Three Important things I learned in Class

Three Important things I learned in Class:

1)  In class Dana showed us her Theme Video which inspired me to make my video an over and beyond level.  She took alot of time to make her concept reach her audience.  I hope to do the same.  She showed us her inspirations which helped me determine how I am going to go about successfully creating my piece.

2) During crits I envisioned many different abstract videos.  I learned a variety of techniques that people used to coordinate their photos into a video.  People used tone, color, rhythm and other elements to make their videos visually appealing.

3)  During class we were to analyze our concept brief for our theme videos.  This process allowed me to plan out my topic sufficiently to compose in the best manner.  I decided I want to have my audience look into the body of a dancer and grasp their true feelings about dance and how it changed their life.

Concept Brief

1. Three Approaches:
a. I could visualize interviews displaying what dance means to a true dancer. The aspect of dance is much different to a trained dancer opposed to an individual who enjoys jumping around at a party. I am interested in the feelings of dancers and how they believe dance has changed their lifestyle. What would make them different if they had never began their dancing career? Does dance give them any advantage? For me, I would be a completely different person without dance. Not only is it my hobby but it launched a new family. I grew up with the same dancers since I was three and we grew up watching everyone progress as we got older. Departing for college was really hard as we all had to say goodbye and transition to a new family and break away from the past. Dancing puts me in another mindset; especially when I am performing on stage, my thoughts are invisible and I feel as if I have entered another world where no one is watching. I would like to bring this feeling into my theme video.

b. I could shy away from the interview aspect and focus more towards the performing portion of dance. Although rehearsals are fun and a great experience, dancers most enjoy the show. Being able to show off your talents to a large crowd creates an abundance of adrenaline in a positive manner. Being able to export the adrenaline will be difficult but could be visually impressive if successfully created.

c. To compose an excellent piece I could combine the two ideas above to experience all aspects of a dancer’s life. I would think it would be very visually compatible with the audience if I were to introduce both the essence of performance and how dance interacts in one’s life. My goal would be to illustrate for people the life of a dancer and have them look more deeply into the interior rather than just focus on the exterior bland picture.

2. Clear Presentation of one approach;
> Why are you doing this and why it matters to you.
I have grown up falling in love with dance and it has become a huge part of my extracurricular life. In my elementary to high school life I would spend endless hours at the dance studio. I would give up anything for dance; I was known to be the dedicated girl who gave up her social life to progress and be in the dance studio. Being in the studio allows me to step out of the world and forget about everything and express my own feelings through movement. I would like to bring my own love for dance into the eyes of my audience by displaying the hidden hardships and dedication applied for a trained dancer.

> Locations for shooting. (Show Still Shots)
I can take my footage at danceworks practices as well as stage shots. In addition, I’d like to take footage of a person stressed and leaves the room to go dance.

> Ideas about shots and lighting - what camera angles? proximity? location and context? time of day? answer with still shots.
I want bold lighting in the color scheme of royal blue/purples to bring aspiration into my piece.

>Permits and permission: who must approve
I would have to get a permit from the danceworks choreographer that would be teaching at the moment I am filming.

>Potential Problems
Getting volunteers, finding the correct atmosphere, getting the correct lighting

Inspirations: Dancer’s Life MTV & Step Up 1 & 2

Idea: Ballerina with point shoe zoom down leg angle

Extra Credit Abstract Video

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Marcus' Abstract Video Analysis

1). Does the video maintain continuity by editing for graphical and rhythmical relationships as well as transitions? Give examples of this using screen shots and written description. Yes, when the rhythm in the sound is differed from the mainstream, the images change in color often.  For example, Marcus changed the tint of the lightbulb fixture during one of a repetitive pitches.




2). Does the video include non-linear structures (i.e. structures other than linear narrative)? These include acausal structure, list structure, and cyclical structure? Please describe in detail. The video is not a narrative at all.  It is composed of a variety of random fixtures that follow along the sound clip.  He also includes the same image at a repetitive sound to stick a mental note onto the viewer as the video clip progresses.

3). Does the video modulate in pace so that it has sections of slow and fast time? Can you see the artist paid careful attention to the changes in graphical relationships, rhythmic relationships, and use of sound? Yes, as the tempo of the video differs, so do the timing and pace of the images.  He was careful in the sense of rhythmic relationships and coordination with his sound.  I especially liked when images would change in color during the repetition of a particular pitch.

4). Did the artist try abstracting atleast some of the images beyond recognition aka wreck the images? Given examples.  There was no true abstraction in the video.  However, he did alter pictures by playing with the exposure, saturation, contrast, and other tools in iPhoto in order to complete a visually appealing piece.

