In Class Writing 9/16/10

Fill in Dialogue (looking at a passage from Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)

Page 1

            Panel 1

                        A: It was a bad day to be Elizabeth Long.

                        B: All she wanted was to bake some cookies.

                        C: She got fire, instead

            Panel 2

                        A: Everyone thought the fire was a murder attempt.

                        B: No one particularly liked Elizabeth Long.

                        C: Some were even planning on doing it themselves.

Panel 3

            A: Three individuals knew better though.

            B: This was a crime, but no ordinary crime.

Panel 4

            A: Cookies were involved.

            B: English cookies.

Page 2

            Panel 1

                        A: Nice bedroom.

            Panel 2

                        A: I’ve never been so insulted in my life.

                        B: Me neither.

            Panel 3

                        A: We find ourselves in troubling times.

                        B: So it would seem.

Page 3

            Panel 1

                        A: It seems that it is time to take more drastic actions.  Now.

            Panel 2

                        A: You can’t be serious!?  Miss Long’s recipe!?

            Panel 3

                        A: Yes.  We need to understand why she made those cookies.

            Panel 4

                        A: This is outrageous.  I hate oatmeal raisin.

            Panel 5

                        A: Me too, but sacrifices must be made for England.

            Panel 6

A: Do not ask me.  But if you are to fail, English cookies could seize to exist…

Page 4

            Panel 1

                        A: Time to go.

                        B: But crime never sleeps!

            Panel 2

A: I have a killer headache.  This case can wait until I finish my homework.

Parent and Child Conflict Dialogue

Lily: Mom…sniff, sniff

Mom: What’s wrong, honey?

Lily: The tooth-fairy didn’t’ come…She doesn’t care about me.

Mom: Oh, no…

Lily: I know I don’t brush my teeth every night but….

Mom: Umm, I’m going to go check your pillow.

Lily: Oh, my gosh!  What if Santa finds out!?

Mom: You stay here…

Lily: OR THE EASTER BUNNY!?  Will I be allowed to eat chocolate?

Mom: I’ll be right back…

Lily: Where are you going?

Mom: To check your pillow…

Lily: I checked!  I pulled all the covers off my bed!  My mattress is on the floor!

Mom: oh…

Lily: Wait a second… Are you the too—

Mom: I’m going to make pancakes!  Blueberry or chocolate?

Lily: Yay pancakes!  Chocolate please!

In Class Writing 9/9/10

An open field with a few trees.  The trees are beginning to change color.  The bright greens of summer are turning to pale yellows.  It’s the dark time just before dawn.  The sky is huge and open.  The field extends forever.  There is no one there.  The swirling grass is the only movement visible.

An empty town.  Old newspapers and various pieces of garbage swirl with the wind.  The town was probably busy 30 years ago, but the children have since grown up and the older patrons have died or moved.  A lone dog sleeps in one of the alleys.  It’s early morning.  The buildings are old and tired looking with cracks and peeling paper.  The buildings recall better days.

Mackinac Island—the water, trees, Victorian houses, running with my Dad.  The mornings are a struggle to survive the hour run and blissfully peaceful when an hour of work is rewarded by coffee up on the balcony overlooking the island.  The air smells like summer and the sun’s rays bounce off of the water, further illuminating the trees and the houses.  The town is small and quaint in the morning before the tourist swarm.  There’s a nice feel of community as everyone stumbles out to begin the day’s work of cleaning the streets, making coffee, baking cinnamon rolls, and making fudge.  There’s a faint smell of horses that is actually comforting because no other place in the world quite resembles this warm, Michigan smell.

When I need an escape, I go to the road on Mackinac Island.  The sky is huge and the road goes on forever that hints at possibilities.  And I’m running.  I can feel the power and pace of my legs and I feel alive, never tired.  I just keep running.  Sometimes my dad is there, sometimes my sister.  And we’re not running from anything but just running because we can.  It’s morning where the sky is a pale, bright blue and the sun is just hanging in the horizon.  The water sparkles and dancing on the right and on the left of the road are the greenest trees full of birds bursting with song.  The smell of cedar and Michigan grass combined with the water vibrants in the air.  The weather is cool enough to be comfortable, but warm enough that running in shorts and a t-shirt is comfortable.  Sometimes there’s music—often something written by Thomas Newman…

