Wintershall Nativity (19/12/11)

Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.

As we embarked upon a muddy trench with umbrellas in hand, we anticipated the Christmas spirit brought about by the annual nativity play. The sky was a translucent burn't blue. Typical as the rain continued to pour down.

The breeze was chilling as we passed beacons of fire orientated on both sides of the path. Their essence filled the smoky air comforted by their warmth. My shoes were an inconvenience as they moulded into the clay-like mud that blanketed the pathway.

The service began at the top of the hill with Mary riding a donkey that was guided by Joseph. The crowd, like a swarm, were led east by a star to a near-by barn. I was more concerned about falling into the sticky mud that was now riddled with shoe impressions.

When the service finished we were guided along a walkway scattered with hay and were given the opportunity to interact with the cast. This was the highlight of Mum's evening as she got the opportunity to shake the hand of the man who played Jesus in the previous production.

The service was performed by a troupe of Christian volunteers and was mildly compelling. I'd seen them earlier this year in The Passion Of Christ (a reenactment of the Easter story) and even then, by their presence alone you could tell they had the passion.

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

Happy Blogiversary!

That's right. On this day in 2010, I set up my blog.

Mainly with the intention of making a good impression at university, as this time last year I was halfway through drafting my personal statement. 

How times have changed. I am now at a university I love. I am studying a course that I love and I am living with housemates that I, well, love.

We've spent most of the day decorating the house with paper chains as we're all cheapskates when it comes to Christmas.

(insert reference to bonding here)

At 4:32pm it's already getting dark outside and it's turned bitterly cold. I'm cuddled up in bed with freshly washed sheets feeling rather nostalgic. I want to savour these moments as they don't come by often.

I hope you've enjoyed reading and there's plenty more to come.

I mustn't forget to credit my rather awesome housemate Devan for the rather punnerific title (casual neologism). #TheOneWhatsAttemptingBlogging

The Electronic Mode Code - Can You Crack It?

This is the question on GCHQ's state-of-the-art transmitters as the intelligence agency use social networking sites to recruit a new generation of super sleuths.

According to The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11), GCHQ has introduced an internet-based code-breaking game "tracking down" people with the skills for successful hacking in an attempt to combat the high levels of cyber crime present in the current computer age.

This unconventional method differs greatly from their previous attempt, in which they would invite particularly bright students, notably students from Oxford and Cambridge, for a "cup of tea and a chat".

McChesney (1998) defines Political Economy (PE) as "the nature of the relationship of media and communications systems to the broader structure of society" - shaping the way we see the world.

From a PE viewpoint, GCHQ is exercising a certain degree of power over society. Arguably, they are using this exercise to categorize people into levels of intelligence and ultimately, how spy-worthy they are.

This kind of power signifies the decline in the necessity of education by seeking people who are "self taught" in the art of computer hacking. It is made clear that this new media is "socially shaping" the way we view the world as it is made more accessible to the public. 

This is something we would associate with a Capitalist Economic System.

I have skills.

All information and quotes sourced from The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11). 
For more information, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/.

Additional Sources:

- Lister, M 

 "New Media: An Introduction" (2009)

HCJ Seminar Paper (29/11/11)

David Hume. (1711-1776)

“I feel I should be a loser in point of pleasure; and this is the origin of my philosophy.” (page 601)

The basis to Hume’s philosophy is derived from fellow philosopher Sextus Empiricus who believed that our understanding of the world is based on “sense data”. All ideas are equal and therefore thinking is “worthless”.

This is otherwise known as Empiricism. Empiricism is associated with other great figures such as Hobbes and Locke, who are firm believers in gaining knowledge from perception. 

Treatise of Human Nature. (1734-1737)

Divided into three books under the title “Enquiry into Human Understanding”, Hume attempts to describe the distinction between ‘impressions’ and ‘ideas’. 

