Panel(s)

Panel: Narrative generation in a virtual world
Collaborators: Katherine Hale and Michael Young

Michael Young, a designer from NC state, begins his presentation by describing his work in the field of gaming. Already he has written a program capable of creating short sentences. Though it is not yet possible for the program to write an actual story, Young believes that he is getting very close. His goal is to create a machine that can actually react to gamer’s moves and create an original storyline catering to that specific player’s strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. (say goodbye to cheat manuals) At the demonstration, Young revealed to the audience a series of short sentences all connecting to one primary theme. This demonstration reveals that it is in fact possible for a machine to match separate but common originally created ideas together. It should also be noted that unlike a childhood game of “Mad Libs” where nearly ever verb, adjective, and noun is placed randomly into a vacant blank, the sentences created by Young’s program are genuinely original, created without a template, and contain perfectly descriptive adjectives. These words fit together into the sentence as if a talented writer had written them in the traditional way.
Understanding that this would be an amazing experience for avid gamers, Young seemed single mindedly interested in the gaming market and made very little mention of his technology seeping out into the world of literature. Regardless, the possibility exists, and once technology is available, it is impossible to hide for long. Young notes the ability to create a machine that can “learn” as his ultimate creative goal, and a necessity in any machine that will ever be able to write an original storyline. The idea of a machine that can learn conjures up images from movies across the decades (Bicentennial man, iRobot, and the Terminator series) that warn against creating technology that could potentially grow to exceed the control of man. Though this cultural taboo can be easily dismissed as paranoia or technophobia, fear of technology, one must ask themselves, will I be replaced? What will happen to the human art once machines prove the ability to create superior products that can be bought for a lesser price?


Unfortunately I was not able to attend the question and answer session that followed the event, however, I feel confident that there would have been many logistical questions such as :. who will get credit for the first book ever written by a machine? Certainly the machine cannot be credited, so perhaps the inventor of the machine?

Perhaps the most antagonizing question that stuck into the minds of the viewers, at least for me, would have to be relating to the gap that technology creates between the artist and his or her finished product. Nobody wants to be replaced. So how far can technology go without interfering in the well-being of people?





Panel: Storytelling in multimedia
Collaborators: Patrick Davison and Laura Ruel


In journalism today, professionals must be proficient in all realms of multimedia. Gone are the distinct lines between photo journalism, reporting, and multimedia, and being welcomed in is a new form of super journalist, capable of producing a versatile product with minimal team members. When the age of internet tapped into the world of news and journalism, educators knew that they had to readjust their methods of teaching to incorporate this new technology. Originally, the idea was to continue teaching in specialized areas as before (photojournalism, reporting and writing, and broadcasting) however, because of the interconnected nature of the internet, this option failed. Next was the introduction of “backpack journalists.” These people were trained in every aspect of journalism. They could write, take photographs, interact with professionals through broadcasting, and even combine all of those factors into a website. Upon first hearing this strategy, it seemed perfect, but as the speakers continued, it was soon clear that this technique was also problematic. The journalist’s education was being spread too thin so that instead of creating super journalists, they were sending fourth journalists who essentially were not great, or even qualified in any field. Finally, after much struggle and hard work, a solution was reached: Journalists should specialize in a single area, but all students should receive training in the area of multimedia technology.
The two collaborators, being from the nationally renowned journalism school here at UNC, chose to bring with them a cross section of much of the journalism work done by their own students to use as demonstration materials. Davison and Ruel provided insight into the challenges both alleviated and fueled by the addition of web to the journalism scene. On the positive aspects, Ruel shares the different ways that the internet has made it easier to connect visual with written pieces. In a recent project, students were taken to the Galapagos islands and sent out to find their own unique stories. Paired up in writer-photojournalism pairs, they scoured the island in search of new stories. Upon their return home, the videos were spliced up and put together on an interactive website of truly professional grade.
However, the internet has not been completely friendly to up and coming journalists. Ruel describes the trouble that many students have getting their work out into the world and in a location where it can be read and easily found. “There’s just so much material out there, it’s difficult to find a niche for their work.” Along with access, Davison commented on the price of web space, equipment, and various other costs associated with creating multimedia. The Galapagos project was estimated to have a cost of nearly $500,000 (much more than the typical submission of a newspaper article)

I believe that if you're good enough at something you love, someone will pay you to do it.

In every child’s life there comes a time when they will be asked to stand in front of the class and make that big announcement: “When I grow up, I want to be…..” The first time a child actually says it, usually in Kindergarten, parents and other adults smile and cheer them on. However, the older the child gets, the less encouragement they receive for careers that take them off the beaten path. But, why should unusual ambitions have to be abandoned and replaced by traditional beliefs? Are those who forge their own way not praised above all others? It is my belief that if you are good enough at something you love, someone will pay you to do it.
World-renowned director, producer, and writer, James Cameron (known for his work on the blockbuster hits Terminator, Titanic, and the newly released Avatar) was once asked, "What's the best advice to someone who wants to be a director?" To this he responded, "Be a director."
Cameron knew instantly that the art of storytelling combined with the technological beauty of cinema, was the business for him, But that was not enough to gain him the support of his father who eagerly awaited the day when Cameron would continue his families line of engineers. However, three Oscar awards and countless film festival honors later, Cameron is able to face his father and be proud of the work he accomplished on a road that required much skill and planning.
When Cameron was asked why he succeeded when other did not, He answered, “Perhaps they made that leap of faith and either made it at the wrong time or never had the skill to back it up.” Aggressiveness and the ability to spot an opportunity are undoubtedly traits to which Cameron could credit much of his success. He is a living monument to the idea that all those who are willing to work hard and perfect their trade will be able to find a market for their skills. That market may not be Hollywood or the Louvre, but somewhere, it exists.
Some say that in order to be successful you must be good at something useful. But what is the definition of success? Although my argument appears to ignore the economically challenging times and the monetary value of a secure career, I must insist: What is a society without new discovery? Even the politically charged and overly militaristic civilization of ancient Rome welcomed art and exploration. (Granted, they stole it from the Greeks, but they still valued it tremendously.) Doing what you love on any level is the definition of success. Choosing a career just beyond the bright red safety tape is risky. Challenges will await an explorer around every bend, but to give up a dream that you are willing to work for is to succumb to the fatiguing regret of having to live with a chance missed.

a little one-sided...

