Thursday, 18 March 2010

Friday, 12 March 2010

PROCESS before assessment

Although I have shot the short piece for this project, but I feel I need to reshoot it for numerous reasons, which have been mentioned in previous posts. And to the other media side, I believe I need to shoot it in a warmer climate, as some of the clothes on the model is not suitable for the winter winds that have been present recently. I also believe I have a good concept to work on, but I need to polish my moving image skills more in order to max out my vision, and create a fine, flowing piece.

Thursday, 11 March 2010

Video: Dolce & Gabbana’s Men’s Spring 2010 Collection Trailer

Dolce & Gabbana's Men's Spring 2010 Collection Trailer from Selectism on Vimeo.


Description:
“The film shot by Belgian director Pierre Debusschere, starring Robert Sheehan and set to electronic beats by Australian rock band Pivot, infuses nature and science with Dolce & Gabbana’s “male beauty” inspiration for spring. The film will premiere onNOWNESS, Thursday, March 11th.”

Video: Android Homme Spring 2010 Campaign

ANDROID HOMME SPRING 2010 from Javier Laval on Vimeo.


Description:
“Shapes and symbols have been a method of communicating and comprehending the unknown since the beginning of time. Android Homme brings you a brand video that utilizes some basic symbols and shapes to outline the process of reprogramming. This piece, directed by Javier Laval, is intended to stimulate and trigger memories from our ancient past to our near and distant future.”

Video: "The Sandpit" - A short film by Aero Director, Sam O'Hare

The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.


More info here.

Live Studio Sessions: Charlie Le Mindu

Description:
On 11 and 12 March 2010, avant-garde hairstylist and designer Charlie Le Mindu takes up residence to create a pair of headpieces for a live performance by French experimental art-punk band La Chatte in the LiveStudio space, all broadcast live. The brief? Diamonds, religion, and 'bigger than anything attempted before…'

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Video: Deftones x 13thWitness – Rocket Skates



Here is a good example of focusing/defocusing while shooting. It kinda gives an illusion of action, or it could have the opposite effect, if it is used slowly. The video is also a good example of moving the clip through the beat of the music, which makes the audience more involved with the piece and helps the viewer to move with the piece.

Description:
13thWitness and the Grammy-winning band, the Deftones , have collaborated on the video for the Deftones’ new single “Rocket Skates” from the Deftones highly-anticipated new album Diamond Eyes. Filled with rich coloration, sharp edits, and visceral features by the Deftones, “Rocket Skates” is a balanced collaboration between the visual genius of 13thWitness and the sonic amazement of the Deftones.

Feedback: Leo Wong

Leo came round this afternoon to check how I was doing on my moving image piece. After looking at the video, he kindly gave me some comments on how I can improve it. I trust his views, as he has worked in a few projects using this medium before.

Comments:
- Don't let the model walk from off screen to on screen (left edge to right edge)
- If transitioning from walking to stand still maybe use 'Crossfade'
- If the model walks from left to right, then make him/her appear from right to left.
- Use Final Cut Pro for rough cut, but try to use After Effect for other changes/effects.
- Change the piece so that they are in sync with music
- In the Sun scene (at the end), maybe try darken the areas around it, then fade out altogether.
- Try to avoid black screens.

Monday, 8 March 2010

Second Media: Lookbook

To follow on the requirements of the brief, we were asked to expand out moving image piece to another medium. Due to the fashion nature of my piece, I've decided to take on the Lookbook format. Which will be taking some stills from the video and also extra shots from a photoshoot in the future, which will have more pieces and looks. I also want to explore into new ways of creating a lookbook, instead of just in print type, this I will need to look at more examples.

Sunday, 7 March 2010

Problems: Video Quality

As mentioned before, I have used a DSLR with HD video recording to shoot this piece. However, it seems like the quality isn't too great, as you can see some pixels within it. I have maxed out the settings as I can, for example shooting at 1280x720 and using 1080i quality, but for some reason, it isn't up to standard. Therefore I either have to continue using it, or maybe try a different method to work round this problem. (deliberately blurring the image)

Problems: Wind

Due to the open space, wind is inevitable. However, this problem was only realized when the video is uploaded to the computer, as the small screen on the camera cannot see the tiny shakes it is causing. Although its already on a tripod, but the strong wind still affected the outcome.

