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Jessica Lipman
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Produced by Scripps Interactive News Group, this short documentary conceptually explores hospice care practices and contemporary issues, honing in on one family’s experience with Amedisys Hospice Care of Knoxville, Tennessee.
New post by the lovely Pilar, entitled ‘Keep your shoes on.’ About childhood creativity, and what it really means to exist barefoot.
About aging, returning home, and facing the fact that time does go on. And so do we.
creative nonfiction — stories about childhood friends, and the curious detail of it all.
- Scroll down... to a completely unforeseen future
I am looking for jobs, right? I just want to draw this picture for you, because it boggled my mind the moment I realized this. So, I’m looking for jobs, when I come across a website for backpacking through Europe. Specifically, I was looking for a temporary job, doing clinical sleep trials :), when this happened. Very random, and totally unrelated. So then, my mind wanders down the page of other similar links, and I come across students abroad, and then working abroad. Hm…. working abroad. Yeah, that sounds awesome. I mean, I’m not doing anything right now, I mean other than applying to jobs and obsessing over my new blog, and obsessing over the idleness of an unemployed and job searching life. Why not work abroad right? I need something new. I am dehydrated, almost, and am delighted by the idea of knowing no one or familiarity, even though my social anxiety disorder would typically opt out of that kind of situation. Just soaking up new sights, new situations, new people. Eating food that shocks my palate, energizing it, and me. I’m going to apply to jobs overseas. Wouldn’t it be funny though if I got a weird job on a cruise? It’s like at this point, I would work anywhere, and where’ I’ve worked in the past would somehow make sense of this career transition. Like, at an interview, the woman almost laughed at the diversity of my job experience, and I charismatically quipped in return “Well, I think my diverse background sets me apart as a strong candidate.” My experiences are laughable. Yikes. Oh, so where I was going with that? My observation (and astonishing observation, at that). So, I come across a website called GoAbroad.com. And there, I find a scroll down menu to choose in which I’d like to search for jobs. I can choose a country. This is almost strange. I feel like opportunities like this, with such ease and quantity as they exist, is absolutely changing the way we envision our lives. Or something. It’s just weird that you can set some search engine keywords and end up flying on over to Austria (because they have this really cool media coordinator position calling your name), and you end up there for 5 years, or something. It seems like the landscape of our lives (communally and individually), is drastically shifting —- all because of a little scroll down menu. The options are endless, bizarre, potential. So I ask you, now what? Now what?
- (500) Days of Summer
Aw, cute arthouse number. (500) Days of Summer. Aw! And Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are starring in it! Check. It’s permanently on the list of must-sees. Then a few months pass by. And here it is. By now, the enthusium is peaking. Final verdict after watching (500) Days of Summer: (shudder) Really?
(500) Days of Summer Critically Acclaimed?
The film is lauded by a number of critics as one of the best of 2009, and was even received with a standing ovation at Sundance. Okay, so the film is presented with a curious narrator (stamina of a Jim Carey film) and offers up glowing and narratively empty, and subsequently mysterious, characters, for comedic effect. However, it’s the estrangement of the film’s separately innovative elements when they attempt to come together that altogether brings the project crashing down. For example, the cutesy hipster music comes in with poor timing, thus disrupting the dialogic timing between Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt’s exchange. Latching onto the playfulness of genre teasing, as well as the poorly developed narrative swoop into the “No Man’s Land” of the emo love story gone crashing into the ground, (500) Days of Summer pulls off nothing short of an eccentric and dorky aesthetic melange, with a dash of complete disregard for temporal conventions. Tom, a 20-something year old greeting card writer, meets Summer Finn, a new employee at his company in Los Angeles. Summer is entreatingly cute, and a subscriber to the unattached, ‘light’ love affair. Nothing serious. (500) Days of Summer offers a nonlinear plot of Tom’s flashbacks of his relationship with Summer, marking their good, bad, and awkward times over a period of 500 days. Tom’s memory is connected by montages that aim to express ‘falling in love’ or ‘breaking up’, but leave the film’s tone both confused, disorderly, and inconsistent. The outrageous transitional pieces include noir done poorly and quickly, as well as Deschanel’s blank performance that screams French New Wave Mediocre. In this way, the film positions itself as a rom-com that is making fun of rom-coms. However, the viewer needs to be in on the joke in order for genre bending and misuse to work.
