Another week full of things to think about and consider both practically and academically. Being a scribe at the event really helped focus my mind on what I was listening to and the openspace structure allowed for a lot more involved in discussions than may have been possible in another set up.
The thing that really caught my imagination was Becky Edmunds' talk about 'in camera' editing. She explained that if you film 4 hours of footage you then need 4 hours to review it - time consuming, expensive and slightly boring. Her technique is to press record only when something really interests her and to stop when it stops being interesting. This really appealed to me as I always know the footage I'm going to use at the moment I'm filming it, yet I continue filming anyway. When it comes to capturing the footage I ignore most of it and got straight to the points that I've already recognised I'm interested in. It seems to me that the next logical step would be just to stop recording when that moment is over.
As Becky pointed out, I will inevitably miss things but there will always be something else that engages me. Over the holidays I'm going to practice this skill in everyday life using the video camera on my mobile phone. Results to follow..
Sunday 25 November 2007
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Something to think about...
Anonymity & Freedom - I feel this may still be creeping into my work, the multi-screen idea may give the viewer this impression.
Multi-screen projection - How? What types of screens? What types of cameras? How to link up?
Dancer - Maximum of 3 in a large space or 1 in a small space. Emphasis on emptiness, visually.
Live film feed - Simple from static cameras, will need wireless transmitter for moving cameras.
Pre-recorded film - To be incorporated into piece, I'd like to have a presence in this as well as the dancers performing live.
Space to develop - Arches, exact details to be confirmed but likely one day a week with performance opportunity.
Installation style performance - Informal audience setting, freedom to move around screens and dancers.
Scratch night - Arches, every 2 months. Chance to show 10 mins of work in progress to audience who then give instant feedback.
Projection onto dancer - What sort of effect? What sort of costume?
Multi-screen projection - How? What types of screens? What types of cameras? How to link up?
Dancer - Maximum of 3 in a large space or 1 in a small space. Emphasis on emptiness, visually.
Live film feed - Simple from static cameras, will need wireless transmitter for moving cameras.
Pre-recorded film - To be incorporated into piece, I'd like to have a presence in this as well as the dancers performing live.
Space to develop - Arches, exact details to be confirmed but likely one day a week with performance opportunity.
Installation style performance - Informal audience setting, freedom to move around screens and dancers.
Scratch night - Arches, every 2 months. Chance to show 10 mins of work in progress to audience who then give instant feedback.
Projection onto dancer - What sort of effect? What sort of costume?
Monday 19 November 2007
Arches Space
After a meeting with LJ, one of the programmers, at the Arches, Glasgow this morning they have agreed to support my work with space to develop it on a weekly basis. I will be given use of one of the practice rooms to begin with then as the project develops I will be allowed to develop the work in one of the performance spaces. I'm really excited about this as it's a big development for me both as part of my coursework and professionally. Part of the reason LJ is supporting me is because of my growing reputation in Glasgow as a choreographer.
I aim to do a series of movement experiments in the practice space, involving a dancer as the work progresses, and trialling the technical side of the work before moving into the performance space. LJ has given me the option of developing a full performance piece with support from the Arches which I intend to do as I feel it will give me even more focus on creating a 'piece' as opposed to a series of research experiments.
I aim to do a series of movement experiments in the practice space, involving a dancer as the work progresses, and trialling the technical side of the work before moving into the performance space. LJ has given me the option of developing a full performance piece with support from the Arches which I intend to do as I feel it will give me even more focus on creating a 'piece' as opposed to a series of research experiments.
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Student Seminar
Group responses and feedback
- How will I give impression of movement to non-movers?
- What sort of screens to I intend to use?
- How do I intend to capture the movement of a dancer?
- Where and when will I be developing the practical work?
Saturday 3 November 2007
Itch
My first attempt at Final Cut Pro didn't go so badly, particularly once I stopped using iMovie keyboard shortcuts! I'm not sure I explored the full range of possibilities but I like the fact that even if you split a clip into tiny, minute sections, reverse them, speed them up, slow them down, whatever there is still a copy of the clip in it's original form. So much easier than having to undo things and remembering to make duplicates all the time.
After I'd got the hang of capturing the film, naming it and marking in and out points it seemed very straightforward and the film was completed very quickly. I never have to spend long going through the clips after I've filmed them as I always know at the time I'm filming which sections I'll use and which I won't.
For this film I decided to work with the found audio rather than editing to a soundtrack. Again, because of my previously less advanced equipment I've always worked with a soundtrack in mind. It was interesting working with the found audio and finding a natural rhythm in the movement and it's something to consider for future work but I think I'll try to combine both a soundtrack and found audio to add texture.
