Project 2. Collage Countdown.

I'm quite pleased with how my countdown turned out (although of course, there are a couple things that could be tweaked). I think the collage technique worked out well for the countdown and that a sense of anticipation is successfully created, but broken down towards the end of the sequence. The abstract-looking cut-outs work well to create interesting visuals and a nice texture. If I were to do this again, the one thing I would definitely focus more on is better focusing the camera with each number.

Project 2. Process.

I tested numbers 10 to 8 using the collage framework, mostly to see if it would work at all. Thankfully, it did. Yes, the white balance is off and the tripod moved some, but now I know the collage number sequence will work. Looking at it in motion, I really wish I had attempted more numbers.

What I really need to perfect is the timing of the whole piece - it was more difficult than expected to stretch the breaking apart and coming back together into 15 frames. I'm also going to make the numbers much larger in the frame, so the details of the collage textures can be better seen.

...I also think I'm going to forego rotoscoping the numbers, as much as I'd like to further explore it, just for the sake of time.

Super Short Test!



New shooting method:
- Construct numbers "perfectly"
- For build sequence, shoot deconstruction of numbers and reverse
- Blow collage pieces away completely to deconstruct
- Start with next number

Project 2. Process.

Basically, I want to use these collaged figured, and with each second, a number builds out of the different abstract pieces of paper. I might try rotoscoping the figures using other mediums such as paint and pastel, to emulate the colour patterns for select frames. If not rotoscoping, I may create the figures on vellum one on top of the other to create a sense of "process" for the video piece.

Project 1. Fusion

The video I created for Project 1, entitled "Construct" is based on ideas of nostalgia and the way people complicate ideas and processes as they grow older. I used stop-motion of child-like building blocks and well as more commonplace, "real world," objects to convey these ideas. I chose to make the video sort of choppy and grainy to visually express a sort of yearning for something of the past - it expresses a sense of disconnect. The images have been edited to achieve a certain mood in terms of colour and with subtle vignetting. Instead of using the sound project I created earlier as is, I edited it down and simplified it to make the video a little less literal. I feel that the concept of my piece is well-conveyed visually, and this is only enhanced through the use of sound. The simple, child-like music reflects an easier time while the conversation and busier background noises are symbolic of the noise of everyday life as you grow older.

Project 1. Test.

As a way of sort of storyboarding my concept for Project 1, I made a test video. In doing this, I quickly created a really rough version of what I plan to do for Project 1 just to kind of look at it visually. As I should have predicted, everything was a lot more difficult that expected.

Things to work on:
1. Make everything more cohesive.
2. Use a tripod!
3. Work on timing of video/sound.
4. Shoot more frames!
5. Use a wider angle.
6. Everything cleaner.
7. Abstract it more somehow?

I think the general idea of the video comes across in my test, but I still might work on the sound more. Another idea is building it on a flat surface like a table instead of free-standing so it's easier to add more frames. It may become less literal this way.

- - -

Other ideas:
- Everything high-contrast in black & white
- Clips (images) inserted between build images OR overlayed on top of?
- Zoomed in shots for variety
- Re-work sound to make it more subtle, but carrying the same ideas
- Somehow make it look messier (but in a good, cohesive, intentional way)

* Incorporate opening and closing credits.

- - -

Instead of using THREE different pieces, build on one:
- Take the idea of building with objects
- Instead of transitioning between three different pieces, just use one, but incorporate the concept through the way things are built and the objects that are used
- Start off building simply, but add on symbolic objects
- Use the frame, angles, interesting shots

Project 1. Inspiration

This video doesn't directly relate to stop-motion, but I feel that it's a really well-done video. The commercial-type video would be interesting on its own without sound because of the explorative use of framing and how some elements like the painted hallway make it surreal. However, I feel like the sound really lends to the mood. The incoherent speech and the women going down the hall exclaiming, "Oh my god!" add a sense of humour to the video that is very well thought out.

Project 2. Ideas

For project 2 I'm pretty sure we have to do a countdown. I've been thinking of using magazine collage elements to create my numbers (with less pieces as the countdown goes down) and stop-motion. However, after watching Jeffrey Sher's "Milk of Amnesia," I've just gotten the ideas to use rotoscoping as well, painting or drawing out some of the frames as a way of really playing with different mediums.

Project 1. Ideas.

I have been racking my brain all week thinking about what I could do with my soundtrack in terms of visuals. It was really difficult to think of a concept that wasn't too literal while still expressing the ideas I had behind the sounds I put together. Unfortunately, inspiration didn't strike until today leaving me no chance to really put together a visual mock-up of my idea.

I think I have unwittingly been investigating the theme of "nostalgia" in my work this year. Basically, I would like to create a stop motion video in this sequence:

1. Childhood + Build-Up.

Building blocks (or similar childhood toy - lego, or some kind of stackable building toy) are constructing a tower piece by piece. I haven't decided yet if I want to depict a person building a structure or have the blocks stack themselves.

During this scene, the sounds with the laughing child and "happy birthday" music are playing.


2. The Crash.

There is a moment in my soundtrack where there is an abrupt, disruptive sound. When this occurs, I want to contrast the childhood building 'memory-like' scene by first having the building blocks crashing down and then with quick cuts of images that are visually disruptive and deal with real-life in a way. I haven't quite decided on these images, but possibly rainstorms, traffic lights and other similar images that are jumbled together.


3. Re-build.

After the crash, there is an attempt to build the structure again, but it isn't easy. Some of the blocks have been replaced with tangible, real-life objects such as money, large books and more "grown-up" items. The pieces don't come together right, and the structure eventually falls down again.

While this re-build occurs, the soundtrack plays loud voices that can't really be made out. There is also a crying baby in the background, but I may omit this from the video. One other aspect I'm not sure about is whether or not I should film the building block scenes on a "set" where a child would be playing, or simply against white.


