Senior Project Reflection

1. In my 2 hour I am most satisfied with the information I gave. A lot of people came up to me after and said they learned a lot- which feels really good.  I am also pleased with the cohesiveness, it all came together well (I mean the classroom theme and my presentation etc.) For senior project overall I am actually more pleased with everything I learned from science fair. Why am I surprised by that? Because I thought it was a failure at first. I couldn't get research/data and so I couldn't disprove or prove my hypothesis BUT thank gosh it happened that way! My scramble for answers ended up being an intensive-self-taught-course in the abominable film industry. Needless to say, I learned a heck of a lot of information that I will need to know in my CAREER.

2. I would give my 2 hour an AE. :)
I think I deserve that grade because I TRULY went above and beyond this time. I did everything I was supposed to in the rule book, then I converted the classroom into a make-it-yourself home theatre, I made my theme tie in with my powerpoint (even my poster tied into my theme!), I had really relevant activies, spoke with conviction and passion, and, most importantly, even when I ran out of bulletpoints to reference to I kept on talking and explaining and coming up with examples on the spot just to make sure we were all on the same page. I made it a priority that all the students understood every answer as much as I do. I understand my topic thoroughly enough to be able to do so. SO scratch that I'd give that mama jama an E!

I think my senior project deserves an AE as well. I have never put so much time and effort into a project before. In addition to the hours I do in ROP I have spent well over 60 hours doing both independent components. I have walked away from the project knowing not only how to write screenplays but how to read them. Which is incredibly important if I am to be filmmaker because the whole point of making films is to tell a story and if you can't tell a ggod one from a bad one then even luck won't save you. Everything I did was with the best intentions, and even when my components went awry (science fair) I spent blood, sweat, and tears trying to resolve it and even when I couldn't I still found value in the mishaps. All of blog posts were done on time and I never mickey moused them or any other component of my project. I spent a lot of time just trying to get quality research, I ran into many challenges and never let that hinder my pursuits. I spent extra time reading other blogs, posting other posts, and keeping a consistent theme here. I have read over 20 screenplays and written five shorts. I am producing one of my shorts at the moment actually. I went out of my way to get quality interviews (3 hours of traffic and a parking ticket!), one with a well established professional screenwriter.  I registered my original screenplay with the WGA. I had more than 75 articles in my Research Binder. I have gone above and beyond in my Senior Project.

3. What worked for me? I think not being in a group worked for me. I don't hate groups. I have had some great groups, and a lot of bad ones and I know when it works it works and when it doesn't life sucks and you try your best to resolve the situation by stepping up to the challenge. But I liked the independence, the responsibility, and the pride that comes from work that is completely your own.

4. Well, nothing exactly went smoothly. I think this project was the most stressful, for sure. Not only did the work load get a lot heavier but the other things that come along with being a senior: car problems, college courses, college apps- OH MY GOD college apps! You know, first job and growing up sort of stuff? So it was just really stressfull but at the same time it feels really good right now to have accomplished everything. And it wouldn't be as satisfying if it had been any less stressful. Honestly, I hated every minute of it. But now that it's done, I feel so much better about going off to college and the work load and the responsibilities and my aspirations... because I KNOW that I'm prepared.

5. I think I've always known that I want to go into film. But I spent the last 5 years talking myself out of it, and denying that it's what I want. I chose film as my topic because I just didn't want to be bored. Now, I know what I want and it doesn't matter that it's so unlikely, I don't care what people think of it, I want to be a filmmaker. I want a darn academy award and I want to tell stories- good ones. I love it. Why? I don't know, it's like magic to me. And I don't know how a year long project on screenwriting has given me the confidence to be able to say this to you. But it has. I am not really walking away from this project... it's just the beggining. Thank God I came to I-poly.

Movie of the Week

Quote of the Day

"I wish I knew how to quit you."
-Jack Twist
From the screenplay of Brokeback Mountain

Movie of the Week

2- Hour Presentation

My two hour presentation outline...

Service Learning

Literal:
For my log of hours click here.

I have completed 165 hours thus far for ROP film/video production. Below is evidence from Michelle Parker who has been keeping track of my hours.

To: Senior Team

Re: Service Learning Hours for Inez Franco

Inez has completed 165 hours in her Film/Video Production class as of 5/3/2012.  There will be additional hours yet to be completed, as class does not end until the end of May.

If you have questions regarding this, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Michelle Parker, M.S.C., PPS

Career Counselor

michprker@aol.com

You may also contact Mr. Miller, my ROP instructor, at philmworks@ca.rr.com.

My duties in ROP include; editing, filming, screenwriting, homework assignments, creating sets and props, and everything else that has anything to do with filmmaking- like group work!

Here is some of my work

Interpretive:

The most important thing I've gained from my experience with ROP is my certificate. After 'graduating' the class I will recieve a certifcate for filmmaking- it basically means I know what's going on. Which is great in the filmmaking world! Because a lot of people don't know what's going on- on set that is.

Applied:

My science project, my research, my independent components and all my other components were centered around answering my EQ. ROP gave me a great source- Mr. Miller- to go to for help on these projects. He helped me understand the difficulties with my science fair project. Guided me through the script breakdown. And most importantly he gave me feedback on my own original screenplays for Independent Component 2. ROP was a great resource.
My service learning allowed me to excercise screenwriting. Being able to do that allowed me a closer glimpse at answering my EQ. I got to learn the ropes.
This all helped me answer my EQ becuase I had someone to go to. Someone to answer my questions. An insider to the world of filmmaking- that's pretty legitimate.

Movie of the Week