Needles Media Academy

The End of Needles Film and Media Academy

2011-12-06T06:50:00.001-08:00

I have decided to discontinue this blog and merge it with my other class blog to consolidate information, examples, and resources for students. As of January 1, 2012 all posts will be published on my new merged blog: ART ROOM 161

Creating an iPad app

2011-12-05T04:35:00.000-08:00

This This week we will be talking about how to create an iPad app so take a look at this tutorial from Computer Arts before we get started!

Photographer Research Project

2011-12-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

Here's the list of photographers which are represented in our research project in this semester's Media Art:Photography class. Each student has been assigned a photographer and should research them creating a slideshow of information with at least 10 images of their artwork.

1.Alfred Eisenstaedt
2.Alfred Stieglitz
3.Ansel Adams
4.Autumn De Wilde
5.Barbara Kruger
6.Bruce Davison
7.Chuck Close
8.Cindy Sherman
9.Danny Clinch
10.Danny Lyon
11.David LaChapelle
12.Dorthea Lange
13.Edward Weston
14.Greg Crewdson
15.Henri Cartier-Bresson
16.Herb Ritts
17.Irving Penn
18.Lauren Greenfield
19.Margaret Bourke-White
20.Marilyn Minter
21.Nadar
22.Peter Beard
23.Robert Capa
24.William Wegman
25.Yousuf Karsh

Astoria Federal Savings 2012 Teen Photo Contest

2011-11-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

This year's Astoria Federal Savings Teen Photo Contest has been announced and the theme is "Eye on Style: People, Fashion, and Trends". There are $250 cash rewards as well as a $100 cash grant that goes to the school along with an invite to the reception for winners so if you have images you'd like to submit you can get a form from Mr. Needles and fill it out before the December 19th postmark deadline. Remember fashion is everywhere so if you have friends with a unique look or images of people using fashionable technology it could all work, good luck!

Alphabet Soup

2011-11-21T10:48:00.001-08:00

This week's assignment was to "photograph the alphabet" by finding things in nature that resembled letters and editing them together (an example from class is pictured above). After the alphabet is finished add one or two additional symbols such as an astrick, exclamation point, ect. to finish out the image and add balance. Finally take the letters you created and put together an inspiring word that we'll print out and post up(an example from class is pictured below).

Photography Forum Contest

2011-11-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to the Photography Forum High School Photography Contest. The deadline is this week and there is a very reasonable five dollar entry fee per image. The magazine was the first to publish my work in the United States and is one of the leading photography magazines out there.

Our Japanese introduction

2011-11-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

This week Mr. Needles photography class spent a few minutes each day learning how to introduce themselves in Japanese in preparation for the Skype conversation with students in Tokyo, Japan about their collaborative photography project in The Japan Society's Going Global program. The students are currently speaking to students in Japan, Pakistan, and throughout the United States on a social networking platform and exchanging images of what an average day looks like in their life and then comparing and contrasting.

JR Inside Out Photography Project

2011-11-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here's the first round of images from the JR Inside Out Project from students in Mr.Needles Photography class. The images include students, teachers, and staff and are currently displayed in the Needles AP gallery in the visitor's entrance hallway.

Halloween filmmaking

2011-10-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Halloween here's a great flowchart on how to create a horror film from Gregory Ferembach for the French channel Canal+

Illustration Friday: Fuel

2011-10-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

This week the computer art classes created digital illustrations for Illustration Friday's "Fuel" theme, here are some examples.

Japan Society's Going Global Social Networking Project

2011-10-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

We have begun collaborating with students in Japan, Pakistan, and throughout the United States as part of The Japan Society's Going Global Social Networking Project. The Photography classes started in September and below are some examples of one part of the project.

Tintin morphing animation sequence

2011-10-25T08:43:00.001-07:00

The Adventures of Tintin from James Curran on Vimeo.

As we are progressing on our own short animated film I thought I would share this pretty sweet morphing animation from the title sequence of the new film Tintin.

Alaphabet animation in Media Art

2011-10-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here's an example of a finished storyboard and name credit from our alaphabet animation project that we're working on in Mr. Needles media arts classes as well as what the final animated segment looks like.

2011 Hampton's Film Festival

2011-10-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend a group of students from Mr.Needles classes and the Art Honor Society and Media Art Honor Society spent time volunteering for the 2011 Hampton's Film Festival in East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk, & Southampton. Students had an opportunity to meet and work with professionals from the film industry such as: Alec Baldwin, Steven Spielberg, & Alexander Skarsgard.

