Friday, December 5, 2008
Coming Home – Project 3
Coming Home from Calvin Yeung on Vimeo.
Design Statement
This video was created using simple sketches done on thin strips of tissue paper, then filmed and synced to the narrative. This method allows the viewer to experience a sense of warmth and intimacy, much like someone telling a childhood story. The lack of specific detail in some parts is intentional, as it allows for a stronger sense of relation and understanding from the viewer, much like a blank slate (No names, dates). The key message suggested by the video is to appreciate and cherish the value of determination and family unity, which I gained a better understanding of through this event.
Special Thanks to my Mom, who flipped the pages in the video, and my Dad, who did the filming after I couldn't get it right.
Creative Brief – Coming Home
Title - Home Sweet Home, Coming Home
Overview - A story of a toy beaver which got lost and due to the care and determination of my family, is found again.
Audience - People who had childhood toys that they cherish; people who can relate to the strength of family unity and how they will go out of their way to help you, even if the situation seems bleak.
Key Message - I want the audience to understand the value of family and not giving up, even when things seem out of your control. My mom could've easily went and told me that it was just a toy, but they stayed with it and kept on looking for the lost beaver. Determination and family unity can go a long way.
Content Planning - The images will be small, simple sketches that will be done on tissue paper, giving a childlike, instantaneous feel to the video. It will be filmed with someone flipping the pages, matching the narrative with the images.
Resources
Background music is John Mayor – New Deep.
Overview - A story of a toy beaver which got lost and due to the care and determination of my family, is found again.
Audience - People who had childhood toys that they cherish; people who can relate to the strength of family unity and how they will go out of their way to help you, even if the situation seems bleak.
Key Message - I want the audience to understand the value of family and not giving up, even when things seem out of your control. My mom could've easily went and told me that it was just a toy, but they stayed with it and kept on looking for the lost beaver. Determination and family unity can go a long way.
Content Planning - The images will be small, simple sketches that will be done on tissue paper, giving a childlike, instantaneous feel to the video. It will be filmed with someone flipping the pages, matching the narrative with the images.
Resources
Background music is John Mayor – New Deep.
10 Objects
Headphones
These are professional headphones that I had lying around my house from a while back. I use them because my ears are weird and the tiny ones tend to fall out more often than not.
Cellphone
Used for communication, spontaneous black and white pictures (the only way the photos don't turn out like crap is if you switch it to black and white, so it hides the poor colour detection), and alarm clock. Don't really care how it looks or anything, as long as it works.
Wallet
My wallet carries everything I need when I'm out – keys, money, driver's license, GO bus tickets, etc. It's a pretty big, dark green Lacoste wallet that I got from Japan. Sometimes the keys hang out from the back of my pants, and it looks like you can just snatch the wallet, but the thing is big enough that it's hard to dislodge without considerable tugging.
Little Mac(book)
My MacBook that I've had since the start of this program. The hinges on the screen are kinda loose, and it has no more battery life of its own so it has to be constantly plugged in, but it still works and I don't know what I'd do without it. It's named Little Mac because I recently got an iMac (Big Mac) but I rarely use it since it's upstairs in my room, and I prefer to work downstairs.
Lists
I make lists of anything and everything, but mostly on my computer. I did make one on a napkin yesterday though. It helps me keep organized. I've got lists of movies I need to watch, music I need to acquire, things I intend to do but never get to, and so forth. The more temporal lists are usually of the next few days and what I need to get done and in what order and priority.
Spalding "Infusion" Basketball
Basketball's my favourite sport to participate in. A weird love-hate relationship, as I can probably go the rest of my life without watching it, but playing is an entirely different matter. It keeps me close with friends, since we get together every week to play at a community centre. It has helped me keep fit, make new friends as well as stay in touch with old ones. I have this indoor basketball that looks like it has never been touched, although we've been using it as the game ball for the better part of 3 years every time we play indoors. It's soft enough for indoor play, but it gets a tad slippery after a while so it provides some challenge to handle smoothly.
Bapesta Skate
My mom and I used to run a shoe store selling mostly rare and hard-to-find sneakers in Hong Kong, which has a huge market for that. We were doing great until we had to sell everything to bail out my uncle, who was in major debt. It was a huge part of my life for those 2 years. I still have a personal collection of shoes amounting to approximately 60 pairs, although I usually wear the same few pairs. My favourite pairs of shoes are a pair of snakeskin patterned Bape skate shoes, which is the only colourway released of this style to my knowledge. The style got discontinued shortly after it was released, and virtually no one remembers it. I've wore my pair to death, but they're still my favourite and I'll probably go looking for a replacement pair when this one calls it quits.
