in which the two met. In the book, it is a decade after their meeting (www.hubpages.com).

The film centers on the trials and tribulations of two people, Noah Calhoun, played by Ryan Gosling, and Allie Hamilton, played by Rachel McAdams, who met during their seventeenth summer on earth who were destined to be soul mates (www.imdb.com ). At the end of that fateful summer, Allie’s parents drag her back home in the North to return to school because they do not approve of Noah, since he does not meet up with their standards, financially. She is not even allowed to say goodbye to Noah, leaving him confused on why she left without saying a word.

To prove his love for her, he writes her a letter every day for three hundred and sixty five days. From then on, their story unfolds into how one summer of what started out as racing hormones turned into an undying love that was able to survive several years of complete separation.

Yes, this plot sounds extremely cliché, but what separates this film from being another chick flick, is that the story is told in flash backs. The story is being revealed by Noah, who is now around eighty years old. He is living in a nursing home, taking care of his love, Allie, who is suffering from the later stages of dementia. She has no idea who she is, or that her soul mate is sitting right beside her.

Although the doctors tell him that there is no possible way Allie will recognize him, Noah retells their story to her every day, in hope that maybe she will come back, even if it is only for a little bit. James Garner and Jenna Rowlands play the aged version of the soul mates ( www.imdb.com) . Watching the actors interact with each other, one would think that these two actors were actually a married couple dealing with the pains of growing old.

This film does differ drastically to love stories, especially teenage love stories. Other acclaimed teenage chick flicks such as Never Been Kissed, Sixteen Candles and A Cinderella Story, lack the depth that The Notebook pertains. Their plot lines consist of the guy chasing after the girl, or vice versa. The biggest conflict is either their snobby students at their high school, uptight parents, or just the world being against them because of their youth. These things seem downright frivolous when you compare them to the hardships the characters in The Notebook face. The other films do not develop into anything either. They just take place during a span of one year, and end while the characters are the same age. Nothing is said about what happened after high school, how long the stayed together, or any other sort of resolution.

Another reason this film is different than other movies is the music choices. In The Notebook, the music in film is reflective on the time era of the story, which is in the late 1930s to the 1940s. Songs such as “I’ll be seeing you” sung by Sammy Fain, expresses the emotion that was felt during World War Two when soldiers were deploying and not sure if they were ever going to see their families again. In the film, Noah goes to serve in World War Two, while Allie serves as a nurse to take care of injured soldiers. As Noah is retelling their story to Allie, he says “Every soldier that Allie treated was Noah to her” (www.imdb.com).

What is also unique is how the song is played again in the film when Allie (the older version) briefly comes out of her dementia for a few fleeting moments, and then slips right back into it. Her husband stands there heartbroken, as the song plays while the nurses sedate her. Again, the song plays to signify that they may never be together the same way again, but their memories will always keep their relationship alive.

The settings of certain scenes are what ultimately make the film the bleeding romantic classic that it is. The nursing home where the aged couple lives is set on a lake, where it is peaceful and tranquil.

The lake is also reference to a scene that will appear later in the film, in which a reunited Noah and Allie are out on a small row boat. The skies open up, and as soon as the clouds give way, so does their emotions. It is in the pouring rain on the lake when Allie confronts Noah on why he never tried to find her, and he explains that he did. Finally knowing the truth and realizing she does still love him, they kiss passionately in the downpour. This scene is crucial because it finally reunites the couple physically.

Although this story is not a generic teenage love saga, it is still about teenagers. The actors were not teenager’s while they were filming the movie (Gosling was 24, McAdams 28) (www.imdb.com). This was obvious even by looking at the actors, since they look much more mature and developed than most seventeen year olds. They were the proper age to play the grown version of Allie and Noah, but it could have been more believable if younger actors were cast to play the teenage Allie and Noah.

