Extra Credit: Defining a Space

definingaspace from Natalia San Pablo on Vimeo.

Storyboard of Final Project

Final Project: Hunter of Cards

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPIuQJQZSDI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Experience on Production Process:

For this project, I worked with Eva and Lucas for the filming and production process of our mini episode of "Hunter of Cards" where the plot is about a Hunter College student struggling to fight the human symbols of midterms and finals that so many college students are finishing this upcoming month. The idea was bloomed from Lucas' fascination with the "House of Cards" series and was developed to fit into a relatable topic with a dark sentiment but with small aspects of humor. I feel that each of us worked together cooperatively and successful to ensure that our film would be the best we can do for each our own benefit. We've poured so much hard work into this film from its inception to the props to the script making and finally to the filming and editing. Lucas, who works hard in other areas of his life such as work, always made a commitment to our group to work hard and make sure all of our shots are intact and sharp. Eva, having other commitments and groups, also always made sure at during our lab time she would bring helpful ideas of creativity to help our shooting and script possible, and had even graciously acted for a small portion of our film along with Lucas and myself. One of the things I admire about having them as group members were that even as we were finishing editing, we had no arguments but worked to compromise and create the best work we possibly could have made. They also were very friendly and kind to an actor, who is a very close friend of mine, who helped make this production possible with his acting and patience. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience and I found no problems in the production process and I really liked the final result of our video and found great friends in the process of this project as well as in this entire semester.

Extra Credit Pictures:

Luis Buñuel

The first picture I decided to look up is of a famous Spanish director named Luis Buñuel. According to Wikipedia, he is most known for his works filmed in France, Spain, and Mexico. One of the facts that I found most interesting was that he filmed in three different languages: French, Spanish, and English and in two different areas of the world. I also think it was pretty amazing on his part to take the time to study film in France and learn the language to create films for the French audience to make it even more understandable and relative for their own entertainment. In my opinion, a lot of filmmakers now do not create films in other languages other than their native tongue or perhaps just in English because it is now a more widely known language at least in America. He broadened his filming techniques through language and settings and I find that to be very admirable. 

 

This picture is from the film: "Talk To Her"

This scene is taken from the film called, "Talk to Her", which according to IMDb is a film about two men who both are involved with women who are in deep comas. When I first saw this picture, I saw a woman who I recognized from another TV show, but I couldn't remember her name or where I saw her. So I explored deeper in IIMDb's site and discovered she was from Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series in the episode called, "Sleeping Murder" that I had seen and enjoyed because I love mystery shows. Also, I found that she is also the daughter of Charlie Chaplin, a famous silent actor and has other ties in her family to notable playwrights. I also found it interesting she is fluent in Spanish and French because although she was born California and could have easily acted in English, she has past films in Spanish and French. 

Film Maker: Marlon Riggs

Film Maker: Maya Deren

 

This scene is from the film "Pierrot the Madman" based off the novel "Obsession" by Lionel White.

This scene is taken from Spike Lee's film called, "Do the Right Thing" produced in 1989.

Trip to MOMI

On our trip to the Museum of the Moving Image, it was interesting to see different aspects of film production and graphic design like stop motion animation and 2D animation. As we were welcomed into the museum we were greeted by several tour guides of young ages and as one walked my group into the museum exhibits it felt a little childish. The tour guide’s questions weren’t intelligently thought out in the sense that the questions were revolving around the notion that we, Media students, had no idea what was there in the museum. The questions revolved, “What is a costume? Have you ever worn a costume? What is makeup used for in film production?” The tour guides could have easily advanced their facts and also their way of presenting the information to us college students despite being overwhelmed by the numbers of people they had received that day at the museum. One of the exhibits that I was extremely interested by was the makeup exhibit containing different tools besides regular cosmetics that included fake blood, prosthetics, and wax used for facial deformities. They even included actual makeup props that were used in famous films like the face Robin Williams wore in Mrs. Doubtfire, complete with wig. Another part that I really liked was the portion of the museum where all of the television sets of different times were all put together to show how far we’ve come across in the technological advancements and how the purpose of television is still the same.

