A Quick Note
Just to clarify what this is all about, I will be studying abroad in Moorea (the next island over from Tahiti) in April-June 2006 as part of the UCLA Marine Biology Quarter. This blog will include both text and picture updates so everyone can be super-jealous of me. Since I know I'll be rather busy as we get closer to departure time, I set up this blog and its layout far in advance. There isn't much for now, but postings will get more frequent as spring quarter approaches.
How to Use This Blog
For those not familiar with how blogs work:
1. I will be updating this on a (hopefully) regular basis. Check back often for updates!
2. To comment on an update, click on the link at the bottom that says how many comments the post already has ("0 comments" for example). Once you're there, type your message in the text box (make sure you sign it so I know who you are!), click the button next to "Anonymous" (unless you have a Blogger account and know how to do this), and click the blue "Publish" button.
3. To see a larger version of any picture, simply click on it. This will take you to a new page. To return, click the "back" button on your internet browser.
4. To see older posts that may no longer appear on the front page, go to the Archives section on the left side of the screen and click the month in which the message was originally posted.
5. Any questions? Email me!
1. I will be updating this on a (hopefully) regular basis. Check back often for updates!
2. To comment on an update, click on the link at the bottom that says how many comments the post already has ("0 comments" for example). Once you're there, type your message in the text box (make sure you sign it so I know who you are!), click the button next to "Anonymous" (unless you have a Blogger account and know how to do this), and click the blue "Publish" button.
3. To see a larger version of any picture, simply click on it. This will take you to a new page. To return, click the "back" button on your internet browser.
4. To see older posts that may no longer appear on the front page, go to the Archives section on the left side of the screen and click the month in which the message was originally posted.
5. Any questions? Email me!
The Voice from On High
Director’s Commentary for Overhead
First off, this commentary is more a shot-by-shot identification guide than a look at the deeper significances and motivations found within. This was not a student art project; there are few, if any, hidden meanings or deeper allegorical insights into the human condition.
Opening Shots – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca souvenir store, where I worked all summer. This was shot on an SCCA weekend shift (and don’t worry, the store was empty – primarily so I wouldn’t have to endure weird glances from people as I drummed my fingers on the counter in time with the music on my iPod – and I gave myself a 15 minute break, so I’m not that much of a slacker). It should also be noted that these and the following driving shots were all filmed in September. Yes, four months ago. So when I say I’ve been working on this project for a while... well now you know.
Driving Shots – Filmed the same day as the store shots. These show parts of my drive home from work at the track. For those concerned with the speeds at which I am apparently driving (especially taking that final turn), you should know that all of these shots were filmed at low speeds and then sped up on the computer.
Me at the Computer – One of my two least favorite shots in the video! This is supposed to be me getting an email saying that I finally got my work visa, and my resulting shock and happiness. Notice instead the bad acting. Bad, bad acting.
Andrea Finally Cleans Her Room – This is a time lapse of me cleaning and packing, taken from the the top of my bookshelf on December 7th. I took pictures every minute or so, then strung them all together using the same program I used for my animation videos.
Sunset Time Lapse – This was taken on a bitterly cold (by my standards) October evening on Seaside State Beach, looking back toward the Cannery Row region of the Monterey Peninsula.
Nighttime Driving Shots – Taken from the back seat on the way to the Oakland Airport. For those trying to identify silhouettes, Dad’s driving and Mom’s riding shotgun. Note the excessive rain outside.
Airport Shots – Taken at OAK in the still of the night. My flight was just before midnight, so the place was pretty dead. As I was concerned with TSA-induced death, I kept my interior filming to a minimum.
Plane Window Shots – So I was watching the TV show Mythbusters a while back and they did a segment on having to turn off all electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. Turns out the only thing that could potentially cause interference is a certain kind of rarely-used cell phone. I, on the other hand, was using a digital camera to shoot all of this. Completely Unrelated Fun Fact: Airplane stewards have to retreat to their lair during takeoffs and landings, leaving the entire cabin unpoliced during that time. I’m just saying.
First Footage of Arrecife! – Actually, that’s not entirely true. I did shoot some streetside footage, but, as I am not a steadicam, it didn’t work out so well. This footage was shot just offshore of Port Royale, along 17 Mile Beach. In fact, as I pan across the beach, you see a large clump of palm trees, then two white buildings with long horizontal balconies and windows across the front. That is the condo side of Port Royale (the nice places that people rent when they’re staying for a week or two or have wads of cash). I live just behind those buildings in the hotel section of PR. The beach and reef you’re seeing is my backyard.
