Thank You, Always

No card is here,
no flowers either,
They’re not enough,
not one, not neither,
My love for you is too strong, too great.

The times we’ve shared,
the things we’ve done,
The times we’ve laughed,
they compare to none,
All human emotion, no fault, no hate.

You are the one,
you’ve kept me so high,
For every time I fell,
you gave me the sky
My guardian angel, my cherished saviour.

So sweet, so generous,
Only you, I could depend on,
Pure heart, gold blood,
Without you, all lost, none won,
Best friend, my Mum, the one I do favour,

Mother

- She cried.

Tears, dripping off her eyes lashes, falling down her face.

But I wasn't sad, I saw it was okay.

She was smiling, with tears of joy.

All my pain has washed away, as I know I made her happy.

Nina-Noo's Nincumpoops

FS4 - SSR: Evaluation

"Since the beginning of this project, my initial intention was to study the likes of someone who is not that frequently used by past/present students, primarily for an ‘Auteur’ or ‘Performance’ study. I summoned Morgan Freeman; at first for an ‘Auteur’ study, although it shortly proved difficult to obtain external studies/secondary research, resulting into an adaptation better suited for the likes of ‘Performance’ studies, with ambition to understand the subject’s developed status and audience impact.

With the subject matter decided, I moved onto my focus texts - films. Starting from the intense filmography provided, I made brief observations on the pieces I am already aware and knowledgeable of, films that I felt confident in both generally talking about with personal input, and which (by fact) show the greatest qualities of my subject for a strong-studied argument. Sticking to the films I knew best of, I chose The Shawshank Redemption, Se7en, and Bruce Almighty. They each include the most recognisable and strongest traits of Freeman, in both the obvious and critical senses - his presence, power, and wisdom (all constructed and portrayed through both visual and aural practices). Having DVD access to all of these films corroborated great support in my studies, with available insights to special features and extras on Freeman’s appearances and contributions, including personally-justified statements from befriended actors and directors.

It is evident that the Internet played a strong role in my researching valuable information on Freeman, as well as performance, star, and audience studies. Beginning with biographies, the likes of www.wikipedia.com, www.imdb.com and www.rottentomatoes.com supported detailed overviews of the actor’s life and filmography. However these resources lacked specified studies on Freeman, accompanied by the occasionally unreliable and poorly justified extract from public users, disabling me from collecting vital evidence on the much finer properties of the subject. Therefore, I expanded my searches to more open queries, varying in publication date and manner. Predominantly articles found, my online searches provided me with critically coherent notes of Freeman, with brilliantly presented collaborations between personal input and facts - in turn giving me both audience responses and pre-studied arguments.

The duration of the researching was undoubtedly difficult, as the items found were incredibly rare and inadequately promoted. And from this, I moved to other materials and mediums in order to gather further information. To my dismay, there was a grave insufficiency of academic literature related to Morgan Freeman. Besides two magazine strips, which became my first rejected items, my only (but definitely appreciated) finding was Richard Dyer’s “BFI Modern Classics: Seven”, thanks to the passionate words included of Freeman himself, on his and Brad Pitt’s acting, with wise observations on performance acting as a profession - key elements, accompanied by the relationship between actor and script, actor and stage and actor and camera/audience ;thanks to his earlier works on Broadway. With all this as an inspiration point, I then moved onto recording/creating scripts from The Shawshank Redemption’s DVD extras, giving me the most marvellous remarks on Freeman, both from himself and the cast, all who thought incredibly highly of him, on and off screen. All of this researching accompanied by a Focus Group of critically-minded Freeman fans provided further supportive information in regards to Freeman’s acting abilities, with personal input towards the influential values Freeman has on the ideological aspects of his fans and audiences. In turn, my entire project became a successful investigation of my subjects key qualities, resulting in a non-biased yet well argued understanding of my subject matter, with the disciplines used and required also."

Hope that is along the lines of okay, please?

Thank You, Chansey

This is Matthew Hammond's evaluation script from back in the day for his FS4 SSR project. Nina and I confidently agreed that Matt was worth being mugged for the likes of this year (and many to come!), as for any of you writer-blocked critters may need an influentual-resource before handing your piece in for tomorrow's deadline - yikes. I am sending the script to Nina as we speak/you read, to ensure you all get your share of my man- no, our man.

