group video individual vs society

individual vs society- individual video

bat mitzvah stills

rituals

My Right of Passage
In the Jewish religion we have many holidays and celebrations that we hold as important. One of the most important days in a Jewish persons life is the day of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. I know this true, defiantly in my own case. I started preparing for my Bat-Mitzvah about 5 months in advance, but my mom and I started figuring out the major details about a year before my date. My mom and I went to about 20 places before we picked the location of my reception. We also had to pick a DJ, a decorator, and a caterer. On top of all those decisions, I had to study my torah portion for 5 months with the cantor of my temple.
The big day finally arrived, and I knew I was finally a woman in the Jewish tradition. Even though I was only 13, I knew that I now had a responsibility to the people of my religion and my Jewish homeland, Israel. I did an amazing job on my torah portion and the rest of my service. All of my friends and family said I did amazing. I felt so good that all my hard work and time was worth it and paid off in the end. All there was left to do was party, and that I did.

Versus

Everywhere I look, I see a diversity of people walking our streets. Streets filled with Caucasians, Mexicans, Asians, blacks, and many more. Usually these days’ people take the easy way and hang out with their own kind of people. If people took some time to introduce themselves to other people in different groups, they might have a more diverse group of friends. Whenever we look at a group of people we aren’t familiar with, we always judge them by their appearances. We have to start accepting different cultures, and accepting ideas other than our own. People’s cultures can actually be similar to ours if we find the time to compare and contrast them. What might be normal to me might be frowned upon in their culture or environment. Our neighborhood and surrounding environments are filled with every type of person and us as a society need to accept that and be open minded. Media and other forms brain wash me to think something is normal when most people aren’t even like that. I need to live life the way I want to live it and not have someone else or a group of people tell me otherwise.

Social Networking

Alyssa Renard is Appreciative of Facebook 11:08 AM



When I was younger, even a freshman in high school, I really didn’t know much about the internet and what the kids did on it. First I started with MySpace, and at first I didn’t like it but then got used to the networking and how it worked. But after a while I would always get these viruses when using MySpace. A little bit later I heard about facebook, which was created for the older crowd of people on the internet (college and above). I started going on facebook more, since more of my friends started using it. While being on facebook I’ve reconnected with former friends from the different schools I’ve attended. I love finding out what they’ve been doing since I Iast saw them. I also love seeing in pictures how much they’ve grown and changed. It is so crazy to me, because mostly everybody looks so different; that when they want to add me, I have no clue who they are. I’m so appreciative that there is a place where I can reconnect with friends and learn about their new lives. A lot of my friends have moved to different places to pursue their dreams, and I still connect with them through facebook. So in the end, I’m glad for the creation of facebook, that all my dead relationships have been reborn.

"Bikinis & Tiaras: Quinceaneras" in Girls on the Verge

People have taken the beautiful tradition of coming into their religion as an adult, and have turned it into a money brawl. It is all about who has the biggest party, best wardrobe, the best DJ, and who in the end shows up to your fiesta. Many young teens have been spoiled rotten, and their parents think the easiest way of not dealing with them is giving them anything they want. That is not parenting, that is called laziness. I think as a society we really need to evaluate, what is really important to us.

"My Brown Eyes" by Alexander Amador

Alexander was born in a bad area, and belonged to a gang. He writes about how wars within their own kind is wrong, and how we shouldn't fight with "family". They came to America for a better life, when it all just turned out worse then before. He wants to spread the message of unity throughout his community in hopes for a better life.

"Curve" by Alison Smith

The problem in this article, was the opposite of most. Alison felt that she was too skinny, and that people would judge her for that. All the girls in her classes complained about their curves, but all Alison wanted was to at least have some curves. She feels like everyone treats her like a little girl, because her body reflects that. She wants to gain curves so that people will start seeing her as a young lady.

"Sleeves" by Amy Hunt

Amy has always felt embarrassed about her weight. Everyday at school, her friends converse about being overweight when they are not, which makes Amy feel even worse about herself. She feels very uncomfortable even around her friends, and feels that they judge her by her appearance on the outside, and not whats on the inside. Weight is a large issue today, due to the stick-thin girls in magazines showing society that that is what is supposed to be the norm for everyone, but it is not. Everyone is beautiful in their own skin.

