Batman Is Awesome... Kay?

This post is in relation to the first class we had in Digital Storytelling class on September 5. 

I remember the first Digital Storytelling class I had.... we ranted about terrible stories in movies. Somebody mentioned that the first Nolanverse Batman movie sucked at character development....

Dear Batman Begins Hater,

You know what? You're wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Bruce Wayne learns a lot in that first movie, in fact if you didn't notice his first development comes within the first twenty minutes of the movie. 

We first witness Bruce Wayne angry with the criminal underworld so he becomes one to understand them. He winds up in a Bhutanese prison and due to his anger beats the crap out of prisoners that he's pissed off. Ra's Al Ghul meets him there and convinces him to utilize his anger more usefully by joining the 'League of Shadows' (character development point #1). 

As Bruce trains with the League he becomes more adept at fighting and observing his surroundings. He also learns to confront his fear of bats. When Bruce finds out that the League intends to simply eradicate the population of Gotham City Bruce decides that their way is not the right way to avenge his father (character development point #2). 

Bruce comes back home to Gotham City. Bruce and Alfred develop the Batman persona after deciding to renovate the cave into a headquarters and arms himself with gadgets from Lucius Fox. Bruce now has begun to personalities. Batman and Playboy Billionaire Bruce Wayne. (character development point #3)

Yup, that's right. By the time "Batman" even shows up in the movie Christian Bale's character Bruce Wayne has already developed at three distinct and separate points. Yes, he may be confused and sad at points in the movie but much like a real person Bruce Wayne does not manage to change his entire character. He lost both his parents, he will always be sad; they're no longer with him. 

Obviously I have to put a Batman Picture....
oh here's the link

Encountering Phil and Trying Something Simple

This post is in relation to my October 3rd class where we 

delved deeper into digital storytelling formats.

These are my thoughts....

Just as a note I am totally using an idea that is used every Friday by my favourite blogger, Bike Snob NYC. 

You are travelling across a city named Toronto. Within Toronto there are many people. You are on your way to your friend Milos' party located in the office he rents along the Danforth in Greektown. As you are walking down Danforth you can already taste the fresh tzatziki and warm pita bread that you know will be there. All of a sudden you are stopped by a homeless person named Phil. Phil tells you "You may not pass unless you answer my questions." Seeing no way around Phil and not wanting to push the crazy old man aside you figure a few questions wouldn't hurt. You tell him "All right fine, but I'm running late for a party! Can't I just give you money instead?" 

Artist's Depiction and of course the link 

Phil begins to get angry and responds by saying, "NO! None shall pass unless they answer my questions!" You notice multiple people passing by but decide not to say anything more because not going to the party because you got hospitalized by a homeless man was far worse than being fifteen minutes late to the party because a homeless man asked you some questions.

Alas, "getting shanked" is not a marketing term used by this movie's creators to describe someone who is watching the movie... here's the link

"Let's begin..."

"Who was the 16th president of the United States?"

A) Abe Lincoln

B) James Madison 

C) George Bush

D) George Washington

"That wasn't so bad" you thought to yourself then you ask Phil "What's the next question?" Phil responds.

"What's my favourite brand of soap?"

A) Palmolive Original
B) Irish Spring Original
C) Pears
D) Dawn Green Apple


disclaimer: This is not charactertistic of homeless people nor do I assume this is what would actually happen in an interaction with a homeless person. Homelessness is a complicated and interesting matter and can be learned about here, here, and here. 

My Reaction to the Introduction to Digital Storytelling with the Audience becoming the User of the Story

Post is in relation to September 26th's class which covered our introduction to digital storytelling

I consider myself a pretty typical YouTube user. I watch my fair share of viral videos, I subscribe to a dozen or so YouTube personalities (partnered channels), and I even manage to contribute a few videos of my own every once in a while so much so that YouTube gave me the ability to monetize my account.

But you know what's really cool about the whole monetization thing? They give you a whole plethora of tips. One major tip YouTube gives is engaging the audience by asking questions and asking for responses via comments or "response videos".

Sounds similar to something I learned in class... One of the keys to utilizing the internet as a digital storytelling platform is to bring the audience into the story, which brings me to the question I have to ask myself, "What am I doing to engage the audience and bring them into a story not just as an interactive audience but rather as a user of the story itself?"

This blog definitely isn't an interactive storytelling medium but rather a journal open for the world to see my thoughts in relation to my storytelling class. There's even a specific blogger that encourages his audience to become part of the blogger's daily stories Maybe I could kick it up a notch....

COMMENT BELOW AND TELL ME WHAT TO TALK ABOUT or SEND ME A LETTER OR FUNNY PICTURE AND I'LL PUT IT UP ON MY NEXT POST.

I'm tired of being like this girl except more techno-manlike....
YAY DIGITAL STORYTELLING

image link