Project #2 Reflection

Project #2 came together well for me, and I really like the end result. It is an excerpt from a short story that I have been working on for a while, and thus reads sequentially. I have used separate frames to hold different lines from the story; some whole sentences, some fragments. I put sentence fragments, or only portions of sentences, in some frames for impact, just as I did with the story. The frame breaks allow for a few seconds of rest, reflection, and anticipation between frames.

I incorporated images sparingly, but I think effectively. The images are simple, iconic, and complement the narrative. I only used one of the images twice, the image of the lid, again for impact. The image refers to the title, and allows the reader/viewer to interact with the story. Perhaps they wonder about the lid...?

I chose the music (the instrumental [piano and whistling] introduction to Billy Joel’s “The Stranger”) obviously because the lack of lyrics doesn't provide any competition with my own words, but also because it adds just the right touch and calmness and eeriness that I thought my story needed. I also chose a grainy, grayscale presentation for the same reason. (A design/technological note: If font could be customized in Windows Movie Maker, I would have changed the font to something a little less standard, and I also would have allowed it to be read a little more easily when on the images...)

Overall, I think that the story reads sequentially and the frames denote a subtle time change. I also think that the images, as well as the audio, flow nicely with the story.

(Another note: I apologize for the movie’s second frame showing on the player before the play button is clicked. It really bothers me, and is probably confusing to readers. I deleted the file and downloaded it again, but it remained like that. It is something of a mystery to me, and quite out of my technical realm.)