"The Border" by Cindy Morand

In this story, the main girl is Cindy, a Mexican immigrant. She came from a well-educated family who cared about school and grades. She moved to America at a very young age where she found discrimination at every corner. She wanted to go back to Mexico more than anything. She found out that things aren't always what they seem. She wanted to go to America so badly, for she thought opportunity there was far greater; but in the end Mexico was where she was most happy.

"Introduction" by Amy Goldwasser

The narrator of this story, writes proudly about all the girls who wrote for her book, "Red: The Next Generation of American Writers: Teenage Girls: On What Fires Up Their Lives Today". She found it so difficult to chose which young teens stories should be in her book. They all were so personal, letting her get to know each of them through their amazing writing. Most of the stories she read, were of those of image. Too many girls today worry about other peoples opinions and let them run their lives. She wanted to publish this book to show teenage girls examples of strong, independent young women who could show them the way to happiness.

" The American Man, Age Ten" by Susan Orlean

This article follows the daily life of an average ten year old boy. Susan observed how well the boy was aware of the issues facing us today in our society. She found out that kids, not only this particular boy, love to recycle and help out the environment. She also noticed the simplicity of a child's life. Their surroundings and environment create a soothing atmosphere for them to thrive in.

"The Way We Live Now: Growing Up on Facebook" by Peggy Orenstein

The author, Peggy Orenstien, writes about how facebook is great for rekindling relationships from the past. The older generations are finding their way over to facebook to find friends from back in high school. Facebook keeps everyone connected.

"Facebook in a Crowd" by Hal Niedzviecki

An individual on facebook had about 700 friends, but was realizing he wasn't spending enough time with his real friends off of facebook. He wanted to throw a party, so he invited all of his friends online, and a lot of people said that they would be attending. But, when the party finally arrived one person showed up. This comes to show us, that the definition of a friend is different online.

"Staring Down Facebook" by Zoe Sandvig

The author, Zoe Sandvig, writes about the disadvantages in using social networking. She feels that technology has become the focus of so many people's lives that they dont see the small important things anymore. Instead of spending one on one time together, people will just go online and talk there. Our lives have revolved around technology, when it used to revolve around people and just living our lives to the fullest. Most people get distracted, because when they get home from school they go right on to the internet instead of starting their homework. This problem is going to get out of control if we dont find a way to limit technology now.

"Being There: The Subtle Art of Facebook Updates" by Virginia Heffernan

The author states her opinions of the status updates that teens post regularly. She uses the status updates to keep in touch with her friends and family, especially those who dont live close by. According to society today, there is a certain way one writes a facebook status update. Because the space allowed for the update is so small the updaters must get to the point and drag its followers in. You cant just be good at writing updates, it takes hardwork and practice.

"Social Networking Benefits Validated" by Karen Goldberg

In this article, the author writes about the positive and negative affects social networking has on people. Technology is everywhere these days and is the most popular way for teenagers, and even adults to communicate. Teens can find people with the same interests as them, find kids who go to their school, and just communicate with other teens in general. People who don't use the internet to connect with their peers will soon find themselves distant from society, since technology keeps on growing. Parents should still be responsible for their children while on these sites. If anything is on the internet, people can see it. So, individuals, especially teens, should be cautious of what items they place on their pages.

Why youth (hearts) Social Networking Sites: The Role of New Worked Publics in Teenage Social Life" by Danah Boyd

This article really focuses on how popular and essential social network sites have become for teens. Teenagers blog, go on web sites, pretty much whatever is popular at that certain time. Some teens think only cool kids can use the internet to communicate, so they make their profile as cool and up to date as possible. Individuals can be very creative when it comes to designing their own pages. You can really tell a lot about that person from his/her page.

Kids and Money Documentary

In this vdeo example of "norms vs. society", we saw different kids perspectives of money and what it means to them. To most of them, money defines who you are, not the person inside. Other kids in the video desired money so they could fit in with everyne else. Some of the kids even buy things for their parents, since they make more money then them. I'm so happy I'm not like the kids in the video, I'm thankful for what I have, and that makes me happy.

Still Frames from Personal Narrative

My Story: My Personal Narrative Video

Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence

In this example of a personal narrative, Paul describes his childhood throughout all the chapters in his book. By using settings and characters that readers could really follow, they could connect with the situations more. The readers become sympathetic towards the main character, who has problems with his peers. This inspires me to create my own narrative for people to see how certain situations and problems affect myself and my life.

