I found the TED talk on cymatics very interesting. I had not thought of music as a physical art form, but it reminded me of fractals. Everything sound has a specific vibration and those vibrations have the ability to create art. The images the sounds created looked like fractals, as if every small portion of the image was a reflection of the image as a whole. I like the idea of figuring out how animals communicate through their sound's vibrations. This could be a new scientific field that the world could tap into. I also think it is a good idea to teach children about cymatics because art is an awesome way to teach.
Synesthesia is something I've heard of before. I'm not sure from where, but I had heard of people who related specific numbers and letters to colors. I did not know that there were so many different kinds of synesthesia. In a way, I feel like I associate certain numbers with feelings, for instance I am fond of the number 14 because I think it is aesthetically pleasing and it reminds me of the age I wanted to be when I was a kid. I do not think it is synesthesia, but I think everyone associates symbols, colors and sounds with other experiences and feelings.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
6X1 Reflection
1. My favorite project was the 3D animation. I liked our subject matter and playing with the clay forms. It was fun to collaborate and to see all of our different interpretations of the images.
2. My second favorite project was the Bolex long take. I learned how to use a new camera and it was interesting to play with the sensory element when watching them.
3. My third favorite project was the frame by frame animation. I got to play with different mediums of filmmaking, and the media fast was a vital and interesting experience. I think our project came together very well.
4. My fourth favorite project was the rhythmic editing project. I like experimental editing and it was really cool to play with the rhythm of editing.
5. My fifth favorite project was the cameraless film. I enjoyed playing with the different mediums and hand drawing the animation.
6. My least favorite project was the Bridgman Packer project, because I was unable to be a part of it. I did enjoy making the film cat video, though.
2. My second favorite project was the Bolex long take. I learned how to use a new camera and it was interesting to play with the sensory element when watching them.
3. My third favorite project was the frame by frame animation. I got to play with different mediums of filmmaking, and the media fast was a vital and interesting experience. I think our project came together very well.
4. My fourth favorite project was the rhythmic editing project. I like experimental editing and it was really cool to play with the rhythm of editing.
5. My fifth favorite project was the cameraless film. I enjoyed playing with the different mediums and hand drawing the animation.
6. My least favorite project was the Bridgman Packer project, because I was unable to be a part of it. I did enjoy making the film cat video, though.
My Rough Theatre
My rough theatre is experimental filmmaking. I like to make films from organic experiences and edit them intuitively. In a way, that is my rough theatre. I would like to be a part of an actual rough theatre sometime. I want to try acting and it seems like a fun way to do it. Rough theatre means to me to be organic, dirty, and not try to overmanipulate things. I like to let things be the way they are naturally, and that very much applies to my life. So I guess you could say my life is my rough theatre. For an example, I made an experimental film based on dreams and feelings I've had about my experience with the internet. Rather than making a structured narrative, I focused on correlating images and sounds to create a feeling. I used a ballerina at the end of a dock, and a steadicam shot running towards her. I also used shots of computer screens, 2d animation, AIM chat boxes, Youtube loading symbols and images of nature. For the sound I downloaded and recorded several technological noises, mostly ones you would hear by communicating on the internet, and I edited them together to create a song. It came out pretty rough, but it was fun to edit loosely and intuitively, and to leave the story up to interpretation. I like the idea of the rough theatre, and I've thought about how I can apply the concept to my life and my work.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Rough Theatre Response
The rough theatre writing was pretty awesome. I like the description of trying to make synthetic music, only to discover all of the rough sounds that come along with playing an instrument. The rough theatre sounds like a lot of fun, though I have never seen a theatre like that. I have heard of puppet theatres, where they have giant puppets in the play instead of humans, and that seems pretty rough. They are called Bread & Puppet theatres and they seem to operate with a similar agenda. I like the idea of improvisation, though I think that choreography and a well structured play is perfectly enjoyable. Theatre is very different from film in that the actors have the opportunity to interact with the audience, and I think that is something that is less utilized today, where theatres can be cold and overly-planned. I'd like to see a play with more dirt, and one that is rough.
