Evaluation

I feel my experimental video went really well and I am pleased with the outcome. From first being set the task to write out the Treatment, it took some time for me to come up with an idea on what to do my video about. Once I finally thought about deafness, at first I wasn't sure because I didn't know how I would get the point across well, and I thought it would be hard because I would have to edit a lot on the audio side of it, but this was the only good idea I had at the time so I decided to stick with it. However this didn't take as long as it took to draw the storyboard. I had no idea how my video was going to look and what angles to use, all I knew was that the main part of my video will be the audio and not so much on the visual.

When it came to filming I found it enjoyable and I was happy with what I had captured. A few setbacks when it came to the sound of people in town as I was hoping there would be more people and it would be louder, but I managed to sort that out when it came to editing.

During post production it was straight forward to start off with, just putting the clips in order and playing it through, watching out for the parts that I don't need and then cutting those parts out. Things got more tricky though when it came to adding in the audio, especially in one scene. Before I added the audio I had criticism from the main character in the video, saying he can't see how the video gets the point across about deafness, but once I had added the audio you could see how it makes more sense, therefor proving that the audio is the most important feature in my video.

After finishing and showing the video I got some good feedback from my quiestionnaires.

Clearly showed what video was about.
Good cut out between the sounds.
The beeping was very effective.

Some of the criticism I recieved.
The text was too quick, not enough time to read it.
Some parts of the sound wasn't there.
Don't know what the field was about.

I am glad I have recieved criticism because you can work on your mistakes in future projects, and all the negative comments there I agree with as on the field shot I should have put some text, and some parts of sound missing because I found it hard to edit that scene as when I cut some of the video, the audio stays in same place, therefor I had to move audio each time so it is in sync.

Overall I am happy with what I created and it seems that the point of the video came across well.

2.3 Post Production Diary

Once all my filming was complete, I uploaded the footage onto a Mac computer with a USB cable using the editing software iMovieHD. As my filming was not shot in order, the footage was all over the place at start, so it took a fair time getting all the clips in the right order before I edit out the parts I don't need.

I didn't find editing too much of a challenge even thought one part in particular where I had to cut out the audio and leave the audio in for the next shot, then cut again for next shot. I repeated this a few times. This didn't take too long to do but was quite tricky. The reason for cutting the audio was because I wanted to use a beep sound in its place as we were in the first person point of view of the main character who has now lost his hearing. I was origanally going to find this sound on the internet somewhere or if they had the sound effect on iMovie I'd use it from there, but I decided to be more creative and use feedback I created from placing my guitar infront of my amplifier.

One part which I was not happy with when coming to edit was noticing that after the second character is introduced, he should have been on the right hand side of the screen, and the main character should have been on the left because the shot before this that is how they were positioned, this will be something I will improve on next time to really make sure to know what position the actors should be.

Once I was happy with the footage I kept, I exported it and put it onto a DVD along with my animatic.

2.3 Production Diary

My first day for video production started on 23/11/08 and ended on 29/11/08.

The first part filming that took place was actually one of the last scenes, but the location for this was where I live filming the road, and as I started on a weekend, the roads were fairly busy throughout the day so I thought it was the best opportunity to film.

My next location for filming was in Crawley in the town, as the main character in my video is introduced. This took place on the 26th. When I arrived in the town, there weren’t too many people, so at first I thought this could be a problem because it was fairly quiet and the whole point of my video is on noise from people being loud, but as the day went on more people were coming so it turned out well in the end. This was the only day I was able to film this scene as the other character who plays the main characters friend was only able to film on this day. The second scene in the quieter environment had to also take place on this day. This also caused some worry as if the amount of time was spent too long in town, then it would start to be getting dark by the time we shot this second scene, but we were able to do both scenes in a short time.

The next scene took place back at town. This was set to be done on the 29th. This day turned out to be the most problematic because of the weather. On arrival it started spitting, followed by light rain, but I was able to get some footage done, which has turned out to be the most effective piece in the video.

Overall the production went well with only slight delays due to weather and a slight change from what was originally on my storyboard, but I was happy with the footage I got and it was enjoyable.

2.2 Questionnaire

These questions will be asked to the viewers infront of a camera once they have seen the video.

