Posts

Module 13

Reflect on how you've expanded your technical and conceptual filmmaking knowledge this semester (200 words)   I’ve learned so much this semester, overall, but especially in this class, which has challenged me in so many ways. I’ve learned to work with new software (Dragonframe). I created my first stop-motion sand animation project. I used the Bolex and developed my own film (and shot with the Pentax)! My website is done and I have a festival plan for my sand animation “The Grindstone.” The professional development assignments have been invaluable. Beyond all the technical learning that has taken place, I truly feel that this class has been the one that turned me into a filmmaker. Truthfully, I never thought I would like experimental filmmaking, but that was because I didn’t really understand it. It’s so much more expansive than I originally thought. The idea of Absolute Film will forever be burned into my brain, as will the idea of a film as a form of art. And experimental film is...
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Module 12

To-Do List Saturday, April 30: Make improvements to website and resume Sunday, May 1: Have rough-cut of Bolex film with all visuals, sfx, and music ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday May 3: Blog Entries Due Reflections: Charles, Dusty, Jack D, Jack S Respond to 2 other blog posts Reflections: technical and conceptual filmmaking expansion Thursday, May 5: Add voiceovers to Bolex film  Saturday, May 8 : Add titles cards and make final edits to Bolex film ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, May 9: Post Bolex Film to Class Google Document Tuesday, May 10: Participate in Class Workshop Jacob's Presentation:  Barbara Hammer I love the way Hammer’s films focused on her life experiences and perspectives, or as Jacob said, “what she took in the world and reflected back.” Whether it was looking at the female form and lesbian lo...
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Module 11

CV/Resume & Website plan   I’ve found that I have created several different resumes based on my needs. Now, as I solidify my title as a filmmaker, I need to make tweaks to reflect it, namely listing written works (both produced and unproduced), film credits, film screenings, awards, etc. Regarding a website, I’ve used Wix before to create one from scratch, which was very user-friendly, but I noticed a few classmates mentioned WordPress; I definitely want to look more into that. For me, one of the most important elements of a website is the first impression it makes to a person who visits (with the scientifically-proven shortened attention of today’s audience, it’s important to keep them on the page!) It should be aesthetically pleasing and the layout should be organized and easy to navigate. I’m excited to start one now that I have content to showcase. On my to-do list as well is to design and order business cards and (maybe) start using an Instagram account. Not crazy about th...
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Module 10

  Reflection of Bolex Shoot So much to think about at the same time! It was an enjoyable experience overall, but it was a little draining, both physically (lugging the equipment, holding the camera, etc) and mentally (the notetaking and so much math!). My biggest frustration was that it didn’t seem to fully focus. I just kept telling myself, “It’s an experimental film! Experiment.” I definitely want to do it again now that I’ve worked out a lot of the bugs and got the first “fumbling around” time out of the way. If all goes as planned, I think I may have some cool shots. Fingers crossed that they’re not too blurry or under-exposed!
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Module 9

Presentations  Jan Švankmajer Švankmajer’s relationship with food seems to be present in a lot of his movies. After Ryan’s presentation, I found and watched Dimensions of Dialogue, which was just as strange as the others in my opinion. For example, it appeared as if two people’s heads (made out of food waste and trash) were talking to each other, then one seemed to eat the other. In fact, I remember Ryan commenting on this….something about objects cannibalizing each other. Welp. That was it. I find his obsession (?) with mouths interesting, “a symbol of civilization’s civility.” I guess it makes sense. After all, we eat, breathe, and communicate with our mouths. The Brothers Quay So I kind of like that these guys have a foot in the commercial world ie. mainstream film and tv (not sure if that’s the correct word) Makes me think about their work and wonder: is their work commercial or is the commercial world leaning/dabbling more into experimental content? Their Sesame Street piece, ...
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Module 8

  Marlon Riggs I concur with Ashley’s statement that Riggs is a provocative filmmaker that encourages the audience to go through a wide range of emotions. The clip she showed from Tongues Untied is indicative of that. His storytelling approach pulls you in to empathize, but then the shocking statements of the different “mouths” repulses you. Just when you’re spinning, it becomes rhythmic and addictive. The subject matter is so fragile, and yet he’s in your face with it, so his quote stating, “They can't touch me" resonates strongly and loudly, and we get a sense of his struggles as “came through the fire.” By putting the offensive words and concepts in our face, he is able to shed light on them in (I believe) an impactful way). Sky Hopinka I just love his idea that he “Rejects the idea that history is confined to the past.” That makes sense even though I’ve never heard it phrased like that. Humans (both the species in general and individuals) are just an accumulation of everyt...
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Module 7

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  Assignment 2 Project Plan: Adventure Option 4-Surrealist Stop-Motion Animation Short Description: I plan on creating a sand animation project based on the first stanza of Robert Frost’s poem “The Grindstone.” The first stanza shows the grindstone alone in a field, commenting on how it has a wheel and legs, but it never moves from the same spot. The narrator comments on the change in seasons, noticing the grindstone sitting alone in the snow and remembering how last summer he worked hard to grind a blade. I will attempt to “draw” images to accurately depict a grindstone spinning, hands moving in and out, an axe, an apple tree, etc. I’d also like to incorporate zooming in and out. However, I’m not really this type of artist, so it may become more of an abstract art project. I’ve read the chapter in Fluid Frames about sand animation. I’ve also watched DIY videos about how to build a lightbox and (I think) every Youtube video about sand animation. Some showed true stop motion anima...
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