1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.
The article I read was Sprin Anne Whiston's The Language of Landscape. I selected this article because I thought it looked interesting. I would like to be a camera man at some point so I figure a quick little article about landscape would give me another perspective on filming an object and it's importance on a film.
2. What are the main points of the essay?
The article starts off by saying of how the word landscape has changed in the past century. It had started off as an idea and an identity to a place and to humans but has changed into describing an nature area. She believes that it should go back to its old meaning. She talks about the importance of landscape to people in history and to cultures throughout the world. What can be grown, whether or not an area is fit to live in, can all be seen from landscape itself. Not only that but how it is also dangerous consequences and has destroyed cities and people over the years.
3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?
The articles ideas and arguments in the article show the importance of nature and what you can learn from the landscape. If I go to an area I can learn about a culture and region just on its landscape. If I use the landscape correctly I can film from different locations to get different shots and use those to shape a film to how I or a director wants it to be.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Audio Hardware/Software Response
1. Discuss your experiences with building your microphones. Was this process more or less what you thought it would be? How did your microphone rig work on your Drift walks? Were you able to capture both overall ambiance and extreme closeups? Describe your ideal microphone and recorder setup, with unlimited time and money.
I was excited when we got to make microphones. The process of making it was pretty fun and was outlined pretty well on the website so I was ready for the process and it went well. My microphone rig was okay, I noticed that one of my wind guards was screwed up and kind of falling off so I just tried to make my recordings work as well as I could. I think I was able to capture the overall ambiance and extreme close ups as best as I could with my microphones. My ideal microphone and recorder setup would have to be good equipment and no wind.
2. How was your experience with operating the MiniDisc recorder? How does this recorder compare to other audio equipment you've used? In an ideal world, how would your recorder of choice function?
My Mini Disc recorder worked well. I haven't used any other recording devices except for person recorders and the Mini Disc recorders were fantastic. I think that if it could save after you pause it, that would of been nice but thats about it.
3. Discuss the audio-editing software you chose and your history with this application. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?
I used Audacity to edit my sounds. It was the first time I used it and it worked pretty well. I think I'll stick with it since it seems to work well and now that I found out I can add on different effects, I think it'll be good to use for now. I'll probably use this program for future projects until I find a better program.
I was excited when we got to make microphones. The process of making it was pretty fun and was outlined pretty well on the website so I was ready for the process and it went well. My microphone rig was okay, I noticed that one of my wind guards was screwed up and kind of falling off so I just tried to make my recordings work as well as I could. I think I was able to capture the overall ambiance and extreme close ups as best as I could with my microphones. My ideal microphone and recorder setup would have to be good equipment and no wind.
2. How was your experience with operating the MiniDisc recorder? How does this recorder compare to other audio equipment you've used? In an ideal world, how would your recorder of choice function?
My Mini Disc recorder worked well. I haven't used any other recording devices except for person recorders and the Mini Disc recorders were fantastic. I think that if it could save after you pause it, that would of been nice but thats about it.
3. Discuss the audio-editing software you chose and your history with this application. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?
I used Audacity to edit my sounds. It was the first time I used it and it worked pretty well. I think I'll stick with it since it seems to work well and now that I found out I can add on different effects, I think it'll be good to use for now. I'll probably use this program for future projects until I find a better program.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
10 Questions
1. What kinds of different places can I get good camera shots from?
2. Is a parking structure is a good place to get recordings?
3 & 4. What kind of wild life can I find in the city? Do they make any interesting noises?
5. Are there any goofy houses in the city?
6. What would be my ideal area I could go to if it was possible?
7. Where is the highest I can get to with out having to worry about people being angry with me?
8. Should I do more city shots or nature shots for my second drift?
9. Would it be better to go with a partner or by myself?
10. Are there any spooky spots that are open under buildings or bridges?
2. Is a parking structure is a good place to get recordings?
3 & 4. What kind of wild life can I find in the city? Do they make any interesting noises?
5. Are there any goofy houses in the city?
6. What would be my ideal area I could go to if it was possible?
7. Where is the highest I can get to with out having to worry about people being angry with me?
8. Should I do more city shots or nature shots for my second drift?
9. Would it be better to go with a partner or by myself?
10. Are there any spooky spots that are open under buildings or bridges?
Assessment
1. Describe two situations that aggravated, bothered, shocked or otherwise stressed you during Drift 1. (Please note that the situation CANNOT be technology-related.)
