MacBath & Body works

​My partner is Leo Gualtieri 


From the start we wanted to make our project something fun and creative, but also something that didn’t go too far from the idea of Macbeth. After brainstorming a few ideas, we settled on self care products that satirically copy the ideas throughout the book, like something that could just clean the guilt from the murder, or some potion that could heal someone’s mental illness. We then came up with a idea of a knock-off Bath & Body works. We figured that Macbeth sounded a lot like bath so, we combined the words together; thus MacBath & Body works was born.

We started off by finding products that correlated with quotes from the play. We came up with names that give a glimpse from the play, or that described the product. We found quotes in the play that corresponds with the products to stay true to the play Macbeth. We divided the work equally by assigning different task that we had to do. I bought the products while Leo worked on the logos using Photoshop.

We settled on making perfume, hand sanitizer, bath bombs, candles, and essential oils. We settled on hand sanitizer because Macbeth talks about having blood on his hands after killing King Duncan; therefore we made a product that could clean the blood, named after one of his quotes. We have the perfume for a similar reason. Lady Macbeth talks about cleaning the smell of blood from her hand, so we made a perfume just for her. We also made candles for people like Lady Macbeth, for anyone who a needs candle light by their bedside. Finally we have the essential oils and bath bombs. We advertised them as “mentally curing”. This is a joke off of Macbeth’s orders to the doctor. He just wants Lady Macbeth to be cured, but has no explanation about how he would do that. We made these magic mentally curing products just for Macbeth, no matter how hard they’d be to make in real life.

The Creators, Daijah and Leo
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Macbeth the Documentary

MACBETH the Documentary Feature


For this project, I worked with my good pal Aracely

One of the greatest questions of Macbeth was, what was the real truth behind it? Before we get to that let me introduce you to Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. In a nutshell, it is about a Lord turned King who made some wrong choices on his way to the top. It is a tragedy, thriller and sometimes a comedy, you egghead! Keeping that in mind and that burning question we asked in the beginning, we decided to do a documentary, a Macbethamentary!

The purpose of the Macbethamentary was so we could answer, what was the real truth behind Macbeth. We also decided that to add a twist of comedy to it, so it could not all be just grey, like most of the settings in the book. What was the end product was a film that embodied both the main characters in the book and the actual life of the people.


We achieved this by interviewing the characters and the real life version of the characters, for example we interviewed Macbeth, the main character of the book and Mac Bethad mac Findlaích, the real King of Scotland that actually lived. To add that twist of comedy we reenacted some scenes that we thought were important and most importantly, funny.


Together, we had all types of ups and downs in our decision making, with decisions that stuck and some the crumbled. Some of the decision we kept that stuck like a leech were the interviews. Which we added to answer the main question and let the audience know what the real and fake version of the character thought about the book and aspects of it. As a team we added the comedic and important scenes so we could lighten the mood. Also, while reading the book we saw comic relief in a serious book, which reminded us about a certain show, the Office! That is why we added both the interviews and the scenes, which made a dynamic duo in our film.


When you watch the film, keep the question in mind and when you finish it, try to answer it based on what was shown. Try to think about how the real characters felt about being portrayed a certain way. Do not though try to be serious throughout the film, because the other main goal was to add a comedic twist you egghead!


Blog post by Aracely

Video editing by Jane


Macbeth Creative Project

For our creative project Jingyu and I made a poster and playbill acting like Macbeth was being played at a theater. We made it as if William Shakespeare was still performing Macbeth and included the actual location where one of them took place. Our playbill includes a plot summary, actors, and key scenes of the play. Our main inspiration for the poster was Macbeths soliloquy “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”. We felt that this pretty much summarizes the whole play which is that everything that Macbeth did ended with him being left with nothing. In the poster is displayed different recurring motifs and major themes of the play going through an hourglass representing loss.