The 2011 Hamptons Film Festival

2011-10-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

Next week we will once again be volunteering at The Hamptons Film Festival on the east end and there will be some information given out on Wednesday in a joint meeting of the Art & Media Art Honor Society afterschool. If you're interested be sure to fill out the volunteer application here.
This year the festival will be showing some great films such as: The Rum Diary, The Descendants, & Jeff Who Lives At Home. Among those expected to attend the Festival are: Lauren Ambrose, David Bailey, Bob Balaban, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Barkin, Harry Belafonte, Matthew Broderick, Jay Duplass, Felicity Jones, Penelope Ann Miller, Matthew Modine, Susan Sarandon, Bobby Valentine, Rufus Wainwright, Lucy Walker, Wim Wenders, and Anton Yelchin.

Lego Animation

2011-09-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Jim-Bob's BIG Mis-Adventure from James Newman on Vimeo.

I heard from Strictly Students Film Festival alumni James Newman this week who is doing well and working on some terrific new film projects but I still have a special place in my heart for his award winning Billy Bob film he did in high school.

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year

2011-09-15T15:51:00.001-07:00

This week is the anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing and here is a moving short animation based on the event.

Anti-Bullying PSA

2011-06-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Stop Bullying Now Public Service Announcement from Rich Vernillo on Vimeo.

Here's the film from our filmmaking class that was chosen as a finalist for this years Suffolk County Youth Prevention Film series by senior Rich Vernillo. The film premiered at the Patchogue Theater and was also show on Cablevision.

Ponyo Essay

2011-05-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Now that we have finished watching Ponyo and constructed out paper cranes, our last assignment is a paper, below are the instructions:

Answer the following short essay questions in a 2 page typed, double spaced paper

1. Point out 2 of the American/Japanese cultural differences that you noticed in the film Ponyo, what was your first impression of the differences when you saw them and how would they be portrayed differently in an American version?

2. Compare and contrast the main characters of Ponyo and Sōsuke. How do their differences support the story if at all?

3. Compare and contrast the supporting characters of Ponyo’s parents Granmamare and Fujimoto along with Sōsuke’s parents Lisa and Kōichi. How are these characters symbolic? What might they say about the Japanese culture from which they came?

4. What purpose do the three older characters from the Himawari House play in the film?

A Thousand Cranes for Japan

2011-03-22T05:13:00.000-07:00

This week we are doing a project where we are going to create 1000 individual origami paper cranes (known as a Senbazuru, it’s a symbol of peace and good fortune- in Japanese lore if you make 1000 you are granted a wish) and we will photograph each one to make a large photo montage. I had the idea after looking at a photograph I took in Hiroshima of Sadako Sasaki's final crane- http://goo.gl/QOSsK when I had a chance to see her brother speak at her memorial site.

Each student will create and photograph their own crane and we will combine each of them into one larger piece which we would like to share with a school in Japan. Prints will be sold to raise funds for the Japan Society's relief fund and the montage will be delivered to a school near where the disaster occurred as a symbol of hope and support.

Mr.Needles Filmmaking 2011: The Documentary

2011-02-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

This semester we welcome a new group of film making students and we begin with our short documentary assignment. With the Academy Awards coming up at the end of the month we are currently taking a look at all of the films that are nominated for the documentary award, an eclectic group which are previewed below:

Restrepo
by: Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger

Exit Through The Gift Shop
by: Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz

Inside Job
by: Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

Gasland
by: Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic

Waste Land
by: Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

Students can watch any of the films and write a one-page review for extra credit. I've seen nearly all of them and it's a really interesting bunch of films so enjoy!

Building the Boardwalk Empire

2010-10-25T19:39:00.001-07:00

Check out this cool time-lapse footage of the creation of the set for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Media Art: Pixilation

2010-02-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new media art class! Your first assignment is to create a short 15 frame pixilation on your own by Monday 2/8 at the start of class. Following our critique you will create a longer group pixilation that is more story based and at least 1 minute long by 2/22. Above are a few more creative example to look at for inspiration.

Queen Muppets

2009-11-25T09:40:00.001-08:00

Here's a awesome short film that a former student, Kelli Krysh, sent me that her company, Soapbox Films, worked on to commemorates the anniversary of Queen front man, Freddy Mercury's death from AIDs. They shot it in 1 day using 79 muppets and 53 different setups- impressive!! It's great to see students graduate and do what they love!

Typography Animation

2009-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

This week we will be working on an animation using only typography. Each of you will create your own font and use it to create an animated 30 second film. Here are a few films for inspiration.