One situation that constantly bothered me was when after I recorded, I was listening to my sounds and I turned my camera on sometimes to take pictures when I was recording. It bothered me because I could hear my camera turning on and it usually came at bad times. Another thing that goes along the same lines of the first was when I was recording I would play with the volume button, but I forgot that it records on the minidisk so I was pretty pissed at myself for that. I just made mistakes during the process and it didn't help me too much. (Note: I don't consider this technology related because I was mad at myself for making dumb mistakes.)
2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.
I enjoyed walking around the city and not really having to worry where I was headed. The day was a bit windy but it was still fun to go around and check out different places around town that might of brought me good sounds. Seeing as how I have never really lived in the actual city till this year, it was fun to explore everywhere and figure out new ways to get places. I also enjoyed seeing people walking around taking wedding pictures (I went on a Saturday) around town. It was pretty cool to see how many different people were around town just enjoying what the city has for them.
3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)
It was weird to go around and record stuff. People would look at me crazy and I would usually try to hide my microphones and mini-disc recorder. I was surprised that no one really tried to ask me what I was up to so I guess it was neat that no one really bothered me during the recordings. I totally thought people would be asking me what I was up to, so that was a relief. I felt professional after I had finished with my recordings. It was cool to see that some things I had planned out worked. For example, I thought it would be cool to just leave my recorder and not do anything for ten minutes and when I listened back to it I had caught a lot of things then when I did with my shorter recordings.
4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.
My favorite experience had to be when I was doing my ten minute recording. I had seen this grandfather and his grandchildren walking around the city when I was recording earlier and thought it would of been cool to record them. (The kids were on scooters so I thought it'd be cool to record them and they were saying things like "grandpa grandpa look!") During my last recording I got them so I was really excited to get them on the track. It just felt good because I saw them right away and I figured I wouldn't see them at all for the rest of the day, but two hours later I got them on tape so it was pretty cool.
One situation that constantly bothered me was when after I recorded, I was listening to my sounds and I turned my camera on sometimes to take pictures when I was recording. It bothered me because I could hear my camera turning on and it usually came at bad times. Another thing that goes along the same lines of the first was when I was recording I would play with the volume button, but I forgot that it records on the minidisk so I was pretty pissed at myself for that. I just made mistakes during the process and it didn't help me too much. (Note: I don't consider this technology related because I was mad at myself for making dumb mistakes.)
2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.
I enjoyed walking around the city and not really having to worry where I was headed. The day was a bit windy but it was still fun to go around and check out different places around town that might of brought me good sounds. Seeing as how I have never really lived in the actual city till this year, it was fun to explore everywhere and figure out new ways to get places. I also enjoyed seeing people walking around taking wedding pictures (I went on a Saturday) around town. It was pretty cool to see how many different people were around town just enjoying what the city has for them.
3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)
It was weird to go around and record stuff. People would look at me crazy and I would usually try to hide my microphones and mini-disc recorder. I was surprised that no one really tried to ask me what I was up to so I guess it was neat that no one really bothered me during the recordings. I totally thought people would be asking me what I was up to, so that was a relief. I felt professional after I had finished with my recordings. It was cool to see that some things I had planned out worked. For example, I thought it would be cool to just leave my recorder and not do anything for ten minutes and when I listened back to it I had caught a lot of things then when I did with my shorter recordings.
4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.
My favorite experience had to be when I was doing my ten minute recording. I had seen this grandfather and his grandchildren walking around the city when I was recording earlier and thought it would of been cool to record them. (The kids were on scooters so I thought it'd be cool to record them and they were saying things like "grandpa grandpa look!") During my last recording I got them so I was really excited to get them on the track. It just felt good because I saw them right away and I figured I wouldn't see them at all for the rest of the day, but two hours later I got them on tape so it was pretty cool.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Drift 1 Soundwalk
Were you able to find places and spaces where you could really listen?
Yes. Although a couple of spots at first weren't so good but once we started walking around more we found some good areas.
Was it possible to move without making a sound?
No because no matter what I always heard footsteps or clothing rubbing back and forth. It wasn't loud but I could hear it.
What happened when you plugged your ears, and then unplugged them?
