DTE End-of-Year Project

In our DTE class, we were tasked to make something out of the things we've learned throughout the year. We were to use our knowledge in robotics and coding to make our project. We could do it on our own or with other people, so Kade, Noel and I worked on a pick-a-path story using Python code. I wrote the story, while Noel did the coding and Kade beta-tested the game.

For our pick-a-path, we used Coggle as our planning board. I used the branching arrows to write how the stories would progress. For my brilliant idea, we decided to give the operator four choices to pick which story that they would want:
- A horror themed story
- A story about the Medieval times
- A story during the future
- A story set in the present
(The horror story was written first, the story for the Present branch was the last to be finished.)

While Noel was starting on the coding and playing around with Python, I wrote the entire storyline for all four paths. Noel had a hard time writing the code because he was still particularly new to Python at the time while I had trouble coming up with ideas for the stories and how they were gonna go. Kade didn't join the project until much later because he hadn't shown up for a few weeks.

Out of all the storylines, the horror story had the least deaths of an absolute 0 and the hardest to write was the "Present" story. The most deaths in any of the stories were 2.

While Noel was getting Kade to test the current state of the pick-a-path, he answered with redundant and asinine answers that broke the code just for laughs, causing Noel a great deal of frustration.

Eventually, we finished the project a week before the day we presented our project. We got our chance to muck around and do whatever during that time period, where Kade and Noel presented our work and I was in another class.

For my reflection, I feel like I should have done somethings different in my thoughts, words and actions. I feel like I could've created more compelling stories, and I hope that we believe that we could've done much better. 

SEXXXY Paragraphs - Hunger Games

In the acclaimed feature "The Hunger Games" carefully directed by Gary Ross, film techniques are used effectively throughout the picture. The key techniques like music, angles/shots, lighting and others are shown and deployed well around its critical aspects.

Paragraph 1 - The Reaping

In the movie “The Hunger Games” directed by Gary Ross, a scene is in District 12 where the tributes are being chosen for the games.

In the Hunger Games, the lack of music when Primrose is being reaped as a volunteer for the Hunger Games, and Katniss' intervention with the decision is impacted dramatically. For instance, music doesn't appear until the end of the scene, making this an effective scene and another establishing moment for Katniss. This shows that she is willing to sacrifice her personal safety for the better of those she cares about. The purpose of this was to present a decision that was going to forever impact her life and the lives of those around her. The combination of an extreme long-shot and a low angle causes her to seem powerless, forcing her to make a snap decision lest her sister be sent to certain death. Likewise, this reminds me of the ending scene, where at that time, she holds power over the authorities of the Capitol.

These parts of the story hold quite well in tandem with each other, and the techniques used make it a powerful scene, especially with Katniss’ decision.

Paragraph 2 - Shooting the Apple

Next in the movie, after Katniss and Peeta are chosen, they are brought directly to the Capitol. Many moments after they arrive, Katniss is tested for her archery and skills. At this moment, angles and diegetic music are used to substantial effect. The lack of music makes it seem uninteresting, almost completely normal and bland as if we were looking through the perspectives of the committee. The angles on top make Katniss seem small and insignificant; worthless to the point of being undeserving of their attention. It shows that the committee is completely apathetic to her situation and skillset. This causes Katniss to shoot an apple in a roasted pig’s mouth to merely obtain their collective attention. The director executed this to showcase that Katniss is not joking and is also not unworthy of nothing, and to show the authorities of the Capitol do not care for their struggles. Combined with the medium shots and close-up angles and shots make this very effective, as we perceive the emotions of shock and surprise from the committee and Katniss’ validation. These aspects can be juxtaposed to the reaping back at District 12, where she turns the tides with the voluntary volunteer of worry, and one out of impulse and frustration.

Katniss’ frustration and the apathy of the citizens of the Capitol are shown wondrously, and the techniques here make it very impactful to the audience’s perspective on the Capitol.

Paragraph 3 - Rue’s Death

After the training scene, the tributes of 13 districts are then sent to the arena, where they gradually get killed off.