1. Do you think my video showed clearly the subject of loud noise and deafness?

2. Do you think I had a good use of audio?

3. Do you think that loud sounds/music/people make the world more interesting?

4. Is there anything you think I could have improved?

5. Anything further to add?

2.2 Exibition/Installation plan

Much thought about where I will be showing my video has occurred, but finally made the decision of showing at College on the 4th floor on Friday 12th December. I plan to show through a projector on a big screen, and as my video has text I want the viewers to be able to read it clearly. As this video is about hearing, I want the sound to be the best possible in a big space. When the viewers enter the room there will be no music playing it will be silent to give off the impression of deafness. I will have the lights off so it focuses more on what's on screen and gives off the vibe of loneliness when you feel you have nobody to go to when you have a problem. While the video is being viewed I will take pictures to show my video has been viewed. After I have shown the video to however many I am able, I will then let the viewers fill out the questionnaire I have provided.

4. The use of exhibition space to create meaning

Exhibition space can change the meaning we have on the work easily in my opinion. When viewing art at a museum we can take more interest on the films because we are there for a purpose to view the art and we have no distractions. Viewing this in a classroom we are forced to watch and therefor will not have the same affect and are less likely to take an interest.

At the Tate Modern, we viewed five artists work. Susan Hiller, Jonas Mekas, Dan Graham, Pawel Kwiek, and Dominique Gonzalez. Out of the five, Dominique Gonzalez's work leaves you with a bigger thought of imagination as the room with her art in is the biggest and has these bunkbeds which fill nearly the whole room, with the added effect of hanging models which give off many thoughts as when you first enter the room we have no idea as to why these huge models exist. Also this room was the only room to be lit as the other four artist's rooms were black with the main light coming from the screens. These other four rooms were very small compared to Gonzalez's but with the rooms blackened and being small it makes us concentrate more on the film because we are not distracted by anything else. Susan Hiller's film PSI Girls has 5 screens, all of which are clips from other films that have a character with magical powers. After the clips have finished, they swap around onto a different screen in a different filter colour. This is not something you would see often and it is interesting how when the same clips are being seen in different colours, they give off different emotions as if we were to be watching something different.

Treatment

PROGRAMME TITLE:

DIRECTOR/
CAMERA OPERATOR: Daniel Glynn

DURATION: 1 – 2 minutes

FORMAT: DV

AUDIO: My own created music, people from town.

OUTLINE OF AUDIENCE: People from all ages as this issue can effect anyone of any age.

OUTLINE OF STORY: We start off with the life of one person who finds life too noisy and wants everything in life to quiet down. After a while the person becomes deaf and we find out how life is for deaf people and that without the sounds we have, whether it’s music or people talking loudly, these are the things that make the world more interesting and without it the world would be a boring place.

CHARACTERS: James.

Film Review

Film content review sheet

Name of film……………

Name of creator or films artist…Daniel Glynn

Duration…1 – 2 minutes

Types of visual images used in this chosen piece. (B&W, colour, locations, actors etc.)

I will use a variety of visual with B&W and fading out to black. Also I will speed up and slow down some scenes. For locations I will mainly be outside from various places, and for the audio I will go into Crawley town. The actors will be Harry and Chris. I will not need many actors for my video.


Types audio used in the video. (Is the Audio Diegetic or Non Diegetic , does the soundtrack fit the imagery?)

Audio will be a mixture of diegetic and non diegetic. I will be using sound from people in the town with no edited audio. But I will be using music as well.


What is the premise or controlling idea of this video is?

How we would cope in life for the people who feel there is too much noise in this world, how would these people cope if they were to lose their hearing?


What thoughts do I hope the audience are left with after they have viewed this film?

I hope that people will find the video interesting with a good use of audio and visual.

6. Audience, and audience interpretation of the work

Everyone in the class had their opinions on the films, some different and some the same as each other. I think everyone agreed that The Girl Chewing Gum was a bit disappointing after finding out that it wasn't real and the lack of editing and music which is important especially for experimenting. Along with 1001 Nights, to look at visually everyone agreed that it wasn't very interesting but the same could be said for Telling Lies, but however this film has comical values which the class found funny which makes more interest even if we only see text on a black background. Gisele Kerozene is also a comical piece which everyone found amusing, but again this was different from the other films because of the stop animation, which made it even more comical and creative.