Problems: Weather

Although the sun was out, but the temperature was around 3 degrees, therefore it is difficult to shoot it comfortably, as Sharon was shaking all the way through the shoot. Some of the scenes were also cut off earlier than planned because of this issue.

Saturday, 6 March 2010

Outfits

Due to the problem of not able to change in the 'wild', therefore I only chose one outfit for each scene. The more 'girly' outfit have a more 'innocent' essence to it, while the 'male' version is a great contrast, which is what I want. Where the girl is moved away from the 'perfect' world, into the Victorian underground society, where she is able to become a man.

Location and model

I chose a nature scene because through my research, I have been fascinated by films which were shot in nature. It creates a calm and innocent atmosphere, which is what I want for the first part of my piece, 'The normal world'.
For model, I've asked my friend Sharon who was interested to the project, so she kindly said yes to the overall shoot.

Friday, 5 March 2010

Watching Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton


Went to watch "Alice in Wonderland" by Tim Burton tonight. I have to say I was a bit disappointed of it because the story line was so-so, as the film is by Disney, therefore all the endings/happenings are quite obvious. However, in terms of inspiration, I like the way this film is dealt with a dark theme, which is true to Tim Burton's signature style. I will take away these elements from the film for my moving image piece, as I find it fitting for the latter part of my piece.

Video: 2010: A Space Odyssey by Rodarte



This video by American clothing label, Rodarte is made to complement its newest collection. There have always been a strong link between fashion and film, in fact, the two can not be separated. I've seen a lot of fashion films before, but this really captivates me. It is not because of its storyline, but actually the lack of it. I've always enjoyed things which are abstract, weird and everything in between. The lack of lead in films, makes you imagine, and is free to be interpreted. Therefore this is a good direction for me to work towards, an abstract film.

Description:
Guinevere van Seenus stars in Aanteni, a high-fashion techno-thriller from CFDA award-winning design sisters Rodarte, shot by their friend and frequent collaborator, the photographer and video artist Todd Cole. Set in the deserted grounds of Paypal founder Elon Musks Space X jet lab in Hawthorne, California, the film was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the space race, which, according to Rodartes Kate and Laura Mulleavy, has defined generations of artists in their desire to use new mediums and question the established rules they were taught to follow.

Camille Rose Garcia - “Down The Rabbit Hole” Exhibition




Here is a small preview into Camille Rose Garcia's 'Down The Rabbit Hole' Exhibition. It seems that she has taken it quite literally, as there is a strong sense of the original illustrations from the novel, but in a way, the work has a more 'Spongebob Squarepants' feeling about it.
This reflects on something which I don't want to do. I would like to have a more subtle look to my piece, this means that I don't to link the imagery/stories of Alice in the Wonderland, but still carries a some sort of tie in to it.
Apart from this, I also need to show a sense of disappearing/disappeared city around the final piece. And this means losing the second status from the character, just like Alice have to go back to the real word.
Wonderland is the disappearing city.

More info here.

Thursday, 4 March 2010

The Story

There are three parts of my piece which I want to portray:

1. The innocent girl - A girl wondering around in nature, feeling restricted, but wanting to go for an adventure.

2. The Transition - The journey to the underworld, which will reference back to "Alice in Wonderland", where the Rabbit will lead you to the next world.

3. The Male - Third part shows the girl transformed and dressed up as a male, a reference back to the London's Underworld society, where these actions are accepted if you are within the underworld. Therefore the girl begin to relax, and feel more comfortable in this world than the 'normal' sphere.

4. The fourth, which is just going to be a short, shows the world around her will disappear, and the camera will fade back to the sun, or the 'hole' referring to the rabbit hole in "Alice in Wonderland".