Tom Gigliotti Senior Studio Blog

Final Post

2010-05-11T23:21:00.000-07:00

These above images are stills from my video installation. Below are the links to the video documentation of my final project.

part one of the video control click and save is best for these files, their each aprox 75 MB)

download part 1

download part 2

additional information:

Title:
whygod
The aesthetic interpretation of negative thought through moving image and space

Blurb:
In my piece, projected video, the utilization of the installation space, and the mixture of symbolic imagery converge to create a flowing visual interpretation of one individuals negative thought process and its all encompassing and detrimental effects upon that person.

Video Postings

2010-04-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

After a sleepless night, I now have an 11 minute video that I think is sizable and interesting enough to loop for my video installation. Of course I will keep tweaking the video up until showtime, since there's always room for improvement, but this video posted below is pretty much 95% what I envision for my installations final visual content. I started up with the audio, but for today I am running up on time, so as well as the full 11 minute video (with no sounds) I have also posted another link which is the first 1/3rd of the video, with sound. Both files are pretty big, so I would say command clicking and saving them instead of streaming off the web is suggested. The two links can be found right below, thanks 4 watching.

Video #1
resolution= 320 x 240 (15fps)
length= 11min 11sec
file size= 30MB
audio= no

Video #2
resolution= 720 x 480 (30fps)
length= 3min 45sec
file size= 70MB
audio= yes

checking in

2010-04-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

sorry for those of you who may actually check my senior studio blog, but Ive been working on the final video for the upcoming senior show on the 30th and haven't been posting much. If your interested (or katherine) by Tuesday morning I should have a pretty large (file size wise) but polished video posted to this blog, but in the meantime I've just been burning the midnight oil getting my video completed. I know posting progress its pretty crucial, but at this point in the game my main priority is finishing my project by the time the show comes around.

2010-04-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

STILL
SOURCE (big file best to right click and save as)
LIVE (offset alignment in projection because of limited testing space, also large video file and probably best to right click save as well)

2010-04-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Final instal setup up ruff with mock sound

2010-04-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

play

Bought Some materials today

2010-04-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Since Im doing a rear projection with a frame in front of it, I got the frame, black paint and hanging implements today to start setting up my final installation of the project but held off on the PVC and screen material because after talking Adam he told me about a good place to go by white spandex by the sheet for a good price (a material that will not wrinkle as much as shower curtains or white sheets and produces a very nice projection surface)

Rear Projection Setup

2010-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

*note* I made the colors so wonky so the different elements in this layout sketch would stand out. example; I not using an orange frame or blue wires.

A= The main Projector
B= The frame of my projection screen
C= A frame set up in front of the screen so the projector light does not bleed on top of it
D= The actual projection screen
E= The wires used to hang the frame in front of the screen

Rear Projection info.

2010-04-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

imma do this

Video mixer Test 2

2010-03-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I had my second test with the use of a video mixer, this time with the proper cables as well as a manual to assist my progress. out of all the things that I learned from using the manual was that this video mixer was not intended to do what I wanted it to do.... sadly. time for new ideas I guess. neways here is a vid of what I did get. oh and also, that last screen I focus in on is the control panel that shows the functions of the mixer.

vid mixer test 2 vid

yay blogger let me upload images today

2010-03-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

These are the screen shots of my first video mixer test attempt that I talked about in the previous blog post. From this first attempt, you can see that I was able to get multiple mirrors of the same video output onto both a television and projection. The problem is, this is kind of the opposite of what I am attempting to do. as you can see in slides 2 and 3, the two separate screens are actually a mix of two video feeds, instead of what I was going for which was getting one to two video inputs to be spaced out as I wanted between the two instead of identically mirrored. I could go into more detail of the varied results I got from this first attempt, but instead I think I will focus more on my progress with using the video mixer in my next post which will show the results of my second attempt.

Video Mixer Test uno

2010-03-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know whats blogger problem, but it is not letting me upload images. I guess I'll still explain briefly how my use of a video mixer for my project went this weekend. Because of one big hangup, I did not get to accomplish too much... the hangup was that the manual for the mixer did not come with it, so I was kinda testing stuff out blindly throughout the weekend. In addition, I was one cable short of being able to hookup to video output from a single source. But with some finessing, I was able to get some results. The pictures I was attempting to post were screens of two looping test videos fading between a television and a projector via the video mixer. check back soon for some image documentation.

