Explorations

Introduction

This unit focused on visual literacy and risk-taking. In all of my classes at Freestyle, we were challenged to learn a new skill we did not previously know how to do. In English, we wrote lyrical essays which is a more creative form of writing. We had to write in an almost poetic form while also incorporating research and sources to give our writing another layer. In Film, I made a poetic documentary.

In Digital Media we worked on using ProTools to make music using virtual instruments. I was able to create a song using the piano completely digitally. I now can create music with thousands of different sounds and combinations of instruments without actually having to learn how to play the instrument.

In Film, we had complete freedom to pick any film skill or topic we wanted as long as we had never tried it before. I decided to make a poetic documentary that combined experimental and documentary elements.

I wanted to improve upon my experimental filmmaking skills while also learning a new medium, which is why I picked this topic.

I wanted to further my self-direction skills with this project.

I enjoyed the filming process of this project. I went through a lot of trial and error. I made a first version which was very boring and pretty monotone.

I went to film more shots that had more variety and color. I went to Natural Bridges, and Santa Cruz to get more footage. I had to be creative to make every shot different and interesting to look at.

My goal was to make the whole poetic documentary very calming. (If it made you want to fall asleep that was the goal!). I also researched poetic documentaries.

I learned that poetic documentaries were originally called actuality films, and the term was coined by Bill Nicolas in 1991.

They also contain abstract elements and have an unstructured narrative form. The purpose of a poetic documentary is to have the audience feel an emotion. My poetic documentary depicts the emotion of being calm.

Final Result

Overall, I am happy with how my final project turned out. I think the music made a big difference, and there was a variety of shot types and color. I went to many different places to get all of the shots. The one I am most prob of is the deer walking through the field.

I thought this shot was impressive because I had to get my camera set up quickly to capture this moment in the film. I also like the pink flower shot because I think it is a cool angle.

I had to get my camera set up quickly to capture this moment in the film. I also like the pink flower shot because I think it is a cool angle.

The most difficult part to of this filming process was picking the best shots because I didn’t ant to make it boring rather than calming.

I worked on my color grading skills to add more saturation and vibrance to the shots because I shot the whole film on the camera setting neutral.

I also made a lyrical essay in English which was a new style of writing for me, but I am happy with the way it turned out.

I played on words and used research to incorporate interesting sources such as an Aesop fable, and alluded to Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken.

Reflection

I valued learning how to make poetic documentaries because it expanded the types of documentary modes I can make, and allowed me to further my skills using Premiere Pro. In Premiere Pro I experimented more with color grading using the color wheels and paying more attention to color than in my other projects. I benefitted as a digital artist because I was able to develop my skills not only in Premiere but in Illustrator. I made graphics to design an album cover for my music cover. I grew in my creative thinking and continued to try something I have never done before in this project.

Music

In Digital Media, I created music on ProTools sing virtual instruments. This was a very interesting project because I was able to play and create new songs all digitally without any prior knowledge on how to play the instruments in real life.

I went online to do some research on different piano keys to use, then I recreated the song Lean On Me by Bill Withers. I have always loved this song which is why I picked it. I used the virtual piano and guitar to make this piece.

I enjoyed working on this music piece because I can now create a replicate any song on ProTools. The MIDI Editor allows for me to draw in keys and drag them on beat.

I utilized this tool to line up the guitar and piano to be in line with one another. I also liked practicing using the drums and snares to make new beats. There were thousands of instruments at my fingertips which I thought was very interesting and a great skill to have moving forward.