5). What additional formal aspects are emphasized in this video? Analyze the following: Color temperature, graphical layout/composition of frames, camera angles, proximity, pacing, contrast, repetition, and sensitivity to light. Color mostly paid attention to throughout the clip.  There is a balance between bright/bold colors and dark/gloomy colors.  However, in every image the tones presented visually work off each other.  His composition differs throughout the piece allowing the viewer to shift their view and grasp their attention.  He successfully paced the images to coordinate with the sounds in a series of repetition.  There is a variety of contrast in the images and as a whole.  Most of the contrast appears in the colors composed within the piece.

Trailer Comparison to Abstract Piece

Comparing the Step Up 2 Trailer to my Abstract Video piece, I have found similar characteristics.  The trailer follows the beat of the background music.  There are black outs at sharp sounds.  There is a transition from frame to frame connected with a "swoosh" sound.  The background tempo follows the middle 20 seconds in as each frame is interrupted with a blank out to transition to the next at the beat of the music.

My Abstract Video Analysis

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1). Does he video maintain continuity by editing for graphical and rhythmical relationships as well as transitions?  Give examples of this using screen shots and written description. Yes the video has continuity throughout the piece by following the rhythm of the sounds.  There are transitions as well to enable the piece to flow.

2). Does the video include non-linear structures (i.e. structures other than linear narrative)?  These include acausal structure, list structure, and cyclical structure?  Please describe in detail. Yes, in the video there are rhythmic inferences.  At sharp sounds pictures morph from one to another in change of style and color.  Most of the video is non linear as it does not tell a narrative and illustrates the sounds instead.

3). Does the video modulate in pace so that it has sections of slow and fast time?  Can you see the artist paid careful attention to the changes in graphical relationships, rhythmic relationships, and use of sound? Yes, when the beat of the sound piece is slower the transitions are extended compared to when the beats are rapid.

4). Did the artist try abstracting atleast some of the images beyond recognition aka wreck the images?  Given examples. Yes, the crystalized effect and color tv effect was used along with many others to attract appeal to the audience through abstract images.

5). What additional formal aspects are emphasized in this video?  Analyze the following: Color temperature, graphical layout/composition of frames, camera angles, proximity, pacing, contrast, repetition, and sensitivity to light. The colors are typically bright and bold grabbing the attention of the audience.  The composition of the frames and camera angles are usually centered to have direct eye contact with the object.  The pace of the images follows the rhythm of the sound (starts slow and becomes rapid).  A lot of contrast within colors and repetition of photographs were used within the piece.

Three Important things I learned in Class

Three Important things I learned in Class:

1) In class we had a lab day where we experimented with iMovie.  At first I was frustrated with the program because I didn't know what I was doing.  However, after assistance and exploring I was able to utilize all the tools and special effects to compose my abstract video piece.

2) Being a step behind most Mac genius', I did not know what iPhoto was or how to use the program.  Working in iMovie forced me to explore the iPhoto program and learn the different techniques I could apply to my photos.  I learned many effects that can be applied in photoshop in a much easier way!

 

3) At first I was discouraged to compose my video because nothing was working in my favor.  However, after viewing Pete's masterpiece, I was encouraged to expand my talents to the fullest potential.  He also assisted me in learning about the Ken's Law that I could apply to my photos for additional animation.

DJ Spooky

How does DJ Spooky as an artist deal with visual sampling?  DJ Spooky investigates body language around him and incorporates reality into his film.  He explains in his interview that his goal was to shy away from the mainstream typical films and introduce a shocking view to his audience by showing the KKK and other shocking factors.  His goal is to make his audience think outside the box.

How does DJ Spooky make use of recurring images, and repetition, in his work: 1. on a storytelling level? On a more abstract level? DJ Spooky sees repetition works with the music using it as a motif/image.  Working with electronic material, he uses repetition to hold his piece together.  He is fascinated with social circuitry, applying a shape to each person to visually describe their personality and mood.  He manipulates the audience's focus with his shapes to emphasize moods.  In addition, he will have the 'black' people actually be white and vise versa in order to make a statement.

What does DJ Spooky have to say about how he holds his works together, or makes transitions? He explains that he works with electronic material (digitally altering pieces) he produces repetition throughout his piece to hold together his work.    He also engages his audience by visually applying puns within his piece to make his viewers think.  He has emotional content with repetition to replay over and over in one's head that will be stuck on their mind for a while to think twice about.