Monterey Bay—a small town that survives on tourists and rich summer-time patrons.  Although there’s a hint of cheese, it has its own quarky charm.  Seating on the water, it watches over the harbor where harbor seals and sealions sing out.  Rocks line the coast—there’s only small patches of sandy beach—but the rocks are perfect for climbing and exploring.  The waves make beautiful patterns as they brush up against the rocks.  A windy trail follows the shoreline and around the houses.  Artists pull out easels, people walk every type of dog imaginable, bikers ride in large packs, and runners plod along trying not to trip on the uneven pavement.  The hills climb up and down creating a beautiful landscape that hides everything from one point of view and then displays the entire coast once a hill is breached.  The air smells like the salt water and there is a cool-sometimes harshly cold-breeze that whips your hair. 

Archetypal Characters

Page of Swords—He is young, arrogant, and brave.  His bravery comes from his limited view of the world-he’s not experienced enough to be paranoid or fear anything.  His confidence is both a virtue and a fault: although people are drawn to his personality at first, they are also repulsed by it because of his vanity.  He does not hide who he is.  He’ll try anything.  He’s the one jumping from cliffs for the thrill of it.  He’ll walk right up to the largest man and insult him if he deems it necessary.  He speaks his mind, but he probably should have a filter because people usually don’t care for his opinion which is so limited.  He is only truly happy in a crowd of people and if not enough people are noticing him, he’ll do something rash to be noticed.  He’s the loudest one talking in the market, and he stands taller than his 5 feet, 9 inches.  Girls flock to him until he starts talking and doesn’t stop about all the wonderful things he’s going to accomplish someday.  He has yet to prove himself, but he wants to.

The Tower: He died.  10 years of medical school for what?  A brilliant brain surgeon, climbing to the top (he was just out of med school), starting a beautiful family (a daughter and a son) with the right woman, and then cancer.  2 years, maybe 3 of knowing there is no hope.  He made movies where he talks to his kids, telling them how much he loves them—they won’t remember much of him—they’re only 5 and 3 years old.  Then he dies.  Just like that.  Suffering, affliction, disaster…it makes you question your own life.  He told my dad, if I had known I was going to have cancer at 30, I would never have gone to med school.  His undergrad degree was English.  Maybe he wanted to be a writer too or explore Africa, maybe make it to space someday—who knows.  An incredibly brilliant person, just…gone.  He leaves his friends and family wondering why.

The Hierophant: She is always there.  She helps me with the problems that need more than just a bandaid or a cup of tea.  When my confidence is failing, when I don’t know how to talk to my teachers about an assignment, or when I’m wondering who I am, she is there to reassure me that it’s going to be all right and that I do have the tools to figure it out.  She doesn’t give answers, but reassures you that you’ve always had them.  She never doubts you the way you doubt yourself.  Most importantly is that she just listens.  She listens to everyone.  That is perhaps why she has a difficult time dealing with her own problems because she is so busy taking care of everyone else. 

The Page (P) and the Tower (T) are stranded in Southern Florida.  Both of their cars broke down late at night.  A wicked rainstorm made driving difficult and steering impossible.  The Page rear-ended the Tower and now they find themselves alone.  The rain has ended, but it’s pitch black darkness aside from the light of their cell phones and wrecked cars glowing feebly.

            T: What were you thinking! You were going way too fast!

P: You were going too slow!  I was keeping up with traffic, ok?  Besides your car is barely scratched.

T: Ha!  Scratched! You have no idea what this is going to cost!  You were going way too fast.

            P: I can handle a car.

            T: Like hell you can, you just crashed into me! And now we’re stranded in the middle of no where!

            P: I have a cell phone, old man.  I’ll just call for help.

            T: That may be difficult considering there’s no cell coverage here, smart one.

            P: What?

Another car comes over the horizon.  It’s the first car seen in hours. T and P are still stranded out in the night.

            P: A car!  We can ask for help!

            T: Don’t ask random cars for help at 3 in the morning! Are you insane?

            P: Oh, come on.  I’m not afraid.

            T: You should be.

New car pulls over.

            H: Are you guys ok?

            P: Can we have a ride?

            T: (to P) Are you insane!? You can’t ask a stranger for a ride!

