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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Production Strategies
1. The area which I will be filming/recording is the downtown of Oconomowoc, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee and five miles from Delafield. It's small, mid-Western feel is very comfortable and inviting...during the day. At night, the back allies and dark walkways create a much more ominous feel which, were it any other place, would make one walk a little faster and watch the corners of their eyes. The theme for my video is horror: dark upon dark with only the smallest glimpse of salvation. The main streets, in downtown area, are very narrow and claustrophobic which are only accentuated by the old rustic feel of the buildings which line them.
2. I will focus on the contrasts of light and dark and how they appear to pop off from the screen through the use of digital effects and natural settings. I will obtain more natural images, which are richer in detail than digital rendering, and simply mix my love for stop frame and darker themes.
3. As with the images, the sound will mostly be natural elements which may be affected with man made objects (i.e. pipes, tiles, metal containers). Another source will be sound from the actual functions of the body itself (i.e. only critical functions - heartbeat and breathing).
2. I will focus on the contrasts of light and dark and how they appear to pop off from the screen through the use of digital effects and natural settings. I will obtain more natural images, which are richer in detail than digital rendering, and simply mix my love for stop frame and darker themes.
3. As with the images, the sound will mostly be natural elements which may be affected with man made objects (i.e. pipes, tiles, metal containers). Another source will be sound from the actual functions of the body itself (i.e. only critical functions - heartbeat and breathing).
Ten Questions
1. Are there natural patterns which can be used to enhance the piece?
2. Are there places in which the light creates any overwhelming emotions?
3. Are there places in which the sound creates any overwhelming emotions?
4. Can I find a place where there is absolute silence?
5. Does the area being used have any historical sites?
6. What is the feeling I am getting from the area?
7. Can normal sounds (i.e. footsteps, door creaks, wind) be redirected, naturally or artificially, to create a different emotion?
8. Can normal light sources (i.e. street lamps, cars, building lights) be redirected also?
9. Is the region safe to walk through at night?
10. What hidden locations are there to explore?
2. Are there places in which the light creates any overwhelming emotions?
3. Are there places in which the sound creates any overwhelming emotions?
4. Can I find a place where there is absolute silence?
5. Does the area being used have any historical sites?
6. What is the feeling I am getting from the area?
7. Can normal sounds (i.e. footsteps, door creaks, wind) be redirected, naturally or artificially, to create a different emotion?
8. Can normal light sources (i.e. street lamps, cars, building lights) be redirected also?
9. Is the region safe to walk through at night?
10. What hidden locations are there to explore?
Assignment #4 - Favorite Moment
It was dusk, the sun was setting in Oconomowoc. The field was beginning to moisten, for my pant legs were absorbing this moisture as I sprinted to the peak of a hill. Crawling to the top, I see a the fingers of giant clouds reaching out from the sun set. With the pinks and browns in the sky, the clouds were set aflame. I took my camera out, tried to frame the sunset as best possible; it wasn't good enough. I spotted a smaller hill which was closer, so I sprinted down the peak and to the hill. I spied a grass covered dirt mound at the very top as I hurdled over thistle bushes and fences. It was worth the climb. At this point the pink had turned blood red with strands of burgundy at the very center. The images were amazing: Flock after flock of geese took off from the lake to my left which silhouetted against the sun. After reviewing the photos, I had felt as if I had seen the face of God. It will be a night I will always remember.
Assignment #3 - Unforseen Occurrences
#1. One thing I did not expect was how fun stop frame animation can be. It helps to have a fair amount of time and a large reserve of patience to create something so original. With stop frame animation, the process of piecing together picture by picture from a pool which one painstakingly collected, feels more like creation to me.
#2. An easy remedy for any stress is to take a walk. As overwhelming or frustrating things MAY seem, they will pass. Nature, however, is sticking around for awhile. Just allowing the earth to speak and listening to what she has to say, calms my nerves.
#3. As nature is enduring and bountiful, humans, on the other hand are at least bountiful. An otherwise peaceful day of silence can be a bit muffled by the engine of a car or cell phones ringing.
#2. An easy remedy for any stress is to take a walk. As overwhelming or frustrating things MAY seem, they will pass. Nature, however, is sticking around for awhile. Just allowing the earth to speak and listening to what she has to say, calms my nerves.
#3. As nature is enduring and bountiful, humans, on the other hand are at least bountiful. An otherwise peaceful day of silence can be a bit muffled by the engine of a car or cell phones ringing.
Assignment #2 - Satisfaction in The Ambiance
#1. One such occurrence was when I was in the backyard of my family home. The wind was picking up; some very dark clouds were beginning to block out what little sunlight was left. I began with the wind chimes of the gardens surrounding the home. Simply sitting there, the rocked me back and forth, hearing the geese's wings cut through the air and watching the other wise menacing clouds roll above me, it felt as if the earth herself was speaking to me.
#2. The sun was tilting towards the west but still bright enough to feel its warmth on my skin. I stopped by a tree to take a picture; I ended making a very interesting stop frame. I stood still and framed a signal leaf, taking pictures every five seconds. 30 some clips later and a few hours of editing, just looking at the light hitting the leaves and their gentle bouncing was very peaceful.
#2. The sun was tilting towards the west but still bright enough to feel its warmth on my skin. I stopped by a tree to take a picture; I ended making a very interesting stop frame. I stood still and framed a signal leaf, taking pictures every five seconds. 30 some clips later and a few hours of editing, just looking at the light hitting the leaves and their gentle bouncing was very peaceful.
Assignment #1 - Trek Frustrations
#1. The only thing which really bothered me was the almost constant road noise and human interference . There were some cases where human sounds were needed, but, the times where simple nature was needed...there was ALWAYS a human to upset the silence.
#2. One other thing which bothered me was the amount of material I discovered. I couldn't use all of the material and most of it was very good.
#2. One other thing which bothered me was the amount of material I discovered. I couldn't use all of the material and most of it was very good.
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