What helped me learn in this class?

I think more than any technical prowess, I've learned that the definition of "literature" is a lot more fluid than I had expected. I thought this class would be focusing on graphic novels or comic writing of some kind, and I was pleasantly surprised.

At times, I felt as if the readings detracted from what I was trying to get at - I didn't always feel that they aided in my writings or projects - at the same time, I know it's important to know the history of the genre we're studying, but it felt like too much all at once.

I really wish I had more technical time with flash. At the end, I wasn't even able to finish my project because of the coding. I feel like there needs to be a point in the semester - before the short project - where the focus shifts to technical instruction. It's frustrating to know what you want to do, know that the software is capable to complete what that is but have no way of actually doing it. I know that we aren't going to leave here experts, but I feel that we should know how to incorporate video without running into problems, and that we should know how to incorporate interactivity.

Maybe having a Flash handbook or something for this class would be helpful - I used the online source a lot, but frankly, I never could quite find what I was looking for. Perhaps if there were tutorials of what we learned in class on our course website that would help - many times I could not recall all the steps of a technical move, and if it is referenced in class, it should be on our course website as a lecture in terms we can understand.

I just feel like I was limited by what I knew how to do - I got frustrated not because I did not have ideas or vision, but because I could not do what was necessary to complete my project.

Research Project

So I've had a ton of technical difficulties, as well as I'm sick...I don't know if I'll be in class, but my work certainly will be!

Here is the paper, it should open a download box right away.

And my supplement.

Good night and good luck. I'm going to go back to being sick. :-)

How has this class changed me?

So, how will I be different after this? I really like the question of how I will teach differently...

Anyone, first of all, I've learned that literature isn't just in a book...I guess poetry feels more real to me on a computer screen than on a piece of paper which is a foreign concept to me...to be honest, I've never been a big believer in poetry.

I think I'm going to be a different teacher than when I started this class...since I want to teach...I think I'm going to end up being a lot more open to new waves of literature, new thoughts and ideas.

I think I'm going to try and keep up with what I've been doing here. I don't feel like this should be over...I'm kind of mad at myself for not discovering all this sooner, when I would have more time to explore.

I think I'm going to approach new things differently...I think I'm going to read and wonder what things would look like with motion...what if Yeats had flash when he wrote? What would he look like on screen?

Also, I feel that I'm not done yet, with flash or with experimental lit. I think I'm pretty happy with what I've accomplished and I see a new way to combine the things I love.

Feedback

So based on my feedback, I have some minor changes to make to the animation everyone saw (video2). Also, because of what I read, I'm going to make some major changes to the third video which is the all-English version of my poetry...I feel now I need to have it be closely related to the other two instead of just another piece of it.

So, I still have substantial work to do, but I'm happy.

AND I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE INTERACTIVITY WITH VIDEO: HOW TO CLICK ONE OBJECT TO MAKE A VIDEO START.

That is all...


PS: I was surprised at the amount of good feedback I got...I am encouraged.

Conversation Today

I really feel like these conversations helps shape who I am, at least literarily (that isn't a word).

I feel like it's important to hold onto the notion of why creating something new is good...when to create something new...not to just create something different TO BE DIFFERENT, but to create it to express something I couldn't before.

I feel like this whole conversation was so analytical and abstract...I loved it.

I feel like I want to more history behind the movements I love, I feel like I want to research the various forms of literature...I feel like I want to be part of a revolution right now, much like I feel after listening to Europe's "The Final Countdown" (that probably doesn't help anyone take me seriously).

I think it's important to remember where we come from; to remember that at one point, all we consider to be standard was new and "novel." I feel that we all need to understand that literature, art, film, etc are all living evolving creatures: none of them stand still for time.

It might seem like right now we're changing everything - changing the entire name of the game, creating things that are completely new.

But in the grand scheme of things we're one step. ONE TINY STEP in the evolution of literature...it's not like we're reinventing the wheel here, just re-designing it.

