Project 2 On-goings

All in all I feel by combining the reverse play and forwards play with an audio that is subtly in reverse somehow an understanding is met. At the end of the piece where the audience recognizes the movement and audio in reverse it's that "oh I didn't notice this whole time" sort of impression.

The visuals and audio didn't create to much information as to take away from the impression I was going for, which was to use capoeira to explore and present movement, but as it would be if one was physically in the game playing and feeling the need for focus and gain control through the aggression of the other player, atmosphere and music.

Project 2 On-goings

After exploring visual effects I've decided, as from the start to keep it simple, and by doing so I came across layering a compiled ground of scenes.

I purposely blur out the players faces to keep ambiguity and take away from any sign of personality within the people playing and focus mostly on the moving in and out of the players.
The key to the game is to move in and out, as the scenes fade over the others we gain that feel visually. I'm very fond of this look, it is grasping and does not take away the positive responses from the first comments. I feel this enhances what I was aiming for. An almost chaotic vague description, the presentation of movement without leaving the capoeira feel.

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I tried playing the audio in slow motion at first,
then with grain and other effects, however it was only when I stretched out the audio file and played it in reverse did I find that ambiguous sound that still kept the sharp 'ting' noises but now had a very atmospheric sound almost like a moan.

From further playing with the use of reverse play I found and strong connection with the audio in reverse and the film in reverse. They some how coincided where I thought they wouldn't

I also realized that the movement of the game being played backwards was very hard to differentiate with it playing forwards, its as though you could be watching someone play in reverse and not realize. I believe this has something to do with all the moves in capoeira being based on counter balance stature, eg. right leg forward, left arm forward.
Never the less, I played with combining the reversed slowed audio with clips playing forward fading through others that played in reverse. The only time I find the audience would understand that some scenes where played in reverse would be when they see the two players walking in a circle backwards.

Project 2 On-goings

So far visually it is quite compelling, over all I feel it is not abstract or rather vague enough. With the obvious music in the background it gives the impression to people who aren't familiar with capoeira that it's weird dance with Anglo-Saxons contrasting to tribal music.

I've decided to keep not using uniforms in the footage because that wearing of regular clothes maintains the ambiguity a uniform would not.

I feel the I have to experiment more with effects visually.
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Ive tried using audio in different ways, Matthew played me a broken ticket validating machine the other day that gave of a really odd disjointed rhythm. this reminds me of the main instrument of capoeira, the berimbau which is essentially an amplified tire string. It is used as the key instrument in pacing the game, making sure both players stay at that rhythm and focus on their skill rather than speed.

I will visit my old Capoeira class and film them playing the instruments, this will give me more to experiment with

Project 2 On-goings

I took what I felt was the best shot from the shooting and temporarily placed a classic capoeira chant In the background for sound. I haven't yet considered how to represent the musical/ audio aspect. Ill go with what I have now and see what others have to say...

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I originally wanted to film the instrument playing of capoeira and the game element seperatly and then portray them side by side.

This was to give a visual understanding of movement and rythm side by side.
I now feel that again that would be too informative of the situation. Filming people playing instruments would obviously tell the audience that instruments and music is involved and so create a strong element of dance, which would take away from the visual atmosphere I'm trying to create.

Project 2 On-goings

During the filming I had the game filmed from an ordinary p.o.v. and also from a low down shot.

I felt it would be best to continue with the ground shots but I insisted that the camera person came in close, close into the actual shot.

I wanted to give the viewer the impression of the rhythm and game but from the almost chaotic perspective of the player.

To play the game one has to pay attention or it can become chaotic, smashing into one another, slipping, pausing out of confusion.

I want to make sure I find a way of presenting that, visually
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I originally thought of editing in some shots where the viewer is given the p.o.v. of one of the players at random, sort of face to face with your opponent.
I decided not to do this because I felt it would then physically place the viewer in the shoes of each of the players and my direction is to create an environment of the game that holds its essence, rather than create something like a visual simulator.

