Final Project

  Late Monday afternoon I received an email from the lady at the soup kitchen, who I had been corresponding with, informing me that I could no longer film there this holiday week. After a little bit of scrambling I was able to establish another direction for my video project. I have a large network of families for whom I have babysat for over the years and my mom is also a preschool teacher. I immediately began to contact the various families and described my situation and project and asked for permission to film their children. I was well received by the families. At preschool today, my mom's class was having a Thanksgiving Feast and some of the children I babysit for were there. I was able to film there and record many sounds. Later this week I have meetings to film other children. My project is now focusing on a child's perspective of hunger. 

Video Training

1. Three techniques that can be used when trying to shoot steady shots without a tripod are gripping the camcorder tightly by the strap with your right hand and steading it with your left hand under the lens, supporting yours elbows against your chest to keep your hands stable, or  while standing, holding the camcorder at eye-level and secure your footing standing slightly apart. 


2. Camera shake can be minimized when walking and taping by keeping your legs bent and and your body lowered all the time, and by moving slowly to create a gliding feeling.


3. Panning, or moving the camcorder from left to right or right to left, and tilting, moving the camera up and down or down and up, are camera movements that mimic the way the eyes move.


4. It is important to consider how long you remain on a shot and how quickly you move the camera so that the image does not blur and the audience can take in the information from the image they are looking at.  


5. (Watched the videos and read the information on copyright, creative commons, and video releases)


6. The main points of learning for videos in #5 are intended to protect me. The video on copyright discussed fair use rules and what is considered copyright. People have access to a public domain and can use that work without copyright infringement. Work that has been made in the last 70 years, however, is under copyright laws. You can not use work without permission, unless it falls under the fair use rules. It is usually best to make your own sound piece. Creative commons discussed how people can legally share and use other peoples' work without it being copyright infringement, depending on the type of license he or she has. It then discussed the symbols for the various types of licenses, which are sharealike, non-commercial, attribution, and noderivatives, and what they entail. Video releases discussed the four main elements of informed consent, which are disclosure, voluntariness, comprehension, and competence. Disclosure is that the use and purpose of the information sought must be fully explained. Voluntariness is that the subject must consent voluntarily and must consent to the use of the material. Comprehension is that the subject must understand the implications of the interview, and competence is that the subject must comprehend the implications of his or her participation.

Learning Reflections November 17

In today's flash critique I was able to see everyone's best ten second video. Some of the videos had components that made them more appealing than others. These components can be incorporated into my final project. 
What helped some of the videos work better than others is:
   Flow- there was a consistency of movement
   Use of Colors or Lack of
   Beat and Action
   Total Work of Art
   Subject Matter- Themes/Connection Between Clips
   Speed of Transition
   Volume of the Audio/Sound Piece
   Uneven editing or Inconsistency in Pace/Tempo Making for an Interesting Texture
   Color Contrast- Visually Appealing (Aesthetics)
   Cohesiveness
   The Harmony of Warm Colors or Cold Colors
   Amount of Zoom
   
   The videos were connected to things that matter to the artist. 


Main Ideas: UNITY, CONTRAST, RHYTHM, REPETITION, and CONSTANCY vs. VARIABILITY.

Concept Brief 2

   Over the past couple of days I have started filming the food of many college kids. I think as a college student it would be an interesting piece to look at the food many students have in their dorm rooms. I also am going to film at some of the dining halls, because many students obtain their meals there. The different times of day I film at the dining halls will affect the amount of light and shadows in my video. I have still been talking to a lady back home about meeting with her to film at the soup kitchen. We have set a time and day. However, I want to gather as much film as possible on many different subject matters and see what really resonates with me.

Concept Brief

 For my final video project on hunger I intend to film at a soup kitchen at home over Thanksgiving break. I have been corresponding with one of the directors and we are still in the process of determining a set time and date. As of now though, I have permission to film and talk with some of the people at the soup kitchen. Filming at the soup kitchen matters to me, because I have spent many hours of service there and the stories of the people there are truly fascinating. I also have been looking into ideas about filming at fast food restaurants, cafeterias, and every day kitchens. I have not reached a final decision, but I will begin filming here and continue over break at home.