He claims that impressions come first and are said to be derived from experience. The section “Of Abstract Ideas” was an agreement with Berkley’s doctrine that “all general ideas are nothing… annexed to a certain term, which gives them a more extensive significance.” It was Hume’s belief that abstract ideas are in themselves individual, however in time, they may become overgeneralized through representation.

“By ideas I mean the faint images of these in thinking and reasoning… every simple idea has a simple impression, which resembles it; and every simple impression a correspondent idea.”(Page 601)

The “Self”.

Hume believed in mankind as a collection of different perceptions that are in perpetual flux and movement. That there can be no ‘impression’ of the self and therefore no ‘idea’ of it. His theory of the “self” banished the concrete from Psychology with his description of a bundle of perceptions that cannot enter into any part of our knowledge. 

He explains “… when I enter most intimately into what I call myself, I always stumble on some particular perception… of heat or cold, light or shade, love or hatred, pain or pleasure. I can never catch myself at any time without a perception, and never can observe anything but the perception.” (page 602)

Joseph Addison (1672-1719), one of the first Journalists during the Restoration (the time of Hobbes, Locke and Johnson), had a very objective writing style, what with his characters often being “pleasure seeking”.

From Hume’s perspective, Addison's account of fact and fiction based on social events would be considered a perception, whereby his characters are stimulated by pleasure and pain. In his narrative “The Adventures of a Shilling” (1710) for example, Addison writes “…the busy men of the age, who only valued themselves for being in motion, and passing through a series of trifling and insignificant actions.”

Rejection of Descartes.

Hume's opposition of Cartesian philosophy was based on the idea that cause and effect is necessary. Hume, on the other hand, believed that we can only know cause and effect from experience, not from “reasoning” and “reflection.” For example, the statement “what begins must have a cause” is not certain as its connection is not logical.

“… necessity is something that exists in the mind, not in objects.”  (page 605)

His "Seven Categories of Thought" deals with the difference between certain knowledge (experience) and probable knowledge (causal relations). For example, geometry is not as certain as algebra and arithmetic as “all our ideas are copied from our impressions.” Therefore, there can be no such thing as an impression of a causal relation. 

Hume’s Doctrine.

From an objective viewpoint, Hume says that A and B are conjoined (A and B causes the impression of A to cause the idea of B). Subjectively, however, Causation is definable in terms of sequence, due to what Hume calls the “habit of association” (if I see an apple and expect to experience a certain kind of taste).

Causation.

Hume defined Causation as taking "us beyond the impressions of our senses, and informs us of unperceived existences.” (page 608) 

This definition is derivative from the Causal Law in Physics, whereby we cannot possibly perceive cause and effect from the observed course of nature. Therefore, Descartes' theory can only be explained through habit and association. In Hume's view, "there is nothing in cause except invariable succession" (page 609) of which there is no rational justification.  

The character development of Mr. Neville from French film “The Draughtsman’s Contract“ (1982) can be described as “strictly materialistic.” As an artist, he attempts to “never distort or dissemble” any of his paintings of a wealthy landowner’s estate. The deceptive human statue however is symbolic, as his role is to cause minor changes within these paintings, as if to represent “the way the world sees it.” 

Here, the film enters into Hume’s theory of Scepticism, whereby “the supposition that the future resembles the past, is not founded on arguments of any kind, but is derived entirely from habit.” (page 609)

Knowledge.

It was Hume’s firm belief that science equals truth, similar to the theory of Francis Bacon around 150 years before (1561-1626). Belief is never rational since we can know nothing and what we do know is derived from experience. 

Conclusion.

Described as a "symbolic quarrel" between Hume and Rousseau (1712-1778) towards the end of the Renaissance, it was argued that there can be no belief based on reason and therefore, pure empiricism couldn't possibly be a sufficient basis of scientific knowledge. 

This lead to Hume's rejection of Bacon's inductive method.

