Becca Interview

7/27/2019 Becca Interview

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Rebecca Wagman

Film 104

Interview #2Middletown Resident

October 4, 2013

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It was 5 oclock, and the illuminating sunlight was reflecting off store

windows across the street. Bouncing off tables/ in a mesmerizing fashion, I was

forced to turn my head in order to avoid momentary blindness. It was then that I

noticed her; a small, nervous, yet joyful, woman nestled comfortably into the corner.

Whether burrowed out of fear of being noticed or out of comfort, this tight corner,

situated perfectly between two yellowing walls and shrouded by the branches of a

nearby planter, seemed to be her home. This peculiar woman seemed to be at ease

surrounded by multiple half drunken cups of coffee, rummaged through

newspapers, and a pad and pen with which she was writing fervently.

Moments passed and still I had not relieved my fixation. Overcome withwonderment, curiosity, and confusion I flashed a small smile in her direction, unsure

if I was looking for conversation or simply trying to be polite. However, my small

gesture was met with an exuberant and joyous reaction. HELLLOOOOOOO she

screeched across the bakery. I looked around the room, red with embarrassment

and hoping that the other customers would feign oblivion at this strange

occurrence. Trying to once again busy myself with my work, I put my headphones in

and began to sift through the pages of my textbox. Yet moments after I became fully

enveloped in my reading, I had a strange sensation of someone standing behind me.

Cautiously, I turned my head, only to find myself face to face with Lara Daniels, the

blue eyed and greying auburn haired lady who had only moments earlier hollowed a

greeting across a public space.Not wanting to be seen as rude, I accepted this peculiar yet seemingly

harmless womans invitation to join her in her corner. As I followed her through

the maze of tightly crowded tables, I noticed that while her bizarre outfit. Donning a

turtleneckspeckled with bees, velvet pants covered in cars, and a hat fit for

gardening, Ms. Daniels seemed to embrace, and even love, her outlandish garb.

Noting the incredible comfort and confidence of my new acquaintance, I settled

down into the available chair, giddy with excitement for the conversation to come.

B: If you dont mind my asking, what do you write in that notebook?

L: Oh THIS old thing? Well (giggling), they are my stories. I dont just waste mytime making these up out of only this rusty thing of mine (points to her head), but I

watch people! In fact, I was watching you Where was IOh yes! I watch them and

then I get my characters, or my ideas of characters! Its like when you go into a

restaurant or see people on the street. I like making up stories about them and their

relationships with one another. For example, if I see a couple, I imagine various

scenarios; is this a first date, a failing marriage, the mistress (laughs) the usual!


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This is where I get my stories! Well I guess I cant say this because its not one thing,

but everything!

B: You seem very passionate, how long have you been doing this?

L: Since I can remember! I used to draw pictures of what I saw and would turnthose into stories Did you know that I won most artistic in high school? Well one

day I had a realization that while drawing is fun, there are two things that make

words better. The first is that there is a word for everything, as when I draw I have

to try and convey emotions and thats more difficult. The second is, that I like to

have the reader come up with their own images I say reader. Only me and my cat

ever hear these silly things, but every time I flip through the pages, I come up with a

new image as opposed to seeing the same one every time! I hope I can continue to

do this, but the arthritis is starting to get to me (tries to fold fingers, but winces in

pain), oh and I cant use what do you call them Iphones. Yes that thing right there

(points to my phone.) I dont get it. Some call me crazy, for other reasons too. But I

cant, just cant. Too many buttons, and numbers, and symbols... My mind goesBAHHHHHHH!!!

B: Thats totally understandable. I am one of the most technologically

challenged people you will ever meet. Speaking of your childhood, can you

describe it for me?

L: I was born in 1950 in the suburbs of industrial St. Louis, MO. We lived in an

affluent idyllic community, although you wouldntthink it looking at me now. The

focus in our household was on school, community, sports, and the weather. Since

St. Louis is where the Mississippi meets Missouri, we were prone to severe weather.

Tornadoes were a frequent occurrence and trips to the basement, while listening toweathercasts on the radio were a regular ritual.

On another note. I was the fourth of hmmm how many of us are there? Oh

yes, five! As a kid, not only did I love to draw, but I was obsessed with TV and

movies!