Cutesy and Depthless: Intention vs. Reality
Director Marc Webb offers some insight into Summer Finn’s elusive character. “Yes, Summer has elements of the manic pixie dream girl - she is an immature view of a woman. She’s Tom’s view of a woman. He doesn’t see her complexity and the consequence for him is heartbreak. In Tom’s eyes, Summer is perfection, but perfection has no depth. Summer’s not a girl, she’s a phase.” Webb’s attempt to personify this notion of depthless perfection, seems after looking critically at Deschanel’s performance, to either be highly difficult to pull off, or a poor casting call. The viewer, in one way, anticipates the intimate and real connection between Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel. However, the moments where Summer and Joseph seem to share a connection, are moments marked by cutesy, asinine interactions that are based on nothing real. There’s a friction between the viewer’s expectations and the film’s intention (i.e. to throw rom-com’s off a cliff; or more like, push them on the playground), and this friction is not productive. Tom and Summer’s relationship, and Summer specifically, are only made depthless by the film’s lack of disclosure of any intimate or intellectual exchanges that the characters share during onscreen montages. Or rather, Webb’s intention of presenting the character of Summer as vacant and perfect, ends up injuring the effect of storyline and execution. In one way, this cavity can be seen in Tom’s pining after Summer, as it never has the chance to make sense because the writing doesn’t allow it to make sense; Summer is vacant , and Tom’s interactions with her are vacant throughout their entire relationship. What’s missing, then, is the verisimilitude of Tom’s desire to win her back (in one reading of this lack of narrative information). The question then stands: how do you show empty intimacy without making the writing look terrible or unintentional, and without reeling in and pissing off your audience? The latter concern may may not necessarily be Webb’s shared concern. Remember: the film is made to frustrate the conventional rom-com viewer. This is an intention worth lauding, if done correctly. The film soaks in (and it takes the entire piece to really marinate), and resonates as an issue of ‘intention vs. reality’. Understanding a director’s intentions, as well as experiencing his/her intentions via the medium, are two very different things.
Over-the-Top Aesthetic
Taking on a variety of genres, as well as a seemingly highly unpredictable storyline of boy-likes-girl; girl-runs-for-the-hills, (500) Days of Summer reveals one consistency amidst all the aesthetic and narrative turmoil: heavy-handedness. Much after Tom and Summer’s breakup, the viewer is offered a split-screen montage depicting Tom’s hopes vs. Tom’s realities. The ‘reality’ screen reveals Summer’s hand with a wedding ring on her finger. Rather than thinking, ‘Whoa, that’s so unlike Summer to get married,’ the viewer just doesn’t care. Summer is difficult to read throughout; however, it’s a blend of the writing and Deschanel that has caused this discrepancy.
Casting Zooey Deschanel
Here’s a lesson learned: Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt have very little onscreen chemistry. Both actors separately produce fabulous work and provide acute and sophisticated performances. But, together? Not so much. It’s not their fault. Take The Happening, for instance. Deschanel was cast alongside Mark Wahlberg. Um, match made in a strange hell much? Well, a hell that has gone minimalist. On the other hand, the film provides some evidence here that point to an alternate theory: Deschanel is totally awkward at love scenes. Deschanel in a lesbian/queer role needs to be witnessed before this statement stands on its own. You never know. Her awkward and, at times, cute, flirtatious performances may work way better bouncing off of a woman. What happened to the Zooey of Almost Famous? Don’t worry; she’ll be back. Alongside Katherine Moennig of The L Word (hopefully).
Sources: Wiseman, Eva (2009-08-16). “‘Is there such a thing as “the one” - and what happens if you lose her?”. London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/aug/16/500-days-of-summer.
- 20 plays
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Info
- MA Candidate, Critical StudiesMotion Pictures and Film | Greater Los Angeles Area, USSummaryI have extensive experience cultivating film and new media programming and literacy, with professional experience in online journalism, distribution, acquisitions, production, nonprofits, academia, as well as film festivals. Currently as a MA student in the Department of Critical Studies at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, I am building a keen and radical understanding of contemporary multimedia, film, visual aesthetics, culture, and theory.
Prior to my return to scholarship, I worked in documentary filmmaking and video editing, multimedia instruction and program cultivation/implementation, as well as film distribution and acquisitions with institutions including E.W. Scripps News Co., Rutgers University, Tribeca Institute, New Line Cinema, American Film Institute, Discovery, and HBO. My slate of multimedia endeavors ranges from documentary and multimedia journalism to narrative and experimental film, addressing subject matter that includes local and global news, social action issues, as well as cultural and identity crises.
One of my ultimate concerns as a scholar and media professional is to ensure that film and media mobilize people to improve and better understand the complex world in which we live. Moreover, I plan to raise significant questions and address relevant issues around film and media within the context of globalization.Specialties: Video editing (Final Cut Studio), videography, HD DSLR, film production, Adobe After Effects, writing, event coordination, nonprofit infrastructure, educational programming, high school and college media instruction, SEO.Experience- Aug 2011 - PresentMA Candidate / University of Southern CaliforniaCritical Studies
- 2012 - 2012Programming Intern / Film Independent
- Dec 2010 - Jun 2011Multimedia Fellow / The E.W. Scripps Company
- Sept 2008 - Aug 2010Leader and Member / Collaborative ArtsI served as film festival coordinator, media archive coordinator, and intern/volunteer coordinator. Specifically with coLAB Film Festival, I took on preproduction, production, and marketing tasks, which included soliciting and selecting submissions, as well as serving as liaison to filmmakers, filmgoers, funders, and volunteers. Moreover, I handled press, advertising and outreach, as well as served as liaison to the event's musical performers and the venue personnel. I have worked with niche subject matters, ranging from New Jersey films (reflecting various genres) to Queer Cinema, and have showcased works by documentary filmmakers Jenny Livingston and Cynthia Wade as well as young emerging filmmakers.