No he's definately my man.

Evaluation

"When I began my Small Scale research, I originally decided to explore Alfred Hitchcock. However, I quickly decided to look at David Fincher instead because I am an avid fan of Fincher’s work, and I wanted to discover more about Fincher as an auteur, deconstructing the style he has developed throughout his career.

After choosing David Fincher as the focus of my presentation and developing my question, I picked the films by Fincher I wanted to use. As soon as I decided on David Fincher, I knew Se7en would be my focus film; in my opinion it encapsulates Fincher’s distinctly dark visual style, and the narrative has the key themes of Fincher’s work running through it: death, the “American nightmare,” decay as art and moral turmoil. Due to Fincher’s limited filmography, I did not have a wide range of films to choose from; however, the quality of his films and the strength of his auteur signature within them made it easy to select two other films: Fight Club and Panic Room. I already had these films on DVD, which was very useful because the special features on the DVDs gave me an insight into what Fincher wanted to create and the production process of each film from his perspective.

The Internet was a very valuable tool as it provided me with a wide range of articles and critical essays on Fincher’s career, analysing his films. However, the negative side of this was the unreliability of some of these sources; because of this I restricted my focus to established, credible websites such as http://www.empireonline.com, http://www.imdb.com and http://film.guardian.co.uk which all provided me with essential information that was beneficial in constructing my presentation as they gave me background to Fincher’s career and a critical response to his films. I also was able to post a question on the Imdb forum, to gauge a response from film fans around the world. Unfortunately, I only received a few responses of varying quality, which was less than I had hoped for.

I was surprised to find a serious lack of academic books about David Fincher and his films. I only found two books: “Dark Eye: The Films of David Fincher” by James Swallow, and “BFI Modern Classics: Seven” by Richard Dyer. Unfortunately “Dark Eye…” was unavailable which was a problem; However I was able to purchase “BFI Modern Classics: Seven,” which became one of, if not my key text, because it deconstructed and analysed all the elements of Seven, from the themes to Fincher’s cinematography, especially the look of Seven which was crucial to my investigation, and it was written by Richard Dyer, a respected academic, providing me with an academic insight into the film which was reliable and incredibly informative. I managed to find many magazine articles of varying significance: the most valuable articles came from Sight and Sound magazine, especially “The Allure of Decay” article. However, the rest were less detailed and academic, but still provided me with a critical view of Fincher.

If I were able to undertake this research again, I would definitely create a questionnaire to discover what my fellow film studies students and peers thought about David Fincher’s ability to create American nightmares, and if they believe he deserves auteur status. I think that this would have been an extremely beneficial avenue of research. Apart from a questionnaire, I was very happy with the research, and most importantly the results I discovered; I have definitely learnt more about Fincher’s early years (working at ILM) and also the recurring theme of decay as art, which I was fascinated with.

David Fincher is a rare breed: an independent artist who has flourished in the Hollywood system. His name truly belongs among the great directors: Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Howard Hawks etc. He is a true “auteur” and deserves much academic and popular acclaim. "


_______


Quite much from the man, isn't it? Well why not relax a bit and admire the likes of another genius, but from from the world of Art: Richard Gray.
His illustration work is impeccable, showing the ability to present sinister and in some cases disturbing scenes through a portrayal of elegant lines and beautiful colour pallets.

I Sould Be So Lucky

Welling School is getting places, watch out-duck out.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/10/homophobia-pupil-behaviour

Ian Elmslie - My tutor!
All them students - My mates!

Oh I'm hardcore.

PURE - CORE.

On a sadder note however, this year's Art&Design examination question sheets are utterly, brutally, appauling.

In the words of Graphic Desinger-come teacher Tamzin Wildey: "This is just shit."