“Induction is an independent logical principle, incapable of being inferred either from experience or from other logical principles, and that without this principle science is impossible.” (page 612)

Sources:

·         Russell, Bertrand

“The History of Western Philosophy” (1996)

"The Da Vinci Code"

Leonardo Da Vinci. The controversial artist of the Renaissance. Obsessed with the state, religion and most importantly - he loved a good puzzle.

"Everyone loves a Conspiracy." - The Da Vinci Code (2003)

In today's issue of The Daily Mail, Da Vinci still manages to captivate audiences with the controversy surrounding one of his stolen paintings named "The Madonna Of The Yarwinder".

The painting was said to be "tracked down" by private detectives after being stolen from an exhibition at Drumlanrig Castle in 2003, with the affair being branded a "conspiracy".

I have always been intrigued by his work due to the fact that I am an avid art lover and a typical overthinker. Of which I find his works to often emote the question; "Who knew a painting could say so much?"

To me, his paintings signify an era of strict religious values, emotional ambiguity and his significant rebellion towards the state and it's beliefs.

"What really matters is what you believe." - The Da Vinci Code (2003)

Idealist Spinoza held the belief that the church was secondary to the state (therefore, religion was decided by the state). His criticisms of The Bible and Political Theory made freedom of opinion important, in which he believed in "absolute logical necessity". He was a Sceptic in the sense that "nothing is true, but everything is possible."

"Life is filled with secrets. You can't learn them all at once." - The Da Vinci Code (2003) 

A glance at religion through the eyes of Da Vinci is further explored in Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code" (2003). 

For me, "The Da Vinci Code" was a very interesting summer read whereby his artwork is surrounded by various myths and narratives. There is a themed sense of urgency and I often found myself drifting in and out of the frequent historical teaching (courtesy of Langdon and Teabing), of which I found the myth surrounding his most famed painting "The Mona Lisa" the most intriguing.

"Langdon explains that the 'Mona Lisa' is an anagram of the Egyptian gods of fertility: Amon (male) and Isis (female) and is androgynous." - (http://painting.about.com/od/famouspainters/a/DaVinciCode.htm)

Even from beyond the grave, Da Vinci's interpretation of art still manages to captivate the demographic. And no matter how long we stand, stare and admire, we will never be able to view these pieces quite like we would through the eyes of the artist. 

Information and quotes sourced from The Daily Mail (24/11/11). 

For more information, visit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

A Look At "Britain's Most Influential Newspaper"

Established by The Political Bodies Association in 2010 as “Britain’s most influential newspaper” (Daily Mail), the Daily Mail is currently the second biggest selling daily newspaper after The Sun.

It was first published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe as a newspaper for women (Wikipedia). Its exclusive “Femail” magazine, that contains features especially tailored for a female audience, means its current readership is more than 50% female, 38% of which are over 65 years old (NMA).

It is considered a suburban, conservative newspaper that, according to the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA), is most popular with adults in the ABC1C2 category (Upper Middle Class, Middle Class, Lower Middle Class and Skilled Working Class).

The "Stephen Lawrence Case” is said to be historic of the Daily Mail, as on 14^th February 1997 they identified and published the five men who had been arrested in connection with the stabbing. The headline read, “Murderers: The Mail accuses these men of killing. If we are wrong, let them sue us.” 

Lawrence was a black, British teenager who was stabbed to death at a bus stop in South London on the evening of 22^nd April 1993, with the investigation being branded “one of the most important moments in the modern history of Criminal Justice in Britain.” (Macpherson, 1999).

The Macpherson Report (1999) made legal history in Britain. As a judge in the Stephen Lawrence case, Macpherson headed an inquiry examining Metropolitan Police. He concluded that they were “institutionally racist” and “incompetent.” In response, he demanded a reform of The Judicial System to address the issue of Institutional Racism. He also abolished the “Double Jeopardy” rule (Wikipedia) which aims to: “… enable the appeal court to allow a new prosecution after acquittal where fresh evidence is presented.” (The Macpherson Report, 1999). 

