FINALLY
we are finished
This was such a crazy stressful process, especially since we had to reshoot an interview halfway through the week.
It was worth the stress. What we have now is a piece we are all happy with, and something that we never could have visualised.
Our four days of production is now officially over, and it went really really well. We now have around 109.4gb and about 2.5 hours worth of footage to sift through and hopefully produce something watchable. In the photo above we are basically sifting the clips and trimming them into just the good bits. This is to hopefully speed up our editing process, starting on Monday.
The film has to be between 2 and 5 five minutes in length, so we shouldn't have TOO much of a challenge finding the right footage to use. The issue is finding the RIGHT footage to use.
But yeah, this experience has been really exhausting, but genuinely super fun at the same time.
WOOo we finally started production and it has gone SUPER well. We arrived at the fire station at 8:50am and introduced ourselves to Blue Watch (the watch that was doing that shift). They then had their pre shift briefing, discussing what they were to do during the day. This we filmed, so basically we were thrown in the deep end, having to set up immediately and film literally everything.
We then spent most of our morning obtaining interior footage for part of our overall piece.
Later on in the day we had the opportunity to film a visit from a charity that takes care of people with learning difficulties. For this the watch showed them all the gear, inside the fire engine and even the water hose and the pump. This was a great opportunity to practice our handheld skills and also our ability to film on the fly and to make snappy decisions to capture the events as they happened. We really enjoyed this opportunity.
IT'S GOING REALLY SMOOTHLY.
I went to devon for the weekend (last weekend) before the manic week that we just went through. The weird thing was that I KNEW it would be busy this week, and whilst I was with my family it almost felt as if uni didn't exist, at least for a short while.
Some decent candids tho
Here it is, my final piece. It has been quite the slog but it definitely has been worth it.
Respite noun: a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
I chose this title to reflect how I interpreted the dance itself. I felt that the dancers were representative of two beings wherein one felt strong enough to continue with their journey on their own, believing that they did not require the others' help, and the other being who knew that the first was going to need some rest.
But in trying to catch up to the first being, the second being grew tired of chasing, and when the first being saw this she realised that they needed each other to rely on; to provide each other with a short period of rest or relief from an unpleasant experience (shown through the chase).
And it is through these two beings' brief coming together they provide each other with that "Respite" both of them have been craving all along.
EDITING
From a practical standpoint, looking back at the actual process of editing and the scope of edits produced by people on my course, it has really shown me how many levels of interpretation can come from the same set of rushes.This unit has really taught me how to combine standardised linear editing and continuity editing with very basic clip manipulation (such as freeze frames and opacity control) to create unique visual styles that have the potential to give films that little bit more to make them special.
I adopted the idea of montage in my video (hence all the jump cuts n stuff).
Eisenstein's Montage: The process of juxtaposing images by editing to create ideas that have an impact beyond the individual meaning.
I used frequent jump cuts to give the film a disjointed edge, but to also hint at the possibility of the dancers being intertwined in a surreal nature where segments of time are skipped forward and backward that can result in freeze frames from the past and future that distort the dancers' reality. This is why they are searching for each other in this dance - to gain a respite from the chaotic, confusing world around them. This is done to create a slight narrative, sort of adhering to Tordorovs idea of 'equilibrium' although not all elements of the theory are seen throughout the duration of the piece. The basic idea of equilibrium is that the character undergoes a semantic shift from one state of thinking to another in a series of stages. Whether these changes are for the better is another question.
In a way the two characters both undergo a shift in understanding when they realise that, in working together, they can give each other respite from a nasty situation.
GRAPHIC STUFF
Probably my favourite part of my video was the graphic design. I was going to make the titles on Premier, but I couldn't get my fonts to work at all and so I made the graphics in Illustrator, exported them as .pngs and scaled them accordingly to fit the frame.MUSIC
My soundtrack is a piece by French Producer Broken Drop titled 'Alpha', and is a song that I chose because of its ability to fit the jumpy, surreal style of the piece.
Sources:
http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/pages/montage/montage-1.html : Eisentsteins Montage
For our Image Factory unit we must produce a two to four edit of an alternative dance video we shot a couple weeks ago.
The set up for the shoot was fairly simple. We were split off into five groups of four and had 45 minutes to record the entire dance. This meant that in post we could compile all five groups' footage and perhaps use footage that we may not have had the time to capture, or was simply better.
Due to the nature of the project, there was barely any time to carry out any pre-production save a few minutes before shooting to watch the dance and then brainstorm. This meant much of the footage was done on the fly.
