Elliot Stein Lit. And Media Studies Blog

As far as types of activism go, there aren't many that I'm incredibly into. I don't disagree with what people have to say about the ideas of race, gender, equality, or ideology as far as fighting for social activism goes, it's just that I don't have the biggest interest in them myself. This may be especially relevant in that we have a rampant maniac taking control of the White House in D.C. and giving bad influences. Oh and Donald Trump. No, I rather have greater love for interactive media that everyone can enjoy, and for people to explore a new virtual reality. Just like the concept of Ready Player One, it's a story of control, and the characters join up together to fight against the oppression, and free their virtual reality world called "The Oasis." Except instead of fighting for a virtual world that doesn't exist, I'm instead wanting to fight for something more relevant, and controversial. Violence. Violence not just in video games, but

My thoughts on the article/story Suddenly, a Knock on The Door was intrigue. Although it was written 6 years ago, and taking place in Russia, it felt close to home for me. The story is that a man was invaded by different attackers coming to his house, presumably to rob him, and demand he tells a story for them. The more and more he tries to tell a story, the closer he feels he may get on death's doorstep. The story itself is both intriguing to me, and terrifying. Terrifying because even though it came from the author Etgar Keret's perspective, but it felt like it was really happening in real life. To me, it felt real because of the rise in the news, and media of death, and gun violence in the world, as well as America. It's true the article was written in 2012, but it feels like it could have been written today, and nothing would be different. It's scary to think that could happen to anyone today, and whenever makes it even more relevant. The second thought I felt thr

There are a number of things that can be recommended to anyone who wants to get into a hobby. Whether it's a book, a video game, movies, drawing, exercise, and more. To me, I can recommend a graphic novel to anyone who seems to be struggling with personal issues, faiths, and even the troubles of growing up. The novel is called "Blankets" by Craig Thompson. The novel is based on a young man named Craig (Based on the author) growing up within a Christian lifestyle. Throughout the beginning of the book, Craig goes throughout most of the novel in search of his soul, and wants to break free of his fate despite what his parents, and his Church tell him. This isn't until he meets a girl named Raina at Church camp, and begins growing a loving relationship with throughout the story. When Craig has the chance to stay with Raina during his spring break, he takes the chance, and with her goes from an anti social character, to a more respectable, and lovable figure that cares not

Media, can be the best of things, and it can be the worst of things. The way we as humans learn about the world we live in is through the media. From news, to social media, to observing it from our phones. Sometimes if we hear a piece of news that is unnatural to our beings, we look away, and try not to think about it. We have the ability to look past the harsh realities of the world, in favor to look forward to the more positive viewings. However it's because of our abilities to view the news we want to hear, and learn what we want to learn that we often fall behind to the rest of the world. Social media for example is how we view not only news, but how other people view it. Sometimes people can be overly dramatic when delivering "grave news" on their Facebook pages, but often it can be seen as overbearing to everyone browsing. Truly a nuisance. This can also be a way to think differently about the person you know. (Disastrous news article + Dramatic response = Overrea

The TV show I chose to watch was Netflix's Godless, a Western drama about living in the Old West during the mid 1880's. Throughout the show it follows numerous characters as they live their lives throughout the Wild West, and how they live their lives around the world. From criminals, to wealthy business tycoons, to sheriffs, every character in the show has a story to tell. One thing that stood out during the show for me was the way many of the characters broke their norms from the average stereotypes we associate with from the Wild West. In fact I would say in many ways, the women in the show are the real main characters. From how they act, to their positions in the world, and the more we learn about everyone. The show also breaks tradition of typical Western Drama entertainment as a lot of the stories told in each episode are honest in the way their characters act, and talk to each other. The main story of the show follows Roy Goode, an outlaw on the run from his former bos

Throughout the week, I've read both My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris, and Ghost World by Daniel Clowes. Both are graphic novels about characters lives, and are based on an abstract take on reality. Though Ghost world is more of a narrative novel, and Monsters is a graphic novel like a comic book, both tell stories of human emotion. In Ghost World the story follows two teenage girls Enid, and Rebecca as they graduated high school, and wonder what they will do for the rest of their lives. While pondering their futures, they also take the time to wander their town criticizing pop culture, and the people they meet. While their friendship is big, their bond is testes throughout the novel when Enid plans to move out of town to go to college. My Favorite Thing is Monsters focuses on a young girl named Karen Reyes as she discovers to her dismay that her neighbor was murdered. Conflicted, and curious Karen, and her mother try to cope with their friends, neighbors, and other ch

Having a voice through filmmaking can be a hard thing to use, especially when you want to tell your stories to a large audience. Wether based on ideals, beliefs, ethnicities, ideologies, or personal senses of thought, telling a story about a topic through a specific tone. Throughout the past week I've watched three movies by filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, an American filmmaker best known for abstract takes on life, and how we feel between them. The movies I've watched (in no order specific to the release dates of the movies) were There Will be Blood (2007), The Master (2012), and Boogie Nights (1997). Each of the three movies follows different protagonists, but each also follow similar themes of human emotions, ideals, and all have incredible acting in each of them. In chronological order, each of the movies follow under a timeline I've theorized as "The P-TA Timeline." From the dates, and periods in which these movies play out, it begins with "There Will

