Documentary Update #5

Hey there! The photography unit of the documentary has been awesome! Check out a sample:

Now, is the final stages of filming and editing  unfortunately, I leave for exams soon so my partner will be left to edit solo, but I'm so grateful for her amazing editing skills! We're both excited to move closer to the final product!

Documentary Update #4

With mere weeks left I'm getting stressed! We've had an excellent plan from day one, but it seems things are easier said than done. Our biggest obstacle has been the cliche of 'technical difficulties'. Basically, it's been more than a challenge to get our hands on a camera, with a decent battery life, of a consistent quality. Despite the odds, we hope to have all the shots done soon, if there isn't much schedule collision with our 5 interviewees! We will be conducting one on one interviews as well as shooting moments very representative of their characters, which should come together nicely as a representation of the CB student body. By next blog post I should be able to share some portraits from the photojournalism aspect!

Documentary Update #3

      Today we were able to submit our final version of the podcast for marking. It turned out really well, my partner did an awesome job editing  as usual, and our interviews were informative and entertaining. I'm pleased we got a well-rounded collection of interviewees - an IB coordinator, an IB and non IB student's parent, and a CB alumni. Here is a link to hear the podcast!
    The next step in our documentary project, alongside our filming, is the photo-journalism aspect. This part of the project is what I've been most excited for as I enjoy photography, especially portrait photography. I hope to be able to convey our message through the images we will capture of CB students. Stay tuned for the photos and only a month until our film will be complete!

Documentary Update #2

Moving forward with our piece, we've been completing our podcast interviews, and it has been so interesting! As our piece is on student stress at CB, we chose to focus our podcast on the International Baccalaureate program. We see this program as a leading cause of stress here at CB, directly or indirectly. This program is world renowned and enriched but also causes a lot of pressure on the students, as well as the students outside of the program. We had the opportunity to interview CB's IB coordinator, Lewis Harthun, and he provided some awesome insight into the program and its effects on the students, positive and negative. No podcast spoilers, but it was really interesting to discuss the program with him! I'll post the podcast once it has been edited!

Additionally, we have some exciting interviews lined up for next week for the documentary, so stay tuned!

The Dark Knight Rises...above all expectations!

                Christopher Nolan’s final piece of the legendary Batman trilogy exceeded my expectations by far, which shouldn't come as a surprise for a film by the Nolan brothers. As the sequel to Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008) this film was once again starring Christian Bale as Batman. As usual, Bale played the role perfectly, he is the perfect Batman; even Morgan Freeman has stated he would not continue his role in the series with any other actor as Batman.  New to the series in this movie was Anne Hathaway as a sexy cat burglar and Tom Hardy as the terrifying Bane, the “bad guy” that was executed like no film before it, partnering with Marion Cotillard as the alleged Miranda Tate. Grossing over one billion dollars world-wide, it stands as the 7^th highest grossest movie of all time. This final movie was perhaps the darkest of the trio which was illustrated excellently by the cinematography; constantly over the top and grand, there were no digitally added extras, only real actors used for the mass fighting scenes and the fantastic stadium shots. Though the themes were a continuation of the previous films this movie was anything but predictable, particularly the ending, though I don’t want to spoil the ending. Editing and directing were done well, also, with perfect symbolism and continuation throughout the movie. This is by far the best film of 2012 and a must see now that it’s out on DVD!

Photo source: http://thenosebleeds.com/movie-review-the-dark-knight-rises/

Documentary Update #1

This week was the start of a new and very exciting project, our journalism summative, a documentary! Given the freedom to do a story on any topic we wanted, my partner and I have decided to provide a more in depth look at the elephant in the school, the mental health issues, focusing on student stress. Student stress is at its highest for our generation than it ever has been before and with suicide rates on the rise we can no longer ignore a common cause, immense academic pressure. Unfortunately, Colonel By is a prime example of a school inundated with these pressures, especially due to the IB program. We hope to investigate this issue further by interviewing students and experts as well. For the film we plan to focus on the youth and hear their stories. For research and the radio podcast we hope to speak with experts on the subject, like our own guidance counselors and potentially a local mental health expert.The photographs will be intended to capture the students that this film is about in an impactful way, even more impactful when coupled with their stories that will be voiced. Hopefully that isn't too much of a spoiler! The whole piece should be educational and emotional and my partner and I are excited to begin research and hope to do justice to the stories we will hear. Stay tuned for updates and the final product will be completed by the end of May!