We thought is was best to use and hourglass for this poster because people can easily associate it with loss of time or just loss in general, which is what we want people to see. In the little bubbles are displayed the motifs and themes. The eye goes back to Macbeths quote “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”. The heart represents a tainted heart and how he is no longer noble or kind. The z’s show Macbeths lack of sleep. The other three are self explanatory showing witches, Dunsinane hill, and being king. The biggest part is where it shows a hand getting stabbed with a dagger. The dagger is supposed to be the one that killed the king. This shows how Macbeth has “stabbed” or hurt himself by killing King Duncan. The background with the splattered blood just builds off of this and show how things for Macbeth got really messy. Overall we just really wanted to show that what Macbeth had done and sacrificed was not worth it in the end through art. By looking at this a whole and not in individual pieces Macbeths losses can be seen on a bigger scale.



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Macbeth Tarot Cards- Grace Karlen and Alonso Lai

Alonso and I created Macbeth themed tarot cards for our Macbeth creative project. We did this through studying the practice and concepts behind tarot, applying the meanings associated with the cards to motifs, significant ideas, plot, and characters from Macbeth. This can be seen in the original illustrations on all 78 cards, each of which show a character, scene, significant plot point, and more.

We decided to create tarot cards for a myriad of reasons. We initially thought of how tarot cards, and the idea that they can inform about a person’s future connected with Macbeth, and the themes of fate. We also found that the suits fit well with motifs in Macbeth, demonstrating core conconcepts of the book. Through reading about the meanings behind cards, we also found that many of them related to characters, relationships, and events in Macbeth. This includes a change in fortune, internal battles, ambition, intense relationships, and more. We also use the cards to expand upon our thoughts and connections to the book, such as illustrating a character’s role and beliefs through the images on the cards. We created all 78 tarot cards, with a full list of instructions that you can find here. Now, you can use these cards and ask questions so that you can be lead to your fate, just as Macbeth was! (We’re not responsible for poor decisions made due to tarot readings)


Uptop Books Water for Elephants Podcast #3

College English Water for Elephants Book Club Logo
College English Water for Elephants Book Club Logo
  1. The name of your podcast
Uptop Books Water for Elephants Podcast #3
  1. The names of the group members
Naima DeBrest, Kyianna Thomas, Lauren Matthews 
  1. The title of the episode
Author's Intent
  1. The podcast logo
Above
  1. A brief blurb (a paragraph) about your episode 
    (make sure this includes the title/author of the book)
In this final podcast we wrapped up our thoughts about the ending of the novel. We all took different stances and tried to identify what the author Sara Gruen was trying to convey. Naima talked about the commentary on having what control and agency over ones life means in a young age and in an old age. Lauren talked about the relationship between animals and humans in the novel and who has helped Jacob.  Kyianna talked about the normality of the novels overt masculine characters like August and how they treat other people. 
  1. A list of the evidence used (with page numbers) for listeners to locate as desired
-
  • But there's nothing to be done about it. All I can do is put in time waiting for the inevitable, observing as the ghosts of my past rattle around my vacuous present. They crash and bang and make themselves at home, mostly because there's no competition. I've stopped fighting them.” (Chapter 1)

  • "She reached for something. A giraffe passed between us – Its long neck bobbing gracefully even in panic – and when it was gone I saw that she'd picked up an iron stake. She held it loosely, resting its end on the hard dirt. She looked at me again, bemused. Then her gaze shifted to the back of his bare head" (Prologue)

  • “"Look here," he says, blowing smoke. "I was hoping we could let bygones be bygones. So what do you say, my boy – friends again?" He extends his hand.” (Chapter 20)

  • “This is home” (Chapter 25)

Children of the Night Podcast Episode 3

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Children of the Night Episode 3

Amado, Ethan, Aden, and Shilo

Infectious Dracula


In this episode we discuss the reason why Bram Stoker wrote Dracula. What he intended Dracula to represent to how people preserved it and how it was later interpreted in modern day society. We discuss how diseases were common during the era of Dracula and how vampire culture came to be. Along with the whole monster genre in general.