Roller Boogie

"Roller Boogie", is a chapter is author, Rob Sheffield's book, Love is a Mixed Tape. In this chapter he remembers his love of music, especially rock and roll. When he was a teen, he made mixed tapes for all the school dances. He was so obsessed with music, he didnt really have time to take life seriously. We all wish to have that spontanious attitude when we get older, because sometimes we forget whats its like to be care-free when we grow older.

The Republic of East LA

This personal narrative example is about a limo driver, who goes back to his old neighborhood to embark on his childhood. He remembers the lessons he learned while living here, and knows that he uses them in the present time. He likes his job as a driver because he likes driving by and observing. I'm inspired to tell my story because I want people to know where I learned my most vaulable and important lessons.

The OC: The Road Warrior

In this scene, Summer and Marissa discuss the topics of voiceovers. Summer records herself talking and makes a voiceovers, so she can listen to herself talk about her life. Marissa doesnt understand why Summer is listening to herself talk, and Summer responds they make life more dramatic.

High-School Confidential: Cappie and Lauren

Lauren and Cappie, start off in the episode in their senior year in high school. Throughout the episode, they show video clips and interviews from previous years in high school. By seeing this, you see how these individuals changed during their journeys throughout these four years. You see how they dealt with peer pressure, medical emergencies, and relationships. It was very interesting to see these girls point of view of their high school experiences.

This American Life- My Way

This episode shows three young people who all have certain unique ways of living their lives. The first character, Joe, lives in a world of medival times. He feels that love is useless, because he never wants to feel the pain of heart-break. The next character, Brad, is a political figure who believes souly in the truth, because thats what brings him the most joy. The next character, Marcus is a photographer who captures some of peoples most intense moments on film. All of these characters are unigue and different and deal with life in their own personal way.

This American Life- God's Close Up

In this video example of a personal narrative, the two main characters showed importance of their faith, by looking at biblical scenes. One lived in Utah, where the population consitsts mostly of mormons. He is a painter who looks for men with long beards and long hair, which most mormons dont have. The second character is an atheist, but her father is a devoted Christian. Even though, she doesnt believe in God, she likes to paint biblical figures. And one day her father hopes she connects to God one day.

Personal Narrative Video

My So Called Life: Pilot

In this example of a personal narrative, the main character lives with her mom,dad, and sister. She deals with problems at home and high school by hanging out with a new crowd, trying new things, dying her hair, and leaving her best friend. After watching this, I want to show my narrative to show people how I deal with my frustrations too.

What Is Important To Me

What is important to me? In normal conversations we don’t hear that subject brought up very often. There are many important things in my life that I wouldn’t be anywhere without. My friends and family mean the world to me, but I wouldn’t be anything without my dreams and goals. They are what keep me going everyday and inspire me to keep living my life the way I want to. My goals and dreams give me purpose to live my life. Most people don’t have plans or aspirations for their future, but I do and that puts me a step ahead of most people my age. My parents as well supporting my goals are also very important to me. I have my own dreams and they accept that instead of pushing their own dreams on me. My goals in life are what’s most important to me, and always will be.

My Story

Alyssa Renard, 18
Movin On Up

As seniors we always get asked the common questions: What school are you going to? What do you want to do with your life? What are your goals? My answer is always a little bit different than everyone else’s. Most of my peers will be off to a four year university, saying goodbye to their parents, and starting their new independent lives. On the other hand my plan is to go to a community college while working toward my dream in becoming a professional dancer.
Every time I tell someone my plan, I always get the same response. Individuals tell me that I should really think about my options. But the truth is I have. I’ve thought about this long and hard, weighing my positive and negative aspects of my plan and the plan everyone else has for me. The way it came down to was, I know if I didn’t give my dream a fair shot, I would’ve always wondered what could have been. In all the things I want for myself in life, one of them is not regret.
I was starting to feel very discouraged when everyone was doubting my goals for the future, being a long shot. But then the fire starts burning under my feet, driving me to keep going. I have a great support system at home and at my second home, my dance studio. I know I’m going to get beaten up inside and out, and I’m going to deal with it using grace and strength. I’ve become the person I am today by using the lessons I’ve learned at home, but mostly the lifelong lessons I’ve learned while dancing. Perseverence, strength, fight, and drive will keep me going in everyday situations throughout my life. So the next time someone asks me what I’m doing in the future and their response is a negative one, I will brush it off and say,” I’ll buy you front row tickets when I make it big”, and leave with a smile, my self confidence booming.

