Assessment + Evaluation

This week I've presented my work to my peers and tutors for assessment. No evaluation would be complete without a feedback from them and this is why I'm writing it now; I must confess that both, their reactions and comments were overall positive.

From the very beginning their feed back have been extremely important for both technical and conceptual development. Moreover, during my working process their response was only possible because I had actually tried and produced material so they could comment on.

I've take my peer's feed back as well as my own analyses in order to evaluate my work. Firstly, when technically comparing the first video to the other two, the improvement is evident; especially on lighting ,audio and framing. However, there are some issues related to camera focus on the last two videos.
I've also noted that, the simple way in which I use text and still images layered on top of videos actually works well.

Secondly, the script on the first two videos are stronger the the last one and that has had an negative impact on the audience response. This is because, the two first videos have built hight expectation towards the last episode. That might be a problem of the 'not so cool' manner in which I have explored the topics approached on my last video. This is a problem that I have previously noted on three (1, 2, 3) of my trials. Making videos that explore historical facts have been a real challenge for me; that my be related to my poor language skills as well as the fact that I didn't master the subject. The truth is that, the videos which I explore my personal thought were much stronger.

Finally, before this project I've never though of producing (acting) material to a english audience. But I reckon that this series of videos have opened my eyes to a stile to be explored. If I actually decide to continue producing this kind of material there are some things to keep in mind. Keeping a natural acting in front of the camera is my first concern. Not to mention time management, which actually has been a problem on this particular project. Last but not least, I have to properly explore the ways to diffuse the material, using social network and building cooperative relationship with other vlogs/sites/blogs.

BACK TO THE ROOTS !!!

Back to the roots!

Yes!

Since my first video, which actually was a strong piece, I’ve tried three different approaches on my videos.; none of them were as strong as the first one.

Firstly, I went to Clapham Common and filmed myself explaining some relevant historical facts that I found interesting.  I still believe in this concept; however,  the lack of a strong script as well as my weak acting were crucial to the failure.

Believe me, this is the best part that I could find. This is just to show you guys an example (I haven't done any sort of editing on it)

After that, I decided to go back to my original video format;  I knew that on my first video, both lighting and framing weren’t strong and thus, my aim was to improve these elements.  The final result was a  bad video with good lighting and framing.  What was the problem? The script.

I hanven't sync the audio from the mic that's why the audio of the video isn't great.

My third attempt, which has been uploaded on the previous post, was also a failure. Besides the cluttered structure, the episode  had a weak script.

Therefore,  for this project  from now on , I’m gonna stick with my original format.; by doing this I intend to concentrate on the script. I believe that on my previous attempts I had a script rich on information but, somehow disorganised and this had a negative influence over my acting.

Time to write!

New Attempt

It's been a long time since my last post. I've got to admit that working on different projects at the same time has made the task of blogging harder and harder. But the main reason for me not blogging for a while is the fact that I haven't completely finish the second episode yet.
It's been hard to come up with a good script and a concept for this episode, in particular. But, for the next ones I will firstly develop both strong script and concept, only after that I will then capture material.

There are several things to be done on this episode, but happily I came up with a structure for it. There is a scene a that I will probably reshoot (myself playing video game), as I think my tone isn't the best on that shot. The voice over also concerns me, I've hired a voice actor but, I'm not completely happy with the final result as I think it lacks good acting.

The final part of the episode will show the 'deleted' scenes of a video that I didn't use.
For the following episode I feel that I need to produce a much stronger dialogue as well as good/relevant exterior scenes.

M&J - #6 Pilot / Presenting my idea

23 OCT 14



I got to present my idea and show the pilot episode to my peers and tutor. It was a good experience to note, according tho their reactions, what are the video's strengths and weaknesses. Clearly, it has room for improvements; sound levels, camera framing and lighting.

M&J - #5 A good idea !!!

The following text is a copy of my Learning Agreement; it explains in full detail what my project is.

I happily invite the audience to take part on my reflective journey exploring the South West of London. I have been living, in the city, for eight years; in the second year I have moved to ‘SW’, I have been living there since then. Having the Borough of Merton as a starting point, history, geography and culture will be explored. This journey will be shown on weekly videos (the last video being on 12^th of December).

There are no restrictions in terms of length ,but take into consideration my experience as a viewer of similar content, I believe that 3min to 5min is what I am aiming for. 25 - 35 years will be my audience age group, considering the content’s tone, approach as well as its means of dissemination. In this group English speakers, residents of SW and those who are curious about London’s history will consist my audience.

In terms of choosing shooting on location or in the ‘studio’, there are no restrictions. However, I plan to film in the studio to discuss and show my research and keep the location ones to my outdoor explorations. The Internet will allow me to have a first contact with the chosen topic – my initial plan is to have a different topic per week, which are all connected to the major subject. Libraries, local studies centres and museums will have a important role to play in my research; my visit to these places should also be filmed. In addition, places with geographical, cultural or historical relevance will also be explored and filmed.

