Air (2004) was conceived for a motions graphics class as an assignment for a video that was supposed to be shorter than 30 seconds, and use an original soundtrack for any music or dialogue choices. Another parameter of the assignment was that the camera had to be completely locked down, with no camera motion for the entire video. Mine was one of only two videos that actually kept within the assignment parameters. We had a weekend to produce the short spots. Dealing with the restrictive nature of the assignment, and the short timeframe, I decided to create a video that focussed on non-linear content and areas of space. While walking to and from a friend's house at night, I had noticed the way the mist was framed in the lamplight, and the far off pulse from a nearby cliff face, as the lights lit up the smokestacks of a factory. The way the mist played over the moon, and the reflection of lamplight on the water. So for the weekend I checked out a video camera (the usual single chip Sony TRV-25) and shot what I found to be the most interesting elements. The clips turned out much darker than they had appeared on the camera's LCD screen, so I lightened them using Final Cut Pro filters. It was at this time that I started to keep the flip out screen closed and use the viewfinder, which proved to be more reliable. The "music" was probably the most fun part of the experience. While finishing the clip I had decided I wanted something like a Bhuddist chant. I went into one of the school's more cavernous bathrooms after hours and recorded myself chanting five times using the camera mic to pick up the audio, and then laid those tracks atop each other in Final Cut Pro. Click on one of the links below to view the video Click here to return to the documentary menu. |