My favorite posts are Fresh Experience, The Empire Hotel, Tucker Square Market, A Pizza Adventure with Macaulay, and The Younger Elder. Most of these posts used iMovie, and the tools that come along with that program. These posts used a lot of transitions from one part of the movie to the next. They also used a tool that minimized the background noises in the videos and instead inserted music at those specific parts. I can imagine using these tools to probably make similar videos, and one example I can think of is making a commentary video on paintings at a museum like the MoMA. The Younger Elder video mainly comprised of an interview of an “elder” at a Mormon Church, and instead of recording the visual part of the interview, the group used the paintings found at the Church as the background to the interview. Also there are tools that let us place written information on the video at specific times. So even if the movie has to be silent, there is a way to place information without having to say it aloud in the video.
Cool Projects
All my fellow Macaulay Honors peeps did a great job in each of their projects. Here’s the list of my Top 5:
5. “JULLIARD” – This project was great because the authors introduced me to a whole new element that I had never used before in iMovie: the cool templates. I think using the scrapbook template to make the video is a refreshing new spin on making a video. The song they picked was also riveting and kept my interest.
4. “CUNY Timeline” – The use of the dipity app was awesome. I never knew about this app and so I really enjoyed the creativity that the app has to offer. I also like how the app allows for pictures as well. I know this app will come in handy in my IDC class now and in the future.
3. “A Walk Along Broadway” – This project was really cool and fun. I had never seen Google Maps used this way. I enjoyed the cute icons the authors chose and the fact that they were also able to embed video into one of the icons. It was a really unique project and I enjoyed it immensely.
2. “Adventure at B&N” – This project really caught my eye because it was in podcast form but also played like a movie. I’ve only knew that one could include pictures in podcast and didn’t know movie videos, transitions, slides, and music can also be added too. I love Barnes and Nobles and the quirky, funny commentary by the authors.
1. “Broke, Hungry, and Honors” – Last but definitely not least, my favorite project is this. The use of the voicethread app impressed me the most. I think the project was very clean, funny, and informative. I really like how the authors took advantage of all the features that voicethread had to offer. I like how voicethread allows interactivity from the viewer and also allows the authors to scribble ON the actual picture. It’s like a smartboard, but not really. I also like this project because it discussed food, my favorite topic!
I am really excited about trying out some of the apps that I saw here for my own classes and in my personal projects. I think these cool interactive apps will provide me with an advantage in presentations because they are different from the average video or powerpoint.
Commentary
My favorite post/project is “Reconstruction at Lincoln Center.” My first time there was at my high school graduation. I was amazed at how beautiful it looked and it will probably look even better.
My second favorite post is “To eat or not to eat” because it is a very creative and humorous way of teaching people to eat healthy.
My third favorite is “Fun at Barnes and Nobles” because the group made it seem like an adventure to go there. Many people dislike reading books and I feel like if there were more ways to make stores such as Barnes and Nobles seem exciting, more people would go there and eventually by a book that looks interesting to them after looking around.
My fourth favorite is “Rediscovering the Mac Store” because before I entered the Macaulay Honors College, I never used a Mac and wasn’t interested either. I was used to PC and when my friends would tell me that “Macs are so much better,” I would tell them to enjoy, as I was happy with my PC. Watching this video, I know that if I didn’t have a Mac, I would want to try one out. This project can help open eyes.
My fifth favorite is “Alice Truly Hall” because I have never heard of the place and based on this project, it seems like an interesting place to just sit and observe. Ever since Turandot in Seminar 1, I have wanted to watch another performance and Alice Truly Hall seems like the perfect place to watch a performance, and sit for some coffee afterwards.