Project 2 On-goings

Inspired by my love for both the movement of the body in martial arts and this specific martial art, Capoeira, I have deceided to create a short film inspired by Capoeira.

my current options in direction are either to go into a more documentary type direction, or I could create a piece that explores the movements of Capoeira, but from a less obvious stand point.

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So far various documentary's on Capoeira have been done, and quite personally, I'm leaning towards presenting the more fluid movement involved.

There is alot about Capoeira, unlike the other martial arts Capoeira has come from a history of hiding the fight training as a dance and game with music and chant. Till today Capoeira retains the fluidity and game-like movements. Being a complex and cultural based martial art it's impossible to explain Capoeira, especially since it is a young martial art with many different schools teaching it differently. In a short documentary or even a short film I personally wouldn't find it fulfilling to just explain to people what I thought Capoeira was.


Right now I will film myself and a partner playing Banguela Capoeira (low ground, medium paced speed), maintain a dark atmosphere and focus more on the movement rather than the idea of two people playing capoeira

Project 2

This project is self-directed and can be a further development of Project 1.

You can utilize HDV camera, mobile phone, computer cam or any other visual recording device.

You are not limited in the outcome and as with project 1 it could be a short film, video installation, site-specific sound or video work or a documentary.

Week 7: Concept Presentation
Week 13: Assessment - 31st May 12 – 6pm.

As I discussed before, my aspired direction for project 1 proved to be far too much work to accomplish and lacked in grounded direction. I feel it's best to search for a new direction and topic all together

I remember when I first started to enjoy film I was particularly inspired by movement, more so in martial arts, not so much the fighting aspect but rather, how the body would express itself, either alone or with a partner/challenger.

Project 1 Reflection

I feel its time to move on. This project was perhaps to much to handle or to much to achieve from what I wanted and I don't feel I would have enjoyed developing it further. I am actually quite inspired by my old films and directions and would like to do something more familiar.

Project 1 on goings

The rotoscoping has proven harder to do and takes up WAY to much time...

Ill have to just see what I can come up with in the time given, learn and move on

Project 1 on goings

So far the shooting has gone well using daylight
the actor isn't experience in acting in anyway and as suggested by Mathew Perkins, an inexperienced actor gives off a sense of uncomfortability, because he/she knows he/she is being filmed, taking the viewer out of the moment.

A suggested resolution was to focus more on the animated sector.

At this stage I have to just go with what I have

Some scenes of my developing storyboard

Project 1

I've decided to create a short film that plays with rotoscoping, movement and music

The main character is a stereotypical introverted person who is walking down the street.
As he walks down the street he bumps into a stranger. Instead of a confrontation he breaks out into dance. As he does, visually, animation occurs around him.

This happens three times and on the third he breaks out into a full dance.

His interactions and movement will influence the level of animation

Looking for Ideas

When I started this year I was inspired mostly by Richard Linklater's Waking Life
A film that was rotoscoped over to created an animated look.



I feel that this 1st project gives me an opportunitie to try rotoscoping and animating a film

After looking through different directors and short film pieces i was inspired by Spike Jonze's Weapon of Choice music video for artist Fatboyslim.




As this project requires work with audio I felt something similare to a music video would be fun to do. I have a friend studying in Berkly School of Music in Boston and felt that he could help me
greatly with the audio.

Project 1

TECHNICAL
In this initial stage of your project you must utilize Final Cut Pro and either Garage Band or
Soundtrack Pro for the production or manipulation of sound. This may include a foley sound recorded
in the field or studio. It may include sound effects available in Soundtrack Pro and/or Garage Band
and/or downloaded from the internet. It may include a voice over.

CONTEXT
You are not restricted in the type of output you produce – a contemporary artwork, a documentary,
an animation, a portrait, a filmic narrative. These types of classifications are becoming more and
more arbitrary as approaches to the medium converge and cross over. Through the semester we will
study some historical perspectives on Video or Digital Art but this ‘genre’ has been defined by
boundary/border-crossers so an overview of its history will inevitably be inclusive of many
approaches.

CONCEPTUAL
This is a self-directed project. There are no restrictions on the conceptual focus but the work is
expected to be challenging.