While reading the screenplay to Boogie Nights (1997) by Paul Thomas Anderson, and I have decided to write a script based on the screenwriters perspective. While writing a script for a movie, I will approach the writing with reasonable, and suitable circumstances for everyone including the director to understand. When writing a story for a movie, especially a coming of age film like Boogie Nights, I want to make it so that the script can relate to not just the viewers, but the characters playing the roles of the teenagers. The film itself focuses on living life during the 70's, and the rise of the porn industry. It follows Eddie as he becomes a porn star, and rises to the top gaining power, and respect in the industry when his family wouldn't respect him. For me when I write the screenplay I want to write it so that everyone on set, acting directing, filming and producing will be acceptable for everyone to work with. I want to write a screenplay that will be acceptable for e

Throughout the novel "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline, it takes place in a futuristic Oklahoma, focusing on an 18 year old boy named Wade Watts. A character with a sad life around him with school, and his family, but is able to escape within a digital virtual reality called The Oasis. There, he can be whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and with no limits. Making it a dream come true for a simulation to live in. Throughout the novel, Wade hangs out with his friend Aech discuss about the games they played, while also talking about old movies. While this is occurring, Wade brings up a Steven Spielberg while talking about classic movies. Being that the movie will be directed by Spielberg, I thought of it as an ironic quote, and that gave me an idea for a script for the movie. Maybe when Wade is going into The Oasis, he can work or act in a Spielberg movie, and work directly with Spielberg on his famous movies. Such as E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, and even his other

My experience from reading Marriage of A Thousand Lies has been met with feelings of intrigue, sorrow, and emotion. Following the story of Lucky, who is a unemployed Millennial programmer. She tries to live the life her family wants her to have, and always follow her traditions. Though Lucky and her husband are married, they are both homosexual, and want to follow their own paths. This is put to the test when Lucky's childhood friend Nisha comes over, who also was Lucky's first lover. While Nisha is planned to marry a man her parents arranged for her, she still feels affection for Lucky, and will do anything to be with her. The story seems a bit hard to follow at times, though it does follow the themes of sexuality, marriage, and conformity quite admirably. (It's certainly no 50 Shades of Grey ). Throughout the story, we learn more about Lucky and how she feels about love throughout the novel. Even her sisters who asked her to visit their grandmother who is slowly passing

Reading the novel Cosmopolis, it discusses the ideas of privilege, fortune, and the dangers of money. Throughout the novel it follows Eric Parker, a young asset manager who takes a limo to get a haircut, but is interrupted when the President of the United States makes a visit in Manhattan, causing an anti-capitalist riot. This is when Parker views the world outside his life with open eyes, as he see's numerous sexual encounters with women he meets, and he loses large amounts of money through betting against the rise of the yen. Being that this is a short novel, it tries to get the message of privilege out, and tells why it shouldn't be taken for granted. While it gets the message out narratively, I feel that it fails in the regard to tell us the viewer as a message. Or at least it tells the message very tangibly, because it doesn't tell much about what Parker thinks of, or is like as an over privileged 28 year old that wants to get a haircut. Yes it's true he takes a l

My theme park would be based on the history of Wonder Woman. From her small beginnings, to her massive growth as a character over the decades, and as a member to the DC Justice League. The main attraction would be the "Tunnel of Progression" a tunnel similar to Disney World's "It's a Small World" where people ride along the path of the ride, and see how Wonder Woman has progressed over time. It will begin with the ride showing Greek mythology of the Ancient Greek Gods, and Goddesses. Latter turning into Suffragist protests in the world during the 1910's - 30's. After that it would show, and tell about Professor William Marston, and how he came up with the original concept for Wonder Woman during his Harvard Years. After that it will show the first Wonder Woman comics in print, and being shown off to the world. It would also be reasonable to have further suffragist protests during the time into WW2, and how women helped along the war. The more the r

In the novel True Grit by Charles Portis, it explores the themes of what a Western drama can be. Following Mattie Ross after her father was killed by Tom Chaney, she tries to persuade the help of Marshall Ruben Cogburn, to help find Chaney, and kill him. On the other hand, a Texas Ranger named Le Boeuf is also after Chaney to bring him to Justice. While heading into the wild lands to find Chaney, Mattie also has the passion to join the two men on their mission, but is rejected by the two for thinking she would slow them down, or get in their way. It isn't until Le Boeuf takes it too far, and torments Mattie that Cogburn nearly kills him, and allows Mattie to come along. Throughout the journey, all three learn to respect one another more, especially Cogburn to Mattie, almost becoming like a father-figure to her, and continuously search for Chaney until the job is done. True Grit as a story is a Western thriller, and action story as it continues on, giving more of a suspenseful feel

Prologue to Elliot Stein Difference can be a powerful trait of someone. The difference to think, learn, act, or repeat can be what defines someone over another. Although I have numerous differences to myself, I still feel equal to the forms of studying in school. I say this, as I have a big learning difference that may slow me down from learning anything big, and I can sometimes feel overwhelmed. However, do not feel discouraged to take it slow for myself, just a quick understanding of the project outside of class can help catch me up with whats to come. For me I come from Colorado, where for 13 years, I have been apart of a changing educational system. Changing more of my leaning skills over the years, with what I've learned, am learning, and what I would like to do with my life. School, or work in general are things that I personally love to do, for it stimulates my mind, and gives me motivation to work throughout the day. I feel this to be relevant as although I adore lear