            P: (to T, smirking) I just did.

            H: I’d be happy to take you guys to my place to use the phone.  There’s no cell coverage in this area.

            P: Isn’t that weird?!  We’re completely alone!  Nobody even knows I’m here, I’ve got to call a friend to pick me up.  This guy is even worse off!  He lives alone!

            T (aside): Oh my god.  He’s going to get us killed or worse…

            H: Haha, sure climb in.

P doesn’t hesitate, T does.

            T: I think I’m fine, thanks.  All-star just kicked in.

            H: Oh, it’s no trouble, hop in.  My house is just up the road.

            T(aside): There aren’t towns around here for miles!  (to H) No thanks, and P, I think you’d better stay with me.

            P: No way, dude, I gotta get to a phone.

            H: I have food, too.  And you can stay the night.  You must be tired.

            T: No, P, really, I think you should stay.  There’s, um, insurance stuff to take care of and, um, what about your car?

            P: That things wrecked.  No one will take it.  I’ll come back for it in the morning.  I’m beat.

            H (in a serious tone): Get in the car.

            T: P, come on man, get out of the car NOW.

H takes off with P in it.  T is left on the road trying to figure out what to do.

"Slice of Life" Comic (due 9/23/10)

A Conversation before Alan Scarritt’s Talk

Page 1

Panel 1: A bird’s eye view of a crowd of people shuffling into Selby Gallery’s Lecture Hall.  People are talking to each other and some are gathered around the tables of food provided.

Panel 2: A zoomed in view of two elderly couples (Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein and Mr. and Mrs. Fisher) talking and sitting next to each other in the back of the hall.  They have cups of coffee and food in their hands.

            Panel 3: A zoomed in view of Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein.

                       

                        Mrs. Goldstein: Where are you going for the holiday?

            Panel 4: A view of Mrs. Fisher.  Mr. Fisher continues eating.

Mrs. Fisher: The kids are coming down.  We’ll go to services in the morning.

            Panel 5: A zoomed in view of Mrs. Fisher.

                       

                        Mrs. Fisher: I have so much cooking to do!

            Panel 6: A view of Mrs. Goldstein.

                        Mrs. Goldstein: Yes, it will be a relief when this is all over.

Page 2

            Panel 1: Mr. Fisher adding to the conversation with his mouth full of food.

                        Mr. Fisher: The hardest part is not eating for two days!

            Panel 2: Mrs. Fisher looking questioning at her husband.

                        Mrs. Fisher: Two days?

Mr. Fisher: You eat Friday night and you can’t eat again until Saturday night!

            Panel 3: Mrs. Fisher poking at her food.

                        Mrs. Fisher: Yes…

            Panel 4: Mr. Goldstein adding to the conversation.  He looks very self-assured.

                        Mr. Goldstein: I could easily go without eating for three days!

            Panel 5: Mrs. Goldstein and the Fishers looking surprised at Mr. Goldstein.

                        Mr. Goldstein: I could!  Sometimes I forget to eat!

Panel 6: Mrs. Goldstein is shaking her head and looking fondly, but incredulously at her husband.

Mrs. Goldstein: Well at least you don’t have to do the cooking for Friday night!

Page 3

Panel 1: A zoomed out view of the couple eating still eating, waiting for the presentation to start.

Mrs. Fisher: I think the temple will provide food Saturday night to break the fast.

            Panel 2: Mr. Fisher makes a face.

                        Mr. Fisher: Why would I eat there?

            Panel 3: Mrs. Goldstein steering Mrs. Fisher’s attention from her husband.

                        Mrs. Goldstein: So the kids are coming down?

            Panel 4: Mrs. Fisher looks happy again.  She is turned away from her husband.

           

                        Mrs. Fisher: Yes!  They’ll all be staying with us!  Even the little ones.

            Panel 5: Mrs. Goldstein looking pleased and Mrs. Fisher is beaming.

                        Mrs. Goldstein: Oh how wonderful!

Panel 6: Mrs. Fisher is relating a list of items she is going to cook for her family and the view is a zoomed out view of the two couples and the room.  The presenter (Alan Scarritt) is also taking stage.

Mrs. Fisher: Yes!  I’m going to make potato kugel, chicken, and I polished the fine china!