Two men suspected of Lawrence’s murder are currently being tried for the crime once more after “new scientific evidence” was revealed. This story featured on the front page of 15/11/11 issue, with the headline “After 18 long years, Doreen Lawrence faces son’s alleged killers in court.”

The Daily Mail has played a big part in this case with its continuous campaign for justice. The press are “the eyes and ears of the public” and by identifying the people arrested on suspicion of Lawrence’s murder as “murderers”, they could have been at risk of being in Contempt of Court (Contempt Of Court Act, 1981). The publication had the media power to prejudice a fair trial and therefore interfere with the course of justice. 

In the most recent trial (the trial of Gary Dobson and David Norris) the judge ruled that the jury ignore all media speculation surrounding the case for fear of it affecting the outcome, branding it all “irrelevant.” (Sky News).

Lights. Lights. Lights.

Today was a historic moment, as for the first time I watched the Christmas lights in Winchester illuminate the town square. 

December will soon be upon us and it's hard to believe that another year has passed. This will also be the first anniversary of my blog. I have been blogging for almost a year and what a great year it has been.

After a tough couple of months I am happy to say that Winchester finally feels like home. It's a beautiful place full of beautiful people and honestly I couldn't be happier. 

I spent the evening in the town with my housemates, preparing to see the perfectly placed lights sparkle in the navy sky. It was a bit of an anticlimax but a sea of cheers from the ever-growing crowd soon made this insignificant.

I officially love Winchester.

Narrative And Genre.

According to Long and Wall (2009) the term Narrative refers to "the organisation of textual elements into a pattern in terms of space, time and perspective... 'events' which are ordered through time (temporal succession) and which we conceive as the cause of other events (causation)."

When applied to the medium of film, Narrative plays a crucial role in the development of the fabula (story) and syuzhet (plot). Like much anticipated superhero sidekick "Avengers Assemble", which is a prime example of a classic realist text.

To "avenge" means to "take revenge in retaliation for harm done" (Collins Pocket English Dictionary, 2000). Therefore, the title of the film already allows the audience to construct a fabula in their mind. In relation to this, Bordwell (1985) comments: "The fabula, however imaginary, is not a whimsical or arbitrary construct. The viewer builds the fabula on the basis of... relations of causality, time and space."

Narrative.

Within media, the term Narrative translates as "a set of events" whereby it is the intention of the filmmaker to build suspense. So in "Avengers Assemble", like in any other action film, there will be elements of "false scares" that are designed to live up to audience expectation.

Time.

The typical Narrative will have a beginning a middle and an end, but as filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard states: "Yes, but not in that order." Here, Godard is referencing the "disruption of the 'natural' order of time..." Time is a common feature to many films, particularly when it comes to the old trick of flashbacks and "bullet-time" (think "The Matrix"). These factors contribute to audience satisfaction and enjoyment.

Space.

A sense of space is needed in order to construct the fabula. Realism in film and other media help to produce a coherent sense of reality within the mindsof an audience.

• Quotes sourced from "Media Studies Texts Production And Context" by P. Long and T.Wall

Genre.

Genre can be linked back to 300BC, the time of Greek philosopher Aristotle, who distinguished dramatic modes such as comedy and tragedy which were ultimately "... concentrated in the beginning on producing defining characteristics for particular genres based on historical usage." This is otherwise known as the "structuralist" approach.

The dictionary definition, however, defines Genre as a "style of literary, musical or artistic work." (Collins Pocket English Dictionary, 2000)

Genre is related to audience expectations for example. With themes such as Science Fiction being "devoted" to a particular genre. Theorist Neale (1983) comments: "As far as genre is concerned, expectations exist both to be satisfied, and also, to be redefined."

• Quotes sourced from "Analysing Fictional Television Genres" by K. Akass and J.McCabe

The Art Of Copyright.