ALAS, IT IS NOT PERFECT. Blog #3

            One of my all time favorite stories told in the magical world of film has to be “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. I have watched this series in its extended versions so many times I know all the acting lines, battle scenes, and almost all of Middle Earth’s cities and villages. However with the joy of rewatching them so many times because of the wonderful miracle of the DVD, I’ve noticed the editing mistakes that make me upset because it takes away the magic of the film, at least for me. One scene that is brought to my mind in particular, is the scene where Merry and Pippin are kidnapped from the Orcs and Urukhai and are brought to the front of Fangorn Forest to rest for the night. The scene is set at night and it is dark with only the light of the moon shining over the actors’ faces and it brings a chilling suspenseful moment for the hobbits as you are wondering if their terrifying enemies will eat them or not. These beginning sections of the scene are seamless as the camera moves from each speaker to the other, so you’re all into the story and power of the plot. However, when the Rohan warriors sweep into engage the Orcs and Urukhai into battle, something happens to the hobbits: AN EDITING MISTAKE THAT WILL ALWAYS HAUNT ME. Because their hands are bound with huge rope, the hobbits scurry away on their tummies away from the battle field as the Rohan warriors on their horses are charging through the crowds of Urukhai. YET, there is a moment in the scene where a horse is about to trample onto Pippin and when the camera turns back to Pippin who CONVENIENTLY has his hands MIRACULOUSLY untied until the horse stomps onto the ground to finish that scene. This is one of the biggest movie blunders I’ve ever noticed because I feel that its editing plays a big part of the scene. If you haven’t seen the movie, you might not have noticed it the first couple of times. After watching it like fifty times, you’ll notice editing and small details that you never have. I think that the story and plot overwhelms the editing mistakes made, but I strongly feel that editing plays a key role in the quality of a film. I desperately wish they took greater care into editing their movie because it’s one of the greatest movies ever(!!) but it isn’t a total loss. 

Project 2

Project2 from Natalia San Pablo on Vimeo.

Soundwalk: Ktown 32th Street and Broadway

For this assignment, I walked around 32nd Street and Broadway on a short block known as Korea town. I've been here often for food and shopping but never have taken the chance to really take in the sounds of the street. So on this assignment I've noticed sounds and people I've never taken the chance to notice before. The sounds here are diverse and range from multilingual conversations to noisy trucks unloading the goods for the stores and restaurants. The Korean language is not that harsh when spoken loudly but can be quite lyrical when spoken in a normal conversational manner. For the Korean workers shouting in Korean, it sounded as if it were rather harsh almost like a clanging noise. Because the area is still a major part of midtown Manhattan, there is still an apparent English speaking population here with the regular fast food joints and banks, and other businesses. Their noises from speech and doors opening and closing, and fast honking cars seem to blend seamlessly into the environment of what is Ktown. There is a fusion of American, Korean and Asian culture that coexists in a charming unexpected way. Around lunch time, from 12-3 the restaurants are packed with hungry patrons of all ethnicities and cultures. When I revisited Food Gallery 32, one of my favorite restaurants here, is cafeteria styled store with many smaller restaurants inside it was like an Asian fusion cafeteria with Korean Pop music playing (which I enjoy immensely). The bouncy pop music gives off a youthful vibe and the sounds are of a smooth texture. I think this neighborhood is so unique because of its Asian fusion influences and its predominantly Korean culture that is apparent through all the restaurants, shopping stores, and karaoke bars. I’m glad to have learned more about this place by not using my eyes, but my ears which introduced me to a new world of sound and culture.

Defining a Space

DefiningSpace 1 from Natalia San Pablo on Vimeo.

My Artist Statement

I am not an artist, but more of an expressionist. I hope that this blog will help inform others of the present struggles that the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community face that are hidden from the world since their image is distorted through stereotypes. As an avid Asian American studies student, I am very much interested in the history and future of AAPI’s living in the United States because to understand our present situation and role in American society, it is important to study the past to not make the same mistakes again. I am hoping that this blog will be educational and informative on serious matters that concern AAPI’s but also be a beacon of hope for them as well. As a Filipino American I know firsthand the discrimination that many AAPI’s face having faced them myself. Ostracizing AAPIs with negative labels as chink, nerd, math lover, etc. can cause conflict in their identity because although they are born or became American while living here, some people still perpetuate the concept of AAPIs as “forever foreigners”, incapable of assimilation. I hope to delve into the ideas of AAPI identity and how intergenerational conflict, school, personal experience, trauma, and other factors impact one’s identity in order to prove that hegemonic structures force us to have an identity within this American society to keep us distinct and labeled so we do not unify as one people but rather keep to our differences and remain oppressed as minorities.

My influences for the type of media I want to present include Wayne Wang, the director of “Chan is Missing”, and also Deepa Mehta, the director of “Earth”. For me, these movies displayed the true realities or histories of AAPIs and Asians (Non-Americans) and that was an enriching experience instead of the American media that portrays Asians and AAPIs in a false light like “Flower Drum Song” or even hardcore action films like “Rush Hour” or “Kill Bill”. Mostly I want to keep tabs on the new series on ABC station called, “Fresh off the Boat”, to see their perspective and representation of whom Asian Americans are and how they are defined.