A few days ago I taught my last class for the summer. Summer classes are popular where we work because they pay so well, and are over in 3 short weeks. Competition for getting two (both a morning and afternoon class) became so fierce recently that the school put a stop to any foreign professors teaching two classes.
It took me until the last class to somewhat understand what I was dealing with. Seriously, if I'm seeing them everyday, and there are only 25 or so students, it should be much easier to get a read on the culture of this particular class versus a class I only see twice per week like during the regular semester. This class was a diverse bunch.
What I finally figured out that last day I should have known all along: these were (generally speaking) the students that avoided taking the 'required for graduation' university English class until the very last possible moment. A conglomeration of students, most likely very good in their respective majors, that possibly disliked English class from previous experience, and therefore avoided taking English for a long as humanly possible.
I hit them hard, just like I always do. Higher level thinking assignments, reading and writing assignments to be completed as homework, a 15 min. long individual presentation to boot, speaking assignments using real English language in every class, and all with very fair, strict grading according to my requirements laid out in the beginning. I suspect that not a single one of them expected my class to be a legitimate 3 week long English course, and many may have possibly entered the first day believing they'd breeze through without doing much of anything except attending.
How dare I provide a proper English class, with real assignments, while I attempt to teach something they may actually take with them for life.
Keep the faith.
PS- Has anyone seen this in the news recently?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
accepting criticism
Lunch the other day was shared with a Korean friend who's actually a former student. She's one of those rare Koreans that doesn't have the standard 3 syllable name. Love that shit. Parents in this country do their children a favor by naming their child accordingly.
It was mostly a social lunch, but at one point I got serious, and asked her what she really thought of my movies. Koreans are either overly blunt, or too polite. She listened carefully to my question, and then took a deep breathe before telling me that Korean people might not be interested in the movies I make. As much as hearing such a thing deeply bothers me, I still felt reassured from her honesty.
So I ask myself: What am I actually striving for in this world? According to this particular isolated incident, it would be honesty. Of course, honesty can't be the only thing I'm striving for..... can it?
PS- Lunch was good by the way, we had this: this.
Keep the faith.
It was mostly a social lunch, but at one point I got serious, and asked her what she really thought of my movies. Koreans are either overly blunt, or too polite. She listened carefully to my question, and then took a deep breathe before telling me that Korean people might not be interested in the movies I make. As much as hearing such a thing deeply bothers me, I still felt reassured from her honesty.
So I ask myself: What am I actually striving for in this world? According to this particular isolated incident, it would be honesty. Of course, honesty can't be the only thing I'm striving for..... can it?
PS- Lunch was good by the way, we had this: this.
Keep the faith.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Reality TV
Recently, I made an appointment with a relatively well known music producer in the foreign (and Korean) community in Seoul to film a short documentary about his life. What ended up happening was the makings of my first 'real' reality show I've embarked upon. Not going to mention his full name at the moment, but great first time experience following someone around like that.
The first true opportunity to film professionally was actually a 'reality style' show filmed in conjunction with the university where I work. You can also see episodes here and here.
If the filmed reality movie mentioned above ever does make it to fruition, I hope you'll check it out and provide feedback. And, if YOU have an interesting life that you'd like to share with others on film done professionally, hit me up. I'm always open to suggestions. Anytime.
Keep the faith.
The first true opportunity to film professionally was actually a 'reality style' show filmed in conjunction with the university where I work. You can also see episodes here and here.
If the filmed reality movie mentioned above ever does make it to fruition, I hope you'll check it out and provide feedback. And, if YOU have an interesting life that you'd like to share with others on film done professionally, hit me up. I'm always open to suggestions. Anytime.
Keep the faith.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Rich
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.
Support for the middle class is gone, since the president must concede to and obey those who contribute campaign funds. In other words, the rich. In fact, 100% of all U.S. senators no longer represent the masses. Sadly, it's true.
Along with this, we have a fraudulent money system in place, that which is the Federal Reserve System. Simply put, it's designed to create inflation, and debt. And it's doing a heck of a job isn't it?
I probably should watch what I say, since one day I'd like to make bigger budget films, but nobody's reading this anyways.
Keep the faith.
Support for the middle class is gone, since the president must concede to and obey those who contribute campaign funds. In other words, the rich. In fact, 100% of all U.S. senators no longer represent the masses. Sadly, it's true.
Along with this, we have a fraudulent money system in place, that which is the Federal Reserve System. Simply put, it's designed to create inflation, and debt. And it's doing a heck of a job isn't it?
I probably should watch what I say, since one day I'd like to make bigger budget films, but nobody's reading this anyways.
Keep the faith.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Justice for North Korea
On a Friday evening not too far back, my lovely fiance Stephanie and I set out to attend and film a nice fella named Robb Lee at a fundraiser titled Justice for North Korea in Itaewon. I had met him a day earlier when my friend Elliott Ashby and I decided to team up and interview him for a piece we're working on for KRTV.tv.
The event turned out great. Robb's performance was terrific, and I also met and shot another talent as well which turned into an unexpected second story. Most importantly, the rain had mostly held off. We had driven up in Steph's Matiz so we wouldn't be stuck in Seoul until the trains started running again around 6am, and headed home at about 2:30am.
