Weekly Update Questions.

How much time have you spent on your project?

I've spent around 7 hours this week doing my project, which is good since it is only Wednesday. I'll probably hit 9 hours by Sunday. I usually have slower moments during the weekend since it's when I work, and I'm usually too exhausted to do any work when I get home. But I do have Sundays off, which are pretty much promises the 8 hour mark to be reached.

What did you do for Hands on?

I did the weekly's essentially. Skit writing, and meetings with Ian. I also edited photos, that will be used for promo's for our skit. I plan to release them on facebook, along with with a page people can like, but I'm not sure yet.

What did you do for research?

I did a lot of research on "stop motion" filmography. Stop motion is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. In other words, it's basically like a flip book, in film form. Here's an awesome example.

Don't worry, I plan on doing an entire blogpost on this matter, but this is the prime of my research for this week.

Were you in class this week?

Yes! I was present for class on Monday, and I plan to attend the red flag session tomorrow.

Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?

Yes! At last! It feels good to finally to be able to say I did. Anyways, we just talked about how far I am in project, and what I plan to do until Monday's meeting.

What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?

Mostly, just finally taking initiative and getting a WISE mentor. Along with that, the usual reaching of 8 hours requirements, already hitting the 4 journal blog posts by wednesday, and skit writing and excessive research.

What are your plans for next week?

I'd say release some photo promos, choose actors for the final skits, and then prepare for break, in which me and Ian have decided filming will commence. Sounds like a solid plan, it will probably be revised at some point this week, but I feel it's an easy, standard plan.

WISE Mentor.

Finally, I have a WISE Mentor! After being dropped by Mr. Byrne because he just had too much to handle, it's kind of been a struggle getting a new one. Ms. Perl is now my new WISE mentor. A great weight have has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like my WISE project will be more organized and probably more efficient with adult advice, organization, and motivation. Me and Miss Perl basically discussed on when we're going to meet, what my plan for the week was, and some issues with my project, and how to solve them so my WISE project is completed 8 weeks down the road. She gave some pretty good advice, which I will probably take so my project is a success. We are to meet next monday morning, before the weekly WISE meetings. Also if I need extra advice, Mr. Byrne said he couldn't be my mentor, but he'd be open for that role.

5 Songs.

An important aspect of every film is obviously the soundtrack, or the music. I think it makes every project unique in some sense. It really sets the mood. Which why I've been thinking a lot about the type of music that I should use in my skits. I feel electronic music for the most part would be the best choice for me. No matter what, I feel like electronic music captures the audiences attention, and would establish a unique tone in our video. There are calm electronic songs, or sad electronic songs, and there is a lot of intense, fast paced electronic music.

1)

This one is kind of intense. I feel like I'd be really good for a promo, or a crazy fight scene/chase scene. Heavy bass, heavy drums, and a rockin' guitar is a recipe of any of those. At 2:05, I think it'd be perfect for a promo because it's also got a really good awesome, "feel good" vibe.

2)

This one is very calm. It'd be really perfect for an introduction, or just some transitions during the skits. Very neat sound to it, the main chords are made from clips from Alice and Wonderland!

3.

While this is not electro, it's dreamy, and has a very calm feel to it, which could go well to an ending of a video, or a sad part. Drake's voice especially has an emotional, sad vibe to it, which is perfect a depressing mood in a video.

4.

Absolutely perfect happy, positive, "feel good" song. I think this is definitely going in one of my promos. I think it would definitely help set what we're all about, and help draw viewers, and enhance our videos drastically. Mixed the Bob Marley's beautiful lyrics and voice, along with an amazing cheerful beat by MGMT, this song perfect. I kind of want to make a music video to it...hint hint.

5.

I really think song is perfect for either intense, or calm parts, because it's got both in the song. 0:00-1:18 are pretty intense parts, then the break is absolutely calm, and sort of has a mysterious feel to it. I think segments of each part could be useful, or just the whole thing in the video.

Class.

Class yesterday was fun! We did a plethora of numerous things. I'd have to say it was one of the better English classes this semester. For one, we started the class by doing college updates. I was proud to announce I have been recently accepted for political science in SUNY Brockport, and Communications in SUNY Fredonia. I am now waiting on SUNY Cortland, which I applied for in Communications. If I get in, I am going to have some tough decisions to make! After the grand announcements to see where my fellow classmates will be going in the next chapter of their lives, Ms. Gergely decided we all were too tired, so went on a run in the cold. It was interesting, I've never done that in school, besides gym of course. And last but not least, to wrap up the class, we presented a "show and tell" of an object that has relation to your project. I brought in my former WISE Journal, which is now the planner I use to plan skits. It was cool to talk about it, but I didn't like how some students in the class wanted me to share my ideas. I'm not comfortable about them, and I don't want to give anything away. None the less, I still attempted to explain an idea, but I didn't feel like the audience got the big picture. I guess they'll get it when they see it.