Kinetic Typography created by Johnny Lee

Haiku- "The Morning Paper Harbinger of good and ill I step over it"

Ratatat music video by Olivier Beaudoin

"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz" by Roel Wouters

The Graduate

2009-11-02T22:18:00.001-08:00

Write a two page critique the film The Graduate and explore its major themes. State the themes and how well you feel they were addressed in the film using examples from the film to prove your point. Make sure to answer all the additional questions below and conclude the critique with a summation of the cinematic elements and their effect in this film. This essay should be at least two and one half complete pages.

Due: Friday November 6

Character:
• How did Benjamin evolve throughout the film?
• What type of mental state is Ben in the beginning of the film?
• Why does Ben stagnate and how does it change? What is he like at the end of the film?
• What effect did his affair have on his mental state?
• Can you relate to the characters? Are they realistic?
• Was the affair a positive or negative influence on his life?
• What was his and Mrs.Robinson’s motivation for having an affair?
• What was the attraction to Elaine based on? Does he really love Elaine?

Production:
• What type of camera work did the director use in the film?
• How did the editing help tell the story and let you know how the characters were feeling?
• How does the director use darkness and shadow in this film?
• Why was sound so important in this film?
• How was the dialogue in the film different than other films we have seen so far?
• What different techniques did the director use with the actor’s dialogue?
• How well does Nichol’s use of sound vs. visuals help the film and tell the story?
• What effect did the soundtrack have on the film?

Screenwriting Hints

2009-10-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Now that you've begun to write your screenplays here's some advice from a professional screenwriter. Also here's a link to a helpful website to help you write your screenplays: Script Frenzy

Hamptons International Film Festival

2009-10-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend we will be volunteering at the Hamptons International Film Festival in East Hampton. If your application was sent in early enough you should've received a phone call but I'll post up a note tomorrow for any students who are unsure if they were accepted or not. The big film this year is the premiere of Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus which is Heath Ledger's final film which has Heath, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law all playing the same role (due to his death). Remember to dress appropriately and enjoy the films! I'll see you out there (I'm sure you can find me at Starbucks on Main Street if I'm not around).

* An update to any of my students who are waiting to hear about volunteering out there- last I heard is that they are full so if you didn't receive a phonecall there is likely no room- if you are going to head out and give it a try anyway I suggest buying some film tickets in advance so you can at least grab a seat for a film and try to make the Master Cinematography class which is free and open to the public.

Elephant Man

2009-06-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

Final Paper due June 11

In the paper you should critique the film, state and discuss what you believe the theme of the film is, and compare and contrast the characters of Dr. Treves with Mr. Bytes.

American Graffiti

2009-05-29T04:57:00.000-07:00

American Graffiti was a movie that was loaded with popular music as it followed a group of high school students hanging out (which has been endlessly copied). How did the music play a role in helping the viewer understand the film? Compare and comtrast the 4 different main characters and how their stories anchor the structure of the film.

The Graduate

2009-05-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

Write a two page critique the film The Graduate and explore its major themes. State the themes and how well you feel they were addressed in the film using examples from the film to prove your point. Make sure to answer all the additional questions below and conclude the critique with a summation of the cinematic elements and their effect in this film. This essay should be at least two and one half complete pages.

Character:
• How did Benjamin evolve throughout the film?
• What type of mental state is Ben in the beginning of the film?
• Why does Ben stagnate and how does it change? What is he like at the end of the film?
• What effect did his affair have on his mental state?
• Can you relate to the characters? Are they realistic?
• Was the affair a positive or negative influence on his life?
• What was his and Mrs.Robinson’s motivation for having an affair?
• What was the attraction to Elaine based on? Does he really love Elaine?

Production:
• What type of camera work did the director use in the film?
• How did the editing help tell the story and let you know how the characters were feeling?
• How does the director use darkness and shadow in this film?
• Why was sound so important in this film?
• How was the dialogue in the film different than other films we have seen so far?
• What different techniques did the director use with the actor’s dialogue?
• How well does Nichol’s use of sound vs. visuals help the film and tell the story?
• What effect did the soundtrack have on the film?

All About Eve

2009-05-04T18:17:00.001-07:00

Paper due: Monday 5.11.2009 (Typed, double-spaced, and fantastic)

It began as a story in Cosmo and went on to take the record for the most Academy Award nominations ever with 14, All About Eve was a phenomenon. In this paper you should critique the film All About Eve. Pay special attention to the development of the characters and the dialogue, writing, and plot. Compare the film and it's writing to the previous films along with the acting- how did it advance the medium at all? Use the information you know from class about critiquing films and discuss each of the different elements. In order to support your criticism you must site scenes from the films.