Pg. 40

Pg. 41


https://youtu.be/FmTSA0_r5Kk


The Eye Openers- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

In this podcast, with the theme being author's intent. We focused and analyzed a lot into the author, Toni Morrison's, style of writing in a way throughout the story. And connecting and trying to somewhat come to a realization about why and how she crafts each chapter. We noticed that every chapter started with a new story about a new character and their experiences. But in a way, they are all connected under one common theme having to do with race. Throughout this podcast, we pointed out certain sections in the book where we noticed Morrison's input on race and stereotypes and dug a bit deeper into Morrison's justification on the type of stories she writes. 
We also went a bit into Morrison's tone as the story progresses, a main thing that we realized was that there were a lot of intense and out of the ordinary scenes in this book but she would describe them very nonchalantly and that really threw us off a bit. 

All in all, as we finished the Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, we learned a lot about perspective and purpose in a way. That, as generic as it sounds, everyone has their own experiences but the way they tell their story through fictional characters or realistic characters is a whole different ballpark. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siuw2v3ImY0

Macbeth Missing Scene: The Three Murderers

After the events surrounding Banquo's murder take place, the three murderers hired by Macbeth for the job are walking back from his castle. A conflict arises between the murderers concerning the escape of Fleance and who was to blame for the failed plan. 
This scene takes place while Macbeth is holding the feast at his castle after he has paid the murderers for their job. We thought it would be interesting to make a missing scene about the three murderers because we are not told much of them in the rest of the story. We wondered why it was easy for Fleance to get away and who each murderer would blame the situation on. If the murderers could have had more scenes, maybe we could get more of a glimpse into their morals and how they dealt with any guilt from their murderous actions. 
When we designed this project we tried to think of a way to create a scene that would be interesting and added more depth to the many layers in the story of Macbeth. Not only would it give you more information about what was going on outside of the castle during the feast, but would also show the audience other ways characters in the play were struggling to deal with morals and their connection with the outcome of certain events that occur in the play. 
Enjoy! -Piper, Mya, and Quaniyah 

"Keeping up with the Macbeth's" Episode 5 Part 1

Directors, Producers, Writers: Amaya Lam and Jade Njie 
Lady Macbeth: Josie DiCapua
Doctor: Amaya Lam 
Gentlewoman: Iris Peron-Ames 
Editor: Jade Njie 

Watch the episode here ! 

The directors
The directors

“Keeping up with the Macbeths” is a reality show of Macbeth where two people film the happenings of Macbeth and document all the drama that occurs. We wanted it to seem like a real reality show, so when the video first starts, two people introduce themselves and give a summary of the upcoming episode and leaves the viewer wanting to continue watching. We wanted to dramatize the scene and try to make the movements and settings show the exaggerated feelings. Similar to the beginning, the outro is the same two people giving a preview to the next episode. All of these components create the reality show “Keeping up with the Macbeths” that mirrors the original play.
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth

One main choice we decided on was to have the doctor and gentlewoman looking at Lady Macbeth from a desk in qan official way. We decided to do this because we thought that in reality shows people often talk behind people’s backs to observe them and so that Lady Macbeth could have a space to herself. It looks like a professional consultation with the doctor and gentlewoman looking at Lady Macbeth from the side. Lady Macbeth is constantly moving around the room and she is even on the ground at this point. This happens to dramatize her movements since reality shows are often dramaticized to be more interesting to the audience. Lastly, we added a "recording" filter over the video to enhance the reality show theme.


The Doctor and gentlewoman
The Doctor and gentlewoman

Kurt's Krew #3: Bokonon's Last Laugh

Gregory Tasik, Tommy Conley, Nick Ryan, Miguel Rivera
Gregory Tasik, Tommy Conley, Nick Ryan, Miguel Rivera

On this week’s podcast, we unfortunately come to a close on our reading of the Cat’s Cradle. We attempt to discuss the ending without spoilers, and not surprisingly, fail. The theme of this episode is Author’s intent, and come to a conclusion that Cat’s Cradle was a critique mainly on the conversation of science vs religion and the development of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Lastly, we discuss the winners and losers of the book and our major takeaways.


