Module 1 - Phase 3

1. What proved the most challenging part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?

I find it is often very easy to reflect on an experience and blame others for problems that arose. In DOTCOM I could blame visas and air lines, censorship and governments, mentalities and setbacks. Yet if I reflect on my place in DOTCOM, I see how my expectations (before the program even started) came from ignorance, misunderstandings, and pure oblivion to the realities of lives, cultures, and history. It continues to be a challenge for me to deal with, on one hand, the construction of the program in my mind and, on the other, its reality, and from that I have gained invaluable lessons. It was challenging for me to witness differences and tension and have absolutely NO CLUE how to deal and react to them. It was disheartening to learn, after the conclusion of our Vermont stay, that most of our films had been pulled from YouTube. It was even harder when we edited out a primary voice in our film in order to keep it online... On a different note, I am not one to readily ask to be educated in something that I am utterly ignorant to because I think, to a certain degree, it is one's own responsibility to read up on the subject before asking questions. Unfortunately, I did not do any reading until August and, only then, was I able to pose questions and have conversations of the reality of governments, public unrest, youth arrests, and Nagorno-Karabakh. It was challenging to deal with my frustration and ignorance of why films had been censored, pictures could not be taken, and conversations could not be held. However, it is precisely these challenges that clearly emphasizes the importance of the program.

2. What proved the most rewarding part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?

The most rewarding part was sitting in a chair in the Big Picture theater viewing our ten films and as each film was showed, looking over to the group that made it, seeing their beaming smiles and pride for the culmination of weeks of hard work, sweat, tears, laughter, ice cream, and bonding between the members of each group. I am so grateful to have met everyone involved in the program.

3. What proved the most fun part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?

The most fun part, for me, was laughing with anyone and everyone in the program on topics ranging from public bathrooms, to wikipedia pages, to playing instruments, to attempting to pronounce Azerbaijani and Armenian words. If nothing else can, laughter is something that will always bring people together...

4. What are you most excited about, looking forward to our online Phase 3 DOTCOM experience coming up this fall?

I hope to develop the relationships we have between each other even further, perhaps tackle some issues that are playing out in each of our lives, and come to reason with and discuss challenges we all came across. I hope to make more films :) and lay out ideas for making films when we travel to the South Caucasus in March!

& It's most-definitely difficult for me to pick my absolute favorite photo from all of July. But this is definitely one of the top ones. All of us were laughing and it took over 10 minutes to set up the pyramid only to have it momentarily hold itself before we all quickly came crashing down on top of each other... Also Samir's face is priceless and Niko seems to really be enjoying not having to be part of the actual pyramid...

Reflection 1

1. In DC, we learned, basically, that youth are the only ones who should operate social networking tools and be responsible for civic outreach and mobilization using media ... because, apparently, the state department seems to be deeply lacking in that regard. I learned that even if NPR is funded by tax-payers dollars it is still not a government news program, hmmm... I learned that saying that the government does regulate the majority of news is untrue in our free US of A (of course, right?) ...Based on a conversation I had with Dr. Rob on the NPR visit and the ombudsman's issues... I agree that one should present news with complete transparency with regard to one's point of view.

2. I learned several Armenian words and I am still working on my Azerbaijani. I really learned about how many similarities we all have. I learned about Armenian and Azerbaijani schooling and the subjects different students like and dislike. I learned about the countries and lives of youth living there. I can't wait to visit Yerevan and Baku in March :)... I learned a little about the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and about the different views and opinions.

3. The jump rope game was especially difficult and even though we failed at it I think we could have made it all through if given another 20 minutes or so. Several of the conversations I have had with different DOTCOMers from all three countries have been difficult not navigate through but, even though we have opposing views on a certain issue, we can stil lwork together and, most importantly, have fun!

4. What has been exciting and rewarding about the DOTCOM program so far?

- LENIN THE RUBBER CHICKEN!!!

- the team-building games

- challenging conversations and topics

- being able to look forward to new and exciting things each day

DOTCOM REEL ACTION film themes

Peace/War/Conflict

Different peoples go to war for the wrong reasons. So much hate and dispassion is rooted in differences as well as in hated similarities. I find myself attempting to be a pacifist but sometimes I wonder why violence is not justified when a war is being waged by police and law enforcement in predominantly areas populated by people of color. The root of war and conflict is a deeply rooted fear of the "other". Very rarely is this fear admitted but violence is the easiest (and dumbest) solution to that fear. It feeds the fear instead of analyzing fear and moving to overcome it. I find it very interesting how countries can easily manipulate the people into believing someone about the "other." People are forced to choose sides. Personally, if I were drafted and served in combat. I would no less be able to murder an Afghan man than a US American soldier standing next to me. Wars can be waged against nations, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, natural resources, anything and everything basically.

