Graphic Novel Project
Project Reflection
December, 11 2013
In the Brave New World project we were assigned a partner to complete a two part project made up of an Artist and Author. We had to work together to create a graphic novel from a scene in the book.
As a pair Reed and I improved on teamwork the most throughout the project. We were faced with challenges as soon as we begun the project. This started with small disagreements and then led into arguments about not working at a good pace. Nearing the end of the project we were able to work together and find things that we could accomplish as a pair in order to complete the project on time.
Throughout the project I most improved on analyzing a theme. This was my biggest improvement because I thought that I did a really good job explaining in detail what was going on in the scene. I made it clear and easy for the reader to understand and put together everything that was going on both, in the scene and what happened before the scene.
In the future I would like to improve on my writing skills. I would like to spent more time reviewing the writing for run on sentences and punctuation. I think that If I had more peer critiques my writing could be improved upon.
As a pair Reed and I improved on teamwork the most throughout the project. We were faced with challenges as soon as we begun the project. This started with small disagreements and then led into arguments about not working at a good pace. Nearing the end of the project we were able to work together and find things that we could accomplish as a pair in order to complete the project on time.
Throughout the project I most improved on analyzing a theme. This was my biggest improvement because I thought that I did a really good job explaining in detail what was going on in the scene. I made it clear and easy for the reader to understand and put together everything that was going on both, in the scene and what happened before the scene.
In the future I would like to improve on my writing skills. I would like to spent more time reviewing the writing for run on sentences and punctuation. I think that If I had more peer critiques my writing could be improved upon.
Theme Explanation
Jake Beekmann- Author
Reed Frey- Artist
12/11/13
For a current day reader, Brave New World is a shockingly controlled futuristic society. In this society people are born into bottles and then conditioned for the needs of the society. In this scene the two characters, Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson, discuss their differences between themselves and society, and their differences in point of view and attitude towards society. Bernard is frustrated with the person he is becoming and what path he is following. He is tired of not being accepted, while Helmholtz's dissatisfaction is coming from his belief that there is more to life than instant gratification. He wants to feel emotion both positive and negative. Throughout the scene Helmholtz is trying to avoid the distraction of girls and sports. Before the scene a change has taken place as Bernard takes on his new role as a celebrity because he controls the Savage’s social schedule. He is enjoying all the attention from everyone, but then comes to realize that his popularity is based on everyone else’s curiosity about the Savage. He realizes that John and Helmholtz are his only real friends.
The theme of this scene relates back to Happiness vs Meaning. In the scene the two characters are struggling with the real meaning of happiness. Their discussion is focused on the meaning of happiness. The two characters have found a deeper meaning to happiness. In the scene Bernard and Helmholtz discover they have the same idea about being an individual. They are tired of the same routine. Happiness vs meaning is the theme of this scene because no one that is conditioned realizes that they are happy because they get what they want, but Bernard and Helmholtz have realized something else and, they want to have emotions.
Brave New World is full of characters that do everything they can to avoid facing the truth about their own situations. This first relates to the characters, and in this case Bernard and Helmholtz have taken advantage of what is expected. I could say that they have represented the meaning to the book but now they have found a deeper meaning to life.
The first choice of frame the artist chose was a bird’s eye view. A bird’s eye view was most suitable for the scene with Helmholtz in his office being called up by Bernard on the roof, and the secretary telling Helmholtz to go to the roof while on the phone with Bernard. This view is the most beneficial to the scene because it gives you an aspect on the whole area. It easily shows the two characters connecting.
The second choice of frame was a back view of Helmholtz getting on the elevator to go meet Bernard on the roof. Reed chose this because it gives you a view of him walking the and the elevator he is getting on. I think this frame choice is the best fit because it focuses on one spot in the room and it lets the reader know what the character is doing, and where he is going.