On Koyaanisqatsi, some of the class thought it was interesting with the long slow scenes wheras others found it drags on too much therefor making it boring. Having differences on opinions is a good thing because we can share our own views on what we think is right and wrong and that is how most films are to the audience, we all react differently to a lot of things. It is important to directors to have mixed reactions instead of all reactions being good because if all was good then the director wouldn't have anything to work on in future projects and there would be no challenge.

5. How these works might inspire your own work

From watching these films, there has been more inspiring ideas. Telling Lies is one of the ones that were more inspiring, because of the text changing from the audio when a lie is told. I would have never thought about using text as a form of truth against the lie of the audio so I think it is a good idea, but some people could find it difficult to concentrate on two things at once, especially if the text moves too fast to keep up with the dialogue. Koyaanisqatsi is also good due to the difference in pace movement, and the fact that you don't need commentary over the footage to understand the concept of the film. All of what I have seen from these films give out ideas for own creations. Gisele Kerozene uses stop animation which I find very creative and I was a big fan of the Wallace & Grommit films which use this same procedure of stop motion but it does take a long time to make. Out of all the films, the least inspiring to me would be The Girl Chewing Gum. There is nothing visually that stands out in this film, and it is in black and white. Using black and white though however is good to use in new films in some scenes, but this film is uninspiring due to there being no editing.

3. Narrative and non-narrative structures

A narrative structure is basically the story and whether the film has a beginning, middle, and end. The Girl Chewing Gum goes straight into action and doesn't show an introduction but it does have a beginning, middle and end. The narrative of this film changes as we think at the beginning that this is footage happening live as the director speaks, to finding out that it's not real and the footage is pre recorded.

Koyaanisqatsi definately shows clearly a beginning, middle and end. At the start we are on a deserted island, to completely changing pace in the middle to more fast paced action, and ending slowly again, with the ending being similar to the beginning. This is showing how life is a continuous circle, things can never stay the same forever but can always at times become repetitive.

With 1001 Nights we are not told the whole story. We hear the 5 women telling their stories but not in whole, we are only hearing half of what really happened, and we only hear what they say, not the questions asked. At the start we are not clear as to what the film is to be about as there is no introduction, we are just brought straight in as the first woman speaks.

Telling Lies has a clear beginning, middle and end. We first hear the phone ring, then we hear the conversation taking place, then ending by hanging up the phone.

Narrative structures are not always in use, therefor aren't always important, depending on what type of film we are viewing, like Gisele Kerozene, can be viewed as an entertainment based piece rather than a story happening. Some films will have an ending told before we reach the middle of the film so we know what happens at the end, but most of the time a film will run through a linear based structure and to fully understand the endings we need to have a beginning and a middle. 1001 Nights doesn't use this narrative structure and the stories we hear aren't in full detail, we don't have a beginning and we don't really have an end either because much more could be said.

2. The use of technology and techniques and styles

The Girl Chewing Gum was made in 1976 and is in black and white with just one camera in the town with no editing at all until near the end when we are we are taken to a different scene on a field. Not much money was put into this film, but The Girl Chewing Gum doesn’t need a big budget with special effects because it tells the story without need of a big budget, as does Telling Lies because this film doesn't even have any camera footage so maybe they weren’t able to afford to use a camera, and this film was made in 2001, so it shows that even now there are low budgets put into filming, but also shows how you don't need to have video footage to sell a story in a film because you can read the text and listen to the audio, but it doesn't have the same affect. The late 60’s early 70’s were the time where people were being introduced to colour television and video production was slowly building up but the costs were too high for most people to be able to use high tech equipment in those days compared to now where we can use CGI to really make a film stand out in the looks which is what Doll Face is and is why this film differs from the other films because this is the only one to use CGI. Gisele Kerozene uses just one camera for capturing images, and once all images are captured then they are placed together to look like video footage. This is a cheaper solution to using video footage and is more creative and adds the entertainment element which some big budget films will lack because too much has been spent on trying to make the visual side O.T.T. and lacks the entertainment side so even the cheapest of films can still come out on top.

1. Discuss both past and current artists and works

The films I will be comparing are:

Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio, Telling Lies by Simon Ellis, and Gisele Kerozene by Jan Kounen.

