The 48-hour video race is really exciting. I love thinking of new ways to make art. I hate it when people just copy what everyone has done before. I forgot who said this in class but a security camera is an awesome idea. I’m really trying to explore different ways to make this shoot interesting. I was thinking about maybe shooting with a still camera like the film we saw in class then maybe switching it up with a cell phone, or a security camera at a heightened moment in the short. It was also thinking about trying to use the security cameras from the ATMs. If I could somehow use these cameras that would be cool too.
Scanners, digital cameras, and web cams are the only other forms I can think of right now. If some more ideas come to me I will write it on another blog. I think the stipulations of this project with force us to be more creative and therefore, help us use this creativity constructively. The projects I have worked on in 6x1 will help me with all different forms of filmmaking because it forces the artists to think of new and better ways to use the medium instead of relying on the past. It’s ok to make an homage but when an artist sticks to something just because it works, and has worked in the past then they are not really an artist. A really artist creates and explores and this is how I want to approach the 48-hour shoot. I was to do something that has never been done before. I don’t know if I’m going to successful but this is my goal.
I really like that ATM idea I had. I need to go speak to some local banks and see what they have to say. I wonder how long you can shoot on a digital camera. That would be interesting to find out. I guess I need to do a little more research for this project. I’m interested to see what other classmates write for the 48 hour shoot. Another thing that is cool about this is the mystery prop. You can’t prep too much because we don’t know what the mystery prop is. This could put an entire kink in my project if I start with an idea but I don’t know how to incorporate the mystery prop. But, I think it’s a great idea because it just makes you think even more creative.
It’s very nerve racking if you think about it. First, you have to come up with a cool and interesting way to shoot a short without a camera. Then, you can’t prepare anymore than getting a general idea of what you want to do, because you have to allow for this mystery prop to be introduced 48 hours before it’s due! I don’t think this is bad, I think this is great because I find that some of my best ideas come off-the-cuff when I’m not really concentrated and it just comes as a whim.
Another thing I like about this project is everyone gets to do their own. First, this means that everyone has to pull their own weight. And, it also means that you don’t have to rely on a group. I like group work don’t get me wrong but sometimes you just want to work by yourself. I think the expression is, “too many chiefs in the kitchen.” Anyway, I think that film is a collaborative medium and that’s a good thing because if everyone has a specific job then it makes the project that much better. However, sometimes naturally I want to do everything myself and this gives me an opportunity to do that on a small scale and I’m looking forward to it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Who's got the rights?
The Ecstasy of Influence and the Molotov man articles were very interesting. I found myself agreeing with everyone’s point-of-view. I found it interesting how music is more of an “open source” for sharing, and how everyone gets so touchy with images and especially films. It’s cool how Burrough’s is mentioned. I never realized he cut and pasted from other artists. I have only briefly read bits of the Naked Lunch but it seems odd that such a highly acclaimed artist would borrow like that. I guess to a certain extent it has turned into a sort of homage. Like we see in films today and like we hear in music. Certain riffs and chords are similar, especially in blues music.
I loved the two perspectives of the Molotov man. Joy’s perspective holds a lot of clout. I mean, the photographer does not hold that moment in her hand just because she took the picture. And, just because she took the picture can she sue Joy for trying to re-create it in a different context. However, from Sue’s point-of-view she took an important picture that holds important meaning for the Nicaraguan people. She doesn’t want that image she holds dear to be exploited. But, if you look at it from en entirely different perspective maybe the exploitation of this image has shed new light on the original intention of the photograph. What I’m saying is, I would not have known the history behind this photograph if Joy had not recreated it in the first place.
Going back to the other article, we live in a world saturated with pop culture. It’s true, we know the fabrications before we see the real thing. Disturbia (knock off of Hitchcock’s Rear Window) is a prime example. Cheap imitations to sell a product, that’s all we get. Producers are never going to take a chance if they can make more money with a superhero flick. How does this apply to 6x1? 6x1 not only teaches use to incorporate non-conventional ways of creating art through film, but it also expands our minds as far as creativity. It takes a lot today to be original. I think this is the gist of the article. Not only is it ok to make a homage but it’s ok to steal, it’s good but at the same time we need to stay genuine and original so we don’t ruin something that is good.
I loved the two perspectives of the Molotov man. Joy’s perspective holds a lot of clout. I mean, the photographer does not hold that moment in her hand just because she took the picture. And, just because she took the picture can she sue Joy for trying to re-create it in a different context. However, from Sue’s point-of-view she took an important picture that holds important meaning for the Nicaraguan people. She doesn’t want that image she holds dear to be exploited. But, if you look at it from en entirely different perspective maybe the exploitation of this image has shed new light on the original intention of the photograph. What I’m saying is, I would not have known the history behind this photograph if Joy had not recreated it in the first place.
Going back to the other article, we live in a world saturated with pop culture. It’s true, we know the fabrications before we see the real thing. Disturbia (knock off of Hitchcock’s Rear Window) is a prime example. Cheap imitations to sell a product, that’s all we get. Producers are never going to take a chance if they can make more money with a superhero flick. How does this apply to 6x1? 6x1 not only teaches use to incorporate non-conventional ways of creating art through film, but it also expands our minds as far as creativity. It takes a lot today to be original. I think this is the gist of the article. Not only is it ok to make a homage but it’s ok to steal, it’s good but at the same time we need to stay genuine and original so we don’t ruin something that is good.
