Monday, July 27, 2009

Validation: A Narration

A narration tells a fictional or factual story. It uses time order. Time words and expressions help develop the story. By using some, but not too many time words, the reader can follow the story easier. In this student generated story, you can see a variety of time words and expressions. Also, like any story, there are three parts, the beginning, middle and end. Be sure, your beginning doesn't tell too much of the story.

Before you read this narration, you might like to view the film, 'Validation'. This story comes from the comments after the film. Press here to view 'Validation'.




A young man, Hugh Newman, worked at a validation booth in a parking lot. People came there for their tickets to be validated. However, once they saw Hugh, no one could stop smiling because he always found good characteristics about everyone. Hugh told them they were great and he made them feel glad. Soon, a security person found that people made a really big line up from the validation booth to the parking lot.
Then the security informed the supervisors. Everyone including his boss was happy after they met this young man. They all felt they were appreciated.

Hugh continued to say good words that gave people a positive feeling and made them happy. He thought that the people liked to hear the good words and enjoyed their great smiles. Even some presidents of nations like Bush and Saddam smiled. Also, when he was in trouble with the police officer about his driver's license, his positive words helped him get out of an unpleasant situation.

When Hugh went to have his picture taken for his driver's license, he saw a young beautiful girl called Victoria. She was the photographer. While she was taking his photo, he started to smile. However, she reminded him that no one is allowed to smile in a driver's license photo. Hugh went away sadly and came back the next day to have his picture taken. He tried to make Victoria smile, but she didn't want to do it. He felt upset and she took his photo. She was a very unhappy person and this continued to upset him.

Hugh became so sad that he was unable to make others happy. Then he lost his job at the parking lot. However, he found a new way to make people smile. He was a very good street photographer. He talked to many people and made money taking their photographs. Later, he went to the dentist's office. He saw a driver's license photo with a smiling face. After that, Hugh tried to find Victoria at her job, but it was not easy. Victoria had been fired because she took pictures of smiling people. It was not allowed for documents. He sought her everywhere. Finally, Hugh met Victoria in the passport office.

When Hugh found her, she was taking pictures. Victoria was smiling and people were smiling too! Then he asked her about the change. She explained what happened during her childhood. She told him she was always sad because of her mother. Now, she knew her mother had started to smile because of his kindness. Finally, Hugh and Victoria hugged and kissed. The people who were standing there appreciated them and clapped.



Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Film Festivals 4: Validation


'Validation' is a feel good short film. You may recognize the main character, T.J. Thyne. He is a character in the TV show, 'Bones'. He has been in American commercials and even popular movies like 'Erin Brockovich'. This film has been called a fable and a comedy. It also has musical numbers and romance, but does it have a happy ending? Watch it and find out.

Kurt Kuenne is the writer/director/ composer for 'Validation'. The movie has been shown at many American film festivals and has won awards such as Best Narrative Short, Best Comedy and Audience Award. 'Validation' was first shown in 2006. It is now part of a series of movies. 'Slow' and 'The Phone Book
' are the newest films in the series.

Before you watch the film, do you know what the word, validation, means? The movie starts off with the main character working in a parking garage. His job was to validate parking tickets. When customers shop, go to a movie or eat in a restaurant near the parking lot, they can get their parking tickets validated. Then the parking is free.

This employee has special qualities that make him very popular. He is a very positive person and helps others feel good as well. However, even the happiest people can stop smiling. What will happen to this young man? All I can say is there is a lot of positive energy in this short film and I hope it brightens your day. Enjoy!






Now tell the story. Press "comments" below this post and help tell the story. Each person should write two or three sentences of the story. The first person will start the story and each person will continue the story. If the story finishes, the next person will start the story again.

Remember, you will continue the story from where the last person stopped. Replay the video if you need help. I look forward to reading the story:)


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

What is Canada?

What is Canada? Let's ask a Canadian. Nadine is a 21 year old university student from the province of British Columbia. She likes to do online videos and has done one for Canada Day. She speaks casually to people who are not from Canada.


Hear what she has to say about Canada. She talks about our geography, our money and what Canadians like to do in Canada. Enjoy!




July 1st is Canada Day. Happy Canada Day!