Dream Comic Assignment (due 9/16/10)

My Dream

Page 1

Panel 1: A bird’s eye view of a windowless, crowded room.  People are packed so closely together that there is little room for any movement.  Everyone is talking loudly to each other.

Panel 2: The view zooms in to a main character (Ariel), wedged between two other people.

Panel 3: Ariel sees her friend Katie walk by and among the congestion.  A look of surprise on Ariel’s face as she remembers something important she has to tell Katie.

Panel 4: Ariel is trying to get Katie’s attention by moving her arms, but her arms are firmly pressed against her body by the surrounding people.

            Panel 5: Katie continues walking away from Ariel.

            Panel 6: A look of panic on Ariel’s face as Katie disappears from her view.

Page 2

Panel 1: Ariel tries to yell out, but cannot.  (A blank word balloon is shown to symbolize Ariel’s lack of sound.)

            Panel 2: Ariel looks panicky.

Panel 3: A view of the room of people tilted on itself.  It looks like all the people are going to crush Ariel.

Panel 4: Ariel continues to try yelling and to move away from the group of people, but she is unable to move.

Panel 5: More people are somehow entering the room, making it even more crowded.

            Panel 6: Ariel is continuing to try to scream, but no sound is coming forth.

Page 3

Panel 1: A zoomed out view of Ariel still fighting and looking more and more distressed.  The crowd around her continues to be indifferent to her struggles.

            Panel 2: Katie is suddenly standing in front of Ariel.

            Panel 3: Ariel looks overjoyed.

Panel 4: Ariel tries to say something, but still no sound.  (A large, blank word balloon is shown, suggesting that Ariel continues to try to talk even though no sound is admitted.)

            Panel 5: Katie looks blankly at Ariel as if she doesn’t see her.

            Panel 6: Ariel tries again to yell and tell Katie something.

Page 4

            Panel 1: The crowd begins to overwhelm Ariel and Katie.

            Panel 2: Ariel loses track of where Katie has gone.  She looks panicky.

Panel 3: Ariel is being pulled deeper and deeper down into darkness.  Individual bodies are no longer discernible.

Panel 4: Ariel is being lost in a bunch of large, black dots.  Her hand reaches out for something to hold onto.

            Panel 5: Only black dots are visible.

            Panel 6: A black panel.

Fables 9/9/10

A Comic Script based on Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid”

Page 1

Panel 1: An establishing shot of a modern coastal town.  It is early morning and sailboats, fishermen, joggers, and people walking their dogs are out. 

           

Panel 2: A shot of the sun rising above the ocean.  All that is visible is the ocean and a lone fishing boat.

Panel 3: The view changes to the water.  Fish are swimming in the shifting patterns of the sun.

Panel 4: Over an underwater sand dune, the kingdom of Atlantis is visible.  The palace glitters and is the grandest building.  Surrounding the palace is a mixture of large and small buildings that resemble a city.  All the architecture is Greek-like, but with aquatic themes (i.e. giant shells compose some of the building’s roofs, stones and seaweed are arranged like palm trees along the streets.)

Panel 6: The palace zooms into view and five mermaids are visible looking into separate mirrors applying makeup or brushing their hair.  The mermaids have green, flowing hair with aquatic flowers of different colors growing in it.  Their eyes are large and yellow with thick eyelashes.  Their ears are smaller than human ears and they have gills around their necks.  Their tails are varying colors (purple, orange, and red) and they wear different types of shells and seaweed around their chests as different styles of shirts.  They are beautiful, but definitely do not look human.

Page 2

Panel 1: The image further zooms into the room.  While the five mermaids are attending to their hair, one mermaid, the youngest (the “Little Mermaid”) is sitting at her mirror, and looking out the window.  Through her window, the sun’s rays shifting in the water are visible.

Panel 2: The Little Mermaid (LM) is still gazing out her window and one of her sisters approaches her with a brush in her hand.

           

The Sister: Are you dreaming about land again?

            LM: No…

Panel 3: Other sisters are gathering around LM and all look excited and holding various pieces of jewelry made from shells and sparkling stones.

           

            The Sister: You know Dad hates it when you start daydreaming…

Panel 4: LM gets up and swims through the window, leaving her sisters behind.  Her sisters look wary.

            LM: See you guys later.