Race/Ethnic

It's really frustrating how the overall view white folks have within the United States is that people of color largely deserve to be treated badly, to be suspected of dealing drugs or carrying guns, to be suspected of being a rapist, to be called names, and to attempt to escape their race or ethnicity. White privilege is something that goes unnamed and unseen. When we speak of Barack Obama as having "transcended race" in the election, we think of him as being an intelligent, strong black man (the "exception"). Yet, transcending his race means that their is something fundamentally wrong with being black in the first place. On a different note, crack cocaine prison sentences are nearly three times as long as powder cocaine sentences. One needs powder cocaine to make crack, powder cocaine is drastically more expensive so the dealer is making far more money from illegal substances, and crack is found predominantly in areas of color. How can that legislation not be seen as racially driven? I think film is a fantastic medium to express racial tensions through symbolism.

Gender

Gender is a social construction, it acts as a dichotomy of feminine and masculine that forces men and women into specific roles that are considered the norm. It is a construction of the patriarchy and, personally, anything created or manipulated by the patriarchy is something that I want absolutely nothing to do with. When couples have their son watch Bob the Builder and scold him for wanting to play with dolls or for wearing dresses, they are placing gender stereotypes on that boy. Why should boys not play with dolls? Don't men have to learn how to care for their children as well? I wonder if the near 50% divorce rate today in the U.S. is based on strict gender roles that have become impossible to conform to while having a family. The rise of raunch culture in the past decade has created a rape culture in the U.S. where one in three women are sexually abused. Without films that teach how the patriarchy manipulates all of us (men and women), we are all lost in a world of contradicting gender expressions.

My 90(ish)-second Video Elevator Pitch!!!

Hey everyone! sorry that this is kinda late. please comment! thanks!

MODULE 7

What was the most fun/exciting part of the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project for you? 

I really enjoyed the dialogues with Josh, Arzu, and Onnik. I appreciated that they took the time to answer our questions and I enjoyed reading and keeping up with the different questions and responses posed by other DOTCOMers. 

I also liked the analysis behind the different types of persuasion in media. I think marketing and persuasion isn't often thought about when the mass media bombards our lives, but having a constant reminder in the back of your head that the company is ultimately trying to find any way possible to sell you a product (no matter how much of a bigot they will make themselves out the be). 

What was the most challenging part of the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project for you?

The most challenging part would have to be the analysis of the videos as pertaining to the neocortex, limbic, and reptilian brain. I found that my analysis behind each of them would blur the lines between them.

What is one specific suggestion you have for the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project, when we do this project again?

One suggestion would be to have more "special guests" from different fields so that we have a broader view of the reality facing social/community activists as well as how they combat issues that we will be facing when we begin to "socially conscious" create films. 

Module #5

This ad appeals to the Reptilian brain with the highly sexualized content, appealing to the minds of male teenagers. It appeals to the Limbic brain with the rap music and altering atmosphere from a classroom to a dance club. It appeals to the Neocortex when one asks themselves how the hell this can get on television in the first place (it was fortunately banned after several weeks)...when one analyzes the connection between the exploitation of women and fast-food chains (pop culture).

1. Humor - The concept of "flat buns", making the connection between women's bodies and hamburgers, is obviously supposed to get the viewer laughing. Similarily, I would argue, the white rappers "rapping" about flat buns is a racist and sarcastic portrayal of black rappers and invites a humorous response. I would say that the target audience of Carl's Jr. is white America because, clearly, they do not include people of color in their ads and assume that whites will find the white rappers hilarious (being that they are making fun of rap and black culture). ... I'm not even going to get into the assumption by the media that white America will inherently accept the racism in pop-culture, because, oftentimes a negative reaction is referred to as "well, you have no sense of humor." ... well, here is one white person who isn't f*ing laughing.

2. Repetition - In the commercial they repeat "flat buns" over and over in the rap. There is a connection made between any burger and a woman's body.

