Upon reading a brave new world I gained a few new ideas or observations about technology and art. A work based based around a technological process both in production and in context loses any significant meaning. For example, in a Brave New World the 'Feelies' cinematic displays based around sensation - revolve around sensation rather than any significant meaning. Sensation without context has no real meaning. This is an example of where the technology has stripped the work of its meaning and therefore, its significance.
Talking of significance... I return to my conventions. These conventions are symbols
'A symbol is a type of sign connected to its object by habit, and is the result of a culturally produced meaning'. The meaning behind the symbol is what drives them and the format in which they occur is driven by technology - in this case it is audio and video recording technology. It seems clear that when the symbol is used out of context is produces an amusing result- like a play on words. We are laughing at our own symbol system.
I am thinking about the possibility of ripping a story (firefly dreams) with a context and significant meaning to me and using it to make the film in my project.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Idea Sparks
Last night, at around 3am I could not sleep (might be something to do with the espresso I had my housemate make me) I was thinking about this project, or rather I was stressing about it. I thought about my theme- an exploration of the social consequences of technology and how new technologies or conventions for use are implemented without considering the consequences or the moral dimensions. How the media has such a strong influence on most of society... Influencing what we like and how we like it (aesthetics), how we should behave, what our idea of happiness should be, what is worthwhile, something to compare our own selves and the way we live our lives to, demonstrating a sense of social archetypes. This could be used as a method of control, advertising has always taken advantage of this. It could be described as a method of social conditioning, a power over the masses.
I have thinking about how film grammar conventions originate, there must be a cultural association between the audio and visual that creates a symbolism that the convention is. The symbol within the convention can be understood without realisation that it is a symbol - just with an understanding of the meaning. It seems strange that these symbols can get old... like a certain generation will be aware of the meaning but new conventions are formed that make the old ones obsolete to new generations of cinema goers. This can be compared to language and how it has evolved. It could be said that certain conventions used at a time echo the 'taste' of that time (forming a loop - where the taste is determined by the media but the media is influenced by the taste of the time). How we live our lives is directly influenced by technology, being the tool we use to work, communicate etc.. So it is clear that 'taste' of a certain time is highly influenced by the technology available at this time.
It is interesting how the cinematic experience has advanced with the advances in technology... I once read an account of how the cinema can only expand in terms of our five senses, touch smell etc... I propose to create an interactive cinema experience, and a short film to demonstrate it.
I have thinking about how film grammar conventions originate, there must be a cultural association between the audio and visual that creates a symbolism that the convention is. The symbol within the convention can be understood without realisation that it is a symbol - just with an understanding of the meaning. It seems strange that these symbols can get old... like a certain generation will be aware of the meaning but new conventions are formed that make the old ones obsolete to new generations of cinema goers. This can be compared to language and how it has evolved. It could be said that certain conventions used at a time echo the 'taste' of that time (forming a loop - where the taste is determined by the media but the media is influenced by the taste of the time). How we live our lives is directly influenced by technology, being the tool we use to work, communicate etc.. So it is clear that 'taste' of a certain time is highly influenced by the technology available at this time.
It is interesting how the cinematic experience has advanced with the advances in technology... I once read an account of how the cinema can only expand in terms of our five senses, touch smell etc... I propose to create an interactive cinema experience, and a short film to demonstrate it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Sci-Fi theme?
After a second tutorial with Greg it was clearer what the project was lacking. After being confused at why the idea wasn't flowing anywhere or not having the slightest idea how to realise any of my ideas it occurred to us that.. I was unsatisfied that anything would produce an interesting result and this was because of a focus on the techniques/methods of film, rather than any sort of issue behind the conventions I rave on about nor anything that interests me- I always wanted to move away from the work I did at undergraduate level because it wasn't creative or interesting to me to write technical reports or research techniques. Hence I was stuck on how to realise the idea.
One of the initial questions Greg asked me about the project was 'Whats the context?' I was unsure what he meant by the question. We spoke about the ideas I had - which were that firstly I could just demonstrate these conventions, secondly I could 'short-circuit' them and lastly I could research into their cultural origins... I was unsatisfied with the latter two and the last needed more substance.