Learning Reflections November 10

  In today's class we learned how to re-edit videos in iMovie '11. Majority of the time was devoted to viewing everyone's abstract videos and then moving onto the new project of ten second short videos. The concept for the final project was also introduced and I have started to think of areas to go and film. 

Learning Reflections November 3

      In today's class we began by working in random groups to troubleshoot problems we faced in last week's class. This helped to generate different solutions to the problems. By communicating with others and solving problems together it is easier to reach a solution, because you are feeding off one another's ideas. These skills of being able to communicate and problem solve are very useful in future break downs in projects. It helps to avoid future problems and continue with the project.
      Also in today's class we divided into groups and analyzed the youtube video gardyn. One group observed that the background is blurred, which causes the viewer to focus on the movement of the hands. Another group noticed that the sound/image relationship allows the video to move forward, without it the video is very fragmented and jumpy. The video is filled with familiar images to the mother and we are slowly brought into her world in her garden. Rhythm is  emphasized through repetition. The mother's auto-toned voice is heard when she is touching things in her garden. This helped in analyzing what goes into editing a video project.
    We also went through the steps of editing and importing sound, video, and pictures into  iMovie '11.  

DJ Spooky

Audio

1. How does DJ Spooky as an artist deal with visual sampling? He is intrigued with how an artist deals with visual sampling. He was dj-ing at a club and wanted to see how the audience reacts to the screen, since it is usually a cheesy space ship scene. He put up images of Klu Klux Klan people and watched as everyone stopped dancing.
2. How does DJ Spooky make use of recurring images, and repetition, in his work? He calms them central points in his film. One recurring image is a southern family watching the happy darkys dancing. He uses visuals as music. The film is a digital exorcism; getting rid of various issues. Repetition works with the music and the way he edited the film down- motif. He takes from different music.
3. What does DJ Spooky have to say about how he holds his works together, or makes transitions? He says that repetition holds his work all together.
4. According to DJ Spooky, in what ways does editing sound compare with editing video? With editing video he is focused on the central turning points, like DJ focuses on the main hook. It took a lot of time to edit. 

Learning Reflections October 27

In today's class I assisted distributing and collecting the firewire cords. I learned how to import film from a video camera into iMovie '11. I also installed dropbox on my computer and placed my  folder inside it to share with everyone. I learned that files can not be dragged out of dropbox. They must be copied and pasted. 

Commentaries on Video Subject List

1. For warm or cool color temperature I chose to film the changing leaves on the trees. The trees I focused in on were of reddish yellow hues. The day was very gloomy, which created a contrasting cool color temperature. I also focused in on a dryer in the laundry room and filmed in a warm color temperature.

2. For light I filmed the sky. Streams of light can be seen coming from behind clouds. For light I also filmed the light shining through my dorm-room window, which created a drastic contrast compared to the dark room.

3. For shadow I chose to film the stone in the quad. Shadows were cast from the trees and lamppost in front of it. Also for shadow, I filmed a bowl that contained a glasses case, which casted an interesting shadow on the folder below. The glasses case inside the bowl also created a shadow.

4. For perspective from a high viewpoint I filmed from the steps of Carnegie Library. I pointed the camera towards the quad below. Also for perspective from a high viewpoint I filmed the view from my dorm-room, which is on the top level of the building.

5. For perspective from an extremely low viewpoint I filmed from the grass on the quad. Mainly people’s shoes can be seen. Only the bodies of people further away can be seen. I also chose to film from the ground outside my dorm-room, into the hallway. No one was really home so there are minimal people in it and opening and closing of doors.

6. For rhythm I chose to film the shaking of the construction fence in the quad. I noticed it due to the fact that the day was very windy. For rhythm I also filmed the ticking hand on a wristwatch.  

7. For movement I filmed the rustling of leaves on the trees in the quad. It was an extremely windy day out and the trees caught my eye. I also filmed the trees from another viewpoint. I filmed the rustling of the leaves on a tree from my dorm.

8. For stillness I filmed the “imposter” doors at the top of the steps of Carnegie Library. For stillness I also filmed one side of my dorm-room.