Wings for Wheels: Making of Born to Run

In this personal narrative, in the form of a documentary, it describes artist Bruce Springsteen's journey to creating one of his songs, "Born to Run". During this video we got to see the the steps to making his song, and why it took as long as it did to make it just perfect. Springsteen's friends, family, and co-workers also talked about him as a person and his work ethic. After watching this, I realized how long it takes just to create one song. It was very interesting and entertaining.

Personal Narrative: My LA

Alyssa Renard, 18
Los Angeles

Late at night, I crawl into my bed and turn on the TV. There is a documentary on the people who live on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. As I watch this program, I remember a trip I took with my Girl Scout troop. We were going to go downtown and give people on the streets and shelters scarves that we had made for them. While we were in the car driving, I remember being a little scared of how the homeless would react towards would react towards my troop and I.
Getting out of the car, it smelled different than where I live in the San Fernando Valley: dirty, unclean, B.O., odor, and other things that made my nose twitch. Walking into the shelter smelled a little bit better, but not as much. The people were very grateful, and showed us respect and gratitude. Even the people on the streets who had nothing, were very nice and accepting people. Walking around I realized how lucky I was to have the things that I’ve been given. After this experience, we went ice skating in an open rink downtown. I felt so free skating around right in the center of downtown Los Angeles. Here I was freely skating in a nice area, but just 10 minutes away was the shelter I had just visited. LA is home to many diverse groups of people, being very accepting and open to anyone who walks on its streets.

Juan Rodriguez: Running

In this personal narrative written by Juan Rodriguez, he remembers the way running makes him feel by watching a sports movie. While watching the movie he doses off and actually thinks he is running in the streets of LA. Every place he sees, food he eats, and people he sees, he documents in his memory. He wakes up and finds himself in his bed, then this being no more of a hallucination. His great descriptions make you feel like you can see what he is actually seeing. This narrative reveals how the things that people enjoy are always on their mind.

Steve Abee: The Bus

In this personal narrative by author, Steve Abee, he describes every detail and thought that pops into his head while walking through the city of Los Angeles, and later on a bus ride. His style of writing is in your face, but at the same time still flows. The way he described everything little thing he say and every emotion was really very interesting. People deserve to see the world through others eyes and this narrative does just that.

Grace Habegger: The Depth of Depp

In this personal narrative, written by author, Grace Habegger, she writes about her obsession with actor Johnny Depp. Not only does she love his looks and great acting skills, but also gets inspired by his lifestyle and the character that Depp is. Being an actor, it is easy to have Johnny Depp as one of your heroes, mentors, but to Grace he is more than that. I myself find him very talented and humble as well. I too also think its a good idea that he doesn't live in the center of Hollywood. It shows a lot about his character to just go and live with his wife and kids out of the spotlight. He is definitely someone to look up to.

Saskia Boggs: Just Watch

This personal story, written by author, Saskia Boggs is about how television has effected her life throughout the years. Her whole family would be so involved with the tv that family time became watching tv instead of playing board games or even just talking. Even though she sees the problem, she doesn't get up and say anything. Its like the same in my house, we pretty much revolve around the television and our shows. This definitely needs to stop, and families need to start having real conversations again.

What Truthiness Taught Me About Being (Un) Cool

The author, Sarah Schelde, 14, writes about her obseeions with TV show host, Stephen Colbert. She remembers how much his words effected her life and inspired her. As I was reading this story I became very intrigued and interested to see how an individual gets so obsessed with a television show. She stood by her thoughts even though people thought she was obsessed and crazy. I was able to visualize her story through her little details and quirky comments. Her style of writing was informative but also very funny.

Appeal from an Angry Not so Emo

The author, Kali Moriarty, 15 writes about the struggles young teens go through when verbally abused. She remembers waking up and feeling amazing, and then coming home from school feeling worn out by all the hatful words said by her fellow classmates. I can relate to this story because I see fellow students at this school getting verbally abused everyday. I could visualize her story well because I've seen the same things in my own life. Her little jokes and sense of humor really made the story personal.