Some evidence we used

  • “I bought myself a job, just the way you bought yourself a tomcat husband, just the way Newt bought himself a week on Cape Cod with a Russian midget” (243)

  • “When there are such men as Felix Hoenikker to give such playthings as ice-nine to such short-sighted children as almost all men and women are” (245)

  • “The mountebank told them that God was surely trying to kill them, possibly because He was through with them, and that they should have the good manners to die.” (273)

  • “He always said he would never take his own advice, because he knew it was worthless.” (273)

  • “and I would make a statue of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who” (287)

Podcast 3, Giggling and Gabbing: Author's Intent

In Giggling and Gabbing's third and final podcast, we discuss chapter seven and eight of "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." These are the final two chapters of the book and we just wanted to include a major SPOILER WARNING because we got so invested in this podcast that we spoiled the ending!!! In our final podcast we discussed Junot Diaz's intent when writing the final chapters and the book as a whole. We discussed the strange importance of sex in Oscar's life and the use of sex as way to represent one's content in life.

 We decided Oscar was the loser of this chapter because how  much he believed that sex was the only way his life could be complete. We decided Yunior was the winner of this chapter because of how complete and put together he was in this chapter compared to how broken all other characters were in this chapter. Well, from everyone in the Oscar Wao group, we hope you enjoy the final podcast and giggle as we have our final gab about  "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." Thanks for listening! Link Below!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl8lF8Ygkjc

Mask Off: Episode 3

Podcast Name: Mask Off
Group Members: Zaire, Lauren, Lauryn
Episode Title: Author's Intent

On our final podcast we discussed the author's intent of "The Bluest Eye". We discussed many of the topics that were in the book and what the underlying message was. Because we have reached the end of the book, we can now understand certain things that were hidden messages in the book such as the marigolds. Another topic that we seemed to find interesting was the author's style of writing. Her writing eventually became something that matched well with the story that she was telling.


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Literary Dynamite #3

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Members: Wes, Tai, Lei, Waverly

Episode Title : Alas!

In this episode of our podcast, we discuss the nuances of the novel with regards to how Yaa Gyasi intended the book to be read/interpreted. We have disagreeing dialogue about the book not having any true good people. We also briefly discuss our impressions of the book as a whole.

Akua and Fire - page 177

Death of Akua’s mother - page 180

“Wicked Man” - page 181

“War may be over” - page 158

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y_7wUK7-sxhSf-iwXkrfpMkJ0Mj8X_Aj/view?usp=sharing

Audio Silence Podcast #3

audiosilence
audiosilence
​Group:
Ayala, James, David, Kwan, Eric 

Description:
In this episode of Audio Silence, we discuss Author's Intent in George Orwell's book, 1984. The book was written during the period after World War II and reflects this by delving into government and government control. Orwell wanted the book to serve as a warning to the power government has over its people. 

Link:

Book References:
- Government surveillance (37)
- Government brainwashing (10-15)
- Ignorance and following the government blindly (56)

Kevin and Dilon’s TextingStory

So what this is is a Texting Story it follows three scenes of me and kevin's choice with Music over it we chose to do this because we felt like it would be very interesting fun and cool. The Texting Story is Modern day language and there little philly slang in there. the purpose of it is to recap your Macbeth while putting a modern day remix on Macbeth and without further Ado enjoy our texting Story

(Click First Word To get our video!)

This Screenshot is our process and the Script we wrote before our final process

#Dreamteam_Missingscene

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       This scene takes place in Act 2.2, right after Macbeth had just killed King Duncan. Macbeth came out with 2 bloody daggers and because he refused to go back and return them, Lady Macbeth had to go and return them herself. While inside the room, she experiences some strange and supernatural happenings.  

