In Closing...

The semester is coming to a close, which means that I am finished with the TV show assignment for my Introduction to Broadcasting class. I only ended up making an actual video of the pilot, but plan to record the mini-lessons slated for each episode, and air them as a compilation, along with my ASL II. signed music presentation (from this past Monday), in the very near future...So, please, check back, soon. (You can, also, view my signing videos, as well as my singing performance videos on my YouTube channel...Starpy85 :-))

Peace!~
*Kristin Star*

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #5.

Here is the script of the last regular episode of my webseries, "Sign of the Times"....(I will put the lesson footage up online, within the next week, or so).....
~*Kristin*

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #5. (05-06-10)

(All signing, and speaking by Kristin Star)

Introduction (signed and spoken): Hi, and welcome back to "Sign of the Times". I'm Kristin Star.

Discussion (partially signed, partially spoken): Today I'd like to talk about something a little less frivolous than entertainment.

As a student of ASL, I have learned that there are a lot of conflicts, within the Deaf community, and I find it very upsetting.

Within the Deaf world, there exists hatred towards hearing people, towards those Deaf individuals who wish to get cochlear implants, or hearing aids, or even those who choose to speak and sign.

Deaf actors have been ridiculed for speaking, when presenting in front of hearing audiences. Often times, the Deaf community, unfortunately acts as though people have to choose between the two worlds, rather than existing within both. However, there are some people who I believe are a good example of living within both worlds...Like Deanne Bray, star of "Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye", and Emma on the most recent episode of "Heroes", who has been Deaf for her whole life, but in addition to communicating using ASL, speaks, and read lips. Her bi-lingual abilities are quite impressive, and her attitude towards people of both worlds is far healthier than that of most. She, and her husband, Troy are Deaf, but their daughter is hearing, as is Deanne's family.

ASL is a language, as is English...But, Deaf people in America have to function within the hearing world, to an extent...whether writing, or carrying out the business of day-to-day life (shopping, banking, etc.). Is someone learns a second language, like Spanish, I don't think that they are generally accused of being a traitor to their culture, as people often are, who communicate with both American Sign Language, and spoken English. If you could learn more than one language, and in doing so, communicate with more people, I don't see why you wouldn't want to.

There are those who would say that it's not my place to comment on that...But, hatred in any form is never good!

Video (from television): (Clip of "Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye" where Sue talks about speaking and signing/pertinent subject-matter)

Lesson (spoken with signs being shown as taught): Today's ASL lesson is about descriptive adjectives, and careers.
[Teach the following signs...]
Cool
Beautiful
Dirty
Ugly
Soft-Hearted
Silly
Snobbish
Teacher
Student
Lawyer
Librarian
Engineer
Banker
Musician
Artist
Actor
Friend

Closing (partially signed, and partially spoken): This will be the last full episode of "Sign of the Times", but next week, there will be a compilation of all of the previous lesson material.

Thank you for joining me...Expand you ability to communicate...And, make a positive difference in the world!

I'm Kristin Star...Peace!

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #4.

Here is episode #4 of "Sign of the Times"...Hope you enjoy it! :-)
~*Kristin*

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #4. (04-20-10)

(All signing, and speaking by Kristin Star)

Introduction (signed and spoken): Hi, and welcome back to "Sign of the Times". I'm Kristin Star.

Discussion (partially signed, partially spoken): Last week the 100th episode of "Supernatural" aired. I was very excited about it, but it didn't end up being as intense or memorable as I'd thought...I think that the two previous episodes were better. But, it wasn't awful. This season of the show has been very interesting. And, I had originally, been a little conflicted, when the show had gotten renewed for a 6th season, because it was only meant to be a 5-season-arc, and I really didn't know where they could go with the story, from this point. But, I generally really enjoy watching the show...So, if they have somewhere to go from the pending apocalypse, and can keep a quality program going for another year, or two, that's cool.