Despite their real ages, Gosling and Mcadams were able to capture the hormone induced lovebirds well. There are many scenes that show the two teenagers kissing passionately, but there is one moment that captures the innocence of both. Noah and Allie plan to have intercourse, but Allie is having doubts because she is a virgin and only seventeen. The scene goes from both of them slowly removing their clothes, to laying there unable to actually go through with it. The way this was revealed, tastefully and so poignantly, is another reason why the movie is so different than any other teenage love film. It shows true awkwardness and doubt

As much applause as this film warrants there are elements that take away from the luster of the movie. They are many characters in the movie that are not totally development, and very fatigue. Characters such as Allie’s father (played by David Thornton) and Sarah, Allie’s friend who introduced her to Noah, (Heather Wahlquist), are two main staples in Allie’s life that are only mentioned briefly (www.imdb.com). Nothing is ever mentioned about Sarah after the first ten minutes and Mr. Hamilton’s part is minuscule compared to his spouse in the film, played by Joan Allen.

Many may say that this film is only for women, which is quite the opposite. The story is meant for anyone who has experienced or longed for true love, and who has longed for someone who is unattainable. Anyone who has experienced life itself can appreciate this film, and perhaps have their faith in true love restored (www.hubpages.com).

IMB.COM. 2008. Amazon. April 14 2008 [http://www.imdb.com].

NicholasSparks:The Latest. 2002-2008 Nicholas Sparks Enterprises INC. 2002-2008. April 15 2008. [http://www.nicholassparks.com/].

Hubpages.com. 2007. Hubpages inc. April 12 2008. [http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Notebook--The-Book-vs-The-Movie--You-Decide].

Youtube.2008.LLC.April 12 2008. [http://youtube.com/watch?v=QnhZxj6UWRw].

Peer Draft

peer-draft

Unit 3 discovery draft

121discoverydraft-pbendig4

ASAS helps kids shoot for the stars

After-School All-Stars, a national organization that was founded in 1993 in Los Angeles by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is dedicated to providing children with a safe haven.

Schwarzenegger decided to start the program in order to offer a place for at-risk children to spend time. In fact.according to asasny.com, there are as many as fifteen million children who have nowhere to go after school in the United States.

Originally, the organization was called Inner-City Games Foundation, but the name was changed to After-School All-Stars to better reflect its focus. The program is funded by the national organization and private donations.

Dr. James Pellow, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Richard Sinatra, Project Director and Chairman of Human Services and Counseling, founded the NYC chapter of the ASAS at St. John’s, making it one of thirteen chapters in the country. Altogether, the organization works with 60,000 children across the country. Using a blend of academics, athletics and social skills, ASAS helps improves the children’s lives in multiple ways.

Alan Fields, the executive director, began as a fill-in Executive Director in May 2006 before he became permanent after a year.

“I love the program, the support of the staff and seeing the difference we make in the children’s lives,” said Fields about signing on to the program officially in May 2007.

“The support from all of the departments of the University have been so helpful to us because they all believe in the mission,” he said. “It is not only the environment, but also the people in it that make the program so great. The cooperation from top to bottom contributes to the success.”

Eric Stoddard, director of programs, is an alumni of St. John’s University who earned his undergraduate degree in 2005 in adolescent education, and his graduate degree in 2007 in school counseling. Before he became Director of Programs in May 2007, he was a graduate assistant in the School of Education at the University and worked at CampUs for two consecutive summers.

“Making a difference and being Director of Programs allows me to experience a bigger piece of the puzzle,” Stoddard said.

In 1997, St. John’s University and ICGF created a summer program called CampUS to help at risk children even more. The camp takes place in July, and has two different sessions, each lasting for two weeks. The program is funded through the New York City Housing authority.

“Summer is perceived as a time of loss of learning,” Fields said. “Upper and middle class children have more opportunities to be exposed to learning experiences. At risk children coming from low-income families so not have that. CampUS makes up for that perceived loss of learning.”

The children who attend the camp come from housing developments in the five boroughs and are between the ages of 7-13. In total, the camp serves 1,250 students over the four-week span.

“The goal is that we believe the model of continued education and that if we engage children, then it will improve their grades and reap positive results,” Fields said.

The camp takes place between the hours of 10 a.m.-3: 30 p.m. During the course of the day, the students take part in academics, various athletic activities, and recreational activities. 140 members comprise the CampUS faculty, including university students, coaches and professors.

