project runway

ACT 1: The explanation of the previous episode introduces Wacky Angela as a troublemaker who will appear throughout the episode. The introduction to the theme of the episode is hilariously introduced by the appearance of Tim Gunn walking 12 or so puppies in Central Park. "Awww's" and "Ohhh's" ensued by the female members of the class. After taking the dogs into the workshop, the designers begin to sketch and the pace of the show is instantly quickened by the rush and stumble of designers climbing over one another at Mood fabric store. Mood serves at the Plot Point #1 by transferring the audiences attention more to the designs rather than the people or puppies.

ACT 2: During Day #1 in the workshop, Wacky Angela realizes that her previous behavior looks unfavorable to her fellow designers. Scruffy Bradley seems to be indecisive about his designs and changes his garments every few minutes. His befuddled expressions make everyone feel bad for him, but "Shithead"Keith seems to have an opinion on how "worried" he is for Scruffy Bradley. By the end of Day #1 Bradley faces that he might be sending a girl down the runway naked if he can't pull off something quickly. (And why didn't the sleeping girl help him out?) MidPoint! During day #2 we start to realize that Dowdy Girl might not have a very good look either, because her green dress looks like 1995 and her dog is wearing a sweatshirt (?) Scruffy Bradley starts to make his outfit work and decides to go with what he has. The Runway spins us into the final act by changing the pace once again.

ACT 3: The runway is a rush of dogs, dresses and models, leaving us in a cloud of overwhelming beauty. The judges love Scruffy Bradley's outfit, hate Keith's attitude and kick off Dowdy Girl for her ugly dress.

It's easy to see that the "rising" portion of the show is MUCH longer than the "falling" and ends with a quick runway and BANG it's all over! The A Story is obviously the show, but in this particular episode you really feel for Scruffy and want him to do well (yay underdog!) On the B Side, you don't understand Wacky Angela at all, or why she got to stay on the show with her crafts fair-hooker look. You feel bad for Dowdy Girl for not understanding that this was a horrible dress to show and for her to be proud of. You kind of want to slap Keith for being to arrogant. the B Stories are what keep the show moving along, and keep you laughing the entire time. Also, the show follows Aristotle's theory of Poetics by having a very defined beginning (introduction of the challenge), middle (everything else) and end (winner, loser, now wait till next week!).

According the Syd Field, the "Project Runway" approach to reality television fits perfectly into his idea for how a screenplay should be composed.

(traditional boring title here)

You Got Mail is my favorite movie.

Most people scoff at this bold statement of mine.
"That's just a chick flick"
"Out of all the movies in the world that is your favorite?"
"The movie where Tom Hanks meets Meg Ryan on the top of the Empire State building?"

But I saw the movie when I was 10 and the world stood still for me.

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

If I could tell you the ONE THING all of my favorite movies have in common, it would be strong character development. So strong that you feel as if you could answer personal questions about the characters, as if they were real people. You Got Mail explores character relationships so deeply that you feel as if you could be a part of them. The sets, the costume, the location, the witty humor... they all feel real and very cohesive. Since seeing this movie, it strengthened my dream of owning my own bookstore someday and share with people my favorite books.

I also get attached to things very easily. Stray animals, cars driving the same direction on long car rides, plants, or canceled TV shows. But in movies, I think we all need to feel a sense of attachment and understanding for the character. I think this is why I understand movies so well, I get immersed in the story line about 2 seconds in.

I decide to see movies from many different standpoints.
1. Hype: I'm a sucker for hype. I heard about Black Swan about 6 months before it came out and by December I was DYING to see it because I'd heard so much about it. Every time I hear a Sofia Coppola movie is coming out I can't WAIT until it comes to theaters near me.
2. Commercials: Like I said, I get attached easily. Commercials are on average 30 seconds? I cry in commercials! I laugh! So of course when a movie preview comes on I'm glued to the screen.
3. Referral: I take this one less seriously, mostly because there are very few people I trust to have a real opinion. I can always count on that my sister and I will have completely opposite opinions
4. Reviews: I mostly say this because I try not to read reviews until AFTER I've seen the movie. Firstly, because I write film reviews and I don't want to steal anyone else's ideas or words. Secondly, because frankly, reviewers seem way too damn pompous and arrogant. Well the blah blah blah was very blah blah blah and the actor gave a blah blah blah performance. When I write a review I try and think of what other people will think. Burlesque was a good movie because it was fun! No it wasn't a great script. No, the acting wasn't stellar. But you left the movie feeling good and happy. I wrote my article so that readers could understand that it was lighthearted fun.