The dramatization of the opening scene to the movie "Up".

   I have watched the movie "Up" with my kids a few times, and I wouldn't mind watching it again, which is more than I could say for most Disney/Pixar movies. I am not a fan of love stories either, but in Up, the emotional level, and speed of the scenes is so perfect, that it doesn't dwell on any particular emotion for too long. The characters big heads and suggestive faces, The lovable, playful relationship the two seem to have, just lifts the spirit a little. And then the world comes crashing down and leaves me right back where I started, with a doubt in love, and hating love stories, all within about 5 minutes time. It is truly magnificent the amount of detail and reality the scene projects, and even though I know it is just a cartoon, the amount of detail and weight the characters carry, becomes real in my head, and thus, that part of the movie becomes real. After watching the scene with my kids, and by myself a few times http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlGg4nt01G8, listening to the music, watching the similarity to the characters and myself, it is hard to separate reality from the cartoon.

The Spielberg Face

   I am a big fan of most films directed by Steven Spielberg. He has this ability to create such an amazing unpredictable amount of emotion in a single scene. I did not know exactly why that was until I watched the short documentary about the "Spielberg face". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS5W4RxGv4s
   After watching the way that Spielberg is able to "manipulate the audience" in any genre, to project any kind of emotion, whether it be scared, happy, surprised or many others, I can see one of the reasons he has been so successful in his career. The fact that the "face" is like an open slate, to be manipulated and seen as such by the audience, leaves surprisingly less to the imagination than I had thought. A blank stare, eyes open wide, looking into the distance, this looks sets the viewer up for the incredible emotion that follows it. As stated in the documentary, people can relate to the look of aw, because we have seen it on other's faces, so we almost know what is coming in the next scene. Our emotions build, preparing us for what we are about to see, knowing that it is going to be something amazing, dangerous, heart felt, or any other deeply felt common emotions. By Spielberg using the "face" as a tool to manipulate the audience, he is able to essentially draw open the audience's mind in preparation, and then, with closure, connect the following scene to provide the audience with the expected satisfaction following the face.
   This kind of manipulation exists a lot in the comic realm. Drawing a simple face, lets the audience imagine it as themselves, the more detail in the face, the less the audience is able to relate to it, thus lessening the emotions perceived. Another good example of this is when directors draw too much into the face of a character, too much facial expression. Since humans do not see their own faces, they have to truly attempt an out-of-body experience with the face seen.

"10 Ways to Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students" by E. Shelley Reid

   I completely agree with the rules that Reid suggests be the "broader Principles". I have found that when I write about something that I am passionate about, I rarely get stuck in a writers block. I usually start writing and by the time I am done writing, I have to go back and edit material out because it is way too long. This is also true when I write material that I have personal knowledge about. I literally will start writing, not worrying about most rules for writing, and then I will come back when I am done and "dress it up" a bit. This can be bad for me, because I will anger professors due to the lack of correct grammar, but I usually receive decent grades and feedback because my papers are easily read, and do not lack information. Reid's next principle "Show, don't tell", I believe is the most important of the principles. I rarely comprehend literature that is merely projecting information. If I cannot imagine what I am reading, then I may as well not read it. In order for me to communicate something to someone in writing, I enjoy using examples and details. Like for example, when I talk about the acoustic guitar, I will not just mention what it is, but that it is an instrument of precision and beauty when played correctly. The acoustic guitar is one of the few that can be played solo. It can be manipulated to play any genre of music, and when it is mastered by a guitarist, nothing is more beautiful and unique. When I wrote that description, I was imagining not only a guitar in front of me, but I was also imagining what the acoustic guitar means to me. Reid's third principle, which I believe is also extremely important, "Adapt to the Audience and Purpose you are Writing for". Knowing how to speak in a way that enough people will WANT to listen to you is important. It is not enough to just give accurate depictions of events or things, but it is equally important to portray a personality and hit on many different attributes such as humor, drama, and/or action. Most people will find one of those three attributes appealing if not all of them; therefore, including them into a paper will most likely appeal to whoever is reading it.

About me

   My name is Rob and I am in my second year of college, first year at Oakland University. My major is Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). I was recently discharged from the Army after 6 yrs of service. I was discharged because of injuries I sustained on my last deployment to Iraq. I was a police officer in the Army which was my passion since childhood; however, since I was wounded, I am no longer able to physically function in law enforcement the way I wanted to. So OSH is the closest thing to public safety that also matches my interest. When I am not at school, I produce music for all different kinds of genres. Mostly I create hip hop, rock, and acoustic tracks for people to put lyrics in. I do this (mostly) for free because it is a passion of mine. When I am not producing music, I am playing the Acoustic guitar, and piano. My inspiration is Neil Young, and other 1960s and 70s artists. I have multiple instructional websites and how-to videos on YouTube. I don't have a crazy amount of hits on any of my sites or videos, but that doesn't bother me because I do it for the few people out there who want to learn about music and can't afford lessons. Even if I had zero hits, I would still post my videos and update my sites. I am married with 2 boys, my oldest is 2 yrs old, my youngest is 6 months. I am originally from the Santa Barbara area in California. My parents moved my sister and I to MI 10 yrs ago when I was 18. I am not a fan of the state; however, I have a lot of family here, and my wife's entire family is here, so that is why I stay. I will post a few pictures here when I get the time.