Overall, I took away that we should not limit ourselves, when making art, to strict stylistic boundaries. As they said the "arsenal is limitless," and I think it is a good idea to be more impressionistic at times, even in making film.
Here is an example of Bread & Puppet theatre. It is pretty weird stuff.
Overall, I took away that we should not limit ourselves, when making art, to strict stylistic boundaries. As they said the "arsenal is limitless," and I think it is a good idea to be more impressionistic at times, even in making film.
Here is an example of Bread & Puppet theatre. It is pretty weird stuff.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Theory of Animation Response
The theory of animation was interesting. It made me think about experimental animation in a new way, and put orthodox animation into perspective.
What was particularly interesting was the section on the relationship with the artist to the work in the experimental section. The personal and unique relationship "insists on individuality." This made me think about Wes Anderson's films, as I have just seen Grand Budapest Hotel. I have wondered about his relationship to the audience, and how his particular/individual and extremely visible style enhances that relationship or alienates the audience. In fact, at times, Wes Anderson's films do employ animation inside of a narrative, which is reflexive of the medium of film, and can function to separate the viewer from the story.
The dynamics of dialogue section of the orthodox animation was also thought-provoking. The Disney style has a symphonic soundtrack, which is reminiscent of the Disney style. It made me think of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon in which he is a viking princess in a dream-like opera cartoon. Besides their visual style, this is what sets the two companies apart thematically as well. Disney always seemed more concerned with high art, whereas the Warner brothers cartoons strove to be more satirical and relatable to the audience .ie their cacophonic soundtrack- "urban, industrialized, beat-based and explosive"
What was particularly interesting was the section on the relationship with the artist to the work in the experimental section. The personal and unique relationship "insists on individuality." This made me think about Wes Anderson's films, as I have just seen Grand Budapest Hotel. I have wondered about his relationship to the audience, and how his particular/individual and extremely visible style enhances that relationship or alienates the audience. In fact, at times, Wes Anderson's films do employ animation inside of a narrative, which is reflexive of the medium of film, and can function to separate the viewer from the story.
The dynamics of dialogue section of the orthodox animation was also thought-provoking. The Disney style has a symphonic soundtrack, which is reminiscent of the Disney style. It made me think of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon in which he is a viking princess in a dream-like opera cartoon. Besides their visual style, this is what sets the two companies apart thematically as well. Disney always seemed more concerned with high art, whereas the Warner brothers cartoons strove to be more satirical and relatable to the audience .ie their cacophonic soundtrack- "urban, industrialized, beat-based and explosive"
Monday, March 24, 2014
Bolex Response
The Bolex long take was a scary experience for our group because none of us had experience with the camera before. We enlisted the help of other groups and they really came through in making us understand how to use the camera. We had a lot of fun making the actual film. We had an upside down chin face, pizza, and a chicken mask to work with. It was a pretty silly film.
Developing was easy for us, as we had some experience with that from the direct film manipulation project. The film came out for the most part, except for a few seconds at the end. I'm not sure what happened to it, except that maybe it was slightly under or over developed. After we developed it we went outside to let it dry. Projection was another difficult task, as we kept getting confused with which way to wind the film. Eventually we realized that since our film had to be turned upside down in Premiere anyway, we just had to get it to play on the projector and it didn't matter so much if it was upside down. After everyone had their films projected and converted to digital, we all helped clean up and put equipment away.
Overall, it was a fun experience to come together as a class and help eachother get these films done. It was neat to learn how to use a new camera and how to develop and project it, and to see how it all came out in the end.
Developing was easy for us, as we had some experience with that from the direct film manipulation project. The film came out for the most part, except for a few seconds at the end. I'm not sure what happened to it, except that maybe it was slightly under or over developed. After we developed it we went outside to let it dry. Projection was another difficult task, as we kept getting confused with which way to wind the film. Eventually we realized that since our film had to be turned upside down in Premiere anyway, we just had to get it to play on the projector and it didn't matter so much if it was upside down. After everyone had their films projected and converted to digital, we all helped clean up and put equipment away.