After I'd got the hang of capturing the film, naming it and marking in and out points it seemed very straightforward and the film was completed very quickly. I never have to spend long going through the clips after I've filmed them as I always know at the time I'm filming which sections I'll use and which I won't.
For this film I decided to work with the found audio rather than editing to a soundtrack. Again, because of my previously less advanced equipment I've always worked with a soundtrack in mind. It was interesting working with the found audio and finding a natural rhythm in the movement and it's something to consider for future work but I think I'll try to combine both a soundtrack and found audio to add texture.
Tuesday 30 October 2007
The Space Masterclass
Yesterday was spent working on tasks set by Katrina to get us used to working with the camera and gaining confidence in holding it and moving with it. It's something I've never done before as I've never had the equipment to deal with that. it felt good to get involved with moving the camera around the dancers, more like a duet than dancer/viewer.
One of the tasks yesterday was to film approximately one minute of continuous footage to create a short film clip. We had to use a location outwith the dance studios and we weren't allowed to edit at all. Bored by all the clean lines and shiny metal I asked the dancers to show me the grimiest place in the building. This turned out to be the boiler room underneath the theatre space, it was dirty, dark and had the constant drone of the boilers in the background. The dancers were positioned in the darkest part of the space and the camera moved from there outwards into the light passing more dancers on the way. The end result was slightly Blair Witch, slightly Girl Interrupted and very different from anything I've filmed before.
Today I went back to develop the idea with new dancers. I gave them a short sequence of movement to give the piece a theme and instead of being restricted to one shot I filmed a range of shots around the space using the dancers in all areas. I'm looking forward to editing this material over the next few days particularly as it will be my first time using Final Cut Pro.
One of the tasks yesterday was to film approximately one minute of continuous footage to create a short film clip. We had to use a location outwith the dance studios and we weren't allowed to edit at all. Bored by all the clean lines and shiny metal I asked the dancers to show me the grimiest place in the building. This turned out to be the boiler room underneath the theatre space, it was dirty, dark and had the constant drone of the boilers in the background. The dancers were positioned in the darkest part of the space and the camera moved from there outwards into the light passing more dancers on the way. The end result was slightly Blair Witch, slightly Girl Interrupted and very different from anything I've filmed before.
Today I went back to develop the idea with new dancers. I gave them a short sequence of movement to give the piece a theme and instead of being restricted to one shot I filmed a range of shots around the space using the dancers in all areas. I'm looking forward to editing this material over the next few days particularly as it will be my first time using Final Cut Pro.
Wednesday 24 October 2007
Creative Lab Comments and Isadora
Creative Lab
Well, as expected most people liked the idea of the screen showing the reverse viewpoint but found the positioning of the screen too awkward to watch all the time. I can see this idea working in a performance though so I'm going to stick with it and think about different ways to film material and different ways to screen it.
Multiple screens?
Having the dancer hold the camera as they move?
Using a range of qualities to film?
Using a range of screens?
The other main comment was that the screen gave the space more depth, like putting a large mirror in a small room, it would be interesting to see how this works in a small space, will it still have that effect when the space itself is a lot smaller?
Isadora
I downloaded the demo version of Isadora about a week ago and decided to spend the Reading week from Uni working on it and getting to grips with it. The only problem is, no matter what I do, my mac doesn't recognise the format the tutorials are in. I've tried downloading them in different ways, opening them with different software, including Isadora itself, and still haven't managed. I then tried to just muddle my way through it but with no reference points and a completely new language to learn I feel I may be on to a losing battle. Rosalind had mentioned a friend of hers who works with Isadora so I'll try and arrange to meet up with them.
Well, as expected most people liked the idea of the screen showing the reverse viewpoint but found the positioning of the screen too awkward to watch all the time. I can see this idea working in a performance though so I'm going to stick with it and think about different ways to film material and different ways to screen it.
Multiple screens?
Having the dancer hold the camera as they move?
Using a range of qualities to film?
Using a range of screens?
The other main comment was that the screen gave the space more depth, like putting a large mirror in a small room, it would be interesting to see how this works in a small space, will it still have that effect when the space itself is a lot smaller?
Isadora
I downloaded the demo version of Isadora about a week ago and decided to spend the Reading week from Uni working on it and getting to grips with it. The only problem is, no matter what I do, my mac doesn't recognise the format the tutorials are in. I've tried downloading them in different ways, opening them with different software, including Isadora itself, and still haven't managed. I then tried to just muddle my way through it but with no reference points and a completely new language to learn I feel I may be on to a losing battle. Rosalind had mentioned a friend of hers who works with Isadora so I'll try and arrange to meet up with them.