Because the project will be follow a path that depends on future research, it is impossible to predict effectively what are the places where I will be filming. Therefore, my commitment is to fill a risk assessment taken into consideration the places which I already know that will be filming as well as those that I believe filming will take place.

An equivalent humorous tone will be used verbally and visually; time must be considered in regards to the later. Apart from that, there are no restrictions and creative approaches should frequently be the aim. Episode one, for example, review some of researched artists through a sequence of appropriated and non appropriated material that is shown while a ‘voice over’ is played.

For this project I will mainly use Adobe Suit and shouldn’t have problem working with it as well as finding answers for my doubts regarding the software’s tools and techniques. About this, Lynda.com is a very effective tool to find answers; but, Adobe online forum and YouTube tutorials should also be considered.

I happily invite the audience to take part on my reflective journey exploring the South West of London. I have been living, in the city, for eight years; in the second year I have moved to ‘SW’, I have been living there since then. Having the Borough of Merton as a starting point, history, geography and culture will be explored. This journey will be shown on weekly videos (the last video being on 12^th of December).

There are no restrictions in terms of length ,but take into consideration my experience as a viewer of similar content, I believe that 3min to 5min is what I am aiming for. 25 - 35 years will be my audience age group, considering the content’s tone, approach as well as its means of dissemination. In this group English speakers, residents of SW and those who are curious about London’s history will consist my audience.

In terms of choosing shooting on location or in the ‘studio’, there are no restrictions. However, I plan to film in the studio to discuss and show my research and keep the location ones to my outdoor explorations. The Internet will allow me to have a first contact with the chosen topic – my initial plan is to have a different topic per week, which are all connected to the major subject. Libraries, local studies centres and museums will have a important role to play in my research; my visit to these places should also be filmed. In addition, places with geographical, cultural or historical relevance will also be explored and filmed.

Because the project will be follow a path that depends on future research, it is impossible to predict effectively what are the places where I will be filming. Therefore, my commitment is to fill a risk assessment taken into consideration the places which I already know that will be filming as well as those that I believe filming will take place.

An equivalent humorous tone will be used verbally and visually; time must be considered in regards to the later. Apart from that, there are no restrictions and creative approaches should frequently be the aim. Episode one, for example, review some of researched artists through a sequence of appropriated and non appropriated material that is shown while a ‘voice over’ is played.

For this project I will mainly use Adobe Suit and shouldn’t have problem working with it as well as finding answers for my doubts regarding the software’s tools and techniques. About this, Lynda.com is a very effective tool to find answers; but, Adobe online forum and YouTube tutorials should also be considered.

My first video it is ready to go public which will be done on the 30^rd of October (Thursday). Moreover, the second episode is in the post-production process and will be up load on the following Thursday 6^th of November. The studio shootings are preferable to be filmed *Wednesdays (Tuesday is an option depending on my course’s time table) - *nine days before this content will be uploaded –

Script, Itinerary and online research will be part of a daily routine. This consist in ideas being brainstormed, analised, and written; online research and developing a script. Wednesday, before studio shooting (which I keep calling studio, but in reality will be either my leaving room or bedroom) is the deadline for the script to be done.

M&J #4 Lecture + Reading

Cultural Geography and Mapping

by Yuwei Lin

From all it was said (open street map, geocathing, ‘mapping the subject’) what have interested the most was the well pointed fact that maps are not only geographic statements.

More than that, maps are art work that can be use to tell stories and may also be satirical. Moreover, not only they are a representation of the place but also can be an interpretation of the mind and memory.

         alternative mapping = alternative realities

Reading

·      London: The Biography, 2000; Peter Ackroyd

Chaper 6 – Silence is golden

In Silence is golden, Ackroyd discuss silence within certain places in London. Through this chapter the author uses texts from three foreigners visitors, who in the nineteenth century have noted the presence of silence:  American connoisseur of antiquity, Washington Irving; American writer, Nathaniel Hawthornes; French traveller, Gabriel Mourey. Moreover, he also quotes Dickens and Lydegate

Throughout his text, Ackroyd analyses the ambiguous presence that silence takes in London. His considerations focus on the contrasting feelings and moods that quiet places might arouse in the city and the citizens.

“It is not a natural silence but a ‘play’, one must endure. It is in that sense wholly ambiguous; it may provoke peaceful contemplation, or it may arouse anxiety.

·      Janet Cardiff: the walk book, 2005; Mirjam Schaub

…

M&J #3 - Exercise

M&J #2 - Research

FRI 26 SET / SUN 28 SET (SD)

   

RESEARCH 

Using a list with names and annotations about artists (filmmakers, painters, writers) discussed in class (26/09), I decided to make further research on them. For me, it’s easier and faster to understand someone’s work when I read about it instead of analysing an art piece itself. At this stage I used only the Internet  to get a glimpse of those artists and their work.