Done&Damned

Short Film Narratives: Guesses and Potentials

Holding Hands

This is about a man who struggles to win the losing battle of keeping in time with the world. Just like The Butterfly Effect, this about someone who desperately tries to take hold of what has caused great misfortune - the hands of time. As time constantly jumps backwards, Jake tries to fit himself back into normality. However, no matter how hard he tries to catch up with the world, it is only a matter of time that he can break the chain of eternal drag and finish the chase of horror.

-It’s all about time jumping. The story could change. But it’s all about time jumping.

Double Vision

Set in the realms of a secondary school, this film explores the juxtapositions of reality and fantasy. With an avant garde Outer Space inspired film-layering effect, we follow the lives of half a dozen people who get a form of double vision - a split between two sights, one which is of their existing surroundings, and another which is a veil, where their imagination dictates their sight. With the two (contrasting) perspectives, the layers present viewers with both a surreal and intriguing insight to what the chosen few see - both through their eyes and through their minds.

Draw!

A witty and playful story. In a casual class of the norm, a bored but creative student sets the trend of bringing his illustrations of objects to life. Beginning with a picture of a pound coin, which is then screwed up into a ball and reopened, the doodle becomes reality, creating a whole new way of living for the fortunate. The film progresses through time with the gifted, following his day-to-day routines become an utter play, not too long before we discover the downfall to his trickery, with outsiders joining in turning life into a curse - of both normality and artistry.

--

Well there's 3 out of 5, just like I said not 6 days ago. However, it was not at the Wrong Un, Turnpike or Club Sushi that these ideas were brought to play. Not even Burger King brought the best out of me.
It's those pesty but gorgeous indulgancies you see, take years to conquer their obese ways...

This week? International Pokemon Day. Was nice. Myself and a fellow Gensanist shared my Gameboy, as we roamed through the battles of Misty, Gary, and the Golden Bridge. And don't forget, Charizard made a special appearance at the Turn' (Blastoise has hibernated, he seizes to exist...). All of this accompanied by an iscolated watch of the first ever episode, Volcanic Panic and Mewtwo's debut prescence - All. Damn. Good.

Yesterday - work. I officially want to be made redundant, believe me.
Well isn't it a good thing that the dearest made a beautiful demonstration of alcohol abuse then?

She fought the law.

The law won.

Memo: Animatrix was an amazing buy! £2!? Overly worth it. The visuals are nothing short of astonishing, varying in tones, colours and textures. World Record is a beautiful short, it has such an honest portrayal of the experience and feeling of sprinting.

Me wants to go running.

Me go run out window.

Me go crying for mummy.

Me wants running to hurt less.

A new commitment today... writing. Making a second attempt, the first retry in over a few years. Once there's some managed material, I'll let you nosey buggers know.

Deal? I bloody thought so.

It's All About Logic

Back in the classroom makes your mind clock back into the critical thinking - questioning everything you think, what others say, and back on your own questions.

It has come to the time where the ways of short films are coming back into our lives.
OMGawd. Has it really needed to take that long for some cinematographic action to rule the time table!?

Independant study-task include:
-Bring back 5 ideas/narratives for a short film production.
NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL EDUCATION.
Keeping it Hippie with some lazing around in a coffee store or pub to blabber in some potentially unworthy ideas. Perhaps Thursday evening in The Wrong Un? The place where my uncle managed come half a dozen years ago, to be made unemployed due to drinking - That's ma boy. And all of this to be followed by a celebrative session in Club Sushi with the Beloved to show a soon to be 18 a nice time. Let's make sure it's nice. Well with it being a 1940's swinging special, what could go wrong...
broken backs and sexual exploitation, as these folk oh-so brilliantly demonstrate.

[Video goes heyarh!]

And the second task?

-ESSAY. Boo you.

Kicking it back in the Graphics class has allowed the few of us to get back in mental shape with the tiring, tormenting ways of sketchbook filling. Hardcore, mate.
And here's what Joey showed me, which we have (yet again) collaboratively destroyed, in our home ground of 'PC desk onlooked by teacher'.

IRENAM versus 2012 Olympic Emblem

WTFFF is that!?!

Goes against all logic of visual communication, Graphic Design.
My optomistic thought of it trying to be the construction's site plan was utterly demolished thanks to Mr. Yellow's persistant insult-loaded machine gun. But man has he got a good point.