During the Hunger Games, Rue is killed, leaving Katniss in severe grief and mourning. In that scene, angles and shots, music and symbolism are used efficiently at this moment. For example, the music is gentle and subtle, minor, and eventually swells up after she is delivered the closest equivalent of a burial in the arena. And also pictured above is a wide shot, showing the solemnity of Katniss’ sadness and the loneliness in the arena. This helps us acknowledge that the Hunger Games, while glorious and a testament to some, are horrific places full of death and anguish to others. This was created to show a moment of humanity amidst the darkness and gore of the movie’s thesis. Coinciding with this was the symbolism of white flowers placed on Rue’s body, representing her innocence and purity, and the lullaby that Katniss sings to her before she passes, reminding us that though she is forced to win a dangerous game, she was, nevertheless, a child. This is contrasted by the initial moments in the film back at District 12, where Katniss sings to her younger sister, Primrose.

All of these techniques develop the scene to be a depressing moment, including with what happens after she is buried.

Paragraph 4 - The Three-Finger Salute

The three-finger salute recurs in the movie with its prominent symbolism.

It is first seen in District 12 when Katniss volunteers, and once again when Rue is buried after her death, and Katniss performs it to a camera, prompting a similar response from the citizens of District 11 and indirectly causing a riot. This helps the audience understand the salute acquires a significant meaning behind it, symbolizing a power shift; rebellion, pride and liberation. It is also demonstrated as a recognition of respect for those who have done something honorable and admirable. The purpose of this was to show us that despite their problems and situation, they nevertheless maintain a considerable amount of hope for more fortunate days. Coinciding with this was its effect on both scenarios when it was displayed, showing the ways that the salute is used; in honor, respect and rebellion. This aspect is similar to the previous instance from when the salute was first seen, although the reactions and the situations were different.

The reactions of the people of District 11 are understood by the audience because one of theirs, especially a child, had recently been killed. Following their rebellion and forced shutdown cause this to be a very passionate scene.

All the way through the flick, multiple movie methods are used effectively to present emotions, exhibit the mood of a scene and invoke our responses. Among the prominent techniques would be music, lighting and shots and angles. Of the three methods presented, the most important would represent music because of its use in certain scenes. Often, it is quiet and insignificant in most scenes. But when truly emotional and tense moments come up, it becomes noticeable. The mood becomes triumphant or depressing, and this is operated to substantial effect. The Hunger Games utilizes these techniques astoundingly and its music and volume make up a significant part of it. 

Hunger Games - Movie Scenes

Shooting the Apple - Hope and Rebellion

Techniques:

   - Music 

   - Lighting/Colour

   - Angles/Shots/Movement

   - Costume

Music:

   - Diagetic sound

Colour:

   - Katniss - dark, dim, artificial - grey, black, blue - matches peers

   - Senica Crane - vibrant, bright - colour variety - more privileged/individuals

Costume:

   - Katniss - training suit, tributes all look the same

   - Capitol - individuals - all different, over the top, extravagant

Angles/Shots/Movement:

   - Close-Up - to see their reactions, Katniss - pensive, shocked

   - High Angle - once Katniss shoots the apple, makes her look weak and vulnerable

Atmosphere - tension, Katniss comes out as stand out, someone to watch out for.

Change of Rules - Struggle for Power

Techniques:

   - Music 

   - Lighting/Colour

   - Angles/Shots/Movement

   - Costume

Music:

   - Minor, slow, dramatic - building tension, emotional intensity as music gets louder

Lighting/Colour:

   - bright, natural, warm - green, black, greys, shadowed - rising of the sun; new day, new victor

Costumes: not important

Angles/Shots/Movement: 

   - High Angle - Senica has power because of the camera placement, but the dialogue contradicts it. "Stop! Stop!"

   - Close-ups - emphasise emotions - defiance, stubborn, obstinant - Struggle for Power

     - Katniss won't let them have a victor.
     - Peeta won't let them change him.

Atmosphere: 

   - happy because Katniss and Peeta took back control, if they died, then they died on their own terms;               didn't lose their humanity.

Aspect = Technique

   Techniques - camera shots/angles/movement, colour/lighting, costume, music, atmosphere, dialogue, symbols, props

SEXXY Paragraphs Example:

In the film 'The Hunger Games' directed by Gary Ross, techniques are used to engage the viewer and tell the story. In the scene 'Shooting the Apple', film aspects such as music, angles and shots, colour and atmosphere are impactful in creating the mood and atmosphere. 