Authorship

"…readers expect, and search for, the identification of an author in a text at least in part as a means to assist them in their own sense of differentiation and establishment of a sense of self. … If everything embodied in a text is so novel, so new, as to be alien to and entirely external to a reader's experience then that text will likely remain opaque and difficult to engage. Readers will be unable to differentiate the author in such manner that they are able to internalise the authorial voice and establish the required internal dynamic where meaning, and differentiation of self, can arise." SB


I was really affected by this quote...after reading the whole piece, I read through the quotes we could pick from and I liked this one the most (PS - That article was tough to get through...).

I'm not really sure if I can agree fully with this statement...I believe that knowing who an author is can lead to a better understanding of a text and I suppose eventually lead to a better established "sense of self." However, I don't feel that this always happens - For instance, I particularly love some books because they are extremely personal, and by reading the book, I feel that I know the author more. Sometimes this leads me to forming a new line of thought about myself, but many times, it just changes how I view the book. Frankly, there are many books I have read that I can't recall the author perfectly on the spot (I'm ashamed to say). I've never been that great with names, but it doesn't change the way I feel about the book or the way it's impacted my life...

I will say this though, I really feel the second part of the quote is dead on. When the subject matter being written about, or moreover, the way in which the text is being written, alienates the reader, it cannot have an impact. I think that's what we've been driving at all semester.

When something is jargon-filled and dense, when it makes no relation to the reader at all, when a piece is so abstract or obtuse that no thought process aids the reader in figuring things out, it is a failure. It is the duty of the author, if he or she wishes to reach an audience, to gear their writing in some way shape or form. If I can't connect to a piece I can't learn from it. This doesn't mean that every piece has to be the same or even "normal." In fact, for me at least, many of the experimental or "new" literatures seem to be the ones that can reach me best.

Oddly enough, this article was hard for me to make a connection with simply because of the way in which it is composed: DENSE.

Furthermore, I understand what is being said about authorial voice. If I cannot understand that voice, I cannot derive any sense of meaning. Is a piece sarcastic or serious? Am I supposed to feel that the authorial voice is human and flawed or perfect...I know I'm going a bit out of the range of what was being discussed in this particular piece, but seriously...If I can't see or feel the author in a piece, does it even matter anymore? Can I pull something from it if I don't understand what I'm SUPPOSED to be feeling?

Here is where I am conflicted again...I like the thought of having an androgynous voice. I like reading anonymous literature, I like viewing anonymous paintings, etc. I feel like I am free to interpret anything I want...

When some of my professors tell me that in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" the river is a vagina and the boat is a penis, I snicker. I don't see it, but that's the beauty. We can disagree. I don't want to know the author's every intention...because it's a constantly evolving influence. They create a living breathing idea instead of something so concrete, so dead.

This article made me think about a lot of things...which is good...I just wish I could read it and feel smart for understanding it all, but really, even on my second read, I feel a little lost.

Ideal

So now the question is: In the ideal world, if we could continue forever, what would I wanna do?
AND/OR
What am I going to do with what I've learned?

In this world where classes never end (I shudder to think...) I think I would want to learn how to make longer pieces, almost film like...not quite though. I think I would want to learn how to put it all together...remembering my letter twisting roots and continuing with video poetry full of sound and wonderment.

What AM I going to do with what I've learned...that's a whole other question...

Since I'm hoping to go to grad school, I really want to bring a new eye and a new perspective to classic literature and new students...I want to explore Shakespeare in a new way...how would he have used this technology and why? I want to reassess the way in which I create my art...what can I do with my photography, music and writing with animation? How can I showcase what I love and what I do in one forum?

Of course, on the business end, I'll most likely be putting together some slideshows for the couples I shoot for...Cause people eat that stuff up...hahaha.

I don't want to forget the things I have learned here. I want to incorporate these new techniques along with the classic literature and minority lit I have studied - I want to use each perspective to analyze the others, and I want to feel comfortable creating something using flash that expresses who I am...

I might rename this blog, or maybe even start a new one, but I think this won't be the last of me and my animations, especially if this final one goes the way I'm thinking...