3. Diversion - What is Carl's Jr. really saying? "Hamburgers and fast-food are not unhealthy... actually, contrary to that belief, skinny people eat them ALL the time ... and, with this ad, we are actually making the connection between an ideal skinny female body and eating fast-food.... because, well, since this new burger is made with "flat buns" it's almost like you're indulging in a sexual fantasy while you eat this burger. And, that claim that this burger is over 1000 calories is just well, insignificant because you're still reminded of this commercial while you're eating it and this commercial doesn't show obese people so this hamburger won't make you obese!"

4. "Beautiful" People - And, I mean come on people, women should all attempt to become the perfect image in a man's mind. ... because, well, women are just objects and deserve to be exploited! ... Honestly, how far can this metaphor between meat on burgers and women as meat for men go? Literally, a burger is a piece of meat between two buns...use your imagination. Also, I'm kind of bothered by this concept of using "beautiful" people in the commercial because the definition of beautiful in America has so many sexist and racist undertones.

5. The Race Card - Being that there is not a single person of color in this video, I would venture to say that by only using white folks in this video, Carl's Jr. is using the funny-card to let this ad slide. I mean, if there were black rappers rapping about flat buns, it would be so blatantly racist there would be a huge uproar over this ad. However, since white rappers are making themselves look stupid, it's okay! Also, the marginalization of black rap culture is accepted by white America, because, well, black rappers are all criminals and sex-fanatics. That's not a stereotype, that's the truth! ... mhmm, righttt.

In the end, Carl's Jr. should seriously dismantle its entire marketing strategy. I haven't been able to find a commercial or ad by them that fails to overtly perpetuate the marginalization of women or people of color. ... just another problem in the big media.

MODULE 3

This short film speaks to the limbic part of the brain since the music throughout it sets a pastoral, calm mood. The trees, branches, flowers and organic shapes protruding from the numbers sets a natural and tranquil air. However, I think, after analyzing the meaning of the numbers, the altering perspectives and the dead space behind the numbers, we realize that as the numbers increase and time moves onward, the images become more complex, abstract, geometric. The final number even goes as far to robotically transform into zero again. I think this speaks to the idea that nature moves through time as a constant, growing as time increases, yet abstract or critical thought (technology) attempts to manipulate time. However, can time really be altered when the natural environment is a constant reminder of passing time? This is a question not answered by the film but one whose analysis requires the "higher" thinking of the neocortex. I think that this film shows the progression of the brain from limbic to neocortical thinking through the analysis of the images.

MODULE 2

I apologize for the lateness of this post but I have been consumed by work. A quick update from my knowledge tree on what I’m involved in in my community. Last weekend I co-led a workshop on the drop-out crisis in California at the Leadership Conference in Anaheim. We focused on the push and pull factors that cause kids to drop out of school and service-learning as a solution to the crisis. We wrote a proposal for a grant to fund several small summits we will hold throughout the LA area to get kids to start clubs at their school to raise awareness of one’s culture, background, and the oppression that many kids of color feel in America that causes them to join gangs and move away from education. I’ll keep everyone updated with the new developments… Now, on to module #2.

BOOKS

To be honest, I have never been an extremely avid reader. I find that I get distracted (since my mind tends to move a mile-a-minute) from many books and, as a result, I am in the middle of probably a dozen books right now. I haven’t read a book “for fun” or a book that isn’t related to something we are covering in school since the last Harry Potter book came out. I tend to move away from fantasy, adventure, make-believe, science fiction, and/or anything that isn’t based around real-life events in society. I read books that focus on societal issues.

Currently, I am reading White Like Me by Tim Wise (my hero). Wise explains how everything in society is based around the concept of white privilege. For anyone who does not understand the concept, a prime example is the fact that white people do not have to confront their race and can remain oblivious to the impact their race has on society until, usually, a white person confronts them about it. The fact that whites do not have to confront or be aware of their race in society is because of white privilege. The reality that people of color are aware of their race in society from before elementary school is because the “norm” (the white perspective) of society has labeled them as the other. This book coincides with the race unit in school where we examine the exploitation and racism felt by people of color, the obliviousness of white folks to privilege, the stereotypes and prejudices that have become second-nature, and the means by which we (all races) can move against racism and white privilege. The idea in and of itself may be accepted but the internalized realization of one’s own privilege is something hard to come by. I deeply recommend the book to anyone who wishes to combat racism in American society.

I will also recommend The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, All About Love by bell hooks, and (for women who want to read the most inspiring book ever) Ingo Muscio's Declaration of Independence.

NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES

We receive the Los Angeles Times everyday and when I have some free time I often read the editorial section. For my AP Economics class we read articles on today’s (down-ward spiraling) economy and the government’s response. I get 5-7 emails a day from truthout.com, a source for a wide variety of independent media, addressing current issues and often find myself reading for hours from their website rather than starting homework. We also receive numerous magazines: Scientific American, Discover, and National Geographic, to name a few. I hardly have time to read them any more but when free time finds me I comb over the scientific breakthroughs wishing I could completely understand what they are talking about (but I’ve gotten better at it!). Oftentimes I feel lost and (almost) disrespectful if I do not keep up with current events. I feel like I’m ignoring the world and that since I have the resources to keep me informed about world events its ignorant if I don’t do so.

MUSIC

I used to go through phases in music. Now, I’m kinda okay with anything. I’ve been obsessed with Coldplay since I saw them live in ’06. I’m obsessed with Ani Difranco because … well, because she’s just amazing and truthful. I’m obsessed with the Icelandic band, Sigur Rós. Their music = catharsis. I used to like music based on melody. Now, it’s all about the lyrics. Right now I’m listening to Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews Band. Next is some Pink Floyd and Beck and then my sister will, most-likely, blast The Beatles through the house and we’ll scream the lyrics. In 5th grade I picked up the guitar and in 6th and 7th grade I was in a band with a bunch of guys. After the band broke up I put down the guitar for a while. Now I play as much as I can, making up my own tunes and yelling made-up (mostly nonsense) lyrics over them. Music, literally, keeps me going. I wake up and immediately pop in my iPod headphones. Whenever I’m painting or writing I have music playing in the background. I attend a lot of live performances of local bands in LA.

TV

TV and I are currently at odds with one another. There is a mutual hatred between us because I don’t frickin have time to watch TV. So, usually I spend my Friday evenings catching up on the two shows that I was unable to watch during the week and, often times, I fall asleep during the second one. Right now I really like Fringe and my mom and I are obsessed with 24. During school breaks I enjoy sitting in front of the TV all day, killing brain cells, not having to think, and watching marathons of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit or CSI: Las Vegas. I watch TV shows that deal with societal issues… I don’t really like reality TV. I think its sickening that many people get their news from corporate news stations that filter and censor everything we see. It angers me that the in the majority of reality TV shows there are sexist and racist comments made everywhere and yet they are the most popular shows on TV.

VIDEO GAMES

I don’t play video games. I don’t own video games. I’m horrible at them, they make my eyes and head hurt and I think they contribute to the drastic desensitization that has occurred in society.

COMPUTERS

I use computers ALL THE TIME!!! I’m on them constantly to do homework, read, and to waste time. In film class I'm editing music and video on Final Cut Pro. I always have iTunes open and I comb through thousands of song titles looking for the melody that will keep me awake (in the wee hours of the morning when I'm still working on homework) and keep me going.

INTERNET

I spend all my time on the internet. I’m on Youtube, Facebook, email, Feministing, and/or truthout. I don't think I could live without internet, which is truly a sad thing to say because, on one hand, I would love to live a transcendental life but, on the other, I couldn't realistically function without the constant mental satisfaction from the internet. I buy shirts, music, and books on the internet. I read articles and watch short films.

Something that I think is missing from this module is theatre, live talks and presentations. I often see important social figures speak at local colleges (UCLA). In fact, tonight, several of my friends and I are attending a performance of the Vagina Monologues at USC. After the show the playwright, feminist, and activist, Eve Ensler (my supreme hero), is speaking with Dr. Denis Mukwege from Panzi Hospital outside of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. To say the least, the play changed my life when I first saw the HBO performance in 7th grade. In recent history, we went to see the author of Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson, speak in Santa Barbara and we’ve been to several theatrical dramas (I can’t really sit through musicals) of modern, quirky plays.

1. Music
2. Books

3. Internet

4. Newspaper/Magazines

5. TV

6. Computers

7. Video games

Women's Rights PSAs

I Will Use My Voice - made in July 2008.

Our idea arose from the concept that women around the world are silent to the horrors they witness because they are oppressed in their patriarchal society. We attempted to show all ages and ethnicities to provide a single unified voice to speak up against anything and everything that affects us.

Women's Rights PSA - made at the 3rd International Youth Media Summit in Belgrade, Serbia, in August 2008.

Every attempt to silence, destroy or limit a woman places binds around her psychological and physical body. It is through educationa and working with other women and men that these binds can be released, that women can be set free.

Some pictures from Belgrade.