Scene and descriptive essay written by :
Ella Newburger and Alondra Fonseca-Avalos 

Click here to read the missing scene... 

Zahfir & Dayan Q2- creative project

Macbeth has traveled to the modern world and due to his craziness has been given therapy. We chose to do this because we wanted to incorporate humor and into a project while having references from the play. To make this video we wrote a script, then recorded the video, after that, we did some editing to the video flow better. In our video, Macbeth has brought his kingly, crazy and medieval mannerism into and modern therapy session eventually attempting to vanquish his enemy (The therapist). Hope you enjoy the video! 


Script
Script
Macbeth:(Kicks door open)
Macbeth: I am Macbeth, King of scotland. (Poses) (Cape in the air)
Therapists: Well Ok, why don’t you just take a seat over here. (macbeth lays down on thing)
Tharapits: Well Macbeth, on your form it said you have a slight problem with compulsive murder & random Hallucination . Well You’ve came to the right place MmmmmmmKay.. 
Macbeth: I have no problem, you uncultured swine. 
Therapist:(Looks down and writes) alright . I am hear to help 
Therapist:Why don't you have some water. (Macbeth sips water)
Macbeth: This water is tainted by the blood upon my hands (Macbeth spits out water)
Therapist:(Writes in book)
Therapist: can you please you tell me what you mean by “blood on your hands”?
Macbeth:  (Hands begin to shake) (looks down at hands slowly)
(Zooms into Macbeth’s head)(flash back) Scene after Macbeth kills king Duncan and is washing the blood off of his hands.
---stop---

Therapist: Hello, Macbeth, Macbeth. 
Macbeth: (Pulls out sword)step away from me fowl mortal I shall cleave you from nav to chop.
Macbeth:(slowly moves forward) (with sword facing the therapist)
Therapist:(steps back slowly) (turns and runs)
Macbeth:(Chases therapist in circles)
Camera Closes out (THE END)


Little Sister Podcast Episode 3: Author's Intent (William, James, Kamil)

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​Abstract:

In this episode, we cover the content of the final chapters of 1984 by George Orwell. Winston gets tortured and confesses his crimes to O’Brien. He is able to make Winston believe 2 + 2 = 5. Not say, BELIEVE. Winston talks about his hatred for Big Brother, and he gets taken into Room 101, where O’Brien brings out rats, Winston’s biggest fear, to make him betray Julia. We discuss what may have motivated Orwell to write the book and what messages he was trying to convey to his readers. We also address the ethics of communist and socialist ideas and why they don't work in real life.


Evidence Used: 

  • “We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?” (256)

  • “To cure you! To make you sane! Will you understand, Winston, that no one whom we bring to this place ever leaves our hands uncured?” (261)

  • “The Party is not interested in the overt act: the thought is all we care about.” (261)

  • “We do not merely destroy our enemies; we change them” (261)

  • “It is intolerable to us that an erroneous thought should exist anywhere in the world, hower secret and powerless it may be” (263)

  • “They pretended, perhaps they even believed, that they had seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and that just round the corner there lay a paradise where human beings would be free and equal” (272)

  • “One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution to safeguard the dictatorship” (272)

  • “It is not enough to obey him; you must love him” (292)

  • “Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!” (297)

  • “Sometimes they threaten you with something—something you can’t stand up to, can’t even think about. And then you say, ‘Don’t do it to me, do it to somebody else, do it to so-and-so.’ And perhaps you might pretend, afterwards, that it was only a trick and that you just said it to make them stop and didn’t really mean it. But that isn’t true. At the time when it happens you do mean it. You think there’s no other way of saving yourself, and you’re quite ready to save yourself that way.” (302)

  • “Under the spreading chestnut tree I sold you and you sold me” (304)

Link: https://www.soundtrap.com/play/18k9MnALQcOF1Sx0kIs45A/podcast-3/