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Essentially, the deeper idea behind this concept is exploring how much simpler things are as a child, and as you grow older you know more and not only do things grow more complicated, but you begin to complicate them in your head. You over-analyze and have to balance more "real" things like income, expenses, education, relationships, and the importance of each in your life. This can definitely be a struggle.

Project 1. Inspiration

I haven't thought of a concrete concept yet. I am thinking of doing a collage stop-motion video, but I'm really not sure if I can make one to the level of the one shown in class. However, I definitely want to explore stop-motion. I first saw this video a year or two ago and it is without a doubt one of the best stop-motion videos I have ever seen.

Exercise 4. Part B. Sound Essay

I chose to capture the words "shelter," "pierce," and "fracture" for my sound essay. The beginning of the piece evokes a sense of safety, and therefore shelter through the use of the baby's laughter (and later a lack of shelter with the baby's cries).A fracture two thirds of the way in is depicted with a harsh, piercing sound that eliminates the sense of shelter and makes the piece less peaceful.

Pierce/Shelter/Fracture by maeganfidelino

Exercise 4. Part A. Listening

Location: TEL, first floor hallway near the washrooms

Time: 10:11 am, 10/19/10

Sounds:

- fast, excited talking
- high-pitched voices
- low-pitched, occasionally from afar
- some high-pitched laughter
- lots of footsteps
- a little running
- dragging feel
- a couple people wearing heels
- doors open a couple times, creaks


Patterns:

- growing volume when people are getting out of class/going on break, only a couple minutes of many conversation, then quiet
- questions at end of statement, higher pitch
- male and female talking, her voices is more prominent because he speaks softly
- girl's voice changes in range, when deeper it becomes more distinct


Observations

- difficult to listen to conversations because many people were passing through, so conversations were disjointed
- many people on cell phones increased difficulty of listening for continuous conversation
- easier to concentrate on conversations when looking at the individuals

Story-telling

This video doesn't completely connect to the course, but I found it really interesting. It sort of explores telling a story in a new way and how different perspectives can change the story. Despite the story getting a little out-of-hand near the end, perspective is something I would be interested in exploring.

Exercise 3. Translation (The Video)

The process of creating the video was very tedious and we put a lot of effort into setting up the images so that they came together in a specific way. We measured out string and the approximate measurements of the frame we were working with. However, the dropping of the different pieces of the image was more difficult than expected. We hadn't anticipated the level of movement that occurred when a piece of the image was dropped and the order in which things came together had to change. In the end, we found the product to be visually interesting and effective as a Hockney translation.

Exercise 3. Translation (The Process)

Exercise 3. Translation (Storyboard)

Exercise 3. Translation (The Plan)

Justin and I decided to create our translation video exercise based on Hockney's photo collages because we thought it would be interesting to witness the construction of such a collage, since the video needed to have some sort of build-up. Originally, we wanted to create the images using our hands on a flat surface, but David encouraged us to explore the different possibilities - to really exercise our creativity in how the image was created.



After much brainstorming, we developed a translation approach using strings, constructing the Hockney-esque image as if it was a puzzle. The pieces would come together piece-by-piece with hanging strings attached to different pieces of the image. We intended for the falling pieces to come together very smoothly, making it a creative approach to our original idea. Hockney's original artwork is static because it is a still image, but there is a sense of movement because of the collage effect. With our translation, we added a real sense of movement.

We decided to keep the images black and white so that they would come together to develop the final product more easily. We felt that if colour was also incorporated, the image would be harder to read in the end. We also decided to move the frame so that the image is more difficult to come to throughout the 30 seconds that creates it. In this sense, an expectation is established because the audience does not know what the final product will be. The camera's movement, panning, and focusing adds to this sense of expectation.

Camera Exercises

The camera exercises done in class were a lot more difficult than expected. I worked with Justin and Annie, but we all had difficulty figuring out how the camera worked and what we were supposed to do with the exercise. None of us had very much experience with using a video camera. In order to set the camera in manual mode, we looked up its manual online, which was also hard to figure out. We think we did the camera exercises properly, but it was far more confusing than any of us anticipated.

Experiment. Transitions

"Made-Up"



I wanted to experiment with different images than those taken in class for Exercise 2, so I created another video. This time, I took images of various circular, make-up related items. Since I had already experimented with the transition effects with my first set of pictures, I feel that I was able to take pictures that were better suited to the exercise and that would create optimal results.

I'm not as happy with the results of this video as I am with my first transition video. This one seems far more literal, and therefore a little static. I think that more images added in would have in turn added more visual interest to the video.

Exercise 2. Transitions

"Walls"



Justin and I photographed rectangles around TEL in class and this is the result. I wanted to keep the images fairly consistent in terms of object (windows, doors, walls), size and positioning. Although some of the images were better than others, I'm really happy with the result. I find it to be playful and visually interesting.

If I get a chance, I would definitely like to try the exercise again with different pictures and playing with a particular theme.

Exercise 1. Light and Duration

Created by Justin and myself.

The view is of a fourth floor window in TEL with shots taken every minute of one hour. When we chose our setting, we thought that the light reflecting off the videos would be the most interesting part, but the movement of the clouds within the span of an hour quickly became the focal point for us. Another lesson learned - Vimeo takes forever to upload videos!

Time Lapse Inspiration

I think my interest in any form of motion and video related art was first sparked when I watched The Virgin Suicides in high school. I was intrigued by Sofia Coppola's use of time lapses in the film to portray the passing of time because of how it further emphasized that time was a significant aspect of the film. The time lapse exercise I created with Justin really reminded me of this original inspiration because with the exercise, we observed the subtle changes in a particular space within a considerably short amount of time.