A Deliniation
I think this is a good example of a personal essay film. It has nearly all of the qualities that we covered in class. The creator uses his memory to create the video. He uses mementos from his childhood and present years, to paint a clear image for the viewer. He uses imagery that pertains to the topic. The theme of Star Wars (and film) in the author’s life is the repetitive theme throughout the short film. In the beginning, the viewer is not really sure where it is going, but all of the moments come together at the end, in one final statement that helps to sum the film (and author) up. The author began making this film to document the continuing Star Wars trilogy, but through it, began to examine himself. He took this passion and from it arrived at bigger questions about how far he has come in life, yet, how much he has stayed the same.
Personal Statement
I think that this video is a pretty good example of a personal essay film. It uses reflection, or the drawing on memories to guide it. The author talks about how his life as a musician started out and how it got him to where he was going. It uses images and sound to evoke feeling into the viewer. He used his past love for one instrument into his new passion for the guitar. At the end, he says “If you want to know about me, you have to know about my music,” again, here is the “big moment” where all of the little pieces begin to come together. The viewer finally realizes that without music, his life would mean nothing.
Stacey said,
May 12, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Hey,
It’s funny…I actually posted your first video as well. I really liked it and thought that his whole idea of making a fiml about Star Wars transformed into something bigger about his real life as a whole. I also think that this video did qualify for a personal essay as well. It had a lot of imagery, and a lot of his past experiences that he could rely on throughout. His use of memory for me was great and as you said it really kind of developed into something bigger but continued to tie back to the Star Wars theme. Your second personal essay that you posted was interesting to me to watch. The images and sound throughout were very useful and made me want to watch more. I like how you talk about the big moment at the end because there really is one where it all comes together and to know who he truly is you must know about his musi too!
Jess said,
May 13, 2008 at 3:08 am
I liked the second video more because I felt as though I could relate to it just in a different way. For him, his life revolves around music and without it, he thinks his life would mean nothing. For me, drawing is my life and if I don’t do it on a daily basis I feel lost almost. Drawing to me is theraputic just like how music is helpful to this guy.
fulwilem said,
May 13, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Amy-
Yes! These are great examples of personal essay films. Your analysis is right on–the use of details, images, moments, key objects, and the sense of a larger meaning. I’m looking forward to hearing about your search process!
Megan
vagelec625 said,
May 13, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I think the first video was a great example of a personal essay film because, as you said, it did have all the characteristics that we discussed in class. Even though this film was a little bizaare it was a great example! I liked how it started off with flashbacks of him as a child and then progressed through his adult life and then came back to the beginning. It created a nice circle that the audience could understand.
sara925 said,
May 13, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I thought your first video was interesting. I was about to turn it off cause I don’t like star wars but I kept watching it any way. I thought it was good because he started with Star Wars and ended with Star Wars. I thought that bringing his book he made then the movie were good.
I used the same video as your second one. I thought that was a good personal essay film. We both said his ending sentence in our comments. I think that was the part that tied it all together and really showed how it was a personal essay film.
See you in class… Sara
mch0601 said,
May 13, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I think your first clip is a really good example of a personal essay. It tells a story personal to the author but also something that the viewer can relate to also. I think that the memories he uses from his past make the viewer more aware of how much he loves to do this stuff, he has for so many years. This makes the viewer see this clip in a way where they know it is meaningful to the author so it has a greater impact on the viewer.