St. John’s students who work at the camp also receive a unique opportunity. If the students are education majors, they receive on-hand experience with children, and are given the opportunity to have the work be credited to a teaching experience course.

“The mission of St. John’s University is to help those less fortunate,” Fields said. “Everyone involved in the organization believes in this value and because of that, it successfully demonstrates what people can achieve.”

As an alumni himself, Stoddard enjoys giving back to the school that gave him so much.

“St. John’s has been very kind to me,” he said. “I enjoy being able to give back to the community that gave me a chance. People want to help the organization and are eager about it. You would not think a campus of 20,000 students could be so close knit.”

The University also gives out 36 $1,000 CampUs students each year, and are chosen by the staff of the camp based on their overall abilities.

In Fall 2007, Shavone Williams became the first CampUs member scholarship winner to use her award at St. John’s University.  “This is something the university is proud of. Kids want to win this scholarship so they come back every year,” Fields said.

With programs like ASAS helping children reach their potential and work towards their ambitions, there is no doubt that St. John’s and other Universities will have the best and brightest applying in the near future.

Invention Strategy for unit 3

Invention Strategy

Topics of Interest

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

- My favorite book

-I have read it many times

- Very large novel

-Complex themes, motives and characters

-I love the character Francine and her relationship with her father

- There are some parts that are irrelevant to the main message of the story

- I can talk about the way Francine deals with her family and dreams of a better life, and how her family is the typical turn of the century family.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

-My favorite movie

-Based on a novella

- Popular film

-Cinema Icon

-I can talk about how the film, with its monologues and symbolism clinches the audience’s appeal with the acting genius of Audrey Hepburn.

Forrest Gump

- Oscar winning film

- Portrays actual historic events

- Covers themes of interracial relationships, wars, handicaps and death

- -I can talk about how Forrest Gump is played by Tom Hanks, and how he is very believable as a mentally handicapped person

The Notebook

-Based on the Nicolas Sparks book

-Love Story about two teenagers who are destined to be together

-I love the acting in the film, especially the chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling

-The music in this film compliments it in many ways

-I can talk about how the film is an eternal love story and makes the audience believe true love is still out there

Potential Readers

My readers will be my classmates, who are between the ages of eighteen and twenty. They like films that have meaning and make sense. When they read this review, they will have already seen the movie, so they will be able to put the film and my review together. They will like how I applaud the acting in the film and the plot line, though they might not like when I criticize parts of them film I thought was stupid. The only way I can show them I am credible is to prove all of my points.

My Choice is the Notebook

I think the film has a good

- plot line

-character chemistry

-acting

- cinematography

- action shots

- easy flashback scenes

Things I feel the film needed improvement on was:

-Including Noah’s father more

- Explaining why Allie was at Sarah Lawrence

- Showing more of Allie’s family

- A clearer ending

Visual aids

Video clips

Sound clips

My purpose

The purpose of my review is to highlight the aspects of the film that made it such a memorable classic, but to show that it is also flawed, which makes it sort of a flawed jewel. I plan to support my decisions by showing examples in the film.

Formulating Thesis

The 2005 film The Notebook, is a cinema love story classic. It captures young, undying love perfectly, as the chemistry of two loves sizzle on screen. Though flawed by some unnecessary pieces and a questionable ending, one cannot help but feel their heart strings pull as the watch this film.

Construction causes major headache

The St John’s website, www.stjohns.edu ,   displays pictures of green sprawling lawns, majestic academic buildings and smiling students as they leisurely walk to class. This gives a false impression of the Queens campus these days, and when prospective students come to visit, they are surprised- in an unpleasant way. What they see pales in comparison of the website; construction equipment, swarms of hard hat workers, disgruntled students trying to find alternative routes and dust particles blowing in the wind. Welcome to St. John’s University 2008.