If you base any of your information on outside sources you must include a bibliography. You may also use films that you have seen previously in class to help discuss these works.

Here's a cover of "Bette Davis Eyes" by Gwyneth Paltrow from the film "Duets". (Bette was nominated for 10 Oscars in her career and won 2).

Me and Orson Welles

2009-04-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

Now that we've finished Citizen Kane I thought I'd share this film clip from the film Me and Orson Welles which comes out later this year. The film was directed by Richard Linklater who we spoke about earlier this year and stars Zac Efron as an up and coming actor that works with Welles in the early days in theater.

Citizen Kane

2009-04-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Citizen Kane sélectionné dans Cinéma et Ciné Documentaire

Citizen Kane
Due: Tuesday April 22
The paper should be two pages.

In this paper you should explore the making of Citizen Kane and how it reflects upon the film. What was your reaction to the film? Orson Wells adapted the life of William Randolf Herst and mixed it with his own to create the title character. What do you think about the character of Kane? What about the supporting characters? Critique the cinematography and technical aspects of the film- how do they support the film? What about the film was groundbreaking in cinema? Do you agree with its place in the “film canon” or do you think it’s overhyped? Use the nine different elements of film we discussed in the last project and use them to critique the film.

In order to support your criticism you must site scenes from the films. If you base any of your information on outside sources (including the internet) you must include a bibliography. You may also use films that you have seen outside of class to help discuss these works. If you have any specific questions please ask me or e-mail me at the school (tneedles@smithtown.k12.ny.us)

Orson Welles: the man, the myth, the brain

2009-04-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone learned something about William Randolf Hearst and Orson Welles this week. Here's a clip of the classic Pinky and the Brain reference to Citizen Kane (of course the Brain is based mostly on Welles). Have a great vacation!

Film History: Modern Times

2009-03-26T05:43:00.001-07:00

Modern Times- Paper (2 pages, typed, double-spaced)
Due: Tuesday March 31 2009

"I remain just one thing, and one thing only, and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plane than any politician."

In this paper you should address two major topics:
• The physical comedy of Charlie Chaplin and how it translated to different audiences
• The political and social effects and repercussions of the film.

Discuss these two topics to the best of your knowledge using the sources viewed in class as well as any outside sources you want to include. Why did Chaplin decide to use sound the way he did in the film? What is the theme of the film, and how was it shown? Why do you think Chaplin wanted to address the social themes and industry? Please do not include a great deal of plot outline, rather tackle the two topics at hand and give your comment on them in an intelligent way.

If you base any of your information on outside sources (including the internet) you must include quotes and a bibliography. The paper should be two pages, typed, and double-spaced.

Film History: The Jazz Singer

2009-03-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

"Toot, Toot, Tootsie" Al Jolson 1927

Paper due: Tuesday March 24, 2009 (2 pages, typed, double-spaced)

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain't heard nothin' yet!"

In this paper you should focus on discussing the core themes of the Jazz Singer in addition to critiquing the basic elements of the film. Please discuss the main themes of the film and give your comment on them in an intelligent way making sure to talk about the filmmaker’s choice of using blackface for the main character at times. The film was as big a technological achievement as the film was a commercial and critical success- how did you feel about the film? In modern day elements how might the film be handled? What type of performer would the main character be? Is the theme still relevant today?

If you base any of your information on outside sources (including the internet) you must include quotes and list your sources in a bibliography.

Strictly Students Film Festival Call for Entries 2009

2009-03-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

Typography Animation

2009-02-25T06:16:00.000-08:00

More student pixelations

2009-02-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more great examples of student pixelations.

Student Pixelations

2009-02-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a good example of pixelations from students.

Media Arts- Project 1: Pixelation

2009-02-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to all the incoming media art and film students! Our first assignment is a Pixilation that needs to be at least 30 seconds and it will be due Friday February 13. The final films can be handed in on disk, DVD or CD or you can post them on Youtube of Vimeo if you want. Below are some cool examples for inspiration.

This is a cool example for anyone who loves old school video games.

This is an insane example that appears to be done with cloth.

Here's the classic video by director Stephen R. Johnson for Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer. It features animation from Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay.

This is a cool video from Radiohead (you have to give them credit for always putting out interesting videos).

Welcome Back To School!

2008-09-03T12:05:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

For you after effects users, like me here is some cool info if you are looking for great tutorials.

Check out VideoCopilot and Creative Cow After effects Tutorials

Mark Apsolons Training Videos

2008-07-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,

Check out these awesome tutorials about green screen and other things such as audio etc.

It's not photoshop, but it's free.