            The Sister: Just don’t get caught, sister!

Panel 5: LM is swimming between the ornate coral buildings and schools of fish.  Other mer-people are seen going about their daily business (i.e. shopping, holding the hands of their young children, and swimming).

Panel 6: LM has an amused expression on her face as she swims towards the surface.

           

            LM: Don’t get caught. 

Page 3

            Panel 1: LM breaks the surface in a little cove surrounded by rocks.

Panel 2: LM goes to a niche in the rocks where there is a journal and a pen tucked away.

Panel 3: LM opens the journal and thoughtfully sticks the pen in her mouth.

            LM (narration): Last night I dreamt about music.

Panel 4: A scene from LM’s dream: she is sitting on a rock and watching people dance and play the fiddle.  LM is sitting in the middle of the crowd, trying to participate, but obviously limited by her tailfin.

Panel 5: The scene changes to LM trying to play a broken down fiddle underwater, while dancing in a similar jig as she envisions in her dream.

            LM (narration): This morning I tried to play music…

Panel 6: Same scene, but LM looks defeated because the fiddle will not sing and her tail is tangled up in seaweed from trying to dance.

           

            LM (narration): …but it didn’t work.

Page 4

            Panel 1: The scene switches back to LM writing in her journal.

                       

                        LM (narration): I’ve had too many failures.

           

            Panel 2-7: A series of smaller panels showing LM’s attempts to translate experiences she’s seen on land to her underwater home.

                        Panel 2: LM is in a position to start sprinting

                                    LM (narration): Running underwater is just…

Panel 3: LM with her arms outstretched and her tailfin straight behind her.  She has a frustrated look on her face.

                                    LM (narration): …floating.

                        Panel 4: LM is half out of the water smelling a flower.

                                    LM (narration): And flowers on land smell…

Panel 5: LM in a similar position but looking angrily at the aquatic plant-life that has no smell.

                                    LM (narration): …unlike the ones back home.

Panel 6: LM is stealing a slice pie left close to the water from someone’s picnic.

                                    LM (narration): And food on land is not…

Panel 7: LM with the same piece of pie in her hands but the pie is gross and destroyed from being underwater.

                                    LM (narration): …slimy.

            Panel 8: A view of LM writing in her journal again.

                                   

                                    LM (narration): It’s time to see the Sea Witch.

Page 5

Panel 1: LM is swimming towards a murky area underwater where the seaweed forms creepy shapes similar to eerie bare-branched trees.

Panel 2: LM enters a cave and the Sea Witch is visible from behind putting together potions.  There is a thick and sickly-looking fog surrounding her.

                        Sea Witch: Hello, Little Mermaid!  I know why you’re here.

Panel 3: LM looks surprised and nervous.  She faces the Sea Witch without making eye contact.  The Sea Witch looks amused.

                        Sea Witch: You want to be a human.

Panel 4: The Sea Witch is facing the viewer, looking evil, and the LM is looking hopeful in the background.

                        Sea Witch: I can do it for you, but for a price.

                        LM: Really?!  I’ll do anything!

Panel 5: The Sea Witch swoops down on the LM and holds onto her throat.  LM looks scared.

                       

                        Sea Witch: Give me your voice and I’ll turn you into a human.

Panel 6: LM brushes the Sea Witch’s hand away.  The Sea Witch’s evil smile has changed into shock.

                       

                        LM: Um, no thank you, then.

Page 6

            Panel 1: LM is swimming away from the Sea Witch’s cave.

                       

LM: Creepy old hag.

            Panel 2: LM is swimming towards a building that says “Library.”

                        LM: I’ll find my own way to be human.

Panel 3: LM is reading books with the titles: Transformation for Dummies, So You Want to Be a Human?, Land 101, and The Art of Walking.

Panel 4: LM is wearing thick protective goggles and pouring glowing chemicals together in her room.  There are a bunch of crumpled up notes and half full flasks surrounding her work area.

Panel 5: “Two months later” is in the corner of the panel.  LM is sitting in her writing cove holding a glass bottle full of a glowing gold fluid.  She has her journal open.

           

                        LM: Well, this is it!  Here’s to a dry future!

Panel 6: LM is drinking the liquid and the background behind her is hazy and twisted with strange perspectives.

