Monday, October 17, 2011
Although this video has been previously posted, I find that the particulars - and perceived minutiae - should be further explicated to demonstrate Jason's professionalism and dedication to his writing center. His dogged persistance, in the face of such adversity, is meritorious and warrants well-deserved accolades.
One can begin the examination of this video by evaluating the contrasting hairstyles found within the work. The stark and Spartan mise-en-scène gives prominence to Jason's close-cropped hair - perhaps an indicator of previous military experience (a speculation that may well prove relevant later). He seems both approachable and affable. However, the student, given the unfortunate state of her coiffure, presents herself as hygenically negligent... or the unfortunate victim of recent electrocution. Steve McQueen vs. Joan Crawford. My money is on Steve, but I digress.
The clip also demonstrates the importance of body language. Tutors must gauge their clients in a myriad of ways. Jason is not only greeted with a rapid, dismissive handshake(0:08), he is confronted with a measured degree of soon-to-be-escalated hostility, further compounded by the uncontrollable flailing of the student. Her overt hostility, coupled with her apparent inability to modulate the volume of her voice, produces a veritable powder keg of volatility within the Writing Center. This potential for danger is fully realized at 2:14 when Jason cooly observes the camera man sprint from the room in a desperate attempt at self-preservation. Jason, well-groomed and watching the clock, is confronted with the Nagasaki of appointments. All he wants to do is help some folks with their writing - and maybe grab a quick burrito at the Student Union before his next class. After all, burritos are good.
Instead, if one consults the clip at 0:18, one can see the palpable distress that Jason feels as the student fans her hygenic unsoundness in his direction. His obvious recoil at the stench wafted from her virulent, purple sweater seems to re-ignite his earlier military training. Any further gastronomical Tex-Mex musings are, beyond this point, out the window - or, at least, relegated to the sidelines for the time being.
The most telling indicator of Jason's fortitude (and dedication) can be found in reviewing 1:28 and 2:10 of the clip. In each of the aforementioned instances, he subtlely moves his hand into a position to press the silent alarm under the table. Her apparent instability, presumably fueled by lead paint chip consumption and the early onset of Tourette's, prompts Jason to notify the proper authorities. While she faces the prospect of pushing a grocery cart and shaking her fist towards the sky mumbling," Syllabus...the stinking syllabus." His job is done. He did not, given his obvious training, choose to apply sufficient blunt force to her skull as to cause its collapse. Jason's steely resolve, although not fully revealed in this video, leads to the removal of a dangerous sociopath from the Writing Center. This action serves to make both the university campus and the whole of society much safer. His restraint is legendary and we should, as tutors, raise a glass to him whenever we struggle to persevere...or just want a friggin' burrito.
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