This course is an introduction to the history and theory of participatory media production. Motivations toward greater participation in media arts have three core agendas: 1) empowerment of people traditionally seen more as "subjects" than active producers of culture; 2) challenging the idea of the artist as solitary genius working outside of society; and 3) the use of media art to build and sustain community.
I collected some of my entrymates and explained my idea about filming them playing cards from different, interesting angles. I started out doing creative direction, saying what shots I wanted (close up of shuffle, aerial of dealing) to give everyone else an idea of the types of angles I was interested in. Then, I taught the others how to use a camera and we used the first beginning shots as a springboard for other ideas. In my opinion, some of the coolest shots (cards on top of the camera lens, person looking in from stairwell) came from the different people I was shooting with. Working together in a group definitely increased the project's total creativity! In total, I would say about five different people held the camera, but ideas for shots came from many others (including the actors themselves).
This has a charming feeling of spontaneity and fun. Sometimes I feel like you can tell when the maker(s) of a piece are enjoying themselves, which was the case here.
Interesting to hear your positive response to the "group cinematography" aspect of the video. As you noted, most of this is shot very well. Did you feel that the piece was able to maintain a focused "direction" regardless of the collaborative process?
The editing component seems to have worked out well, too; no shots outlived their welcome and it moved along with a good pace. On this topic though -- you could have possibly made more of the "drama" of a card game in structuring this, to help give it a beginning, middle and end. Or you could have pushed the lack of drama more, if that was more your intention. Something to think about in future videos.
1/ Opening shot of cards being shuffled from above, more shots of setting up. Then playing unknown card game, from above, close angles, side angles, and others. Dialog between the players as more cuts to various angles of playing the card game, including shot from outside door, shot of players singing.
The close shots, head on shots, side angle shots, and overall variety of shots may be meant to communicate a feeling of intimacy. Special shots include a view of cards as though from one of the players, or a slightly lower angle, as the cards uncovering the lens, and falling on the camera. The tightness of the camera to the action complements the above.
The film seems to tell a story, bring the viewer into the world of the game's participants. The viewer is meant to get a sense of the group dynamic as well as some personality of the participants. The shot of one participant as viewed from the participant across from her as she reacts to the group says the most.
The use of varied shots keeps pace of the film lively and gives the viewer a holistic view of the story. These elements, as well as general sound and color continuity, maintain a tone that allows the viewer a sense of the dynamic of the friends sitting together. The group singing also complements this.
The video was a lot of fun! I loved being able to see the cards that were supposed to be hidden from other viewers and facing down. The part of Esther cheating was also very great. The closing shot of the cards being flung in the air and one falling on the camera was awesome.
You really used many different angles to show an activity that can be pretty simple. It also kept the film alive by moving around frequently.
My one comment would be that it would have been great if you can have a more explicit opening so the viewer can know that they are playing BS. Viewers are left hanging for quite a while in the beginning wondering what kind of card game it is, and whether it is important to know what kind of game it is.
The video had a special kind of charm to it. The angles you used were exceptional, especially since the game seemed to really be going on in real-time while the transitions were almost seamless.
The opening confused me a bit, I found myself paying more attention to figuring out what game they were playing the first time around. I liked the shot walking in from the hallway, though I felt it would have worked better as an intro shot.
I really enjoyed this video. They way that you chose to use the participatory angle made me (and possibly others) feel as though they were participating in the game of BS myself.
The continuous flow of action and close attention paid to edits really comes through in this video as there are no choppy shots or transitions.
Again, good shots, at suitable pace for a card game, indeed. Relaxed setting, lively. What were the intentions of the figure looking through the glass? Aside from a simple card game involving a group of people, what do they bring to the work aside from shooting different parts of the video?
Video centers around a card game in which various people play and chat.
What I like most about the video is the wide and creative variety of camera shots - the aerial view, the frontal view, the view from underneath. Each angle constructs a different scenario and perspective while simultaneously evoking a different feeling.
I really like the way at the end you did a shot with a person coming up the stairs and peeking in at the on-going card game. It was really kind of creepy, which I liked.
