Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Creation Inspired by Nature

In the first unit of our term S.T.E.A.M. class Biomimicry, we looked at plants for our creation that can help humans in someway. We also took a class trip to the Lincoln Park Conservatory where we got to see many species of plants that were very unique in their own way. We also went to Interface which is a carpet company, there we learned how their design of tiles helped the world. I’m choosing to make an Eco efficient mop that uses less materials and that is cheap, and reusable. For this action project, we have to connect the Sustainable Development Goals to our creation or model. I like my design of this amazing mop. It's so good that now I wanna actually make it. Well I think that's it hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Movie Critiquing 101

Over the course of 3 weeks my classmates and I have been on a journey of becoming little film critics, and really getting into depth of film.For our first term we discussed Pre- Production, and this is a really important job to set the tone of the film. We started to analyze the classic movie Jaws form 1975. We learned that a movie is a series of film put together by a team of directors. We have also read the amazing screenplays and also analyzed a couple other films. Such as The Lord of the Rings, and Some short clips of Star Wars. To get a better understanding of people called location scouters we went on an F.E. to capture a scene for our randomly selected movie scenes in Chicago on Lower Wacker Drive. This leads up to my presentation of The Godfather. In this I will analyze most things that occur in film Pre -Production and my overall opinion of this film. So stay tuned.


                                     

Plot Summary
The plot of The Godfather begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", watching his daughter's wedding with his wife Carmela. His son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not want to come part of his father's business. Through Michael's life and experience he is clear of the family business. The business of the family is just like the head of the family in the mafia, their kind and, a God to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in a way of a old timer like in the 50s or 60s , but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for community and the family. An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. He doesn't want to really get involved and this cause the action in the scene. The power of the Don's world ways and the new ways will demanded a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family. This then leads to men dying along the way. The four elements of the film is the desire is to save the family. The crisis is a problem that occurs in the family, and they start to lose money from competitions with other mafia groups in New York City. What awakens the protagonist is people in his family that start to become under attack. This makes Michael feel under a lot of pressure and in his head he doesn't really want to get involved. Although he loves his family very much and proceed throughout the next two films. The journey is the quest that the antagonist must take is to kill the head of the Corleone family which is Vito or his family members.

Character Analysis
Michael Corleone is the protagonist in The Godfather 1 QUOTE: “Only don’t tell me that you’re innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and it makes me very angry.” Michael is the protagonist because he is going towards the greater good of the story and wants the best for his family. He does whatever it takes to protect and preserve his tradition. This includes murder and destroying other families. He is a businessman and wants to continue to increase his success. Actor: Al Pacino -American actor - He was actually born in New York so he could relate to this time in era and events occurring. He also has a reputation for being a kingpin type guy or head of a Mafia. So this movie was really great for his personality. He also of Sicilian heritage which resembles in his acting.The movie was focused on Vito but after he died it was Michael.

Barzini is the antagonist he wants to overthrow the power of Don Vito and sell drugs in New York. One QUOTE that I really liked: "If Don Corleone had all the judges, and the politicians in New York, then he must share them, or let us others use them. He must let us draw the water from the well. Certainly he can – present a bill for such services. After all – we are not Communists." Actor: Richard Conte -American Actor - Born in New Jersey almost near New York. He has been in over more than 100 films, and is very experienced in violent films. Or films that have shooting and gangs. The Godfather was just his big role and his high point in his career.

Dialogue
In the movie The Godfather my favorite scene was the beginning of the movie in the Don's office. He was talking to an old time friend that need some help because he was in some sort of trouble. The scene shows his compassion and love for others, and how the movies setting will be plotted throughout the film. This leads to the future duration of the movie. The dialogue was in a 70's style and it was a bout a 5 min conversation. But their conversation was so emotional that when they talked you could feel every word.They spoke in a calm manner and it was rather straight to the point. I think the dialogue was rather effective. It reels the viewers in more to the film, and it makes viewers feel like they're in the family. The screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo and Robert Towne.

Inspiration
The historical part of the film came from earlier gangs in New York. Like the Mafia which were mostly Italians. Other inspiration came from other Italian families. The Corleone family itself was not a crime family it’s based on the historic House of Borgias. Which is an Italian family during the Italian Renaissance. The family was known at the time for their corruption and greed, these traits can be found in the Corleones. Also other inspiration came from real life mob bosses such as, Frank Costello, Joe Profaci, and Carlo Gambino.

Stage Production
The set design was very old fashion like in the seventies time period. The house were older structurally built, and the cars in the movie had way older models than today. They had very distinct wallpapers in the houses also drapes that added a menacing look to the background scenery. There was old dusty pictures of people hanging on the wall,and a dimmed lighting in most scenes. The props like chairs and signs were very rusty but had a sturdy build and made you feel cozy in a way while looking at them. The spots for the locations was very successful in the story telling of the film. There location for the house was good because it made like a great drug kingpin look. Or a castle look fit for a king. In the houses the furniture arrangement was key to this movie. Also the type of dark colors they used in the furniture. The furniture set the theme or tone for each different scene. The locations choose in the movie were wise and well planned out and provide a landscape of imagination of what to appear next in the film.

Costume Design

The outfits in the film was mostly suits and ties for the people dealing with business. There also were fancy shirts with slacks here and there in the film. The women had on skirts with simple and vibrant color dresses. And overall I think there attires fitted with all the characters personalities. The vibe for most characters was to be in a gangsta attire and have a suit and tie and look professional. The extras on the streets were also dressed nice and there wasn't any poor dressed people. The main costume designer was Anna Hill Johnstone. She made the wardrobe choices for The Godfather which were to create a lasting effect on the viewers perception of the Mafia. Anna has won Two Oscars- for costume design.

Conclusion of Film
Overall this was a great film. It was very inventive to the viewers while also leaving room for imagination from the audience. It was action packed, had great dialogue from motivated actors, and amazing set designing all over. If I were to rate it I would give it an A+ 100%. From this project I have learned how to watch and analyze a film. Also to understand all the work that goes into one single film. One person can't do everything by themselves.

Citations

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Created: 28 April 2018

Shoot for the Stars..... Not So Fast!

During my second unit of my STEAM course, Frontiers, we've explored the skies and beyond. We have been looking into space like a book wi...