the bird on fire

The First Rule of Film Club… is You Talk about Film Club

April 23, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

The new Palm Valley Film Club got off to a riveting start with a screening of Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner – a haunting, eerily prophetic mixture of science fiction and film noir, boasting one of the most astonishingly designed futures ever put on film – a dark, decaying Los Angeles circa 2019.

As Trystan Swan pointed out in his informative introduction to the film, when Blade Runner was released in 1982 it received a tepid welcome, overshadowed by the more family- and user-friendly sci-fi movies E.T., Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Poltergeist. Audiences and critics alike found it too dark and ponderous. Blade Runner did not even place in the top ten grossers of 1982, beaten out by Tootsie, Porky’s, Rocky III and even the horribly misconceived musical Annie.

Over time, however, Blade Runner has gained a huge fan base – it is now listed as IMDB’s most popular film of 1982 – and is generally recognized as one of the greatest American films of all time. Its totally original vision of a dense, crowded, multiculturally diverse and dystopian Los Angeles future was unprecedented, and inspired countless films to come.

(Early in Blade Runner Harrison Ford is seen chowing down on noodles as his spacecraft flies by an enormous digital billboard advertising Coca-Cola. Trystan cleverly decided that the snacks for the evening would be Cup-O-Noodles and Coke.)

The Film Club’s next pick is Ridley Scott’s incomparable Alien, one of the scariest movies ever made.It will be shown in Mr. Griffin’s room US8 Friday April 24, 6 pm.

Snacks for the evening?

Breakfast Cereal & Chow Mein

(You figure it out.)

Chemists as Artists –Mrs. Sackett’s Alchemy

April 21, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

The Chemistry class delved into how science and art are deeply intertwined. After the sophomore chemists learned about the chemistry involved in creating various forms of art, they chose a work of art that represented them, described why they chose this art work, and explained the chemistry behind how the piece of art was created. Their projects were displayed in the Upper School lobby.

Said Mrs. Sackett, “I loved reading them!”

She shared with us the following projects:

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Kyler Deshpande’s project on The Starry Night

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Bryan Johnson’s project on The Starry Night — Contemporary Edition

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Mac Spear’s project on Sketched Meditation

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Gaven Li’s project on Brutal Bruce

Submit to “The Order of the Phoenix”! Resistance is futile?

April 21, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

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The Palm Valley Literary Journal “The Order of the Phoenix” is accepting submissions this week and next.

Poetry. Short Stories. Non-fiction. Op Ed pieces. Humor. Art and Photography.

All upper school students are encouraged to submit their work for review by the editorial staff for inclusion in the next issue.

Submit to Rebecca Rhoades at rrhoades@pvs.org.

Deadline for all submissions: Friday April 24.

Students Meet Author Scott Anderson

April 20, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

“No four-hour movie can do real justice to the bureaucratic rumblings, the myriad spies, heroes and villains, the dense fugue of humanity at its best and worst operating in the Mideast war theater of 1914-17. Thrillingly, Scott Anderson’s Lawrence in Arabia . . . . does exactly that, weaving enormous detail into its five-hundred-plus pages with a propulsive narrative thread.”

— USA Today

The Desert Literary Society invited Dr. Carr, Ms. Zachik, and eight students to meet Lawrence in Arabia author Scott Anderson at their March luncheon. Before the luncheon, the PVS students met with Anderson in a small conference room at the Renaissance Esmeralda. Students were free to ask questions of the author, questions about his writing process, his investigative process. Most often, however, the questions turned to the Middle East. Anderson spent years living in and researching the Middle East. The subject of his recent book was Englishman T.E. Lawrence (often known as “Lawrence of Arabia”) during WWI and the forming of the modern Middle East. PVS students wanted to know “How could things be different?” “Better?” and “What’s in the future for the Middle East?”

Before being escorted into the ballroom, Anderson signed the students’ personal copies of Lawrence in Arabia.

The Interview: Shakespeare Edition

March 26, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Senior Blog correspondent on-the-scene Jingwen Zhu interviewed competitors and PVS finalists in the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Monologue Competition: Junior Andrew Olson and Sophomore Adam McDonald. Nearly every upper school student participates in this school-wide competition, and these talented speakers were selected by ESU judges as school representatives last January. In early March, Andrew and Adam, accompanied by the PVS Drama Department, competed at Shadow Hills High School for the spot at the national competition in New York’s Lincoln Center. Adam qualified for the valley-wide finals and took home the second place position with a prize of $300. Listen to the recorded transcript above.

Jing: So GOOD MORNING, Andrew Olson (trying very hard not to laugh).

Andrew: Good morning!

Jing: We know that you and Adam got into the Shakespeare Competition, ( being serious) and if you win, you will go compete in New York, correct?

Andrew: Yes.

Jing: What monologue are you doing?

Andrew: I am performing King Henry from the play Henry V.

Jing: Would you like to tell us what the monologue is talking about?

Andrew: Yes, sure. So, in the monologue, King Henry is addressing the army, because France is attacking England. He has to lead the army and defend against them. He is giving this speech about how… if… if we win this battle we will win eternal glory for our families.

