In this month's issue(it's a long one!):
*News
*Monthly Stuff
*Site of the Month
*Character of the Month: Cora Cartmell
*Chicago Experience
*History with Kelly
*Reviews by Jeremy
*Melting the Iceberg
NEWS
*B2T News
Many things have been updated! Stop by our Film Info section to read more about your favorite scenes. A FAQ section is up for those questions you just have always wanted to ask, but never had the chance to. Titanic Obsessed? Check out our new Obsession Signs. And finally place one or two of our new Countdowns/Countups on your web site!
With the New Year we will be bringing in some new additions to the always-growing staff at B2T. If you desire to be a staff member please send admin an e mail and express your desires and what you would like to do on the staff!
The staff at Back-to-Titanic would like to wish you and yours the best this holiday season and in the New Year!
*Titanic News James Cameron had an interview in November's Issue of Premiere Magazine. In it he discussed Titanic, Dark Angel and his aspirations to go to the Mir Space Station.
Leo's upcoming movie, Catch Me if You Can is on the skids now as the SAG strike date (June First) comes closer and Gangs of New York is yet to wrap up, running a reported three months over it's target wrap-up date…and could go longer. Since companies are getting nervous about signing actors to begin filming after April First of the coming year, it is quite possible that Catch Me if You Can will never be filmed, having Gangs of New York be DiCaprio's last film prior to the strike. DiCaprio has stated that he wants a rest after the rigorous film schedule he has been on since the filming began and doesn't want to be forced to rush to film another.
Kate Winslet is having a Titanic experience of her own. In recent weeks London has experienced some above average rainfall which raised the water level of the Themes River. Winslet, whom owns a house on the river has so far been able to keep the water at bay with the aid of some sandbags. So far all is holding up to protect her home.
In other Kate news, her newest movie, Quills is slated for a full release on December 2nd. Look for it in a theater near you!
And finally, you will have to get used to the calmer and quieter Kate Winslet. Since giving birth to her daughter Mia Honey, Winslet has sworn off her beloved cigarettes (and swearing!). She claims that she has really “calmed down” since becoming a mother. Congrats to Kate, your daughter will one day thank you!
MONTHLY STUFF
Wallpaper by Jen
Quote: "I believe you are blushing…"
URL of this month's wallpaper: click here
*Titanic in December's History
December 12th, 1901 - Guglielmo Marconi sends first translatic radio signal; wireless communication between ships at sea becomes possible. December 23rd, 1915 - First voyage of Britannic as hospital ship.
*Titanic Movie Fact of the Month
Much like the movie they were filming, the staff and actors behind Titanic were separated into three classes.
The "First Class" consisted of the core actors/actresses and the head of the production staff. They were treated to fine dining and had their own personal trailers for the duration of the filming.
The "Second Class" consisted of mainly the production staff and the "main" actors (basically any character with a storyline). They were treated to decent food and comfortable quarters, however not as extravagant as the First Class.
The "Third Class" consisted of mainly extras. A few extras would eat with Second Class depending on where they were working that day and how sneaky they could be. The food "sucked" agreed most extras. They ate the general Mexican Fare, which was edible at best. The extras were mostly commuters so they weren't provided with quarters for living.
*Titanic Historical Fact of the Month
Very few staterooms, if any, were ever locked on the Titanic. All valuables that one felt could be stolen were checked in with the purser. If one wanted a room locked, they had to call a steward whom would use a key (that fit most staterooms) and lock it for them. The steward would have to then be called to get back into the room upon their return.
SITE OF THE MONTH BY: JEN
I would like to congratulate Elizabeth from The Kate and Leo Cafe, who is the proud recipient of an award plaque distinguishing her site as B2T's Site of the Month for December. Her site is a real gem, full of wonderful fan fiction stories, a great menu, and other surprises.
Here is what Elizabeth had to say:
Jen: What made you become interested in Titanic?
Elizabeth: Saw the movie and liked it. The page is basically hosting fanfiction stories, which I first came across when surfing a webpage, which had a banner. So I clicked it and after the first story I was hooked.
Jen: How long has your site been in existence?
Elizabeth: To tell the truth I don't know how long the page has existed, as I took over when Shelly (the former webmaster of the page) couldn't handle it anymore. The page has been there since I started reading fan fiction, which would be in 1998.
Jen: In your opinion, what is the best feature on your site?
Elizabeth: The best feature would be the fan fiction library, which is also the one I update more often. This section hosts 244 stories and 58 links. The stories are written by fans.
Jen: What advice would you like to give to other webmasters out there?