It then occurred to me what was meant by the context of the work. Explore an issue far more interesting to me than just testing out these conventions. The conversation grew once I'd realised this, we talked about the piece I did with Ben about the 'dangers' of technology. There were many issues that interest me that came up- cultural perceptions of different behaviours of characters in films, what effect they have on society and behaviour, taste and etiquette in social situations. The power over the cinema attending public and all that they encounter that film-makers could possibly hold- I'm talking about being brainwashed unconsciously by copying behaviours and tastes of characters we see at the movies. This issue is also explored by Titchner (I mentioned in my last project.) What the social consequences are... Greg mentioned Brave New World. We thought about 1984 and A Clockwork Orange. Greg also recommended watching Blade Runner. Greg asked me what sort of literature I read at School- the simple answer is not much. I read an awful lot and loved young adult sci-fi and fantasy. I particularly remember reading one book Firefly Dreams in the point fantasy series, out of all of the books I read that one stuck out the most... I am going to reread it and see what happens.
We spoke about auteurism and how blockbuster movies are complex works that cannot be controlled completely by the director etc. Greg relayed that often its the video-editor that would place the conventions into the picture. What effect does this have to the end result- is it a completely different product to what was first envisioned?? If so, how far has it strayed, is this detrimental?
From being an avid film watcher, I always notice that there seems to be a shared aesthetic to films made in certain ages and there always seems to be a plethora of films exploring the same subject in a certain age... For example Sci-Fi exploring the consequences of technology The Terminator in the early mid eighties. Film about aliens in the early nineties Men in Black, The X Files etc. Early noughties to present epic fantasy trilogies/series - LOTRs, The Golden Compass, Chronicles of Narnia. Recently films about terrorism and world politics 9/11, Charlie Wilsons War, Iron Man, Bourne Identity. (I'm not saying that all films made about aliens were always made in the early nineties but just that there seems to be a pattern of occurrence.) It appears that they echo the mood of the age.. Then do they heighten this mood - point out issues/mask others. If so, this could be used as a powerful tool to control the opinion of society at large. Scary! Perhaps Symbolism plays a manipulative part aswell... More on this....
One of the initial questions Greg asked me about the project was 'Whats the context?' I was unsure what he meant by the question. We spoke about the ideas I had - which were that firstly I could just demonstrate these conventions, secondly I could 'short-circuit' them and lastly I could research into their cultural origins... I was unsatisfied with the latter two and the last needed more substance.
It then occurred to me what was meant by the context of the work. Explore an issue far more interesting to me than just testing out these conventions. The conversation grew once I'd realised this, we talked about the piece I did with Ben about the 'dangers' of technology. There were many issues that interest me that came up- cultural perceptions of different behaviours of characters in films, what effect they have on society and behaviour, taste and etiquette in social situations. The power over the cinema attending public and all that they encounter that film-makers could possibly hold- I'm talking about being brainwashed unconsciously by copying behaviours and tastes of characters we see at the movies. This issue is also explored by Titchner (I mentioned in my last project.) What the social consequences are... Greg mentioned Brave New World. We thought about 1984 and A Clockwork Orange. Greg also recommended watching Blade Runner. Greg asked me what sort of literature I read at School- the simple answer is not much. I read an awful lot and loved young adult sci-fi and fantasy. I particularly remember reading one book Firefly Dreams in the point fantasy series, out of all of the books I read that one stuck out the most... I am going to reread it and see what happens.
We spoke about auteurism and how blockbuster movies are complex works that cannot be controlled completely by the director etc. Greg relayed that often its the video-editor that would place the conventions into the picture. What effect does this have to the end result- is it a completely different product to what was first envisioned?? If so, how far has it strayed, is this detrimental?