- Jun 2010 - Jul 2010Instructor, Composition and New Media / Rutgers UniversityAs part of the Rutgers Future Scholars Program, I taught a 2-week intensive Composition and New Media course to a class of (16) underprivileged high school students from the local New Brunswick, NJ area. The class incorporated video production and college composition, as well as a multimedia research curriculum. The students explored the topic of the contemporary food industry in the United States, and produced a short multimedia essay (similar to documentary), by the summation of the course.
- Jul 2008 - Mar 2010Studio Mentor / Rutgers UniversityAs Studio Mentor, I was a core collaborator on a multimedia composition research project by Rutgers Writing Program professors Richard E. Miller and Paul Hammond, which is geared toward rethinking the classroom environment, 21st century learning, and writing/composing/researching with multimedia. I mentored undergraduate and graduate students in their production and conceptual endeavors. In terms of my administrative and IT skills, I worked with a Final Cut Pro Server at Rutgers University, organizing and editing over 100 hours of media sizing at 5 TB. I have a keen sense of troubleshooting as well as advanced technical fluency, mastering programs including Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, FileMaker, and Microsoft Office. As a Studio Mentor, I served as a multimedia panelist at the 2009 SILVERDOCS Film Festival as well as a presenter at Duke University's AcademiX 2009 Conference. I co-directed a short film, Expos: The Movie, which is being exhibited October 2010 as part of the New Jersey Film Festival.
- May 2007 - Aug 2007Intern / PicturehouseI was an intern with New Line Cinema and HBO's Picturehouse, where I worked in Acquisitions and Publicity, gaining experience with programming, film premiere events, press issues, film coverage and screening, etc. I helped in preproduction, marketing, and production of film premieres, including El Cantante and Gracie.
- Apr 2007 - Apr 2007Volunteer, Panels Department / Tribeca Film FestivalI worked production with ASCAP programming. In terms of preproduction, I performed adminstrative duties, and served as liaison with talent.
Education-
2011 - 2013University of Southern CaliforniaMA in Critical Studies, Cinema
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2006 - 2008Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New BrunswickB.A. in English, Cinema and Media Studies
Activities: The Rutgers Review, The Outdoors Club
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Honors:Co-Director, Producer, and Editor: Pandora Scooter's“Pit the Little Girl” Spoken-Word Video, March 2010 – Present. Silver Docs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, Silver Sessions Panelist: "From Stories to Ideas: Exploring the Visual Essay with 21st Century Students." June 15-22, 2009. AcademiX 2009 Conference, Duke University, Rutgers Representative: Presented a digital poster to educators and technologists, May 2009. Co-director of short film Expos:The Movie, which is currently being exhibited at the New Jersey Film Festival (October 2010).
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Interests:Film and multimedia (distribution, programming, education), writing, event planning/coordination, visual arts, literature, public relations, mentoring/teaching, editorial and commercial videography, video editing, producing.
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Tweets
- Yll
- latest doc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JeZAJ1VwwIApr 09, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Checking
- umm #arcadefire is fucking incredible. #grammysFeb 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @JeffreyWWard hahah hmm maybe an older carrie bradshaw?
- whoa barbara is terribleeeeee. and terribly stands out :/ bummer #grammysFeb 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- mick jagger soooooooo great. so great. redeeming. #grammys #mickjaggerFeb 13, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Found things at Dysfunctional Beginnings http://dysfunctionalbeginnings.com/found/ #writingprompt #found #photographs #writing #gmp24Oct 15, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Check on the happenings of http://dysfunctionalbeginnings.com/, and submit material! #writingprompt #writing #creativity #nonfictionOct 08, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Childhood, creativity, and justifying bare feet!! http://wp.me/p125y8-4r #literary #nonfiction #writingprompt #icantbreathe #writingOct 07, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- memories, revisited, and shared. http://wp.me/p125y8-3Z #literary #cantwait #nonfiction #childhood #rememberwhen #writing #writingpromptOct 04, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Oct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #sucksbeingbroke and yet, it's humbling. . . http://wp.me/p125y8-25Oct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #wheniwasakid I pretended to be a secretary with a typewriter in my friend's attic. Now I am a secretary. http://wp.me/p125y8-3UOct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #wheniwasakid my muscles were tense while my mom was in the other room, smoking pot and getting abused. http://wp.me/p125y8-3UOct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #wheniwasakid Friendly's mac and cheese filled me up. http://wp.me/p125y8-3UOct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- #wheniwasakid my friend stole my scrunchy socks, and I had to coax her to get them back. 1993. West Orange, NJ.Oct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Short. Sweet. Childhood (is short). http://wp.me/p125y8-3U #literary #wheniwasakid #Nany #extfromjesus #writing #nonfiction #writingpromptOct 01, 10 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Status
- Holy. Miike Snow is so ill live. I need them nowww.
- (still going)
- (still going)