Creative Progress

2010-03-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

So yesterday in my meeting with Katherine, I mentioned that I had some creative Ideas for effects to add to that flowing black stuff seen in some of my previous posts that involved adding in green screened hands reaching out and grasping among other things. Sooo, she said post it, and that what I'm doing =). Above is just screen shots of the original greenscreen footage and then some screen shots of me ploping into one of my project files in after effects and color keying it to fit. The export is taking longer then expected, so I decided to tenatively just post some still images while the computer exports the files. Also, when creating this effect, I found the hand to be slightly reminiscent of something Ive seen before. and when I thought about it, it turns out the look of this "hand effect" looks a lot like a movie poster for something I blogged about previously, the film antichrist. I guess maybe subconsciously thats where a bit of the inspiration came from. For you viewing pleasure I have posted an image of the poster below. Until tomm (when I post some installation testing footage) byes.

Tech Progress

2010-03-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I finally rented a video mixer and started hooking it up to the setup I posted about earlier to hopefully help split my video the way that I originally envisioned. One thing came up though... instead of being able to mix VGA signals (IE what input/ out put most computer monitors have) the mixer actually works with composite input out puts (IE what older televisions and standard def. DVD players and gaming systems use). Luckily though this doesn't create too much of a problem for me, since I originally wanted to use standard def televisions, and I just so happen to have a couple set up already in my living room (see above) and also my projector have both composite and VGA hookups, so that shouldn't be a problem. I have all the equipment up and running and by tomm. I will have a post showing the results along with some video of this latest instantiation. fingers crossed all goes well.

transistion test 1

2010-03-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

I hastily posted this video yesterday without any explanation about what it is so let me do that. This transition test is a ruff video of how I plan to transition the beginning and end of my video loops along with starting the loops possibly in different areas of my installation space without just cutting the feed abruptly. neways click the link below and enjoy.
link to vid

progress with installation testing. yay

2010-03-11T21:02:00.001-08:00

So recently I started testing out syncing up the content for my piece through its intended medium; monitors and projections workings in conjunction with each other. This first test that I will be discussing is at heart not truely how I would like my final piece to function, but none the less I wanted to implement some of my video to start off with. The reason why I say its not truely functioning as my final piece will, besides the video put in for now just acting as a ruff filler, is because the two video signals are coming from two seperate sources; a dvd player and a laptop computer instead of one source, as explained in the picture posted below:

That being said, I feel pretty good about how it turned out, as far as tests/ruff cuts go. I guess that technically this could also be called my first real real physical instantiation... which I think I'm spelling correctly. anyways, if your interested, the link below is a quick video of what this installation ruff cut thingy looked like.

Video Installation test clip #1

Reference Time!!!

2010-02-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

So the last time Katherine and I met up I mentioned a reference or two that are sources of inspiration for certain aspects of my senior project. In response Katherine said that would be something valuable to blog about. sooooo... here goes, a couple of links to different media that in some way shape or form has inspired my creative process for my senior thesis project. enjoy, and check back in the future for more links.

Shooting technique inspirations:

in addition to the previously referenced Jacob's Ladder, two other movies have helped me to come up with certain ways of shooting/ editing my video piece.
1st off is the recent Lars Van Trier Movie Antichrist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdDcQONmkM
The movie Antichrist is split into multiple chapters, including a prologue and an epilogue, book ending the whole movie. The super slow motion playback of the epilogue and prologue have been inspirational to me and a technique I am currently applying to my piece. I feel the slow motion playback helps to intensify the movie's very heavy and grim content through a beautiful flowing manner and is a techniques I also am utilizing for the same reasons.

The Next reference I am going to focus on is from particular scenes from the film A Haunting in Connecticut. The image at the beginning of this post is a still image from one particular scene that I drew inspiration from and I have also attached a link to the trailer for the Movie below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7xCOmIjFY
Starting at approximately 38 sec. into the clip, you will see a moving example of the "ectoplasm" special effect depicted in the still at the beginning of this post that has had direct inspiration on the way that I wish to convey an explosive stream of organic shapes escaping through my main characters head. This effect I wish to apply to my piece will be meant to symbolize the release of negative elements, originating from the protagonists mind.

Plot inspirations:

The story entitled "Passage for Trumpet" was a 1960 episode from the series, The Twilight Zone:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Passage_for_Trumpet
The inspiration that I drew from this episode in particular was how the main plot revolved around a jaded individual flung into an atmosphere where he was completely different and detached from any other individual residing in there (to be specific, he was walking around alive in a world populated completely by dead people ). This plot device of secluding the main character is similar to the feeling of seclusion, loneliness and despair that I want to be conveyed for the world in which my main character in the piece finds himself.

Animation and motion Technique Inspirations:

The first reference that I have drawn inspiration for the piece, and many of my past works, are illustrations by the artist Derek Hess:
Despite Hess' work being still images, I find that his treatment of line work creates a sense of fluid movement. For myself, I find that the style in which Hess creates his still works has very important elements that will add to the sense of fluid motion I wish to create with the motion graphic/ special effect elements contained in my piece.

