Exploring Art 2

Exploring Art

I can't seem to keep away from filming. After my last showreel adventure, I'm back looking for new ways to create a quick movie clip.

Somehow I found myself a camera and learnt the basics of editing on the net. All I had to do was obtain the content.
Exploring art around Hamilton is the subject of my latest escapade, but I don't really need a reason!
I'm never content to produce the predictable, what's life without a challenge? My notebook began with a few themes but was narrowed down to: patterns, statues and neons.

Many box drawings later, I had my famous set of lists to get things moving. First I shot stills of statues,posters, signs and billboards.
Then this last weekend I roped in my trusty support crew- my brother to film it. I must say I was nervous before shooting but this being on camera thing is starting to get easier. Once you get over making a fool of yourself, its a piece of cake!

We drove around a lot as he had kindly loaned his car for the experiment. It's even in the background on the opening shot! Maybe it should have a co-starring credit.

It was really fun as we travelled from place to place for the shortest sequence. We started off with a trolley ride and ended with some neon billboard filming. Luckily the rain held off and we finished with a great breakfast.

Next was the editing, cut and pasting clips everywhere. I was concerned it would look homemade but maybe that's what all first projects look like in the beginning.

That previously mentioned computer-made soundtrack appears twice in the very short film and fits well livening up the still shots.
All I have to do now is the file conversion....that could be a mission and a half! Hope to post it here when complete or at least a link if Blogger will oblige.

My brother is keen to film a 'Life on Mars' quick driveway reverse in his car, that might be our next project.

Showreel

A challenge was laid down on Monday and I'm determined to go for it.
Design a showreel in 7 days! I was rather perplexed as where to start.

I started thinking back to my design tech days and thought of set design modelling and motion graphics. Retrieving my notebook of random drawings and ideas and confronting google with the question "How to make a Showreel?", I wondered how this would all work out.

Monday night, I began making a soundtrack, on the computer of course as I can't even play chopsticks on the piano successfully.
I must say it sounded upbeat enough. Must figure out a way to add it here.

After emailing a colleague and reading a few books, I realised this showreel is a piece to camera (PTC): filming 'on location' with a suitable script.

I'm not sure why but this gives me a burst of nervous energy- must be all the coffee I've been drinking!

Unfortunately mood music sounds like a definite no-no in the background.

I've finished the script but might need to write two as it is rather short. Roll on the weekend and next week when filming + editing hits full swing!
Then the all important interview over coffee. Maybe I should order fruit juice.