Overall, it was a fun experience to come together as a class and help eachother get these films done. It was neat to learn how to use a new camera and how to develop and project it, and to see how it all came out in the end.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Bridgman Packer
I was unable to make it to the performances because of a mandatory work weekend (Red Cross Gala, no requests off). However, I watched the excerpts and youtube videos that were available online for Bridgman Packer's performances.
I find projection interesting and I enjoy interpretive dance, I felt predisposed to like Bridgman Packer's performance pieces. Projection seems like an untapped market for filmmaking and photography, so I also think that Bridgman Packer have an advantage in being unique in their field.
The excerpts for Voyeur were an interesting take on Edward Hopper's photography. They matched the images very convincingly with their costumes and posture. Their performances were like photographs coming to life. They seem to move together with accuracy and passion. Sometimes their movements are jerky, but it adds to the authenticity of their actions- they are moving with their emotions, since they cannot express them vocally. The camera acts as a third character, displaying their movements simultaneously. The cinematographer and editor of their films should be given more credit for the work he does. He creates the illusion, which sometimes overshadows their dance. The simple set piece allows for creativity, flexibility with images, and movement. The use of windows speaks a little too literally about "voyeurism." The act of watching is expressed by the male character, the windows, the audience, and the camera. The double images look particularly realistic when Bridgman is projected in front of himself. Voyeur is a clever and visually interesting blending of mediums, though their dance is overshadowed by costuming and projection.
There was a video available for behind the scenes of the bed scene in Double Expose. They describe their characters as various archetypes. This film is drastically different from Voyeur, with different subject matter and a variation on the same technique. I appreciate that they change up their style with each performance, as projection can come off as a gimmick rather than an art form. The simultaneous images are impeccably executed, creating an illusion and a trick of the mind that plays well with the audience. I was very engaged when watching these videos, and seeing the behind the scenes first, I was able to appreciate their technique alongside their spectacle. The different characters are signified by their body language and costumes. My favorite part is when their are two separate mattress projections, and the characters move from one to the other, interacting with themselves physically and with their projections.
Overall, Bridgman Packer is a unique and illusory dance company; though their dancing leaves something to be desired when it comes to technical prowess.
I find projection interesting and I enjoy interpretive dance, I felt predisposed to like Bridgman Packer's performance pieces. Projection seems like an untapped market for filmmaking and photography, so I also think that Bridgman Packer have an advantage in being unique in their field.
The excerpts for Voyeur were an interesting take on Edward Hopper's photography. They matched the images very convincingly with their costumes and posture. Their performances were like photographs coming to life. They seem to move together with accuracy and passion. Sometimes their movements are jerky, but it adds to the authenticity of their actions- they are moving with their emotions, since they cannot express them vocally. The camera acts as a third character, displaying their movements simultaneously. The cinematographer and editor of their films should be given more credit for the work he does. He creates the illusion, which sometimes overshadows their dance. The simple set piece allows for creativity, flexibility with images, and movement. The use of windows speaks a little too literally about "voyeurism." The act of watching is expressed by the male character, the windows, the audience, and the camera. The double images look particularly realistic when Bridgman is projected in front of himself. Voyeur is a clever and visually interesting blending of mediums, though their dance is overshadowed by costuming and projection.
There was a video available for behind the scenes of the bed scene in Double Expose. They describe their characters as various archetypes. This film is drastically different from Voyeur, with different subject matter and a variation on the same technique. I appreciate that they change up their style with each performance, as projection can come off as a gimmick rather than an art form. The simultaneous images are impeccably executed, creating an illusion and a trick of the mind that plays well with the audience. I was very engaged when watching these videos, and seeing the behind the scenes first, I was able to appreciate their technique alongside their spectacle. The different characters are signified by their body language and costumes. My favorite part is when their are two separate mattress projections, and the characters move from one to the other, interacting with themselves physically and with their projections.
Overall, Bridgman Packer is a unique and illusory dance company; though their dancing leaves something to be desired when it comes to technical prowess.
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