Thursday 18 October 2007
Day 4 - Creative Lab
My idea is working and the material is coming together. Joan and I have set a large section of movement incorporating the Bodyslam moves into my own style. Technically, the live streaming works and would be effective if the screen was in a more interesting position, it's quite high on the wall so seems like a very separate entity. Unfortunately there's not much I can do about the position of the screen in this space. I have had to record the material as I'm streaming to stop the camera turning itself off so I now have a record of the movement and it's development as well - quite unusual for me.
There are a few people coming tomorrow so it will be interesting to hear their take on all of this.
Short excerpt of the material I've been working on.
There are a few people coming tomorrow so it will be interesting to hear their take on all of this.
Short excerpt of the material I've been working on.
Monday 15 October 2007
Day 1 Creative Lab
LAB
Movement
Bodyslam Technique - Low fly/Dodging/Material from Blok
Idea
Anonymity - Dancers as Audience/Video Feed/Black&White film
Technical
Dark - Projector light only/Disorientate audience/Non-traditional positioning/Crash mat throughout space/Camera moves
I started work on material today that will be used for the rest of the week. It was fairly slow to get going but managed to get 1 full sequence done with ideas for another one to do tomorrow when Joan (one of my FireBox dancers) joins me. I always find it difficult to get started when I'm on my own so made use of the day by filming little sections and seeing what they look like on the screen. The space is very bare so it all looks a bit sterile at the moment, especially with just me here, but I can imagine it already in different contexts.
Movement
Bodyslam Technique - Low fly/Dodging/Material from Blok
Idea
Anonymity - Dancers as Audience/Video Feed/Black&White film
Technical
Dark - Projector light only/Disorientate audience/Non-traditional positioning/Crash mat throughout space/Camera moves
I started work on material today that will be used for the rest of the week. It was fairly slow to get going but managed to get 1 full sequence done with ideas for another one to do tomorrow when Joan (one of my FireBox dancers) joins me. I always find it difficult to get started when I'm on my own so made use of the day by filming little sections and seeing what they look like on the screen. The space is very bare so it all looks a bit sterile at the moment, especially with just me here, but I can imagine it already in different contexts.
Friday 12 October 2007
Creative Lab Prep
This is turning into a nightmare.
I've decided to make use of the projector at The STAND during my Dance House Creative Lab to hook up a camera, film the dance and project it live onto the screen. Because this is part of my course I thought it'd be a good idea to make use of the equipment and get a decent camera out to film, that way I could use my own camera and tripod to document the whole thing which would be fine if the uni had any equipment available.
The main reason I applied for this course was for it's facilities and the fact that my work would improve just by using more sophisticated gear and now I've ended up using my own stuff anyway. All because students hire stuff out over a weekend to save them bringing it back on a Friday afternoon. The most frustrating part of it all is that I approached the techies numerous times this week and they kept assuring me that I'd be able to get stuff out. If they'd had the proper sheets out at the proper time I might have been able to approach whoever already had the equipment and see if I could collect it from them.
So. I'm annoyed and disappointed but I can still try things out with my own camera and, if the idea works, I can see about getting more space to develop it properly.
I've also downloaded the demo version of Isadora but the tutorials aren't working. It isn't my day.
I've decided to make use of the projector at The STAND during my Dance House Creative Lab to hook up a camera, film the dance and project it live onto the screen. Because this is part of my course I thought it'd be a good idea to make use of the equipment and get a decent camera out to film, that way I could use my own camera and tripod to document the whole thing which would be fine if the uni had any equipment available.
The main reason I applied for this course was for it's facilities and the fact that my work would improve just by using more sophisticated gear and now I've ended up using my own stuff anyway. All because students hire stuff out over a weekend to save them bringing it back on a Friday afternoon. The most frustrating part of it all is that I approached the techies numerous times this week and they kept assuring me that I'd be able to get stuff out. If they'd had the proper sheets out at the proper time I might have been able to approach whoever already had the equipment and see if I could collect it from them.
So. I'm annoyed and disappointed but I can still try things out with my own camera and, if the idea works, I can see about getting more space to develop it properly.
I've also downloaded the demo version of Isadora but the tutorials aren't working. It isn't my day.
Wednesday 10 October 2007
And the Survey Says...
Question: What are the 3 main reasons you go clubbing?
Answers:
A
To listen to music
Have a dance
Socialise with friends
B
To enjoy myself
Forget who I am for a while
Dance without any worries in the dark
C
Music
Atmosphere
Dancing
D
Like drinking past my bedtime
Everyone else is going out
I get in for free
E
The really loud music
Socialising with friends and strangers
The feeling of freedom
F
Music and how it affects the crowd
The DJs
Social element
G
The tribal atmosphere
Being able to forget myself
Dancing
Ok, it's entirely un-scientific but it gives me an idea of why people go clubbing. Freedom came up a few times but maybe it's more about the music and socialising than anything else?
