Project 10: Human Movement

I began this project taking short clips of myself doing basic flip tricks on my skateboard within the art building. I wanted to show a slight progression of difficulty of specific skate tricks, but as I put more and more work into the project I depict a variety of tricks throughout the entire video. The intro shows layered effects displaying a ghostly quality. This effect was easily done with the help of my professor because I shot the intro clips from the same spot and same angle with my iPad.  The straightforward sense of the intro transitions to a subtle narrative of myself skating throughout various floors of the art building and the process of doing as such. Some problems I encountered within this program are limited, but I did run into some annoying occurrences such as transitions not working properly and clips becoming misaligned and chopping into one another when I attempted to move them around. In regards to the program, it is very simple to use and the editing of raw footage can be done very quickly to create an engaging video.

After reviewing my video multiple times, the only thing I really thought I could work on was some of the timing of the tricks with the music. For the most part, everything lined up almost perfectly with the music in a coincidental fashion. I enjoy it when things in artwork mesh together without much work. Another thing I could have pushed was the elevator sequence. I agree that this sequence doesn’t particularly flow with the rest of the video and it almost seems like filler. To combat this I could have spaced the two elevator clips apart, one in the beginning and one in the end. Also, the sequences are quite generic, very cinematic in that elevator scenes can be a very common occurrence in videography and movies. One last thing to nit pick was my decision of background for the different skate scenes. I don’t have a problem with the intro background, for it is empty and doesn’t cause any distraction with the vacancy. The scene I do have a slight problem with is the segment right after using the elevator a second time. This particular scene can be a bit distracting with the solid black trash can very close to me. The learning process of this creation of video has allowed me to definitely take background into consideration for future shooting.

In conclusion, I had a lot of fun with this project. I have been skateboarding for about 13 years and I’ve always shot singular tricks from time to time. I have never really created a legitimate montage of my skating, and I believe I created a relatively strong one as my first. Now that I have created a simple flat ground montage, this summer I plan to get some heavy duty skating in (stair-jumping, handrails, etc.) and create a real skate part. Furthermore, collaboration with my friends shall occur and I hope to progress my skating abilities.

Project 11: The Hybrid

This project is incorporating digital art along with physical art, hence The Hybrid. The first thing that came to mind when thinking about this project was my love for painting, so I will definitely be doing some oil paintings to cover the physical art aspect. I currently have some wood panels primed and ready to go from my personal studies, so I will be using those in this project. Along with the paintings, I will be utilizing Illustrator to best emulate a painterly handling in digital form. I finished one oil gradation already, so I will need to finish the other two panels before hopping into Illustrator. I would rather work in this order as to conjure a better variety of ideas rather than getting confused with Illustrator for I wouldn’t have a concrete idea without painting first. The biggest challenge won’t be the paintings themselves, rather creating cohesive pieces which mesh together compositionally and are balanced. Again, all I have done now is a smooth gradation on one panel. I plan to increase the subject matter to a topic I have not yet defined. I might just end up sticking with gradations, taking into consideration how much I need to paint. Also, the addition of some sort of subject matter on top of these gradations may pose a confusing composition.

Project 10: Human Movement

For our final project for Digital Media we are required to create a 90 second video which depicts human movement. Since I’m very passionate about skateboarding, I have chosen to create a simple human movement video showcasing some of my favorite flat ground tricks. I shot many videos of different tricks, and it wasn’t until I was done that I noticed I shot every video from the same spot and same angle with my iPad. My professor saw this and helped me use it to my advantage. He began making some copies of some clips and moved them to the beginning of the video, also decreasing the opacity on them. What he left me with were clips layered on top of clips, creating a mask effect which I thought was completely awesome and am very content that he showed me this technique. This technique could not be done if I shot each clip at different angles. The effect creates a much more engaging video rather than a straightforward clip, and I feel like it really builds on the topic of human movement in a unique way. Another detail from the video which is currently missing is slow motion. Since this video shows fast-paced skating, slow motion is critical in enhancing the video to a more delicate degree. Other than some small tweaks and utilizing different effects, I feel like this project is moving along smoothly. 

Project 9: In-Class Video

For this project the class continued to delve into Adobe Premiere Elements, but this time on a grander, more-polished scale. Instead of the previous project in which we created a 25-second video with 5 different clips of the Rockwell Hall, we were required to create a one-minute narrative detailing what made us particularly angry. After capturing the videos, we then partnered up with one other person in the class and exchanged videos, leaving each other to create a narrative not using our own videos. This “exquisite corpse” approach added much more variety to the overall project, I feel.

I was very impressed with how my video turned out. I spent many hours fine tuning the final video. I scoured the internet in search of many different examples of sound effects of which I tried to remain consistent with throughout the video. Also something I’m happy about is how much I learned about the program from playing around with it myself or talking with my peers. One example of what I learned was lining up sound effects by comparing decibel ranges. Another aspect I really improved upon was the utilization of a variety of clip transition effects. Again, it took a lot of time to get these effects to match up perfectly with the video and sound. One thing I could have added throughout the video would be different forms of human speech, alongside Gabe’s cameo speech which occurs during the credits. I felt I really had a handle on the transition effects and usage of sound, but dotting the video with certain instances of speech could have made for a stronger project. In conclusion, I really feel like this video was a success and enjoyed the creation process of this project.

