Introduction
Our projects this unit aimed to answer the question, “How can I use unconventional forms to express myself?” We were challenged to take creative risks and express our ideas through abstract forms of art, such as poetry, music, experimental film, animations, and web design. We were also introduced to professional equipment and Adobe applications to develop our technical communication skills.
During this unit, I valued the opportunities given to me to develop new creative skills. I used a DSLR camera for the first time and began to develop photography skills, which has taught me about technology and composition. Discussing what I was learning in class with others also helped develop my skills and broadened my perspective about conceptual/abstract forms of art, because it can be approached in so many different ways. I learned that my classmates have a multitude of lenses, which inspired me to think outside of the box.
Photo Haiku
For this project, we were challenged to write a haiku about an intention statement given to us at random. My statement was “I am exploring the feeling of shock through discovering creative freedom.” We developed our haikus in English as we learned about different forms of abstract poetry and added an image to accompany the text. In Digital Media, we began to learn Adobe tools by editing our haiku voiceover recording in Premiere Pro.
Because this assignment was the first in the unit, it was my first at Freestyle overall and acted as an introduction to what we would be doing in the program. What I valued most was learning my assignments here connect to all three of my classes, English, Digital Media, and Film 1, and the skills I will be learning are applicable to more than the class we learn them in.
Free Verse Poem
After developing our skills during the haiku project, we then had the opportunity to write a free verse poem about anything we wanted. I chose to write about my experience growing up as a girl in a society that seems to be watching your every move, increasingly willing to tell you that you are an object. Along the same lines as the haiku assignment, we wrote our poems in English and edited them using Adobe Photoshop and Protools in Digital Media.
“The pomegranate” is a free verse poem about the experience of growing up in the world as a woman, and all the things that you eventually face. The speaker in this poem is a version of myself, who’s had the same experiences but observes them and describes them through a poetic lens, juxtaposing these negative experiences with the romanticization and beauty associated with being a woman. In the first stanza, I use imagery in order to make the reader feel like they are in a hospital, specifically mentioning the “white curtains” and the “air conditioning” to make it seem light, airy, and pure, common associations with a newborn baby, setting the scene so the dramatic shift in imagery that follows is shocking. Although the imagery continues, the poem introduces metaphors, which shift’s the speaker’s attitude towards the world from naive to alarmed. The weakness that was introduced earlier becomes a symbol or a beacon for others. Ultimately, the pattern of imagery and metaphors in this poem aims to place the reader in the shoes of a young woman. The intended audience for this poem excludes women, so people who don’t identify as female can reflect on how they are a part of this system. As the use of imagery continues, I allude to the Greek myth of Persephone, the goddess of spring and summer, and how she was trapped in the underworld by Hades for eating pomegranate seeds, causing the seasons. This myth inspired me, because Persephone was trapped by a man but still caused the flowers to bloom in spring. I think this is a beautiful metaphor for the power of femininity and how even while trapped underground, she finds herself again in the summer months. Finally, I wrap up the poem with a reflection about women’s roles in history over time, constantly being caretakers for men who are trying to achieve made-up status and power that means nothing outside of their minds. In short, I would like my reader to come away with new thoughts on what it means to be a woman in this world and reflect on how they can help make change.
I learned a lot from both our poetry projects, specifically how to edit audio. Cutting out pops and clicks with ProTools is a skill I know I’ll use in the future, especially for music. Learning how to use my Tascom recorder to record audio in the firs place was also a new skill and I enjoyed finding a quiet space, sitting down, and recording.
Photoshop Blend Modes
As our introduction to Adobe Photoshop, we learned how to edit and blend two or more images into one by using the “blend modes” feature. This feature lets you use settings to brighten or darken an image, changing its transparency and merging two images together.
What do you value about learning about and creatively using Photoshop Blend Modes?
I value learning how to blend layers seamlessly, it was one of my most utilized abilities with blend modes and I’m sure I’ll use it in the future.
How do you see yourself using your new Photoshop skills with your creative projects?
I see myself using photoshop to create film posters and movies for film class but also for decoration and gifts for others.
Click on the images to see my Photoshop Blend Mode pieces below.
Experimental Film
For our first unit in film, we learned about the basics of filmmaking and film history, allowing us to then use that knowledge to make our first projects. Being a first-time film student, I’ve learned so much about film as an art form in comparison to other physical forms that I grew up doing. Film is a truly complex form of art and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so many new things in just one unit.
Our first large project was an experimental film: a style of filmmaking that uses experimental techniques, whether that’s in the filming process, editing process, or the concept. Our films were based off of the random intention statement we were given in English, mine being “I am exploring the feeling of shock through discovering create freedom.” I was inspired to create a collage of artistic imagery, trying to represent the brain of the artist as they are filled with this shocking new notion of creativity.
For this project, I had a lot of fun thinking of ways to show what creativity looks like inside of someone’s mind. Although the film I produced at the end doesn’t look exactly like my synopsis, I am still happy with how it turned out and I think the same message comes across. Overall I learned a lot from this assignment, and developed skills I will be using in the future for this class.