Gratuitous Andrea Shot – Actually, this one isn’t as gratuitous as it may seem. If you’ve been listening to the song (“Over My Head” by The Fray), you will have noticed the repeated phrase “Everyone knows I’m in over my head”. That line was originally what made me decide to use the song in the first place, as I wanted to include as many shots that could be deemed examples of being in “over my head” as I could. I had storyboarded plans to have shots of overhead compartments on the plane, but I couldn’t work up the nerve to film myself playing with my suitcase on a crowded redeye flight. As it is, there are still many shots that follow the theme: the time lapse of me packing my bags, which was set up to look like I was being monitored from above, the altitude shots from the plane ride, and the many underwater shots, where I am quite literally “in over my head.” The goal of the video was to show that, while there are many people stateside that are worried that I might be in over my head, there are a lot of other ways that phrase could be applied to what I’m doing, and they’re really not all that bad after all.
Long Tracking Shot of Boring Reef – This is my other least favorite shot in the video, but it was the only decent one I had that I could use for the timing change in the middle. This was shot at the Port Royale reef (all but one of these fish clips were shot there, actually), which is not known for its water clarity.
The Sing-Along Fish – This is actually the very same Unnerving Mystery Fish that I mentioned in one of my first posts from the island. I included it because it looks like he’s singing along with the words when I slow the footage down a bit, and I think that’s funny. Leave it to me to think that singing fishes constitutes as classic humor. Anyway, I have since identified the fish as being a Chub, which are fairly common fish around here, and they all exhibit the same level of friendliness as this one.
One Fish, Two Fish – The fish with the yellow tail is a Doctorfish, and the blue one is a Blue Tang. The two species are often found living together, presumably for safety in numbers.
Chubs Fading into the Distance – Pretty self-explanatory.
Stoplight Parrotfish – This is the only fish clip that was not filmed at PR Reef. It was instead shot during one of the underwater photography programs for CAOS (I gave the videos to the kids too, so this sort of thing is still within my job description). Note the dramatic improvement in water clarity.
Fish Roundabout – This clip of three Barjacks is actually about 30 seconds long, and pretty funny. My friend Thales was snorkeling with me that day and we watched these three fish swim around and around that rock at least six times before finally taking off (the part you see in the video). It’s honestly one of the more ridiculous fish behaviors I’ve seen around here.
The Slideshow – This was again compiled using the same program I used to put my animation together. It looks a little haphazard uploaded on YouTube, but it’s considerably cooler in the higher definition version I have on my computer, and the high speed flipthrough is very much intentional. I originally wanted to restrict it to just photos I took at home and with the family this summer, but I had to include some graduation photos, apartment pictures, and a few photos from winter quarter to make it long enough. Talk about a flashback...
So that’s about it. I’m still looking for good topics for my next video (and I do plan on making one at some point), but nothing has struck my fancy significantly enough yet. We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned!
First off, this commentary is more a shot-by-shot identification guide than a look at the deeper significances and motivations found within. This was not a student art project; there are few, if any, hidden meanings or deeper allegorical insights into the human condition.
Opening Shots – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca souvenir store, where I worked all summer. This was shot on an SCCA weekend shift (and don’t worry, the store was empty – primarily so I wouldn’t have to endure weird glances from people as I drummed my fingers on the counter in time with the music on my iPod – and I gave myself a 15 minute break, so I’m not that much of a slacker). It should also be noted that these and the following driving shots were all filmed in September. Yes, four months ago. So when I say I’ve been working on this project for a while... well now you know.
Driving Shots – Filmed the same day as the store shots. These show parts of my drive home from work at the track. For those concerned with the speeds at which I am apparently driving (especially taking that final turn), you should know that all of these shots were filmed at low speeds and then sped up on the computer.
Me at the Computer – One of my two least favorite shots in the video! This is supposed to be me getting an email saying that I finally got my work visa, and my resulting shock and happiness. Notice instead the bad acting. Bad, bad acting.
Andrea Finally Cleans Her Room – This is a time lapse of me cleaning and packing, taken from the the top of my bookshelf on December 7th. I took pictures every minute or so, then strung them all together using the same program I used for my animation videos.
Sunset Time Lapse – This was taken on a bitterly cold (by my standards) October evening on Seaside State Beach, looking back toward the Cannery Row region of the Monterey Peninsula.
Nighttime Driving Shots – Taken from the back seat on the way to the Oakland Airport. For those trying to identify silhouettes, Dad’s driving and Mom’s riding shotgun. Note the excessive rain outside.