Reed Frey- Artist
12/11/13
For a current day reader, Brave New World is a shockingly controlled futuristic society. In this society people are born into bottles and then conditioned for the needs of the society. In this scene the two characters, Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson, discuss their differences between themselves and society, and their differences in point of view and attitude towards society. Bernard is frustrated with the person he is becoming and what path he is following. He is tired of not being accepted, while Helmholtz's dissatisfaction is coming from his belief that there is more to life than instant gratification. He wants to feel emotion both positive and negative. Throughout the scene Helmholtz is trying to avoid the distraction of girls and sports. Before the scene a change has taken place as Bernard takes on his new role as a celebrity because he controls the Savage’s social schedule. He is enjoying all the attention from everyone, but then comes to realize that his popularity is based on everyone else’s curiosity about the Savage. He realizes that John and Helmholtz are his only real friends.
The theme of this scene relates back to Happiness vs Meaning. In the scene the two characters are struggling with the real meaning of happiness. Their discussion is focused on the meaning of happiness. The two characters have found a deeper meaning to happiness. In the scene Bernard and Helmholtz discover they have the same idea about being an individual. They are tired of the same routine. Happiness vs meaning is the theme of this scene because no one that is conditioned realizes that they are happy because they get what they want, but Bernard and Helmholtz have realized something else and, they want to have emotions.
Brave New World is full of characters that do everything they can to avoid facing the truth about their own situations. This first relates to the characters, and in this case Bernard and Helmholtz have taken advantage of what is expected. I could say that they have represented the meaning to the book but now they have found a deeper meaning to life.
The first choice of frame the artist chose was a bird’s eye view. A bird’s eye view was most suitable for the scene with Helmholtz in his office being called up by Bernard on the roof, and the secretary telling Helmholtz to go to the roof while on the phone with Bernard. This view is the most beneficial to the scene because it gives you an aspect on the whole area. It easily shows the two characters connecting.
The second choice of frame was a back view of Helmholtz getting on the elevator to go meet Bernard on the roof. Reed chose this because it gives you a view of him walking the and the elevator he is getting on. I think this frame choice is the best fit because it focuses on one spot in the room and it lets the reader know what the character is doing, and where he is going.
Script
Jake Beekmann- Author
Realizing the Differences Reed Frey- Artist
12/11/13
Page 1:
Narration: Bernard landed on the roof of the Propaganda house, and he stepped out of the helicopter. (Birds eye view)
Bernard: “Ring down to Mr. Helmholtz Watson and tell him Bernard is waiting for him on the roof.” (Close up of this)
Helmholtz: “Tell him I am coming at once”, he said and hung up the receiver. Then, turning to his secretary, “I’ll leave you to put my things away.” (Birds eye view)
Narration: “Able” was the verdict of his superiors. They both shook their heads and lowered their voices, “a little to able.” (Close up)
Narration: A mental excess ( too much brain) had been produced with Helmholtz Watson’s excess. But they had both discussed their differences. Bernard Marx had a physical defect, he was weak. He had been isolated from all the other fellow men because of his small bone and weak structure. (Close up)
Page 2:
Helmholtz: “I have realized that sports and women were not at my concern anymore, I feel like I am interested in something else. (Back View)
Helmholtz: “ But there was a problem and I need to discuss the issue with you Bernard.”
(Front view)
Bernard: “I am taking Lenina Crowne to New Mexico with me.” He said in a rushed tone. (Back View)
Helmholtz: “Are you?” said Helmholtz with a tone of no interest.
(Back view)
Page 3:
Helmholtz: “ I try to avoid girls and I think its paying off.
(Wide Shot)
Narration: After they flew to Bernards room they started their discussion.
(Side view)
Page 4:
Helmholtz: “ Did you ever feel?”, he asked, “as though you had something inside of you that was just waiting for you to give it a chance”. (Close up)
Bernard: “ You mean all the emotions one might be feeling if things were different? (Close)
Helmholtz: “ Not quite, I am thinking of a queer feeling I sometimes get, a feeling like I have something important to say but I don't have the power to say it”. (Close up)
Page 5:
Bernard: He was silent with a questioning look.
(Close up)
Helmholtz: “ They aren't important enough somehow”. “I feel like I could do something much more important.” “Something violent”.