In Journalistic terms, Copyright refers to the "branch of the law that enables Journalism to exist as a business."

It was the 1911 Copyright Act that made the breach of Copyright a crime. Everybody has the right to their own "intellectual property" that prevents their work from being stolen or exploited by the public. They can however, either choose to keep ownership or "buy out" the commercial rights (but retain moral rights as sanctioned under the 1988 Copyright Act). 

It is crucial as a Journalist to remember that there is no Copyright in ideas.

This can be made clearer in "The Da Vinci Code Case" where two people sued author Dan Brown claiming they had already published the premise to his novel "The Da Vinci Code" some years earlier. Their case was lost however as there was no substantial proof that Brown had "lifted" anything from the previous book.

Accordingly, it is safe to re-do old stories as long as the source has been accredited and some of it is your own work.

You are also allowed to use Copyright in the context of:

• Comment.
• Criticism.
• Review.

There can be no Copyright in information. Only liable if the information has been turned into news by a Journalist.

This is where the old Journalistic trick of fair dealing or "lifting" comes into play. You can "lift" quotes from articles as long as you credit the source and 

it is a matter of public interest. "Passing off" is out of the question as you could be in breach of Copyright law and could be sued for compensation if it can be proved that you have stolen the work. To be protected from Copyright, the piece of work must be original.

Creative Commons allows people to pre-licence work for anyone to use but this is often limited. It can also apply 70 years after the death of an author or, in terms of music, 50 years from the year in which the work was created.

WINOL Review (26/10/11).

My task today was to review the latest WINOL news bulletin.

Broadcasting every week, award-winning WINOL enables students to get a taste of what it is really like to work in the Broadcast Journalism industry.

It is key to remember that Journalism is always planned. Although lacking in a deeply compelling story (unlike last week) there was good justification of statistics to coincide with the amount of fair comment provided, coupled with the relevant general view. By doing this, WINOL has followed one of the critical rules that "justice has to be seen to be done".

Winchester's local unions were quite clearly libelled during the bulletin with the expression of their "outrage" over the live streaming of their meeting, which intended to show the public the "transparency of public authority." Here, they have been identified and the story has been published, therefore through the eyes of the public they have been defamed.

Identification ---> Publication---> Defamation = LIBEL.

The choice to make their meetings public could lead to them being shunned and avoided. Or open to hatred and ridicule. However, the degree of public interest within this story is what makes it newsworthy.

For more information on WINOL visit: http://winol.co.uk/.

A Report From Crown Court (19/10/11).

Law is a common language among Journalists mainly outlining how not to get sued.

I admit, common sense doesn't come naturally to me. I put this down to lack of worldly experience. However when properly put into practice, there's no doubt it plays a crucial part in the everyday life of a Journalist.

For this module I was set the task of visiting Winchester Crown Court.

We walked through steel doors engraved with metal shields that when closed, faced out towards the town. We tread on mosaic flooring up towards a varnished desk where an older man requests to search our belongings. Camera's confiscated as I step through the plastic archway. A red light flashes on the portal. Another man, a similar age to the latter, approaches and scans me. They both wore navy jerseys, like policemen, only without the knock, knock hats. All clear we proceed to the reception.

Waiting outside courtroom one, we squint at a tiny TV screen situated next to a set of double doors. A rape case. Three judges in wigs and black overalls pass by. Walking through the double doors we become overwhelmed by the clinical yet rustic feel of the place. We nervously hold onto the narrow banisters as we climb up three flights of stairs. The public gallery awaits.

We sat observing. We were at the highest level in the courtroom. The kind of level I would assume belongs to the judge. Instead, he is orientated directly below a bronze plaque that hangs directly in front of us. Another shield. Lion on the left, unicorn on the right. Fighting. Fighting over power perhaps? Or Justice? The rule "justice must be seen to be done" comes to mind. 