And last but not least, the animated feature length master piece AKIRA directed by Katsuhiro Otomo has countless examples of amazing animated scenes emphasizing interesting visual depictions of movement ranging from smoke clouds to amorphous explosions of energy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abv95ko9ph4
The technique in which an explosion for example is meticulously recreated through animation is inspirational to me in trying to create a beautiful motion graphic/ special effects that depict mundane objects and explosions as beautiful aesthetic moving imagery, adding to the desired atmosphere and overall feel of the piece.

green green green!

2010-02-21T19:45:00.001-08:00

So just a day or two ago I finally started shooting green screen for my project. below I have attached a link to a test video I made that messes around with some of the cropped green screen footage I took along with generated lighting effects and foreground/background layering to name a few things. The goofy pic of me I took was suppose to be a stand alone post showing that I was working on the green screen work but I procrastinated long enough on posting that I just lumped them both together. As a closer note... within the next day or two I plan to post some links to clips I found inspirational in some way, shape or form to my process for this process, so check in sooooooon.

green screen test one!

Video Time Two!

2010-02-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

I feel super smart. After opening a vimeo account and stressing over my web host, I just noticed the little video upload button right in the window I'm typing in. Well whatever the case, I'm posting below a ruff sequence of shots I did with the main actor for the piece. After watching this footage and some other I shot, I have figured out multiple times that I need some extra b-roll footage and some other things to be shot in addition to what I have to make this footage a tad more cohesive. Also, even more importantly I'd like to note that this footage had not been effected or processed and is not the way the final piece will look, but I feel that first I need a clean canvas (the whole piece shot and edited in proper sequence) befor I lay down the heavy effecting. So without further adue.... (Is that how adue is spelled?)

Video time!

2010-02-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

I meant to post to this last night, but just my luck the internet at my apartment was down yet again. Then I meant to post it right when I got to school today, but then my web host was also I guess feeling a bit under the weather (aka not working). So now, I took Katherine's advice and started up a vimeo account.
Below are two test videos I did before actually shooting for my project that experimented with video treatment and speed.

The inspiration for this was primarily, but not exclusively since it has been done since then in different ways, from similar speed treatment found in the movie Jacob's Ladder. below is a link to the scene. The part with the speed treatment is at 1 minute and 16 sec. into the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttcof7TQ-Mw
UPDATE!
Since I did figure out how to upload videos onto blogger, and I'm using vimeo for something else, I have now attached the vids into this post:

Posting some progress

2010-02-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

I know that this post is pretty brief and not as formal as my past posts, but I just wanted to post a really quick snippet of my progress on my project. Tonight and yesterday I have been editing the footage that I have shot and as of now I have just about two minutes of cut up and put in place. Tonight I am also going to try to start dabbling in an idea for a video effect treatment that i had in mind. That all for now, check back soon for a more updates on my progress.

Shooting Session Number One

2010-02-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

So the other day I started shooting the video for the piece and got some pretty decent shots. I still have more scenes to shoot, but once I get the video shot the other edited into some semblance of understandable order, I'll be sure to post some footage. Until then hears a couple of screen shots to hold you over.

Plans and subtasks for Spring 2010 semester

2010-02-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

Below is my Spring 2010 plans and subtasks for my piece. Any and all feed back is of course always welcome, Thanks!

Jan 21st:
Turn in finalized plans and subtasks calendar for Senior Studio II

Jan 23rd through the 24th:
Meet up with the main actor for my filming portion of the project and discuss final shots to be taken, the following weeks shooting schedule, final wardrobe selection and possible times for reshoots if needed.
Subtasks:
Finish with specialized portions of the wardrobe such as the wardrobe for the alternate spooky characters and final planning, if not beginning shooting of B roll footage to be used in the piece.

Jan 25th through the 29th:
Shooting Set one of the main actor. There will be two separate, hopefully maybe even three, days of shooting.
Subtasks:
After each shoot I must review the footage that night to see if it works and also most importantly to dump all of the footage onto a computer as well as one other type of storage device meant as a backup.
Also I will have to rent a lighting kit from the equipment room for the shoot.

Jan 30th through the 2nd:
Shooting of the other main portion of the piece, the alternate dark character that is the negative presence in the piece.
Subtasks:
Similar to the previous shooting session, I will have to figure out the wardrobes for this shoot and also rent a light kit from the equipment room.

Feb 3rd through the 9th:
Compiling the footage that I had previously shot and place in it the proper sequence to be showed as my first Physical instantiation of the project.

