Crazy write up about my upcoming video

I'm wanting to shoot my video earlier than I had initially planned.  I think editing is going to take up quite a lot of time.  I'm going to contact my actors and see if I can move the shoot date up.  I am looking forward to shooting this video, probably more than any I've done so far.  Working on Dwayne's video was fun and I hope shooting mine will be too.  At first I thought editing was going to be really difficult, but I think it's going to be pretty easy.  I'm intending for the video to feel very confusing so the stranger the better.  

I VOTED EARLY!!!

This is the picture I took with my cell phone of my ballot.  Actually it's a picture of the picture that I took with my cell phone.  I wasn't sure if I was supposed to take any pictures but I did anyway.  OBAMA.

Write Up for Dwayne's shoot

Dwayne's video shoot was really simple as far as crewing.  We framed the shot and used all natural lighting.  Once Dwayne got in 'character' we began recording and pretty much just did one continuous shot until he felt he was satisfied with the performance.  We took several photos before, during, and after the shoot.  I feel like this project ran quite smoothly.  Although it was a little strange to watch Dwayne sitting in the back of his truck smoking a cigar and drinking beer in his underwear.

second sound/lighting test

Sound test/ Battery removal

Sound and lighting test

Images for production package

Electrical

Lighting

I got these guys to stand in for my test shoot since my actors were unavailable.





I will have plenty of lighting for every shot.  Multiple windows for natural light and lots of overhead/electrical light is available.  The fuse box is in the basement and the basement was really creepy so hopefully I won't have to mess with it.

During the sound test I noticed the clock was ticking very loudly so I will have to remove the battery or just remove the clock altogether.  There was a little noise form the street, but because I'm going to be using multiple jump cuts I think any sounds will just add to the confusion.

I plan on doing one long shot and just moving around the room to capture multiple angles.  Editing is going to be key in this project.

Proposal for Instructed Confusion

I would like to make a digital video about the frustrations of following instructions while assembling equipment.  The working title is, Instructed Confusion.  It will be approximately three to five minutes in length.  This piece will display two people struggling to work together to assemble a steel-shelving unit. 

The charters in this video will display emotions that most people feel while trying to assemble something with ‘less than exact’ directions.  Some of these feelings are anger, confusion, and impatience. This piece is meant to get an uncomfortable reaction from the audience.  Most likely, people will relate to the frustration and see the humor in watching other people struggle at a seemingly simple task. 

In the video, one character will logically try to follow the instructions that come with the materials while the other character immediately begins assembling.  However, the second character has no idea what they are doing and ends up failing repeatedly.  This drives both characters crazy to the point of physical anger.

The first character gives up out of frustration and the second character angrily demands the assistance of the other.  Eventually the first character reluctantly comes back, but the animosity is still looming.  Many trials and failures cause both characters to give up on the project, and come back to it another day.

 I intend on using jump cuts throughout the entire video.  This will give the viewer a sense of confusion; similar to the confusion the charters are dealing with.  Many of the shots will display irrational, violent reactions.  The shots will be very brief and difficult to understand.  Eventually, the viewer will comprehend what the characters are trying to do.  They will see the frustration in the characters and begin to feel it themselves.

This video will be targeted to anyone who has ever tried to assemble something by following confusing instructions. It will also be directed toward anyone that has issues with following instructions as well as working with other people to solve problems.  The video will be displayed in art galleries and film festivals. 

Ideas for next video

1.  I want to show people interacting, but I want it to be composed entirely of jump cuts.  It will be similar to the scene in Julian Donkey Boy where Julian and his brother are fighting in the kitchen and Julian makes his brother eat some shitty looking bacon.  This will deal with people trying to understand instructions for assembling something but are completely confused and the jump cuts will add to the confusion. 

2.  In this video I will be making a cup of tea.  I will be dropping the tea-bag over and over continuously for 5 minutes.  The sounds will consist of plopping and heavy breathing.

3.  In this video sound will be the only element up until the end.  The sounds will be indiscernible and will only be understood when the image is revealed at the end.  

Lunanova write up

This video deals with human dependancy on other people and technology.  It displays an isolated modern man hunched over a television.  He's wearing a suvival blanket in hopes that he will be rescued.  We soon realize he is focused on white noiose on the TV screen and quickly retreat from the figure because he has obviously gone a little nutty.

I really enjoyed using music in this video.  I think it gives the video a dramatic quality.  However, it could have really turned out cheesy if I had the wrong transitions.  I would like to try and use more sound in my work, but I'm sure it's really difficult to choose or to actually create music for certain videos.  

Lunanova Project Video

How To...

VP Debate Extra Credit

The lighting on both candidates as well as the moderator looked flooded, but not too bright.  They were all back lit and their faces looked equally bright on both sides.  There were very little shadows under their chins so I guess they were well lit in that sense.  The break up of shadows on the walls behind the candidates made the figures stand out from the background.  The US flag was really small and dimly lit above the moderator, which looked sort of cheap.

All three people were centered in the shots.  There were also many different camera angles.  Many of the shots that displayed both candidates were over the shoulder shots.  These shots also zoomed in and out a few times.  It seemed like very straightforward filming with very little action.