Today, The Lovely Bones came out on DVD! I can not express enough how much I enjoyed this movie, when I saw it in the theater...It was positively captivating!!! I can't wait to watch it again...But, am trying to decide where to watch it, since I don't have any optimal movie watching area, at this time. But, perhaps I will shift some furniture, move closer to an obnoxiously small TV, and put the movie in...Because, I feel that I must watch it again, or I might die. (said somewhat in jest). Really, it is such an amazingly done movie...From the collaborative pair that brought the world another one of my favorite movies, The Frighteners, in the '90s, The Lovely Bones is intriguing, disturbing, captivating, and beautiful! It didn't get nearly the attention that it deserve, but is definitely worth watching!

In certain respects it reminds me of other movies that I like, including The Dust Factory, What Dreams May Come, The Invisible, and Just Like Heaven. But, at the same time, it is a story all its own.

Another thing that I would like to share is the fact that I have put the first 7 chapters of my novel, Dark Intentions up online, for people to preview the book...Please, check it out, at the link below. (Gesture to the link.)

Video (signed): Today's video is of me signing "Song to the Siren", by This Mortal Coil (and originally by Tim Buckley, from The Lovely Bones, in honor of its release. (Show video of signed performance.)

Lesson (spoken with signs being shown as taught): Today's ASL lesson has to do with greetings, and people.

This is how you say, "Nice to meet you" (show signs).

This is how you say, "Thanks" (show sign).

This is "what" (show sign).

And, this is what is humorously called the "do-do" sign, to casually ask someone what they're doing (show sign).

There's also a neat sign to signify a person (show sign), that can be added to many different words, to create the word for the person who is, or does the first sign.
For example, if you add it to "teach" (show sign), you get "teacher" (show sign)...And, if you add it to "learn" (show sign), you get "student" (show sign). You can add it to "act" (sign), or "write" (sign), or "sing" (sign), or so many other things...It is one of the most useful signs in the language, in my opinion, and one that I enjoy telling people about, because I find it so fascinating.

Closing (partially signed, and partially spoken): I'm Kristin Star. And, I welcome your questions, and would be glad to answer them in the next episode. Feel free to write in to me, with any questions about signs, or if there's some topic that you'd like to see discussed on the show. See me, next time! Peace!

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #3.

More videos should be coming soon...But, for now, here's the script of the third episode of "Sign of the Times"....
~*Kristin Star*

"Sign of the Times-"Episode #3. (04-12-10)

(All lines spoken/signed by Kristin Star)

Introduction: (Spoken, then signed) Hi, I'm Kristin Star. Welcome back to "Sign of the Times".

Disclaimer: (Spoken with subtitles) This show is primarily done in Sign Language. There will, however, be subtitles, on all non-musical signed contents of the show.

Discussion: (Partially signed/partially spoken) I am a big fan of many TV shows...and, unfortunately, some of my favorite shows, are in danger of being cancelled, at the end of this season.

Sadly, some of the best shows, get cancelled, by networks...Leaving fans terribly upset.

One of my absolute favorite shows, "Cold Case" will, most likely be cancelled, this year...Which will be the biggest television loss that I've felt, since the premature cancellation of "Veronica Mars", in 2007.

The shows that I currently watch, that are in danger of cancellation, this year are...

"Chuck", and "Heroes" from Monday nights on NBC. "Chuck" being a show that I've enjoyed watching over the past few years, to varying degrees...And, "Heroes" being one of my very favorites, starring many actors that I like...which, for some reason, has very little numeric support from viewers, recently. It is possible that "Heroes" may be given one more season, which I really hope is the case. Though, technically in danger, "Chuck", being a 'cult favorite' will, most likely, be renewed.

"The Forgotten", (already over, for the season), from Tuesday nights on ABC. Being a Jerry Bruckheimer show, I would think that it would be able to withstand the usual 'axing' risks of new shows...But, unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. Though the show has not, yet, been officially, cancelled, it is thought to be definite that it will be. I'm very upset about that, because I've found "The Forgotten" to be a very good show, with an interesting concept, likeable characters, and well-structured episodes. It was my favorite new show of the season. I have to say, though, that whether it was a season, or series finale (which it really seemed to be), the final episode of "The Forgotten" that aired, last month was one of the best episodes of anything that I've ever seen.

