Thesis Topic

I will be exploring marketing and promotional communications in virtual economy to find out effective applications of marketing and promotional strategies of both tangible and intangibles (such as products,services and ideas etc) in virtual world.

*Please leave me any comment if my thesis is insufficient or needs to be redirected. :)

“Mad-Lib” Thesis Topic

I am exploring web-launched, serialized storylines—otherwise known as webisodes—in order to discover what technical and narrative characteristics they share, so that I can demonstrate the capacity of individuals to use formulaic patterns, manipulations, and conventions to create popular internet-based entertainment.

There it is, my one sentence. It’s extremely long, as I do tend to be extremely long-winded in general. But there you go. Any suggestions on how to cut-down/modify/simplify it would be greatly appreciated.

Snr Thesis Idea #2

um completely new content for my movie...

I am investigating American politics from an overseas perspective in order to discover how biased US media is because I want to show that America exists in an unhealthy media bubble.

A world-wide documentary

1. Name your Topic:

I am looking at how people from all over the world can contribute to a documentary type film by submitting clips over the web in order to compile a piece that represents the views of many individuals in hopes of creating something that really represents societies views on a given topic.


2. Ask a question:

Can the opinions/clips from many people be put together to create a film that better represents the views of society on a given topic than what the media portrays?

3. Motivation:

So many documentaries in the world today are incredibly biased. They represent the view of one individual and focus on only one side of the issue. In today’s internet world, people are communicating and networking with others from around the globe. It has never been more feasible to interact and get true opinions that really represent what people think about a given topic.
I’d like to create a collaborative documentary that takes into account what individuals really think, not what the media, or political figures, are telling us we think. I want to pose a question, open to anyone and everyone to answer. I will collect film clips, stills, and audio, from people of all backgrounds, submitted to me through the web and I’ll compile it all into a film in the hopes that using only the internet to get the word out about my project, I can draw submissions that represent a wide faction of people and hopefully get a more ‘real’ idea of what society thinks.
I want to show how technology has given us the chance to come together and network, but also to work together to create something. Everyone can have an opinion and their view can become a part of the film’s view as a whole.

Ari Levinson topic statement

1. I am investigating the creative process of modern filmmaking with respect to the use of visual effects and post-production techniques as an increasingly important step in the execution of the filmmakers vision.

2. I want to find out how much of the creative process of filmmaking has become non-linear (i.e. has moved into post-production) and how often modern filmmakers are realizing their ideas long after production has finished.

3. I undertake this research in order to create a better understanding of the modern filmmaking process, and to clarify the existing guidelines regarding creative execution in film.

Webisodes, Amusing but Difficult

I've written a script for my very first webisode. So far, the series revolves around a dysfunctional family (is there any other kind) who meets annually for a reunion. The central action of the series revolves around what happens at the reunion. However, I thought it would be best to first introduce all the characters separately before they converge at the reunion. That way, we get a feeling of what their lives are like as individuals before we see them as a family.

My first webisode revolves around the main character, Ben Shaw (26). Ben hates his job as a greeting card writer, mostly because he has to work with a giant tool in the form of Dave. Dave likes to write vulgar limericks and leave them on Ben's desk. The webisode ends with Ben playing a practical joke on Dave right before leaving for the reunion.

I'm really happy with how Ben is developing as a character. He hates large aspects of his life, but he tries not to let it all weigh him down. I think he will be really fun when he gets together with the rest of the family. I'm also planning on introducing a love interest for Ben later on, and using this as the main dramatic arc of the webisode series. I'm really excited to continue writing and discovering more of these characters.

Senior Thesis Idea

1: Name your topic
Buddy Movie for all Genders (i hate this title, but it'll have to do for now)

Step 2: Add a question
-Will women and men ever truly be equal if the idea of "equality" is constantly being raised and questioned?
-Why is it still an issue after all the advances in the US throughout the past few decades?
-Can men and women, under the most stressful of circumstances, ever be just friends? (an inherent reality to true equality, I believe)

Step 3: Motivate your question

As a film major, as a film enthusiast, I've seen numerous male-male buddy movies (Saving Private Ryan, the Lethal Weapon series, etc.) and a few female-female buddy movies (Thelma & Louise, Charlies Angels, etc.). But I've never seen a good female-male buddy movie. Obviously, it's very unlikely for men and women to have truly platonic relationships in any day and age. But I've seen a growing trend of opposing sex friendships that are just that...friendships. No secret agendas, no hidden desires.

There are many out there who would disagree with me, saying that no male-female relationship is ever truly devoid of sexual feelings. I respond that some would argue that no same sex relationship is devoid of sexual feelings. It's all a matter of perspective. I believe that it is possible for a male-female, male-male or female-female relationship to exist without sexual tension. It's called friendship and it's overlooked in our sex-obsessed and homosexual-hypersensitive culture and society.

So here is the project idea:

-A short film (10-20 minutes), about a male-female friendship.
-To emphasize the point that this is possible under any circumstances, and to juxtapose it with a society that does not allow this kind of relationship, I want to place to story in the Middle East or any other gender oppressive third world nation. There are plenty around the world for me to pick from.
-The main two characters would be United States Marines / Soldiers (the specifics to be worked out later on after some research). OR they might be soldiers of a different nation to show that it is possible, but the culture&society in the US does not support it / believe in it.
-It would follow them through relaxation, combat, then back to relaxation.
-the most important aspect of the film is that THEY WOULD NEVER BRING UP THE QUESTION OF EQUALITY. They would never address it in any way.

The point of this film, the message, is that true equality exists when you don't have to talk about it anymore. It just is.