Construction crews have overtaken our hundred acres of campus, making it an obstacle course for students. Barriers have been raised, blocking off main entrances to Carnaseca, Taffner field house and the Little Theatre. The only way to get into these places, which are vital parts of the school, is through the loading docks of Carnaseca, which is time consuming and is impossible to find unless someone explains the way. This is the only way to gain access to these places for the next five weeks. This is not only time consuming, but one can not help but gain an instant headache after passing by the construction zone from all of the machines and workers.

Not only is the back of campus ripped to shreds, but front of campus, which is the pinnacle of the campus, has had construction crews on it for most of the year for the completion of the new townhouses. Although this is needed for the increase of resident life, it is still an eye sore to the picturesque great lawn landscape. This is a crucial part of campus, since it is the first thing most people see when they enter onto the Queens campus.

This is a nuisance for current students, but the big impact this has is on prospective students of the University. Since there was a surge of applicants to the University, even more high school seniors came to campus to survey it. A huge turn out occurred during Accepted Students day, when the back of campus resembled a war zone, full of orange barriers, debris and dirt flying everywhere. They did not expect to see this, because it did not resemble the graphics on the website. Unless anyone explained to them what the construction was, these students and their families did not know why this massive overhaul is occurring and when it will be over. These prospective students have other schools trying to win them over, and shouldn’t St. John’s put their best face forward, instead of having the “Welcome Future St. John’s Students” banner hanging high above the most ripped up part of campus?

Grant it, that these constructions are necessary for the campus to keep improving and to handle the surge of students coming to the university. It seems that there is an inopportune time for the renovations to take place, when it is such a huge time for prospective students to come and visit. The parents of the prospective students may also be concerned about all of the construction. It is not exactly safe to be around a construction zone, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. With tuition not being cheap, parents and students want to make sure that they will be going to school on a safe campus, with the least amount of hazards possible. It may be helpful if there were signs near the construction explaining why the work is being done. This would prepare prospective students and their parents who plan to visit about why there are unleveled ground and yellow tape greeting them when they come. Knowing that construction is temporary and are necessary to keep improving the campus may soften the shock when visitors seen the torn up campus. It may be a headache to current students and faculty, but the short term blockages and closures will be worth in when the renovations are complete. Although it may be an eyesore for prospective students who come to see the school this semester, it is the opposite, impressing the next batch of prospective students next year, and reassuring the students who do decided here that they made the right choice. It will definitely be a relief when the construction crews finally move out, and the new buildings and landscape are available for all to enjoy.

Orr Review

A movie review has a big impact on the cinema world. People from all over the world open their newspapers, magazines and surf the web to read reviews on movies they were thinking on seeing. As they read, their decision is reassured that it is worth to spend the money to see the movie or it moves the other way. If the reviewer critiqued the movie in a negative light, then a potential moviegoer will be more likely to not see the movie- nine out of ten times.

What makes a movie review so powerful, so influential? It is the vocabulary used by the critique writer, because the words add the force behind the opinion. When descriptive words are used to display scenes from a film, or the theme throughout the movie, it draws in the reader to hear more about this movie. It can either draw the reader to decide to spend the ten dollars to see the film the following weekend, or it can persuade them to see another movie, because the film is not worth it.

The power of words and a strong critique is evident Orr’s review on the film “There will be blood”. He uses strong vocabulary to portray the gravity of them film, and how the title of the movie is a major theme of the film. How there is blood through out the movie, in all various aspects.

This review however, is unique compared to other film reviews I have read in the past. Orr does talk about how this is a powerful film, with many underlying messages and meaning in total. It talks about the complexity of the film, and how the main actor, Daniel Day- Lewis, portrays a powerful oil owner who is ruthless and unstoppable. On the flip side, Orr goes into lengthy detail on what is wrong with the film. He gives away spoilers (which is an optional link to click on so it would not spoil it for everyone), so show different parts that unsettled him, or that was not portrayed in the way it should have been. It is a confusing review in a sense because he praises the film but at the same time, he says that the director needs to give himself and his viewers more credit.

I think it was a good review, and that it touched so many aspects of the film that usually does not all get covered in a review. I wish more movie reviews were like that so that a reader could get both perspectives of the film.