Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Some favorite music videos
I first want to admit that I have been lacking in taking the time to watch music videos lately. I hate that my busy schedule has sacrificed that for me! But after reintroducing myself to my love for them, I dug up some of my favorite videos.
In no particular order...
Anberlin "Feel Good Drag" from Endeavor Media Group on Vimeo.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
FInished
Now that this class is finished, I can really look back and see how far it has taken me. I can wholeheartedly say that I learned more in this class than any of my other TCF classes combined. When the semester first began, I wasn't sure if I would like this class. I was coming from a 201 class that I learned very little from and to say it didn't prepare me for higher classes would be an understatement. Like others, before this class, the only thing I had touched was a PD-150 (and even then, not very much). I was basically starting blank. In a way I felt handicapped because of this, but now I can tell just how much I've learned from then.
I have learned so much from Rachel's instruction, the hands-on stuff, from others in the class, from the assignments, and from watching my own work evolve as I grow as an artist. I can't even really begin to organize my thoughts on what exactly I have learned because there is just so much of it. Compared to the beginning of the semester, I am much more confident in my work and am confident that I will continue to learn.
I think that because of where I was at the beginning of this class, my weaknesses were all over the place, so that's really what I want to keep working on. Everything. I want to continue to explore. Continue to grow, never stopping. I would love to get comfortable with more cameras, especially DSLR cameras. I want to continue to work on camera movement because I think it speaks so much in a visual story. I want to continue to learn about lighting and become more comfortable with it. I know that I have a long way to go, but I feel like the experiences this semester in this class really jump started me in the right direction.
This has been one of the most valuable classes that I have taken and I am so very thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of something like this.
I have learned so much from Rachel's instruction, the hands-on stuff, from others in the class, from the assignments, and from watching my own work evolve as I grow as an artist. I can't even really begin to organize my thoughts on what exactly I have learned because there is just so much of it. Compared to the beginning of the semester, I am much more confident in my work and am confident that I will continue to learn.
I think that because of where I was at the beginning of this class, my weaknesses were all over the place, so that's really what I want to keep working on. Everything. I want to continue to explore. Continue to grow, never stopping. I would love to get comfortable with more cameras, especially DSLR cameras. I want to continue to work on camera movement because I think it speaks so much in a visual story. I want to continue to learn about lighting and become more comfortable with it. I know that I have a long way to go, but I feel like the experiences this semester in this class really jump started me in the right direction.
This has been one of the most valuable classes that I have taken and I am so very thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of something like this.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Artist Statement
Moving images can pull you out of your own reality and take you to another world. A world with another story for you to experience. A world that teaches you something or that provides an escape.
Ever since I can remember, I have appreciated the way that this can happen. Growing up, movies, TV shows, and similar things fascinated me because of the adventures I could experience through visuals in front of my eyes. There were hundreds of stories that I got to play a part in. Over the years, I learned more about how things like this were made and I developed admiration for those who could produce those beautiful visuals for everyone to encounter. That admiration soon led to my own aspirations.
As I begin my journey as a visual storyteller, I am learning each day how to create that new world that others can enter into. I’m learning how to translate my thoughts and ideas into a language that others can understand and appreciate just like I did. I don't think I have found that one style that defines me or is the essence of my visual storytelling, but with each new day of learning and new experiences in my reality, I am searching for it. I'm searching for it so I can share it with the world. When I find it, I can build a visual for others to join me in living.
I want my aspirations to continue to grow into inspiration so I can provide a world for others and make it the best that it can be. I know that is why I’m here.
DSLR
The DSLR movement has gained a lot support in the filmmaking community in recent times because of the many benefits that come with shooting video with a DSLR camera. However, sometimes it seems too good to be true. There are downsides to this mode of shooting also. Something to always keep in mind is that DSLR cameras were not built with shooting video in mind. They are built as still photography cameras and therefore have limitations.
Some of the benefits: The image quality that DSLR cameras can get is amazing. They shoot very well in low light situations and have rich color. If you want to achieve a shallow depth of field, the DSLR cameras can do that much easier than other film cameras. These cameras are very small in comparison, and therefore are much more mobile, portable and easy to travel with. The post-production work-flow is faster than that of cameras that use tape because of the memory card used in the cameras.
