Your task is to answer the following questions, with evidence from the text

1. Write a brief plot overview
The film ‘Crash’ set in LA, shows elements of racism within different peoples lives. It begins at a crime scene where a black detective is investigating the incident of what seems to be a homicide. The film then goes back in time and is now ‘yesterday’. There are multiple characters with their own stories during the movie all of which show their own take on racism. Jean and her husband experience getting robbed by 2 coloured men at the beginning of the movie, Jean then is upset because she ‘knows’ that she should have walked away from 2 black people. She then goes to prejudge the man who is changing her locks as he’s Latino and has tattoos. This man, however, is the father of a child and lives a very ‘innocent’ life. Dorri and her father get treated appallingly in a gun shop due to their race and end up buying blank bullets instead of normal ones.

2. Discuss a character that was of interest to you and explain why
I took interest in Officer Hanson as no matter how hard he tried he was drawn back into the immediate racial judgements towards coloured people. During the film, he is portrayed as a young white male who is trying to treat those around him ‘fairly’ and with equal respect. He is mortified when he witnesses his partner physically touch and abuse a woman in front of her own husband. He attempts to show his good character and morals towards the ‘groups’ within his society which I found on his part was decent as he was living in a very racist city. What interested me the most with Officer Hanson was that although he tried and wanted to be fair towards all races his immediate instinct when put under pressure is to think the worst of them.

3. What do you believe the director’s intention was-explore this and the moments that allowed you to experience this
I think that Haggis’ intention was to show that even when you try to move away from those racial beliefs and try to treat everyone with equal respect there is always going to be an under-lying judgement within peoples minds whether they want it to be there or not. It shows how much society influences people.

4. How did Haggis use stereotypes to manipulate viewers?
He made the people who were getting targetted seem ‘extra’ innocent to give us the impression that nobody should be racially discriminated.

5. Discuss and research the setting of L.A. Why do you think it was set here and how did it influence the plot/interactions.
Post 911
Very racist

6. Was there any cinematography techniques that stood out to you? Choose one and discuss its effect (presenting directors intention, causing a viewer realisation)
The scene where the locksmith’s daughter supposedly gets shot used a lot of cinematography techniques to make the scene more intense for the audience. There was a mixture of slow-motion shots which made the scene last a lot longer so the audience could see exactly what was happening. The diabetic sound in this scene was a muted and non-diagetic sound was added. There was intense music that went with the slow-mo and made the scene more emotional.

Characters 1 and 2:
Professions
Man-Lawyer or some type of businessman
Woman-Fashion
Trustworthy or not
Woman-Yes
Man-No
Clothing
Man-Looks well dressed so possibly is used to dressing this way for his job
Woman-Hair and makeup done well and is wearing a fashionable outfit, wearing a necklace which indicates wealth
Personality
Man-Selfish, rich possibly unfaithful
Woman-Rich, spoilt, thinks she’s better than everyone else

Characters 3 and 4:
Professions:
Left:
Right: Fixes cars
Trustworthy:
I think both are trustworthy
Clothing
Left: Wearing basic clothes indicating he doesn’t have a lot of money?
Right: Same as left he’s wearing relaxed comfy clothes not dressing to impress
Personality
Left: I get the impression that this guy has had a tough upbringing possibly and puts up a front that he’s real tough when in reality he’s a nice guy.
Right: I feel like this guy works a lot to provide for himself or his family and is a strong tough guy

Character 5
Profession
9-5 kind of job possibly a doctor or lawyer
Trustworthy
Yes very
Clothing
She looks as if she’s just come home from a long hard day at work and is wearing whatever is comfortable. Indicates she lives a busy life possibly with kids.
Personality
I think she’s a very flustered and busy person but when you get the chance to speak to her she’s kind and understanding.

Character 6
Profession
A personal trainer or physio
Trustworthy
Yes kind of
Clothing
His clothes don’t look very formal and low key are like activewear. This could give an indication to his profession
Personality
A nice guy on the outside but could possibly be unfaithful

Character 7
Profession:
Drug dealer
Trustworthy
No
Clothing
Boujee kind of vibe
Personality
A guy who’s spent most of his life chasing money.

Character 8
Profession
Priest
Trustworthy
Yes
Clothing
Smart and well thought out. Indicates that he cares about what people think about him and his role is important
Personality
Caring to each individual but is deeply saddened on the inside

Character 9
Profession
Receptionist
Trustworthy
Possibly unless you’re on the wrong side of her
Clothing
Chilled clothing her job seems comfortable
Personality
Smart, tactical, insightful

Character 10
Profession
Therapist
Trustworthy
No
Clothing
Looks a bit too smart
Personality
Smart, unfaithful

Character 11
Profession
Student-looks kind of young possibly at university
Trustworthy
Yes
Clothing
Normal looking, blends in
Personality
Caring, protective, smart, loyal