Page 7

            Panel 1: A blank panel.

Panel 2: A narrowed view of rocks and water and the tip of a foot.  This perspective is supposed to be through LM’s eyes waking up after taking the potion.

            Panel 3: A more open view of two feet and legs from LM’s perspective.

Panel 4: LM is holding onto her toes with a huge smile on her face.  Although she has legs, her appearance is still mer-like with her long, green hair with flowers growing out of it, large yellow eyes, small ears, and the slight indentation of gills around her neck.

            Panel 5: LM tries to stand up, but is wobbly.

Panel 6: LM sees runners past her as she grabs onto the rocks around her for balance.  She’s smiling.

Page 8

Panel 1: LM is creeping out from behind the rocks and takes some clothes left by people swimming in the ocean.

            Panel 2: LM puts on the clothes and sees more runners pass by.

            Panel 3: LM starts running after the joggers.

            Panel 4: LM begins to stumble.

            Panel 5: LM is falling.

Panel 6: LM falls to the ground and there is a large “CRACK” sound as she breaks her arm.

Page 9

Panel 1: LM is cradling her arm and silent tears are running down her face.  Behind her an Old Woman is running towards her.

                       

                        Old Woman: Oh my goodness, child!  Are you alright?

            Panel 2: The Old Woman helps LM up and is helping her walk to her car.

Old Woman: I think you broke it!  Let’s get you to the hospital right away!

Panel 3: “Later” is in the corner of the panel.  The Old Woman and LM are sitting in the Old Woman’s kitchen.  The Old Woman is making soup for dinner.  LM has a cast on her arm and looks defeated.  LM’s gills are gone and her hair is streaked with brown.  The flowers in her hair are gone.

                        Old Woman: So no physical activity for a while, missy.

                        LM: I know, I know.

           

            Panel 4: The Old Woman is dishing out bowls of soup for both of them.

                        Old Woman: You say you are from out of town?

                        LM: Um, yes…

Panel 5: A zoomed out view of the Old Woman and LM talking at dinner.  Both are smiling and enjoying each other’s company.

                        LM (narration): She didn’t ask too many questions.

Panel 6: A further zoomed out view of the house by the water where the Old Woman and LM are staying.

LM (narration): She’s an innkeeper and is letting me stay for free until I get well.  Day 1 on land has proven to be interesting.

Page 10

Panel 1: LM is reading books titled: Psychology, Calculus, Modern Art History, and Plant Biology. She is seating in a comfy chair in the Old Woman’s house. The Old Woman is smiling and cleaning around LM.

Panel 2: It’s fall and the Old Woman is showing LM how to fly a kite on the beach.  LM is amazed.  LM’s hair is less green and her eyes are changing from yellow to green.

Panel 3: It’s winter and the Old Woman is showing LM how to bake brownies.  LM’s cast is off.  LM’s hair is long, but completely brown.

Panel 4: It’s spring and LM is running with a group of friends.  She is waving back at the Old Woman and smiling.  LM’s hair is in a ponytail and her eyes are a human-looking green.  Her ears look human, too.

Panel 5: LM is sitting on the beach looking out at the water.  She is alone and looks completely human.

LM (narration): I have a new life here.  In a couple of months, I’m going to go to “college.”  I’m happy and yet, I miss my family.

Panel 6: LM is walking away from the beach and a purple tailfin can be seen diving under the waves.

Page 11

Panel 1: It’s early morning and LM is tearing pages out of her journal and tying it together in a small roll.  There is an empty bottle next to her on her desk.  Her room is packed up in boxes to show that she is leaving and is about to head off to college.

            Panel 2: LM is in a small sailboat going out to sea.

Panel 3: LM is adjusting the sails on the boat.  Land is no longer visible around her.

Panel 4:  LM is looking down into the waves, searching for any sign of Atlantis while dropping the bottle full of pages from her journal down into the water.

LM (narration): Sometimes I wonder if I dreamed up my life under the sea.

Panel 5: LM is sailing away towards land.  A small piece of a purple tailfin is poking out of the water.

LM (narration): I just hope that if they’re still out there, they know how happy I am…

Panel 6: LM’s mer-family is gathered around the letter she put in the bottle.  They are smiling; some of the sisters are brushing away tears.

LM (narration): and how much I still love them.