Week 7
Our final group project is complete! It is a 3-part "How-to" series on improving sleep.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
(Made with Alejandro Puentes)
Week 6
Reading Response to Walter Murch's "In The Blink Of An Eye"
Week 2
Here's my first Video and Sound project, "A Walk In The Park":
It was really striking to learn that the piece was written in 1910. The date was printed at the very end of the piece.
Week 1
Our final group project is complete! It is a 3-part "How-to" series on improving sleep.
(Made with Alejandro Puentes)
Week 6
Reading Response to Walter Murch's "In The Blink Of An Eye"
Walter Murch writes of a film editing process that he has honed for many years. A process that is now, probably very intuitive, yet he communicates his insights well through anecdote, metaphor and observations about human perception (which by the way, deserve proper investigation and experimentation, if they have received already). For Murch, editing, beyond linear time keeping and rigid dialogue exchange, is about giving coherence. or making meaning for the audience via a trusting relationship that relies on appealing to their natural processes of dream and wakeful perception. As I understand it, he believes that when editing works it is because it mimics natural perceptual processes. For example, cuts assume the role of blinking and blinking, underscores the rhythm of thought.
I have had my first experience with editing video and sound in this class, and wish I had read this article before embarking on my final project (entirely my fault for putting it off until the rough cut was assembled). I will carry Murch's insights with me and proceed edit with a great deal more reverence for the process. I had thought of it as largely intuitive, but also rote. Ignoring the possibilities guided by the principles of perceptual psychology.
Questions:
One thing that struck me as odd (but also deserving investigation and experimentation) is the idea that an audience blinking in unison could indicate that a film is working. Does this not ignore individual differences in association of perceptions? And what of film that betrays the senses and jilts us from natural perception?
Dragnet (I am a fan now) and rigid dialogue exchange
Week 2
Here's my first Video and Sound project, "A Walk In The Park":
https://soundcloud.com/cleezybear/walk-in-the-park
Reading Response to The Machine Stops
Reading Response to The Machine Stops
This piece was a bit of a slow drag for me. It was a nightmarish call to humanity; warning of the dangers that exist in the over reliance on technology. Admittedly, I am not a fan of sci-fi. However, I believe that the take home message is quite important. i think that the following bit by Louis CK, is evidence that there is some common concern about how we have adopted technology.
It was really striking to learn that the piece was written in 1910. The date was printed at the very end of the piece.
>>
Some questions came up for me about the issues raised here. What does it mean that these concerns have existed for so long? How have these fears influenced how we have developed and adopted new technologies? Have they? If not, why?
Week 1
Readings Response
Molotov Man
This article chronicles two sides of an artistic appropriation dispute. I liken this scenario, and many others like it, to discourse within academic literature. 'Primary' texts are canonical works that propel disciplines. They are rooted in a particular historical context and interpretations, misinterpretations and appropriations that are rooted in their own unique context follow and serve to expand discourse. Upon reproduction, distortion and decontextualization the original history remains, it's importance is no less and elaborations, illuminations and new histories are created.
Visual communications are highly susceptible to reproductions and appropriation. However in the case of the 'Molotov Man,' the image is not the man. This is not to say that we should uncritically absorb/consume everything around us, unquestioningly accept distortions and manipulations of history, or accept images as truth, but stand to respond to history and use a varied repertoire of visual language in response to our own context.
Visual communications are highly susceptible to reproductions and appropriation. However in the case of the 'Molotov Man,' the image is not the man. This is not to say that we should uncritically absorb/consume everything around us, unquestioningly accept distortions and manipulations of history, or accept images as truth, but stand to respond to history and use a varied repertoire of visual language in response to our own context.
Interpretations of psychoanalysis pg 1 of 20 on Amazon.com
Ecstasy of Influence
The author takes an extreme stance in defence of appropriation and shared ideas. He notes different historical examples and the importance of appropriation in the proliferation of human understanding. The author uses examples from Thomas Jefferson including a quote I quite like, "He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me." The quote is in line with my sentiments from the last article (perhaps I read it somewhere before).
I feel that influence holds us back and propels us forward. I would like us to read an article in opposition of the ideas expounded in the two reading assignments, in order to understand when appropriation can be negative. I feel that this conversation is not so black and white. I can appreciate the use of these readings, as the dominant trend is to frown upon appropriation.
I feel that influence holds us back and propels us forward. I would like us to read an article in opposition of the ideas expounded in the two reading assignments, in order to understand when appropriation can be negative. I feel that this conversation is not so black and white. I can appreciate the use of these readings, as the dominant trend is to frown upon appropriation.
