20 May 2016

21 Chipping Green Dr.

Arden, NC 28704

Graduation Project Advisory Board

T.C. Roberson High School
250 Overlook Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803

Dear Graduation Project and Advisory Board:

As a child, I was always fascinated by motion pictures. I experimented by making movies with
my brother and friends, and would premier them to my family as if they had been invited to a
red-carpet event. A few years later, I received a Flip Video Camcorder of my own and continued
this hobby. However, because of the advanced technology of this device, I had access to editing
programs on the computer and my fascination of movie-making grew. Over time, I grew out of
this hobby, but I was still very interested in cinematography techniques. I attained an increasing
love of movies, not only for the stories they provided, but for the direction of photography,
which made each film unique from another. This spring, I got the chance to be involved in the
lighting for our schools musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Through this
experience, I observed how certain aesthetics have an effect on the audience, and I decided that
Id like to explore that observation in my future. I plan to photograph a variety of subjects and
consider how different elements go into creating an effective image. I plan to have a focus on
cinematography in college, and this project provides me with an effective starting point for that.

My research paper for this project will explore why certain visual techniques and elements, such
as positioning and lighting, can evoke certain emotions from the observer. I will be using editing
software such as Photoshop as well as my own Canon camera. I will use subjects found in my
local area to photograph.

I will photograph different subjects using a variety of lighting, positioning, and visual elements
to exhibit the way these features are instrumental in capturing an effective aesthetic. Bren Dendy,
a professional photographer who lives in Asheville, will be my mentor. Bren is the owner of her
own company, Bren Photography. Bren will assist me in the use of editing software and help me
take a professional approach when it comes to photography. I expect to exceed the 10 hour
minimum for this project, and I will produce a student time log and a PowerPoint of my
photographs as documentation. I will also provide additional pictures in order to demonstrate
what Ive learned. I expect little to no cost for this project, depending on the request of my
mentor.

In my research paper for this project I will use MLA format to cite any literary or online sources I
may use. I understand that plagiarism is a crime and doing so will result in my failure of the
Graduation Project and therefore, English IV. I will not copy anothers thoughts without
providing respectful citations.

Sincerely,

Betsy S. Black

Attachments: Evaluation and Mentor/Parent Consent