Learning Reflections October 20

       In today's class I learned how play stimulates creative processes. Through the exercises today I was able to focus in on my environment. I also learned a little bit about video and was able to go out into the field and record. The critique was very helpful in stimulating ideas for furthering my piece.

Blind-Folded Walking

    Walking blind-folded was very overwhelming at first. It was very nerve-racking to not be able to see my surroundings; however, after a few minutes I grew as accustomed as one could be to walking blind-folded. I became more aware of my surroundings and I was better able to attune my ears to follow the sounds. I found it amusing running into people and when you could tell that everyone around you had also turned in order to go towards the sound. The exercise really helped me to focus on the present and be aware of my surroundings. It was fun to sit back and watch as my partner went through the same process. 


     The state of mind while blind-folded differed from my normal day to day walking in that I was more attuned to my environment. I had to focus on where I was walking and on the pace which I was walking at. Normally, I walk quickly around campus and do not focus too much on my environment. The state of mind really enhanced my senses and provided a whole new perspective on a classroom that I sit in once a week. 

Creative Process 2

     Over the weekend I wandered around campus and the nearby streets of Syracuse to find people willing to record a statistic and provide their definition of hunger. Although nervous to ask total strangers, I was luckily met with many willing people. I tried to include people of various races and genders. By including a wide variety of people, the piece took on a whole new dynamic and furthered my project's concept of hunger. I have continued to edit and record new voices as needed. I still think there is some minor editing to do on the piece, but overall I am pleased with the progress I have made with it so far. 

Learning Reflections October 13

  In today's class, Daniel Aguilera came and spoke to us. From him I learned the importance of an artist involving himself or herself in the community. The community plays a huge role in influencing an artist's work. I also learned about the different forms for sound research- narrative, list, montage, documentary, abstract, and voice. I learned about the creative process and also how to further my sound research project.

Reflections on Daniel Aguilera

       Daniel Aguilera has had an interesting start to his career. His education has been very untraditional going between school and working. He is an inspiration for going out into the community and getting involved. Through going out and meeting various people his career was launched. Some of Aguilera's work deals with the struggle between classes and power issues. He has taken his passion and really developed it. 

Creative Process and Generated Questions

For my research sound assignment #4, after hearing statistics from the Empty Bowls event, I have decided to focus on the topic of hunger. I have recorded many various sounds in the dinning halls here on campus. I also have researched statistics about world hunger and hunger in the United States, which I plan to incorporate into my piece.

Questions generated:

Why is world hunger so prevalent?

What can be done to diminish world hunger?

Who does hunger most affect?

How often do people go without a meal?

Which causes support-ending hunger?

What is the correlation between hunger and poverty?

Sound Research Written Analysis

1.             1.  assign3_rsch_nblanchette_final 1.aif

The sound piece names different types of dance and the reasons why people dance. It has a consistent tap dancing noise through the whole piece. Different voices name different types of dance. The same voice is overlapped and says, “I dance because.” Following the words “I dance because,” a different voice is heard providing a reason. This continues several times. The piece ends with a tap dance combination. 

The sound piece flows together really well. It uses different pitches and tones. Some of the voices have a longer duration than others. The piece has overlapping voices. The ambient sound of tap dancing holds the sound piece all together.

This work reminds me of when I was younger and use to do tap dance. It gives a sense of rhythm and dance. This work fits within the mainstream cultural context. It is located towards the center of culture as defined by the dominant Western culture.

The work is pretty successful in producing something that interests me. Another audience that might find this work important is choreographers and different types of dancers.

      2. assign3_rsch_akwok_final.aif

            The sound piece deals with movement. The sound of someone breathing and moving is heard throughout the piece. It picks up as the piece progresses. A voice is heard. He begins by saying “if I ever allow myself.” He then builds upon it by adding a word each time he starts the sentence over again. There is a period of silence and a gasp towards the end. Then only the sound of someone breathing and moving is heard fading out.

            The sound piece flows together pretty well. It uses a voice over ambient noise. The voice repeats the phrase from the beginning every time a new word is added. The intensity of the panting noise picks up as the narrative develops.

            From the sound piece I feel like I am trying to keep up. I derive from the piece that we must continue moving with the times. This work fits just outside the center of our cultural context as defined by Western Culture.