We also had an After Effects tutorial this week which was very interesting but very frustrating since we didn't have access to the software hands on. I think I picked up it's main uses and some of the possibilities and will probably use it for title sequences but would really need a proper lesson with it to figure it out properly.
Answers:
A
To listen to music
Have a dance
Socialise with friends
B
To enjoy myself
Forget who I am for a while
Dance without any worries in the dark
C
Music
Atmosphere
Dancing
D
Like drinking past my bedtime
Everyone else is going out
I get in for free
E
The really loud music
Socialising with friends and strangers
The feeling of freedom
F
Music and how it affects the crowd
The DJs
Social element
G
The tribal atmosphere
Being able to forget myself
Dancing
Ok, it's entirely un-scientific but it gives me an idea of why people go clubbing. Freedom came up a few times but maybe it's more about the music and socialising than anything else?
We also had an After Effects tutorial this week which was very interesting but very frustrating since we didn't have access to the software hands on. I think I picked up it's main uses and some of the possibilities and will probably use it for title sequences but would really need a proper lesson with it to figure it out properly.
Friday 5 October 2007
Practically Speaking...
How to effect movement change in clubbers?
Small interactive area
'Mini' Disco (Miniscule of Sound, Bestival)
Self-contained
DJ
Lighting
Visuals - After Effects?
Film Delay -Obvious/Subtle?
Isadora?
Death Disco - Jaygo Bloom
Possible Venues - Arches/CCA/Soundhaus/Flying Duck?
Fully interactive
Choreographed element? - Trial at Dance House Creative Lab
Small interactive area
'Mini' Disco (Miniscule of Sound, Bestival)
Self-contained
DJ
Lighting
Visuals - After Effects?
Film Delay -Obvious/Subtle?
Isadora?
Death Disco - Jaygo Bloom
Possible Venues - Arches/CCA/Soundhaus/Flying Duck?
Fully interactive
Choreographed element? - Trial at Dance House Creative Lab
Wednesday 26 September 2007
Where I've Been Going Wrong
One session with Katrina is all it's taken to realise how amateur my film work is. The ideas are there but I need to be braver in what I choose to include and leave out. I need to be braver with angles and shots and move the camera around more. I haven't been able to do these things with my little camcorder before, the slightest movement and the thing is struggling to focus for the next 10 minutes.
Now that I have the opportunity to work with equipment that can handle movement I need to take advantage of it.
* More angles
* More shots
* Move the camera
Now that I have the opportunity to work with equipment that can handle movement I need to take advantage of it.
* More angles
* More shots
* Move the camera
Thursday 20 September 2007
Gair - Tutorial 1
My first tutorial today with Gair has certainly left me with some food for thought.
He suggested I look at the work of Troika Ranch, Gina Czarnecki and Pipilotti Rist for their work with dance and visual art. Practically speaking I'm going to look at Isadora and how to document my practical work (obviously tutors aren't going to turn up to a club at 2am to find out what I'm doing). I will need to get another student to film my practical work in such a way that my input and the effects are clear.
I've also been looking at Pointless Creations who currently do the visuals for Death Disco at the Arches. One of the members of the collective, Jaygo Bloom, works with Isadora to create visuals so it would be great to get in touch with him and maybe go along one night to see how it all works.
He suggested I look at the work of Troika Ranch, Gina Czarnecki and Pipilotti Rist for their work with dance and visual art. Practically speaking I'm going to look at Isadora and how to document my practical work (obviously tutors aren't going to turn up to a club at 2am to find out what I'm doing). I will need to get another student to film my practical work in such a way that my input and the effects are clear.
I've also been looking at Pointless Creations who currently do the visuals for Death Disco at the Arches. One of the members of the collective, Jaygo Bloom, works with Isadora to create visuals so it would be great to get in touch with him and maybe go along one night to see how it all works.
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Anonymity & Freedom
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I like the idea of it, the way it's open to individual interpretation and the possibilities of practical work relating to it. For me, anonymity & freedom are linked in that when people are completely unknown to others they can be whoever they want to be, they don't have to worry about their everyday lives or jobs. They can be anything they want to be and that seems exciting and full of hope.
As a piece of work I can imagine working within a nightclub (the place I feel most anonymous and most free) capturing the crowd and somehow using their movements to create new dance visuals where the original dancers (the clubbers) become even more anonymous.
How will they react?
Will they change what they're doing?
Will they move differently?
Will they even notice?!
As a piece of work I can imagine working within a nightclub (the place I feel most anonymous and most free) capturing the crowd and somehow using their movements to create new dance visuals where the original dancers (the clubbers) become even more anonymous.
How will they react?
Will they change what they're doing?
Will they move differently?
Will they even notice?!
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