Serendip Studio

An Ecological Transition (Self-Evaluation)

Submitted by Barbara on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:02pm

Randomly assigned from my three picks of ESem, this ecological journey is like a gift to me in the first semester at Bryn Mawr. I am satisfied that I have enjoyed a college English course – a department I probably would not attempt otherwise. (My option definitely opens up at this point though.)

Reviewing the reading list, I am very impressed by what I have read in this course. Most of the readings were completely new to me, with regard to both genre (I did not have much experience reading academic works that are represented in this course, such as writings of Waring and Merchant) and content. I occasionally had to spend more than four hours (the recommended time on syllabus) for assigned readings of a week. My ability to quickly grab the gist of an article fluctuated and I haven’t found out a clear pattern yet. I think this relates to how similar or different my own language and the writers’ language are; how much background information I had; how close I was to the intended audience. In reading Thomas Berry’s essays, for example, I had a hard time relating to the religious content. After several try and not getting much, I chose to skip the content that I essentially lack a background. Is this the correct strategy in academics? This is one question arisen in my reading process. I enjoyed more and had more to say about narrative than analysis articles. On the other hand, I have started to appreciate analysis articles more over the semester, especially their structure, which I consider to be useful in my future academic papers.

Our Personal Journey: A Self Evaluation

Submitted by ZoeHlmn on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 7:38pm

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

― Dr. Seuss

I want to say my adventure in Ecological Imaginings was like a journey. Each time I sent in a paper I learned something new, although in some papers I still made the same mistakes over and over. While I am a little disheartened that my Esem is coming to a close, the trials and errors in my writing also reflect the trials and errors that were happening in my life. In high school all I was writing was formal paper after formal paper, I felt like I was never able to take a risk for fear of a bad grade. In the beginning it was difficult deciding how exactly I was supposed to write. I was given the freedom to experiment that is something I had not normally been able to do. I think this is what set the bar for my writing this year early on. I tried not to have the same structured five-paragraph essay each time, which is what I had done repetitively in high school.

Continuing the Conversation: Women in Walled Communities Exhibition

Submitted by Anne Dalke on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 12:42pm

Use this space to post thoughts, questions or reactions from the workshop.

I Like It Like That

About the Film

Year Released:

1994

Running Time:

104

Documentary/Fiction:

Fiction

Synopsis:

"A Hispanic woman unexpectedly discovers a new outlook on life after taking a new job in this heartfelt, observant comedy-drama. Young Bronx mother Lisette (Lauren Velez) has enough to deal with without taking a job, as she is struggling to raise her three young children and keep her marriage to bicycle messenger Chino (Jon Seda) afloat. When Chino is jailed after committing a robbery, however, Lisette turns to the want ads to find a new source of income. Expecting a one-time modeling gig, she stumbles into a position as assistant to Stephen Price (Griffin Dunne), a white music executive handling Latino music. Lisette proves a natural at the job, finding a new sense of purpose and self-assurance. Unfortunately, Chino isn't particularly grateful for her efforts, especially after hearing a rumor that Lisette has been cheating on him with Stephen. Director Darnell Martin populates her debut film with a mosaic of colorful supporting characters, ranging from Lisette's transsexual brother (Jesse Borrego) to Chino's meddling mother (Rita Moreno)…”

-Blaise, Judd. “Review Summary,” The New York Times, accessed December 8, 2012, http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/133405/I-Like-It-Like-That/overview

Poster Image:

Director

Film Director:

Darnell Martin

Production Info

Reported or Estimated Budget:

n/a

Location:

Bronx, New York City, NY

Other Interesting Production Info:

The story takes place in the neighborhood where Martin grew up. There are many shots of places she frequented, such as her old schoolyard.

Categories About the Film

Genre:

comedy

drama

romance

Keywords:

family

incarceration

interracial relations

urban life

Racial/Ethnic Affiliation:

African American

Latino/a

Filmmaking Team

Writer's Name:

Darnell Martin

Producer:

Ann Carli, Victor De Jesus, Wendy Finerman, Lane Janger, Stephen Lloyd, Diana Phillips, Tracy Vilar

Cinematographer:

Alexander Gruszynski

Primary Cast:

Lauren Velez, Jon Seda, Tomas Melly

Exhibition/Distribution Info

Distributor:

Sony/ Columbia Pictures

Box Office Earnings:

$1777020

Where to find it/How to get it:

DVD widely available

Festivals/Awards:

Festivals: 1994 Cannes Film Festival

Awards:

1994 New York Film Critics Circle Award: Darnell Martin, Best New Director (Winner)

1995 Independent Spirit Awards:

Alexander Gruszynski, Best Cinematography (Nominee)

Lauren Velez, Best Female Lead (Nominee)

Darnell Martin; Lane Janger, Best First Feature (Nominee)

Jon Seda, Best Male Lead (Nominee)

Links

Link to the official film website:

n/a

Links to Official trailer:

I Like It Like That 1994 (longer trailer)

Links to interviews (written) with Director/Filmmakers:

David Sterritt, "Filmmaker of `I Like It Like That' Talks About Her Influences: Darnell Martin's upbringing inspired her poignant debut film," The Christian Science Moniter, November 25, 1994, accessed December 16, 2012, http://www.csmonitor.com/1994/1125

Analysis

Personal Film Review and Cultural Context:

When Darnell Martin directed I Like It Like That for Columbia Pictures in 1994, she became the first African American woman in Hollywood to direct a major motion picture. The plot revolves around choices Lisette Linares (Lauren Velez) makes when her husband Chino (Jon Seda) lands in jail, leaving her to care for their three children while insisting she stay jobless. The film resonates deeply with Martin, who grew up in a poor, single-parent household in the Bronx. In it, she recalls the vibrant music and colorful streets of her neighborhood. She also conjures memories, like the times her mother found only a few dollars to feed the family. The camera often gravitates toward the constant street drama, sporadically zooming in on characters’ faces to capture emotions they struggle to conceal. Eighteen years later, I Like It Like That is an inspiration to anyone looking to crack a smile in the darkest times.

-Ariel Kraakman

Readings:

Steve Monroe, “She don’t like it like that – motion picture director Darnell Martin’s ‘I Like It Like That’ focuses on character development,” American Visions;Oct/Nov94, Vol. 9 Issue 5, p43, accessed December 16, 2012, dio: 9411041845.

Eco Walk: a Rap

Submitted by CMJ on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 10:01pm

Eco Walk (parody of Macklemore’s Thrift Shop ft Ryan Lewis)
By Zoe Holman and Claire Johnson with special thanks to Roux

We’re gonna grab some leaves
Throw them up in the a-air
I-I-I’m searching looking for a meaning
We are eco walkers

Creative v. Socially Conscious: The (False) Separation

Submitted by Hummingbird on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 9:06pm

Vision

I wrote my third memo about the ways in which our art projects connected back to the socially conscious thinking we'd been doing before going into the prison.