Introduction
The main objective of the Visual Narrative Unit was learning how to tell a story through different types of mediums. In digital media, we expanded our digital tool belt by learning how to use ProTools, Adobe Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. In English we wrote short visual stories, the goal was to write in a “show don’t tell” style. Finally, in Film we spent a lot of time on the pre-production phase of our narrative project. We wrote a synopsis, pitched out ideas, and finally made entire storyboards of our narrative before we were able to begin filming.
In the Visual Narrative project, I valued most the skills I learned to manipulate my audience and their emotions. The power of a metaphor or the positioning of a camera can change an entire story’s meaning and the best part is that the audience must decipher it for themselves. In film was amazed by all the different processes that go into making a visual film, but I now have a greater appreciation for the films that I now watch.
Story
In English spent some time analyzing flash fiction, these were stories that were about 500-1000 words. Because they were short the character introductions were spread out throughout the story, as you read it you learned more about the world you were in and the character you were following.
In class we practiced writing in-depth descriptions of our characters, we went into great detail knowing we would not be able to fit all of it in our final flash fiction story. We filled out character questionnaires explaining who our character was. When it came time to write about our character’s struggles and what challenges they would overcome in the story I drew inspiration from people around me. My story is about an adult who is extremely self-conscious, she is waiting to interview for a position and throughout the story slowly overcomes the anxiety she is experiencing at the moment. After we wrote the flash fiction we were instructed to record it for digital media, using our skills in ProTools we added SFX and music to accompany the audio recording of our story.
The Attraction
Alice sat as inconspicuously as she could in the lobby chair. She clutched her pink briefcase, which matched her pink pants suit, in her massive hands. All she could do was stare at the ground waiting for her name to be called. Her mind drifted back to when she was checking in. She had stood in front of the receptionist’s desk unable to get his attention. Finally, Alice mustered up enough courage to clear her throat alerting him to her presence. His eyes lazily drifted over to the sound. Alice saw how his eyes slowly began to widen as he continued to raise them until he was practically looking at the ceiling. Alice knew she was tall, she had been all her life, but she was never able to get used to the glances and stares that came with her noticeable size. His mouth was gaping open and Alice pressed her lips in a tight line both unable to speak. After an uncomfortable silence, she pointed at a sign: Hiring New Accountant, and said in a small, dry voice, “I believe I have an interview?” Still unable to speak, the receptionist pointed to their seating area. And that was the end of the encounter. Now Alice was sitting and staring at the floor.
Then a petite woman with a neat, blond ponytail walked in. She was wearing the same suit as Alice. She went to the receptionist and was also gestured to the waiting area. She sat down next to Alice and pulled out her resume. Alice, who towered over her, couldn’t help but notice that she was trembling ever so slightly as she looked at the papers. Then the little woman puffed out her chest and closed her eyes. Alice must have done something to alert her, because she snapped her head up, staring directly at Alice. She offered her the warmest smile and all Alice could do was awkwardly wave at her. “Hi, I’m Leona! Nice suit” she said, tilting her head ever so slightly. “Thanks, I’m Alice”, Alice replied, relaxing a bit, “I am so nervous for this interview”. Leona puffed her chest again, took a deep breath, and said, “Me too, I’m trying to fool myself into a confident state, but I’m pretty sure I’m failing.” Alice let out a laugh for a moment she felt calm as if a weight had been lifted. “Taking deep breaths always helps me.” A man stepped out into the waiting room and called Leona’s name. As she was getting up Alice said, “Well, good luck,” and gave her a smile.
Alone once more Alice felt a tingle of fear crawling up her neck but tried pushing it back down. Instead of resuming her floor gazing she looked around the office, after all, she might be working here if all things go well. As she cast her gaze over the office she locked eyes with one of the workers who was trying to take a picture of her. He quickly put his phone away and began working once more as if nothing had happened. But Alice had seen him and once again her confidence drained away. She felt a beating in her throat, she tried swallowing but her throat had dried up. She felt like a caged animal. There for others to stare at and take pictures of. A small whisper was exchanged, Alice couldn’t make out what was said but she didn’t need to. She understood instantly. Others peered over their computers, trying to act discreetly, but it was obvious what they were doing. Some even snickered, causing a wave of embarrassment to wash over Alice.
Suddenly Alice closed her eyes and replayed the memory of Leona puffing out her chest and taking deep breaths. Alice mimicked the action. She opened her eyes and nothing. More people were watching her than before, Alice realized that her chest was still puffed out and quickly curled inwards. Maybe she could shrink herself into an inconspicuous speck of dust. No one would take pictures of dust. Alice felt her chest tighten and found herself staring at the floor once more, waiting for the nightmare to be over.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Leona walked back into the waiting room followed by the same man who called Alice’s name. Before getting up, Leona walked by Alice and gave her a warm smile with two thumbs up for encouragement. Though Alice had just met Leona, she felt the tightness in her chest subsides. The walls of the cages seemed unable to contain her and taking a few deep breaths of encouragement Alice stood up, ready for the interview.
