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

Art House Cinema

The subject of art house cinemas always reminds me of Cuba because Castro was apparently (maybe he still is--if the conspiracy theories of his death are false) a big advocator of them. Even though they were often propaganda... ?
sometimes I also connect art houses with traveling shows or one of those old-fashioned wagon medicine men. Touring through cities, but in a "hipster" esque way.. basements, old churches, etc.
When I took 205 with Dr. Palmer, we discussed this concept somewhat; I think what we have at school is the closest thing, besides film festivals. But while festivals are a short period of time, film studies classes take place almost year-round!
I love people who are passionate about things. Even if it's potatoes, I hope they're so passionate, that they want to find the best hybrid of a potato possible. In the matter of this reading, I found a smile on my face when I read the part about the man standing up and demanding for a forum about the movie--even though he hated it! I love it!
It's people like him who get society moving forward. Even though you hate something, you have to lose your ego of "being right" and demand to discuss said thing. Either you or someone else will become enlightened, and hopefully the next step from there would be either revolution or evolution.

Finally, I just want to point out that there's a Parks & Rec episode about this where Leslie accidentally starts a porn shop and has to show cinephilia-esque films at the town hall once a week :)
#parks&recfacts

Collective Filmmaking

As I understand, I went about my presentation in a different way than what I should have done to help understand collective filmmaking, and for that I apologize.

Miranda July was a great believer in joining filmmakers and creating projects in a collective group. Lesser known people would make connections and expand their knowledge by joining with other people.
Kind of like we do! We bounce ideas off of each other, constantly switch roles and get to work with new people for a week or so on another project. In a way, that's a huge part of film school: making connections.
Like Miranda's role in one of her projects, Learning to Love You More (2002-2009), Shannon is the director assigning the individual filmmakers roles. We are the filmmakers completing the assignments, in an "ever-changing series of exhibitions". Although we may not have a book of our work completed (as Miranda did), nor have it projected in museums (also as Miranda had), we share it with each other (and if you're like me, your moms).
A great thing about collective filmmaking is that it totally puts you out of your comfort zone, which is where you probably should be. While it is nice to know what the heck is going on, learning how to adapt to your situation is so much more applicable to life in general. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. No matter how hard we try to control life, it just doesn't work that way. You can plan a film, or a career goal, but the sole purpose of life is evolution. Therefore, change is inevitable. You will change your mind many times. You will lose sleep and cry and possibly throw up. But, you will constantly meet many people who will collaborate on your perspective of all things about your film/style (and probably even transfer it to your life)! And better yet, some of these collaborators will end up being your greatest friends and alliances in life.

This past week has been eye-opening for me in many radical ways, and although it's incredibly scary, once the shock is gone, breaking down your own guarded walls is a feeling of freedom like no other. This class helps us be free and be okay with our freedom. Be comfortable in your "mistakes", and let the knowledge splash over you!

Shooting on Film

I learned pretty much about everything while shooting on film...

I would really like to take up photography for fun as soon as I can afford the camera that I would like (which might be a while for that dream to happen... lol). Reviewing aperture was refreshing, and learning about a sekonic was really cool! I've always seen behind the scenes footage of it being used, but I never really understood why. I plan on investing in a sekonic as well, someday...

I know that to take it a step further with digital editing, the photographer would overlay all three exposures to get the "most dimensional" photo in the after effects part, but I think that by doing this on film by hand, I can appreciate the skill of a good shot through these efforts:
-a steady hand
-an accurate sekonic reading
-shifting light (unless a night shoot... find ENOUGH light!)
-finding focus
-waiting patiently to see your work
-being satisfied

I think the waiting part was both easy and hard. I wanted to see how the film turned out, but I was afraid that it would not be how I wanted it to--I was worried that I'd be disappointed.

But in the end I was really happy with the knowledge I gained no matter what. I have time to develop these skills, and then someday I'll see them in many different aspects through many different photos of my dog on the wall.
Did we learn in this class about the favorite subject? Typically it used to be of other people, but unfortunately the vain/narcissist generation of today think they are their favorite subject to photograph. aka the "selfie". Mostly because people hate to interact with each other.