This class has been a one of a kind experience and hard to predict. I came in knowing we would complete some projects in goofy ways, but I didn't realize how much I would learn from each project and how much fun I would have.
That's the key to this class, the main criteria to judge a film doesn't have to be it's technical or narrative accomplishments. A film can be judged by its innovativeness and spirit. This class was sort of an antithesis to my 495 narrative class and it was enlightening to be experiencing both viewpoints at opposite ends of the week.
So without further a do, here is a list of every project that may or may not be in the order of which I enjoyed least to most.
G. Cameraless Filmmaking
I learned a lot from this assignment that I could definitely apply to films of all styles in the future. However, I'm not the kind of guy that likes to get messy and not knowing how the film would turn out before it was projected was frustrating.
*. 48-hour Video Race
It is an odd thing to say, but I wish I had had more time to devote to the video race. That weekend was jam packed with filming my 495 and other assignments so I was really only able to devote about 8 hours to the race. It would have been cool to really hit the grindstone and work on the race for a longer period of time. I was happy with the result as it stands though.
.59. Found Footage
This assignment was a whole lot of fun. The result wasn't quite what I had set out to do, but I couldn't find enough footage to make my more ambitious plan a reality. The project was a lesson in improvisation because I had to work with the footage that was available and went to great lengths to attain silly clips.
0101. Stop Motion
This assignment was the most loose planning-wise. We brought our media in and went straight to work without much talking. We never really knew what exactly was going to happen over the next few frames and the film turned out very dreamlike as a result. I was impressed with Sheena and Jon's
™. Rhythmic Edit
I was amazed at how well this turned out with the shaky footage I shot. When editing so quickly the individual shots stopped mattering so much and I was able to create something great out of what I considered to be sub par footage.
:). The Long Take
This was the best class I've ever had on a Saturday. I had so much fun with the group plotting and rehearsing our complex long take. Editing the film with Ian was fun. We didn't have to cut, only worry about the sounds. It was neat work.
TL;DR 6x1 was super fun, made new friends, learned new film techniques that are fun and applicable
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Just Say Yes
As a fan of improvisational comedy and general havoc-causing antics, I was surprised that I had not heard of The Yes Men before this class. The film was more thought-provoking than well produced. I felt like key moments were missing from the film and some of the uninteresting segments were drawn out too long. These holes in the film had the effect of making me more curious about the group.
I was left wondering how these men make a living when they put so much effort into their absurd work. Most of all, I was left with a profound respect for these guys who devote their lives to something that they couldn't explain to anyone easily. I imagine them telling their mom's that they were going to a conference in Australia, not as a real presenter, but an imposter seeking to illuminate the hypocrisies of the WTO.
They might have a hard time convincing others that their work is essential, but it really is important. The world needs people that don't play by the rules and use this rule breaking to spread a message.
I'm reminded of the internet use of the word "trolling", urban dictionary, if you would:
"Trolling is trying to get a rise out of someone. Forcing them to respond to you, either through wise-crackery, posting incorrect information, asking blatantly stupid questions, or other foolishness. However, trolling statements are never true or are ever meant to be construed as such. Nearly all trolled statements are meant to be funny to some people, so it does have some social/entertainment value."
The Yes Men are the real-life equivalent of a troll. Their actions aren't meant to be taken as the truth by everyone, in the documentary they expressed the desire to get a rise out of their audience, and their disappointment when they did not.
For our found footage assignment I wanted to use clips that would cause an emotional backlash. In the same way as The Yes Men, who use a context that should be mundane, a business conference, I used a soothing announcer until the film's firry conclusion. The clips at the end contradict what the view is expecting, the soundtrack speeds up, but the clips slow down. I took from The Yes Men their knack for making the usual unusual. I was inspired by this to create something that could not exist without contradictions.
I was left wondering how these men make a living when they put so much effort into their absurd work. Most of all, I was left with a profound respect for these guys who devote their lives to something that they couldn't explain to anyone easily. I imagine them telling their mom's that they were going to a conference in Australia, not as a real presenter, but an imposter seeking to illuminate the hypocrisies of the WTO.
They might have a hard time convincing others that their work is essential, but it really is important. The world needs people that don't play by the rules and use this rule breaking to spread a message.
I'm reminded of the internet use of the word "trolling", urban dictionary, if you would:
"Trolling is trying to get a rise out of someone. Forcing them to respond to you, either through wise-crackery, posting incorrect information, asking blatantly stupid questions, or other foolishness. However, trolling statements are never true or are ever meant to be construed as such. Nearly all trolled statements are meant to be funny to some people, so it does have some social/entertainment value."
The Yes Men are the real-life equivalent of a troll. Their actions aren't meant to be taken as the truth by everyone, in the documentary they expressed the desire to get a rise out of their audience, and their disappointment when they did not.
For our found footage assignment I wanted to use clips that would cause an emotional backlash. In the same way as The Yes Men, who use a context that should be mundane, a business conference, I used a soothing announcer until the film's firry conclusion. The clips at the end contradict what the view is expecting, the soundtrack speeds up, but the clips slow down. I took from The Yes Men their knack for making the usual unusual. I was inspired by this to create something that could not exist without contradictions.
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