Littlelebowski21's Blog

Hatchet InDesign Work: Inner Page

littlelebowski21 — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:27:44 +0000

Hatchet Page 1 Design

littlelebowski21 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:16:14 +0000

Pages Critique

littlelebowski21 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:33:09 +0000

On the cover of our first issue (Vol 91, Issue 2), we’ve got the title for the main story above the main picture. In Chapter 2 of the Harrower, under “story design”, it is stated that headlines should appear below the dominant picture to form a “sleek, dynamic design.” “The headline should always touch the start of the story.” On page two of that same issue, we’ve got it right. The dominant picture is above both the headline and the text. However, on page 12 (in my article to be exact), there is a standout quote of my own opinion. Quotes like these shouldn’t be from the writer, but from interviewed sources. On the second sports page of this issue (page 14), we’ve got a picture of the water polo alumni underneath both the headline and the text. This is different than the page 1 problem because this is a horizontal photo. However, a similar ruling applies. The Harrower (chapter 2, page 10) illustrates that horizontal pictures should not appear below the text. Below the headline is fine. On a smaller note, on the photo page (pg. 16) the last photo is credited to a “Mike Almason” Who’s Mike Almason? Is he on the Hatchet? Make the distinction, should have noted what company he represents.

#7 Leads (Again)

littlelebowski21 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:50:20 +0000

“MELBOURNE, Fla. — Three teenage girls were joking around and taking pictures on a narrow bridge when they were hit by a train, killing them as a friend watched helplessly, police said Sunday.

The girls and the fourth teenager, a boy, had been hanging out in Melbourne’s downtown area — known for its shops and nightclubs — when they decided to cross the trestle around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Lt. Curtis Barger said.”

This article, while both sad and disturbing, is a good example of summary lead. In just twenty seconds of reading, I knew what happened, where it happened, who it happened to, and when it happened.

“Billionaires have a certain edge to them. You know when they flash it. It’s the same cold, don’t-push-me stare I used to see from Salvadoran colonels and high-level guerrilla commanders, a look that told you: I will cut out your eye with a rusty knife before lunch if I have to.”

This article, however, displays an indirect lead. I’m not really sure whom this article is about, but it sure is interesting. something about the “cutting out the eye” and Salvadorian colonels… this sounds edgy and witty. that’s a good nice hook

Blog Post #6: Midyear

littlelebowski21 — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:09:12 +0000

despite the fact I probably failed this semester, I did not consider Journalism a bad experience. I recognize that I didn’t do all I could have to reach a passing grade, but I will try harder second semester. My expectations were met, as they were quite low to begin with. I got to write about film, what more could I ask for? I didn’t really learn much about the world of student-journalism from the class, though. The journalism manual had a plethora of information, but it was never formally discussed in class. Likewise towards the Outside Journalism Experience, the NewsU courses. I learned more from those and the manual than I learned from Mr. Skillings. In fact, the only two things I remember learning from the class itself are: 1) Source Said 2) Nut graph- essence of the story. That is all I can remember. This may be a reflection on my memory and not the class, but I think I have a decent memory. Looking towards second semester, I’m determined to try harder at assignments.

-ARM

Videocasts

littlelebowski21 — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:42:03 +0000

The link in the sidebar is to an elementary school’s news broadcast. I liked the formatting and titles as well as the transitions. You can tell they’re reading off cards, but hey, they’re only in elementary school. The weather forecast was pretty cool, as was the sports section. Nice use of greenscreen. No comment on the bible quote at the end there….

Infographic Assingment

littlelebowski21 — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:20:09 +0000

Even though the wonderful school internet censor blocked the path to an image, I know that “The Bullseye” on the last page of every Entertainment Weekly is an awesome example of an infographic. Popular and recent events, people, shows, films, and feuds are placed around the bullseye target with a funny caption underneath. I enjoy reading this infographic because there really isn’t a lot of reading required to gain info about pop culture. This is an easy way to show the hottest and most popular things (in the center) and the dumb and silly things (around the edges). A bullseye in the Hatchet could be used to review certain events, comparing and contrasting what was good and what wasn’t so good.

Attribution and Interviewing

littlelebowski21 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:42:03 +0000

In the article “Marijuana Growers Upend Hard-Luck in California town,” LA Times reporter Alana Samuels investigated the rampent growth of marijuana in this small town community. Interviewing school board leaders and local residents, Samuels probably used questions like: “What do you think of the marijuana problem here?” “What do you think marijuana growth has done to this town?” “How easy is it to aquire a medical marijuana licence here?” “Do you think marijuana should be legal?” “How do you feel about the governments reaction?” ”How does one go about growing marijuana?” and “can i get some?”

She did well to cover most of the main issues.

The Summer Film Season: An Evaluation

littlelebowski21 — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:24:48 +0000

Now that it’s safe to say that summer is officially over, it’s also safe to declare that the summer film season is done. The summer film season is often decorated with giant blockbusters built with stacks of studio millions, but there are also films which fly under the radar and don’t always get their moment. This year, the summer film season started on the first of May and wrapped up on the 28th of August. That’s four months of movies, both good and bad.

