Reflection of this Class (before completion of paper)

I remember early on posting an item about how this class could possibly change our perception of movies and the cinema in general, whether it was for the good or the bad.  I'm not sure if it was assigned or a free blog, but I thought I would address the aftermath of my own experience in the class being someone who usually gets pretty burnt out on analysis when it comes to things that I regularly enjoy.

Firstly.  I notice that among some of my peers- analysis is really fun.  Some others... pure hell. I am somewhat in the middle- being that I like analysis of things I like for a very short portion of time (for the most part- some things being excepted from this list).  

So what do I think about picking apart movies...  I think I have survived.  Although I was heavily skeptical when it came to subscribing to some of the ideas put out by the class and by Chion's book and take on analysis, I feel that I actually can enjoy cinema more after taking the class.  The only unfortunate part is that you are able to find where a movie has a hole.  Something that would make a normal movie great, for instance, I began to realize that some movies are still just normal movies although they had the chance to be something more.  This, coming from a non-movie-critic.  So I am definitely not the first choice in saying whether or not a movie *has it* or not.

But in the mean time, if others are taking a look at this class' blog from another class hoping to decide whether or not this class will be enlightening or not- it is.  

This class has not ruined movie watching for me.

Preparation

I had been holding out on things to write for a few of my 'choice' blogs.  And with little to no topics taking priority over my recital, I figure I would spout something about it.

November 19th, Wednesday - 6pm.  Recital Hall.  Be there.

So as I had no idea what to expect while trying to organize a composition/new media recital, my last month has been very trying.  Also, you have to consider that half of the performances don't include players, so for the traditional comp students:  I take my proverbial hat off to you.

Some of the biggest struggles are due to writing a piece the semester of a performance.  I am not exactly the fastest composer, and would still probably not take any pride in saying that I composed a piece in a day (lie) but the piece I wrote for this semester was especially challenging.  As of this day- I have no idea how it sounds except for what I think it should sound like in my head.  This would be the first piece that I wrote out completely on paper before inputting it into a notation program.  Even once it was there, there were some technical issues with notating vs. accurate playback.  You can really only achieve one of them to satisfaction with only a small window of time with instruments such as percussion.  Or at least from my experience.  If you have a good idea on fixing this- feel free to let me know.

Another challenge is organizing performers.  At this stage in the 'game' it is difficult to find student performers that have enough time, and also- that all of them have the same time open once they do have enough time.  It hurts my brain to think about.  But as the scenario pans out, things usually fall into place.  And if not- we're musicians- We'll improvise.

So.  Just needed to vent if anything.  It should be a fun show.  Full of varying things to listen to.