Feb 12 through Feb 18th:
During this time If I am not happy with the way certain aspects of the previous shoots turned out or if there is any additional footage that I need to shoot I will take this time to shoot again.
Subtasks:
Again I will have to rent a light set from the equipment room and use any of the same wardrobes and locations that I did in previous shoots as to have the new video match the old video.

Feb 19th through March 1st:
Through this time I will do two main things. I will compile any new video that I may have shot and add it in with my previous video sessions. After that task is complete I will take these times to further edit the video ad even begin to add in effects and video treatments to the video itself.

March 2nd through the 4th:
This is when my Midterm presentation for this second semester will be due. By this point I should have nearly all or all of the video shot and edited into sequence for the video portion of the piece. I should also have added at least enough effects to the piece that the two separate plotlines are aesthetically different enough to be viewed as two separate alter universes.
Subtasks:
For the purpose of the presentation I will also have to create some complementary visuals to show and document the progress that I have made so far and how the piece has evolved, such as a brief slide presentation to go through before showing the video work I had completed up until then.

March 5th Through the 18th:
Throughout Spring break is when I will be putting together all the attributes for the Final Deliverable that will have to be handed in, along with also continually editing and refining the video I have captured even more.

March 18th Through March 29th:
Along with continuing to polish and refine my piece, the new task that I will be focusing on during this time is the installation of my video onto two separate screens that sync up in time with each other and also one main audio output.
Subtasks:
This is when I will have to gather all the materials I need to take this from just a singular video work to a dynamic multiple screen video installation. I have in my possession two equal sized televisions and as an audio system to output the sound. As far as the actually system that will output the video to the TV’s, at this time I do not know exactly what technology I will utilize to do that, As of know I think that a computer to output the video and probably the audio as well might actually work out best.

March 30th Through April 1st:
This is went the last Physical instantiation of the project before the absolute final installation. By this time I should have the whole video complete, or at least more then 90% complete, with the exception of maybe a few minor upgrades left to implement. The video should by this point also be playing back and forth between two screens in proper time.

April 2nd to April 29th:
This last month with is used for tying the nearly completed project all together and refining it to the point that I am completely happy with the final result. Also during this final month additional things besides just the core of the project (the video) will be created to complement the project as a whole. These things include, first and foremost the projection to be shown onto the installation space as well addition media such as the creation of promotional postcards and also the possibility of a complementary website. By the last week or so of the month of April the piece should be completed and I should just be focusing on minor aspects of the installation such as placing it in space just the right way or updating the possible promotional website with content.
Subtasks:
I will have to rent or borrow a projector from somewhere not just for the final piece but also well before the piece is shown as to test out my project ideas. Some extra things that I will have to purchase are things such as paying for the post cards to be printed. As for the website, I already own domain space, so that is a purchase that is already been made.

hola blogger roo's

2010-01-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

I know its been awhile since I have posted to my blog so I wanted to get you guys up to date with my most recent progress. Over the break I finalized where, when who and how the finally filming for the project. Tonight is the first day of Final filming and my friend Nate is going to play the role of the main protagonist. Hopefully I can get most of the indoor shots involving him finished up today and maybe even some of the outdoor shots too. By tomorrow or so I hope to have some ruff cuts of the footage uploaded for your viewing pleasure, so make sure to check it out.

whygod animatic (kinda)

2009-12-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hey there people of blog world, I know its been a little bit since I have posted but I come bearing cool goodies. Last week was our big presentation of our senior projects for the end of this semester, I got a lot of good feedback, making the sleepless nights of working on making sufficient progress to show for the presentation well worth it. Well, with all that good stuff being said, below I have posted a link to my animatic. since its a bit big to play by simply streaming it online, I'd suggest just right clicking and saving the video to your hard drive if you want to watch it.

whygod animatic ver.1

storyboardish type thingy

2009-11-21T12:19:00.000-08:00

above is just 6 of the 20 something slides I showed earlier this week in senior studio. With the help of these story board type semi style compish images, I think I clearly conveyed a solid summary for the plotline of my senior piece, and because of that, I got allot of helpful feedback from the class. My next step in the creative process is I am now taking these slides and turning them into an animatic, which I will definately post here upon its completion.

Also, if anyone would like to see all the slides again, I have zipped them together in the .rar file which I have a link to below. until later, bye.

whygod slideset #1 (38.8mb)

My project deadline calendar

2009-11-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

yesterday I finally created a deadline calendar for the remainder of the first semester for my senior project.