10 days in Belgrade, 5 days to make a film, 7 days with two hours of sleep each night, 3 nights of EXTREME jet lag, 1 camera, and endless memories.

Knowledge Tree

1. Tell us about yourself in a brief autobiography of between 20 - 25 sentences. Where are you from? What do you most like to study? What are your passions and your dreams? Tell us a bit about your personality. Are you outgoing? A leader? Quiet and shy? An observer? What do you want us to know about you?

My name is Tessa Ormenyi. I live in Woodland Hills near Los Angeles. I am a junior at Cleveland High School and a student in the Humanities Magnet (Core). As a freshman, I was introduced to human rights abuses by studying various cultures in Core and, as a sophomore, I resolved to find a voice to move against these forces of degradation. Cleveland HS is fortunate enough to have a prestigious Media Academy where I learned to use film equipment and editing programs (Final Cut Pro). Film became a medium of expression that I found to have a deeper impact on its viewers. Last summer I was one of three U.S. youth delegates to travel to Belgrade, Serbia, for the 3rd International Media Youth Media Summit where 50+ youth convened from all over the world to make seven films on seven issues (Poverty, Women’s Rights, Youth Empowerment, Violence, Racism, Health, Environment). I wrote, directed, and edited the PSA on Women’s Rights (here). Prior to the trip to Serbia a friend of mine and I created a PSA on women’s rights titled I Will Use My Voice (here). Throughout high school I have been involved in the Teen International Media Exchange club on our campus. We raise money for organizations that promote youth filmmakers in other countries. Alongside my film making interests comes my calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and econ classes. I have been fascinated with the physical sciences since elementary school and, in July of 2008, I interned at the Department of Anthropology in the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute in D.C. I gained hands-on experience and independence. Upon returning to school after a tumultuous summer, the 11th grade Core program has become the air I breathe. The classes are based around raising social consciousness by learning about classism, racism, and sexism in American society as well as social movements and philosophies that combat the corporate, industrialized, racist, American manhood. I have resolved to commit my life to bring awareness to issues that so many people perpetuate, with or without their knowing.

2. Explore your relationship with media in five sentences by telling us about a favorite media experience you are having – a book you are reading, a video game you are playing, a movie you just saw, a magazine you subscribe to, a newspaper you read regularly, or a musician or band whose music you really like. What is it about this media experience that makes it powerful for you?

I think I answered some of this in the previous question. I try to broaden my sense of reality in an everyday attempt to be open-minded. Media is a growing, birthing, moving, functioning and mind-boggling thing in which I live and thrive. Here’s a list that influences and inspires me to make films and/or be vocal about injustice.

Tim Wise
bell hooks
Women Left for Dead - and the Man Who’s Saving Them by Eve Ensler
V-Day
Civil Disobedience by Thoreau
Ani Difranco
Brother (Watching) by Shad
Boys Don’t Cry
Start Propaganda
PostSecret

3. In five sentences, tell us about an issue you are concerned about in your home community. Why? What, if anything, have you tried to do about something you are concerned about, or what would you like to do if you could?

For my entire education I have been part of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the 2nd largest school district in the nation, which controls just under 700,000 students. Surprisingly (!), drop-out rates are extremely high in a district that is going broke ($400 million has been cut this year), has encouraged limiting programs to help youth, is religious about mundane standardized testing, and has succeeded in making its teachers, students, and parents miserable. Cleveland HS has a dropout rate of 42%. Within the past school year I have become a youth ambassador for CATALYST, a California program based around the use of service learning. Recently, we have been dealing with the dropout problem and working to develop workshops for teachers on how to implement service learning (a resource statistically proven to keep kids in school) activities with limited funding, class time and resources. On February 9th we will be presenting these workshops at the Leadership Program in Anaheim. My response is a quote from Luis Rodriguez from the book Always Running that epitomizes the source of this problem, “If you came from the Hills, you were labeled from the start. I’d walk into the counselor’s office for whatever reason and looks of disdain greeted me - one meant for a criminal, alien, to be feared … It was a jacket I could try to take off, but they kept putting it back on.”


4. In five sentences, tell us what you can contribute to the group of participants during our DOTCOM program (face-to-face) workshops?

I hope to contribute my media experience in film making and editing. One lesson I learned the hard way is that what one envisions in a film and what one can actually film are two entirely separate things. The trick is to find a middle ground where metaphors can bring a viewer to your vision. The process of creation is far more important for a group than its product. The process is the therapy that brings cultures together therefore creating a meaningful message.