The Admiral: Roaring Currents

The Admiral: Roaring Currents

Released: July 30, 2014

“Fear into Courage”

     The film, The Admiral: RoaringCurrents, captured the battle between Japan and Korea. It is directed by Kim Han-min, who is a South Korean naval war film director. The film is based on the historical battle that took place in 1597, Battle of Myeongnyang. Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Joseon era, led 12 ships into against the Japanese, who led over 300 ships. The film portrays events leading up to this battle – we see both Japan and Korea prepare for this battle. On the Japan side of things, it looks like Japan could capture King Seonjo since they seem to have over 300 ships. On the Korea side, the General Bae Seol burns down a turtle ship and gets killed for it, this seems to entice the Japan side that they have a better chance at winning. When Japanese ships and Korean ships begin their clash, Japanese ships fall into a whirlpool, while the Korean ships begin to have the upper hand. To make the battle even more intense, a turtle ship appears on the Korean side, which only strengthens Korean’s win.

      The music of this film had a very westernization Pirates of the Caribbean feel. During the film, I would hear a similar up beat drumming that is in Pirates of the Caribbean.

     The Admiral: Roaring Currents, captured by attention because the music was very powerful. I think because it also had a similar feel to Pirates of the Caribbean, I could feel more passion toward the film, then Masquerade. Similarities in other films can sometimes bore the viewer, but because this film was in another language I seemed to very much enjoy it. Since, The Admiral: Roaring Currents is based on real events, and Pirates of the Caribbean is more fictional, the film definitely felt more alive. I would recommend viewers to watch this film to see and learn about a battle that took place in history.

Masquerade

Masquerade

Released: September 13, 2012

"One does not record what one wishes to hide"

Masquerade, directed by Choo Chang-min, tells the story of a king, King Gwanghee who falls ill, and a Jester, Ha Sun, who is asked to pose by the King's Chief Secretary, Heo Gyun, until the King recovers. Taking the role as King, Ha Sun begins to learn the responsibility King Gwanghee has and through training to become a King he creates his own voice. Ha Sun, at first was hesitate and did not think it would be possible, but with the support of Chief Secretary, he decided to help out the King. Ha Sun realizes that to be King, is harder than one expects. In time and through trial and error, Ha Sun seems to be doing fine.

As time passes however, people on the King’s council begin to notice things differently. As things become more apparent, the King council notices that Ha Sun is not the real King.

As the music picks up, and you feel your heart begin to race, the intensity of keeping the secret keeps you off your feet. You hope that Ha Sun escapes and does not get caught.

After viewing the film, compared to the other films that I have watched in this class it was not one of my favorites. I think since this film was the foundation for the future films we began viewing, watching the other films after, I began to understand more about the Joseon Era through film and the readings. The readings we read, did not really prepare us for the films, but they do shed light of what went on during the time period or suggests what people were influenced to write about. 

Chasing Ice - A Beautiful Must See Film

Chasing Ice, directed by Jeff Orlowski, premiered at Sundance in 2012. It is a documentary that features James Balog’s photographs about the ice caps melting. Up until 2012, there seemed to be a denial for the cause of climate change. People did not want to accept that they were the reason for all these effects and changes in weather patterns that were causing the planet to react. However, all this talk on climate change took a turn when James Balog showed the world his photographs and time-lapse videos of ice melting over time.

The film uses the photographs and time-lapse videos taken by James Balog. The created film is not only beautiful, but also shocking. It achieves its goal by showing the public what is happening to the oceans and how warming up the planet is bad for the oceans. To take the breathtaking photographs, James Balog has to work in severe, risky environments. He has had several knee surgeries, but the fact that he keeps going and taking these breathtaking shots, goes to show that no matter what, we should never give up on something we believe is the right thing to do.

I would definitely recommend viewers watch this movie. Chasing Ice beautifully intertwines photographs and science to capture the attention of viewers. The film does not over exaggerate the science aspect of climate change, but using the photographs and time-lapse videos, it presents the viewers with a better way to think and talk about climate change. The phrase, “Seeing is believing,” applies here perfectly and in a way this is what James Balog does. He, himself was skeptic about climate change, but instead of forgetting about it, he decided to learn about what was happening and once he got convinced, his work changed the perspective of others. The movie Chasing Ice, shows us, that if you have a passion, there is nothing stopping you from finding arguments to convince others.

Movie Review: Safe; 1995

            The movie Safe is not only dramatic but also an exquisite film. The main character, Carol White, played by Julianne Moore, has come down with allergic reactions to her environment. Carol meets with her doctor regularly who states she is perfectly healthy, but still Carol seems to find ways to cause herself to become sick. Her husband, Greg White, played by Xander Berkeley, does his best to take care of Carol. The movie takes a turn when she ends up at a community center where people have similar conditions to hers.  Here, Carol takes baby steps on how to cope with her illness. 

            Safe, makes people think about their own health and how being too concerned, can cause problems. When you find something that sets you off, it seems as though the whole world is ending and your immune system cannot be stopped from attacking you. In this case, Carol White finds herself allergic to her environment and it seems as if no one can help her. The only place she feels safe is at the community center where Carol moves to a more confined place, and learns how to adjust her problems and how to love herself better.

            The music in this film creates a sense of tension, intensifying what has happened to Carol. As the music becomes more riveting, Carol’s reactions appear to get more intense. The music makes this film more heart pounding to watch as we wait for something breathtaking to occur. Overall, this film keeps you on edge and makes you wonder why people want to make themselves sick. The music is a key part to this film and I think it helps the viewer to better understand Carol. 

