Adaptation of "Ode to an Orange"

Reflection:

I really enjoyed A. Todd Smith’s interpretation of “Ode to an Orange,” mostly because of the medium in which it was presented. I decided to learn about the short film genre for this project, while also utilizing photography skills. My interpretation of the story stemmed from my husband's love of those chocolate oranges that every grocery store sells around Christmastime.

I’ve never used Adobe Premier before, but I spent a few hours tackling it and learning the basics. I’m definitely not a pro, but I can make basic cuts and successfully insert video and audio effects now! The learning process, while exciting, was also frustrating for me. This showed me how important scaffolding is when introducing students to new mediums. While they will enjoy exploring and creating, I think that having some sort of basic understanding first will increase their creative drive.

I have never before considered photographs or video to be a sort of text, but this project changed that. When I am writing, I think frequently about how to present specific things in order to influence the reader or have a desired effect. I found myself doing this same thing as I was creating the video, except instead of words as my tool, I was using color, music, and transitions. My consideration of the effect each choice would have exercised the analytical part of my brain, and I found myself engaging in the critical processes of analysis and reflection. Additionally, I realized how simple my literacy understanding is when it comes to film! I know how to use photos to send messages, because photography is a hobby of mine and I’ve spent much time developing that literacy. However, when it comes to film, I really don’t know much about this particular arts literacy!

I can see myself applying the principles I learned from this project in my future classroom, especially when I read some of the examples presented in Intention. For example, if I was teaching a novel, it may be helpful to have my students create a series of images that summarizes the plot. Or, if we were learning about tone in literature, I could have them find music that has the same tone as the text. By actively thinking about these elements and making comparisons to things they know, students will have the opportunity to be more engaged in their own learning.