Outcomes: Video

Here is the moving image version of my final piece. I feel that I've felt what I always wanted to create for this project, which is something dark, mysterious and without revealing the whole story. The sense of the transformation is there, but after the change, everything becomes so quick and questionable, which is reflecting tot he underworld society. The video piece is also mirrors to a famous quote form Alice in the Wonderland...

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" - Alice

Outcomes

As my second media is in the form of a lookbook, I have created a collection of images which reflects back to the theme/substance/concept of the video. With the combination of the frames that were mentioned in the previous post, I believe the outcomes fit perfectly with the overall auraa of the project, which is darkness/masculinity/transformation. The choice of black and white photography is a right choice as there were no color photographs in the victorian time and therefore fitting to match with the overall time frame of my inspirations.

Frames

While browsing through the internet, I've found an archive of these black and white frames and more importantly it fits perfectly with my lookbook images as it reflects to that particular period. These frames also adds a depth to the frameless images and will make the images more interesting and bring out the aura of the photos more.

Photoshoot

Due to the climate of the last shoot, it was near impossible for the model to wear summer clothes due to the sub zero temperature. With a bit of luck, the day I shot the film was perfect, so it was only obvious that I should shoot the photoshoot in one go.

The brief wanted us to explore 2 medias which can connect with one another. Working within a fashion sphere, I believe is best to match the video piece with a photoshoot that explores the same theme and that theme is the notion of the victorian society, the underground world and the twisted aura that comes with it.

For the photoshoot, I will divide it into two different obvious parts. The first part containing three images would be on the "girl", a transformation picture will be added to separate the two parts, and that picture will be on the line of looking into the mirror (finding one trueself). The second part is on "men", where the character in question is able to wear and act like men in the underground society and all pictures in this part will be dark, twisted and a sense of hiding (staying away form the real world).

Editing Tools

As the sphere of moving image is still really new to me, I have had quite a few difficulties in editing the piece through Final Cut Pro and adding finishing touches with After Effects. The way I solve these problems is mainly through youtube, which I find very useful and an unlikely source. Although there would be more effects I would like to add, but my skills are limited therefore I can only work with what I know or I'm capable to do. Editing is definitely something I wish to experience more and to expand.

Video Screen Shots

Here are some key screenshots of the video piece. Looking at the footage shot, I feel I have a more simple and elegant piece than last. The over complication nature of the previous piece has been stripped away and left with a strong essence within this piece. One of the key frames/elements I've removed are from the last section, which is the "transformation" phrase. I feel it can confuse the viewer too much if I drag it too long. So, what's left is just a still shot of the subject staring out from the piece, as if to say she finally can be herself and also a lot more comfortable to how people view her. This is reference to the Underground world of the Victorian Times, as people feel more at home in this dark/secretive world.

Change of Cameras

The Nikon D90 was my preferred camera last time as it could shoot the video piece in HD, but for some reason the quality of the video is not really up to standard. After a few tweaks in the settings menu, I still couldn't find a solution to the problem. As I recently got myself a Panasonic GF1, I decided to give this ago as it also has a high quality video capture function. After a few test shoots, I do find the GF1's footage is a lot better than the D90 and therefore I'll be using it for this piece.

Storyline

On the last shoot, I felt the storyline was way too complicated and I think the concept that I have should be as simple as possible. Therefore, I have taken away a lot of the "Alice in the Wonderland" elements as I think it made the piece hard to understand. However, some references are left e.g. reading a book under the tree, top hat and of course the expressions of Alice.

Change of model

Due to the short notice of the shoot, the original model was not able to complete the shoot due to workload. With a bit of luck, Candy kindly stepped in and replace Sharon for this project. Although I don't have much preference on models for this project, but I feel Candy might be a better candidate due to dark/innocent aura she can produced, which is something that I'm trying to express in this video piece.

Warmer Climate

Due to the climate experienced in the last shoot, there were many factors that could be avoided if the weather is warmer. Having waited for another month, the forecast for this weekend is perfect for shooting the piece, therefore I will go ahead with the same concept and location.