Passion Project Update

The project has been going well so far, I'm still taping many scenes. I don't really have a set plan of exactly what things I'm taping. I like to be in the moment and tape things that reflect my everyday life. But to keep things orderly, I do have a list of topics in my life that I would like to cover in my Mini-mentry. I want to keep things 100%, no filter, but there are somethings that I'm wondering if I should cut out of not. That would be one of my first obstacles. There is a fine line and its very easy to cross, so I'm trying not to to. I'm struggling as to whether I should keep it lighthearted and fun or show a softer and more somber part of my life.

This project has many emotional aspects to it, and I didn't realize it until I began filming. And I'm not entirely sure that I would like to show all of that emotion in my life to the class. but just as there are many emotional aspects, there are many technical ones as well. As we all know, I'm terrible with the computer. The only device that I know inside and and out is and iPhone. That is why I've done most of my recording on there, but I've run into problems trying to transfer it and edit it, as some of the videos are much too long. I've also ran into issues when attempting to use some programs, I just don't get some of them! But i'm trying, so that'll be a great thing to master once this project is concluded. That brings me to another issue, using Fridays wisely. Its very hard for me to because my video taping happens outside of school and I haven't really officially started editing until I realize what I want the theme of the film to be. In all I have many obstacles, but hopefully I can overcome them to make a masterpiece.

Sneak Peak Preview:

127 Hours

Now that I have seen 127 hours, I feel that its a great film. Not only does it capitalize on human strength and resilience, but it's a heart warming story with a mostly happy ending. But first off, when I say strength I don't mean physical strength, but emotional and mental strength, the strength of the human heart and spirit. I believe that's what aided Aron along the way, and the fact that he kept thinking about the future and the ones he love made it much easier for him to push through and make it out, all on his own.

 I do believe that Aron is extremely strong in his mind because not many people could go through with such a devastating blow and continue  to fight for their lives. I don't think i would be able to do that, and like me many of us probably would searched for a quick way a out, a sharp knife, a gun of some sort to end the pain quickly. But then we'd be cowards... but is it cowardly? or is it just the norm? We might find ourselves saying that now but we never know what we would do in that situation. The tag line of the film, "There is no force more powerful than the will to live," might not apply to all of us. There are some people that would just die. Because Aron was so motivated by his family and future, it would be interesting to revise the story and make it so he has no friends, no family, no one to love, no one to lean on. Would he still have the drive and will to live? Would he still sacrifice his forearm and go through that pain if he had nothing to live for? I don't think so. But like I said I don't think the tagline applies to all, every person is different, and every person acts differently. You can predict how you would act in a situation like this, it just happens when it happens(God forbid). Aron is an extraordinary person that endured an extra ordinary feat but we must face the fact that he had all the right circumstances to rise up and survive.

Dasani and the Fam- My Take

I Think that Dasani and her family were a great story to share, a raw and telling reality of a homeless family in Brooklyn, just trying to make it out of the shelter system. With eight children it was a struggle and it it really showed with constant altercations, whether it be verbal of physical. I loved how real it seemed, until part five. 

Do I want to see Dasani and her family succeed?

Absolutely.

But is it a bit too optimistic?

I think so.

Towards the beginning, many of my questions were directed towards the lack of assistance, attention, and care Dasani's family seemed to be getting. Towards the end I started to question what they WERE getting. Many of my main inquiries include:

- Why couldn't they live with Sherry?
- Shouldn't there be volunteer positions offered for the shelter?
- Why weren't inspections made more thoroughly, and even if they were, why weren't penalties carried out for ignoring/breaking laws?

Then:

-Why did how did Dasani and her family magically acquire an apartment near Harlem?
- Why did officials oddly begin to take interest in the safety of Auburn's residents once Aisha's baby passed?
Though i'm not saying that I am not sincerely and truly happy Dasani & Co I just wish the focus from this series wasn't about only helping Dasani, but all the homeless children across the US, and the neglect and struggles they face everyday. Even though I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about how safe my home is of where my next meal is coming from, Dasani reminds my of myself in many ways. Her catty nature was much like mine when I was younger. I constantly got into spats with girls over who won the soccer game in gym or who's uniform looked the nicest. Conceited, I know. Yet I still managed to look cute and cuddly towards adults, flaunting my big brown eyes that took up to 1/3 of my face. Cute, I know. While I haven't exactly gotten in a physical altercation, I can have a sharp tongue and a pissy look in less time than I takes for me to actually realize what I'm saying. I giggled and chuckled during her little altercations while much of the class frowned of shook their heads in disbelief. But I've grown up from all that now and I hope Dasani does too, not following in get mothers angry footsteps. She always says the cutest things when she is in her right mind, not attempting to fight an overfed 7th grader. I'd tell her to keep her head up, seize all the opportunities that come her way, and to not always believe her mother , because shes not always telling the truth.