Alriight-- the first day of class at AAU wasn't bad.. wasn't bad at all.
I can't complain about starting off my first class of the week at 3:30 in the afternoon. Photo storyboarding and Super 8mm filmmaking-- so far it's looking as sweet as it sounds. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were only 15 to 17 students in the class. It's definitely different than sitting in a lecture hall with 30 plus students. It's great. There is no doubt in my mind now that AAU really is more of a hands-on learning environment compared to other film schools. Getting pretty anxious about checking out the Nikkon FM10 35mm SLR, and Kinoflex Super8mm from the equipment facility... (what is all that???)
Since the campus is pretty much a part of the city, getting to your class can get pretty hectic. As exciting as the life can be over here, I really do hope that these traffic conditions won't put any of my tuition to waste!
Speaking of tuition... and well, the enrollment of all the students here, I've been hearing a lot of interesting comments about the massive drop out rate of this school. I believe there was one year with a 60% freshmen drop out rate. This certainly questions my passion for motion pictures and television.
From what I've gradually seen from the beginning, the school isn't ordinary. And it's definitely not going to be an ordinary college experience.
To be honest with you, I can't imagine myself in a better place.
Christopher Nolan shares his memories of Heath Ledger on Newsweek. It really is a wonderful tribute to the young actor. Check it out at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/105580
After reading Nolan's reflections, I can't help but appreciate the strong connection he builds between himself and his production team. It really is what filmmaking is all about-- a responsibility of understanding and appreciating the people you work with. I don't see how filmmaking is possible without it.
I hope the life and extraordinary work of Heath Ledger will always continue to live as a great inspiration to the entertainment community.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
MPT
I'm here! Successfully transfered over to the Academy of Art University.
I checked out my dorm building on Saturday with my sister, and we were absolutely blown away by the looks of the whole facility. Apparently, I received the biggest room on the floor, which was very unexpected. It's almost twice the size of any other dorm room on the floor. We checked out the kitchen, and got to talk to one of the cooks over there. The man was very friendly, and told us a lot about how the kitchen works. I was glad to hear that their business with the students in there is personal.
Moved in Tuesday, and got to meet my roommate, Justin. I guess I was expecting somewhat of an uncomfortable roommate experience, but I this was a nice surprise. He's a cool guy. Completely down to earth and chill. During these past couple of days, I think we got to know each other pretty well.
Got to meet a lot of other people from all over the world-- and I'm feeling pretty good with the people I've become close with already.
The motion pictures and television department orientation was pretty interesting. It's a real comfort to find out how serious this school is about teaching their majors. I really do feel like this was the place I was looking for, or was really brought to. What's gonna sound even cornier is that I'm pretty proud of where this university is on an academic level-- it's really been getting bigger lately, and I'm happy to know that I'm going to be someone a part of this growing experience.
Enough talk about this place-- I might be venting a lot about it later on, heh.
The filming for the project that I've been working on is done. Nick, Allen, and I shot the final scene of the film this past Monday. The performances that Nick and Allen gave were incredible. In fact, it was almost too frightening for me to watch. I'm really grateful for the time and energy that they've put into this project, and I hope to work with them again in the future.
I'm anxious to start editing the project, but I know I'm not gonna be finished with it anytime soon. Hopefully I'll have enough time to work on it throughout my first semester.
I checked out my dorm building on Saturday with my sister, and we were absolutely blown away by the looks of the whole facility. Apparently, I received the biggest room on the floor, which was very unexpected. It's almost twice the size of any other dorm room on the floor. We checked out the kitchen, and got to talk to one of the cooks over there. The man was very friendly, and told us a lot about how the kitchen works. I was glad to hear that their business with the students in there is personal.
Moved in Tuesday, and got to meet my roommate, Justin. I guess I was expecting somewhat of an uncomfortable roommate experience, but I this was a nice surprise. He's a cool guy. Completely down to earth and chill. During these past couple of days, I think we got to know each other pretty well.
Got to meet a lot of other people from all over the world-- and I'm feeling pretty good with the people I've become close with already.
The motion pictures and television department orientation was pretty interesting. It's a real comfort to find out how serious this school is about teaching their majors. I really do feel like this was the place I was looking for, or was really brought to. What's gonna sound even cornier is that I'm pretty proud of where this university is on an academic level-- it's really been getting bigger lately, and I'm happy to know that I'm going to be someone a part of this growing experience.
Enough talk about this place-- I might be venting a lot about it later on, heh.
The filming for the project that I've been working on is done. Nick, Allen, and I shot the final scene of the film this past Monday. The performances that Nick and Allen gave were incredible. In fact, it was almost too frightening for me to watch. I'm really grateful for the time and energy that they've put into this project, and I hope to work with them again in the future.
I'm anxious to start editing the project, but I know I'm not gonna be finished with it anytime soon. Hopefully I'll have enough time to work on it throughout my first semester.
Friday, January 11, 2008
First thing's first
I've been thinking about what I've done throughout these past three years-- how I've lived. What I've accomplished, and failed to get done. The black and white choices I've made. The relationships I've begun, kept, and ended. New experiences. Trials. Times of joy, and sorrow. How much I've changed since a month from today.
Three years.. I think if you were to ask me how I was doing about two years ago, I would of told you that my life was feeling pretty aimless. I would of told you that although I knew of God's plan for me and everyone else, I never really understood what that meant for me.
It hit me pretty hard when I realized why I didn't have to feel aimless. It hit me harder when I realized that I'm not in control of who I'm suppose to be. I was always trying to impress myself.
For the first time in my life, I'm overwhelmed to see how all of this comes to make sense. I understand now what God meant when he told me three years ago that things were going to be a certain way for me. I understand now that my trials of success will be irrelevant to the way I live. And I understand now that there will always be an infinite truth to forever pursue.
Three years.. I think if you were to ask me how I was doing about two years ago, I would of told you that my life was feeling pretty aimless. I would of told you that although I knew of God's plan for me and everyone else, I never really understood what that meant for me.
It hit me pretty hard when I realized why I didn't have to feel aimless. It hit me harder when I realized that I'm not in control of who I'm suppose to be. I was always trying to impress myself.
For the first time in my life, I'm overwhelmed to see how all of this comes to make sense. I understand now what God meant when he told me three years ago that things were going to be a certain way for me. I understand now that my trials of success will be irrelevant to the way I live. And I understand now that there will always be an infinite truth to forever pursue.
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