But enough about this mumbo jumbo that happened ages ago. I pretty much have no knowledge of how to edit a music video. And I guess this is there part where I watch a load of videos and see what I can draw from them.
"Starting West" - Filmmaker Michael
I like this video because of it's unique take on forms of movement. I really liked how it used the slit-scan effect to distort the dancers' movements. It gave it a pretty surreal feeling.
I decided to give this technique a go on one of the long takes of the entire dance, however, there was too much movement within the frame to make it look vaguely presentable and it just didn't feel it was the right time to use that effect.
I guess from this point I decided to try and keep the edit simple, using continuity editing to my advantage, thus letting the piece breathe a little bit
I decided to give this technique a go on one of the long takes of the entire dance, however, there was too much movement within the frame to make it look vaguely presentable and it just didn't feel it was the right time to use that effect.
I guess from this point I decided to try and keep the edit simple, using continuity editing to my advantage, thus letting the piece breathe a little bit
This is a music video for the son "U and I" by Sarh. This video is such a complex idea but it has been pulled off magnificently. Although this one was such a big shoot that had been probably months in the making, I still liked the idea behind it and decided to adopt a similar one in my final piece.
Director - Paul Trillo
DP - Greg Wilson
I love the art direction in this film and how the Director and the Director of Photography have managed to portray the two dancers in such an intimate way but in the context of a massive scale (the birth of the universe) to really demonstrate how strong a bond between two people can be
The synopsis:
"A man and a woman chase each other through the birth of the universe"
Director - Paul Trillo
DP - Greg Wilson
I love the art direction in this film and how the Director and the Director of Photography have managed to portray the two dancers in such an intimate way but in the context of a massive scale (the birth of the universe) to really demonstrate how strong a bond between two people can be
The synopsis:
"A man and a woman chase each other through the birth of the universe"
I also looked at more contemporary dance and improvisation dance videos that are more structured to how I want my final piece to look.
Olga Kuraeva [improvisation] [contemporary ballet]
This video is sort of the style we aimed for when shooting our rushes; by capturing the intimate moments between both dancers (or in this case, the sentiment displayed by one dancer).
Watching this I felt like I was looking into something deeply personal since there was rarely a frame where there was a wide shot of the room she was in, and any frames the dancer was in, her body was often cut off at the bottom or top thus obliging the viewer to get closer to the dance as a piece of art.
Watching this I felt like I was looking into something deeply personal since there was rarely a frame where there was a wide shot of the room she was in, and any frames the dancer was in, her body was often cut off at the bottom or top thus obliging the viewer to get closer to the dance as a piece of art.
This is our synopsis for our short film/documentary:
Below that is another potential synopsis that we scrapped
SCRAPPED ONE: "Our aim is to observe the day-to-day running of the fire station whilst attempting to give a meaningful insight into the complex but often mundane parts of being a firefighter."
Obligatory synopsis selfie:
Bird Watching Synopsis/Treatment:
We also decided to pursue other options since it is only wise to give ourselves a plan B if the fire fighter idea falls through. Our synopsis is as follows:
“Watchers” is a film that hopes to represent the disconnected relationship between humans and nature through the medium of Bird watching, and how this hobby has the potential to reconnect us with nature.
In this
film we really want to take the viewer on a journey, from a feeling of
"disconnection" to an eventual realisation that nature around us is
undeniably beautiful. We believe we can achieve this by documenting a
Birdwatchers journey to their observation point, and how their fascination to
observe nature and wildlife enables them to reconnect with nature; an
intrinsic part of being human.
We intend to create a soundtrack that builds gradually throughout the film, starting in an urban environment that transitions slowly, climaxing with as many sounds of the countryside/wildlife as possible. This will hopefully reinforce the idea of reconnecting with nature and will take the viewer on an audible as well as a visual journey.
Initially we will try and use a shallow depth of field and close up shots combined with the sounds of traffic to show the absence of nature, and the dominating presence of man-made things. As we progress towards the location of the bird watching, the sound of the man made things will become less prominent and the sounds of nature more so (as aforementioned). As we get to the location we will use more wide shots, showing off the landscape as well as the subject in that landscape.
Interviews will be conducted either prior to filming commences or perhaps on location as it may give a more authentic feel as the responses to the questions will be influenced by what they are feeling in that moment.
Currently trying to write an e-mail to a councilman to get permission for our documentary idea.
