ADAM L. BRACKIN, PH.D ON THE WEB
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WK 5: Story Element - Plot!

9/25/2013

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Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events in a story. Knowing this, it becomes relatively easy to visualize these events. A popular method is to use y/x where y=dramatic tension and x=time. It would be impossible to cover every visualization in one session, but by understanding the fundamental elements underlying the visual vocabulary of plot visualization we can very quickly develop our own.

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WK 4: Depth of Context and Epic

9/18/2013

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(Case Study: Star Wars)

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Discussed the Four types of Depth of Context:
Historical/Cultural - World Building - Extended Universe - Existing Universe

"Star Wars" was our case study.

Be sure your D4/D5 writing journal is current for next time (cough, cough!) and finish out Red Letter Media's Star Wars reviews if you have the time (and the stomach). D1 is due in two weeks! The assignment sheet is in the Week 0. Post below if you have misplaced your hard copy.

Need something fresh to discuss in context? How about MST3K/Rifftrax or The Animatrix.

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WK 3: Story Element - Character

9/11/2013

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Shifting gears from story models to story elements as we will do every other week (mostly), here is "Element Presentation: Character" for you to discuss here. want more Dog River? Check out cornergas.com

ChArAcTeR on Prezi
Also if you desire some reinforcement, here is Holt Rineheart and Winston Publishers' "How to make a Character" ppt for aspiring writers that can be downloaded HERE for those of you needing some leveling, concept reinforcement, and examples of the modalities of character building. It has a clever little interactive element that I like.

Someone asked me once why the D1 is so "short and easy". Here's an interesting article for you to read about "Teaching to the TEXT" that will clear it up: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/opinion/20selsberg.html?_r=2

A heads up: Pitch your D3 idea to me via email when you have it even if we have talked about it, so we can begin conversing about the details of your plan. This "pitch" is not technically due for a few weeks, but start now and you won't regret it!
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WK 2: Story Model - Monomyth

9/4/2013

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EDIT: Here is the information about Kal Bashir's monomyth work that we briefly looked at. I recommend you all spend some time on his very informative (if slightly hard to navigate) website - and if really interested in going all in be sure to subscribe to his daily email! http://www.kalbashir.com/

Below is the main monomyth video similar to the first part of the one watched in class, but with more information and a very clear summary of the theory as he has updated it for modern storytelling. Great stuff!
Discussed the work of Aarne-Thompson and Propp and their various Folk-tale classification systems. Check them out here:
http://oaks.nvg.org/folktale-types.html - a very good summary and catalogue of the ATU system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Propp - the wikipedia summary of the Propp Formalist approach.
AND FOR FUN:

- very cool Proppian "fairy tale generator" card game! (D3 anyone?) http://www.atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG1001.php
- An interesting twist you may watch - unlike LOST where (some claimed) the flashbacks were tedious and contrived "characterization", these flashbacks are like a delicious family reunion of the characters you grew up loving and hating. http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time

We finished up Fantasy and talked in depth about the hero's journey concept and what it means. Focus on Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces" and case study was "Lord of the Rings."


Campbell Monomyth on Prezi
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