Nov 13th through the 15th:
Shoot still's for scene by scene story board

Nov 15th through the 20th:
Edit stills into one cohesive photo storyboard

Nov 20th through the 22nd:
Take Style Comp stills with the actual actor playing the main protagonist

Nov 22nd through the 27th:
Edit the images taken over previous weekend into style comps, exactly depicting the look and visual effects applied to various scenes in the piece.

Nov 27th Through the 29th:
Footage shooting for the piece; session one.

Nov.29th through Dec 4th:
Editing of the footage for shoot session one.

Dec 4th through the 6th:
Footage shooting for the piece; session two.

Dec 6th through the 11th:
Editing of the footage for shoot session two.

Dec 11th through the 15th (due date of prototype #1):
Days reserved for polishing and finishing touches of the first prototype.

Download this sweet sweet scrizipt

2009-11-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

Below I have a link to the edited version of my script for my senior thesis, whygod. Yesterday I didn't know how to upload files on blogger and today I found out that I'm pretty sure you cant, so I had to host it somewhere else. Anyways the doc version of the script is segmented much better since I cant format the font and all that good jazz. Ok hope you enjoy/ understand it. Byes.

whygod script

(The image above is a conceptual sketch of the "masked men" characters in my piece.)
Ps.
pretty soon, prolly tomm. or the day after that, I will collect up all the conceptual sketches I have drawn thus far and post them all together. These include the beginnings of story board sketches that I now have decided not to hand drawn but to create through photography and digital editing which Ill begin shooting this weekend. ok byes again.

2009-11-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hi again.
Yay hooray, I finished transcribing all my chicken scratch into one cohesive script/ meaning key behind the various weird visuals and metaphors I wish to present in this piece. Below is the first draft of the script for my senior thesis piece. I am far from finished proof reading and still have some extra clarifications to add but I hope that this first darft helps flesh out a approximate understanding of my pieces main storyline.
***Update***
The version below is no longer the version that was originally put with this update, but instead the newly edited and further proof read version in the newer post above. Even though I suggest downloading the .doc version, I guess if you feel like straining your eyes by reading the less formatted version below, go for it.

(the image above is one of my conceptual sketches for a scene of my piece where the main character traverses his daily walk to work. The illustration depicts the scene as it transitions from the mundane into a dark alter reality filled with mysterious masked individuals who represent elements of vivid fear and negativity that live within the far reaches of his mind and now are emerging into his everyday life.)

whygod
By Thomas Gigliotti

This is the script and basic shot technique outline for my video installation senior thesis project entitled whygod.

Script Structure and Terminology Guide:

In bold lettering consists the primary storyline of the piece, while in parenthesis is various notes further explaining the given scene in particular, whether it be the techniques utilized to shoot the scene or additional background information pertaining to the piece’s narrative.
The two Capital Letters at the beginning of a side note stand for what type of information it will contain. Below is an explanation of these abbreviation’s meanings:

SN= Shooting Notes. These are additional comments further explaining the shooting techniques to be utilized in a given scene.

AN=Action Notes. These notes explain possible options for the storyline’s narrative that as of yet have not been definitively decided.

BN=Background Notes. These notes further explain a plot element of the storyline and may explain themes that otherwise are not directly conveyed through the piece. At times these ideas expressed may be subject to the viewer’s personal interpretation.

Also in addition to the abbreviations put before side notes in the plot, there are some specific terms that will frequently appear in the script. Some of these terms are explained below:

The main protagonist or simply the protagonist= The unnamed main character of the piece.

Real World= When the script states that a particular scene is taking place in the “real world”, it is referring to a depiction of the main storyline and the world which it takes place through a mostly unaltered vision of reality. As explained in previous explanations of the piece, this portion of the plotline and the portion explained below will for the most part be displayed on two separate television screens up until the very end of the piece.

Alternative Reality= Juxtaposed to the real world portion of the piece explained above, the alternative reality is the depiction of the piece’s plotline through the skewed view of the main protagonist’s disturbed thought process. As with the real world sequences of the piece, the alternative reality portions of the piece will also be played on their own assigned television screen up until the end of the piece.

Below is the actual content of the script:

SN (The very beginning of the piece begins with serene shots of the setting. These shots consist of well thought out and visually interesting establishing shots. These shots consist of interesting lighting situations, possibly of static, found objects in the room. These shots are meant to help set the solemn mood of the beginning of the piece)

The opening scene begins with the piece’s main protagonist waking up in his bed, staring out of his bedroom window. The camera slowly circles around the individual. This is when “reality transition” one begins.

SN (Reality transitions would be when the visuals switch from one television screen to the other, depicting a different view of the plotline, specifically switching between the real world and the protagonist’s alternative reality)

From light shining on the protagonist’s face, to a dark shot evoking themes of negativity and desolation, the scene undergoes multiple aesthetic changes to illustrate the transition between realities.