Couch
My workplace and bed. I usually sleep on the couch more than in my bed, especially during the school year when I'm working through the night. The whole area (with a TV and coffee table) is basically my home inside the house; It's where I'm most comfortable and relaxed.
Tile & Leaf
I've recently moved from my old home, which I've lived in for 8 years, to a rental house, before moving again in April to a new house in Aurora. I had many great memories in that house, and before I left, I took a piece of it to keep with me. I took an unused tile, along with a leaf from a strange plant that was in my front yard. The plant has a funny story behind it, as it used to be in a pot, but it was very small and on the verge of dying. Instead of just deposing of it, my parents planted it in the front yard to see if it would do better there. Strangely enough, within a year it had grown to massive proportions and more or less dominated the whole front yard, so much so that it had to be trimmed regularly in order to
Big Cup
I have this big mug that my girlfriend bought me. The lip of it is uneven, like a pottery project; she says that it's just me. I go through a rotation of 3 cups because I'm always drinking something, but this one is my favourite. It's the cup that is featured in my previous video.
Tea
As noted in my previous video, I drink tea almost constantly at home. I notice that other people have tea as one of their objects as well, so I guess I'm not alone. It helps me both relax and focus, and keeps me awake during late nights/early mornings. I drink either Chinese tea, milk tea or lemon tea, depending on my mood/availability.
Beavers
I have two toy beavers from when I just moved from Hong Kong to Canada, and they're very valuable to me. There's a whole story behind why, but they represent the strength of perseverance and family to me.
These are professional headphones that I had lying around my house from a while back. I use them because my ears are weird and the tiny ones tend to fall out more often than not.
Cellphone
Used for communication, spontaneous black and white pictures (the only way the photos don't turn out like crap is if you switch it to black and white, so it hides the poor colour detection), and alarm clock. Don't really care how it looks or anything, as long as it works.
Wallet
My wallet carries everything I need when I'm out – keys, money, driver's license, GO bus tickets, etc. It's a pretty big, dark green Lacoste wallet that I got from Japan. Sometimes the keys hang out from the back of my pants, and it looks like you can just snatch the wallet, but the thing is big enough that it's hard to dislodge without considerable tugging.
Little Mac(book)
My MacBook that I've had since the start of this program. The hinges on the screen are kinda loose, and it has no more battery life of its own so it has to be constantly plugged in, but it still works and I don't know what I'd do without it. It's named Little Mac because I recently got an iMac (Big Mac) but I rarely use it since it's upstairs in my room, and I prefer to work downstairs.
Lists
I make lists of anything and everything, but mostly on my computer. I did make one on a napkin yesterday though. It helps me keep organized. I've got lists of movies I need to watch, music I need to acquire, things I intend to do but never get to, and so forth. The more temporal lists are usually of the next few days and what I need to get done and in what order and priority.
Spalding "Infusion" Basketball
Basketball's my favourite sport to participate in. A weird love-hate relationship, as I can probably go the rest of my life without watching it, but playing is an entirely different matter. It keeps me close with friends, since we get together every week to play at a community centre. It has helped me keep fit, make new friends as well as stay in touch with old ones. I have this indoor basketball that looks like it has never been touched, although we've been using it as the game ball for the better part of 3 years every time we play indoors. It's soft enough for indoor play, but it gets a tad slippery after a while so it provides some challenge to handle smoothly.
Bapesta Skate
My mom and I used to run a shoe store selling mostly rare and hard-to-find sneakers in Hong Kong, which has a huge market for that. We were doing great until we had to sell everything to bail out my uncle, who was in major debt. It was a huge part of my life for those 2 years. I still have a personal collection of shoes amounting to approximately 60 pairs, although I usually wear the same few pairs. My favourite pairs of shoes are a pair of snakeskin patterned Bape skate shoes, which is the only colourway released of this style to my knowledge. The style got discontinued shortly after it was released, and virtually no one remembers it. I've wore my pair to death, but they're still my favourite and I'll probably go looking for a replacement pair when this one calls it quits.
Couch
My workplace and bed. I usually sleep on the couch more than in my bed, especially during the school year when I'm working through the night. The whole area (with a TV and coffee table) is basically my home inside the house; It's where I'm most comfortable and relaxed.