The Treaty of the Warsaw Pact

 

Our Volcano

 Volcano: Olympus Mons

Location: Mars
Largest and tallest mountain in the Solar System
Last erupted: 25 million years ago
Volcano type: Shield volcano 

Current status: Extinct

Height: 25 km (16 mi)

Diameter: 624 km (374 mi)

The youngest large volcano on Mars, located near the western hemisphere of Mars, Olympus Mons is the largest and tallest mountain/volcano in the Solar System. From an aerial view of Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter, it is taller than Mount Everest, and can fit in both France and Poland if on Earth.

Recipe for explosion: youtube.com/watch?v=vVven2CPaaw

Summary:
- hydrogen peroxide (highest concentration possible)

- potassium permanganate

SEXXXY Paragraph

 Scene - "They Don't Own Me"

Brainstorm - Angles/Movement/Shots
                   - Music - Diapetic Sound
                   - Lighting/Colour
                   - Settings
                   - Costumes + Make-Up
                   - Character/(Dialogue)
Theme - Rich vs Poor, Hope & Rebellion, Struggle for Power

What happened - Peeta & Katniss are having a conversation about how the games might affect them.

Shots: Over the Shoulder - shows speaker, puts us in the listeners' POV, makes us part of the conversation
           Close Ups - shows the emotions of the two - nervous and anxious, mostly for Peeta
Lighting: mood, sad, gloomy
Colour: greys, darks, blacks, dim lighting, works with CU to highlight emotions on faces or facial features
Dialogue: "I don't want them to change me."
                 "I don't wanna be another piece in their game."
                 "If I'm gonna die, I still wanna be me."
Atmosphere: foreboding, hesitant, nervous, reluctant 

In the scene "They Don't Own Me", dialogue is used to create a foreboding atmosphere. Katniss and Peeta are having a conversation about how the upcoming games might affect them. This is demonstrated by the quotes "I don't want them to change me." and "If I'm gonna die, I still wanna be me." spoken by Peeta. These show that Peeta has a sense that he is going to have to do things that he doesn't want to have to do, like kill others. This makes the audience feel sorry for Peeta because he is likely going to die or to kill others to stay alive. The director did this to make us believe Peeta will die early and that being a tribute isn't something to celebrate, but a loss of personal autonomy. This worked well with the dark colours of blacks and greys which add to the foreboding atmosphere. This aspect can be contrasted to when Peeta joins the Career Pack once in the games, because they are cold hearted killers which is What Peeta didn't want to be.

The Hunger Games - Music

Tempo - speed of the music - fast/slow/moderate

Dynamic - volume - how loud or quiet it is

Key - Major - happy sound, Minor - sad sound

Rue's Death 

Music - minor

   Atmosphere: heartbroken, calm, mournful, feels depressing

   Tempo: Slow, progresses to moderate

   Dynamic: Quiet, swells up with pride

What happened - Rue is killed, Katniss tries to give her body the closest to a burial that she can.

Colour/Lighting - white flowers, natural lighting, greens

   Symbolism - white flowers: innocent and pure, has not killed anyone, compassionate, a victim

Shots/Angles - medium close-ups - Rue and Katniss - to see their emotions + facial expressions; anguish

                      - high angle - weak and vulnerable - Rue is an innocent and blameless victim

Effect on Viewer - atmosphere of remorse/intense sadness, a feeling of sorrow, as the volume increases, it begins to build intensity of their emotions - we see emotions are contagious - hope

Director's Purpose - So that Katniss' emotions of anger and anguish could be reflected and shared with us at that moment - remorse, anger, helplessness, acceptance, rebellion - a symbol of the 3-finger salute as a sign of defiance and anger toward the gamemakers. You will take my humantiy, also a symbol of unification with those who have lost loved ones to the games.

Music is used to create an atmosphere of sorrow and remorse in Rue's death scene. In this scene, we see Katniss dealing with the slaughter of her young friend Rue. For example, the tempo is slow, the dynamics are quiet, and the key is minor to reflect the emotional rollercoaster that Katniss is feeling. Like the music, Katniss moves slowly and methodically to cover Rue's body in white flowers. As she finishes, the music builds in volume, showing the building intensity of her anger and grief towards the Capitol. This makes us understand the pain experienced by the families of the tributes when they are killed each year. This was done to enable the viewer to feel the character's emotions. This worked well with the use of white flowers to symbolise Rue's innocence & purity and the high angle shot, making her weak and vulnerable. Combined with the music, we are shown that Rue is a victim of the cruelty of the Capitol.