SN (This scene goes from light to dark with red tints and a scratchy/ static heavy effects added on to the piece. This effect will reoccur with each following reality transition. Each time as the plot progresses, this effect will intensify)

After the shot becomes very dark/disrupted/contrasty to the point that the picture is practically visually unreadable, the plotline quickly cuts back to the real world.

SN (Thus quickly cutting back to the other television)

We find the individual standing in front of his mirror with a blank stare plastered on his face.

AN (Possible activities for the “in front of the mirror” scene=
Shaving: transitions between the real world and the alternative reality are gory and dark. Consisting of transitions between the protagonist just shaving and depictions of self-mutilation.
Blank Stare: The shot cuts in and out of the alternative reality while the group of “masked individuals” are lurking over the protagonist.)

BN (Explanation of the masked individuals:
This bathroom scene is the first time that the “masked individuals” appear.
The masked individuals are visual interpretations/ manifestations of the dark thoughts and emotions being experienced by the main protagonist. The masked individuals are mysterious looking figures, usually cloaked in darkness, who are adorned in evil looking masks.)

The focus of the plotline transitions back to the view based in the real world after the masked individuals make their first appearance. The piece then shows a quick montage of the main protagonist finishing up his morning routine of getting dressed, adjusting his tie etc. etc.
Then the piece switches to the main protagonist walking down the street, all dressed up for work toting his suitcase.

SN (A side note, this could be one of the first times that the distortion type of effects that are applied solely to the alternative reality video sequences up to this point start to slightly appear in the real world sequences too. Also this would essentially be the first time the real world plotline that is displayed only on one television set is slightly seen to have the same visual effect treatment from the alternative reality plotline applied to it also. This shows the main protagonist’s division between actually reality and his distorted view of his reality beginning to break down. This is only a subtle aesthetic foreshadowing tool at this point and will relatively fade away fairly fast in this scene, returning the viewer to the unaltered viewpoint of the real world.)

When walking down the street it seems like the protagonist is the only person in the world. The atmosphere is very bleak and barren, similar to the opening shot of the protagonist sitting on his bed. The video then switches to the alternate reality. Here is when there would be the return of the masked men, walking down the street along with the main protagonist, looking like evil businessmen rushing off to work. The scene progressively becomes more chaotic, with the masked men becoming more disruptive, jostling in and out of the protagonist’s way. Eventually the chaotic nature of this scene, both through the characters actions and video effects (aka scratchy distorted effects applied to the alternate reality video display) intensify more and more until the story just quickly transitions back to the real world, where we find the main protagonist has arrived at work and is sitting at his desk.
The protagonist yet again has a blank stare plastered on his face, as the camera shows a straightforward shot of him.

SN (There are then shots that are interspersed in between showing the protagonist sitting at his desk and other static objects around his workplace.
Examples include: still shots of office lights or shots of other coworkers around the workspace for means of setting the atmosphere of his workspace)

Yet again the “feel” of the workplace is similar to the previous street shots and the opening bedroom shot, bleak and barren. After the couple shots of the main protagonist at his desk and the workplace surroundings, the plotline then switches back to the alternative reality. The first shot of the altered reality office is the same front shot of the protagonist sitting at his desk, except now seen through the gritty dark aesthetic of the previous alternative realm shots. The main character, now instead of zoned out and distant looking, is seated at his desk, looking panicked and distraught.

SN (These shots are similar to the various static shots of found objects around the office implemented to set the atmosphere in the real world office scenes, but now are close up shots of different parts of the main protagonists body. By this I mean, extremely close ups of his brow with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead or of his hand clenching a pencil, further illustrating his angst and distress in this particular scene)