Tile & Leaf
I've recently moved from my old home, which I've lived in for 8 years, to a rental house, before moving again in April to a new house in Aurora. I had many great memories in that house, and before I left, I took a piece of it to keep with me. I took an unused tile, along with a leaf from a strange plant that was in my front yard. The plant has a funny story behind it, as it used to be in a pot, but it was very small and on the verge of dying. Instead of just deposing of it, my parents planted it in the front yard to see if it would do better there. Strangely enough, within a year it had grown to massive proportions and more or less dominated the whole front yard, so much so that it had to be trimmed regularly in order to
Big Cup
I have this big mug that my girlfriend bought me. The lip of it is uneven, like a pottery project; she says that it's just me. I go through a rotation of 3 cups because I'm always drinking something, but this one is my favourite. It's the cup that is featured in my previous video.
Tea
As noted in my previous video, I drink tea almost constantly at home. I notice that other people have tea as one of their objects as well, so I guess I'm not alone. It helps me both relax and focus, and keeps me awake during late nights/early mornings. I drink either Chinese tea, milk tea or lemon tea, depending on my mood/availability.
Beavers
I have two toy beavers from when I just moved from Hong Kong to Canada, and they're very valuable to me. There's a whole story behind why, but they represent the strength of perseverance and family to me.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Every Few Hours or So (Final)
Every Few Hours or So from Calvin Yeung on Vimeo.
This short film explores the details and complexities in which we go about our everyday routines, and the speed and efficiency that repetition has developed. The film was created using a series of photographs, blended together to feign motion. Keeping with a black & white format, the film focuses on the textures, movements, shapes and rhythm of the tea making process while keeping a consistent aesthetic appeal through the countdown. The use of still images instead of conventional video adds a filter of sorts between the initial reality and final output, giving a viewer an unique and fresh perspective on the otherwise unnoteworthy activity. When the process is matched with the descending numbers in the countdown, the activity is infused with a sense of rhythm, speed and urgency, again referring back to the swiftness and impulsive movement that familiar, routine processes are subject to. The numbers themselves are physically included in the process and not digitally injected, showing themselves to the viewer at the appropriate moment. This helps connect the anticipation built by the numbers with the tea making process itself, which is usually thought of as a slow and relaxed activity. The end of the countdown includes a sound byte of a spoon being stirred in a cup, indicating the completion and end of the process.
Special Thanks to Arthur Wong and Echo Loo for filming assistance.
Project 2 Brief – Every Few Hours or So
The final title of the film is "Every Few Hours or So", a reference to the frequency of making tea. Previous working titles include Tetley and Caffeine.
Audience
The intended audience of this film are people who are interested in the often forgotten details of everyday routines, displayed in an interesting and visually appealing manner.
Message
The message or purpose of this film is to bring attention to the activities that we take for granted, or do not put much thought into; things that we do out of habit, routine, or without thinking about. The concept of speed is also implemented, referring to the speed and efficiency in which we do things that are routine.
Content Planning
The purpose of this short film is to explore the details and complexities in which we go about our everyday routines and habits. The subject of making tea was chosen because it is a personal habit of mine when I am at home. The process of making tea will be broken down into steps that will be matched with the numbers in the countdown, which will convey a sense of order, rhythm and even urgency to the usually uneventful process. Instead of video, the film will be created using still images, blended together to create the illusion of movement. This gives the film more interest visually and adds another layer in between the reality and the final product, which allows the viewer to see the process from a fresh perspective. The lack of colour is also used as another layer, to draw more emphasis to the textures, shapes and details, while also creating a consistency in the images.
Bibliography
Cup stirring
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=26478
Countdown sound
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=42812
Visual/Conceptual References
This concept was influenced by my family, and the almost identical things regarding food that we go through everyday. Also, the large collection of empty cups I have amassed beside me.
Audience
The intended audience of this film are people who are interested in the often forgotten details of everyday routines, displayed in an interesting and visually appealing manner.
Message
The message or purpose of this film is to bring attention to the activities that we take for granted, or do not put much thought into; things that we do out of habit, routine, or without thinking about. The concept of speed is also implemented, referring to the speed and efficiency in which we do things that are routine.
Content Planning
The purpose of this short film is to explore the details and complexities in which we go about our everyday routines and habits. The subject of making tea was chosen because it is a personal habit of mine when I am at home. The process of making tea will be broken down into steps that will be matched with the numbers in the countdown, which will convey a sense of order, rhythm and even urgency to the usually uneventful process. Instead of video, the film will be created using still images, blended together to create the illusion of movement. This gives the film more interest visually and adds another layer in between the reality and the final product, which allows the viewer to see the process from a fresh perspective. The lack of colour is also used as another layer, to draw more emphasis to the textures, shapes and details, while also creating a consistency in the images.