When I plugged my ears, I heard sounds inside of me and I also heard lower sounds like buses going by. When I unplugged them, I could hear almost everything. There were a lot of sounds like the trees and birds and everything around me.
In your sound log exercise, what types of sounds were you able to hear? List them.
Doors opening and closing.
Air conditioners on the roof.
People talking.
Footsteps.
Echos of voices.
People running through leafs.
The wind through the trees and the leafs on them.
Pants rustling.
Elevator door going ping.
Car doors slamming.
Someone's bass in their car.
Copy machines.
Phones.
Trays slamming.
Were you able to differentiate between sounds that had a recognizable source and those sounds you could not place?
Yes, although sometimes I'd hear a sound and not really know where it came from either because it was out of reach or hard to get to. (Like on a roof top)
Human sounds? Mechanical sounds? Natural sounds?
Yes, I think I'm pretty good at distinguishing between the sounds. Although I'm sure if someone tried to trick me into thinking one sound was something else I'd probably fall for it.
Were you able to detect subtleties in the everpresent drone?
It was harder to concentrate on certain sounds sometimes because there would always be tons of noises going on while I was trying to figure out what sound was coming from where and what it was.
Extremely close sounds? Sounds coming from very far away?
It was easier to hear closer sounds then further away for me.
What kinds of wind effects were you able to detect (for example, the leaves of trees don't make sounds until they are activated by the wind)?
I couldn't hear the wind till it hit my ears. Flags would blow and then I could hear the clanging of the ropes on the pole.
Were you able to intervene in the urban landscape and create your own sounds by knocking on a resonant piece of metal, activating wind chimes, etc.?
Yes. Our group was hitting a railing and listening to it so we could hear the banging of hands on the pole.
Do you feel you have a new understanding or appreciation of the sounds of our contemporary landscape/cityscape?
I would say I didn't learn anything new from this experience but it did remind me about how sounds plays an important role everyday.
How do you think your soundwalk experience will affect your practice as a media artist, if at all?
Hopefully teach me how to use sound well in film and that if I use it right it can be a powerful tool.
Yes. Although a couple of spots at first weren't so good but once we started walking around more we found some good areas.
Was it possible to move without making a sound?
No because no matter what I always heard footsteps or clothing rubbing back and forth. It wasn't loud but I could hear it.
What happened when you plugged your ears, and then unplugged them?
When I plugged my ears, I heard sounds inside of me and I also heard lower sounds like buses going by. When I unplugged them, I could hear almost everything. There were a lot of sounds like the trees and birds and everything around me.
In your sound log exercise, what types of sounds were you able to hear? List them.
Doors opening and closing.
Air conditioners on the roof.
People talking.
Footsteps.
Echos of voices.
People running through leafs.
The wind through the trees and the leafs on them.
Pants rustling.
Elevator door going ping.
Car doors slamming.
Someone's bass in their car.
Copy machines.
Phones.
Trays slamming.
Were you able to differentiate between sounds that had a recognizable source and those sounds you could not place?
Yes, although sometimes I'd hear a sound and not really know where it came from either because it was out of reach or hard to get to. (Like on a roof top)
Human sounds? Mechanical sounds? Natural sounds?
Yes, I think I'm pretty good at distinguishing between the sounds. Although I'm sure if someone tried to trick me into thinking one sound was something else I'd probably fall for it.
Were you able to detect subtleties in the everpresent drone?
It was harder to concentrate on certain sounds sometimes because there would always be tons of noises going on while I was trying to figure out what sound was coming from where and what it was.
Extremely close sounds? Sounds coming from very far away?
It was easier to hear closer sounds then further away for me.
What kinds of wind effects were you able to detect (for example, the leaves of trees don't make sounds until they are activated by the wind)?
I couldn't hear the wind till it hit my ears. Flags would blow and then I could hear the clanging of the ropes on the pole.
Were you able to intervene in the urban landscape and create your own sounds by knocking on a resonant piece of metal, activating wind chimes, etc.?
Yes. Our group was hitting a railing and listening to it so we could hear the banging of hands on the pole.
Do you feel you have a new understanding or appreciation of the sounds of our contemporary landscape/cityscape?
I would say I didn't learn anything new from this experience but it did remind me about how sounds plays an important role everyday.
How do you think your soundwalk experience will affect your practice as a media artist, if at all?
Hopefully teach me how to use sound well in film and that if I use it right it can be a powerful tool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)