Around him is then the masked men appear again, looming over then main protagonist. As the masked men crowd in around the protagonist closer, as if to attack him, he becomes more and more distressed. Parallel to this, the video effects also continually darken and distort as the plot reaches a similar transition as before, quickly flashing the plot back into to unaffected and bleak real world. The main protagonist’s blank stare is finally washed away when the ringing phone on his desk catches his attention. He answers the phone and the camera then begins to switch back and forth between and extreme close shot of the main character and a new female character on the other end of the line as the have a conversation. As the focus continues to switch back and fourth between the two individuals two or three more times, the real world scene begins to slowly distort, and sure enough within a few moments, the viewer is returned to a skewed dark perspective of the same conversation conveyed now through the alternative reality.
Now instead of just a seemingly non-eventful conversation with the mystery woman, both of the individuals seem distressed and emotionally affected by the content of their conversation. The main protagonist seems to be panicking and hurt at first, while the mystery woman seems blatantly angry and vengeful. This conversation scene then consists of flipping back and fourth between the main protagonist’s distressed and now continually angered state and the mystery woman yelling through the receiver at him. When the camera shows the mystery woman it also occasionally will quickly cut back and fourth between her enraged state and a look of pure ecstasy plastered across her face. This is meant to make the audience presume two things; ONE- that the mystery woman is actually the significant other of the main protagonist and that the scene that we are witnessing is a vivid depiction of two quarreling lovers and that TWO- that either in real life or in the main protagonist’s mind, this mystery woman/ his significant other has been unfaithful. As the argument progresses, with both parties becoming more livid and again the distorted alternative reality video effects mirroring that progression of negativity, eventually the plot quickly returns to the real world again as the tension in the scene reaches its climax. The conclusion of the conversation between the main protagonist and the mystery woman shows that the conversation ends seemingly not on a negative note, but in actuality with the previous intense argument solely taking place in the main characters mind.
The plot then follows the main protagonist on his journey home through a montage of him walking down city streets as before and also and maybe boarding a train or catching a cab.

SN (Possible ways to shoot this would be different filming techniques such as varying playback speeds and more random static shots of the protagonist’s surroundings on his walk home interspersed into the scene. Also the effects seen in the alternative reality begin to creep their way in again even more into the real world shots of the protagonist's journey home, yet again foreshadowing the breakdown between the two views on reality in his mind.)

Before the protagonist arrives home there is a short scene where he stops in at a bar to grab a drink. Sitting alone at the bar with his drink, the plot quickly switches two or three times between the real world and alternative world. Besides just the visual treatment of the shot, it is also shown that in the negative world the protagonist is joined at the bar with the masked men, in a way displaying them as now becoming companions on his downward spiral. After the bar scene, the plot shortly returns to the “journey home” montage of the protagonist, concluding with him returning home.
Now back at home, the real world viewpoint has reached the epitome of bleak. The house seems very empty and is shot through low to the ground, wide-angle shots, conveying a strong feeling of emptiness and loneliness.

AN (Shot ideas list for the protagonist’s arrival home scene;
1st shot- interesting angle, presumably low and wide, as stated above, of the protagonist entering his home.
2nd shot- another montage type of shot sequence showing the main protagonist getting undressed out of his work cloths.
3rd shot- back and forth shots of the protagonist drinking heavily, and zoning out in front of his television. )

At this point in the piece the “creeping” in of aesthetic elements from the alternative reality is occurring a sizable amount of times, even as much as to quick 1 or 2 second flashes depicting the alternative reality disrupting the scenes being displayed in the real world and its respective television screen.
While sitting on his couch, still zoning out and drinking, the protagonist’s phone starts to ring, and similar to the office scene when his phone rings, his point of view and the camera’s both focus on the phone. The protagonist picks up the phone and begins speaking through the receiver. On the other line again is the mystery woman. Unlike their previous conversation, where in the real world view of the conversation both parties seemed relatively calm, now the mystery woman has a look of concern of her face, while the main character has a despondent and sad look (presumably exacerbated by his drinking.)
Eventually the plot transitions again to the alternative reality display of their phone conversation. In a way picking up where the last conversation left off, both parties are already in the midst of the previous argument. This time though after showcasing the argument for a little bit of time, the piece focuses on the protagonist as he now falls into an intensifying rage. The shot then switches from an extreme close-up of the protagonist to a wider shot of him slashing and beating something or someone (this sequence is presumed to be the depiction of the protagonist’s enveloping rage finally exploding as he murders the mystery woman). With the gritty distorted film treatment increasing more and more as this scene progresses, the camera then focuses back and forth between the now lifeless face of the mystery woman and the practically possessed looking evil smile of the protagonist. When the scene ceases to focus back and forth between the two, and focuses solely on the protagonist, the camera backs out revealing the masked men, now definitely representing a direct manifestation of the main protagonist’s dark side, standing around him.
Returning to the real world once again we find that in actuality the main protagonist and the mystery woman are still speaking on the phone, with no murderous actions carried out. But, the mystery woman’s concern has progressed into visually apparent sorrow. As a tear runs down her cheek the phone conversation concludes.
With the end of the phone conversation begins the final portion of the piece. Grounded in the real world, but showing multiple elements of the alternate reality, the piece shows one last montage type sequence, this time even more sporadic then before.

AN (These shots may include; The protagonist continually drinking hard, staring at the television, praying intensely, writing furiously, laying sprawled out across the floor, holding his head in desperation and screaming out in emotional agony with his arms outstretched to the sky.

SN (These shots are displayed continuously back and forth between the two televisions, for the first time displaying at times the real world on the alternate reality’s respective television screen and vice versa, breaking down the confine of the real world to one set and the alternative reality to another.)