Macaulay Cake Walk
Maria Devikumar, Jemi Jacob, Maridalia Martinez, Swathi Mummini, Irene O’hare, Jane Shaji
We strolled down Columbus Avenue in search of a perfect treat to satisfy our craving. The busy avenue led us to our first attraction, the well known, Magnolia Bakery. As we smelled the sugary goodness, we knew we wanted to explore the sweetness Columbus Avenue had to offer. In a few short steps from Magnolia, we stumbled upon a quaint little coffee shop, with the alluring name of the Sensuous Bean. The smell of coffee from outside drew us in to the tiny shop with more variety of coffee beans than you can imagine. Craving for more coffee, we made our way back to 67th street to find a unique organic coffee spot called Café Saint Honore. Traveling on this sweet journey we learned that we could never go wrong with sugar and organic, and small cafes offer a cozy feel for a better value.
View
Macaulay Honors College- Cake
Walk in a larger map
LaGuardia High School
Laurita Abreu, Baruch
Alina Pavlova, Baruch
Kristin Jones, Hunter
Peter Panousopoulos, Baruch
1) What did you do?
We explored the drama and instrumental departments at LaGuardia High School as well as interviewed CTE Head and AP of Theatre, Brad Vincent.
2) Why did you choose it?
We figured that’s it’s a place inside of the neighborhood that nobody has done yet. We also wanted to give a little tour of one of the country’s most prestigious high schools.
3) What did you learn?
We learn a little of what each department does to educate their children. We also about the severe lack of educational funding the school receives.
Lunch & Dessert on the West Side of Town
Group: Ivana Roman, Fausto Lopez, Olivia Torres, Sam Barnes, and Christian Mejia (All Hunter)
What did you do?
– We took a look around the area and decided to bring you to the best place for awesome pizza and delicious desserts. The bakery and pizzeria are on the corner of Columbus Ave and 69th St, definitely worth the trip!
Why did you choose it?
– Not only were some of our group members hungry, but thought it would be nice to show everyone a new place to eat since we generally don’t hang around the west side of Manhattan too much.
What did you learn?
– We learned that Magnolia has expensive but equally awesome cupcakes.
Adventures at Barnes and Noble
Brought to you by Grace Ko, Justin Davis, Stephanie Parascandolo, Chloe’ Weiser, Ayelet Chovev (Queens)
What did you do? We explored Barnes and Noble on 66th Street and Columbus Avenue.
Why did you choose it? Well, we first went to Magnolia bakery but there were already Macaulay people filming there. So, after our quick (and unhealthy) snack, we decided to feed our minds as well as our stomachs.
What did you learn? While there is a large selection of books, it can be a little overwhelming. If all you want to do is browse, Barnes and Noble is definitely the place to go. However, if you are a serious book-buyer, we’d suggest a smaller store.
The Younger Elder
Luo Qian Chen (Baruch)
Runji Yu (Baruch)
Gabriela Geselowitz (Hunter)
Ariella Medows (Lehman)
Alex Linde (Lehman)
Todd Stein (CSI)
1. What did you do?
We went to the Mormon Church and talked pictures of the Jesus painting on the walls. We also interviewed
2. Why did you choose it?
We chose it because we want to learn about a different culture and they are a relatively unknown part of New York.
3. What did you learn?
We learned that the laws and restrictions are seemed to them as God having them maintain their bodies. We also learned about the truth of Mormon underwear. We learned about the differences between an experienced member and a newly convert.
Special thanks to Deborah for her hospitality and insight. Special thanks to Richard for allowing us to interview him about his experiences.
Magnolia’s Bakery
Baruch College: Justin Koyithara, Maria Kamenetskaya, Adam Hashemi, Jordanna Winfield, Linda Haviv, Katie Pisano
Brooklyn: Angel Mak
What did we do?
-We gave one option of great food to get when you get hungry around the Macaulay Building
Why did you choose it?
-We heard it has the greatest cupcakes anywhere and so we thought since we’re so close, we might as well go.
What did you learn?
-Magnolia has amazing cupcakes that are so moist and scrumptious that almost everyone around 67th street loves.
67th Street Starbucks.
“What did you do?” I investigated the notion that Starbucks is evil.
“Why did you choose it?” Starbucks has been getting a lot of flack lately, despite their best efforts.
“What did you learn.” I learned that kids like to talk about how they hate Starbucks and how it is a “Yuppie-palooza” yet they continue to return to the establishment time and time again. Hipsters…