Bibliography
Cup stirring
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=26478
Countdown sound
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=42812
Visual/Conceptual References
This concept was influenced by my family, and the almost identical things regarding food that we go through everyday. Also, the large collection of empty cups I have amassed beside me.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Project 2 Brief – Impact
Impact
The current working title of the film is "Impact", which is the main subject and appeal of the film.
Audience
The intended audience for this film can be virtually anybody that has the natural human instinct and desire to see things to their completion; to witness the end result, or as some may call it, the reward. Also, since the final output of the film will be in slow motion, this will draw the viewer in not with speed and action, but with clarity and anticipation.
Message
To address the human desire to witness the moment of impact and the intrigue in the motions leading up to it.
Content Planning
Since the purpose of this film is a leader and thus counting down towards the start of the main subject, a sense of anticipation should be achieved, regardless of its actual relation to the main film content wise. This will be achieved by playing off the natural human desire to witness the dramatic structure applied to the subject of impact – that is, the rising action, the climax, and the falling action. The theme of impact was chosen because it is universally understandable, bypassing a need for the viewer to try to make sense of what is going on, which can be costly as there isa restriction of the duration of the leader, and the message needs to be immediately clear and concise on the first viewing. This film will focus on the part of the rising action, or the moments leading towards the point of impact, but never fully reaching that point within the duration. This will build anticipation towards the following main feature, without actually relating to it whatsoever. Rather than containing itself as a separate feature to the main film, the leader will be open-ended, and thus interacts with what follows. The use of slow motion will put more emphasis on clarity and suspense rather than generating 'excitement' with speed and action.
Visual/Conceptual References
HBO Boxing Super Slow Motion Camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt0-6lN8PNo (Similar)
For every 'big' fight (fights that are of importance either due to the titles on the line, situation/relationship between the boxers, or the popularity of the fighters involved) that HBO covers, they use a special camera that is able to capture the action inside the ring in extreme detail, much like the video shown above, but clearer. Slow motion clips of crucial moments within the fight, such as a hard punch or one leading to a knockdown are shown between the rounds or after the fight. The viewer is shown the punch being thrown, the moment of impact, and the reverberations within the recipient of the blow. This camera has been used regularly for big fights since Jermaine Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik I, on Sept 29, 2007.
Crash Test Dummies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3oQXXEEJtc
Much like the HBO Camera, the appeal of crash test dummies can be divided into 3 parts – the anticipation, or build up to impact, the moment of impact, and the aftermath. While the crash test dummy videos show the entire process, it lacks in the build up to the point of impact, as that is not the main purpose of the video – the main focus lies in the aftermath, where the viewer can see the effect the crash has on the simulated human body.
Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ2-xR54UDU (Sunshine)
Movie trailers for the most part, like the one for Danny Boyle's Sunshine (above), do a good job of building a sense of anticipation for the movie. The premise of the movie is introduced, and some tidbits of the drama and action are shown, but nothing is fully revealed or resolved, and thus the viewer is left wanting to see more. This is, of course, the main purpose of a movie trailer, and it is the same direction that will be taken with the leader – to build anticipation, or establish rising action, without giving away the climax.
Dramatic Structure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structure
The dramatic structure is effective in representing the beginning, middle and end that comes with almost anything in life, and puts it into an understandable and applicable context for the medium of film.
The current working title of the film is "Impact", which is the main subject and appeal of the film.
Audience
The intended audience for this film can be virtually anybody that has the natural human instinct and desire to see things to their completion; to witness the end result, or as some may call it, the reward. Also, since the final output of the film will be in slow motion, this will draw the viewer in not with speed and action, but with clarity and anticipation.
Message
To address the human desire to witness the moment of impact and the intrigue in the motions leading up to it.
Content Planning
Since the purpose of this film is a leader and thus counting down towards the start of the main subject, a sense of anticipation should be achieved, regardless of its actual relation to the main film content wise. This will be achieved by playing off the natural human desire to witness the dramatic structure applied to the subject of impact – that is, the rising action, the climax, and the falling action. The theme of impact was chosen because it is universally understandable, bypassing a need for the viewer to try to make sense of what is going on, which can be costly as there isa restriction of the duration of the leader, and the message needs to be immediately clear and concise on the first viewing. This film will focus on the part of the rising action, or the moments leading towards the point of impact, but never fully reaching that point within the duration. This will build anticipation towards the following main feature, without actually relating to it whatsoever. Rather than containing itself as a separate feature to the main film, the leader will be open-ended, and thus interacts with what follows. The use of slow motion will put more emphasis on clarity and suspense rather than generating 'excitement' with speed and action.