Elizabeth: Don't bother when you just can't get people to sign your guestbook - try posting a poll - people tend to comment on those much more. Use FTP - it's a lot faster! Also, don't worry if you can't get your page on Yahoo! - they just won't accept some pages even though they're better than the ones they have already!
Visit The Kate and Leo Cafe - http://katenleo.tripod.com
Become the Site of the Month! - http://www.back-to-titanic.com/sites/mast/month/
CHARACTER OF THE MONTH: CORA CARTMELL
*Biography
Cora Cartmell is the only daughter of her father, Bert. Arriving in Southampton her and her father were travelling to the America in hopes of a new start. Her favorite possession is her china doll in which she is never without. On the trip to America, Cora is befriended by Jack, whom she becomes a bit possessive about. Once Jack assures Cora that she is his best girl she doesn't pay attention to the pretty red haired lady that is always with him. She enjoys sitting with Jack while he teaches her to draw or draws her while she is on deck. The night of the sinking Cora woke from a dead sleep when the ship hits the iceberg. Her father grabbed her and they waited patiently as the cold water rose higher and higher. Eventually the water covered her face and all went black.
*Graphics
click here
click here
click here
COPAL'S QUEUE
MouseOver buttons
The last few articles in this column have involved Photoshop, so I wanted to open your eyes wider in the world of coding. On the Back to Titanic website, we feature a left navigation menu, which includes buttons that convex and concave depending on whether the cursor hovers over the button. This is what's called a mouseOver in JavaScript.
Download this template:
click here
Open a simple text program (Notepad, Wordpad, or equivalent). Go to "File | Open" and select the template. What you will see is HTML code for a single mouseOver button.
Let's break down what this all means. First you are declaring that you are going to be using HTML. The next tag is the beginning of the head of the page. Then the title of the page (what appears at the top of the window when the page is viewed), and then it is declared that script will be used. Everything from 'script language="javascript1.2"' to '/script' is JavaScript. Using /* within JavaScript hides the text unless it's being viewed just as code (similarly to HTML's cloaking techniques). This text is to give credit to the originator of this script.
Next you want to explain which images you want to show up. You are declaring that img1 is going to be an image (new Image meaning it has not been loaded previously). Then img1.src is for img1's source or URL. This is the image that appears when the mouse is elsewhere on the page. Do similarly for img2, which is the image for when the cursor is over the button.
The script ends there and basic tags of beginning the body of the page and what the background color should be. The A tag appears to indicate where the hyperlink begins. HREF is for hyperlink reference, or the URL of the link. This is standard, but now you need to direct the Javascript when to show one image or the other. The event onMouseOut is the opposite of onMouseOver. After this begins the img tag, which needs a source (src), which should be the image onMouseOut (the cursor is not over the image). There is an end tag to the A tag, and a few line breaks. Then you are declaring that the body is over and so is the HTML coding.
Keep the following in mind as you customize it to your own page:
- Anything in caps can be changed.
- "NAME" should be the same word every time, but it doesn't have to be the file name. It can be anything.
- "FILENAME(OFF)" should be the image that you want to be there when the mouse is off the image; therefore "FILENAME(ON)" is self-explanatory.
- If you don't want an alt tag just use ALT="" instead of ALT="THE FILE".
- Be certain the codes go before or after the tags shown here.
To make multiple mouseOver buttons, copy these sections:
img1=new Image() img1.src="FILENAME(OFF).gif" img2=new Image() img2.src="FILENAME(ON).gif"
Remember to leave a full line between each group to keep track. You will need to change the img numbers (img1 and img2 to img3 and img4). Also copy this code:
Remove the two *s for it to work. You will need to change the img numbers again to reflect the matching numbers you made above. The NAME for the first button should not be the same as the previous button. It can be anything you choose.
Sometimes all of this can seem overwhelming. Anything complex and new can be difficult to learn at first. Of course, you have to work to know how to make excellent websites.
For more scripts like this visit:
Dynamic Drive
Javascript World
CHICAGO EXPERIENCE
Chicago Experience will be continued next month due to the LONG list =)
HISTORY WITH KELLY
Okay, people. Our theme this month is Cora, so I am going to do the some famous children. (Historical of course) So, here we are.
Name: Master Robert Douglas Spedden
Class: 1st
Born: November 19, 1905
Location: New York City
Died: August 6, 1915
Age: 9
On November 19, 1905 in New York City, Master Robert Douglas Spedden was born to Frederic Oakley Spedden and Daisy Spedden. They resided in Tuxedo Park, NY.