Weekly Update Questions.

How much time have you spent on your project?

Since it is Thursday, I've spend around 6 hours on my project, with the average of about 2 hours a day. As usual, I plan to surpass the 8 hour mark by Sunday night. I spent a good time of amount of time today in the public library just editing and writing things. I will do a lot of research during the weekend, probably on Friday, the day we have off, and the day I don't have work.

What did you do for Hands on?

Essentially, I did plenty of skit writing, like every other week. I also added a lot site locations, for the sketches. On top of this, We reached out to our friends, in hope they would join us in our skits. Plenty of friends want to help, and will be free especially since they have a lot of free time on their hands. A lot of good news this week.

What Research did you do?

I haven't done a lot of research so far this week. But yet again, I still have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do research. The week is still young. But I could argue that Ms. Gergely's article called Happiness Revised could count as research, since happiness is derived from comedy, none the less, comedic skits.

Were you in class this week?

Yes, I was! I was in the weekly class meeting on Monday, and I plan to attend the red flag meeting tomorrow, hopefully to graduate from red flag status.

Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?

Well as you know, I've been mentorless a couple of weeks. I stopped into Ms. Pearls room, but she was not there, then I ran into Mr. Byrne. He said we should talk about my WISE project, so we'll see how that goes. If not, I will send Ms. Pearl an email.

What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?

I just did a lot of hands on this week. And plus, the cast is finally assembling. I'm thinking of more and more skit ideas rapidly, and they're funny. Filming can start soon.

What are your plans for next week?

My plans for next week is to have a WISE mentor once and for all, and release photos to promote my skits. Also, I plan to meet with Ian, finalize skits, then, with luck, go into the next week, filming.

Happiness.

In our weekly class meeting, we discussed the upcoming plans for this class. Ms. Gergely discussed events like a show & tell day, and having our journals read by some members of the community. And of course, Ms. Gergely wanted updates on our projects. Essentially, if you are under 17 journal entries, you are behind. Luckily, I have more, and I'm projected to hit 5 journal entries this week, so this is no issue for me. And towards the end of class, we began to read an article. The article is titled "Happiness Revisted". Upon reading the article, there were questions to be answered.

1. When do you feel most happy?

That's a really hard question. I'm generally a happy person. It's not hard to catch me with a smile. But I'd say I am the happiest in three situations. The first one is when I am in the presence of loved ones. You can't go wrong there, it's just a very positive, secure, and comfortable feeling. The second one is just helping one in need. Wether it's donating to charity, or making someone laugh, brightening someone's day is a priceless feeling. And last but not least, experiencing something truly beautiful in nature is indefinitely one. I feel alive and at peace.

2. React/Respond to the article.

This is one of the more interesting articles I've read in WISE class this year. It was really enjoyable. I thought it hit pretty home with human state of mind. Everyone is on the pursuit of happiness. But we all look in the wrong spots, or go down the wrong to road to reach happiness. Materialistic things that we've entrenched in our lives don't do the trick. Money doesn't buy happiness, literally. Also, the fact that people have different type of happiness opened my eyes. I also really thought this article paralleled mine, since mine is about the making of comedic skits, which brings happiness.

3. Where are you on the flow chart?

I'd have to say I am on the A4 on the chart (The midpoint of the chart basically).

4. How has this changed/remained the same throughout the course of your project?

At the start of the project, I think I was on the lower part of the flow channel. I wasn't terribly ambitious or motivated about my project. But as my progression in my project grew, and I got a lot of the boring stuff out of the way, I eventually inched my way up to A4, or the middle of the chart.

5. How can you achieve flow?

Pretty much anyone can achieve flow. You just have to make habits, and make them daily. Just do a little bit of work every single day, and stay organized. That's pretty much how you do it.

Facebook Launch.

Today is a proud for me, in my opinion. Today on Facebook, I announced my project. Here is the direct text from my note post:

"Hello!

Incase you have not heard, for my WISE Project is to start making skits again, and showcase a few at the end of the year. In able to do this, I'm going to need help! For that reason, I have tagged you all in my note, in hopes that you all might want to make this come true. Together, we can make hilarious stuff together, and have a fantastic end to our senior year. If you are interested, please contact me.

Thanks,

Alexi

P.S

Just because you weren't tagged doesn't mean you're not invited to join me on my journey!"

So far, the responses have been good, and it's only been 10 minutes in.

It's a great feeling when it feels people want to be a part of something. It makes you feel great and accomplished. As a matter of fact, I don't think I am going to fall asleep for a while, time to write skits. Let's kick this thing off.