JJ's World Views

Tag: Cinema

  • Day 4

    Well today was the end of my first week of school.  I had Intro to Cinema and History of World Civilization 2.  After my classes I had a meeting with my TRIO SSS (Student Support Services) advisor.

    In Cinema we were learning about its technical history from the Zoeatrope to George Melies “A Trip to the Moon”.  It was interesting to see how they first attempted to colorize film.  It must have been painstaking painting each frame, even if it was a 13 minute film.  It is remarkable to see how far we have come in such a short period of time ( in the grand scheme of things).  I also started the readings tonight going through the influences of the different countries that had an effect on the industry from the late 19th century to 1947 is where I stopped for the night.  This cover things like the Kinetograph and Kinetoscope developed by William Kennedy Laurie Dickson in Edison’s labs (411 Barsam and Monaham).  Going into the Silent Period (214), The German Expressionists (418) and many more.

    This afternoon I had History in which we watched a video (narrated by the late Leonard Nimoy)and discussed the Black plague, and he answered questions on the syllabus.  The video was something that I had seen before on the History channel so most of the information was not too new to me.  Like I knew they used Bodies of the dead as a form of biological warfare of the time and that doctors of the time were some of the most vulnerable do to the closeness of working with those who had the plague.  What I had missed the first time I had watched the video was the Flagellants ( an extremist Christian sect) that had started to gain traction do to the Catholic Church own ignorance and unwillingness to hear any ideas other than those in the Bible.  I started my reading for this class today as well.  The reading are on some of the creation myths of the world.  I have gone through the Iroquois, which is more of a matriarchal view of the world and the Japanese which from what I read started out quite nice then became very patriarchal.  At least that is how I saw it.  I will be rereading it to get a better understanding of them both.

    After history I went to see my TRIO advisor.  I like going to talk to him we always have interesting conversations.  For those who do not know Trio is an organization that help first generation college students and students with disabilities navigate through college life.  They help you set up your schedules, filling out financial aid forms and help to keep you on track in school.  Some of the most prominent people who have been part of this program through the years (not at Normandale Community college where I go they just started theirs last year) are Oprah Winfrey and Angela Bassett.  This Program has been around since the 60’s and is federally funded.  If you are in college and they have this program check to see if you qualify it is extremely helpful.  Me and James (my advisor) talked about how my classes are going so far, some of my financial aid and a little about this blog.  it was a short meeting but it is the first week and he is swamped with the new semester and people on his team. He did ask me if I “If I thought that I would have any problems with the number of classes or the classes themselves.” I dont really think I will of course while writing this blog my self doubt started creeping up again.  This happened before this time I feel I have the support I need to concur it.  beside I always feel like this until the end of the semester.  By then I have seen where I am at and know what I need to do to get the grades I need and want.  Hell right now I am waiting to get my invitation to Phi Theta Kappa our Honor Society. Over the past 2 semester I earned a 3.53 GPA in my college level courses.  If you add in my remedial courses it is a 3.68 GPA.  So, as long as I keep doing what I am doing I should have another good semester.

    Works Cited

    Barsam, Richard Meran., and Dave Monahan. “10/Film History.” Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film. 5th ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2016. 411+. Print.

  • Day 2

    Today was another pretty good day at school.  The only issue I had was the parking, but oh well.  My Intro to Cinema was pretty cool, the professor is laid back and I realized another purpose for it.  This class other than helping me meet my transfer curriculum for school; is also going to be helping me to improve my conversational skills.  This is something I feel I really need.  Especially since I am pretty much a shut in, other than work and school, I don’t really do much other than that.  Whenever, I try to speak to people it always seems to come out wrong. Although, that has been changing over the past year or so.  I am starting to feel more confident in myself slowly.  When I can finally look at myself for more than 10 seconds in a mirror I will say I am confident enough.

    I also had History of World Civilization 2 today.  Once again my professor is a unique individual. The first part of class he told us about himself and then had us all get walk around and introduce each ourselves.  That was fun.

    In both classes I tried to make sure I stood out in class in a good way of course.  I sat in front of the class made sure to ask questions and/ or comment on questions brought up.

    I went to talk to my history professor from last semester Jack just to say “Hi” and ended up bumping into my Interpersonal Communication professor Brad.  I did not even recognize him he had lost so much weight.  He is a pretty cool guy, I liked that class.  Then after he left for lunch I talk to Jack.  He asked me about my course load and the professor I have for World Civ 2.  He said it will be interesting to see how I do being introduced to another teaching style for history.  I have a feeling I will do pretty well, but I do not want to get too over confident.  Then I will make mistakes and big ones.  I know myself all to well.