Emily went in to the local fire station and inquired about the possibility of filming the day to day goings on there but also the possibility of asking some of the workers a few questions.
The workers at the station gave us the initial go-ahead but recommended that we write an email to the the partnership between the council and the fire station outlining what we want to film and our intentions with the finished film.
Progress is good but there is still a way to go.
This documentary project begins with research.
Lots and lots of research. But what I love about
doing a film course is the fact that most of this
“research” is watching documentaries that I
aspire to one day be able to rival.
The first one I watched was ‘Analogue people
in a digital age.’
Synopsis:
As the analogue age draws to a close, I
eight men sit in an Irish bar and battle to remain
relevant in the digital world; the TV in the corner
a harbringer of this technological future.
Set in a pub in Ireland, this film sets itself out as a
documentary about changing technologies, but then
as it progresses, becomes a film more about society
and lifestyle. And that is why I like it. It is very surpr
ising.
I’m sure the filmmakers weren’t expecting
to be encountering conversations about Einsteins
theory of relativity or politics or even poetry quotes.
I also love this documentary because it is beautifully
cinematic and just plain honest in the way the subjects
are portrayed.
A collage documenting my creative process from the beginning of the project (top left) to the end of the project (bottom right).
The reason I have so many attempts is because I hadn't done enough research for me to develop my initial idea (which was something to do with hiding or concealing ones identity). I discovered this in feedback sessions with my tutors, and it gave me the kick up the backside I needed to get into some books and the internet to find some inspiration.
My "inspiration" for my photo didn't come from looking at a photo and a light suddenly switched on. No. It came from Photographer Freeman Patterson who, when commenting on developing originality in portraiture said:
"The camera goes both ways. In expressing the subject, you also express yourself."
Here I began to think about what I was trying to express about myself through my portrait. I guess I discovered how both creative expression is intrinsically linked to personal identity, and, on it's most basic level tackle the question;"what is identity?"
But I did look at some photographs for reference, to see if I could adopt some of the techniques they used and incorporate it into my own work. I looked at American based surrealist photographer Kyle Thompson.
And so that is a shortened down explanation of how I got to my final piece. I am a bit nervous to present but it's just what we have to do to develop as creative people.
 |
| above: final submission, titled "Identity (n)" |
As the clouds rolled in and the fog settled, an eerie atmosphere rested upon the city, giving off an ethereal vibe that sent shivers down the spines of those wandering the night.
But as creepy as the fog was, it did present a unique photographic opportunity. The fog did a wonderful job of diffusing light. This combined with the soft reflections of the wet floor proved to be extraordnarily cinematic, for example:
Also:
It was pretty special to say the least.
write your thoughts about my blog in the comments section below
Take a drink every time I say "I guess." In the presentation I didn't say much of what I wrote down/planned to write... oops. I was also pretty nervous, probably because I was overthinking stuff when I should have let it be natural more natural.
I should also speak up (sorry Megan).
But overall I got some very positive feedback from my tutors. I have been told that I have a "very distinct graphic identity" a "perfectly chosen theme" and that I have "shown awareness of the environment around me." Apparently...
My research needs to be more obvious in my blog. I need to show my inspirations so I can develop more as a creative person.
JOKE
I hate russian nest dolls. they are so full of themselves #madbanter
With Deadline Day rapidly approaching, DFSA grows anxious. Rapid photoshoots and quickfire tutorials are the order of the day. Everyone is desperate for feedback and uneasy about the outcome of their hard work.
The photo above is probably going to be my final submission. I feel like it represents the outburst of creative expression, and how creative expression is intrinsically linked to personal identity (or at least, that's how I am going to explain it).
OTHER ATTEMPTS:
What's shaki... no shut it we aren't cool enough to pull that off (not that it's ever stopped you before amiright).
Everything is going well at the moment. The skybridge is making progress and the engineers tell me it is progressing ahead of schedule and that it should be ready within 3 weeks at the most (I don''t believe them).
As to what we do now, you mostly stay in film. You collaborate with so many interesting people and you may or may not be a highly recognised cinematographer. Well, that's where we are at the moment. But it's not so much about the destination, it's the journey. And trust me, you do NOT want to skip the journey.
Regards,
You
P.S. Jamie came to visit the other day with his pirate buddies. Turns out the former captain is actually KSIolajidebt's father, who has allowed Jamie to post on KSI's (R.I.P.) YouTube account, which will be the first post since his (KSI's) banishment.
