Introduction to Conceptual
The conceptual project, we were tasked to convey raw emotions through unconventional techniques in recording and editing. This allowed us to practice our ability to communicate feelings in our art, unbound by the rules of film and art standards. That way, once we enter into learning the established rules and advanced techniques of photo, video, animation, and design, we can tackle projects with an abstract perspective we’ve developed from this project that will enhance our ability to create new and unique art.
Art Reflection
Initially when I had been introduced to the assignment of creating an experimental film, I was immediately uninterested. It had been a long time belief of mine that conceptual and abstract art was pretentious, self absorbed, and boring. My view of this was, unfortunately, reinforced by our trip to the SFMOMA which is a museum of abstract art that the whole class traveled to in order to be inspired for our first conceptual project. What had really altered my outlook on this project was when we read “red” in our english class. I was absorbed by the entire plot and characters of the play, and it not only got me hooked into the story itself but the art that was involved in it. The character’s passion and description of the art that they created in the play introduced a new way of looking at abstract art that revealed both the intention behind it’s creation and the way I can best experience it.
The first step of the conceptual project was analyzing art that we were drawn to when we went into the museum of modern art. While I was not that interested by most of the still artwork there, I was particularly interested in the visitors, a room filled with musicians in different locations and singing together. I found that I was able to enjoy the whole experience as an experience rather than a piece of art to look at because of the musical element to it. So when I was planning my experimental film, I noted that it was vital for me to include strong music that reflects the feeling that I’m trying to achieve.
Parody Introduction
The parody project was our first introduction to audio tools, in this case our introduction to adobe audition. In order to learn the basics of recording and sound mixing, we were tasked with writing and recording a parody of any song.
I was inspired to write “capitalism”, the parody of Thriller by Michael Jackson after my friend made his parody about communism, creating a fun opposing relationship between the songs. I talk about the conditions of Manchester during the industrial revolution when capitalism was most prominent through my soulful vocals and harmonies. But after I created the song, I realized that the song was not wacky enough to be entertaining. This challenged my as a creator because I had to sacrifice my desire to perfect the song in the pursuit of making something that pertains to the assignment of a comedic parody. The way I did this was by adding a fully out of tune and out of rhythm bass line underneath the song, in order to make it sound worse I learned how to use the pitch shifter to make it a full octave higher. And on top of that, I brought all my friends into a booth to add silly Michael Jackson sound effects, where I learned how to use panning in order to make our sound effects surround the listener. Creating a more entertaining and chaotic parody of thriller by Michael Jackson.
Parody Lyrics
It’s revolution, A new economy is on the rise
Textiles and cotton, you’re working every day until you die
It must have been, A hundred days since I’ve been on vacation
In factories, you’re breathing chemicals in all the time
Open your eyes
To capitalism
9 to 5
You’re tenements are crowded and you’ve got no human rights
Capitalism, 9 to 5
You’re working for your life inside a
liberal, free enterprise