B: So when you were growing up, what was the influence of media and

technology?

L: In our family we were all avid readers. This is where some of my love of

stories came from! While our parents had us focus on our school responsibilities, it

was TV, primarily black and white, that was the focus of our evening and especiallythe weekends. Being the fourth of five, yes, yes, I often had to entertain myself, and

this is where TV was my savior! I became obsessed with Disney and after school

movies on TV. I would rush home from school, make myself my Peanut Butter, Tuna

Fish, and Banana sandwich YUMMAE YUMMAE YUMMAE, and watch TV. As a

family, we would always watch the 6pm news right before dinner, the Ed Sullivan

Show, and various other game shows. On hot summer nights, we regularly drove in

our station wagon with the wooden sides to the closest drive-in movie theatre. This


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B: Well, I think you described the sentiments exactly! How do you think the

movie would have been different if it were all in color or black and white?

L: Opening the movie in black and white with the focus on Americas agrarian

society, and then turning to color in the Land of Oz, was brilliant. It emphasized thechanges occurring in the United States, politically, culturally, industrially, and

emotionally. It was a time for change and it was happening at breath taking speed.

The symbol of the tornado, the contrast of the black and white to color, the

characters, all emphasize the changes in America.

B: You seem to almost get lost in your thoughts Are you an easily enchanted

person?

L: Im an incredibly visual person. I consider myself an amateur artist, and

therefore am easily drawn into things. I will never forget each aspect of the film,

where I saw it, what I had for dinner before we drove downtown to see the film norhow I felt nestled in my sleeping bag that evening while singing Somewhere Over

the Rainbow and reliving the film!

B: Do you have a favorite character, song, or scene?

L: Its funny that you ask that! (Brings out her notebook and points). Look right

here! Its the Lion! I would definitely say that he is my favorite character. I feel a

camaraderie with him in the way that he over comes his fears and lack of

confidence. Had I lived elsewhere or pursued a different path, granted, if this were

another life, I would have wanted to pursue a career in film or have been a

performer. I have always loved to sing and preform, but I did not have theconfidence, nor was I encouraged to follow this love. I find it admirable how the Lion

overcomes his cowardliness and achieves the greatest title, King of the Forest! My

favorite song, obviously, is Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Not only does it always

seem to be stuck in my head on constant repeat, but its message of another life full

of unlimited possibilities is simply remarkable to me!

B: How would your life have been different without The Wizard of Oz?

L: To be honest, I dont think I would be a different person. While the movie has had

an undeniable impact on me, I feel that the messages conveyed are ones that would

have been translated, eventually, to me through life. I think that one of the moreattractive and fun qualities of the film is its ability to impart the lessons of courage,

dedication, love, family, hope, etc. in such a creative and enjoyable fashion. I also

think that the imagination put into the cinematography have been part of my

fascination with and love for the movie.


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B: You said that you would not be a different person without ever having seen

The Wizard of Oz. Have you however, ever called upon or needed to relate your

life to the move?

L: Hmmm. Not so much in the sense that I feel you are looking for. The Wizard

of Ozhas never provided me unlimited guidance. It has however, been used as ameans which to relate my life to. When Im feeling down, or confused, or hopeless, it

is easy to recall the words and journey of Dorothy and her friends and the

perseverance they had when trying to achieve their goals.

B: If you had the opportunity, what is one aspect of the film you would change?

L: Thats a tough one. Ok. Let me think. I would probably change, how Dorothy

kills the Wicked Witch. While I find it exciting that Dorothy is able to accidentally

take down her, I would find it even more powerful if Dorothys murder was

intentional. While it does add a bit more of a violent twist, it gives viewers an

opportunity to see Dorothy come full circle; from the passive and clueless farm girlto the champion of evil.

B: What are your lasting impressions of The Wizard of Oz?

L: Seeing The Wizard of Oz, was an inspiration and stimulated part of my

creative fervor. I try to watch the movie at least once a year, as it continues to hold

the magic, the appeal, and the splendor that first captured my attention. I would not

however, attempted to create a sequel or prequel as they have done. Such attempts,

while somewhat entertaining, will never capture the magic, the brilliance, the

perfection, and the overall wonder of the great and wonderful Wizard of Oz.

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Becca Interview