This class really pushed me forward not only as a filmmaker, but also as a creative person. I had to find ways around limitations, learn to adapt to changes, and also figure out my role in each project.
My favorite was the music video. I discovered how much I love Art/Hair & Make up, and how that would really fit me as a person. I also realized that I actually like to pretend to be someone else for a few hours. It spices up my life.
My least favorite was the soundscape, but only because it scared me so much. Once I was doing it and in the process of finding a pattern of noise, I ended up loving it.
I'm so thankful that I took this class this semester because I really connected with my classmates--more than I typically do in a class. I've made a lot of friends and hopefully we keep working on projects together. I'm also very thankful I took this class because I think I'm a better problem solver. I've learned how to work with what I have, and how to make and expression with it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Greatness
Because who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh?
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
Cucalorus for the First Time: 2014
My Cucalorus experience was rushed. It went by so quickly! I had a hell of a weekend traveling from work, home, and downtown several times per day (as well as finding parking.. haha).
My first film was Children of Salt, where I also met Caleb Ward. It was great to see a UNCW graduate's production. Although the sound mixing could've been improved a little, for a low-budget film, this was spectacular! The narrative was revealed and paced in a gratifying way, and the story was captivating.
My second screening was the Minorca Shorts block. I had gotten off of work early, and forced my co-worker to come with me to this screening. I knew where TheaterNOW was this time, so we made it (and both got in for free!). I particularly enjoyed Bloodhounds, as well as Trouble and the Shadowy Deathblow. We stayed for the Q&A, which gave another perspective behind the decisions made--I always love hearing stories about how/where/why certain shorts and films are made.
My third screening was Living Stars, which was a delight. Kids, Adults, and Seniors all participated in a compilation of dancing in Buenos Aires. Some were very good, some were a little unsynchopated, but all of them depicted dancing as a way to live life. In outer-textual analysis, this could be a metaphor for accepting the music given, and breaking up the daily routine. While I sat at Jengo's watching this, I just thought about how every culture connects to music and dance of some form.
My fourth screening was Stomping Ground, which I kid you not, was one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It had the dark humor of Zombieland, but no narration. I was engaged and entertained throughout the whole film. After the Q&A, I forced myself to go and talk to the director (Dan) and the lead actress (Tarah), which was probably good for my social skills. I just seriously want this thing to come on Netflix now.
My fifth screening was The Return.
This was such a powerful way to start my day, I often found myself reflecting on my identity throughout the rest of my day. Although the other viewers were mostly either a) older than 60, or b) Jewish, I felt that I got a lot out from seeing this documentary. I think it spoke to the young feminist in me, searching for her own truth.
I really enjoyed Cucalorus; it was my first real film festival and I know now that I will never work on Cucalorus weekend again. Hopefully the next film festival I go to takes me to NYC. That would be chaotic but amazing.
My first film was Children of Salt, where I also met Caleb Ward. It was great to see a UNCW graduate's production. Although the sound mixing could've been improved a little, for a low-budget film, this was spectacular! The narrative was revealed and paced in a gratifying way, and the story was captivating.
My second screening was the Minorca Shorts block. I had gotten off of work early, and forced my co-worker to come with me to this screening. I knew where TheaterNOW was this time, so we made it (and both got in for free!). I particularly enjoyed Bloodhounds, as well as Trouble and the Shadowy Deathblow. We stayed for the Q&A, which gave another perspective behind the decisions made--I always love hearing stories about how/where/why certain shorts and films are made.
My third screening was Living Stars, which was a delight. Kids, Adults, and Seniors all participated in a compilation of dancing in Buenos Aires. Some were very good, some were a little unsynchopated, but all of them depicted dancing as a way to live life. In outer-textual analysis, this could be a metaphor for accepting the music given, and breaking up the daily routine. While I sat at Jengo's watching this, I just thought about how every culture connects to music and dance of some form.
My fourth screening was Stomping Ground, which I kid you not, was one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It had the dark humor of Zombieland, but no narration. I was engaged and entertained throughout the whole film. After the Q&A, I forced myself to go and talk to the director (Dan) and the lead actress (Tarah), which was probably good for my social skills. I just seriously want this thing to come on Netflix now.
My fifth screening was The Return.
This was such a powerful way to start my day, I often found myself reflecting on my identity throughout the rest of my day. Although the other viewers were mostly either a) older than 60, or b) Jewish, I felt that I got a lot out from seeing this documentary. I think it spoke to the young feminist in me, searching for her own truth.
I really enjoyed Cucalorus; it was my first real film festival and I know now that I will never work on Cucalorus weekend again. Hopefully the next film festival I go to takes me to NYC. That would be chaotic but amazing.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Installation Concerns
I'm thankful for the installation project. I believe that this will be a great way to end the semester, and ever since I watched the Gossip Girl episode where some artsy-mysterious-bad boy woos Serena by creating a snow-themed installation project as her Christmas present, I wanted to be exposed to more moving, living art (yes, I watch Gossip Girl often. They have great music and clothes. Sue me.).
I'm really excited for our idea of mirrors everywhere! I think if we can project our found (?) footage off of the shed and reflect/refract it amongst the mirrors, the response would be awesome. I'm concerned about getting mirrors, though. I can contribute about three good sized mirrors, but even if we each bring three, that would not be enough to get the effect we are going for.