Still got time on your hands to chuck in the bin and continue glaring at your PC screen?
Still in Awake/Asleep mode?
Hmm?
Have a look at DEXIGNER's post. Thoughts and research on the past and present logo designs snd their effects in both the creative and corporate industries. Rather critical at first thought, but all readable nonetheless (you slothers have no excuse, "HAH."
http://www.dexigner.com/design_news/what_does_the_london_2012_olympic_logo_prove.html

Oh, and I woke up late Today. Arghhhhh.

It's All About Passion

And dam have I lost that here.
It's been well over a month, bordering two. This is what happens when your love life with the T-mobile web'n'walk drips down the drain. The world of MSN, Facebook, Blogger, Flickr - all of it, has been lost in my household thanks to horrendous horrors of the modern day service.
"Shame" do I hear you say?

And come this comes the lack of personal pickings. The day-to-day activities have almost been lost forever, as there's such little track of it all. But for the sake of mankind, let's try and check out what's gone down.

(So far in no date-dictated order...)

Saatchi Gallery - LOVE IT. I want to go to every exhibition they have, their online site is enough for utter inspiration. Free entry.
NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL KICKASS

Eye Surgery - Figure the 4th Nerve Palsy. Hard work dealing with it, forcing me to pull off the work load (both at school and Wilkins'). I took my Graphics book with me to the hospital, trying to work in it the moment I woke up after the surgery, although the anaesthetic kept pushing me back to the subconcious world time and time again. A long day, a 3 hour waiting session in an iscolate sitting area, passing the time by seeing how long I could hold my breath (record at 01:50, nice). The surgeoun stated "it was successful", but that's not to my own thought. It's an improvement if anything, but never a perfection. It was an additional challenge to the current world of coursework - Film presentations, Fine Art crits, Graphic Design investigations, they all kept me very busy. Very.

ICA - Sean Snyder. Went with teachers and friends. It wasn't the greatest of exhibitions, but it certainly followed the ways of the Cost/Satisfaction ratio (entry was free, thanks to a personal invitation from one of the institute's workers), accompanied by free Budweiser. And man free Budweiser doesn't do the justice. Anywho, the exhibition, it was okay. Snyder focuses on the presentation of information through the media, predominantly on the war&terror aspects. Photographys and documentaries, it's all rather intreaging, with critical but simple deconstruction of Photo Journalism, breaking it down to all the essential "must haves" for a successful portfolio. This was all followed by a fairly cool train journey home with the beloved and the Gensaned.

...

Oh, and Ravensbourne. Have been accepted by the Foundation course, but the degree is still up for grabs. Who knows what'll happen. Either way, it has all been a harsh time with the inconclusive options of Colleges/Universities. But it's confirmed, I want Ravensbourne. Their Greenwich penninsular looks ace. I want to be a part of it. The fact their indipendant also plays extremely well, as the likes of the UAL feels all a bit too "corporate", dare I say it, like a mass organization. Time will tell, but when you have a Graphics tutor interview you on a Wednesday morning, it all feels so cool.

News Update - The Tate Britain is brilliant. Their collection of drawings is enough to knock me clockwise, no doubt. Trying to take it all in within an hour however, makes it a tad strenuous sadly. A revisit will sort that out, no problem.

Bolt 3D and Push are good, in their own ways, but share a knack for making me want to have it all. A dog and superpowers, both things that the beloved pokes me about (and visa-versa of course!).

Future intention: Get back to this. Chuck in photos when willing, and ensure atleast a weekly update.

In the world of blogging, the SKALLYWAGs shall rise again after their fall.

Why not check out our Art&Design based stuff, hmm?

www.flickr.com/jmo-ydargo <-[Myself]

www.flickr.com/lara-dee <-[Herself]

I can't deny it, she's got potential. I love working with her, sharing ideas and blabbering away - regardless of how ineffective it is in getting actual work done. In the words of us, the team, the partnership, the lovers, and the enemies: Bless your little cotton socks/heart/tart/cheeks/ears/beanie... we have alot of time on our hands; don't diss.