Behind the Scene
Illustrations
I used Adobe Illustrator for the first time and learned a lot about the software. I made my Album art in Adobe Illustrator as well as my final Illustrator project.
This is a group project that I made with 2 other freestyle students it is called an exquisite corpse. We were not allowed to the other artworks and only focused on our illustrations. My project is the artboard on the far right.
For the Illustrator Project, we were tasked with making an Illustrator drawing, which would be printed on a physical object. We had many choices to choose from a mousepad, mug, t-shirt, and many more. I chose to make two mouse pads. One for me and one for my brother.
I took a picture of my dog and traced him, I added some intersections and then filled them in making a pop-art-looking type of illustration. My brother and I also love the Mandalorian TV show so I added a small cartoon of the Din Djarin and Grogu. Finally, for my brother’s mousepad, I added an illustration of Miles Morales one of his favorite superheroes. For my mousepad I tool the iconic Moth from the video game “The Last Of Us Part II” It is my favorite video game and this moth comes from the tattoo the main character Ellie has.
Here are the final products side by side:
Music Production
On digital media, we were learning how to use Protools. The goal was to remove the vocals from a song and then sing over it, either by yourself or with a partner, with your own parody lyrics.
My friends Sofa and I decided to write a parody about someone who crashed their car. We chose to sing it to the song Despair by Leo.
We had a fun time making up the lyrics but when it came to taking out the vocals it proved to be a bit more difficult. We recorded our vocals in the recording studio and then added them to the instrumental.
Verse 1:
I’ve lost control and ran into a lamp post
Air bag deployed, now I have broken bones
And looking at my car which is completely wrecked
I have to think of a way to get myself out of this mess
Chorus:
I hit my head way too hard
And now I’m seeing stars
I want this to be done, bleeding out is no fun
My head is bleeding, please get help I’m pleading
I can see my life force depleting
As death gets near
I close my eyes in fear
Verse 2:
I open my eyes, beeping machines surround me
Doctors hurrying to ask me, they want to know about the crash
And even though I want to sleep and snore
I can’t help but think about that goddamn boar.
Film
In Film, we made a narrative. Before we started filming we had to write a synopsis and storyboard our entire film. At first, it took my partner and me a while to get the story down, but after we knew what we would be doing we began the storyboarding process. It took a lot of time and paper to finish our story. The process of storyboarding took a long time, 1 week into the process we had to start over because we realized the story wasn’t working. After we finished storyboarding we began filming. I personally had a lot of fun during this process and really enjoyed directing. After the production phase was complete we had to edit the narrative, my least favorite part was probably color correcting and adding sound effects. Overall, I am really happy with my narrative. I have learned a lot through trial and error during this project and can’t wait for the next project.
Here is the synopsis of the Final Narrative:
Act 1:
We open to a classroom, our main character, Alice is sitting in the back with her friend Leona. The teacher at the front of the classroom is announcing upcoming homework (sharing a slideshow presentation). Alice is listening attentively while Leona is slouched or barely paying attention. Suddenly the teacher switches to a slide that says “Individual Presentations due Next week”. Leona looks up and smiles enthusiastically, Alice on the other hand has a look of horror. Leona takes out her computer and enthusiastically gets started on her presentation, while Alice begins to stress out over the idea of presenting to the class. She tries to start working on her own presentation but is unsuccessful because of all the stress and anxiety she is experiencing that moment. The bell rings and Alice hasn’t gotten any work done, Leona snaps Alice out of her trance and the screen fades to black.
Act 2:
Alice and Leona are in the library working on their presentation. Alice has a little more written down but still has trouble working on her presentation. Leona asks if she can begin presenting. Alice sits and listens tentatively while Leona is pointing to her computer and talking with exaggerated expressions. Alice is smiling and laughing while Leona presents. Next Leona gestures to Alice, it is her turn to present. Alice tries to decline and Leona pulls her off her seat and Alice is forced to present to Leona. Alice tries to start talking but is unable to make a sound, she is very rigid and her knees lock in place, and her heart begins to pound in her ears. Leona sees that Alice is very scared and she decides to take a different approach. She gestures to Alice to take deep breaths and close her eyes. When Alice opens them she is visibly more relaxed. She then begins presenting with more relaxed expressions.
Act 3:
We are back in the classroom and we see Leona presenting to everyone in the class. The teacher is listening and grading her and we see Alice in the front of the classroom watching Leona. Alice seems a bit nervous but tries to smile as she half listened to Leona’s presentation. Alice begins to space out and panics, there is a ringing noise in her ear, but she snaps out of it as she hears the class applauding Leona, Alice joins in and gives Leona a smile as she sits down next to her. The teacher points to Alice and gestures to the front of the classroom. Alice is paralyzed unable to move and stares wide-eyed at the front of the classroom. Leona gives her a little nudge and Alice slowly and timidly gets up and walks to the front of the classroom. She looks at the class and feels her heart start to speed up as the pounding in her ears gets louder, and her knees lock in place. She spots Leona and gestures to her to take a deep breath. Alice closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Suddenly there is no one in the room except her and Leona who is giving her a smile. Alice presents and everyone applauds her.