October 27, 2005
Editing in Shirin Neshat's New Movie
Last weekend, I saw the Shirin Neshat film at Barbara Gladstone. The video seemed to be composed of several types of shots: shots that set the scene, reaction shots, and action shots. Shots that set the scene showed the kind of space we were in; sometimes introducing a character at the same time. Action shots showed some kind of action; for example, there is a scene when a man’s hands are moving over the main character, and the camera follows the hands. Reaction shots would show the expression of a character.
The movie seemed to follow this structure: 1) establish the scene 2) show some action 3) show people’s reactions. Of course it got a little more complicated than this, but I got the feeling this was the basic idea.
Posted by rus200 at 05:50 PM | TrackBack
October 20, 2005
Movie about my apartment.
We had to make a 30sec film out of still pictures. I took pictures of my apartment.
Posted by rus200 at 04:45 PM | TrackBack
October 13, 2005
Project 2 Proposal
For my second project, I would like to remake a video I did last semester for video art. The original video was based on a musical structure. I took 8 frame clips and arranged them into beats, arranged my beats into measures, and my measures into sections. For footage, I filmed myself flipping onto a mattress on my living-room floor.
I was very happy with the result of the original, however, not much thought went into the shooting. I had no lighting, the background was my living room, and some of the shots have different exposures or the camera has moved slightly. With the remake I intend to correct a lot of this.
You can see the original here.
Posted by rus200 at 05:46 PM | TrackBack
October 06, 2005
Portrait Project Response
10/ 06/05
For my portrait project, I started out with a very detailed plan. I found that this allowed for little experimentation during the filming process. With projects I have done in the past, I have had the luxury of off-camera editing, and this has allowed me to take more risks. In this project, when I planned out all the shots and had to do in-camera editing, I felt there was less room for inspiration later in the process.
The off-camera editing also made for a more painful shooting process. This was not only because the awkwardness of the process, but because the decisions I made about takes were final. Although the project overall went quickly because there was not any editing to be done later, shooting took a long time because of all of the extra decision-making necessary.
Because the project is a self-portrait, the content is a little difficult for me to judge. I think the resulting piece says a lot about me, but it implies I talk about myself more than I do. While my process—choosing three objects that I think represent me—was an effective study, watching the film in class made me feel immodest.
Other student’s films were more experimental. Some were studies in colors, shapes, and movement. I have an urge to attempt this kind of filmmaking, were I can learn about some of the more sensuous qualities of video. In this case my approach was documentary style; I just recorded myself talking, and presented the subject matter as straightforward as possible.
I also think video has a lot of power for artifice, and this is something I have not explored.
Posted by rus200 at 04:55 PM | TrackBack
September 22, 2005
Portrait Plan
I will ask the subject to select three belongings. I will suggest that they fall into the category of clothing, books, or music, but the subject is not restricted to these categories. I will then ask him/her to briefly talk about their selected belongings and how they define him as a person. After they have discussed these objects, I will ask him how well they think the exercise succeeded in delivering an accurate portrait. This process will raise questions as to what extent our belongings can define us.