Some of the limitations: Audio capture on DSLR cameras is below average. To get good audio, you would need an external mic which might be a hassle if in a hurry. Also, if you're not careful, fast movement can cause the unwanted "jellyroll effect" on your image.
I haven't shot on an DSLR camera very much; I've only used the T2i one time for a few minutes. I would love to get more experience with them not only to add variety to my range of camera use but also because I really love the benefits of the cameras.
Some of the benefits: The image quality that DSLR cameras can get is amazing. They shoot very well in low light situations and have rich color. If you want to achieve a shallow depth of field, the DSLR cameras can do that much easier than other film cameras. These cameras are very small in comparison, and therefore are much more mobile, portable and easy to travel with. The post-production work-flow is faster than that of cameras that use tape because of the memory card used in the cameras.
Some of the limitations: Audio capture on DSLR cameras is below average. To get good audio, you would need an external mic which might be a hassle if in a hurry. Also, if you're not careful, fast movement can cause the unwanted "jellyroll effect" on your image.
I haven't shot on an DSLR camera very much; I've only used the T2i one time for a few minutes. I would love to get more experience with them not only to add variety to my range of camera use but also because I really love the benefits of the cameras.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
DP Reel
As a DP, a lot of hard work goes into achieving the final product. Whether it's planning a shot, organizing, or filming, it takes time and effort. That work just sits there unless something is done with it. That's where reels come in. A DP reel should above all showcase the hard work of an individual. It should feature the best characteristics of their work. It should highlight their strengths. It should catch your eye, and make you want to go out and work with the featured DP right away.
After looking through a lot of reels and seeing what other people have accomplished, I found some reels that I enjoyed more than others. Although the shots are generally very simple, it caught my eye with it's color
DP reel from Joel Roewer on Vimeo.
This is another reel that I liked. Just like the one above, the color really stood out to me. Also, the variety of shots was appealing.
Geoff George - DP reel from g s george on Vimeo.
Just like some DP reels can be very attractive and visually appealing, others can be the opposite. While some reels may not be compelling to certain people based on pure visual preference, there are things that generally make a reel less appealing. If the reel runs too long, the viewer might lose interest. If the shots don't vary enough, there might not be enough material for the viewer to see the DP's full potential. Sometimes if the pace of editing doesn't match up the pace of the shots, it might feel off. There are a number of things that might contribute to a less compelling reel.
After looking through a lot of reels and seeing what other people have accomplished, I found some reels that I enjoyed more than others. Although the shots are generally very simple, it caught my eye with it's color
DP reel from Joel Roewer on Vimeo.
This is another reel that I liked. Just like the one above, the color really stood out to me. Also, the variety of shots was appealing.
Geoff George - DP reel from g s george on Vimeo.
Just like some DP reels can be very attractive and visually appealing, others can be the opposite. While some reels may not be compelling to certain people based on pure visual preference, there are things that generally make a reel less appealing. If the reel runs too long, the viewer might lose interest. If the shots don't vary enough, there might not be enough material for the viewer to see the DP's full potential. Sometimes if the pace of editing doesn't match up the pace of the shots, it might feel off. There are a number of things that might contribute to a less compelling reel.
$$$
Anytime I watch a film, there always seems to be that one shot that makes the entire movie worth it. That one shot that is so beautiful, that speaks so much, that sums up an entire feeling, or even the visual that the entire plot depends on. Money shots. They can bring in the money and make the movie a success, they can be the shot that cost most of the budget...either way, money shots are certainly something that many want to capture.
Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.
For my own DP reel, I think I would be happy to get shots that look even just a fraction as beautiful as these above along with others I've seen. I think that what makes these types of shots so compelling is a combination of things like color, subject matter, time lapsing, composition...and many more.
Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.
For my own DP reel, I think I would be happy to get shots that look even just a fraction as beautiful as these above along with others I've seen. I think that what makes these types of shots so compelling is a combination of things like color, subject matter, time lapsing, composition...and many more.
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