Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Final Edit - ...At the end of the tunnel


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Rough Sketch #3 - Salvation


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Rough Sketch #2 - Hope

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Rough Sketch #1 - Fear


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Production Strategies

1. The area which I will be filming/recording is the downtown of Oconomowoc, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee and five miles from Delafield. It's small, mid-Western feel is very comfortable and inviting...during the day. At night, the back allies and dark walkways create a much more ominous feel which, were it any other place, would make one walk a little faster and watch the corners of their eyes. The theme for my video is horror: dark upon dark with only the smallest glimpse of salvation. The main streets, in downtown area, are very narrow and claustrophobic which are only accentuated by the old rustic feel of the buildings which line them.

2. I will focus on the contrasts of light and dark and how they appear to pop off from the screen through the use of digital effects and natural settings. I will obtain more natural images, which are richer in detail than digital rendering, and simply mix my love for stop frame and darker themes.

3. As with the images, the sound will mostly be natural elements which may be affected with man made objects (i.e. pipes, tiles, metal containers). Another source will be sound from the actual functions of the body itself (i.e. only critical functions - heartbeat and breathing).

Ten Questions

1. Are there natural patterns which can be used to enhance the piece?
2. Are there places in which the light creates any overwhelming emotions?
3. Are there places in which the sound creates any overwhelming emotions?
4. Can I find a place where there is absolute silence?
5. Does the area being used have any historical sites?
6. What is the feeling I am getting from the area?
7. Can normal sounds (i.e. footsteps, door creaks, wind) be redirected, naturally or artificially, to create a different emotion?
8. Can normal light sources (i.e. street lamps, cars, building lights) be redirected also?
9. Is the region safe to walk through at night?
10. What hidden locations are there to explore?

Assignment #4 - Favorite Moment


It was dusk, the sun was setting in Oconomowoc. The field was beginning to moisten, for my pant legs were absorbing this moisture as I sprinted to the peak of a hill. Crawling to the top, I see a the fingers of giant clouds reaching out from the sun set. With the pinks and browns in the sky, the clouds were set aflame. I took my camera out, tried to frame the sunset as best possible; it wasn't good enough. I spotted a smaller hill which was closer, so I sprinted down the peak and to the hill. I spied a grass covered dirt mound at the very top as I hurdled over thistle bushes and fences. It was worth the climb. At this point the pink had turned blood red with strands of burgundy at the very center. The images were amazing: Flock after flock of geese took off from the lake to my left which silhouetted against the sun. After reviewing the photos, I had felt as if I had seen the face of God. It will be a night I will always remember.