I am From poem

I am From

I am from a family of five
I am from chores and jobs
I am from temptations and regrets
I am from fear of achieving greatness
I am from strenuous work that gets me no where
I am from perspiration and tears
I am from argument and lost
I am from perseverance and drive
I am from heart and strive
I am from choices and decisions
I am from life choices that matter
I am from screaming inside
I am from breaking out in dance at random times
I am from letting the music point me in the direction I want to go
I am from lies and defeat
I am from the brightness of day
I am from rolling, laughing all day
I am from people judging me every second, every moment
I am from letting myself down everyday
I am from standing up for myself in each and every play
I am from having self confidence here, there, and everywhere
I am from thoughts, prayers in the sand
I am from wandering to and from with no where to go
I am from price to pay for being accepted
I am from being in that place that makes me blue
I am from being me not accepted by you.

Mixed cd poem

It’s only life, this long neverending journey
To get what I always wanted
But in not such a hurry
I have wandered far and wide
For something real
Something to strive for
Finding a New Way
To do your thing
In my name
To win personal gain
Stepping closer to my dreams
Slowly but surely
People knocking me down
My head saying, Keep it positive
Out of Control, Losing my mind
You don’t really hear what I sayYelling
Screaming
Over and over again
I gotta get through this
Signs all around me
Giving me clues, for what I want to do
Nothing is impossible
Don’t stop
Letting go of my fears
For they are weighing me down
I’m changing wether I want to or not
I can’t stop it now
I’m already striving for the top
Losing Control aint no thing
When I get in that swing
Believing in myself is where my head is now
For that I am floating on a cloud
Looking back on my journey of my life
I realized I found my love, to dance till I can’t no more
Which will be the best gift of all.
Knowing all this will not make me small.

Mixed Cd Story

Movin On Up





Hard of breath, I run to my dance bag after dancing during my rehearsal. I plop down and start doing my homework when a song that catches my attention turns on. I look up and see the older advanced dancers doing their piece. They are moving to Vanessa Carleton’s “Wanted”, and I become totally mesmerized. I forget about everything surrounding me and only see them and myself in the room. I listen to the lyrics as I watch their movement, and they have an existing relationship. I get so inspired by this piece, that after seeing it I realized what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to make someone feel the same way I felt at that very moment when they watched me dance. I’ve been working hard at that goal ever since. Actually, the choreographer of that special routine happens to be the teacher who believes in me the most and will do anything to help me reach my dreams. Because of her guidance I believe I actually have a foot in the door in the competitive world of professional dancing. Whenever this song comes on while I’m listening to my iPod or the radio, I look back on that special memory that changed the direction of my life forever.

My Impression Now: John Sellers

In this personal narrative, we learn yet again the importance music has over someone's life. The author realizes, after looking at his playcount, a lot about himself. What he liked or disliked, what he'd played recently or not, etc. By looking back at his playlist he was able to think why certain songs meant so much to him and why others didnt. He also realizes that classifying music is well and good, but that its also based on by opinion.

Play: Olive Panter

In this story, the author Olive Panter, shows her readers just how much she lives, eats, and breathes music. Music makes her feel better, and she makes us realize that great music can change our lives for the better. She loves it so much she's even in the music business now following her dream and thats enough for her.

Memory and Imagination

In Patricia Hampl's writing: Memory and Imagination, she reflects on an incident that happened when she was seven years old. She tells the event how she remembers it from her memory. Wierdly enough, there were many lies told in that story that she became aware of after reading it back to herself. After this, she talks about where memory comes from and how we store it. She also explores the relationship between the images she remembered and her actual memory. "The past is radiant. It sheds the light of lived life.

What I've learned:
This writing taught me if you want to tell a story through a movie, writing, or anything else, it should be accurate, and true to your memory of your life.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Trailer

The Remake Project: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Still Shots From Our Film

The opening to our film!

The four best friends: Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget, discuss their plans for the summer and how they will pass around the pants.















Lena finds love with a greek boy, Kostos.
















Tibby visits her new friend Bailey in the hospital.















Bridget falls for Eric, her gorgeous soccer coach, but later she finds out she wanted something she wasnt ready for.
















Lena gets in an argument with her new step-mom to-be because she doesnt have the body that the pre-made dress was made to fit.















The ending to our mini film!