The United States is suffering from a plague of superficiality. As a society, Americans are content with the idea that everything is exactly as it appears. Our culture has evolved in a way that allows us to focus exclusively on a finished product without any consideration as to how it was made or who put it together (ex. Where does orange juice come from? The grocery store?). In the niche of high profile films, moviegoers glorify talentless Actors, who must be fed their lines by off-screen prompters, and then completely overlook the directors, producers, and countless others who keep the entire production from falling apart. My name is Lindsay Pope, and I am batting in the minor leagues of counterculture. Against the grain, I believe that true beauty lies within the depths of one’s soul and no amount of money or make up can cover an ugly spirit. I apply this idea to modern cinema; Even an A list cast cannot save a movie that is inadequately written or poorly directed. Contrastingly, an innovative script and intelligent directing can make a blockbuster hit out of an Indie film with “no name” actors (ex. Slum Dog Millionaire). This blog is being created in the name of justice and is hereby devoted to redistributing the limelight away from the superficial aspects of film and onto the multi-dimensional traits of the characters behind the big screen.

This is what my profile looks like when I'm being honest about my limited knowledge

The first movie I can remember seeing in the theatre was the mighty one of a kind, best selling film of all time, Titanic. I was seven years old and completely enthralled in what I now know to be the creative genius of James Cameron. My name is Lindsay Pope and I am not a director by any means. I am merely a baby college student completely awestruck with appreciation for great filmmaking. My weekends consist of enjoying as many movies as I can realistically, or unrealistically, squeeze into my Friday and Saturday nights. I am currently enrolled in a film class at UNC Chapel Hill and though it is completely kicking my tail, it is changing my view of modern blockbuster Hollywood and heightening my appreciation for classical cinema. It is my belief, now more than ever, that in order to truly appreciate any art form, you must be knowledgeable of its beginnings for the only way to tell how far something has evolved is to know where it began. The goal of my blog is hopefully to watch my own understanding of film mature and to channel my newly found and newly appreciated knowledge into a productive and interesting blog.

This is what my profile looks like when I'm trying to impress others with my film knowledge

In the early 20th century, film made a gigantic leap from a purely scientific and technological existence to become the latest greatest form of artistic creation. Directors replaced scientists in the roles of creating and distributing films and gave rise to the era of the modern cinema. My name is Lindsay Pope and I have never directed, produced, acted in, creatively designed, or written a movie, but I have loved movies with my whole heart since the very first one I ever remember seeing(Forrest Gump). I am a performer by nature; having been a dancer since I was three, but I have only recently had my eyes opened to the beauty of what happens off-screen. While sitting in my film class I stumbled upon this quote: “A director is someone who is asked questions about everything.” I have tremendous respect for the work of the writers, actors, producers, but above all, the directors who make cinema happen. It is my desire to escort my readers past the simplicity of viewing a movie on the big screen, and introduce them to the individual aspects that go into film creation.

The Movie Whore

http://themoviewhore.com/

"Mine is a life wasted on, I mean devoted to film."

Written by creative consultant, co-writer, and producer, Jim Carter, "The movie whore" covers a wide range of film topics. Though his focus is film analysis, he refuses to limit himself, ocassionally including subjects such as lighting and the importance of watching a film with a good audience.
Carter begins his analysis with a quick overview of the films plot, which keeps all readers up to date even if they have not seen the movie. His writing persona is of a man who genuinely loves movies and is able to extract good elements from even the worst B-flick action movie. His criticism is subtle, but rich with substance and understanding. I love that Carter is enough of an authority on his topics that he does not feel the need, like so many other bloggers do, to be violently opinionated or harsh in his reviews; instead, he casually points out high and low points, always leaving the option for his readers form their own opinions.
Carter’s strongest quality is his ability to connect with his readers. In his most recent blog, Carter offered readers the chance to post questions they would like to have answered by an actor or director, promising to post the answers to some of these questions upon his return from L.A. this coming weekend.

The Film Experience

http://filmexperience.blogspot.com/


"The general public doesn't go to the movies to see movies but to be a part of pop culture" Nathaniel Roger uses his blog to express frustration with the direction that pop culture has forced onto cinema. The writing persona that emerges is of a man who is brazen and unforgiving in his analysis of Hollywood and its most prominent characters. Being a freelance writer he is self described as "up to his knees in deadlines" and possibly uses his blog as an emotional outlet. The feeling a reader gets when reading his blog is similar to the feelings one may get while watching a talk show or listening to a radio show in the morning; you either like it, or you don't. The fact that he is an American movie goer is something that he feels gives him the right to have an opinion. furthermore, from the depth of his analysis, his readers may believe that he is well informed and more of an authority than he actually is. They also may feel that he is as critical of the industry as the industry should be of itself, in regards to remaining an art form, and not a product of popular culture.