Jing: I see. The monologue is very strong and exciting. I am curious, why did you choose this monologue then? Do you have any similarities between you and this character?

Andrew: Yes. I picked it because it is a fun monologue to do, so I thought it would be an interesting experience and … (thinking) a unique way to act… Yes. (laughing)

Jing: So you did it for your interest. (thinking) Also, I heard that in the competition you have to pick a sonnet along with your monologue.

Andrew: Yes, we do. I am doing Sonnet … 29, I believe.

Jing: Okay. I have a question. Did you choose a sonnet that relates to your monologue…?

Andrew: No.

Jing: So you just picked it randomly?

Andrew: This sonnet is completely opposite to my monologue. It’s … to show the judges my range….

Jing: Okay.

Andrew: You know, to show them I have a wide range of my acting ability. Because lots of the other actors can just shout… all they do is scream the words to the judges. They don’t know how to be a soft lover speaking his love, like I do in my sonnet. (both laughing…)

Jing: Yes. You are trying to show judges the different sides of you… that you can be a powerful king and a spoony lover at the same time.

Andrew: Indeed.

Jing: I know you are in school drama class; you’ve had experience acting before. How do you feel right now? Are you nervous?

Andrew: Actually, I am really nervous, even though I have been on the stage many times. At the school competition I was practicing my monologue till the last minutes. So I am very happy that…

Jing: You got moved to the next level?

Andrew: Yes, I am. I am prepared though… Nervous, but well prepared…

Jing: Thank you so much for your time. Good luck in the Shakespeare Competition. Relax and have fun!!

Andrew: I will, thank you!

* * * * * * * * * * Monologuers

Jing: Good morning! Mr. MacDonald!! (smiling)

Adam: Good morning! (waving…)

Jing: I would like to ask you some questions about the coming Shakespeare Competition.

Adam: Yes, sure.

Jing: How do you feel about it?

Adam: Uh… A little bit nervous, but not a big deal!

Jing: Nice! What monologue are you doing?

Adam: I am playing Aaron from Titus Andronicus.

Jing: Okay. would you like to tell us a little about it?

Adam: The story of the monologue…uh…is basically…this character is set up to be executed, and he is giving one final speech to the person executing him, telling him that for all of the horrible things he has done, for all of the crimes he’s committed, he doesn’t regret a single moment of it.

Jing: I see. I heard that you have been doing drama for many years and…

Adam: Yes, I took a break last year…

Jing: And you are a great actor. One thing I want to know is how do drama people choose their characters? Do you first think about those characters who share the same personality as you?

Adam: Uh…for me, I sometimes do. But most of the time I just go choose whatever character I want and have fun with it.

Jing: Okay. I see. You are saying that you can pretty much act any one, it doesn’t have to be a specific kind of character.

Adam: Yes.

Jing: How about your character Aaron in the monologue?

Adam: I can’t say that I relate to it that much, since I am not a psychopathic murderer. But…

Random People: Yes, you are!!

Jing: !! (laughing)

Adam: Thanks, but…

Random people: You’re welcome!

Adam: But…overall it is a very fun part, and I can see …uh, the audience enjoys the role.

Jing: I am sure. Everyone should like it.

Adam: Thank you!

Jing: So what sonnet are you doing along with your monologue?

Adam: I am doing Sonnet #81, which I enjoy doing it a lot also.

Jing: I see. This time, Andrew Olson and you both got into the Shakespeare Competition, and I remember both of you did an amazing job in the play 1776. He is very nervous. As a friend, do you want to say something to him?

Adam: Uh…. Calm down Andrew and enjoy the competition.

Jing: Thank you and good luck!

The First Volume of “The Order of the Phoenix”

March 24, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

The Seniors of AP English Literature and Composition class banded together (with the help of Instructor Chris Griffin) to create a compilation of short stories, editorial pieces, poetry, prose, and graphics. Says senior editor Rebecca Rhoades, “Exceptional talent needs a place to reveal itself. The English Department at the Palm Valley School is a place where young writers discover and hone their writing skills.” Students needed a venue. Rebecca and the AP Lit class created one: The Order of the Phoenix, the PVS Upper School Literary Journal. The inaugural edition hit newsstands two weeks ago. They are available at the Upper School front desk for a donation of $3.

Below is a sample from Volume 1, The Order of the Phoenix. Sam Kocen, in verse, provides advice on “Stayin’ Alive.” Cover artwork for The Order of the Phoenix and the graphic art of senior Cody Coleman are also featured. Photo credit: Winnie Chien.

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Stayin’ Alive

1. Hydrate or Die!!
2. Move forward or get out of the way.
3. You can stay alive for 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without protection from the elements. 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.
4. Never take a knife to a gunfight.
5. If there is a monster in your room, then follow this rule: If you can’t see the monster then it can’t see you.
6. Sometimes in life you have to just sleep it off.
7. Don’t Act; React
8. Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.
9. Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.
10. Why worry about tomorrow; we may not make it through today.