The Rough Theatre
I like the idea of rough theatre. It makes sense to me. Sometimes you take the long way home just because it feels better. Sometimes you would rather go to the “hole in the wall” bar instead of the newest club. I think this is the same idea as the rough theatre. Art should not be questioned. Either you like it or you don’t. To me, rough theatre means that anywhere can be a stage and anyplace and hold a viewing. Rough theatre reminds me of the DYI movement in punk music. If anything 6x1 has inspired me. With this type of filmmaking I no longer have to rely on cast and crew. However, the idea or rough theatre takes it a step further. All restrictions should be thrown out the window. It’s the idea that a mistake is a good thing because you were probably planning too much anyway.
Just get a group of likeminded individuals and build a community. I may be reading into this way too much but I feel like we could use a little rough theatre at UNCW. The film community, specifically film studies is spread too thin. Everyone needs to help everyone else. Rough theatre is also about doing something just for the sake of doing it. It would be nice to see what it would be like if every film student tried make every idea that popped into their head. I know this is impossible, but that’s the idea. The idea that anything goes, we will figure out an easier way of doing something.
6x1 also reminds me of the DYI movement. Cameraless filmmaking really interests me. The idea of turning something into something completely different is a lot of fun. I also love how when we create something in 6x1 everyone has a different opinion on what it means or how it makes them feel. This is very different from narrative or documentary productions. In a narrative film you are confined to the director’s perspective. However, the there is a sense of freedom and randomness in the art created in 6x1.
Just get a group of likeminded individuals and build a community. I may be reading into this way too much but I feel like we could use a little rough theatre at UNCW. The film community, specifically film studies is spread too thin. Everyone needs to help everyone else. Rough theatre is also about doing something just for the sake of doing it. It would be nice to see what it would be like if every film student tried make every idea that popped into their head. I know this is impossible, but that’s the idea. The idea that anything goes, we will figure out an easier way of doing something.
6x1 also reminds me of the DYI movement. Cameraless filmmaking really interests me. The idea of turning something into something completely different is a lot of fun. I also love how when we create something in 6x1 everyone has a different opinion on what it means or how it makes them feel. This is very different from narrative or documentary productions. In a narrative film you are confined to the director’s perspective. However, the there is a sense of freedom and randomness in the art created in 6x1.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
one-shot inspiration
One-Shot (POV) - "Smack My Bitch Up" by Prodigy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU2AVp6uFDw
One-Shot (Following one Protagonist) - "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g
One-Shot (Following one Protagonist) - "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g
One-Shot
I'm really excited about the one-shot. It know it sounds crazy but I'm more creative when I am given boundaries. I feel like it makes me think outside of the box. Whichever way we approach this project we are going to be unique. The average cut is every 5 seconds in a Hollywood film so no matter what we do it's going to be interesting.
I particularly liked the film where Colin is playing guitar and then the entire rag-tag group walks down the sidewalk like a parade playing different instruments and dancing to their own beat. I say "there own beat" only because I saw Colin made the music with garage band in the credits. Kudos to him for syncing up the music with the action that is not always easy to do. So the ensemble approach seems fun and suiting for the project but I want to approach differently.
I think the POV one shot is very intriguing. The video "Smack My Bitch Up" by Prodigy explore this idea. I'm considering this style for my one-shot.
I also like the idea of the camera following one person then moving on to someone else when it gets boring. One of the 6x1 groups did this and it was very cool. I remember seeing a film in Kruel's class where the entire movie was like this. It was awesome. I'm so angry I can't remember the name of the film. It was part of the mumblecore genre. This is another idea I'm considering.
I also like the idea of having a camera follow someone but not in POV. Like in the film Children of Men or in the music video "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend. The idea is the camera follows the protagonist through the very different situations with very different people but never cuts it just follows the person from one group to the next. A lot of the scenes in Children of Men are one shot scenes however in some of the action scenes the cheat a cut or two, but it's the same idea.
I particularly liked the film where Colin is playing guitar and then the entire rag-tag group walks down the sidewalk like a parade playing different instruments and dancing to their own beat. I say "there own beat" only because I saw Colin made the music with garage band in the credits. Kudos to him for syncing up the music with the action that is not always easy to do. So the ensemble approach seems fun and suiting for the project but I want to approach differently.
I think the POV one shot is very intriguing. The video "Smack My Bitch Up" by Prodigy explore this idea. I'm considering this style for my one-shot.
I also like the idea of the camera following one person then moving on to someone else when it gets boring. One of the 6x1 groups did this and it was very cool. I remember seeing a film in Kruel's class where the entire movie was like this. It was awesome. I'm so angry I can't remember the name of the film. It was part of the mumblecore genre. This is another idea I'm considering.
I also like the idea of having a camera follow someone but not in POV. Like in the film Children of Men or in the music video "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend. The idea is the camera follows the protagonist through the very different situations with very different people but never cuts it just follows the person from one group to the next. A lot of the scenes in Children of Men are one shot scenes however in some of the action scenes the cheat a cut or two, but it's the same idea.
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