Does the above resonate with anything you encountered in working with sound this term? Give examples of how your process is similar, and/or different.  When creating my sound pieces, especially my abstract sound, I took DJ Spooky's approach to engage my audience.  I chose to have loud unexpected sounds to surprise my listeners and make sure they do not fall asleep from boredom throughout my piece.  With a twist in a work of art, an audience is more likely to thrilled and attentive to the entire piece.

If you were a critic reviewing this film, would you give it a more positive or a more negative review based upon this question: Does the work do what DJ Spooky says he hopes it will do? As you answer this question, write as if you were writing an article for a newspaper in which you have to describe to the reader what they would see as you support your critique with specific observations.   The film is such an abstract piece that everything visually works effectively.  DJ Spooky's music coordinate with the visual representation shown.  In addition, every excerpt is different whether it is a passage, citizens, or emotionally strong clips which bring out the diversity throughout the film.  The music in the background resembles an investigation where as DJ Spooky is presenting the long term criminals vs. the public lifestyle.

Watch Rebirth of A Nation. Choose two images that are very different form one another, but which are sequenced one immediately after another in the film. Make screen shots that show the stages or steps of transition between the two photos.

 Transitioning from a portrait to a video clip beginning with the shuffling of leaves, DJ Spooky successfully morphs the first picture into the next.  He chose to use an abstract motion of multiple rectangular 2d linear boxes that overlapped each other in motion.  Taking the colors from the first photograph and morphing them into the illusion to switch to the video clip allowed a smooth transition.  The first frames incorporate the first photo in the far background while the end frames resemble the first frame of the video clip.  DJ Spooky excelled in his ability to use a digital reference in order to illustrate a smooth alteration between frames.

Abstract Sounds Video Project

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For my Abstract Sound Video Project I like Heather's soundtrack the most.  I wish to make a montage with my high contrasted folder of photos.  Most of them are from an abandon barn implying a creepy gloomy setting.  Therefore, I want my soundtrack to have a jittery feel to my audience.  Her piece reveals the murder and wrong doing environment that I am looking for in my project.  In addition, her sharp slice sound will offer a smooth transition time between photos.

October 16, 200

Three important things I learned in class this week:

1) Throughout critique we are able to explore our peer’s work and learn from their achievements. During my piece I included a heavy breathing to embrace the hard work of a talented dancer. The group consensus was that my breathing was much distorted and I should take a different technique. Succeeding to capture breathing in his piece, Pete let me in on his secret of recording breathing at 90 wav lengths and position the microphone around your lower chest for less distortion. I plan to reform my piece with this insight.

2) After our critique, our TA, Dana, introduced iMovie. This program will allow us to construct our movies for our next project and successfully create stop animations. We learned how to upload still images into the program through iPhoto. Also we learned how to change the duration of time each frame will last.

3) Learning a program cannot be any easier without actually doing it yourself. Dana split us up into partners to create a small video clip of a simple task. Pete and I chose walking up a flight of stairs. We successfully were able to import all our photos that we took using a tripod and camera into iMovie to create a QuickTime video. Stop animation was a fun and exciting process that I look forward to work in. In addition, Professor Beffel gave us the extra credit option to make a video on our own for homework; I plan on taking the opportunity!

Dance Theme Sound

DANCE THEME SOUND:

Click To Play

In The Zone

Zone: Being in the zone is when an individual blocks out anything surrounding them whether it is sound, activity, etc. to focus on one particular thing.  As a dancer, I am In the Zone when I am performing on stage.  I am able to block out the song, thoughts, sounds, vision, people; all I see is the lights blinding me.  I have no idea what I am doing when I am performing because like Bocca, being in the zone allows you to block out anything possible that is a distraction.  If you do not get in the zone you will result in a failure of success.  One time, we made friends with the stage crew that stood back stage (bad choice!).  They were screaming to us and whistling at us while we were on stage resulting in our break of concentration and quite a few mess ups!

Flow: After being In the Zone one encounters flow.  Flow is the process of where everything runs smoothly in order to succeed.  When the flow is broken, so is concentration and failure claims victory.

How do acts of repetition relate to flow? Repetition allows flow to progress.  Encountering the same processes repeatedly guarantees flow to occur in a particular mind set.

Do you think rhythm has anything to do with flow?  For example, does rhythm of your breathing have anything to do with a state of flow or being in the zone?  Explain why or why not. Yes, rhythm is coordinated with flow.  Your mind has specific settings that your body must meet before being In the Zone.  If the ritual is corrupt, the process will not work.  

A Short History of Time

Why is time not really universal? Time is slow and rich sometimes and a blur and fast in others.  Oliver explains that in his recordings, particular years he remembered more than others.