"The New Adventures of Old Christine" from Wednesday nights on CBS. Which is generally, a pretty funny show...But, I would not miss terribly, upon its cancellation. However, that is likely to be renewed over some other CBS shows that I would be far sadder to part with.

"FlashForward" from ABC on Thursday nights. "FlashForward" is, currently, at potential risk for cancellation. It is said that either that, or "V" will be renewed, and the other will not. I think that the network really dropped the ball on it...They hyped it an incredible amount, in the Fall, then put it on a long hiatus (during staff reconfigurations), leaving a large gap in people's memories, and throwing the show off its somewhat crucial time-line. The show has been immensely interesting, since its return, but whether that will be able to save it, or not, I don't know. Networks do not, always, make sense....In fact, they rarely, ever do.

"Ghost Whisperer", "Medium", and "Numb3rs" from CBS on Friday nights. I don't know how much danger "Ghost Whisperer", or "Medium" (formerly of NBC, and a casualty of the 'Jay Leno debacle') is in...They will both, most likely, be renewed. And, I had been under the impression that "Numb3rs" was ending...So, if that is picked up, over something else that I watch, on the network, I will be upset.

And, most traumatic of my potential show losses, "Cold Case" from CBS on Sunday nights. "Cold Case" is an absolutely amazing show, with characters who have become like my family. Though, it wields an expensive music budget, it's worth the cost...Every show, is the story of someone's life, and death...Fit neatly into 43 minutes, and put beautifully, to music. I can recall almost every detail from almost every episode of the show (including titles, music, characters, storylines, and sub-storylines). For a show that I didn't even pick up until its 3rd season, it has become one of my very favorites, and I have become an expert on it...Even having written some of my own episodes of it. (Which I had hoped would, one day, air). The Woodstock episode, "Free Love", that just aired, showed many character's personal storylines getting tied up...With Lilly being offered an opportunity at the FBI, Nick reuniting with his high school girlfriend, Megan, John coming back into contact with the FBI agent, whom he once had a relationship with, and Kat most likely rekindling her relationship with Curtis the ADA, as well as Scotty's mother's attacker being jailed. I'm sad to say, that it really seems like the end. But, I really hope that that doesn't end up being the case. The show is going on a hiatus until May, when the two-hour season, or series finale is, apparently, set to air.

If those shows are cancelled, that will leave me, with only...

"Make It or Break", and "10 Things I Hate About You" on ABC Family, on Monday nights, in twice-a-year off-seasons.

"Modern Family", on ABC, and "Psych" on USA, on Wednesdays in regular, and twice-a-year seasons.

"Community" (recently, officially, renewed) on NBC, "Supernatural" on the CW, and "The Mentalist" on CBS on Thursdays.

"Smallville" on the CW on Fridays.

The Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon shows that I watch, on varying weekend days, including "The Suite Life on Deck", "Wizards of Waverly Place", "Phineas and Ferb", "Big Time Rush", "iCarly", "Good Luck Charlie", and "Victorious".
And, off-season SyFy shows, "Eureka", and "Warehouse 13".

Though that may seem like a lot to most people...It is not, for me. And, with many of the shows at risk for cancellation being ones that I like so much, there would definitely, be a void.

Shows in the past that I have been devastated over the cancellation of are "Veronica Mars", "Tru Calling", "Malcolm in the Middle", and "Boy Meets World".
Many other shows that I have liked, or thought had potential were taken before their time, as well...Including, "Run of the House", "Complete Savages", "Eyes", "Injustice", "Freaks and Geeks", and "Phil of the Future", among others.

Unfortunately, the airwaves seem to be more, and more taken over by "reality shows", which are cheap to produce, with unknown people, and little writing, and easy to hype. But, the networks do not realize that it's at the cost of any integrity that they had, and at the cost of good, decent, enjoyable programming.
When the network "up-fronts" are revealed in early May, I will update you on the status of the various shows, and of course, comment, on it.

Video: (Signed with subtitles) Today's video is of me signing a short mix of songs.(Show video of signed song compilation.)

