Growing up watching films has been a very blissful moment where I learned to think of movies like they're part of my life. Ever since I first I remember growing up in an apartment in SLC, Utah where my family had a big collection of movies on VHS. Immediately, I learned how the VCR worked and watched films like pages from a book. Originally, I was always interested in just the visuals and actions, like explosions or heroes saving the day, and those became my only interests in films. The 1990's became the highlight of my life with movies. Films made by James Cameron and Steven Speilberg were like my idols, along with Schwarzenegger's action roles throughout that decade. When the near turn of the century came, films became more and more realistic in visuals and dark themed in story telling. The new millennium, however, was also a new start for everything in movie making. They changed my interest and perspective of what I think of movies and what I like. I didn't know if this was a good thing or bad thing. After graduating high school and attending Aiken Technical College, I later applied to the online class (Film As Art) and spent a few months learning new ways of looking and criticizing films today. Thurmond Whatley, my teacher, posted his student's and I web links and examples of how to complete our work. In addition, the links contained some videos and illustrated demonstrations to what I was studying, such as cinematography, mise 'en scene (which is French for "placement on stage"), movement, drama, and more. When the semester was over, the feeling of finishing the online class so soon was sad for me. Disappointed to know that there were any other higher level courses for that study. Film As Art changed the view and criticism of what I think of films then and now. My fascination with films grew bigger since I took my online course.
Looking at films between the 20th and 21st century have made significant outcomes of what I look films now and in relation to people's lives. Films, in my opinion, have made a long way in reaching the expectations and changes to critics and audience's outlook on movies. Today in the digital age, film artists seek the soul of humanities feelings and emotions of what life is in the 21st century. So overall when I go to see a film in theaters I don't just watch, I analyze as well.