Consider how being in the zone impacts our senses of duration and tempo.  What happens to the length of a moment, and the speed of time in your mind and body when you are at a state of peak performance?  Being in the zone allows time to fly by just like the expression "time flys when your having fun".  However, everything seems slower to one's mind being in the slow.  Everything seems in slow motion but in reality, it is just a state of mind.

Besides the inducement of state of flow by athletes, musicians, artists, and religious practices, what other means or reasons are mentioned in "The Short History of Time" that could change our perceptions and experiences of time?  Name two very different ways for changing our relationship to time.  A disease can slip someone into turtle time or fast time.  One girl Esther experienced this as her reaction time was 1/10th of a second while 1/7th was experienced through amazing athletes' eyes.  Adrenaline also changes the perception of time.

What was the single greatest factor in moving human beings into Greenwich Mean Time? Moving into Greenwich Mean Time is the basis of the world time ensuring everyone to be on the same level no matter where in the world they are.  Although one person may be experiencing a different time of day but this depends on their location in connection with the sun.  However, GMT unties everyones perception of time.

What are the implications of living according to GMT? What are the pros and cons? Living in GMT all time is synchronized where everyone lives on the same time of day rather than having a different time for every clock like he 1850s before the birth of "railroad time".

Would you rather live in a world with GMT or a world with other kinds of time?  Explain why. No, living in a time without GMT time would not be convenient as everyone would not be in synch.  Although, living in a different time would be crucial for those who never can get to class on time, the synchronized timing is what keeps the world in order and organized. 

Russolo and his colleagues embraced mechanical rhythms and noises.  They celebrated not attunement with another human in the present moment, but the future.  They were the products of the first mechanized World War, and were terribly disillusioned with Romantic ideals.  How has this attitude played itself out our century?  Can you think of art forms or media that celebrate the same things Russolo valued? Referring to the future brings a special attention to a work of art as the public has yet to experienced anything similar to one's piece.  The Art Nouveau movement was similar to this as they disregarded the past influences and began a new era with strictly new forms, styles, and decoration.

A Short History of Time Clip

October 2, 2008

3 Important Things I Learned Today:

1) We explored the creative process in class today: Interrogate The Question/Problem, Brainstorm, Throw yourselves into the possibilities, analyze/evaluate.  We demonstrated the process by performing, observing, evaluating, and refining our pieces for a further understanding.  My group chose to fulfill our task by "crossing the room without touching the floor" when using the media of tape.  We walked the tape across the room preventing the touching of the floor.  We created a cross with our tape.  After evaluations we were able to refine our piece by perfecting the timing and structure of our piece.

2) We also explored the important aspects of the process.  We determined that they were similar to our sound project syllabus.  We came up with: Rules/regulations/limitations/obstructions, resources, objectives (steps), criteria for evaluation, drawing upon what you know, and open to interpretation.  With these aspects we were able to further broadcast our ideas for our piece.

3) We also discussed genre and structure.  We examined how sounds clips are put together or exist in relationship to each other.  Elements within this group include: narrative, voice, noise, documentary, spatial, abstraction/montage.  We explored professional pieces to understand the meaning behind structures behind listening for the formal qualities, such as, pitch, tone, timber, rhythm, clarify, character, pyramid of sound, accent, simultaneously, sequentiality, contrast, amplitude, space, and pause.  In addition, our interpretation consisted of: "Why do you think form is important to the artist?" and "How do the form and structure support the artist's intention?"  When listening to the Anchor Stone by Joan Jonas, I heard a documentary but envisioned a scene with the background sounds complementing the story being told.  The background sounds guide the audience's thoughts and interpretations.  Without the guidance, the listeners could envision which ever they please, if anything while her monotone (boring!) voice was exhilarated by the background sounds which would expand to a heavy tone at interesting parts to grab attention.  The predominant structure is narrative along with abstraction.  Next we listened to 16 Great Turn Ons which explores the variety of beginning of objects as their start buttons are consecutively being pressed.  The very short clip keeps your attention flowing as the little amount of time distracts your thoughts from guessing on what is happening.  Everything was sequential with an even pause allowing your brain to readjust.  

This piece was characterized as noise.  Next we listened to Territoires de Sans Blanc, a third piece that was mesmerizing.  It had a constant wave sound that was interrupted with random pitches or included a faint rhythm.  The sound had a lot of pressure resembling a boiler room or UFO.  The fourth piece we listened to was an audio walk which allowed the audience to step into a world that was partially theirs.  The audience is guided to experience what the artist is experiencing through her choice of sounds and narrative.  There was a strong use of voice quality and spatial value.  The last sound clip we listened to had a large pyramid of sounds with narrative in the foreground and a constant ambient sound followed by a mid ground.