I'm also concerned about how we will project it (where we will get a projector), and how to make our project more "filmic". I think I would like to portray the elements through film--a digitalized version of fire, maybe water, and maybe behind the scenes of fans pretending to be "real" wind. I'm personally at a loss for earth, though.
Maybe we could explain through mirrors and projections how film distorts and exploits the elements....
I'm really excited for our idea of mirrors everywhere! I think if we can project our found (?) footage off of the shed and reflect/refract it amongst the mirrors, the response would be awesome. I'm concerned about getting mirrors, though. I can contribute about three good sized mirrors, but even if we each bring three, that would not be enough to get the effect we are going for.
I'm also concerned about how we will project it (where we will get a projector), and how to make our project more "filmic". I think I would like to portray the elements through film--a digitalized version of fire, maybe water, and maybe behind the scenes of fans pretending to be "real" wind. I'm personally at a loss for earth, though.
Maybe we could explain through mirrors and projections how film distorts and exploits the elements....
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
MY Photo
This picture sums me up because I love traveling, and I constantly quote movie. But credit is due to my sister, Megan, for this snapchat--which sends me to my other point... I LOVE MY FAMILY. And we have a great sense of humor.
This was a really hard assignment for me, but I decided to practice no attachments by choosing a picture depending on the content from a deeper meaning (and not limit myself to only aesthetic beauty).
My Cucalorus Plan
Friday: Yokohama Shorts (if I can make it), Children of Salt
Saturday: Living Stars & Stomping Ground
Sunday: The Return & Rosecomb Shorts?
Saturday: Living Stars & Stomping Ground
Sunday: The Return & Rosecomb Shorts?
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Self Portrait Ideas
It finally hit me what I would like to portray in my self portrait:
the emotional responses to my fears and gratifications.
I believe this assignment is the perfect timing for this point of my life because I feel like my fears control me, and recently my gratifications have given me release to pursue my happiness. I'm not completely sure how this will be executed, but I was wondering if this could be a rhythmic edit of a sort?
Perhaps a parallel action, or just shot-reverse shot if not the case. All I'm attempting to do is create an emotional reaction/understanding within the audience's perception.
It will be really challenging for me not to use anytime of MUSIC musical background, but maybe that could be exposed as another fear of mine. Now that I sit and think about it, this assignment is an oxymoron: I'm exposing my fears within a fear. But filmmaking is more than a fear (most of the time), it's a thrill!
At the moment, I plan on solely using my phone for all recording (sounds, pictures, etc). My phone directly reflects my thoughts, and unfortunately, it's where I spend much of my time anyways (part of the instant gratification era?). I will create a list of my fears and things I enjoy, and then several different ways this could be portrayed. I could attempt at taking three fears, three hobbies, and then several portrayals of each. But that might be too much...
I would like to practice a bit of color correction, so if I have the opportunity to do so, I might try to figure that out. It has a good chance of ending up a bit botched, but hey, this is an experimental class!
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Art Deptartment in Music Video
My role in the music video production included women's chorus vocals, Art Department (including hair & wardrobe), and actress.
Making the song was a really great experience. I had no idea how to go about this, and Michael really led the group well, considering many of us had no previous recording skills. I sat in his living room, listening to the same several bars of music on repeat for several minutes before my humming made a small melody, to which he fine-tuned, and then we recorded. Then we recorded again so that it sounded like multiple people/mixed, and then we did the harmony two times as well.
Michael was really great with helping everyone get comfortable to what we were doing--he walked us through the steps and was forgiving when we didn't understand or messed up while recording.
For my role as Art Department, Kevin and I talked over aesthetics, and how this would supposedly turn out using the camera and film stock that we had. At our big meeting before the shoot, we discussed color scheme for wardrobe as well as final listing of props necessary. Then, I went home and made six masks using flour, water, and ripped magazines, as well as researched drug addicts "before" and after pictures to get make up inspiration.
On set I acted the role of a girl fighting/indulging/contemplating her drug addictions. Although I haven't had a ton of experience with acting besides summer plays and funny videos with my friends, this was a great experience. I feel like our group vibes together really well, and I know I've definitely made friends that I'll likely work with again through this project. I'm really lucky and grateful!
-lizzie
Making the song was a really great experience. I had no idea how to go about this, and Michael really led the group well, considering many of us had no previous recording skills. I sat in his living room, listening to the same several bars of music on repeat for several minutes before my humming made a small melody, to which he fine-tuned, and then we recorded. Then we recorded again so that it sounded like multiple people/mixed, and then we did the harmony two times as well.
Michael was really great with helping everyone get comfortable to what we were doing--he walked us through the steps and was forgiving when we didn't understand or messed up while recording.
For my role as Art Department, Kevin and I talked over aesthetics, and how this would supposedly turn out using the camera and film stock that we had. At our big meeting before the shoot, we discussed color scheme for wardrobe as well as final listing of props necessary. Then, I went home and made six masks using flour, water, and ripped magazines, as well as researched drug addicts "before" and after pictures to get make up inspiration.
On set I acted the role of a girl fighting/indulging/contemplating her drug addictions. Although I haven't had a ton of experience with acting besides summer plays and funny videos with my friends, this was a great experience. I feel like our group vibes together really well, and I know I've definitely made friends that I'll likely work with again through this project. I'm really lucky and grateful!
-lizzie
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