Long story short, the alternator goes about 2/3 of the way home. By that time it had started to rain, and we were on the 61 heading south (in Bundang if anyone is familiar, or is even reading this) which has a speed limit of 80km which no one follows. The hazards on her car weren't working, and the car stopped smack dab in the middle of the road exiting a tunnel. Thank goodness there were two lanes.
Cars were whizzing by as we weaved our way off the road searching for a dry place to call the insurance company. They answered in English, I couldn't really explain where we were, and the tow truck showed up within 15 min of my first call regardless. Amazing ser-vice-uh they have in Korea. Amazing.
Keep the faith.
The event turned out great. Robb's performance was terrific, and I also met and shot another talent as well which turned into an unexpected second story. Most importantly, the rain had mostly held off. We had driven up in Steph's Matiz so we wouldn't be stuck in Seoul until the trains started running again around 6am, and headed home at about 2:30am.
Long story short, the alternator goes about 2/3 of the way home. By that time it had started to rain, and we were on the 61 heading south (in Bundang if anyone is familiar, or is even reading this) which has a speed limit of 80km which no one follows. The hazards on her car weren't working, and the car stopped smack dab in the middle of the road exiting a tunnel. Thank goodness there were two lanes.
Cars were whizzing by as we weaved our way off the road searching for a dry place to call the insurance company. They answered in English, I couldn't really explain where we were, and the tow truck showed up within 15 min of my first call regardless. Amazing ser-vice-uh they have in Korea. Amazing.
Keep the faith.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Lingerie Models
I've just released the hottest video I've ever done to date a few days ago. Hot in that the ladies featured are models, and wearing Hustler Lingerie. The full length version of this film will be out later this year.
Just imagine this: full permission from the club owner and event promoter to film anything and everything I wanted that night. From interviews with the models afterwards, to the ladies getting their makeup put on professionally in their skimpies, and all the party in between, it was quite a night. I could hardly believe my eyes as the models strutted down the runaway right past me while I made sure the camera was in focus. My eyes almost popped out of my head several times that evening, smile glued to my face.
Sex sells right? There's just a wee little cause for concern on my part that too many of us are jaded because there's already too much porno on the web for this to be popular. Who really cares to see some beautiful ladies in stylish, sexy undergarments anymore..
Keep the faith.
Just imagine this: full permission from the club owner and event promoter to film anything and everything I wanted that night. From interviews with the models afterwards, to the ladies getting their makeup put on professionally in their skimpies, and all the party in between, it was quite a night. I could hardly believe my eyes as the models strutted down the runaway right past me while I made sure the camera was in focus. My eyes almost popped out of my head several times that evening, smile glued to my face.
Sex sells right? There's just a wee little cause for concern on my part that too many of us are jaded because there's already too much porno on the web for this to be popular. Who really cares to see some beautiful ladies in stylish, sexy undergarments anymore..
Keep the faith.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The testing culture nobody cares about
The testing culture in Korea is ridiculous.
People from the US, educators included, get sick of hearing how bad education is. We all know how bad the inner cities of America are, just watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Or better, visit an inner city school.
In Korea, people will talk abut it over a beer, but very few people will go on record for fear of losing their job, repercussions, etc. However, I can usually get students to talk freely about it. I find the longer the conversation goes on, the more they end up feeling bad about this place. Think about it: can't really openly participate in class once middle school hits, school until very late once high school rolls around, then by the time they get to university they've literally been schooled to death. (If you haven't live here, you don't know about it, and don't listen to what Obama says about S. Korea on education, he doesn't know either.) Who the hell wants to think about that, let alone talk about it, especially when 99.9% know deep down that it will never change. If teachers here were really nations builders, why would parents rely so heavily on supplemental private education ('hagwons' in Korea) to prepare there children for the university entrance exam?
Am I a fool to think real positive change is actually possible within the next 10 years? Can real creativity be installed in the hgih school classroom environments here? Or will the masses always just be focused on the Su-neung, and the rest of the certification tests that big business has conquered?
Keep the faith.
People from the US, educators included, get sick of hearing how bad education is. We all know how bad the inner cities of America are, just watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Or better, visit an inner city school.
In Korea, people will talk abut it over a beer, but very few people will go on record for fear of losing their job, repercussions, etc. However, I can usually get students to talk freely about it. I find the longer the conversation goes on, the more they end up feeling bad about this place. Think about it: can't really openly participate in class once middle school hits, school until very late once high school rolls around, then by the time they get to university they've literally been schooled to death. (If you haven't live here, you don't know about it, and don't listen to what Obama says about S. Korea on education, he doesn't know either.) Who the hell wants to think about that, let alone talk about it, especially when 99.9% know deep down that it will never change. If teachers here were really nations builders, why would parents rely so heavily on supplemental private education ('hagwons' in Korea) to prepare there children for the university entrance exam?
Am I a fool to think real positive change is actually possible within the next 10 years? Can real creativity be installed in the hgih school classroom environments here? Or will the masses always just be focused on the Su-neung, and the rest of the certification tests that big business has conquered?
Keep the faith.
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