#4
May 14, 2008 mch0601
So I have decided to make my film on Subarus, specfically the Subaru Impreza WRX and STI. I am interested in this topic because I have learned so much about this car just by listening to my boyfriend talk about it every day for the last two and a half years. I never knew that I would know so much about a car I don’t own. Something that surprises me is that I like seeing this car on the road and knowing what kind of Subaru Impreza it is, and what is different about it, and specific things I would have never known if it wasn’t for my boyfriend’s obsession.
I guess my topic is important to me because it is so important and is such a big part of my boyfriend’s life and interests.
The main problem I am having with this topic is that I don’t know how I am going to make this film about me. It is so much about my boyfriend and his interests that I don’t know how to turn that into a personal film about myself. I’m worried that my topic is going to be too boring, I want it to be a fun and maybe humorous film, but I dont want to just rattle off things I know about this type of car. I want to make a statement for other girlfriends out there who could really care less what type of exhaust their boyfriend had on their car, or what kind of hoodscoop their boyfriend has or wants to put on their car, but they put up with hearing about all of these things because it is impartant to their boyfriend.
One thing I really want to share with viewers of this film is just the immense amount of hype there is in the world over these cars. You wouldn’t think this but there are forums online, and gatherings/conventions for people who own these cars. There are just so many people who are interested in these kinds of cars and I still don’t fully understand why, I’m learning though.
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1. kmiddleton&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I think the key to making it about you is in what you say above: “I want to make a statement for other girlfriends out there who could really care less what type of exhaust their boyfriend had on their car, or what kind of hoodscoop their boyfriend has or wants to put on their car, but they put up with hearing about all of these things because it is impartant to their boyfriend.” What you show in the film, then, should be from your point of view, or commented on by you. As you brainstorm particular elements that you want to show (the forums? what kinds of things your boyfriend says? Images of hoodscoops?), think about ways for you to reflect on how you feel about these things—about what exactly you want to show us about your position to these things. Do you want to show us that you’re bored? That you’re impatient? That you put up with it for his sake?
Getting those ideas into the film itself could be accomplished through text slides, through a voiceover, and also through different kinds of editing (dissolves, for instance).
2. jenn&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I definitely hear your concern about making the film personal enough/about you enough, but I do think you have some of the elements of this angle in this blog post. For example, the element of surprise — your own surprise that you kind of like knowing about these cars. It gives you a unique body of knowledge that not everybody has access to. On the other hand, this is complicated by the fact that this is not knowledge you sought out or particularly want to have all of the time. Finding ways to express both your surprise (and sometimes delight), as well as those moments of resistance and/or complete exasperation will be important, I think.
You also have this angle that is both about you, but also about the fact that you’re making this film, in part, for an audience who might be able to relate to you (and vice versa, no doubt). I think we all have or have had partners who go on and on about things we don’t really care about. This is the universal part of your topic.
3. fulwilem&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Michelle-
I think there’s a lot of potential here (for humor, for an anthropological study of a “subculture” from the point of view of a reluctant “insider.”) But your concern about how to make this about you (and not a documentary about your boyfriend and suburus) is a really importnat one.
Like Kim mentioned, I think the key here is to tap into the experience of “girlfriends” who put up with and learn about their boyfriends’ obsessions. In some ways while I see suburus (and their cult following) as the obvious subject, I think there’s another subject here–a subtext–about being a girlfriend and gender roles/expectations. For example, is this a mutual exchange of obsessions? Has your boyfriend learned all about your passions? Do boyfriends (in general) tend to get excited/invested in their girlfriends’ worlds? What is it about boys and cars anyway? Seriously, is it part of the DNA? Why do they love cars so much?
Megan
4. Stacey&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Hey,
I think this is a great topic. From another girl’s perspective my boyfriend used to own a subaru wrx and let me tell you that was all he talked about. I think it’s a phase they all go through, some obsession with their car, their baby. It’s funny but you know after hearing so much about it you really do catch on to things. All i can remember is hearing about turbo and blah..haha. But I think that your personal essay film will be very interesting and will capture a lot of people’s attention. I think you should look into they whole reaction of him with his car. Like what happens if it gets dirty? Does he baby it when he has to clean it? Things like that might at humor!
Stacey
5. awebs02&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I think that there is a lot to be said about what you do for your boyfriend (or vice versa). A huge part of a relationship is listening (even when you really don’t want to) and sharing their interests. My boyfriend always comes home and talks about work, it goes way over my head, most of the time I zone out, but give all of the nonverbal responses that I am actually listening. It’s amazing what you can learn through this. Its all about give and take. Maybe your boyfriend has also given a little into something that you love….
6. sara925&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I think that this topic will be very amusing. When I picture it I see you walking around trying to do something while your boyfriend just keeps talking about his car to you. Its weird i kind of put you in my apt. and see you cleaning or something and him just rattling off things about his car. i just think that your film will be funny for all of us
Sara
7. vagelec625&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I think this film could be great and extremly funny. I can see you running around following him to part stores or a dealership and just listening to him brag about his car. Another thing that comes to mind is Sex and the City; there was one episode where they interview girlfriends and ask them what they like and dislike about their boyfriends obsessions and hobbies. Maybe you could interview a couple girlfriends who have similiar experiences and zoom in on their faces and facial expressions when they speak. Or you could talk about something you are passionate about- does your boyfriend care and listen like you do? There are many things you can do- GOOD LUCK!! Cannot wait to see the final project!
8. Katrina&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I think this is a wonderful topic and will be really funny for the rest of the class to watch. All I can picture from what you said above and you talking in class is how your boyfriend just talks all the time about them when your trying to do stuff and you just cant stand it. You could do alot with this. I think it is a great topic
9. Jess&hellip | May 14, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I think you could approach this idea as to how it effects YOU. Your boyfriend has given you all this knowledge, but has this effected you in anyway or does it just become annoying to hear about a car you don’t own? Does it make you want to go out and get your own Subaru? Either way, I think it’s a good topic to handle and I can’t wait to see what you come up with.