conceptual

Introduction

In the Conceptual unit we explored the introductory stages of using digital mediums and finding out creative selves. In English we thought about the true meaning of art. I developed my skills in using technical application including the DSLR camera, audio recorder, Adobe Suite, and WordPress. Through these, I have been able to learn how to express myself creatively in the digital world.

Art Reflection Video

In August we took a field trip to the SF MoMA (the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), and spent the day walking around and exploring the museum. We were tasked to find a piece of art that truly resonated with us and write a short essay on what it meant to us. We then took that text and turned it into an audio to make a video on Premiere Pro with visual indicators. Below is the final product.

As a Film student, I already had an introduction to video editing software, however I really valued being able to learn in more detail how to use key frames. Key frames have so many practical and creative uses and I really enjoyed messing around on Premiere Pro and learning how to make my vision come to life.

Parody Production

For the Parody Song assignment we were tasked with rewriting the lyrics to a popular song in a comedic manor. I chose the song “Drag Me Down” by One Direction. It’s a song that brings me a lot of joy in a nostalgic and catchy way. I decided to write it about the struggles faced in my calculus class.

Parody Lyrics

I’m sitting here in calc

I feel all by myself

I swear this isn’t super easy

I’ve got a pencil in my hand

I don’t understand math

might get it by the next season

If I understood I would be super cracked

A genius who could do derivatives well

If I didn’t ask for help there would be nothing left

People taught me how to do math

Ooo, All my life math has sucked

When no one else was struggling

All these nights stayin’ up late

Tryna understand, nobody can explain this

Woah, nobody, nobody, nobody can explain this

We got to go into the Isolation Booths to record which was a really cool experience. This was our introduction to learning how to record and edit sound. As someone who listens to and plays a lot of music on a daily basis I’ve never really thought about everything that truly goes into music/audio production until we did this.

Photoshop Blend Modes

In this assignment I learned how to edit my photos using blend modes on Photoshop. This proves itself super useful for editing photos practically and creatively. I especially enjoyed learning how to use the brush tool with the overlay mode to selectively make certain parts pop out, I had a lot of fun doing this on the faceless self portrait I did of myself, making my hair look shinier and more visually appealing. Overall I’m very excited to utilize this skill in my future personal photos and for assignment such as photo blogs!

DSLR Practice Photos

At the beginning of the school year, we learned how to use our DSLR cameras to take photos. We learned the basic of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. We experimented with all the different modes on our cameras such as AV (aperture priority), Tv (shutter speed priority), auto, manual, timers, creative white balance, and using a flash. I enjoy taking manual photos because it gives me the freedom to capture exactly what I want to. Below are several of my practice photos.

FILM

In the Conceptual unit in Film I learned the basic of using a camera for cinematography as well as video editing software. I enjoyed learning how to use Premiere Pro and overall just love film making as a creative outlet. It is such a freeing form of expression compared to the fine arts that I am used to doing.

Experimental Film

The experimental film was a tough assignment, we were each assigned a random statement to bring to life in video form. My concept statement was “Shyness through remembering a childhood memory”. Part of what made this assignment tough was that we weren’t allowed to use traditional film making standards such as a story arch, characters, or even continuity. Alternatively we were tasked with capturing the feeling of something in an abstract way. This assignment really got me thinking, and I’m very proud of how my final product came out considering it was my first ever film!

Video Scavenger Hunt

In this assignment, we got into groups and were tasked with getting as many different types of shots (listed for us on a Doc) as we could in one class period. We went around campus and had a lot of fun capturing different moments and learning what different shots look like and are filmed along the way. We also edited them which was our very first introduction to Premiere Pro.