Video Blog

The video assignment was to define the term abstract with only movements and visuals, no speaking. The definition of abstract is existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. So to convey individual terms of abstract thought each person must identify what their version of it is. This step is important because it help the group understand the grasp of what is going on in the project and if someone needs help. Also the combination of the group’s ideas is good acknowledge what a members’ strengths and weaknesses are. If someone is generating ideas for camera angles it is possible that a person in the group is familiar with a camera. Shooting the video is tricky. Bringing the ideas of abstraction to a video takes a lot of thought. Albright-Knox provided many of the shots in the video. One art piece in the center of this large room was a heep of silver pots, pans, dinner trays, tea pots and other miscellaneous silver items. About 16 different pipes were producing water into the pots like a fountain. Some of the tin cans had the old labels still on them. Another piece was a cluster of soda cans that were pressed flat and made into a configuration that resembled a man wearing a hat. These are a visual definition of abstract because the pots and pans or the soda cans by themselves are just old pots and soda cans but made an artist made the idea something tangible and we can see but the man made out of soda cans is just the outline. It’s really not a portrait of a person, it’s just the clusters of these cans together and how human eyes seek out shapes such as the silhouette of a person. Therefore making it an idea and not a real thing. Struggles that were encountered during this video project were the fact that not all members participated or contacted the rest of the group. Other group members had trouble grasping the concept of the assignment. Inspiration was a struggle within the group. The definition was understood but putting it on camera was a challenge. Going to the art gallery helped. Albright-Knox had a traveling exhibit that was 1960s inspired abstract art. Many breathtaking pieces were on display that were a great source of motivation and inspiration that the group members needed. While editing, members struggled with understanding but other members were able to explain how the process of editing works and the different edits you can assemble for a video. The video was a good tool to use to communicate to an audience because around 85% of all communication is done non verbally. Meaning, most communication between humans is through facial expressions and body language. For this video that is what each group had to do. Each group had to nonverbally communicate the topic assigned. The abstract group did not have to go outside or in public for much of the project. Members filmed their clips in their homes, cars, backyards, and places that were not being occupied by many people if any. The public has no influence on the abstraction project and the abstraction group had no effect on bystanders.  During the self portrait experience, Leah chose to put the things in her life she likes the most. She took a video of the backyard of the house she grew up in, a video of her cat Vivien, and a video of her nephew Joe. She woke up the day after Thanksgiving at her parents’ house and Vivien was on her chest. She thought this would be perfect for the self portrait video. Another is when she was babysitting her nephew and they both get a good giggle out of the filters. “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire was the song picked because it’s a great song and that’s a fact not an opinion. Everyone likes this song. She chose to put these in her self portrait video because these are some of the things that bring her the most joy in life. The group didn’t encounter many mistakes or errors. Each individual group member encountered their own struggles during filming their part. Adam focused his attention to camera angles and learning more about how a simple tangible item can be transparent and been seen as something else than what it really is using angles. At first his concept of abstract differed from the group’s but after explaining his imagery the group was on board with his ideas. Eudy took to a more artistic approach with his and used the neighborhood around Campus Walk to add to the video. He too used various camera angles and focused his time more in different colors and graphics. Eudy does a great job with the computer graphics and helps the group with the group members own visions for the project. Everyone was skilled with communication what they wanted the final touches to be towards the end of the project journey. No one got into fights and everyone’s experiences were positive.