Literacy Project Reflection

For Contemporary Literature class I am doing this project in order to get my peers interested in reading. I made this video in order to get them thinking and to get them interested in reading.



My Project

My video shows me opening a book then  magically transitioning into the wilderness and going on an adventure through the woods. In every spot, I find a book a long the way. Each time I find a book, the scene transitions into finding another book in a new cool place. I decided that this was a way to reach my peers because most of them think that reading won't do anything for them, mostly because most of the reading they have ever done has been through school and has been boring. I decided to make this video in order to get them to think reading is cool, and truly believe that reading can take them on an adventure inside their brain. This was the best way to persuade my peers because a lot of kids my age really like short films that make them think, so I though what better of an idea to make my own short film with no words just scenes and sounds in order to get people to see all the cool things that can happen if you read.

In order to help get my point across, I used some interesting media tools.  For starters, I made the pages of the book and me flipping through the book in color, while the rest of the video of me is in black and white to show that I was in the book going on an adventure through the book. As far as the editing went, I used transitions to jump from place to place in order for people to notice how well books flow if they get the right one and how it doesn't take a lot of time to go on a short adventure through your brain. As far as the sound goes, I just decided that the song fit because it is very mellow and relaxing just like reading a book

When I was choosing where to film, I thought long and hard about all the different places I could film and realized that there are so many good places to go. In combination of not being able to make up my mind and not having a drop of gas in my car, I decided to stay close to home. The main reason is that it is a very beautiful place, and it ties in with my topic of not having to be able to go far in order to take an adventure with reading.

Reflection

Overall I think that my project went very decently to say the least. I think I captured the idea of what my overall objective is, But I think if I had more time and access to transportation the overall project would have been smoother. I think that my peers will understand my video, and I personally think that it would get them to read because they will realize through my film that reading is fun and can take you different places.

Mr Penumbra Review.

In this book the main character Clay really can't catch a break. After being fired from his job he sees an opening for a job at the bookstore. He takes the job and ever since he starts working he realizes that the bookstore is a very fishy place. Throughout the book readers see Clay step by step try and figure out what is going on along the way and with the help of his friends do the unthinkable.

In the book I liked Clay and his friends because they were nerds. They were very dedicated to finishing every task they were given. Clay also found ways to get the job done in the most efficient matter. Programming, and how they elevated as the book went on. Clay and his friends do the unthinkable in this novel they do so much decoding of books and as hard as it looks they are so humble about it. Clay is humble and really shows that through his words when after he does something big on a computer he says "If this sounds impressive to you, you’re over thirty."   Over all I really like clay as a character because he is smart humble and outgoing. He works hard and has a sense of humor he is the most important character in this novel.

To add onto the theme of this book it can be brought up in a couple of different ways. Overall though the most important theme of this book is how important reading is. The book really shows that reading can be an adventure. Thought the book Clay makes hints forwards why reading is important and he really sticks with it through the entire novel where proof shows that reading is important. He shows proof on how reading is important through his words on what he thinks of books "When you read a book, the story definitely takes place in your head" and other quotes like "Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines -- it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits." With these quotes clay really shows how he feels about reading and even explains when you read it will take you places. The overall theme of this novel is reading is important and you should definitely do it because it stimulates your mind.

Throughout the book I expected a lot more from the ending. Within the book magic was very hyped up there was talk about immortality and other magic, but when it got down to the final pages of the book none of the magic ever took place. Also through the book I expected a relationship to kindle between Clay and Kat because they liked each other and spent so much time together, but once again that never happened. Overall I expected more from the book, but it was still very enjoyable to read.

Overall I would recommend that people do read this book. I think it is important that people see the importance of reading and all the cool things it can accomplish and do for you. Personally I would have enjoyed it more had it had magic and other mystical things but overall probably would read the book and would definitely recommend to a friend.

Narrators

My favorite narrator is Red from the Shaw-shank Redemption. In the movie Red is a man who everyone knows in the prison he has been there fore a while and knows all the tricks. Throughout the movie Red becomes friends with the main character Andy Dufresne. Andy was convicted of the murder of his wife, but Red doesn't think that Andy did it. As the movie goes on red and Andy become good friends. Red talks about what the inside is like, how after a while inside you get used to it and it is not that bad, sometimes you don't want to leave.

Red is my favorite because he speaks the truth throughout the movie. He has a very optimistic mind and looks at all people in a different way.  He treats everyone within the prison like they are worth something even though everyone that is in there doesn't feel like they are worth anything.  He makes the people who first come to the prison make them feel like they belong. He also has some very different outlooks on prison he feels that everyone is innocent and really looks at life in a different way.

I have chosen the video option for myself because I have a good camera and I think my cinematography skills are up to par. This is great way to get boys to read because I will make the video funny and really entourage people to read.  The video will be kind of like an commercial with a lot of examples of what reading can do for you. The video will be of me doing a lot of things that you will turn into if you do not keep your mind in shape by reading. The type of information that I  would include is what reading will do for you. Also I would include things that would happen if you don't read.  like making you fat and lazy. there will be a black and white color scheme when you ont read and a colorful one when you do read because reading brings your life.