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.
1) Opening title and description, typed on computer screen with “Comfortably Numb” playing. “I asked people what do you dream about when sitting in front of a blank...” TITLE: Blank Page. (2.5 mins)
2) Man in green, shot from behind. Can’t see his face. Pan up to CA flag and longboard. Cut to POV of skateboard going down street. (1 min)
3) Man in blue, shot from side/over the shoulder, out of focus. Focus on him looking at his fingers. Cut to toenail clipping and back and forth b/w these 2 shots. Can see his profile, but backlit. (just under 1 min)
4) Man in plaid, shot in much brighter lighting, from side view. Zoom in on blank page on computer screen. Cut to screen of video game, zoom out to whole room of friends having fun. Back to plaid getting back into his chair. (30 secs)
This is a nice concept that anyone can relate to.
The opening is good; I enjoyed your writing and the way you used the typing text image, but its length makes the video a bit top heavy; half of the total running time is used in setting up the piece.
The differences in the way the 3 people’s scenes were shot (the shots of them in front of the computer) were distracting to me. I was seeking meaning in these differences that probably wasn’t there! Perhaps a bit more control in these setups would have allowed your participants to be even more free in their reenactments without losing focus.
The cut in #4 (b/w the screen of the laptop and the screen on the TV) is fantastic!
Would be interesting to hear your process with this.
I agree the intro was way too long, it would have been much more appropriate for a longer piece.
In each of the three segments that follow the intro, I did the sequences with them sitting at their computers, then asked them how they wanted their own scenes to look. I tried to keep each individual section at the computer screen identical within its own segment, though I payed little attention to making all three uniform. I suppose if I could go back and do it again I would have made all three of the computer shots more similar to the second one, where the man in blue sits in relative darkness as the camera goes out of focus to represent a fuzzy mind.
1/Introduction, explanation of the film: filming computer screen while typing, with soundtrack. Then a shot of a student from behind and camera slips off him to a skateboard above his desk. A few minutes of him skateboarding with the camera rotating, before he stops. Then shots of three more students at desks with blank computer screens, and cuts to hanging out with friends. Colors in the skateboarding scene are clear and green is strong. Colors in first scene are grey, not clear. Colors vary in remainder of film, but are less clear, either underexposed or overexposed.
The colors of the first two scenes seem to match the idea of moods of those scenes. The use of deletion when typing, showing thoughts changing, matched the feeling of restlessness, and others.
The work tried to capture a feeling, and used some elements of color and pacing, as well as stark cuts to do this.
The film's most effective moment for me was the cut to the skateboarding scene. There was a clarity about the feeling trying to be captured (or one of them) in the film that was not apparent before, at that moment.
I think using the blank word document page is a great starting point for each of your participant. I also agree that the opening shot with you typing took a bit too long. At the same time, it got me thinking about what I would be thinking if I were to stare at a blank page. Nice music choice.
While watching the segment of your second participant, you chose to bring the camera out of focus while the participant is checking out his nail and before he cut them for the first time. The blurring out of focus was confusing to me, did you intend for it to be there to suggest that the participant is getting bored and beginning to dream? If that is what you intended, then maybe it would be helpful to repeat it before he went to cut his nails the second time for a nice repetition.
Also, you took some time to give your first participant some background on who he is, such as the shot of the California flag and the skateboard, which was really nice. I wish you gave your other participant equal amount of attention and introduction to help us understand who they are.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and it is very relatable!
Typing on a computer screen provides explanation of project, "Comfortably Numb" playing; blank screen - perspective of skateboard; blank screen - students hanging out; student goes back to work.
I like the subject of this project! I actually considered doing something like it, but then gave up because I thought it would be too hard! :) (you can see the beginnings of it on the first few minutes of my tape... it's pathetically funny.)
"Comfortably Numb" gives the film an appropriate tone, and the scenes at the computer tie the example scenes together and give the film a cohesive feel. Each example seems to draw out the personality of each participant.
Some of the scenes (opening, from perspective of skateboard) are a little long. But they were all incredibly creative!
The film begins with a "blank page" on which someone types the title of the work, its creator, and a brief description. The scene then expands out to reveal the typist who appears frustrated. The camera then moves up following the typist's gaze where a skateboard hangs on the wall. Then begins a very dynamic and fluid scene where it seems that the person holding the camera is actually on a skateboard. The video then progresses showing various people who are frustrated by their writer's block and try to pursue other activities (or imagine that they are) as a distraction.
The video was very interesting and portrayed a very personal and familiar scene that I could definitely relate to. I agree with what seems to be a general consensus that the intro was a bit long, but I thought the progression to the skateboard scene helped break up the monotony of the computer screen shot. I would be very interested to know how you pulled this off!
Overall, I think the video was interesting and effective given the nature of the assignment.
While "Comfortably Numb"' does create a sense of disillusionment, I wonder what it would do to the video if you left it out. The viewer may feel more disconnected to what they are watching when there isn't the soundtrack--which may be a good thing.
I really liked the skateboard shots and am curious of how you actually went about getting these.
Straightforward concept with some great shots. The intro was a tad long, but the entertainment value of the latter parts were worth it. The idea to capture something so easy to relate to is a great play to the audience.