From being an avid film watcher, I always notice that there seems to be a shared aesthetic to films made in certain ages and there always seems to be a plethora of films exploring the same subject in a certain age... For example Sci-Fi exploring the consequences of technology The Terminator in the early mid eighties. Film about aliens in the early nineties Men in Black, The X Files etc. Early noughties to present epic fantasy trilogies/series - LOTRs, The Golden Compass, Chronicles of Narnia. Recently films about terrorism and world politics 9/11, Charlie Wilsons War, Iron Man, Bourne Identity. (I'm not saying that all films made about aliens were always made in the early nineties but just that there seems to be a pattern of occurrence.) It appears that they echo the mood of the age.. Then do they heighten this mood - point out issues/mask others. If so, this could be used as a powerful tool to control the opinion of society at large. Scary! Perhaps Symbolism plays a manipulative part aswell... More on this....
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Realisation of Project
The interactive element of this project could be realised in two ways: either by having an interactive interface for the audience to use - like a joystick or button. Or by sensing the audiences presence.
My initial feeling towards the former option was that it was too crude and unsubtle. The idea of simulating a virtual dice to select what audio went with what visual. echoing dada poetry et al. This idea seems too systemmatic as the clips should be able to flow one after the other to form a story effectively. I can to the same conclusion with buttons and other controller - it is not the intension to turn the audience into djs/vjs.
So.... the latter option offers a few variations. Firstly - one big sensor that detects any movement in its field. The upside to this is that it would be simple to programme.
I believe there is a way to detect population.... so the more people in the room the piece could evolve accordingly.
IR sensors detecting where people are in the space.
And Impact Sensors underfoot detecting the audiences passage
through the space.
My initial feeling towards the former option was that it was too crude and unsubtle. The idea of simulating a virtual dice to select what audio went with what visual. echoing dada poetry et al. This idea seems too systemmatic as the clips should be able to flow one after the other to form a story effectively. I can to the same conclusion with buttons and other controller - it is not the intension to turn the audience into djs/vjs.
So.... the latter option offers a few variations. Firstly - one big sensor that detects any movement in its field. The upside to this is that it would be simple to programme.
I believe there is a way to detect population.... so the more people in the room the piece could evolve accordingly.
IR sensors detecting where people are in the space.
And Impact Sensors underfoot detecting the audiences passage
through the space.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Final MA Project
For my final MA project I always proposed to research how one can alter a perception of image using sound. I have been collecting conventions of film sound grammar.
Such as: Wind Blows/Wind Chime Sounds - signals - Natural Disaster (or paranormal activity).
Reverberant Gunshot (out of many shots) usually preceded by a pause- signals- Someone has been Shot.
Celestial Strings/Harp usually accompanied by a dissolve- signals - transition into memory/past event/day dream.
Psycho style high pitch shrieks - signal - attack
Barking Dogs - signal - somethings wrong
Any many more....
I am interested in how these conventions aid the communication of a narrative. I thought about conveying a narrative just using these conventions. I think that there is something quite funny about pulling them apart and revealing them for what they are. In light of this, I've also thought about selecting a number of clips involving an event using one of the conventions, then mixing up the visuals and audio to review the result in the form of an interactive installation.
During a recent tutorial it was advised that I looked into semiotics and social archetypal communication. It was stressed that there should be a performance/interactive element within the project to fit the brief of the project..
Such as: Wind Blows/Wind Chime Sounds - signals - Natural Disaster (or paranormal activity).
Reverberant Gunshot (out of many shots) usually preceded by a pause- signals- Someone has been Shot.
Celestial Strings/Harp usually accompanied by a dissolve- signals - transition into memory/past event/day dream.
Psycho style high pitch shrieks - signal - attack
Barking Dogs - signal - somethings wrong
Any many more....
I am interested in how these conventions aid the communication of a narrative. I thought about conveying a narrative just using these conventions. I think that there is something quite funny about pulling them apart and revealing them for what they are. In light of this, I've also thought about selecting a number of clips involving an event using one of the conventions, then mixing up the visuals and audio to review the result in the form of an interactive installation.
During a recent tutorial it was advised that I looked into semiotics and social archetypal communication. It was stressed that there should be a performance/interactive element within the project to fit the brief of the project..
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