Project 8: 5×5

This project introduced our class to Adobe Premiere Elements. We captured footage from the museum at Rockwell Hall and the aim of the project was to create a sort of narrative. This was my firsthand experience with the program, and I felt I had a handle on how to accomplish the project. I basically chose the videos I was particularly interested in, pieced them together, and added stock sound effects I found online. I didn’t want my videos to be too in-depth in regards to the required narrative, so I created a simple straightforward video with literal depictions. As being my first project with Premiere, I was surprised at how simple and user-friendly the program was. Things were very simple to catch on as my project progressed. However, I wis I utilized the transition tools of which I am now aware of. My clips cut right into the next clip, and I feel Like I definitely could have utilized the transition tools to yield a much smoother video.

Project 3: Action

Mobius

This video displays a very large example of stop-motion animation. I really enjoy how each form has a chance to explore the illusion of penetrating the ground. The music pulls the viewer in with its slow start-up and eventual exploration of many different placements of the entire composition around the city of Melbourne.

Project 3 Blitz

The class got into two separate groups in order to collaborate on creating a simple animation in human form. The only hardship I may encounter in this project is attempting to harness the ability to create fluid-like animation.

Project 3 Action terms

Exuberance – the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; ebullience. I see this term as being relatable to both aspects of vertical and horizontal placements. The definition itself explains about an excited energy. The balance would definitely be of asymmetrical quality. low contrast would offer a more naturalized motion, and high contrast would yield a more dramatic, organic effect. The movement should be fast-paced, as that coincides with the definition. Proportion should be as big as possible.

Playful – fond of games and amusement; lighthearted. Playful can also be oriented in both vertical and horizontal fashions, as the definition of playful is not limited to one particular plane. Balance should be asymmetrical; playful is random. Movement should be fast, as playful can oftentimes be fast-paced. Proportion shouldn’t matter for this term, as playful extends from many different realms from big to small.

Victorious – having won a victory; triumphant. This term would most likely be suited with a large symmetrical form, maybe like a trophy. The modules should rotate, for a more suitable depiction of the definition. Movement should be fast, and proportion large to show this large “victory”.

Hyper – hyperactive or unusually energetic. This term should utilize a very random movement, with a combination of big and small proportions, along with fast motions to really depict the definition.

Passionate – showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief. This term should exercise a very concrete, formal movement with some sort of apex, a pinnacle, per se. The movement should be medium-paced, with no breaks in the speed. Proportions should be large, as passion often coincides with the steady achievement of large compositions.

Restfulness – a state of freedom from storm or disturbance. This term should exhibit slow and small movements that are conceived by restful actions.

Weak – lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy. Weak should also show small and slow movements; big and fast movements would be appropriate for a term opposite of weak.

Broken – having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order. Broken should show literal fractures in the movements of the modules. It is important for the piece to be asymmetrical.

Volatile – easily evaporated at normal temperatures. Volatile should be a sudden explosion of the composition. Modules should be show and excited state, moving in random directions. Proportions should be as big as possible.

Flexible – capable of bending easily without breaking. Flexible should show a very bendy nature of the modules, and can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Confused – unable to think clearly; bewildered. Confused should show literally, a confusing composition of modules going every which way in an asymmetrical pattern.

Anxiety – a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Anxiety should be similar to confusion, and would be appropriate for the composition to be confined.

Trusting – showing or tending to have a belief in a person’s honesty or sincerity; not suspicious. Trusting should exhibit a concrete structure, a bond. A very symmetrical pattern should be appropriate.

Strong – having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks. Strong should be a bold, large, symmetrical composition that shows a very strong sense of volume.

Languid – displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed. Languid should display a very lethargic movement. Very slow movements would be appropriate for this term.

In-Class Video Proposal

For this new project, we are recording a minimum of 12 10-second videos depicting what makes us individually angry. I plan to walk around campus and search for things that make me angry such as long lines at the hub, KSU parking enforcement, and maybe even go as far as to depict the outrageous cost of college. I do not think I will utilize actors in my film, as a solo journey of finding things that make me angry would be sufficient enough. Part of being a filmed and/or photographer is waiting for the right moment to capture what is occurring. And many times these moments find the filmer when he/she is least expecting it.

I will use this concept to capture footage for this project. Part of the battle is searching for what I want to achieve in this project. I want to find unusual things that would make me angry, and try to stay away from being to generic and unoriginal. The smallest, mundane things can make people angry. I sense that it will be simple to capture these videos in the imperfect world we live in.

I plan to push myself further than what was accomplished in my 5×5 project, although that was a simple introduction to the programming. I want to explore the tools more than I have been and add a smoother transition from clip to clip without being too noticeable. Another thing I am excited to delve into is the incorporation of text in this new project.