This weeks reflections - w/e 27 Jan 2008

The title sequence is in its final stage of production (YAY). After several reshoots the piece has the Motion artwork overlaid onto the video. This has been fun to do but also tiring, every aspect of this brief has been new to me and this includes creating the original video and Motion work. Prior to this brief I had never worked with video before and it took some getting use to as I always seem to think in "stills" rather than motion. The editing between some scenes has resulted in using the action to move to the next title rather than using a cut or fade. I never thought of using transitions like that and so the final piece will have been modified from the original storyboard, but I think it looks better for it.
The use of a soundboard is a fantastic idea, really forces you to think of what is happening in the scene as I am not using any music. This weekend I have collected together the sounds and this included terrorising the cat (in a nice way) to make him hiss and growl, which he did on queue and without much provication. He did get some special cat food afterwards as a reward for being so obliguing.
I do believe this is the longest I have ever worked on one project. Gone are the days at EY of getting it done as soon as possible as it was required "yesterday".

Contextual studies is coming along and I think I have tracked down some reasonable images/websites for the VRF and will have the Issues and Headstart completed on time.

This weeks reflections - w/e 20 January 2008

First week back after Christmas and have hit the ground running after a bit of a lull over the break. The deadlines are looming!

I have spent quite a bit of time working on the title sequence brief and am happy with what I have created so far. I have all the pieces and now have to put them all together. Motion proved a little tricky to remember how to use but am happy with what I have done so far. I have no idea how to export it into FCP or so that its an independant clip. I finalised the graphics background and feel that it looks a little more finished.
Working with Motion is fun, alittle like Flash and I think that has helped me, otherwise I am not sure I would be able to do what I have done. I am happy with the blood dripping down the screen, revealing the background text.

Contextual Studies is still proving difficult to get motivated for. I have completed the first drafts for all pieces of work that needs to be handed in in February.

Wedding Photography

In November 2007 I was asked to be the offical photographer for a friends wedding. Here are the some of the results. For the most part I am happy with these and have learnt alot from the experience. As a result, I am not sure I would ever wish to become a Wedding Photographer and take my hat off to those who do.

Film review: Seripham Falls

Director: David Von Ancken

Release Date: 24 August 2007 (UK)

Genre: Drama / War / Western

Stars: Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan

Not the traditional Western, Seripham Falls is ultimately a revenge story, The Fugitive with cowboy boots and six shooters. The motivation of the leading characters, Carver (Liam Neeson) and Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) is not clear but Carver’s obstinate determination to confront Gideon leaves a trail of death as Gideon is just as determined to escape. One question I kept asking myself was “Where was Gideon heading?” It is not immediately obvious which is the protagonist and antagonist and, as more of the back story was revealed, it still remains difficult to determine. There is a touch of surrealism throughout the film that becomes more prominent as the film.

The film is beautifully shot and the scenery is absolutely stunning. The scene in the mountains and snow is contrasted with the flat, dry and very hot salt pans. It is in the hot salt pans that both characters meet Lucy C Fair who offers them a swap resulting in each of them having a gun and single bullet for their final confrontation. Could the choice of location represent heaven and hell and their trip not only physically but metaphorically takes them down the path to Hell?

Can’t help but wonder on the choice of name for Gideon, with the link to the Bible (an Israelite judge, appearing in the Book of Judges) and Carver, with its meaning carver of wood – possibly because, through the back story, we understand that Carver as he is trying to carver out a life for his wife and two children after the Civil War.