            This work is successful in relaying or producing something that matters to me. Another audience such as innovators, creators, or people who think “outside the box” may be better suited to this sound piece, because the piece deals with moving forward.

      3. ton ADD.aif

     
      The sound piece deals with ADD and ADHD. It uses different voices to describe how hard it is to focus. The voice of a parent describes their son’s struggles. The voice of a boy with ADHD describes what it is like. The different types of medications to treat it are also mentioned.

      The sound piece uses overlapping voices. It flows together well. The voices are all at different pitches and have different durations.

      The sound piece feels as if you have ADD and ADHD. There are so many different things going on all in succession. This sound piece fits within the outer circle of our cultural context as defined by the dominant Western culture.

      This work is not too successful in producing something that matters to me. An audience of people who suffer from ADD and ADHD or have family members or friends affected by it might find this piece more important. 

Photo Project

Reflections on Abstract Sound October 6

Today in class, Kiera, Naomi, and Alexis all critiqued my abstract sound piece. Their comments offered helpful suggestions about my piece as a whole. From their comments I found that I can further my piece by creating another pause in the piece or by making the one pause already in the piece more dramatic. It is helpful to receive feedback and play with their suggestions. I also received a lot of positive feedback. By looking at the negative aspect of the feedback, I can further my work in a different way. I heard sounds in Kiera's, Alexis's, and Naomi's work that I really liked. I would like to incorporate some of their techniques into my piece. Other people's comments are really helpful in the further development of a piece.

Learning Reflections September 1

I learned what type of learner I am and the advantages for being that type of learn. I learned a little about abstract sound and what it is like when it is applied to videos. I learned about the syllabus and what six aspects we are covering in this class.

Shimon Attie Facts/Questions September 15

Three Facts About Shimon Attie:
His public installations and photographic projections recall different aspects of World War II and the social issues of the Holocaust.
He first studied psychology, but then turned to art and photography and enrolled at San Francisco State University.
He is represented by the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York, New York.

Three Questions For Shimon Attie:
 What particular experiences in your life and in the world around you shaped your style as an artist?
 What was the greatest risk that you have taken in your work? And how did that help you grow as an artist?
 Who or what has inspired your life the most?

Learning Reflections October 6

Today in class I learned how my cultural context influences my work as an artist and that art is truly a reflection of the times. I learned that in order to make a really successful piece, you have to push the limits to the breaking point. Once your work is "broken," go back a few steps and you will have created the piece you wanted. It is just getting past the fear that is the hardest part.  

Abstract Sound Written Analysis

abs_JMcGlinchey_rhythm.aif

The whole work has a rhythm to it. The work begins with a thudding sound pattern. It is followed by the sound of banging two objects together, like a spoon and a glass. A periodic buzzing noise then follows suit. All three sounds can be heard overlapping in the middle of the piece. Slowly the thudding fades out so the audience is left hearing the banging and buzzing noises. The banging noise also then fades out. The buzzing noise is the last noise to be heard, which fades out to end the piece. The piece emphasizes simultaneity.

The three noises all have different pitches and can be heard in different ears. The thudding sound is heard only in the right ear, while the banging sound is heard only in the left ear. The buzzing sound, on the other hand, is heard in both ears. The banging of two objects is at the highest pitch. The thudding sound is the quietest piece. The buzzing sound is at an almost obnoxious pitch. The buzzing sound is periodic and not as frequent as the other two.

             I feel like I am listening to a street band, which uses any objects they can find in order to create some sort of music. It reminds me of the Blue Man Group. It stimulates my mind and body. It makes me feel like I should be out doing something, such as running.

            The student was really successfully at creating a piece that emphasized rhythm. They did create a lot of variation. The duration and pitches of the sounds were all different, which was definitely needed to make the piece work. The piece built up to all the sounds playing at once and one by one they dropped out. The overall sound piece flowed together quite nicely. There were no unintentional interruptions in the listening experience. 

            Yes, my thoughts about abstraction have shifted. Before I did not think abstraction could have a rhythm to it. I thought of it just as sounds being heard at different pitches and tones at random times.