If buffalo place did not exist there would definitely be less life and events in the downtown. There would be no concerts or thursday at the harbor, which brings about half of canalside’s visitors during the summer anyways. The economy in downtown would definitely be hurting a lot more without buffalo place. One of the conventions we discussed was “technicality of realism” which is filming a scene or shot without any artificial interference. This means all natural sets, sound, and lighting, and even natural interference too. As far as my documentary goes I want to make it about the current state of downtown in multiple fields of what makes a city’s downtown, downtown. I do not want to reveal much else, but I feel pretty confident and I plan to finish writing out the storyboard by this Tuesday. By the way, the Dark Knight Rises was amazing!

I thoroughly enjoyed canal side. Even though there is much construction debris, there is definite improvement taking place. The new addition of the white imported sand and colored beach chairs is awkward but is a sign of initiative to make improvements on the canal side. The canal side is a very important part of buffalo and the history within and I am glad to see that it is such a popular attraction that is continuing to be improved upon. As far as “man with the movie camera” goes I found it rather unique. Never boring, but always surprising at every scene change. I loved the way they went back and forth among many different shots of naturally fast paced working hands and machines, that was very cool. I hope that element of the movie can be implemented into something I do in my own documentary,

Personally I feel that the green code has some good potential, but I think it may be more harmful than beneficial. I mean it can be good because it will allow for easier and more immediate development without all the hassle of the ancient buffal zoning code. On the other hand if it gets rid of the minimum parking requirements then there will eventually be less parking space in downtown buffalo. Less parking is not the answer. Mayor Brown’s speakers advocating for the green code are saying that this will promote other forms of transportation, but hasn’t the city’s major investment in the metro rail proved unsuccessful and harmful to the downtown economy since it closed down large portions of main street to cars? Less parking means less business from people outside of the city. Keep the minimum parking codes, i say, and save the city from further damage. Why is the green code called “green” anyways? Is it meant to be some environmental movement? I remember the speaker who came in to talk about the green code was talking about how it’s good that there will be less parking because there will be less cars which means less global warming. I really don’t think that is a valid excuse for less parking. Also I am not very fond of the secrecy of the green code, the way that there are only pictures and no documents available to the general public.

The videos we watched on Wednesday were very helpful to understand and realize the types of documentaries we will be making to an extent. I liked the style of the first video about graffiti for the most part, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way a poem was used at the beginning to reveal the video maker’s idea/argument. I liked the way the 3rd video we watched (all taken near the Buffalo River in grain mills) was conducted but it lacked voice, and I feel that a good documentary needs a little vocal support at least. I think that music, voice, and a variety of camera angle would make for a good documentary. I particularly liked how the last video we watched (on the Waterfront Alliance) was conducted like a personal journey to find an answer, but the end kept me searching in my head to figure out what the answer was and what the problem even was.

I would like to see some more recreational “kid/teen friendly” style businesses in downtown Buffalo so that the area can develop into an even more diversified and youthful place. Low-fee places like a new skate-park or a roller rink would be cool, similar to the ice-skating rink in Fountain Plaza. Maybe even a nostalgic video-arcade would be a good idea, as it could appeal to all ages. The benefits of such businesses would be to bring more people into the downtown area, and making Buffalo seem more lively. Some barriers or potential problems with these ideas is that public places that attract teenage youth can many times lead to trouble with rowdy kids, but its not a huge worry.

Today the Buffalo Youth Media Institute went on a tour through a good chunk of downtown Buffalo. As time went on the downtown area started to come alive and by noon there were many people out-and-about. It was interesting to take into account how something as simple as a fairly short wall can affect what side of the street people may choose for a plaza to sit down in. It was also certainly apparent that distinct parts of downtown attract more people, and where there is “more people”, more people tend to join. The most interesting thing I saw today was probably the interior of the Buffalo Savings Bank. Some improvements I would like to see in downtown Buffalo would be a renewal of many old buildings and for there to be less vacancies.

“What does the phrase “downtown renaissance” mean to me? Well to me, “downtown” is the heart of every city, it characterizes the city and gives it its meaning. “Downtown” is a specific location within every city, but it is more than that, it is where the city gets its culture from. “Renaissance” means a revitalization, revolution, or rebirth of ideas and culture, especially among the arts in a given area. Therefore a “downtown renaissance” is a new coming of art and culture to redefine a city and its well known characteristics, and to bring about a new mindset of ideas and motivation to rebirth and rebuild downtown to its original greatness or even better, so as to make that city “great” once again. -Griffin Schultz”