• 

• 

• Blocks provide foot support which can give a sprinter more power off their start compared to a standing start
• Demonstration: How to place your blocks and how to gain power from the blocks
• Emotional connection
• Why the audience should listen to me etc
• How much work I put in etc
• What blocks are

Placing your blocks: 

• Have to have them with a distance apart that suits your legs
• 1 ½ feet front block and 2 ½ feet back block
• The front leg needs to be at a 90-degree angle
• The back leg needs to be at a 135-degree angle
• Example on powerpoint
• Say my dominant leg etc

Getting into your blocks:

• Hand placement
• Weight onto hands 
• Head down

Gaining power from blocks:

• The first step needs to be big
• Arm slightly bent
• Drive out hard for first 10-15 metres 
• Head down

How to have the most successful start from blocks

Do you want to win sprints at MAC athletics next year? Listen in, I won this year and it was all down to one crucial thing. My start. I have been training for athletics for 4 years now and I have a great passion and interest in it. So trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about.

The start is one of the most important parts of a sprinting race, the others are speed and endurance. There are a few principles you need to consider to have a good start. Slide 2 picture of blocks Here is a picture of some blocks. Now, most of you probably don’t even know what blocks are in the first place so choose not to use them. Usually, you would choose what we call a standing start. A standing start is useless. Blocks are a tool used to support a sprinter’s feet when competing so they can gain power and speed more quickly. But it is important to set your blocks up properly rather than just randomly chuck them in a random setting.

So the first step of using blocks is figuring out your positioning. By using your feet as measuring tools you can find the correct spacing needed for your start. Your most dominant foot goes at the front so you can get a strong push that lets you drive out quickly. It is important to figure out which foot is your most dominant foot for a more efficient start. My most dominant foot is my left foot which seems strange as I am right-handed. If your not sure which leg is most dominant try leaning forward and whichever foot stops you from falling is your most dominant. Like this Slide 3 Picture of me leaning forward demonstration. Whichever foot is your most dominant is your front foot in your blocks. A quick and easy way to get an idea of what block measurements suit you is to simply measure from the start line with your feet. You place 1 1/2 of your feet back to your first block on whichever side your dominant foot is on, as seen above in Slide 4 first block and for your second block 2 1/2 of your feet back on the other side as seen in Slide 5-second block. This lets the blocks be at a nice distance apart and gives you enough space so you aren’t cramped. Here is what it looks like when I’m done Slide 6 Finished blocks

On your marks. That’s the call to get into your blocks and brings us to the second step, body placement in the blocks. When getting into your blocks you need to check that your feet are resting comfortably on the blocks. After placing your feet make sure your hands are behind the lines and shoulder-width apart. You want to lean forward and put all of your weight on your hands so that when you are in set position your legs can power you out of your blocks smoothly. Slide 8 Hands shoulder width and leaning forward As you can see my hands are shoulder-width apart and I am putting my weight on my hands.

Set. Set is the call that is made when you stand up on your hands and get ready to go. When in the set position you raise your hips high enough so your front leg has a 90-degree angle. Like this Slide 9 Set position Most of your weight is on your hands since your leaning forward so your legs are ready for action.

Go. The third and final step of having a good start is putting everything together and powering out of your blocks. To gain power you need to have a strong first stride reaching about half a metre in front of the start line. In my demonstration, my foot is about to hit the ground at half a metre. Slide 10 First, stride half a metre in front To be able to reach this far your arms need to be slightly bent, you need to be looking down and your body needs to be low to the ground. You need to keep your head down and body low for at the least the first 10 metres as it makes you more aerodynamic off your start.

Now that you all know how to start come challenge me in athletics next year where I hope to see you all!

1st person: I… Internal conflict-Inside characters head

The decision must involve 2nd character

Based around 2nd character
Conflict must be about the second character Must affect the second character in some way

• At least 350 words no more than 800
• Develop and structure your ideas
• Use appropriate language features
• Check for errors

Ideas:

• Trying to stop someone
• Not wanting to do something that someone else wants you to do
• Friend pressuring you
• Trying to help someone

She wasn’t always that reckless. We could have died that night and it was all down to another one of her silly mistakes. The choice I made was the hardest decision of my life. 

Clouds invaded the starry sky as the cool breeze tickled my skin. As I glanced over, her eyes met mine and her mouth flashed me a brave smile. Her jaw was clenched. My heart thudded as I gulped in the fresh salty air, gazing at the sloshing water that lay a few meters away from me.

 “You don’t have to do this Rachel” I cried, as I watched the storm clouds cluster up above.

 She tossed her hair and giggled. Taking one last breath she shrieked and strode towards the edge. Plummeting towards the rolling waves with her mouth hanging open my heart stopped. Scrambling to the edge I scanned the water, trying to catch a glimpse of her golden hair. Nothing. The dry dirt crumbled beneath my feet as my curiosity leaned me over the cliff.  Hairs on the back of my neck rose and my whole body stiffened. I saw her. Trapped. She was enclosed in endless strands of gooey seaweed, weakening by the second. 

