DD Shift

I am hearing the theme song from Underdog.

Here is a nice, short video called “Font Conference” that demonstrates both good and bad filming technique.  I have to admit that I laughed out loud when I watched it.  It might be a good thing to show students during the  technology filming unit to demonstrate:

• Use of stereotype in humor (not always funny – why or why not).
• Creative use of common settings to create a totally different atmosphere.
• Show that you can create something in 3 minutes with a definite beginning, middle and end
• Look at timing and detail – how often does the font name play a role?  How much time does a font name need to be on the screen for you to really absorb it?  Did they do a good job with each one?
• Use of specialized knowledge as humor — does it work?  Why or why not?  Is it good for the general public?  Why or why not?
• Camera angles:  especially with Times New Roman.  Why did they film the way that they did?
• Camera shots:  when shooting people, did they always do it “correctly”, or are we missing any body parts in places that make you feel uncomfortable as a viewer?

I’m hearing the song “A Man’s Gotta Do…” by Captain Hammer, Dr. Horrible and Penny.

Perhaps a pre-quel? Brilliant!

I am hearing the song “On the Rise” by Penny and Dr. Horrible.

I have to say that I am disappointed, although I do understand Whedon’s position on Dr. Horrible. There will be no continuing episodes for Dr. Horrible. And that, my friends, is horrible. It is, from my frog perspective, irresponsible.

If you stop Mr. Horrible here, the story is a parable. And, it is a parable of the x-generation kind (not the next-generation… they aren’t old enough (or egotistical enough (yet) to “get it”). I won’t give you the moral of the story. I want to avoid spoilers, and you have to figure out the moral yourself. The prognosis (as an x-generation slave) is not good. And the message hits home.

But, we could look at it as a morality play. This leaves room for growth. Penny is Charity. Captain Hammer is Justice (ahh justice). Both of these “celebrated” virtues leave room for improvement; Charity is blind (but not chaste) and Justice is a vain, corporate tool… ah, but I digress. Which virtues (and vices) will Dr. Horrible meet in the next episode?

Or, this story could be epic; an epic of Parzival-ish proportions. Dr. Horrible has joined his round table (the evil League of Evil)… all he needs now is a sage villain to teach him the ways and a quest (and plenty of characters along the way). I believe Dr. Horrible longs (demands, even) to be epic. And, those characters that he encounters on his quest, they are futter for future spin offs.

Oh, and Penny is not all that weak, after all. Her character is significantly more developed than Captain Hammer’s. And, as Charity, she is far more reflective than I had first expected. And, her fate was necessary to drive home a point. But, she was not a dim-witted female–look at the subtext. She was simply a victim of her virtue.

Perhaps Whedon won’t create the next episode, but who is to say that there will be no new episodes? “Online” is a tricky frontier…

And, this is the best thing (hands down) that I have seen from Joss Whedon. Thank you to the writers’ strike!!