The pacific title sequence - Close ups

While getting feedback from the group someone suggested looking at the pacific intro. The piece features close ups of charcoal with only the charcoal in focus, this reminds me alot of the style of my piece, However something I have noticed about this sequence is the yellow sandy colour palette used, I think this would work well in my video rather than a white background.

Designer - Steve Fuller

Visiting lecturer - Jonathon Barnbrook

Last week Jonathon Barnbrook came in to give us a talk about his work.

Not knowing anything about him before I went in, I was very surprised at how famous some of his work actually was. For example the Cd cover for David Bowie below.

Im interested in album art from looking at the work of peter saville for Joy division record sleeves. I just think its a shame that album designers dont have the canvas that is a record sleeve to design a beautiful iconic image anymore.

I found Jonathons political views and sense of humour interesting in particular when he was talking about ADBUSTERS, ive seen these type of mocking adverts before but never knew he was behind some of them.

As of moving image work I found his piece for the british heart foundation very extreme in hitting hope the message. Just watching the heart beating made me feel abit squeezy. This is what Jonathon Barnbrook was trying to achieve.

Listening to his lecture really inspired me and reminded me of my graphic design days. I still continue to design for bands in my spare time and I wouldnt rule out graphic design briefs in the future.

Ming Wong - Cornerhouse

I recently visited the Cornerhouse in Manchester to look at a film exhibition. There was one moving image piece of work that really caught my eye. The exhibition by Ming Wong had two projected films either side of me showing different emotions of two different people but with the same mellow music over the top.

This showed me how a piece of film can change the mood of the music and how music can seem faster if put with a fast animation. I spent around 10 minutes watching this captivating piece of film by Ming Wong as it got me thinking of ideas for future projects and maybe how I adjust the sound for this project.

On to the next one -music video (composition and oil)

After seeing this video it gave me the idea of using plain backgrounds and simple composition. There is a point in the video where oil is poured onto a skull. this gave me the idea of oil dripping on money.

Throughout the video, there are crucifixes, angelic symbols, a skull. During part of the music video,the music stops, and the audience sees producer Swizz Beatz with his back to them as he seemingly makes the symbol with his coat by raising his hands.

THis had also given me the idea to use some of my ideas as metaphors so that the viewer has to think about what im trying to show.

I love the style of this music video (creeps me out abit) but it sync's well with the song and the harsh black and white contrast keeps things simple.

Director Sam Brown

Hamburger Bahnhof - Andy warhol

Another exhibiton I found interesting when visiting the Hamburger Bahnhof was a series of prints by Andy Warhol, Like the one above Andy Warhol, Mao - 1973.

I find Andy Warhols work intriguing because of my love for handcrafted processes such as screen printing. I recently bought a book all about screen printing and its a technique I want to use for my final major project. I had the idea of involving printing in my self initiated brief but due to time restraints and learning the software it wasnt possible.

I aim to put this right with my major project considering the time I have available to me. I will look at other work from Andy Warhol to gain influence.

Hamburger Bahnhof - soma

During the recent berlin trip I visited the Hamburger Bahnhof. They had a number of exhibitions on including "Soma" an installation which aims to express spiritual hinduism. The installation by Carsten Hoeller is split into two sides containing a dozen reindeers,A bed is at the end of a long room on a raised circular platform that overlooks the reindeer enclosure. The pathway that leads to the stairs up to the bed bisects the sawdust-covered pen, and tall white railings keep the reindeer and guests separated at all times.

However I didnt quite understand the true meaning behind the exhibition and I found it more of a publicity stunt than and art installation. There was an element of animal cruelty about the hole piece something which I found unecessary.

Love portfolio visit

Having found it extremely hard to get portfolio visits before Xmas I decided to go back to love creative to get a little bit of input into my current project.

Mike from love creative sat down with me to look at the footage I had so far for my global warming project. He liked the idea I had of picking out facts and doing a small video for each idea and then editing it all together. He said it reminded him of a viral you would see on the Internet to try an hit home the effects and devastation of climate change.

He gave me similar feedback as in our crit on monday. He recommended I really hit home the facts by going to the extreme. For example pouring more of the grain faster. He also asked what my ideas were on how It would finish. I hadn't quite thought the ending through and he suggested it could all be rewinded and ended in a different quote. I think this is something that would make sense and give the viewers the incentive to do something about climate change.

Fake blood in water test

This is one of my test shots of blood in water. I think speeding it up would give it more of a dramatic effect. Also I think i may consider shooting from different angles. meaning I can plan my composition and compensate some space for my text.

Fake Blood

My original idea was to drop red ink into water. however I think that usign fake blood consisting of Cornflour,syrup,water and food colouring will look more realistic in water.

The blood is supposed to symbolize the contamination and the spreading of malaria.

Cress seeds in Burger bun Experiment

Still sticking with my idea of growing cress from the top of my burger I set up my lights and tried different compositions in placing the burger. I like the last shot the best as the burger looks half glamourous but then cress with start growing from it.

I have tried to stick with the same lighting conditions as with the ice. i like the feel of the yellowy white background which to me displays isolation and decay.

Ice close ups - (hot or cold ice experiment)

Concluding my experiment on hot or cold ice. It doesnt seem to make a difference. I set up some shots to see how many composition might look. The shadows create a mood which I may incorporate into my other ideas.

I was going try and freeze type within the ice but considering my other ideas dont feature text within the piece Im tempted just just add the text on in after effects to continue with the theme.

Hot or cold ice? the experiment

I read an article on the internet saying that hot water produces clearer ice than cold water. So I have dived an ice cube tray into two halves to see if this theory is true.

I suppose the clearer the ice the easier it will be to freeze my text within the ice cubes. However the distorted look of the ice is something i may incorporate within my piece.

Cress experiment 2

After two days of no action in my cold garage. I decided to set up a smaller test in my draw in my bedroom. I planted some seeds on a damp piece of kitchen paper and watered them for a few days and they have already started to grow! The conditions are better for the cress as they are in a warmer darker place.

I think I may now plant these already growing seeds in my burger bun so it speeds up the process. It remains to be seen if they will grow under a studio light.