Time Arts Class Reflection

1) What is the most surprising thing you learned about yourself, whether it is a new interest or an old interest made new, this semester?  Throughout this course I experienced a creative aspect of myself that I did not know I had. I was able to explore through a variety of projects to find myself as an artist. During my final project I learned that if I cannot physically major in dance, I can incorporate it in my every day studies. My final piece was choreographed by myself and constructed to reveal the true emotion behind the expression of dance.

2) Write a short narrative of where you began in Time Arts, the conflicts you faced, and how you resolved them.  Entering the Time Arts lab I was nervous as to what I would be challenged with.  Sound was very unfamiliar for me as I have a strong background in animation.  In high school I did a lot of computer work oppose to fine arts so I was excited to take Time Arts (way more interested than foundation drawing!)  I became frustrated at times during the process of my works but in the end everything paid off.

3) What 3 time arts concepts (think of our formal vocabulary like pitch, tone, constancy, variation...) are most apparent in your final video  In my video I demonstrate constancy by interrupting one long clip with several little additional excerpts.  I chose to do this in order to not drain my audience and hold their attention.  I also used pitch in my sound piece of my final video.  I wanted to grasp the attention of my audience during transitions with an unfamiliar sound to keep them viewing attentively.  Lastly, I experimented with the effects in iMovie to create unexpected footage.  I enjoyed playing with the contrast and brightness controls on my piece for a brighter color to stand out to my audience.

4) What was the most challenging assignment for you? In what ways did that assignment challenge you?  The most challenging assignment were probably most of the sound piece assignments because I was very unfamiliar with sound when entering this course.  I did not understand the mean behind abstract pieces until I composed one myself.  Having to create a piece of my own forced me to understand the meanings behind sound and how important it is to the everyday life.

5) What assignment came most naturally to you? Why?  The stop animation pieces came most naturally to me because I have done many projects like this in my high school career as I took a variety of different animation courses.

6) What does your analysis of challenges and natural inclinations tell you about your future educational path, and/or your career choices?  An individual will always be faced with challenges, it is a matter of whether they get through them or quit which determines one is sufficient enough for the real world.  Challenging tasks only make an artist stronger and more open minded.

7) What have you learned about your creative process?  My creativity process was shown to me through my final video.  I did not know I could choreograph such a successful piece.  Once I chose my topic everything flowed into my mind instantly.  I chose a few inspirations and ideas swarmed my brain instantly.

8) Have you learned anything about facilitating and participating in a creative group?  Participating in a creative group has helped me greatly in my own creativity.  The input from others has opened my eyes to more opportunities than I brainstormed on my own.  I enjoyed the input from my peers as well as reviewing their finished projects.  I loved seeing everyone progress; by the end of the semester we all are on our way to successful final pieces.