Arctic Explorer or A******?

     I am disgusted that in this day and age we are bringing back fur as a hot fashion piece. I've always frowned upon the Canada Goose jacket trend, I mean these are jackets used for arctic conditions, by explorers of the frozen tundra, all of a sudden Will.I.Am is caught skiing in one and know they are a must have? At a whooping price of at least $900, as Mackelmore would say, "I call that getting swindled and pimped, I call that get tricked by a business!" These jackets are filled with "humanely selected" goose feathers, but I can respect that is key to their insulation. My problem is with the fur hood trim, that is solely fashionable, and responsible for the cruel deaths of coyotes. The claim is that the fur trim creates a scientifically proven wind break against moisture and blah blah blah....I call bull shit. Seems a tad unnecessary for the spoiled 17 year old strutting the streets of Ottawa, no? Beyond Canada Goose as a brand, this has set a fashion precedent for many knock-off brands that a resorting to cheaper materials, such as dog and cat fur in Asia. This pretentious and ignorant choice of coat may show how much money you have to spare, but doesn't reflect much common sense. But hey, at least they are a "proud sponsor of Polar Bears International", because they totally care about animals and aren't trying to get your money, at all!!!!

Photosource: http://furbearerdefenders.com/blog/blog/1-blog/92-saving-trapped-skunks

A Huge Step For Mankind!

           One of the U.N. Millennium Development goals was to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and today we are amazingly one step closer. This disease causes 4000 deaths daily and affects 34.2 million people in the world today, and 100 new American babies annually. Fortunately that number has been reduced by one thanks to Dr. Hannah Gay, University of Mississippi. Though not a perfect cure yet, it's the closest we've come. An anonymous baby was treated at birth and has officially been free of HIV for 2 1/2 years. Regularly babies born with the virus can be treated on an intense regime of medicine very day for the rest of their lives, even with this treatment 20% do not make it to age 4. A representative from John  Hopkins, Maryland, noted that previously the focus was prevention and now attention can be shifted to a cure, which is a fantastic step.

Above: Dr. Hannah Gay; some have comically noted on this case that if HIV really is "Gods punishment on the gays" then He must be pretty annoyed to be undermined...by a woman...named Dr. Gay.
Photo Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/doctors-cure-newborn-baby-of-aids-virus/story-e6frg8y6-1226589786009

Bring On The Wrinkles!

    As a new fully grown adult, 18 years and 12 days old, I've got a lot on my plate. Like the seniors around me we're all feeling like, well, seniors. I've been half expecting for a member of the IRS to come and deliver me a mortage and I swear to God I have at least 6 grey hairs. One of the more immnent problems is the UNIVERSITY DECISION DUN DUN DUNNN. I mean it's no big deal, except wherever you apply decides your fate in life, ie. career, marriage, happiness, life expectancy... Yup. In all seriousness, I'm trying to be rational, but it's hard when every teenager with the same crisis is crammed into the same building 9-3 daily, bouncing our anxieties of each other. Often, the choice is between the benefits of staying home versus the adventure of going away. When it comes down to it, and undergradute degree doesnt vary very much so it's all about location location location. Other factors I've been looking into includes the gym facilities, the bar scene, whether or not sweatpants are considered cool, and if the residences require me to shower infornt of everystudent and prof I'll ever encounter. If I had any good advice on this topic I'd be taking it myself, sorry. However I will wish every one of my fellow grads the best of luck in their university or college or strip club of choice!

“For what it’s worth … it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” - Eric Roth - Screenplay of the Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

My Grad Write-up

An ariel shot of Dalhousie, Halifax, my dream school for next year

Photo source: http://yorkshireoperaworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/halifax.jpg

No Homo(phobes)!

