storytime

We’re already approaching week three in the fall semester.  Let me catch you up.  Week one:  room 400 - all wrong - but we soldiered on - summarizing summers - mispronouncing each others names  - toes in the water — little splashes.  Assignment - we’re reading Peter Biskind’s DOWN AND DIRTY PICTURES: MIRAMAX, SUNDANCE, AND THE RISE OF INDEPENDENT FILM.  I’ve decided to do a double feature film assignment so it was  Cassevetes’ A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and DiCillo’s LIVING IN OBLIVION.  (Drum roll) and for the writing assignment - write a 2-3 minute scene without dialogue that has a beginning middle and end.  Week two:  A lively discussion about 1974 and New York and long takes and and and - we were definitely in “the zone” when metaphors start flying around and opinions gather volume - oh oh oh.  Every teacher’s dream.  In class assignment: write about an event during your childhood that seemed strange - surrounded by cryptic adult codes that denied you access. Present tense - POV of child.  Write for ten minutes - pen down - breathe in out and now write for ten minutes about that same event from an adult’s POV - remembering.   Watch everything Cassavetes made.  When I lived in New York I would sometimes wander - and sometimes during my wanderings  it would rain.  One of those rainy day wanderings - I ducked into the Paris theatre and stumble bumbled into a Cassavetes festival.  After OPENING NIGHT I was hooked and - well, this is your assignment for next week.  I got zero comments last week.  Chooch and Amanda, are you on vacation?  Miss you guys. xtheprof