Overall I think there was a clearly definable beginning and end to this quickly paced and short video. I liked it very much!
8 comments:
I collected some of my entrymates and explained my idea about filming them playing cards from different, interesting angles. I started out doing creative direction, saying what shots I wanted (close up of shuffle, aerial of dealing) to give everyone else an idea of the types of angles I was interested in. Then, I taught the others how to use a camera and we used the first beginning shots as a springboard for other ideas. In my opinion, some of the coolest shots (cards on top of the camera lens, person looking in from stairwell) came from the different people I was shooting with. Working together in a group definitely increased the project's total creativity! In total, I would say about five different people held the camera, but ideas for shots came from many others (including the actors themselves).
Katie:
This has a charming feeling of spontaneity and fun. Sometimes I feel like you can tell when the maker(s) of a piece are enjoying themselves, which was the case here.
Interesting to hear your positive response to the "group cinematography" aspect of the video. As you noted, most of this is shot very well. Did you feel that the piece was able to maintain a focused "direction" regardless of the collaborative process?
The editing component seems to have worked out well, too; no shots outlived their welcome and it moved along with a good pace. On this topic though -- you could have possibly made more of the "drama" of a card game in structuring this, to help give it a beginning, middle and end. Or you could have pushed the lack of drama more, if that was more your intention. Something to think about in future videos.
What do others think?
1/ Opening shot of cards being shuffled from above, more shots of setting up. Then playing unknown card game, from above, close angles, side angles, and others. Dialog between the players as more cuts to various angles of playing the card game, including shot from outside door, shot of players singing.
The close shots, head on shots, side angle shots, and overall variety of shots may be meant to communicate a feeling of intimacy. Special shots include a view of cards as though from one of the players, or a slightly lower angle, as the cards uncovering the lens, and falling on the camera. The tightness of the camera to the action complements the above.
The film seems to tell a story, bring the viewer into the world of the game's participants. The viewer is meant to get a sense of the group dynamic as well as some personality of the participants. The shot of one participant as viewed from the participant across from her as she reacts to the group says the most.
The use of varied shots keeps pace of the film lively and gives the viewer a holistic view of the story. These elements, as well as general sound and color continuity, maintain a tone that allows the viewer a sense of the dynamic of the friends sitting together. The group singing also complements this.
The video was a lot of fun! I loved being able to see the cards that were supposed to be hidden from other viewers and facing down.
The part of Esther cheating was also very great.
The closing shot of the cards being flung in the air and one falling on the camera was awesome.
You really used many different angles to show an activity that can be pretty simple. It also kept the film alive by moving around frequently.
My one comment would be that it would have been great if you can have a more explicit opening so the viewer can know that they are playing BS. Viewers are left hanging for quite a while in the beginning wondering what kind of card game it is, and whether it is important to know what kind of game it is.
The video had a special kind of charm to it. The angles you used were exceptional, especially since the game seemed to really be going on in real-time while the transitions were almost seamless.
The opening confused me a bit, I found myself paying more attention to figuring out what game they were playing the first time around. I liked the shot walking in from the hallway, though I felt it would have worked better as an intro shot.
I really enjoyed this video. They way that you chose to use the participatory angle made me (and possibly others) feel as though they were participating in the game of BS myself.
The continuous flow of action and close attention paid to edits really comes through in this video as there are no choppy shots or transitions.
Again, good shots, at suitable pace for a card game, indeed. Relaxed setting, lively. What were the intentions of the figure looking through the glass? Aside from a simple card game involving a group of people, what do they bring to the work aside from shooting different parts of the video?
Video centers around a card game in which various people play and chat.
What I like most about the video is the wide and creative variety of camera shots - the aerial view, the frontal view, the view from underneath. Each angle constructs a different scenario and perspective while simultaneously evoking a different feeling.
I really like the way at the end you did a shot with a person coming up the stairs and peeking in at the on-going card game. It was really kind of creepy, which I liked.
Overall I think there was a clearly definable beginning and end to this quickly paced and short video. I liked it very much!
Post a Comment