Slang, by definition, is popular language that is being used. Unfortunately, this often is developed from a hateful place, though it's circulation may be naive and simply part of a fad.
     "Don't be retarded", "I'd rather kill myself", "Why are you being such a girl about it?", "That's so gay"...
     Often, our common dialect becomes just another way to put down a minority, and for some reason it is simply accepted by the majority.
     I had a personal experience with this earlier in the week; a younger peer was participating in an event I was running through our school, I heard him ask his friend to stop being "so gay" and had to intervene. At first the boy felt that he was in the right and I was overreacting, he was "just joking around" and it "wasn't mean to anyone". This forced me to teach him a harsh life lesson, but I'm glad he learned it from me. I responded honestly, "I'm gay; when you use my sexuality as an insult amongst your friends, that hurts. What if someone less confident than myself heard that, someone who wasn't out, who was embarrasssed by their sexuality, how would they feel?" Obviously, this kid shrank to about three times his size, I am a well know senior, perhaps the first gay person he's had a confrontation with, and he just insulted me. Humbly he apologized and we were able to hug and move on.
      Some people can be much more ignorant and much less malleable, hence the continuous promotion of hate through slang. Yesterday, I found a website called NoHomophobes.com, it's purpose to keep track of hateful speech being circulated daily through the twittersphere, check it out!
      Remember to be kind for even the little things you say or do can change someone's life, for better or worse.

Photo source: Example poster from the ThinkB4YouSpeak.com website & campaign.

On My Bucket List - A Journey of 780km Begins With a Single Step

      My obsession with the Camino de Santiago began two summers ago when I saw Emilio Estevez's The Way in theatres; I wanted to experience the 780km trek known as the pilgrimage along side Martin Sheen, and you won't often hear me volunteering to spend time with Martin Sheen. Since seeing the movie, okay, alright, since seeing the movie 6 times, I've purchased several guidebooks and non-fiction works about the walk. I've truly become infatuated with the Santiago, as millions have before me for thousands of years now. Originally, the walk was completed as a holy pilgrimage, endured with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Nowadays, it is a popular "walking holiday" beginning in France and continuing through northern Spain, walkers carry only a bag-pack and reside in the spotted hostels; however, many people still find spiritual meaning in the walk. Personally, I am planning on taking a 'gap year' after I graduate high school and the camino is on my list of to-do's, as a young adult I hope to grow from the experience in my understanding of self whilst enjoying gorgeous landscapes and toning my calves.

Photo Source: http://www.frescotours.com/photos_camino_de_santiago_14june2008.asp

Another Reason To Love Swedish Fish

    Browsing a popular user generated news website, Reddit, I stumbled across an article about Sweden's new energy program (link posted below). The program converts household waste into energy for heating an electricity. Sounds like a perfect solution, what's the flaw? The only major problem so far is that the program is TOO successful. Sweden is now importing waste to eliminate, from else where in Europe, as they don't produce enough waste themselves. Their plan is to import from countries like Italy, Romania, or Bulgaria, as they have the largest landfill programs.
   Sweden has often been ranked as one of the happiest places to live; they've given the world, ABBA, Ikea, and now this! Well, I am quite a fan!

To learn more about their waste to energy program read the original article:
http://www.pri.org/stories/science/environment/swedes-import-trash-to-power-the-nation-10428.html
Photo source: Article - (Photo by Vattenfall via Flickr CC.)

Her Body - Her Rights

     It is impossible to turn on the news without being exposed to footage of the ongoing Indian rape protests. Many people, myself included, believe,"it's about god damn time". These protests sparked from the rape of a 23 year old woman by 7 men. The reaction was an uproar against 'rape culture': teaching women not to get raped instead of teaching men not to rape. The protesters are calling for serious repercussions  some even call for the death penalty, however the current legislation places a maximum 3 years of jail time on the attackers. This year in Dehli, India, there were over 900 reported cases of crimes against women, known as the "rape capital". What is clear from theses protests is that the people of Indian are taking a standing for women's rights and a stand against violence, demanding a change in how society and the law handles rape.

Photo source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252169/India-rape-protests-Extraordinary-courage-rape-victim-lost-intestines-horrific-attack.html