We sit on pinkish/purple chairs. The kind of colour that will now provoke a feeling of isolation and awkwardness. A quiet voice echoes through the courtroom. The voice of a young woman. A mild typing is heard in the background reflecting the emptiness of this place. The jury appear anonymous, saddened, concerned. The Judge, surprisingly cheerful in his tone, demands they reconvene tomorrow morning.

We get up to leave. I notice the orange carpet quite retro in design. Historical much like the rest of this place. Strange for a relatively modern building.

What Makes A Good Journalist?

A good journalist deals in the "absolute truth" and therefore must NEVER jump to conclusions or lie to the public. A good journalist's job is to "police the police" by always keeping one step ahead of the game and helping "keep them honest", informing the public of key news and developments around the world. Described as a "bloodhound as well as a watchdog", journalists are the source of the world's news and therefore need to be able to achieve good communication to the public through their use of language and be honest in their gathering of information. Therefore, it is crucial that their language is precise and accurate. This has been proved "beyond reasonable doubt". A good journalist needs to be fast, accurate and fair when gathering information/materials by using the power of language to communicate their findings to the public.

[148 words]

So what do you think? Is my response fast, accurate and fair?

The "Spreading Ooze Of Mass Culture"

Ever the cultural pessimist, MacDonald coined this term to describe the effect Mass Culture (Mainstream Culture) has on society.

According to the Collins Pocket English Dictionary (2000) culture is "the ideas, customs and art of a particular society." However when put into practice, I believe it allows for a more in-depth analysis.

Cultural guru Raymond Williams described culture as "ordinary". Unlike MacDonald, Williams is a cultural optimist, believing that Mass Culture has a positive effect on the masses and therefore should be valued within a society. 

This leads me to question: What is "ordinary"? What is culture? And who defines it?

The topic on the agenda today was the much debated issue of TASTE.

Taste is not something we are born with, nor does it stay the same. It is a learned behaviour and is constantly changing as we become "enculturated" into a society. Taste can be used to express our individuality (whether individually or in a group) and it is socially constructed, meaning we are all affected by it. Therefore we as the consumers are "manipulated" into a particular lifestyle that affects the way we think and act. 

Having said that, we shouldn't automatically assume that this is such a bad thing. Strinati says "mass culture is a culture which lacks intellectual challenge and formulation, preferring the undemanding ease of fantasy and escapism." Personally, I like the idea that Mass Culture allows us to "escape" from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Because as Bourdieu quite cleverly states "different forms of culture provide different forms of pleasure."

So don't be ashamed if you watch Eastenders or are a die-hard football fan. My philosophy is that Mass Culture should be valued as a product of our culture. It enriches us and has the potential to dissolve all cultural distinctions.

Miss Independent.

My move into independence has been an uphill struggle.

I officially enrolled as a student @ The University Of Winchester last week, ready to begin a new chapter in my life.

It's a historic place. Once the capital of the country during the days of the Smashing Saxons, home to the great literary Jane Austen who currently rests in Winchester Cathedral, as well as King Alfred, "The Great Defender Of The English Language" during The Middle Ages. For me, that's what made it all the more appealing.

I hope to update my blog regularly, discussing key concepts, as well as engaging in intellectual debates, which will enable me to gain a better understanding of my current course of study.

For more information on The History Of Winchester, visit: http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/site/about-winchester/brief-history.

"Inside The Mind Of A Murderer"

Paul is a middle aged man. His wife left him 20 years ago making him feel incompetent. He is recently unemployed and is wanted by the police for murdering 10 young women over a 20 year period. He wants to be noticed but to the rest of the world he is Anonymous.

Fade In.

It is late. Paul is sitting at a table in a strip club in Brighton. He is obsessively chewing on his nails. His attention is drawn to a scantily clad lady dancing on a platform nearby. Pounding music plays in the background.