Koyaanisqatsi and Gisele Kerozene were both made in the 1980's where as Telling Lies was made in 2001. I was surprised to find out that Gisele Kerozene was made in 1989 as I thought the film looked rather new. All of these 3 films differ from each other in pace. You have Koyaanisqatsi which varies in pace but is mainly slow whereas Telling Lies and Gisele Kerozene are fast paced throughout. These 2 films are both voice recorded after the film has been complete so for audio they are very similar but the visual side of it they differ because Telling Lies is just text and Gisele Kerozene is stop motion picture, but both are not actual video footage, this is why Koyaanisqatsi is different because all of what we see is video footage. The colours in the 3 films are all colourful, even Telling Lies which is just text on a black background, but the text changes colour throughout. This is why I was surprised by Gisele Kerozene because the colour looked sharp and recent as to that 80's look that Koyaanisqatsi has, but taking in to account that Gisele Kerozene are all pictures instead of video camera footage.

All audio in the 3 films are non diegetic because we do not hear audio from what is happening on scene, Koyaanisqatsi is just music which is obviously put over the top of the footage, Telling Lies is voice over as is Gisele Kerozene but Telling Lies is a phone conversation so the characters don't see each others reactions.

Telling Lies and Gisele Kerozene

Telling Lies is a 4 minute film about a man in conversation with 2 different women and his Mother. All of which are happening on the phone. During this film we do not see these conversations, we simply see a black screen with what is being said used in text. This text fits very well with the pace of the audio, but however not all of the text matches the audio. When the man tells a lie we see different text which is the truth.

Gisele Kerozene is a stop motion film. We are first introduced to the characters who are all meant to be witches who fly around this town on broomsticks. Out of all the films I would say that this is the most creative and took the most time to complete. For every few seconds of film it could have taken up to an hour or so to film so it's more craft based than concept but people could argue with that as there was thought put into before filming began. The audio for this film is non diegetic as the actors recorded their voice overs after filming was done because as it's stop motion, you do not hear audio as all that you see are pictures not video.

Craft, Concept and Context

Craft - The sylistic creative side of a project.

Concept - The idea of what the film is supposed to say to the audience.

Context - Where we can take things the wrong way i.e. truth or lie.

Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi is a film where the premise is not clear and it's left to us the audience to make our own minds up about its meaning.

The opening title is in black and red which are colours you would associate with death, and the opening scene which was of fire. The pace of the film varies throughout from very slow paced long scenes of landscape views of a deserted land, to fast pace fast forward shots of people's daily routines such as people working in a factory and people shopping. I think this a way of showing how different life is now to how it was many years ago where we wern't so over populated with people and how much life has changed with pace.

The audio in this film is non diegetic. We do not hear any dialogue at all, only music. This shows that you don't always need commentary to show what is happening in a scene, and in my opinion can make you concentrate more on what you see instead of listening to someone tell you what is happening, depending on the type of material you are watching.

1001 Nights

1001 Nights is a 6 minute film on five woman telling us experiences of war. The five women are all sat next to each other, with nothing but a black background. They all have a turn each to have their say, with only the one that's talking has her eyes open. This makes the woman who is talking stand out more.

There is no conversation taking place in this film, you are just listening to the five women with no questions asked. There is no music so you are only concentrating on what is being said.

The main idea to this piece is about war and death. These five women all share with us experiences of being in the middle of a war, but what we are not certain on is if they are telling us that these events happened to them or if they are speaking for someone else.

After watching 1001 Nights there was nothing for me that stands out for me, just one camera shot and nothing interesting happening on screen and no music but it makes you think that anyone can become involved in war.

Brighton Images

The first image is of a seagull looking out to the view. This image shows a typical British beach where leaving no food laying around is safe as seagulls and pigeons will be there within a blink of an eye. Being able to take a picture of a seagull or pigeon is easy when you have food and you can set up the image much like what the photographer Martin Parr does.

This image shows the down side to Brighton. This is what you wouldn't find being advertised just like many other locations of Brighton that are rough and old looking, the old pier being one of them.

What is an Experimental Video?

Experimental videos are opportunities for students to try out different ranges of video production. You are able to take any genre and put it to the test to come up with an idea yourself to make a video, experimenting with different types of music to see what fits well with the meaning of the video, and trying out different colours and editing techniques. Lots of students will make a video from footage they have captured on their cameras and make a music video out of it, or from pictures they have taken and make a slideshow video. I have done this on many occasions with videos I recorded with my friends then made a music video out of all the footage.