Media Reflection

    Since I have been in this class, I have started to pay more attention to the smaller details in movies, keeping in mind that almost everything you see in a scene was placed there intentionally. For example, I recently rewatched the stop-motion Coraline, since I am reading the book, and besides the obvious, I have noticed more subtle references to it in the background. Additionally, I have been noticing more patterns and elements that movies share just because of genre, which I feel like makes them seem dull at times. It has lately been difficult for me to find films that do not meet most if not all conventions and completely subvert my expectations. I have also been challenging myself to find films that are difficult to interpret, or do not have a clear narrative, since being introduced to experimental films. While I was quite perplexed by the one we watched in class, I am intrigued by the concept, and would like to find another one (that has more content to decipher at least). 

    I do not typically watch movies very often, just because it tends to be difficult for me to concentrate on the same thing for 2-3 hours. If I am going to watch anything, it will either be a film I am already familiar with, a TV show on Netflix, or the occasional video on YouTube. However, it has been a while since I have watched anything that has genuinely interested me. I have used media for inspiration in the past. I used to write short stories based off of horror movies I watched when I was younger. Now, I mainly just watch for leisure if I have the time. I have also strayed away from horror and have been consuming mainly fantasy, but that is more in the form of novels rather than films. Although recently, I have watched an episode of a paranormal-fantasy type show because my friend recommended it to me.

    I struggle with film analyzation still, specifically writing about the narrative. I can definitely pick out genre conventions the first time watching a clip of a film or a movie trailer, but it is difficult for me to put them together and figure out what is really going on. I also tend to overthink it at times. Am I really picking out something that is a part of the genre, or is it just something I specifically associate with it? Most of time it is the former, especially since the conventions are relatively straightforward, but when I start writing about narrative and plot structure, I tend to question myself more. However, I think the more we practice that in class, the easier it will become for me. I have no other issue with what we have learned besides that. Recently, our notes have been interesting to me, so I do not see myself having an issue with what we are doing moving forward as well.