Late 1911 brought Douglas and his to Algiers on the Caronia. With him came his nurse, Elizabeth Burns, who he called "Muddie Brown" because he had trouble saying her name. From Algiers, they went first to Monte and Carlos and then Paris. At the end of their European holiday, in April of 1912, the group boarded the Titanic in Cherbourg to go home. Douglas and Muddie Brown stayed in cabin E-40.
After the collision, Douglas was woken by Muddie who told him they were going on a "trip to see the stars." The group then made their way to the starboard side and boarded lifeboat 3. After all the available women and children were boarded, the men were allowed to join their families.
In 1913, Douglas's mom wrote and illustrated a storybook for Douglas about their European travels, the sinking of the Titanic, and their rescue. The story was told through the eyes of a toy bear and was called "My Story."
August 6, 1915, brought nine year old Douglas into another disaster when he was hit by a car on Grindstone Neck, Winter Harbour, near the family's summer camp in Maine. It was the first recorded car accident in the state. Douglas later died from the concussion he received and was buried in New York City.
Name: Miss Helen Loraine Allison
Class: 1st
Born: June 5, 1909
Died: April 15, 1912
Age: 2
On June 5, 1909 Helen Loraine Allison was born to Hudson Allison and Bess Allison. She also had a brother named Trevor. She found herself on the Titanic with her parents, her brother, and Trevor's nurse, Alice Cleaver. After the accident Trevor went missing with his nurse. When the Allison's realized this they resolved that they would not leave the Titanic until Trevor was found. They also wouldn't be parted from Loraine. The last time they were seen they were standing on the promenade deck, smiling.
Loraine Allison was the only child in first or second class to die, although 53 of 76 children perished in 3rd class. Her body was never found.
Name: Miss Ruth Becker
Class: 2nd
Born: 1900
Died: 1990
Miss Ruth Elizabeth Becker boarded Titanic at Southampton with her mother Nellie, brother Richard, and sister Marion. They were going from India to Michigan with ticket 230136,39.
When they were loading the boats a steward put Richard and Marion in lifeboat #11 and then informed everyone that the lifeboat was full. Nellie began to plead so that she would be allowed to join her children. She was allowed in but Ruth was left behind. Nellie yelled for her to get in another and she eventually got into #13.
After the sinking, Ruth gave her blanket to one of the stokers and was now shivering in the night air.
Ruth later attended high school and college in Ohio. Then, she became a High School teacher in Kansas and married former classmate Daniel Blanchard. She divorced him 20 years later. When Ruth was younger she refused to talk about the Titanic, but did eventually when she was retired. In March of 1990, she went on her first cruise since 1912 to Mexico. She died later that year at the age of 90 and her remains were scattered over the Titanic's resting place.
Tune in next month for History with Kelly.
REVIEWS BY JEREMY
Review of NBC's Broadcast of Titanic
Do you ever get the feeling of Christmas when watching a movie? I get this feeling of anticipation of what will come! Picture this: Someone running around a house all day giddy because he gets to see a world premiere of something that meant a whole lot to him in the past. That person is I. NBC did a really good job of promoting the movie these past few weeks. It really got me in the mood to see the movie, especially the commercial with the Indians around a thanksgiving table with the pilgrims singing My Heart Will Go On. That is a classic commercial that will forever stick in my mind.
Six o'clock hits and you hear the wonderful pluck of an instrument and then the ever so lovely voice of Sissel chanting the theme song of Titanic. A flood of emotion comes over me during this one pivotal moment. This scene captures the eyes of viewers forever trapping them in the movie. The descent of the vessels, the pounding of my heart, all in sync with each other. It is times like these that you do not want it to end. The first few lines are said, and then you see what NBC has done to the movie, they have edited it.
The Southampton scene is quite touching on its own. I like the part of waving goodbye to an old life, and to a new life, in a sense, death. It totally parallels with what is about to happen to those aboard the ship. Notice though the bright colors during this scene, especially with the clothing. Everyone is wearing dark colors because the scene is one of Rose darker moments in the movie. I did notice something new this time around, Helga and Fabrizio do meet as Jack and him are searching for their cabins. It is just a glance, but something we will never see in its entirety which also leaves a mood of mysteriousness for the catchy viewer out there.
I cannot help but praise NBC on the picture quality, the sharpness and tint use was perfect! The colors were even better than the VCR tape. The sound quality is also superb because I can hear things I did not hear before in the VCR or movie theater. It is actually comforting in some scenes.
I do not like the part about NBC blurring out Jacks artwork. I feel the artwork is an important part of who Jack Dawson is and it is art in good taste. NBC has also censored instances of the use of God or Jesus in a negative tone, but those uses were used as a humorous part or serious part of the plot, they were pivotal instances in the movie. NBC also cut the middle finger usage. Again, it is part of Rose growth she is starting to break away from her old life.