A quick,  logical plan was needed. If I jumped in and tried to save her my life could be at risk, but if I called the police and waited it could be too late. The rate of which she was sinking was very distressing and if I didn’t act fast she would drown. My brain swelled with the enormity of thoughts that entered it. Should I pick her life over mine? I reflected back on all of the memories we had together. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I would’ve done anything for that girl. Darkness overcame me as I remembered what Rachel had turned into. All of the things she said and did to me suddenly surfaced.  I had stuck by her through each one of her phases hoping she would eventually find herself, but now I was over it. She got herself into this mess, she can get herself out of it. I was the one always dragging her out of trouble—shrieking filled my ears as I shook myself out of my daydream. More of Rachels body was disappearing into the sea. Who was I kidding? I couldn’t leave my best friend tangled like a fly in a web, it had already started to rain. She’d won me over once again. Unbuckling my belt, I prepared for the jump.

Water rushed up my nose and flooded my eye sockets. My lungs were bursting as I reached the surface. Gasping, and through foggy eyes, I scoped out my rescue plan.  My ears filled with water so no sound could reach them, I imagined the sound of the waves as I saw them. Although my senses were altered, I managed to find her through the spray of the waves. Thrashing my arms through the sea, I paddled hard and finally brushed against a smooth slimy surface. Clutching her tanned arm and grasping my last ounce of strength, I yanked hard.

“Come on Rach” I panted.

Groaning, her other hand snaked out from behind her and wound behind my neck.

“Help me” she whispered.

Grinding my teeth, I dragged her like a doll through the torrential rain. My breath escaped my mouth, and like a vacuum cleaner, I sucked the salty water down my throat. I came to a halt wheezing and spluttering on the nasty taste. As I treaded the water I caught sight of car lights shining on the cliff. Crying out in joy I propelled Rachel through the dark sandy water until finally, my toe grazed the rocky bottom. I washed her up onto the beach as my limbs gave way underneath me.

“I’m sorry” Rachel whispered.

I collapsed into the ocean on my back with a sigh of relief. At least she knew how stupid she had been. Floating like a lilypad in a pond, my head hovered, as I let the rain fall through me. She was safe and that was all that mattered.

By Abby Fisher

No W

Stepping up to the line I take a deep breath through my nose. My heart is beating hard beneath my shirt as the moisture on my skin starts to creep down my back. BANG. The gun fires, and before I can think my legs have taken off. Pumping my arms hard I frolick down the path like a gazelle running from a lion’s hungry belly.

No R

The ponies lined up side by side all set to compete. Puffing loudly and waiting on the signal the jockeys shuddered.

No E

CLAP. I start running into shrub and bush. My foot hits muddy ground and sinks almost fully. I look up. Lost. I can’t

“Nothing there!’ said Peter, as they all trooped out again-all except Lucy. She stayed behind because she thought it would be worthwhile trying the door of the wardrobe, even though she felt almost sure that it would be locked. Surprising her, it opened quite easily, and two mothballs dropped out.

1. Turning right the high hedge curves into us. Our interests around the table sharpens palpably: some are stiff, others are fidgeting, as we all gazed at snape and Voldemort.
3. This morning, I run my usual route to the store. As I turn the corner, I come across a disturbing scene.

Appearance

Actions

Thoughts/feelings

Opinions

Opening my eyes, I woke in my nice warm bed. I pulled myself up and staggered down the hallway to get breakfast. The smell of bacon, eggs, and sausages made my mouth water as they were all my favorite foods.

Staggering across the broken bark, pine needles, and leaves, I spy for anything that seems even remotely familiar. The wind whips my hair into a flurry, also stinging my eyes intensely. Shaky footsteps turn into a brisk run in darkness as trees bow under the rushing air. I cry out for someone, something, but nothing. Crack. Hearing sticks behind me break sends shivers through me. Was this the end?

“I’ve grown weary of the sea, I wish I was back home with you. I was hoping to get business among the sailors

But here is an artist “I wish to paint you the dreamiest, shadiest, quietest, most enchanting bit of romantic landscape in all the valley of Saco” utters the artist “What would I like to include in my painting? Well I would like to start with the trees, each with a hollow trunk

• Sight
• Smell
• Hearing
• Touch
• Taste

“The boy was sad”

His sight was blurred as tears welled up in his eyes like dam water waiting to be released. The thump in his chest intensified as he choked on his own breath while his mind went awol. His tongue traces his crusty lips reaching for the satisfying salty taste of his tears. His ears pound as blood rushes through his whole face that was turning a crimson color.

“The dog wanted to go for a walk”

Sitting by the door panting and tail wagging Frank drools on his paw. His ears suddenly perk up and he bounces onto his feet. The sight of his owner and the quick flick of the leash sends the pup into a whirling tornado. Sniffing the air the sweet smell of dog biscuits absorbs into Franks’ nose

“The temperature fell and the ice reflected the sun”