Lesson: (Spoken with subtitles only on introduction) Now, I will give our hearing viewers another short lesson in ASL. (sign "ASL")

Today, I will teach you numbers, and days of the week.

(Teach the signs for the days of the week, and numbers 1 through 30 [signing and speaking])

Conclusion: (Signed with subtitles) Thanks for tuning in, again! I'm Kristin Star, and this is "Sign of the Times"...Hope you'll watch again, next time! Bye!

"Sign of the Times"-Episode #2.

Here is the script for the second episode of "Sign of the Times"...
~*Kristin Star*

Sign of the Times-Episode #2. (04-03-10)

(All lines spoken/signed by Kristin Star)

Introduction: (Spoken, then signed) Hi, I'm Kristin Star, and this is "Sign of the Times".

Disclaimer: (Spoken with subtitles) This show is going to be primarily done in Sign Language. If you are a hearing viewer, who doesn't know ASL, you can read the subtitles, and even learn a few simple signs, at the end of each show.

Discussion: (Signed with subtitles) So far, this year, I have seen only a few movies in the theater. In January, I saw When in Rome, starring Kristen Bell, the beautiful, Vegetarian actress from "Veronica Mars". It wasn't great, but it was pretty cute. In February, I saw The Lovely Bones, which looked good in the previews, and ended up being amazing! It's coming out on DVD on April 20th...You should definitely, check it out, if you haven't yet seen it...Or, watch it again, if you have. Then, for My Birthday, I saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief, starring Logan Lerman from Hoot, along with a slew of other celebrities, ranging from familiar, to very famous. For the most part that was an interesting, and enjoyable movie, as well.

The three movies were very different, but all enjoyable in their own ways. I would most recommend The Lovely Bones, but the others are worth seeing, too.
As far as movies, already on video go, I watched The House Bunny, a couple of months ago...Which was pretty funny, but not stellar, by any means. I still, have yet to watch Paul Blart: Mall Cop, but keep taking it out of the library. I've heard that it's quite funny...And, I will find out, soon.

A couple of weeks ago, ABC Family ran a 4-day "Harry Potter Weekend", featuring extended versions of the first 5 movies, and previews of The Deathly Hallows, which, the first part of, comes out, this Fall. I will definitely, be at the midnight show!

In book news, my novel, Dark Intentions is in the editing process, and will, hopefully, be available, soon. Right now, the first chapter is available to preview, online, at myspace.com/star_ies. More will be posted, soon.

Video: (Signed with subtitles) Today's video is a short skit done for my ASL II. class, by two of my classmates, and me, called, "A Brief Misunderstanding".(Show video of "A Brief Misunderstanding")

Lesson: (Spoken with subtitles only on introduction) Now, I will give our hearing viewers a short lesson in ASL. (sign "ASL")

Today, I'm going to show you the American Sign Language alphabet. A friend, actually, taught it to me, around 4th grade...But, I've gotten better at it, and learned a lot more, since. You might notice, as we go along, that many of the letters somewhat resemble the written form of the letters that they represent.

(Teach the letters A through Z [signing and speaking])

So, as you can see, my name is...(signed...) K-R-I-S-T-I-N S-T-A-R

Most Deaf people have name signs, that abbreviate their names, in combination with a distinguishable trait. Hearing people are, always, supposed to fingerspell their names. "Fingerspelling" is spelling words out, with the ASL alphabet that you just learned. Practice those letters, and you can say anything in ASL!

Conclusion: (Signed with subtitles) I'm Kristin Star, and this is "Sign of the Times"...Tune in next time! Bye!

"Sign of the Times"-Pilot

I was, finally, able to complete the filming, and editing on the pilot of my show, and bring the concept into reality.

I am, now, proud to present the pilot of "Sign of the Times"!!!...




Enjoy the video, and check back, soon!!! :-)

~*Kristin Star*


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH3M_8w-yqM

"Sign of the Times"-Pilot

For the assignment, we are required to post our episode scripts online. This is the script for the first episode of my show...

~*Kristin Star*