—Sam Kocen

“Something Wicked This Way Comes . . . in Socks”

March 19, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Elliot McGrew’s sock-puppet depiction of Macbeth‘s three witches about a cauldron gave Senior Blog Advisor Ben Cho goosebumps! If you don’t get goosebumps, too, well, then, you’re just a . . . . .Macbeth. Elliot (and family) created the video for sophomore World Literature class. The video can be found on Youtube or . . . here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vP2aZjJW7k

Red, Black, & White

March 17, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

The upper-school art students, under the direction of Art Teacher Mrs. McGrew, each created an individual work incorporating the colors red, black, and white. The subject of the work was entirely left to the student artist’s choice, so long as the colors red, black, and white were featured. These Quarter 3 art assignments are displayed in the Upper School Lobby.

Freshman Sydney Scheck sketches her study of a face and will finish the work with red, black, and white pastels.

Freshman C.J. Chaffins’s study of Red, Black, and White took an automotive form.

This display of the Upper-School Art Class is final product of their Red, Black, and White Project. It is located in the Upper School Lobby across from the Upper School Offices.

–Photo Credit: Trey Lucatero

The Forgotten Tale of Alan Turing

March 12, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Alan Turing proved the central limit theorem, was a fellow at Cambridge, created a machine that is capable of computing anything computable, and shaved off two long years of World War II, saving countless lives. Turning is also credited with the influence of the world’s first personal computer. And, he was arrested for “gross indecency.” Senior Winnie Chien reacts to his story as told in The Imitation Game.

The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightly was a huge success. The story is about a British computer scientist and cryptanalyst, Alan Turing. He helped the British government win WWII by using the concept of computation with the “Turing Machine,” which was later regarded as the origin of the computer. Despite his intelligence and contribution, Turing suffered a lot for the fact that he was a homosexual, which was a crime during the time period. He was not pardoned until 2013 by Queen Elizabeth II for his “crime.”

Benedict Cumberbatch played a great Alan Turing in the movie. In my opinion, he successfully depicted the loneliness, arrogance and passion of Turing. All the geniuses have the problem that they are not understood by the commonwealth. Luckily, Turing met Joan Clarke, played by Keira Knightly. She was the person that was closest to Turing’s heart. They even got engaged once. Due to the fact that Turing was a homosexual, he felt that he could not be a normal man for Clarke. However, the connection between them is more spiritual. They enjoyed each other’s company because of the knowledge they share.

When I was at the theater watching this movie, the time flew by really fast. I want to know more about Turing due to his legendary life. I think that the British government treated Turing unfairly. He was literally the hero who ended WWII. He should be pardoned for his crime and awarded for his contribution to Britain and the world. Cumberbatch said it is a shame that as an Englishman he had never heard of Alan Turing before reading the script. Screenwriter Graham Moore made sure that this story of an inspiring role model was told. The Imitation Game is indeed the movie you want to watch.

Football — Made in the USA

March 9, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

The 2015 English Speaking Union’s Nunn-Russo Creative Writing Competition asks students…

In the United States, some of our customs are so much a part of our lives that we don’t even recognize them as unique. Is there one custom that you think exemplifies life in the US? How would you explain it to someone from another country — or planet?

First Prize: $300

Second Prize: $200

Third Prize: $100

And here is Sophomore Gaven Li chasing the dollars…

Football — Made in the USA

Although this is only my fifth month in the United States, I still want to talk about American football — one of the best sports in the world.

As a Chinese, I got confused every time when people in America call football “soccer” and use “football” to represent another sport, which seemed a rough and violent sport to me at that time. So when the football coach asked me if I wanted to play football on my second day at school, I considered how terrible football is and hesitated for a while. I knew nothing about football; I’m not strong, and I did not want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I still remember the first day I watched the football practice. That was a hitting practice. I saw them run into and hit each other. I opened my mouth so big that I couldn’t even close it. “Oh my God.” was the only thing in my mind at that time. It scared me, but made me excited too. I told the coach: “Yes” then everything changed.

Football is not popular in China at all, but here, in the United States, most of the people are crazy about it. After I joined the football team, I started to understand why and quickly fell in love with this amazing sport. There’s no such sport like football, full of skills, power, teamwork, toughness, and passion. When I told my parents in China that I play football, they were so mad and worried about my safety. I think that’s the reaction of every parent if they know their children play American football. A lot of people might say football is dangerous, rough, it stops every ten seconds. There are too many commercials, but all these make football so exciting and special.

However, football is not only a sport but also part of American culture. People in other countries will never understand how much Americans love football: you can hear someone talking about the playoffs in the subway; you can feel the passion everywhere in the whole nation when the Super Bowl is coming. You think people only love professional football games? No! Pro games, college football or even high school football have millions of players and fans. Football is everywhere, not only on the field, also in people’s lives.

When you talk about soccer or basketball, they are everywhere. But football? Only in America. I believe this unique sport, which is made in the USA, played in the USA, will keep gaining its popularity all over the world.