Quarter #1 Narrative

Miranda Mishaan

My semester in pilot is based around the 3 credits Im getting; Social Studies, English,
and Art. For Social Studies I am doing a lot of essay based work and research. I have compiled
a list of essays I want to complete by the end of the year, and as its looking Im off to a really
good start. I am researching the history of films (feature length and short) by creating a google
presentation and how culture can be resented within films. In addition to researching the history
of short films, I have also written a biography on a famous filmmaker (Charlie Chaplin). For each
mini project I have created a document with research notes listed with the sources. Later in the
year, I am going to write an essay on the differences between old and new filmmakers and
another essay about my personal view on one of the essays I already wrote. For my English
credit I am trying to get 1.5 credits, so I have a lot of work to get done. I am working with some
other pilot students in a book group, we discuss the books, (the one we are reading right now is
called Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp) and we post journal writes and vocabulary on our
blog. I am also reading various books about short filmmaking and normal filmmaking, and
another book about short story writing which also includes exercises for each chapter that I do
every week. I am also writing short stories and creating a portfolio with my favorite ones, and
reflecting on one or more of my short films and the meaning of it. I plan on turning one of my
short stories into a short film, and to do so I will have to write scripts/storylines for that film. For
my last credit, Art, my project was to produce 4 short films (one every quarter), create screen
writes, and learn how to use equipment. I left the creative aspect open, because Im always
changing what I want to do and what inspires me.
I have done a lot in the first quarter, even with the task of creating learning plans and
figuring how to make the pilot a comfortable fit for me. For art, my main focus was to test the
waters and create a solid learning foundation for the rest of my films. The first week or two I
read about how to use equipment and inspiring directors. I spent all my time learning how to use
the camera I was provided, which took a good chunk of time. I spent hours alone and with my
mentor trying to use this camera to its fullest capacity. I created a one and half minute short film
this quarter, and I am really proud it. This semester, I decided to create 2 short films each
representing opposite emotions and I have completed one so far. The feeling I chose to do first
was content, and I compiled a series of short clips with different people and setting and simple
audio. From creating this project I have learned how to use video recording cameras in depth,
and how to compile clips and audio into one video. Also I discovered my creative self a bit more,
and what looks good in my eyes. Thanks to my mentor and other pilot students this quarter I
created a good building floor for the rest of my projects this year.
For English I have been doing book club readings and assignments, reading 2 books,
and written one short story. Book club has taught me a lot about myself, how to bring good
discussion to a group, and participate as much as possible. I have responsibility to read,
complete assignments, and come up with journal writes and discussion questions. Writing short
stories requires a lot of creative abilities and plot planning which I have learned a lot by writing

it. The short story I wrote is about a girl imagining what its like to be a guy falling in love with a
girl, since she has recently been heartbroken the day before. It takes place in a dream where
she is the boy who broke her heart. I didnt include any names in this story, so the story would
be more focused on the message and people could put themselves in the place of the girl or
boy. Reading and collecting vocab and doing exercises has given me inspiration for my films,
short stories and how to write them creatively. I have been able to get to this because Chris has
given me resources for this quarter and given me the creative freedom to create what I want.
Social Studies has taken up a lot of my time this quarter, since I need to log 4 hours a
week. I have completed more than half of my mini projects, which lets me know that I need to
add more to my learning plan and/or stress myself out less by over assigning myself. In addition
to that I have been branching out and doing other things to enhance my projects. For example, I
watched a famous film, and a movie that talks about early film history.I have been meeting with
Glen regularly and he has been giving me resources and feedback of the work I have created. I
have gained so much knowledge on the topics I studied and how to write essays, compose
good research, then turning that into a final project.
From the beginning of the year until now I have learned a lot about myself as an
independent learner, being that this is my first time in a program like this. The biggest thing I
learned is that I like to have everything completed by the end of the week and be able to relax
after working really hard. Creating a list of weekly goals has helped me successfully get my
work done within a time limit. I also like to build a foundation of basic information before diving
into a huge project. When I first got my camera I spent an hour trying to figure it out, then an
hour later I realized it was a touch screen. I worked with Karen (my mentor) and spent some
time exploring the possibilities I had with my camera in order to create something I proud of.
Getting inspired is something I used to struggle with, but since Ive had all this control in the pilot
I can practically create anything that I want. In addition to that, I can get overwhelmed with all
my ideas and get lazy since I am so stressed. Dealing with that, working 15 hours a week,
saving time to meet with my mentor, and balancing normal classes makes time management a
very hard task. I have always had trouble with time management, and I still have room to
improve but ever since being in the pilot this skill has been a necessity. Again, having a list of
goals for the week and having the satisfaction of completing them has helped me with getting
everything done well and on time. I wish I had more time to accomplish more reading, and
writing. I could of written another story and read more if I was better about my time
management. For the rest of the year my biggest challenge with be being proficient in this skill
in order to make my work better and have more work to show.

Bibliography
@BoysLifeClay. "What Was the First Movie Ever Made?" What Was the First Movie Ever Made?
N.p., 17 June 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2016. For history of films presentation; facts about the first film
ever made.
@PsychToday. "Your Brain on Movies." Psychology Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2016. For
history of films presentation; psychology of the brain while watching a film.
Carnes, Mark C. Past Imperfect: History According to the Movies. New York: H. Holt, 1995. Print. For
history of films presentation; basic information about famous film makers and (short) films.
"Charlie Chaplin - Official Website." Charlie Chaplin: Official Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. For
all knowledge on Charlie Chaplin
"The Idle Class (1921) Starring: Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Mack Swain - Three
Movie Buffs Review." ThreeMovieBuffs.com. N.p., 30 Aug. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. Review on a
famous film by Charlie Chaplin
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. More basic information on
Charlie Chaplins life
@HISTORYUK. "Charlie Chaplin." HISTORY. N.p., 10 Mar. 2015. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. Even
more information on Charlie Chaplin
"Films as Social and Cultural History." Films as Social and Cultural History. N.p., n.d. Web.
24 Oct. 2016. Broad information on films representing certain cultures
Http://dls-csb.academia.edu/LorAnneYaun. "How Do Movies Affect Society?"Academia.edu.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016. How films can express culture onto an individual
By Sheril Antonio | | 12 April 2010. "IIP Digital | U.S. Department of State." You Asked: Do
Hollywood Films Truly Reflect Life in America? N.p., 12 Apr. 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2016. American
culture represented in films
Lowenstein, Stephen. My First Movie: Twenty Celebrated Directors Talk about Their First
Film. New York: Pantheon, 2000. Print. Inspiration for my films and reflecting on other director's
journey.
Patmore, Chris. Movie Making Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques: The Ultimate
Guide for the Aspiring Filmmaker. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's, 2005. Print. Description of different
kinds of equipment.
K., Le Guin Ursula. Steering the Craft: A Twenty-first Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of
Story. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. One of my reading books; with exercises for each chapter.

Mamet, David. On Directing Film. New York: Viking, 1991. Print. Reading book about films
and filmmaking.