“I come here to escape you know. This place just gives me a sense of freedom. A way of escaping from my separate life. Here I am a nobody He places his hands gently into his lap. He turns to observe the blood on the surface of his fingertips. Paul begins to mutter to himself. We live in a stinking, corrupt society full of hatred and greed. If people knew what was out there hunting them, they’d never leave the house. The world is a stinking pit of darkness (pause) people live their stupid little lives. Paul briefly turns his attention to camera. People lie. Everybody lies (pause) and death (pause) death gives me a release. It makes me feel powerful (pause) invincible (smiles) like nothing in this world could ever touch me. Paul looks back at his lap, muttering. It’s only a matter of time before that power gets taken away (pause) corrupted (long pause) Yeah. I know where I’m headed. He looks back at the dancer. They call me “Anonymous” you know. The cops or “detectives”.  The one that got away. (pause) I remember my first. A young college student (pause) Another insignificant being poisoned by the world around her. I remember her long flowing hair (smiles) I remember. It reminded me of… and the look in her eyes. She chose me (pause) She wanted me (pause) and I gave her the time of her life. Smiles to himself.”

Fade Out.

Fade In.

Paul is walking along an empty street at night. His hands are thrust deeply into his pockets. He is looking directly at the camera.

"You know (pause) to outsmart a detective you have to think like one.  Tiny details that only they notice. Because without the evidence there would be no case. The only alternative (long pause) suicide. He looks at the floor as he walks. Suicide is a funny word. The final act of selfishness (pause) like a speeding bullet. One minute you’re flying. The next. He looks back at the camera, his hands briefly removed from his pockets and gestures. BANG! The camera holds his gaze until he places his hands back into his pockets, his gaze drifting back downwards. Me (pause) I use the evidence to tell a story. You know (pause) planting fingerprints (pause) hair. I could be anybody. Smiles to himself. I've always liked to draw. Ever since I was a child. There was this one piece. A portrait. It’s a sketch of my face. One half perfect (pause) untouched. The other (pause) distorted (pause) dripping (pause) like I have just set fire to my face and all that’s left are loose bits of flesh and the outline of my skull. They say it’s a way of showing both sides. But what happens to a person if those two sides (pause) entities collide? I guess you could say that Evil overpowers the good and slowly (pause) slowly takes control. Once this happens (pause) there’s not going back. Looks at camera. You’re dead inside."

Fade Out.

Fade In.

Paul is leaning against a wall outside a police station. He is casually observing who enters.

"I guess it’s in my blood. Taking lives. Kind of God-like don’t you think? (pause) My Mum always said I was an angel sent down from heaven (pause) but what happens when an angel loses its wings? Does it wither and die? (pause) One insignificant life imposing itself on another. And the consequences (pause) somebody has to pay… Tonight is a very special night (pause) Tonight I prove them all wrong. So much anger. So much suffering (pause) None of it matters. He separates himself from the wall, hands in his pockets. I know where I’m headed…"

Fade Out.

Inspired by US Crime Show "CSI". This particular character was based on the serial killer Paul Millander.

I studied English Language at college and this was part of my first year coursework. I love Creative Writing and hope to pick it up at University alongside my Journalism course.

A few adjustments have been made now I don't have the 750 word limit. 

Majorca (9th August 2011).

A few holiday snaps.

We enjoyed beautiful sea views.

Freshwater Snorkelling.

Relaxing by the pool.

Boat trips.

And much more.

It was nice spending time away with the family before I jet off to University in September. 

Majorca will always be remembered as the holiday where I went freshwater snorkelling for the first time, took a boat trip to the most famous caves in the world and witnessed some actual Spanish flamenco.

They say travelling broadens the mind and I hope to get more of an opportunity to explore new countries, experience new cultures and enhance my understanding of the world around me.

I'm excited, are you?

BHASVIC Visual Arts Exhibition (23rd June 2011).

