"so this is new"

Experimental film. Experimental film. Experimental film.

To be honest, I thought experimental film would be easy. But actually trying to make something different? Man, that's a toughie! I've been turning my brain, and my groups brain inside out for two days now. In the end we actually decided to split up and do individual projects, but I definitely think that the brainstorming was healthy for all of us :) 

For my idea I wanted to try something that I personally haven't tried before, therefore at least making it an experience for me. But what to do ey

But then BAM, like a dream it hit me! (I actually did dream it, funny story.) What if I do POV? That I film from my perspective! I liked the idea, so I did some research, and this is what I found:

"The Stampede" by Biting Elbows

That looks simply amazing and i definitely want to try this :D 

After watching a couple of videos on youtube about how to film POV, it seems its a much harder task than I originally intended haha, but oh well, let's make a head rig!

The head rig consisted of a bandana and my camera snuggling in it like a new born, right under my chin. The finished product was alright, but I see a lot of potential in working more with POV, and experimental film :)

-TJ

"quality content"

So this is what I made in After Effects today. I liked it.

Newspapers, glue, and friends who haven't seen each other for four week - what could go wrong?

So the year starts anew, and with that a new term, new challenges, new ideas, and new assignments. I think we have all been rather curious about how this second term is gonna be. Last year everything was new and exciting, and let's be honest, making a sequel is scary. To quote film maker George Lucas,

"The easy one to make is the first film because nobody knows whether you can make a film or not. You've made a bunch of little projects, you've shown off you have talent, and you talk real fast, and you convince somebody that you should be doing a feature. And, they let you do a feature. After you've done that feature, then you have heck of a difficult time getting your second film off the ground. They look at your first film and they say, "Oh well, we don't want you anymore." 

So starting second term is in no way a small task. Why not have some fun then? 

As I discussed in my previous post I think experimental film is some rad stuff. You can basically think of your craziest ideas and put them to life! So now we just have to actually make those ideas haha, which in my opinion is probably the most fun part :) 

So Anne got us some newspapers, some scissors, some glue, and a blank piece of paper. "Find nouns, adjectives, and verbs! Make poems! Glue them together!" she said. "Ayay!" we said. (Maybe not out loud, but we were definitely thinking it.) 

So, this on is ours. I went for the "pick your own" poem approach. It's a never ending square, so pick the order you thinking sounds the best, and voila! You have a poem.

 This one has a lot of words. Good job !

These two belong together. Clearly someone has captured David Camerons infamous lust for fresh bacon. 

I don't know about the others, but with banter, friends, and kindergarten activities, at least I had a blast :D 

And to now finish off this post with another quote by the previously mentioned George Lucas, while I enjoy this Star Wars-branded Volvic Natural Still Water,

"I took over control of the merchandising not because I thought it was going to make me rich, but because I wanted to control it. I wanted to make a stand for social, safety, and quality reasons. I didn't want someone using the name "Star Wars" on a piece of junk."

Truly a man of his word. 

-TJ

PS. I might have a few spelling mistakes, but my Oxford comma is on point.


Sources: 

"Interview: George Lucas." achievement.org. 19th June 1999.
(http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/printmember/luc0int-1)
[13th January 2016]

"George Lucas, personal quotes." imdb.com.
(http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000184/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_qt_sm#quotes)
[13th January 2016]

Experimental film

Experimental film, also known as Avant Garde, is whenever a film or music video takes a step away from the mainstream. The normal, typical, and frankly sometimes boring conventions of film making take a bow, and make room for new, fresh, and maybe even crazy ideas. Considering this genre is experimental at the very core, nothing really defines how long, or how "entertaining" they have to be. Films can range from 15 seconds to multiple hours, and dialog/visuals are an optional. I believe that because of this genres raw attitude towards rules, it's easier to express human emotions, but also pressing topics. Experimental film has been looked down on by a lot of people because of the sheer uniqueness, but has also been criticised based on the artist behind the film. It's quite common that because of the immense emotion it takes to make an experimental film, the artist often appears in the film themselves. By some this could be perceived as narcissistic. 

Now it's important to remember that every aspect of the film can be experimental, even the screening. Many artists wants their film to be screened in unusual ways, like on a passing tube, or on the ceiling of a warehouse. (Those ideas were just me thinking haha). If you for an example screened it on the ceiling of a warehouse your film might be about consumerism, or maybe how we always have our nose stuck to a smartphone, and would never look up to actually see the film. Experimental film is more common today I think, as more people have access to art. That might sound like a silly thing, but it's a fact that we live in a world today were its not completely fatal to take chances - thus more people being able to pursue their art. 

Now, for starters I decided to take a look at Derek Jarman. And what an astounding artist he was! The film that first caught my eyes was his film from 1993, "Blue". The film is filmed exclusively on a blue background with a narrator talking about Jarman's fearless confrontation with his loss of sight, and his imminent mortality. Jarman's loss of sight was due to the AIDS virus, and he uses the film to list symptoms, his endless visits to the hospital, and serves as a general look back on his life. It's an immersive experience where you too can close your eyes and just listen - without being afraid of missing any visuals. Simon Fisher Turner provides a lovely soundtrack that also adds greatly to the experience. I found this film really compelling because as a person who is really interested in film, I'm always looking for the best visual I can get, but this completely removes that aspect without taking anything away from the experience. I find that truly amazing! 

