Final Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6mn-ZEs6WY

I chose to do a stop-motion video on that highlights the need for education reform in our nation. The old tactic of simply throwing money at the problem isn't working, and we need innovative, creative ideas to come up with a solution. I've always wanted to do a stop-motion video, and with the ideas I had about which mediums I wanted to use to convey the message, I felt like education was a suitable topic to the concept. The hardest part to do was to edit all the images appropriately. I made the mistake (one that I definitely learned from) of leaving my camera's ISO on auto while I was taking the pictures, when I really should have had it set consistently for each different shoot. Overall, it was a very fun project to do and create!

Visual Literacy Statement

                Visual literacy has opened my eyes and broadened my perspective on the media arts this year. Before I was well versed only in audio, and interested in the other arts. But this class has really taught me the basics in design, photography, and video. I’ve always just skated along in natural ability and experimenting at what looked best to me in these fields, but it has been great to actually learn about what established practices are, and what terms and techniques are used in each of the various disciplines.

                What surprised me this semester has been my interest in filmmaking and editing video in general.  Going into the class I assumed that my favorite focus would be still photography. While that interest has not wanted whatsoever, I was pleasantly surprised by the joy I receive from editing video into something concrete.  I think that the effort that must take place into producing a video results in greater satisfaction when the piece of art is finished and you’re able to share it with others.

                A key lesson I learned from this class, and elsewhere, this semester is that disappointment and frustration are just as key to the creative process as the light bulb moment of inspiration and ideation. It remains a part that no one sees or necessarily understands, but that failure and disappointment are signs that you are actively searching for a solution to whatever the problem posed is. So all in all, Visual Literacy has taught me a great deal about not only the appropriate techniques used to create media art, but also about the purpose and direction of creativity in general. 

Gizmodo Shooting Challenge

Gizmodo has shooting challenges for photographers that they post on their website, and the most recent one was black and white. I had taken a picture at a concert recently, and so I decided to email it in anyways. Somehow it got chosen to be put up!

http://gizmodo.com/5904768/shooting-challenge-blackwhite-5

Hirshhorn Tweet

While we were at the Hirshhorn, I took an instagram and the official Hirshhorn twitter retweeted it!

Short Video - Jilted (Shot Descriptions)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xKt6y4Wc4&feature=youtu.be

Short Video - Jilted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPR4fwCGgp8&feature=youtu.be

Short Video Script

Script (rough outline)

Screenplay: Jilted

Please note that this is a very rough outline of the film we ended up shooting.

SCENE 1 Kay on steps.

MAN and BALL1 playing on incline. MAN is distracted. Walks away. BALL1 rolls down incline. Shallow depth of field, close up. POV-BALL1.

SCENE 2 Library. In front of doors. 2 GIRLS and BALL2 sitting and chatting. BALL2 rolls away. Exit towards McKinley.

SCENE 3 Bottom of steps.

BALL1 rolls by benches with people. Towards KoGod. Quizzical look.

CLOSE UP OF PEOPLE’S EXPRESSIONS.

SCENE 4

BALL2 rolls to Kay steps. Follows rollsteps of BALL1 exactly. (Scenes 1 and 3) Speed up scene later.

CLOSE UP OF BALL2 “FACE”. Intertitle: “Where did my friend

go?”

SCENE 5 BALL1 rolls through pretty walkway. (to the right)

Approaches stairs by Bender. Gets kicked. Hits Evan in face. Exagerrated emotion.

BROKEN WALL WHEN EVAN LOOKS UP AT THE CAMERA-DISTRESSED. FIXED CAMERA ANGLE AT TOP OF STAIRS.

SCENE 6

BALL2 rolls through walkway and does NOT roll down stairs. Goes directly across street to amphitheater. Cut before entrance to amphitheater.

BALL2: “He’s been here, I know he has. But where is he?”

SCENE 7

BALL1 rolls across street to amphitheater area. Rolls down to stage/ramps.

SCENE 8 BALL2 follows Scene 7 but via the stairs. Sadness.

SCENE 9

BALL1: (wonders aloud) “Where to run now?”

To: MGC elevator. 2nd floor to 3rd floor.

BALL1 RIGHT SIDE. ROLLS INTO FRAME INTO ELEVATOR. FIXED CAMERA. CAMERA ROLLS UNTIL DOORS SHUT.

BALL2 left side. Hits door as BALL1 is inside. Continuous shot.

SCENE 10

Continued from Scene 9. BALL2 staying in same place. BALL2: He’s running away from me!

But why?

SCENE 11 Cut to BALL1 outside MGC facing Batelle doors.

BALL2 is inside looking away as BALL1 rolls down steps towards middle of quad.

SCENE 12

BALL2 follows quickly behind Scene 11. Catches glimpse of BALL1 exiting.

SCENE 13

BALL1 enters center area of quad. BALL1: Sigh of relief. “She’s

gone.”

SCENE14

BALL2 sees BALL1 in center of quad. Rushes over. BALL1 and BALL2 in same shot/frame.

SCENE 15 Characters face each other.

BALL1: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (rolls off leaving BALL2 alone in middle of quad. Sad)

SCENE 16 Last shot of BALL2 alone. Fade to black. Roll credits.