The time comes when a relatively self-dependent eighteen year old is thrust into the frightening world of University.

Eden, my little brother and my muse.

I remember the first time I set foot in BHASVIC in September 2009. I had missed the open day and was left feeling rather sceptical as to whether it would be the right place for me. With the rustic smell and the feeling of complete calm which made it ever so appealing. 

And although I had not yet officially finished college, the exhibition mean't I was able to celebrate my achievements in both photography and digital art, of which I am very proud.

Feeling rather nostalgic reflecting back on all the support my family, tutors and students have given me over the years towards my future, and for that, this post goes out to all you wonderful people. It's been tough.

My Unit 3 project focused in on "Making Time Stand Still".

As September approaches, I am preparing to start a new chapter at University. I feel a surprise sense of calm and excitement about my newly acclaimed independence and am looking forward to building a new life in Winchester.

I'm thinking of writing a diary documenting my first year. Whether I will make this public on my blog, I have to decide.

To view photo's from the "Making Time Stand Still" project visit my Flickr page @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/amy_moore/.

Seeing The New In The Old.

Creative Writing Enrichment.


The Booth.

A broken clock hangs on the neatly varnished wall next to me. It's stuck on 8:46. I can't help but feel a sense of security in this place; enclosure. I can hear distant voices and there is a wooden kind of authentic smell in the air. Patterns have become carved into the woodwork on the walls. My eye is drawn to a piece of torn cloth swaying in the breeze from an open window. To me it reflects the emptiness of this place. It shouldn't be here. Numbers and sequences surround me. Everything has it's place. Everything fits. I am the only thing that doesn't. 

I am clutter in a clean house. I am a hunter in the rainforest. The distant voices have stopped and all there is is silence. I am alone in this foreign place yet I decide to explore. I take a book from the shelf behind me. A little blue book. It has an inscription on the front that appears to be a shield with wings. I wonder what this can mean? I turn the pages carefully. They are flaky and worn. I put it back, trying not to leave my imprint on this delicate synthetic world. The sense of security I had has now turned into a sense of intrusion. I must leave now. But I will return soon.

Eadweard Muybridge @ Tate Britain (8/1/11).

Got lost at Waterloo station. Had my first experience in a London taxi. Took a couple of wrong turns and ended up at Buckingham Palace. Then visited my first ever exhibition at Tate Britain as research for my current photography project. 

Needless to say, my recent trip to London was an eventful one.

'And since, in our passage through this world, painful circumstances occur more frequently than pleasing ones, and since our sense of evil is, I fear, more acute than our sense of good, we become the victims of our feelings, unless in some degree command them.'

- The Mysteries of Udolpho, Ann Radcliffe, 1764



As well as Gothic Literature (cue Dickens and Doyle), one of the main influences of my work has been photographer Eadweard Muybridge, with his exploration into the concept of movement by capturing what is impossible to see with the naked eye.

"Sir Frederick Leighton, president of the Royal Academy, told me that when he first saw my pictures they made him laugh, so at variance were they with artists' notions of animal motion. Then he said he studied them and stopped laughing." [Eadweard Muybridge, 1885]

My visit to the exhibition gave me valuable insight into the mind of Muybridge and his interpretation of movement, shooting at different viewpoints and presenting them in a range of compositions. I was even privileged enough to be able to view the original negatives. 

THE FACTS:

• Muybridge emerged as a landscape photographer after the American Civil War (1867).
• First experimented with recording movement in 1877 when he was asked by Leland Stanford (horse trainer and breeder) to study whether a horse had all four feet off the ground during a full gallop. The series was entitled 'The Horse in Motion'.
• Invented the Zoopraxiscope which consisted of two rotating discs that recreated movement.
• Published his work under the name of 'Helios' (meaning "God of the Sun"). He branded his products with the logo of a winged camera and a glowing orb of radiating light.

  
  

To see more on this project, check out my Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/amy_moore/.