(Close up)
Realizing the Differences Reed Frey- Artist
12/11/13
Page 1:
Narration: Bernard landed on the roof of the Propaganda house, and he stepped out of the helicopter. (Birds eye view)
Bernard: “Ring down to Mr. Helmholtz Watson and tell him Bernard is waiting for him on the roof.” (Close up of this)
Helmholtz: “Tell him I am coming at once”, he said and hung up the receiver. Then, turning to his secretary, “I’ll leave you to put my things away.” (Birds eye view)
Narration: “Able” was the verdict of his superiors. They both shook their heads and lowered their voices, “a little to able.” (Close up)
Narration: A mental excess ( too much brain) had been produced with Helmholtz Watson’s excess. But they had both discussed their differences. Bernard Marx had a physical defect, he was weak. He had been isolated from all the other fellow men because of his small bone and weak structure. (Close up)
Page 2:
Helmholtz: “I have realized that sports and women were not at my concern anymore, I feel like I am interested in something else. (Back View)
Helmholtz: “ But there was a problem and I need to discuss the issue with you Bernard.”
(Front view)
Bernard: “I am taking Lenina Crowne to New Mexico with me.” He said in a rushed tone. (Back View)
Helmholtz: “Are you?” said Helmholtz with a tone of no interest.
(Back view)
Page 3:
Helmholtz: “ I try to avoid girls and I think its paying off.
(Wide Shot)
Narration: After they flew to Bernards room they started their discussion.
(Side view)
Page 4:
Helmholtz: “ Did you ever feel?”, he asked, “as though you had something inside of you that was just waiting for you to give it a chance”. (Close up)
Bernard: “ You mean all the emotions one might be feeling if things were different? (Close)
Helmholtz: “ Not quite, I am thinking of a queer feeling I sometimes get, a feeling like I have something important to say but I don't have the power to say it”. (Close up)
Page 5:
Bernard: He was silent with a questioning look.
(Close up)
Helmholtz: “ They aren't important enough somehow”. “I feel like I could do something much more important.” “Something violent”.
(Close up)
Artist Statement
Jake Beekmann - Author
Reed Frey - Artist
12/11/13
The choice of moment that was most crucial to our comic would start on page 3 and panel number 1. This choice of moment is the most necessary because it shows Bernard and Helmholtz in a birds eye view finishing up their conversation on the roof before they head to Bernards room. It would be hard to put the scene together if you don't know the two characters have moved locations.
The choice of frame and angle of the frame that I used was on page 4 panel 1-2. I chose this angle for this moment in the scene because it shows the back of Helmholtz talking to Bernard and Bernard is further in front of Helmholtz talking. It shows the two conversations from the back of the person so you have a clear idea of what is going on in the scene.
The choice of image that was used in a close panel was that Bernard’s eyebrows were slanted outward to show that he was interested in what Helmholtz was saying. He was questioning Helmholtz’s last opinion with unsurely looks.
The choice of flow that I chose so it would run smoothly without question from the reader was left to right. To be more specific as an example page 3 guided the reader by mentioning a hint for the next scene. For example when Bernard and Helmholtz were on the helicopter they mentioned his room.
The choice of word that was most effective throughout the scene would be on page 4 panel 2 when Bernard questions Helmholtz about Lenina Crowne he talks as if it were not a big deal and lets him know that with POW.
Reed Frey - Artist
12/11/13
The choice of moment that was most crucial to our comic would start on page 3 and panel number 1. This choice of moment is the most necessary because it shows Bernard and Helmholtz in a birds eye view finishing up their conversation on the roof before they head to Bernards room. It would be hard to put the scene together if you don't know the two characters have moved locations.
The choice of frame and angle of the frame that I used was on page 4 panel 1-2. I chose this angle for this moment in the scene because it shows the back of Helmholtz talking to Bernard and Bernard is further in front of Helmholtz talking. It shows the two conversations from the back of the person so you have a clear idea of what is going on in the scene.
The choice of image that was used in a close panel was that Bernard’s eyebrows were slanted outward to show that he was interested in what Helmholtz was saying. He was questioning Helmholtz’s last opinion with unsurely looks.
The choice of flow that I chose so it would run smoothly without question from the reader was left to right. To be more specific as an example page 3 guided the reader by mentioning a hint for the next scene. For example when Bernard and Helmholtz were on the helicopter they mentioned his room.
The choice of word that was most effective throughout the scene would be on page 4 panel 2 when Bernard questions Helmholtz about Lenina Crowne he talks as if it were not a big deal and lets him know that with POW.