Mockumentary . . .Grading Criteria

Of course it would depend largely upon the specific assignment (podcast, video, newspaper), but the over-arching criteria that I would evaluate my students' performance on are:

-What is the message?
-Does the piece succeed as a parody (or is it just mocking for mocking sake)?
-Does the student successively employ 'documentary style' (loosely scripted dialog, hand-held camera shots, authoratative manner)?
-Does the student examine the subject matter critically?
-After project completion, does the student reflect on the creative process?

I would want to be flexible and grade more specific criteria on a project-by-project basis.

Media Influence

In any given week, I engage with media primarily through the internet (provided so generously by Comcast . . .I lied, they're not generous at all) and radio. I spend a lot of time listening to MPR and the Current (I was so proud to become a member this February-after years of freeloading I was finally able to give back). I have found through years of listening, that in 30 minutes of MPR, I can gain the same amount of news that 2 or 3 hours of watching CNN would provide. Granted there aren't any scrolling headlines and Carl Castle replaces Anderson Cooper, but I like it better that way.

In our post-9/11 society, so many of our sources of media have resorted to scare tactics to attract and retain viewers. I must admit that my political consciousness has come to maturity really only in the last 7 years or so and I don't remember which way news leaned throughout the 90's or before, but its amazing how formulaic it all is. "Organic Toothpaste: Environmentally friendly or poison?" Turns out its not poison. I have made an unconscious boycott of network news, no matter which way they alledgedly spin their 'fair and balanced material', instead I prefer perpectives of NPR, the BBC or CBC. They present the news as it happens, without the over dramatized sound effects and pundit ranting. They don't cater to sponsors, so the content is much less filtered. I like to think that it is the purest source of news available . . .not to mention the level of intelligence broadcasted when you start a conversation with, "I heard on MPR the other day . . ."

The fact that the Current is a Minnesota-based initiative gives me almost as much state pride as Kirby Puckett.

The Avett Brothers

While perusing a quarterly DVD that used to come with my favorite music magazine, Paste, I came across a foot-stomping-scream-at-the-top-your-lungs-to-the-sound-of-banjos-upright bass-and-acoustic-guitars live performance. There was a fantastic emotional intensity that I generally associate with a punk, not a bluegrass band. At the time, I thought that the guys looked pretty great to see live, but didn't think much about the quality of the music. Almost a half year later, again while flipping through Paste, I came across a four star review of the Avett Brother's new album, Emotionalism. The review read:

"With a kick-drum thump and a wild-man scream, these 14 stunning songs carve into your chest and settle in, stitching up the gaping flesh with shredded banjo strings-only to rip free again while the wound is still fresh, leaving you bloody, gasping and desperate for more. A true breakthrough from this hard-working band."

Wow.

I bought the album, threw it into the stereo, sat back in the recliner and didn't get up again until I had listened to the whole thing twice through. I can't remember the last time a single cd has made such an impact on me. Each song is wonderfully constructed, mixing elements of bluegrass, rock and punk. I read that they got their start playing punk and moved later into the American roots of their North Carolina heritage. Their songs are beautiful lamentations of love lost, the paranoia of incessent touring, the comfort of home.

I was lucky enough to catch them last summer at the Fine Line. The raw energy that I has seen earlier on the DVD was immediately apparent from the moment Seth and Scott walked onstage. Together with their bassist, they put on the best live show I have ever been too, easily.

Definitely check them out:

The Avett Brothers

The Shining?

An amazing reinvention of the Shining, I believe this won an award for best redesign of a movie into a new genre.

Bamboozled

One of the most powerful movies that I have watched in recent history and one that could be used very effectively in the high school classroom is Spike Lee’s Bamboozled. The film’s website describes the film as, “a blistering satire of network television's pitfalls and prejudices, a humorous look at how race, ratings and the pursuit of power lead to a television writer's stunning rise and tragic downfall”.

There are myriad possibilities for using this film in the classroom. It focuses on the powers at play within the media, so students could analyze how bias and money affect what appears on their television screens. This movie is also very racially charged, students could debate the effectiveness of satire in this context as well as "The Chappelle Show" or "Mind of Mancia". Discussion topics could include intended audience, intended reception, does it work as social commentary or perpetuate stereotypes. Regardless of the direction, the movie is sure to incite a passionate discussion and make students think critically. Because of the film's content, the teacher would have to focus on creating a safe space in the classroom, where students are able to repectfully and thoughtfully speak their minds. .