Weekly response Week 8

1. What do you find most interesting about what he says on these pages? What stands out as particularly useful to you as a storyteller?
The concept of "what if" seems to me very useful as a storyteller. I think it's important to ask those questions because they make you understand what it important ans what is not by cutting out the pieces of information. The "How to end a story" paragraph also helped me a little bit. I think a lot of people struggle with endings for their stories but in the end you don't need to invent something new, you just have to give a some kind of closure and the key to it lies in the very story you were writing all along.
2. What is the name of the story, and on what date did it first air?
The growing up of Jack Jablonski's little brother, first aired November 21st, 2012
3. List and describe four instances of natural sound.
1. Hockey stadium, the cheering and people's voices
2. Home background - just random noise of everyday activities
3. The cafe - people talking in the background
4. The hospital noise
4. List and describe (including the type and what they are showing) four camera shots that you find interesting.
1. CU of Jack Jablonski from behind with his little brother and the TV set in the back
2. WS of hockey team changing room, showing from the very bottom
3. CU of hockey coach, not looking into the camera but somewhere in the distance
4. CU of sign "Jack Jablonski 13 In out hearts", just cause it's clean and clear
5. Write a possible focus statement for the story (strong verbs; no “-ing” words)
Brotherly bond untwines
6. How does this story utilize Dotson’s “Building Blocks” (from Page 68)? Discuss a few of them, please. (100 words)

Silence

I think silence was used pretty well in this story. It's a heart-warming story but it doesn't mean it's not a tragedy and sometimes it was necessary to make the viewer feel it. It was done well.

Pictures

There were a lot of shots of all kinds used in this story: CUs of Jack, his mother and his brother, his coach, shots from home, stadiums and hospital, personal photos. I think the good thing was that the story kept returning to the family member's commentaries because, in the end, they knew the most, everything from the inside out.

Soundbites

I think the good sign that the sounbites were properly used is when you don't notice them but then understand that nothing would work without them. That's exactly what I think about that particular story.