Airport Shots – Taken at OAK in the still of the night. My flight was just before midnight, so the place was pretty dead. As I was concerned with TSA-induced death, I kept my interior filming to a minimum.
Plane Window Shots – So I was watching the TV show Mythbusters a while back and they did a segment on having to turn off all electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. Turns out the only thing that could potentially cause interference is a certain kind of rarely-used cell phone. I, on the other hand, was using a digital camera to shoot all of this. Completely Unrelated Fun Fact: Airplane stewards have to retreat to their lair during takeoffs and landings, leaving the entire cabin unpoliced during that time. I’m just saying.
First Footage of Arrecife! – Actually, that’s not entirely true. I did shoot some streetside footage, but, as I am not a steadicam, it didn’t work out so well. This footage was shot just offshore of Port Royale, along 17 Mile Beach. In fact, as I pan across the beach, you see a large clump of palm trees, then two white buildings with long horizontal balconies and windows across the front. That is the condo side of Port Royale (the nice places that people rent when they’re staying for a week or two or have wads of cash). I live just behind those buildings in the hotel section of PR. The beach and reef you’re seeing is my backyard.
Gratuitous Andrea Shot – Actually, this one isn’t as gratuitous as it may seem. If you’ve been listening to the song (“Over My Head” by The Fray), you will have noticed the repeated phrase “Everyone knows I’m in over my head”. That line was originally what made me decide to use the song in the first place, as I wanted to include as many shots that could be deemed examples of being in “over my head” as I could. I had storyboarded plans to have shots of overhead compartments on the plane, but I couldn’t work up the nerve to film myself playing with my suitcase on a crowded redeye flight. As it is, there are still many shots that follow the theme: the time lapse of me packing my bags, which was set up to look like I was being monitored from above, the altitude shots from the plane ride, and the many underwater shots, where I am quite literally “in over my head.” The goal of the video was to show that, while there are many people stateside that are worried that I might be in over my head, there are a lot of other ways that phrase could be applied to what I’m doing, and they’re really not all that bad after all.
Long Tracking Shot of Boring Reef – This is my other least favorite shot in the video, but it was the only decent one I had that I could use for the timing change in the middle. This was shot at the Port Royale reef (all but one of these fish clips were shot there, actually), which is not known for its water clarity.
The Sing-Along Fish – This is actually the very same Unnerving Mystery Fish that I mentioned in one of my first posts from the island. I included it because it looks like he’s singing along with the words when I slow the footage down a bit, and I think that’s funny. Leave it to me to think that singing fishes constitutes as classic humor. Anyway, I have since identified the fish as being a Chub, which are fairly common fish around here, and they all exhibit the same level of friendliness as this one.
One Fish, Two Fish – The fish with the yellow tail is a Doctorfish, and the blue one is a Blue Tang. The two species are often found living together, presumably for safety in numbers.
Chubs Fading into the Distance – Pretty self-explanatory.
Stoplight Parrotfish – This is the only fish clip that was not filmed at PR Reef. It was instead shot during one of the underwater photography programs for CAOS (I gave the videos to the kids too, so this sort of thing is still within my job description). Note the dramatic improvement in water clarity.
Fish Roundabout – This clip of three Barjacks is actually about 30 seconds long, and pretty funny. My friend Thales was snorkeling with me that day and we watched these three fish swim around and around that rock at least six times before finally taking off (the part you see in the video). It’s honestly one of the more ridiculous fish behaviors I’ve seen around here.
The Slideshow – This was again compiled using the same program I used to put my animation together. It looks a little haphazard uploaded on YouTube, but it’s considerably cooler in the higher definition version I have on my computer, and the high speed flipthrough is very much intentional. I originally wanted to restrict it to just photos I took at home and with the family this summer, but I had to include some graduation photos, apartment pictures, and a few photos from winter quarter to make it long enough. Talk about a flashback...
So that’s about it. I’m still looking for good topics for my next video (and I do plan on making one at some point), but nothing has struck my fancy significantly enough yet. We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned!
FAQs... Sorta
Technically this is more of a Preemptive Heads-Up on Andrea's Blog, but "FAQ" sounds better than "PHUAB", so here we go:
Q: Arrecife?! But I thought you had moved to-
A: SSHHHH!!! I have chosen to give everyone and everything aliases on this blog (with the exception of my own name, of course - I still am named Andrea). "Arrecife" means "reef" in Spanish, so I thought it appropriate. Of course, when I chose the name I didn't realize that one of Spain's Canary Islands really is named Arrecife. No, I am not in the Canary Islands.
Please note that the Spanish pronunciation is encouraged. If you think "Arrecife" could conceivably rhyme with "recipe", you've got it wrong.