Jamie won't shut up about it
Well? Have you?
Hey again.
The engineers told me the skybridge is still a couple months off of completion, which means I've got some down time which means I can write you more and more letters and freak you out about your future and encourage you to keep on going.
I know by now you are wondering if you get married or have kids or something like that. But I don't wanna spoil it for you. I'm sure you'd understand. The only thing I'll tell you is it'll come around, don't you worry.
Anyway, since I've got loads of time to write these letters I'd thought I would give you an update on your friends. Jamie is now the chief of the Somalian pirates. He didn't tell me exactly how he managed to do it, but now I just imagine a bunch of cockney speaking Somalian Pirates. Classic Jamie.
Ahh dang it there is some kerfuffle down at the food court. I have to go sort that out. I'll talk to you next time. Hopefully the skybridge will be up soon, then I can go visit the home we grew up in, see if it survived.
Regards,
You
P.S. Your bro is here with me, he said he just sent you a weird joke about something that is pink and hangs at Grandads waist. He is still such a weirdo.
So uhhh, how are things? I should probably know that to be honest, after all I am you.
Lawrence got into an argument with a Subterranean Planeswalker and unfortunately got his subconscious trapped in a partial time paradox. He now spends his time haunting his ancestors and fighting the ethereal Honey Boo Boo Godzilla. The Planeswalker refuses to free his subconscious, something about him being a "excuse making f**kboy" (his words, not mine).
Jamie got captured by Somalian Pirates. I haven't heard from him in seven years.
Earth was too polluted to stay on (turns out Wall-E was true). As I type this the mechanics are putting the finishing touches onto the new skybridge that should allow us to clear the debris from the earths atmosphere and eventually re-populate and start fresh.
By the way, in two years the Skeleton War will rage. I know in 2014 it was just a funny tumblr joke, but heed my word, those boney bastards will kill every last one of you.
Regards,
You
P.S. We still don't know who this "4chan" is.
Dear Internet, It's been a long time since we first met. The first time I laid eyes on you, you weren't very advanced. Your UI was messy and for some reason you were obsessed with the colour grey. I never really had proper internet at home. Tesco dial up was the most modern it got. I think it was something like 1p for every minute you were on there, and we were never on there for long to be honest (it was shocking, sorry internet).
HOWEVER, you were also kind to me, providing me with hours of entertainment with my mate. Me and him used to go to the local library, get an hour on the computers and booted up http://www.miniclip.com/ and spent an hour every saturday hacking and slashing our way through basic flash games. Seriously. The amount of time I spent on your games was insane and you know what? I don't regret it for a second.
I don't even know what they mean. I am embarrassed.
I now understand why not many people liked me.
BUT I'VE CHANGED I PROMISE I GOT 15 LIKES ON A PHOTO ONCE.
*ahem*
As much as I like autumn, I like summer more. Looking back at the photos I took over the month of summer I realised how much I ended up doing and finally understand the reason why I am so tired. Like, seriously, I can't remember what it feels like to be fully rested. I have no regrets. It was the best summer I've ever had.
Let's get real here folks. I am lazy, I suck at organisation, my room is a mess and worst of all I lack motivation. This means my work is often disjointed and sometimes the complete opposite of what I set out to create. It stresses me out, it's stifling, but most importantly it's also the reason I want to create an environment for myself that is steeped in simplicity, beauty and inspiration.
I know my messy workspace is completely my fault. And I know moaning about it on here is probably not the best way to deal with it and will almost definitely not solve the problem.
But I will be stifled no more. I will invest in things that make me happy, be it comic books, posters, photography, music or just simple things like lights. Little things that just maybe produce a moment of inspiration.
Basically I am committing this weekend to setting up a workspace that makes me happy to be in.
Also Jamie, I am not procrastinating, I am writing.
Autumn is awesome. The leaves turn from vibrant greens into beautiful shades of yellows, golds, oranges and reds. In autumn I don't mind the rain so much, it gives us a respite following the harsh heat of the summer that has beat down on our heads for the last two ish months.
Usually I don't particularly enjoy autumn, mainly because of the rain and the annoying leaves that get everywhere. But it's different this year. It's hard to put a finger on what makes this autumn so different to my previous 19, maybe it's a new appreciation of the colour, maybe it's the whole "starting uni" thing. I don't know, but I feel like autumn is the most honest season. I guess it's a period of natural change, and I find this sits particularly well with how I've felt recently.
Either way, I made a video about this feeling.