The one thing that still captures me is the art. The artistic element used in the flying scene is superb, the colors are what set the tone of the scene. I always had a love for this scene. It captured me and still does to this day, and tears of admiration come from me during this scene. It is art that just touches your soul.
I really like the use of Cameron's music cues. Especially during the Nearer My God to Thee part. I Salonisti does a great job performing it. It is the one scene that makes me cry for sorrow.
After viewing the movie it has renewed my love in Titanic the movie and Titanic the ship. It has made me love each passenger on that ship, it has also made me realize that the death those people endured is something no one can ever experience in a sheltered life such as living in the Midwest, like me. It has renewed my eagerness to learn about who each person was and their story on Titanic. I am enchanted by that ship, enchanted by the beauty and enchanted by how society saw it. I really want to help in the saving of the ship, but I also respect the ship as sort of a stopping point, a grave-yard, as the final scene delicately puts it. A ship of dreams, a ship of hope, a ship of fear, and a ship of love.
MELTING THE ICEBERG
Part II
Exploring the Character of Rose DeWitt Bukater
____________________________
In last month's issue of Making Waves, we were introduced to the idea of Mise-en-Scene (symbolism in film) and how James Cameron incorporated this notion into his 1997 film Titanic to create mood, connect time and character, and develop characters. This month, we will delve more deeply into character development, and the symbolism associated with it.
After the connection of Rose's portrait to her actual character, we see old Rose admiring a selection of recovered artifacts from the Titanic wreck. Among these is her hand-mirror. As she turns it, her reflection comes into view, giving the idea that she at that point reflecting on a pivotal moment in her life. We get the idea of the moment being a distressing turning-point from the crack in the glass.
Another artifact which greatly interacts with Rose's character development is her infamous butterfly comb. The entire movie contains references to the concepts of metamorphosis and emergence. This parallels Rose's emotional transformation like that of a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon to become a butterfly. The butterfly comb was chosen to symbolism this concept. The butterfly theme also comes into play later in the film, where we first see Rose stepping out of the Renault. The first part of her body we see is her hand, fully covered, as is her body apart from her face. This suit represents the idea of her being trapped in her 'cocoon', waiting to be free.
Later in the film, we see Rose let her hair down before being sketched by Jack. It is this moment in her life where she has chosen to emerge from her cocoon, spread her wings, and fly into the inevitable.
We next are introduced to the connection of Rose's paintings with her character, the most significant being her Degas collection. The Degas paintings represent Rose's admiration of his courage to try new things, a quality Rose herself has not yet discovered. It is also noticed that during any of Rose's confrontations with either Cal or her mother, the Degas painting of colorful dancers is always visible in the background, indicative of the freedom and joy Rose can only dream of.
We next see Rose at luncheon with other First Class passengers, after which she walks out to the deck, admiring the view of the ocean. This is also the point in time where Jack and Rose first see each other. The levels used in this scene are very indicative of the virtual impossibility of Jack ever being with Rose. She is on the higher level, while Jack is lower. There is a well deck between them both, an invisible barrier between the First and Third Classes. Behind her is the sun, emphasizing her angelic, innocent character.
After this point, Rose decides to try and end her life, escaping the grips of her Mother and Cal through the only way she knows. It is this point in the film where she first meets Jack, at the stern of the ship. The stern of the ship plays an important part in Rose's development. James Cameron writes,
"As a writer, I don't think Rose would really jump. This guy starts to 'talk her down', and she ends up feeling as though she has to go through with it to prove she was right. The situation cuts right through all of the personal boundaries, connecting Jack and Rose immediately at the heart level. They have a bond. There can be no secrets." (Cameron: 1998)
The stern is where Rose's main emotions exercised. First, her will to end her life, next her will to survive (during the 'cork' scene, where both herself and Jack ironically climb the opposite way over the rail) and finally when she opens her heart to reveal to the audience a secret she has kept with her all of her life (the Heart of the Ocean). We also see something towards the end of the film where Rose stands at the stern of the Keldysh. There is a shot very similar to that when Rose attempts suicide, looking up at her from the ocean's point-of-view. This parallel represents the idea that the young girl is still alive inside of her. The old woman still has many secrets, as she did when she was seventeen. The story of Jack and Rose is merely one of them.
Many thanks to all those fans who have taken the time to read this article. I'll be meeting you all once again next month, when we will look at the character of Jack Dawson. Until then, Bon Voyage!
That's all for this month! Stay on board for next month, when we will introduce the new staff members!
|