The island to which I have migrated is a British protectorate, population in the neighborhood (neighbourhood?) of 45,000 permanent residents, plus however many have managed to finagle themselves a work permit. Plus tourists. The island is known for its snorkeling, scuba diving, resort hotels, and occasional money laundering.
Q: So what's with the paranoia? Why can't you say where you really are?
A: That's just the way I am. Many employers frown on employees keeping public blogs. While I don't plan on dishing all sorts of juicy gossip that could get me in trouble, I'd still like to play it safe. Please help me out by not using any real names when commenting on my posts!
Q: Too many names! What are all these people/places you keep mentioning?
A: Port Royale - This is where I lived when I first got to the island in December 2006. It's an old hotel in the process of being refurbished into condos, and it houses most of Winchester-Swann's workforce. I moved out in mid-March of 2007.
The Winchester-Swann - This is the hotel I work for. It's part of a chain of super-luxury resorts. This one can be found in the middle of 17 Mile Drive. Seven pools, no waiting!
17 Mile Drive - This refers to both a beach and a road parallel to the beach running down the western side of the island. The beach itself is only about 7 miles long and I have no idea how long the road is, but it's a fake name anyway. Arguably one of the most famous features of Arrecife, it is where most of the action happens on the island. Port Royale and the Winchester-Swann are both conveniently located here, approximately 1.5 miles apart.
CAOS - Children's Academy for Ocean Scholarship - I work as a naturalist for this program, leading groups of kids on excursions throughout the island and its surrounding waters.
Q: Where on earth did you get all of those fakey names? (courtesy of Ariel)
A: I originally wanted all of the names to be from famous pirate-y and Caribbean films and literature, but a few other names have snuck in for a variety of reasons. Port Royale and Swann are from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Winchester is from a TV show, 17 Mile Drive is from back home in Monterey, and CAOS was made to fit a funny acronym.
Q: So, uh, can you hook me up with a room?
A: No*. (*certain exceptions do apply)
Any other questions? Leave a comment below and I'll add it to the list!
Q: Arrecife?! But I thought you had moved to-
A: SSHHHH!!! I have chosen to give everyone and everything aliases on this blog (with the exception of my own name, of course - I still am named Andrea). "Arrecife" means "reef" in Spanish, so I thought it appropriate. Of course, when I chose the name I didn't realize that one of Spain's Canary Islands really is named Arrecife. No, I am not in the Canary Islands.
Please note that the Spanish pronunciation is encouraged. If you think "Arrecife" could conceivably rhyme with "recipe", you've got it wrong.
The island to which I have migrated is a British protectorate, population in the neighborhood (neighbourhood?) of 45,000 permanent residents, plus however many have managed to finagle themselves a work permit. Plus tourists. The island is known for its snorkeling, scuba diving, resort hotels, and occasional money laundering.
Q: So what's with the paranoia? Why can't you say where you really are?
A: That's just the way I am. Many employers frown on employees keeping public blogs. While I don't plan on dishing all sorts of juicy gossip that could get me in trouble, I'd still like to play it safe. Please help me out by not using any real names when commenting on my posts!
Q: Too many names! What are all these people/places you keep mentioning?
A: Port Royale - This is where I lived when I first got to the island in December 2006. It's an old hotel in the process of being refurbished into condos, and it houses most of Winchester-Swann's workforce. I moved out in mid-March of 2007.
The Winchester-Swann - This is the hotel I work for. It's part of a chain of super-luxury resorts. This one can be found in the middle of 17 Mile Drive. Seven pools, no waiting!
17 Mile Drive - This refers to both a beach and a road parallel to the beach running down the western side of the island. The beach itself is only about 7 miles long and I have no idea how long the road is, but it's a fake name anyway. Arguably one of the most famous features of Arrecife, it is where most of the action happens on the island. Port Royale and the Winchester-Swann are both conveniently located here, approximately 1.5 miles apart.
CAOS - Children's Academy for Ocean Scholarship - I work as a naturalist for this program, leading groups of kids on excursions throughout the island and its surrounding waters.
Q: Where on earth did you get all of those fakey names? (courtesy of Ariel)
A: I originally wanted all of the names to be from famous pirate-y and Caribbean films and literature, but a few other names have snuck in for a variety of reasons. Port Royale and Swann are from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Winchester is from a TV show, 17 Mile Drive is from back home in Monterey, and CAOS was made to fit a funny acronym.
Q: So, uh, can you hook me up with a room?
A: No*. (*certain exceptions do apply)
Any other questions? Leave a comment below and I'll add it to the list!
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