The month of May had some pretty strong contenders to start the season, most notably Star Trek and Pixar’s Up. Star Trek was the perfect meld of entertainment and top quality filmmaking. I also know some Trekkies who said they were duly impressed. Pixar’s newest adventure pushed the bill for animation even further with great use of 3D. Sadly, neither of these films are in the top grossing films for the summer, but money doesn’t always reflect the quality of the film (Transformers 2 *cough cough*). Other notable films from May include: Outrage, The Brothers Bloom, and The Girlfriend Experience.

June was definitely a blockbuster month, releasing the money eating monster Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. The beginning of June also saw the release of the best comedy of the summer, The Hangover. Some would argue that it isn’t the best comedy of the summer, but out of all the people I’ve talked to, I’ve heard nothing but praise. Like usual, the best films from June were under the radar and not given wide releases. Most notable under the radar films from June: Tetro, Moon, and The Hurt Locker. The Hurt Locker had a wide release, but was often passed off as “another Iraq war movie.”

By July, anticipation had swelled around Michael Mann’s newest period epic Public Enemies, starring the brilliant chameleon Johnny Depp. Calling Depp’s performance in Public Enemies amazing would be an understatement. Anticipation was also hyped for Sasha Baron Cohen’s newest project, Bruno. Unfortunately, Bruno could not deliver the same raw hilarity as it’s bigger brother Borat. 500 Days of Summer, which did well at Sundance, turned out to be the breakthrough rom-com of the summer. I’ve gotten mixed reviews about Judd Apatow’s Funny People. I saw it with some friends and they thought it was too long and too dense for a comedy. I, on the other hand, thought it was great. The comedy is bitter and awkward most times, but I felt that it worked. Under the radar for July: The Cove, Shrink, and The Answer Man.

By the final month, the blockbusters had already crashed their way through theaters and eaten enough money (with the exception of the silly G.I. Joe). Personally, I believe that August held the best films of the summer film season, but that’s because I’m a Tarantino fanboy. Inglourious Basterds (spelled wrong on purpose) swept into town like the Wild Bunch, with its blatant violence and brilliant dialogue, dominating screens nationwide. Another breakout film was Neil Bomkamp’s District 9. Adapted from Blomkamp’s five minute short film, Alive in Joburg, District 9 spun the basic “alien/sci-fi” plotline 180 degrees with its acute use of documentary-like cinematography and terrific special effects. Under the radar for August: It Might Get Loud, World’s Greatest Dad, and Cold Souls.

As always, their might be films that one could enjoy, fully aware of it’s bad quality… I must confess I enjoyed such a film. My guilty pleasure this summer was a zombie horror flick from Norway called Dead Snow. Reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead and countless other zombie-survival films, Dead Snow was pure popcorn fun. Coming from a budget of about $2 million (which is pretty cheap these days), Dead Snow has the feel of something made for a lot more. I won’t give too much of the story away, only that it has Nazi zombies and loads of blood in the snow.

With the fall/winter film season already in swing (and Oscar season just around the corner!), it seems like this summer’s season was pretty good… except for Transformers 2.

Soderbergh’s “The Informant!” is Comedic Gold

littlelebowski21 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:24:50 +0000

There are few directors who can take such a mundane story and turn it into comedic gold. Steven Soderbergh is one of those directors. Soderbergh’s career is marked with both commercially successful movies as well as poignant art films. His latest project, The Informant, is a rich tale of deception and corn which unfolds like a suspense novel; or as Matt Damon’s character would say, “One of those Crichton books.”
The Informant follows the story of Mark Whitacre, a bio-chemist for a large corn company, the fictional ADM. As informed in the opening lines of voice-over (provided throughout the film by Whitacre), corn is a part of everyone’s daily life, which in business terms means “Corn goes in one end and money comes out the other.” However, Whitacre decides to blow the whistle on his beloved company’s illegal activities and turn informant for the FBI. Think that’s boring? Well, it’s not. Matt Damon’s performance as the lovable fool Whitacre is true comedic gold. But that’s not all… oh no, there’s more. A third of the joy of this movie comes from the smaller roles and the wonderful actors who many will recognize. Patton Oswald (stand up comedian, King of Queens cast member), Joel McHale (TV’s The Soup), Thomas F. Wilson (Biff from Back to the Future series), and even the Smothers Brothers have small but great roles which contribute quite a bit to the unfolding plot. Have I mentioned the music? Marvin Hamlisch, who’s beautiful score contributed much to the powerful Sophie’s Choice, provides just the right combination of quirky and melodic Midwest style tunes which set the tone for many scenes.

When I first saw the bright orange-yellow poster for this satirical tale, I knew it was something different. Steven Soderbergh and Matt Damon have previously worked together on the “Ocean” films (Ocean’s 11, 12, and, 13), so I knew this film was going to be something great. I left the theater feeling quite satisfied. I’ve always like Soderbergh’s films and I think this film is one of his best works (others being Traffic and Out of Sight). I found myself laughing out loud a few times and heard other people laughing at other times, so the general reception of this movie seemed positive.

Was this film worth seeing on the big screen? Well, technically all films are worth seeing on the big screen (it’s a great experience), except maybe seeing a Hannah Montana movie. I would, however, recommend that this be a rental. As much as the story was cleverly written and the jokes are spot on, this is a DVD kind of movie.

Details
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by Scott Z. Burns, adapted from the novel by Kurt Eichenwald
Cast: Matt Damon, Joel McHale, Thomas F. Wilson, Scott Bakula, the Smothers Brothers
Running Time: 108 mins
Rated: R for language.