The movie concludes on a cliffhanger where we see Carol talking into a mirror. In a sense, this scene relates to today’s lifestyle, in that we see how people are consumed with self-hatred, which causes them to be sick. The world today, is filled with self-hatred and the only way to solve this problem is to exchange self-hatred for self-loving.

Informative Essay - Ecology Project Internnational

Vanessa Lieberman

Ecology Project International

            Ecology Project International, (EPI) is an organization that educates students and teachers about conservation efforts; they do this through participation in conservation efforts, cultural exchanges, and infield science conducted at their research centers. The organization wants students to become educated and to share their experience. The organization depends on volunteers and infield research instructors. To become an instructor for this organization would mean that I could teach others about specific eco systems and help them gain a hands-on experience on how to have a positive impact on the eco systems. I could also share my experience with students from a variety of high schools, and hopefully encourage students to join EPI. Traveling with EPI to places like Costa Rica or Galapagos Islands can be costly and not every student may be able to afford these trips. I could work with EPI to help them raise money to create a special fund and work with similar organizations to create a scholarship fund that would support students who want to go, but who may not have the financial need.

            Ecology Project International began in the 1990’s (EPI website, 2015), when the co-founders Scott Prankratz and Julie Osborn were studying in Costa Rica. It occurred to them that there should be an organization that teaches students about different ecosystems while doing infield research. In May of 2000, (EPI website, 2015) the first group traveled to Costa Rica and the program was placed. The students who got to experience this, got to tag Leatherback turtles, count the eggs laid by the female leatherbacks, and if the eggs were too close to the ocean, the students would move them to a safer location on the beach. This was a start to a change that would make an impact in Ecology Project International; the organization was poised to grow and slowly increase their reach to high schools across the United States. Students began to be aware of issues and were soon dedicated to prompt protection of wildlife species.

            Becoming part of EPI means that leaders are active in ecological conservation. Ecology Project International instructors have a passion for the environmental and are willing to teach students and local residents about impacts that are affecting ecosystems. It is hands-on work and working alongside scientist, students are able to create an experience where they can share with their friends and families. These experiences help one to see the world differently and change the way to act toward the environment. A resident student, Milton Carbajal, from Costa Rica learned so much that she even made an impact on her family. “After the course, I had many conservations with my dad and my uncles. I have educated and motivated them to give up the tradition of eating turtle eggs. My father is very interested in coming to Pacuare with EPI and meeting the turtles for himself,” Milton Carbajal, Costa Rican student.

             Traveling with EPI, I gained a good deal of insight and became more aware of my impacts that affect the planet. Working hands-on with the Leatherback turtles in Costa Rica and with the Galapagos Tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, my eyes were opened and it made me realize that I want to educate others about the data I have collected and to share this experience. During both of these trips, I was able to visit local high school students and talk about what I learned and what they are doing to protect wildlife species.

            Ecology Project International lets high school students work with local experts to collect data on species and to learn about different ecosystems. The organization teaches the students about ecological systems where they stay, teach the students how to use scientific tools, and by doing all this, EPI is raising an interest in science and awareness. Traveling with EPI means working with a scientist in the field. Volunteering to be part of this amazing organization is costly. The programs can range between $1,000 to $6,000 (EPI website, 2015). This also depends on where students want to volunteer. Creating a fund for students and local residents would help them out. People who are willing to learn but do not have the financial funds, would be highly respected by Ecology Project International.

            Ecology Project International has made a vital impact in the places where they do work in. In 2012, EPI students volunteered over 1,660 service hours (Outside, 2013). This shows that a lot of students are dedicated to work in nature and with animals. These students include myself who are interested in learning how to protect species and to educate others about this topic. Opening up a fund would help those who are interested in working with nature and animals. Also creating fundraisers will raise awareness and the importance of taking care of the planet. Having fundraisers around the world, shows the EPI would be willing to expand their bases and have more schools become a part of their organization. With more schools involved, more students would be learning how to take care of this planet and learning how to protect their species. 

Besides being located in the United States and South America, EPI could create awareness in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Developing more bases around the world expands EPI as an organization, which shows people that they are willing to work worldwide. Providing a scholarship to become an instructor would let the world know that they are willing to help those who are interested in saving this planet. Looking to the future, Ecology Project International should consider creating funds for those who do not have the financial aid to participate in their programs and to be thinking about expanding their bases.

Reference:

"Local Communities." - About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

"Our Vision, Mission, and Goals." - About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

"Programs." Programs. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

Rossignol, Kevin. "Profiles in Environmentalism: Ecology Project International." The Fill. 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

"The Best Places to Work 2013." Outside Online. 31 July 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

"Why EPI’s Student Travel Programs?" About Us. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.

Cover Letter Practice

Vanessa Lieberman

1130 Greensboro Lane Box XXXX— Sarasota, Florida 34234-5895
Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX — E-Mail: vanessam.lieberman@gmail.com

­­­Date: February 18, 2015

Wildlife Conservation Research Internship

Wildtrax Explorations

Okavango Delta, Botswana, ALL

Salutations Wildtrax Explorations:

In response to your advertisement, I am writing to apply for the Wildlife Conservation Research Internship. I am a junior at Ringling College of Art and Design and interested in working with environmental companies that share the same passion as I do for the environment and educating others about environmental issues.

Traveling the world and learning about different species is something of interest to me. In my junior year of high school, I got the opportunity to visit Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. While visiting Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to work hands on with Leatherback Turtles and collect their data. In the Galapagos, I worked hands on with the Giant Tortoises. This type of experience changed how I viewed nature. I have become more aware and conservative about the environment.

I will be in touch with you in a week from today. You can also reach me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or email me at vanessam.lieberman@gmail.com   

Sincerely,

Vanessa Lieberman