BN (This also signifies the breaking down of these worlds for the protagonist in the plotline, showing that the negativity and pain of this alternative reality is now overtaking any vague semblance he had left of an unaltered reality.)

This is when we reach the climax of the piece, with all the confines and unaltered portions of the piece now slowly disappeared and being replaced with increasingly distorted depictions of the protagonist frantically praying harder, drinking harder and falling deeper into despair and now even insanity.
With all of these events practically flashing on the screen like an intense action movie sequence, interspersed very quickly is two shots, now simultaneously broadcast on both televisions, amongst the storm of other franticly displayed imagery. The one shot is of the main character slowly lifting his hand up to his head in the shape of a gun, while the other is almost the exact same shot, but with the protagonist holding an actual gun in his hand. The two shots consistently flash back and forth until there are almost the same shot over laid atop one another.

BN (This sequence shows the complete break down of the two realities for the protagonist, even so much that the viewer is unaware of if he actually has a gun up to his head, or if he is symbolically killing himself by giving up on all hope completely)

Right before the protagonist pulls the trigger, there is one last shot overlaid with the other final two alternating shots. This shot shows one of the masked men in the same pose holding a gun up to his head overlaid on the visuals of the protagonist doing the same. This visual shows that now the main character has either forfeited or even become the dark entity which the masked men embody.
When the main protagonist pulls the trigger, instantly both screens go white as the soundtrack is silenced and replaced with just a singular high pitched ringing. As the white and the ringing both fade, the final shot of the piece is revealed, unaltered or affected with all the filters added to the previous shot, displaying the very last scene on just on one of the television screens.

SN (The screen that this final sequence, unaltered by effects, takes place on is the screen that up until the end, was the display for only the real world portion of the piece.)

The shot consists of an angelic like figure (presumed to be God) standing over the protagonist lying lifeless on the floor. Even though the Godlike figure’s face isn’t directly shown on screen, it is assumed that he is staring down at the protagonist. This shot is held for and elongated period time in silence until the Godlike figure walks away, leaving just the lifeless body of the protagonist lying on the floor. This shot is held until the screen fades to black, concluding the piece.

2009-11-04T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hello!

In combination with the notes I wrote yesterday and this afternoon, tonight I finished up writing out approximately 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the main plotline that I am going to use for the narrative of my senior project. Since I write very quickly, sloppily and sometimes nonsensically when writing by hand, I also began transcribing/ translating these hand written notes out on the computer (part of the reason I included a "tom g notebook scan collage" image at the header of this post is as a visual aid in displaying how extremely sloppy my hand written notes are... that and I just find blog posts so much more interesting and eye-catching when they have an image at their header). By tomm. Or the day after that I should have a majority of my senior projects plotline transcribed and posted here along with multiple production notes I inserted in while writing it (aka, specific details on the aesthetic/ camera angle/ effect treatment for any given portion of the narrative). For now since I know this post in combination with my presentation so far have exposed very little of the narrative in terms of specifics, I'll give a very quick synopsis of the story line I plan to portray in the piece:

Through the scope of two parallel and simultaneous story lines I plan to follow a one main protagonist and show the course of one day in his life through both the viewpoint of a 3rd person or "real world" perspective and also through his own personal perspective which has been distorted with anguish, negativity, pessimism, despair and mental instability. The scenes of this main protagonists day that I have planned to be displayed in particular so far are the main character waking up, preparing for his day in front of the mirror, traveling to and from work and his experience while there, speaking with his significant other via telephone, sitting alone back home following these evens, drinking heavily as if in a self medicating reaction to his progressive delirium, praying desperately to God to be alleviated of this immense negativity he invasions his life through and finally the individual taking his own life. Each one of these events will switch back and forth between a very bleak but still grounded depiction of what is actually occurring and a dark and horrible perspective of these events seen by the main character. The piece concludes with God actually appearing in both the "real" and "dark unreal" portions of the piece in response to the main characters cries for help after the main character has already taken his own life, depicting that this surreal miraculous intervention of God himself has arrived “a day late and a dime short”.

presentation 1 slides

2009-10-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yay, I finally started a blog. ok, I guess for this first entry I'll just post the slides that I presented in class yesterday. I know the presentation overall had its fair share of hiccups, but I guess I'll post the slides anyways. Just incase anyone forgot, slide one is the title slide, slides two and three show the layout of the installation itself and slides four, five and six show how the video with be displayed between the two televisions. Sorry, but i didnt feel the need to post the thankyou slide. That aside, I'll post some updated material or maybe scans of brainstorming scetches soon.