Welcome to Echo Effect Class Space
This is your porthole to your class assignments, and other sites important to you as a student at Rainshadow.
Updates, Updates!
So, we are embarking on a move to a new building. The Echo Effect Class is also going to be embarking on some changes. Currently, a class workbook is being assembled for use in the class based upon the past 3 years of activities. The 2009-2010 school year is just around the corner... Hopefully everyone is having a great summer break!
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
I had no idea what I was in for when I began to watch this film. I knew very little about it, except that my husband thought it looked interesting and it received 5 stars on Netflix. As the story unfolded, I found myself emotionally tied to the story like no other story I have ever watched. It begins as a story to a baby about his murdered father. The film tells the story of Andrew Bagby through old film clips and interviews with friends and family. But, there's a twist... and the more you watch the film, the more frustrated you may find yourself. Distraught, really. It's almost difficult to even write about. Throughout the journey, you are introduced to Andrew's amazing parents. Their walk is one I wouldn't wish on anyone, and yet they face it with grace at every step. If we don't watch this film in class (mainly because it is so emotional), I strongly recommend you watch it on your own. You will not be sorry, though your entire world view may be different.
When Kids Get Life is a documentary that looks at the controversy behind giving individuals under the age of 18 are given a life sentence without parole. Several individuals commented on the film, stating that they felt the film tried to make its audience sympathetic to the teen murderers as opposed to those that lost loved ones. What do you think? Your blog for this week should discuss the film, and your opinions about the following:
1. Does the film try to persuade the audience of a specific opinion? What opinion does it promote?
2. How do you feel about teens getting a life sentence without parole?
3. Is there a time when teens should get a life sentence?
4. Is the environment the only thing that affects these teens? Do you think that is a viable "excuse" as to why the murders happen?
5. What did you like/dislike about the film? What would you have wanted to see?
6. Talk a little bit about the camera shots used-- was there one specific scene that stood out? How did the director use the camera to convey the story?
This assignment is due by 2/6/09
So, I deleted a number of things from my blog that felt unnecessary to hang on to from last year. Some stuff I ended up accidentally deleting, but I'll be reentering important information soon. I didn't want to lose the blogger pages from students, but when I changed the page background, I lost it. I also didn't want to lose the link to "Beat Kids." I'll have to get that back. Anyway, bear with me as I get this up and running. It's been a while!
The purpose of this film is to uncover the history, art, people and music surrounding fourth street. Fourth Street is an integral part of Reno's culture, showing the diversity of the entire town from poverty to luxury with schools, casinos, hotels, motels, parks and small buisnesses along the way. We hope to show a brief history of Fourth Street and a variety of perspectives of the street today and present ideas of what is is to come in the future.
To present our information, we will interview local buisiness owners along with various individuals that walk the street in order to show and equal view of the psitive and negative aspects. Hoping to shed likght on the seeding underbelly of Reno, Nevada we will also use various forms of cinematograohy to tell the story of a small town in America. This documentary is intended for those who seek knowledge upon the hallowed street, the melting pot of the different cultures that make up this city.
Fourth Street, along with many streets in small town America has its own story to tell. It is pivotal for the future generations to understand the grand history of thes city and through this film they will gain that knowledge.
Please extend a congratulations to Cole and Rachel who were honored with other high school students on Thursday, April 10 by the Reno South Rotary as Most Improved Students. Both students have an opportunity to recieve a $1000 scholarship. Check out their speeches!
Well, I am so glad to read your most thoughtful blogs! Some of you had incredible ideas to share. I, too, was left rather speechless from this film. Both this film and Baraka allow one to develop their own ideas and opinions by simply showcasing powerful imagery. China is a communist country, and there are certain ideals that they have that are perhaps different from our own world view. For example, the idea that one is doing what one can for the benefit of the country is something that I don't know that Americans have. The current status of China is one that sees itself on the frontier of "progress." As a result, the changes that have occurred in the last 50 years are seen completely as beneficial to the whole.
Remember that all of the manmade destruction that has occurred to China is as much a reflection of the needs and demands of the western world (i.e. the United States). We are a throw away society. All of the parts that are being made in those factories out of the raw materials that have had to be mined throughout the world are being made because somebody wants them. (Note, I did not say "need.") While there are no judgments being made throughout this film, I think it is obvious that there is definitely a pervasive emotion that cannot be ignored. There is an internal battle that each of us must take on between our feelings of helplessness and our desire to maintain the day to day comforts that we seem to take for granted.
So, what can we do? This is the question that will be posed especially to your generation as we look at the next 50 years. How can all the changes that have occurred be undone? Can they?
Hi guys... hope you are all being good to Robin. (If you aren't, beware my wrath!!) Looking forward to seeing your blogs! Keep working hard, and I'll be back in about 7 weeks. Here are a few more pics of the surprise little girl, Evie.
You can always leave some notes on my blog if you need to reach me, or you can use my school e-mail. I'll do my best to get back to you.
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
Andy Warhol The Philosophy of Andy Warhol, US artist (1928 - 1987)
So, be impressed... very impressed. Rainshadow's own Jackie and Lamar created this documentary from a trip they took over Christmas break to San Francisco and Oakland. The premise of the film is a night without sleep-- a night for true beats, just trying to find their connection with life. On their journey, they discover the quiet of the night and the awe of seeing that sunrise. Exhaustion. Curiousity. In the true vain of the documentary genre, they allow themselves to experience their medium. This is one model that you might look to when creating your own story.
"They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn..."- Jack Kerouac, On the Road.
More, the yawns and commonplace sayings are the stuff of life. Check out the video below--
"Consciousness creates reality"-- what does that really mean? Well, quantum physics would have us all believe that we are in complete control of our lives and the future of humankind through our thought processes. We create our own realities, fixations, and addictions. This film truly opens ones eyes to human potential. Is the world we live in merely a reflection of humankind's innermost desires and conceptual frameworks? Much like Shangri La, a lost place in the heart of the world that only the most spiritual of monks can see, perhaps there is much on our planet that we are not yet capable or willing to see. What the Bleep Do We Know? challenges our current view of the planet, and asks us to change our world view. The film calls for a paradigm shift of consciousness, whereby we all become aware of our true potentials as beings of this planet. The film is both scientific and spiritual, challenging the notion that the two must remain separate entities.
Now is your opportunity to respond: what was your response to this film? Were there any positive messages you might draw from this film? How about any concepts that frustrated you? Could you classify this film as science? Check out http://www.whatthebleep.com/index2.shtml to find out more. While your out there, check out http://www.noetic.org/research/psi.cfm to play some interesting mind games.
So, when do you think this painting would have been created? Looks rather surrealistic, doesn't it? Well, Hieronymous Bosch was a Dutch painter who was born in 1450 and died in 1516. The painting at right is called
Hell, and it is part of a triptych called
The Garden of Earthly Delights. Bosch was known as an eccentric painter in his day, and he truly encapsulated the religious consciousness of man in his day. Bosch was able to make money in his life, and his works were owned by many wealthy Dutch individuals. In his work, he depicts nightmarish vigils of hell, and implants the seeds of more futuristic work. He truly was ahead of his time. Compare this work to the works of Dali and Picasso's
Guernica to see just how far his influence has travelled. Check out
www.boschuniverse.org for more information and a look at more of his artwork.
