Bloggy Blog

Diana Ortiz spent over half her life in prison for a crime she committed when she was a teenager. Now 45, she has turned her life around and works to help other inmates rebuild their lives. Exodus is her story. See the project at http://mediastorm.com/training/exodus

Today, we will be watching Exodus by the folks from Mediastorm. On the Mediastorm site they write about Exodus:

Exodus tells the story of Diana Ortiz, 45, who spent over half her life in prison. She says it saved her. Diana dropped out of high school at 18 to live with a man twice her age. To pay for their drug habit, her boyfriend devised a scheme to lure a man into a secluded Coney Island parking lot and rob him. In the early hours of August 20, 1983, the robbery veered off-course and two men were shot. One was killed. Though Diana was not at the scene of the shooting, she was sentenced to 17 years to life for her role in the murder. She served twenty-two and a half years. While behind bars Diana earned her master's degree, developed a strong identity and self confidence. She is now an inspiration for other inmates, helping them to rebuild their lives.This workshop story was inspired by the New York Times story about Diana Ortiz titled Convicted of Murder as Teenager and Paroled at 41.

Today, in class you will need to revise your blog. Make sure it includes:

• Embedded mediastorm video you watched
• Link to Mediastorm Site
• Invite Ariana and I to be writers on your blog. Tell me when you invite me and I will approve and then you will give me administrative permission.

We will then revise your blog by:

• Include in your writing descriptive sentences describing the music or soundtrack, imagery, interviews and message of the film.
  

• Ask two students in the class to read your blog and give your feedback which will make you revise your writing.