9 comments:
1) Opening title and description, typed on computer screen with “Comfortably Numb” playing. “I asked people what do you dream about when sitting in front of a blank...” TITLE: Blank Page. (2.5 mins)
2) Man in green, shot from behind. Can’t see his face. Pan up to CA flag and longboard. Cut to POV of skateboard going down street. (1 min)
3) Man in blue, shot from side/over the shoulder, out of focus. Focus on him looking at his fingers. Cut to toenail clipping and back and forth b/w these 2 shots. Can see his profile, but backlit. (just under 1 min)
4) Man in plaid, shot in much brighter lighting, from side view. Zoom in on blank page on computer screen. Cut to screen of video game, zoom out to whole room of friends having fun. Back to plaid getting back into his chair. (30 secs)
This is a nice concept that anyone can relate to.
The opening is good; I enjoyed your writing and the way you used the typing text image, but its length makes the video a bit top heavy; half of the total running time is used in setting up the piece.
The differences in the way the 3 people’s scenes were shot (the shots of them in front of the computer) were distracting to me. I was seeking meaning in these differences that probably wasn’t there! Perhaps a bit more control in these setups would have allowed your participants to be even more free in their reenactments without losing focus.
The cut in #4 (b/w the screen of the laptop and the screen on the TV) is fantastic!
Would be interesting to hear your process with this.
I agree the intro was way too long, it would have been much more appropriate for a longer piece.
In each of the three segments that follow the intro, I did the sequences with them sitting at their computers, then asked them how they wanted their own scenes to look. I tried to keep each individual section at the computer screen identical within its own segment, though I payed little attention to making all three uniform. I suppose if I could go back and do it again I would have made all three of the computer shots more similar to the second one, where the man in blue sits in relative darkness as the camera goes out of focus to represent a fuzzy mind.
1/Introduction, explanation of the film: filming computer screen while typing, with soundtrack. Then a shot of a student from behind and camera slips off him to a skateboard above his desk. A few minutes of him skateboarding with the camera rotating, before he stops. Then shots of three more students at desks with blank computer screens, and cuts to hanging out with friends. Colors in the skateboarding scene are clear and green is strong. Colors in first scene are grey, not clear. Colors vary in remainder of film, but are less clear, either underexposed or overexposed.
The colors of the first two scenes seem to match the idea of moods of those scenes. The use of deletion when typing, showing thoughts changing, matched the feeling of restlessness, and others.
The work tried to capture a feeling, and used some elements of color and pacing, as well as stark cuts to do this.
The film's most effective moment for me was the cut to the skateboarding scene. There was a clarity about the feeling trying to be captured (or one of them) in the film that was not apparent before, at that moment.
Tim,
I think using the blank word document page is a great starting point for each of your participant. I also agree that the opening shot with you typing took a bit too long. At the same time, it got me thinking about what I would be thinking if I were to stare at a blank page. Nice music choice.
While watching the segment of your second participant, you chose to bring the camera out of focus while the participant is checking out his nail and before he cut them for the first time. The blurring out of focus was confusing to me, did you intend for it to be there to suggest that the participant is getting bored and beginning to dream? If that is what you intended, then maybe it would be helpful to repeat it before he went to cut his nails the second time for a nice repetition.
Also, you took some time to give your first participant some background on who he is, such as the shot of the California flag and the skateboard, which was really nice. I wish you gave your other participant equal amount of attention and introduction to help us understand who they are.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and it is very relatable!
Typing on a computer screen provides explanation of project, "Comfortably Numb" playing; blank screen - perspective of skateboard; blank screen - students hanging out; student goes back to work.
I like the subject of this project! I actually considered doing something like it, but then gave up because I thought it would be too hard! :) (you can see the beginnings of it on the first few minutes of my tape... it's pathetically funny.)
"Comfortably Numb" gives the film an appropriate tone, and the scenes at the computer tie the example scenes together and give the film a cohesive feel. Each example seems to draw out the personality of each participant.
Some of the scenes (opening, from perspective of skateboard) are a little long. But they were all incredibly creative!
The film begins with a "blank page" on which someone types the title of the work, its creator, and a brief description. The scene then expands out to reveal the typist who appears frustrated. The camera then moves up following the typist's gaze where a skateboard hangs on the wall. Then begins a very dynamic and fluid scene where it seems that the person holding the camera is actually on a skateboard. The video then progresses showing various people who are frustrated by their writer's block and try to pursue other activities (or imagine that they are) as a distraction.
The video was very interesting and portrayed a very personal and familiar scene that I could definitely relate to. I agree with what seems to be a general consensus that the intro was a bit long, but I thought the progression to the skateboard scene helped break up the monotony of the computer screen shot. I would be very interested to know how you pulled this off!
Overall, I think the video was interesting and effective given the nature of the assignment.
1. Description: Please refer to 1st comment above.
2. Analysis: The three "thinking" scenes' rhythms were readily distinguishable. Pretty good(safe) handling of the camera in scene one.
3. Interpretation: I agree with Penny that your question is one most can identify with, which is why it was demanding of the viewer's attention.
4. Final opinion: Expected/familiar results arose from human subjects.
While "Comfortably Numb"' does create a sense of disillusionment, I wonder what it would do to the video if you left it out. The viewer may feel more disconnected to what they are watching when there isn't the soundtrack--which may be a good thing.
I really liked the skateboard shots and am curious of how you actually went about getting these.
Straightforward concept with some great shots. The intro was a tad long, but the entertainment value of the latter parts were worth it. The idea to capture something so easy to relate to is a great play to the audience.
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