"Blue" (1993) by Derek Jarman - please take the time to listen to the 10 first minutes

Jarman would in interviews say that he was not "living with AIDS", but rather "dying with it". This is not necessarily a negative output on the situation, but maybe just the realistic one that he needed. In Blue, we hear that the whole experience is dreading, but there is a nostalgic side to it as well. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle said in an interview that Blue was one of the most intimate films he'd ever seen, and I can completely understand why. Derek Jarman invites you for a screening of his entire life, and you sit next to him as he quietly fades away. 

He sadly died only four months after the films release at the age of 52. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources: 

Davidson, Alex. "Derek Jarman: five essential films." 

BFI.com. 30th Januar 2015. 

(http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/derek-jarman-five-essential-films) [9th January 2016]

Garfield, Simon. "Derek Jarman: into the blue: He is not living with Aids, he says, but dying with it. But he works on. His new film and his very presence are reminders of how, in him, radical challenge and disarming delight go hand in hand. Simon Garfield reports." 

independent.co.uk. 13th August 1993.

(http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/derek-jarman-into-the-blue-he-is-not-living-with-aids-he-says-but-dying-with-it-but-he-works-on-his-1461014.html) [9th January 2016]

Johnston, Sheila. "Film-makers on film: Christopher Doyle"

telegraph.co.uk. 19th April 2005

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/3640666/Film-makers-on-film-Christopher-Doyle.html [10th January 2016]

todays sponsor is vimeo

Tadaaaa

-TJ

so what do you do when you've got a whole bunch of dance rushes on your hands, and you have to edit them somehow

It's not that I've never edited before, it's just that I've never used anything fancier or flashier than iMovie, and if there is one thing Adobe can brag about when it comes to Premiere Pro, then it's that "Premiere Pro definitely is fancier and flashier than iMovie." 

So now that I've wasted a good five minutes making that, let's look for some inspiration ! 

Looking through the rushes I'm noticing a lot of sharp and martial arts-esque movements, not only is this very cool, but it also reminds me of one of my favourite animated series; Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

Have a look-around at these fresh as basil gifs: 

 Ooo, colours

 Ooo, animated elemental bending

Ooo, so fresh

Dya see what I mean? If I didn't know better (and my sense of childish imagination hadn't diminished in the last 10 years) I would've thought they were masters of the elements. 

I reckon it'd look pretty cool if I could use some of these rad moves in the edit, make it look like a powerful elemental dance. 

What music makes my brain go "Oo that's a good idea!" then.. I guess if I'm doing rapid movements I should get something with a relatively fast beat, maybe even.. dubstep? No, that's crazy talk! But what if it isn't? .. 

So now that I've slept on it (Oh, I went to bed at some point, soo, yes.), I think dubstep is a brilliant idea.

BUT 

I want it to have an extra kick, you know? So I went looking for dubstep with classical music. A remix with a bit of both worlds, like Hannah Montana :) 

This playlist answered my atheistic prayers - http://8tracks.com/docellis/classical-dubstep

I chose the Fur Elise remix, because Beethoven is my main homie, and I don't wanna let him down. 

But here's the thing right, I want even more. Like JFK I believe human kind is meant to go further, and that is what intend to do. What more can I add though? The answer came to me in the form Norwegian rap. 

                                       

At the end of this song by Lars Vaular, a musican and poet called Bjørn Eidsvåg spits some spoken poetry, and I be damned if that isn't some good shit. That is what I need.

So that means I'm pretty set for this editing - I just need the parts and my own patience. 

-TJ 

in my opinion how the picture is mounted should add to the picture, which is why the chaos is about to unfold. have fun!

First of, we need the picture the middle, because after all, it's supposed to be the main focus, let's be real. Now, the whole idea behind my image is that I feel like my identity is being pulled back and forth between wanting to be quiet, organised and well mannered, and wanting to do exciting things, be active, break the rules F*** DA POLICE. 

Calm down there teej. 

So, I want the sides to represent those feelings. 

Here we go, one fine piece of mounting, ready to be decorated.

So this is the first side almost done. I've chosen to go with one colour, and a standard pencil handwriting for the left side, as I do appreciate stability and order. The right side is coming along with some random items and notes.

And here we go, the piece in all its glory. Messy and organised hand in hand. I really like all the colours on the right side. They're a good kind of random. This was fun making as well. I got to explore two sides of me that usually have to bow out to each other. Also, I like post its a lot, they make for great messengers. They are truly the Hermes of the modern era. Up up and away!

Pfft. What do you mean "Why is the picture quality so bad?" It's not like a took them with my phone or anything. This is a professional art blog, behave please. 

PRESENTATION TOMORROW SO PREPARED

-TJ