• Willian Blake > His poetry embodies an attitude of rebellion against the abuse of class; ‘free-love’; against church but in favour of the Bible, visions.

• Arthur Rimbaud > rigid childhood/education; prefigured surrealism; travelled three continents; ardent Catholic; change of behaviour which became provocative; city themed; Oprhelie, Lettres du Voyant; Le Dormeur du Val; Ville.

• Charles Pierre Baudelare > rejects the belief in supremacy of natural and fundamental goodness of man; effusive and public voice in favour of a new urban sensibility; awareness of individual moral complexity; interest in vice, refined sensual and aesthetical pleasures; the use of urban subject matter, such as the city, the crowd, individual passers-by; cynical and ironic voice; the use of sound to creat atmosphere; advocacy of modern music and paiting. Controversial: Satanism; drug-induced states of mind, his response to the spiritual uncertainties.

CONTEMPORARY

• Iain 'Boring' Sinclair: British writer and filmmaker whose film, M25, I watched in class. I’m not giving a second chance!

• Peter Ackoyd: British writer; It didn’t take long for me to realise that this is the artist who I was looking for.  This is a quote from 1994 when he was interviewed about the London Psycogeographical Assotions in an article for The Observer…

“... Just as it seems possible to me that a street or dwelling can materially affect the character and behaviour of the people who dwell in them, is it not also possible that within this city (London) and within its culture are patterns of sensibility or patterns of response which have persisted from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and perhaps even beyond?"

…and this is part of my last post where I write some ideas and thoughts for my project:

"The connection between silent and the manner in which British people ‘act’. What are these connections? How do they happen? Are they silent people because they live in a quiet place or is it the other way around?"

Janet Cardiff:. I’ve got interested on her work since I was told  that this Canadian artist works chiefly with sound and sound installations.

The idea of exploring the possibilities of Installation Art, and probably build one myself, made me come across The Serpentine Galleries. One of its current exhibitions, by Cerith Wyn Evans, uses sound as a  key features.  I haven’t yet been to this exhibition, neither have opened Janet’s book, but I certainly should analyse both with much attention. In relation to that, I fear to get disappointed (not ‘enjoying’) by their work and therefore losing me critical sense.

M&J #1 - Screening and first ideas.

 Ideas 

·     Silence around the streets of London

·     “No Ball Games” signs

·     The connection between silent and the manner in which British people act. What are these connections? How do they happen? Are they silent people because they live in a silent place or is it the other way around?

·     How to make one, who belongs to a certain culture, become truly aware of the differences between his/her own cultures and other cultures? I must take into consideration that one picks his/her own culture as basis of comparison.

·     No conversation among ‘strangers’.

·     Conversation/the lack of it - among neighbours

·     In London, neighborhoods are similar one to another.

·     I hardly hear the sound of a dog barking.

These are my first thoughts on what to explore on my project. Most of these reflections have crossed my mind on many occasions through the years I’ve lived in London. Other ideas, on the other hand, are brand new :) . Both must be analyzed;  I must keep track of my ideas in order to keep them organized and being able not to lose myself in ideas..

The opportunity to build an installation is exciting ,as I will have the opportunity to use different media to explore my thoughts.

Moreover, I believe that the project’s briefing, that was given today, has influenced on my positive attitude towards this project. 

*Notes made in class:

What’s installation Art?

Theatrical; Immersive; Experimental

ACTIVATION: get your viewer active; the body could, somehow, be involved to it.

Physical participation, sensory immediacy .

Many artists endeavor to disrupt – Cubism use several viewpoints simultaneously.

PROBLEMS OF DISCUSSION: necessity to have first hand experience

*Films watched/artists discussed: my impressions

London Orbital by Mona Hatoun: good use of visual and sound effects. In my opinion, the voice over has a big influence on its pace. If Mona Hatoun wanted to portray a ‘feeling’ of boredom and repetition than, hats of to her.

I rather focus on artist/works that, somehow, has aroused me more ‘active’ feelings and deeper thoughts.

It’s important to say, however, that all the pieces shown made me try to understand it, even if for a short moment. Although willing to research more about video art, at this stage, I feel more attract to the idea of exploring ‘installation works’.

Relook

Panafsky, Tony Ousler, Chris Misk, Pipilotti Rist, Richar Wilson, James Turrell, Jeremy Deller

  

Installation Project first draft:

Noises/the silent neighborhood (my nh?) > Sound

Children (not) playing > Video ? Photography? Video art?

‘Sorry’ \ ‘Excuse me’ > to provoke the audience to ask themselves why it (the piece of art) is sorry/excuse for.