2008-06-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

Above is link to an article on Drawn! previewing a few free webtools that you can use when you don't have your copy of photoshop around (it's good to know- believe me).

I've used Picnik, Gimp, and Splashup with some success (but they're no replacement for photoshop)

2008 Strictly Students Film Festival

2008-06-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

Congradulations to all the winners of the 2008 Strictly Students Film Festival!

The prize for Best in Show was given to Smithtown HS East's Matt Gelfman for his film Sololoquy (click the link to view)

The other major awards are listed below:

Matt Gelfman - Best Experimental Film
AJ DeSimone and Mattison Stanton - Best Feature
Christian Ceponis - Best Comedy Film
Mike Perris and Brian Romenelli - Best Animated Film
Mike McSweeny - Best Documentary Film
Matt Stopsky - Best Screenplay

Next year will be our 5th anniversary and we will be celebrating all of our past winners. Check out the other best in show award winners below:

2007- Alex Siliato: America's Ninth
The Making of America's Ninth

2006- Andrey Piotkovski: Freestyle Rollin

2005- Kelly Goeller: Alive

Micro fiction

2007-11-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

Assignment 2: Microfiction screenplay: (200 words or less)- A complete story (beginning, middle, & end). Make it interesting even though it’s short.

Here are some links to micro fiction work for inspiration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction

http://microfiction.rumble.sy2.com/

http://fs.shamuswrites.com/

Here are some great samples of student writing:

http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/gallery/2007/anthology.htm

Here are a few super short micro fiction works:

http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/

Group Photo Next Wednesday

2007-11-07T11:21:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let everyone know we are going to take our Group Photo Next Wednesday for the yearbook. See you then afterschool.

New Website

2007-10-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, Here's a link to the new Media Art Honor Society website.

Hamptons International Film Festival

2007-10-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to the information for this years Hampton's International Film Festival. The festival runs October 17-21 in East Hampton.

film festival website

volunteer contact

timeline

directions

Adobe Downloads

2007-10-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the website I mentioned that has the free trial downloads and beta versions of new Adobe software for you to try out. Check the downloads button along the top menu. I reccomend Visual Communicator and media player but there is plenty of cool stuff to try out. Have fun!

http://labs.adobe.com/

Media Art Honor Society

2007-10-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

The first meeting of the Media Art Honor Society is this week. We'll be discussing the events we'll be participating in this year and some of the Honor Society information.

Filmmaking Quarter Assignment

2007-10-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Film, Our first quarter assignment is a collaboration which reflects on the community, the school, and the issues (positive and negative) that people deal with here. The idea is to share this film with other communities and exchange final projects so that we can learn about ourselves as well as other communities.

Congradulations!

2007-06-11T11:55:00.001-07:00

Congradulations on completing the Needles filmmaking course! You have all created some terrific work so have a great summer! Also, for those of you going off to college I'd like to wish you the best of luck!

End of the year assignments

2007-05-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the final assignments for the year with the due dates:

All work due by Friday June 8:

Documentary short
Create a short film based on the pitch you wrote earlier in the year (2-5 minutes)

Comedic storyboard
Create a storyboard for your short comedic film (12 frames)

"Del Preston" comedy script
Create a short film pitch based on the Del Preston character from Wayne's World (2 paragaphs)

Comedic short
Create a short film based on the material we discussed in class(2-5 minutes)

Comedic Screenplay
Write an original 3 page screenplay based on the comedy methods we discussed in class (3 pages)

Film portfolio on CD (10 short film clips with titles)
Create a CD of all the work you have done in class

Leonard Cohen - Democracy

2007-05-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem by Leonard Cohen, a terrific writer and musician, for The United States of Poetry series. It's fairly simple but read well and the camera work heightens the pacing.

Matt Cook - The Rulers We Deserve

2007-05-23T18:13:00.001-07:00

Here's another fun video poem by Matt Cook for The United States of Poetry series. This one stands on the strength and humor of the poem itself. If you have a poem that's performed well you can find an interesting place to film it and that's it.

Billy Collins - The Dead

2007-05-23T18:04:00.001-07:00

Here's another great video poem written by Billy Collins and animated by Juan Delcan. This one is pretty terrific too.

Billy Collins - Forgetfulness

2007-05-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a cool video poem to check out from one of my favorite poets Billy Collins. The short is done really well in it's use of special effects (the poem is one you'll appreciate as you get older).

Welcome Filmmakers

2007-05-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Needles Film Academy a blog for Mr. Needles film classes (and anyone else who loves film). Currently my classes are working on short experimental films based on poetry or short stories so we'll be sharing some resources in the coming weeks.