Visual/Conceptual References
HBO Boxing Super Slow Motion Camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt0-6lN8PNo (Similar)
For every 'big' fight (fights that are of importance either due to the titles on the line, situation/relationship between the boxers, or the popularity of the fighters involved) that HBO covers, they use a special camera that is able to capture the action inside the ring in extreme detail, much like the video shown above, but clearer. Slow motion clips of crucial moments within the fight, such as a hard punch or one leading to a knockdown are shown between the rounds or after the fight. The viewer is shown the punch being thrown, the moment of impact, and the reverberations within the recipient of the blow. This camera has been used regularly for big fights since Jermaine Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik I, on Sept 29, 2007.
Crash Test Dummies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3oQXXEEJtc
Much like the HBO Camera, the appeal of crash test dummies can be divided into 3 parts – the anticipation, or build up to impact, the moment of impact, and the aftermath. While the crash test dummy videos show the entire process, it lacks in the build up to the point of impact, as that is not the main purpose of the video – the main focus lies in the aftermath, where the viewer can see the effect the crash has on the simulated human body.
Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ2-xR54UDU (Sunshine)
Movie trailers for the most part, like the one for Danny Boyle's Sunshine (above), do a good job of building a sense of anticipation for the movie. The premise of the movie is introduced, and some tidbits of the drama and action are shown, but nothing is fully revealed or resolved, and thus the viewer is left wanting to see more. This is, of course, the main purpose of a movie trailer, and it is the same direction that will be taken with the leader – to build anticipation, or establish rising action, without giving away the climax.
Dramatic Structure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structure
The dramatic structure is effective in representing the beginning, middle and end that comes with almost anything in life, and puts it into an understandable and applicable context for the medium of film.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Exercise 3 – Everyday Sounds
Indoors – Bedroom
September 18th
09:12
I did this exercise shortly after waking up, so it was kind of hazy and dreamy to be honest. It did add to the surrealism aspect in that regard, trying to recognize sounds while simultaneously trying to stay awake. I chose my room because with 5 people (including me) living in my house, there's usually a great chance that a television is on, or someone is cooking in the kitchen, or making noise that would reduce the effectiveness of this experiment. My room is probably the quietest section of the house save for the basement.
The initial sounds I heard were the more obvious ones – my grandmas talking in the hallway, various house creaking sounds generated by their walking, the muffled television coming from one of the other rooms. As I listened closer, and started to filter out the obvious noises, I could begin to hear some of the more distant noises coming from within my house. The ventilation system started to make an humming noise as it turned on, someone downstairs flushed the toilet, and the sounds of the tap turning on and off along with a door opening and shutting followed. In the next few minutes, I focused on the room itself, which didn't make much of a noise since no electronics were turned on. However, there was a fly in my room that was banging against the window over and over again for whatever reason. It would do so in approximately 5 second intervals until after a few minutes it gave up. I was glad that it didn't come towards me as that would've been quite irritating.
For the last few minutes of this experiment, I focused on sounds from outside. The neighbourhood that I live in is quite quiet, and all I could hear was the usual – birds, cars, garages opening, airplanes overhead, alarm chimes, and one instance of the Go Train horn sounding from afar. What I found most interesting is that at no time during the 10 minutes, did I hear anybody walking or talking from outside my house, only methods of transportation passing through. It goes to prove exactly how much we rely on motorized vehicles and the lack of time spent traveling by foot.
Outdoors – Waiting For Bus
September 19th
01:32
I did this exercise just outside my house, in the section between the storm door and the main door, as I didn't want to sit outside, perhaps drawing odd looks, in the middle in the night. I didn't pick up as many sounds as I did in the morning, but the sounds I did pick up were much more intense and much louder. This is probably because the origin of some noises are machine based and thus quite obnoxious, as well as the general proximity of the sounds. It was a slightly windy night, so the wind was just loud enough to distract me from picking up on any animals passing by. The wind also make my storm door bang every now and then, which was a slight annoyance. The loudest instances during the 10 minutes were when cars passed by, which happened four times in total. The first two cars that passed by were small cars I believe, as they passed by relatively quietly compared to the next one, whose muffler drowned out everything else in the surroundings. The last car, I believe, was a small car but probably driven by a teenager, as the stereo was blaring out loudly and the bass was strong enough that I could actually feel it within my body. It was some random hip hop track that I cannot recall the name of right now.
Reflection
Through this exercise, I didn't really notice any extra sounds that I missed before, as I am usually pretty aware to my surroundings and can pick up on the odd sounds that other people miss, mainly low pitched sounds such as the the TV buzzing, or the vibration of a phone in a loud environment. However, I did realize that there was a huge difference in being able to tell the proximity of sounds while inside compared to being outside. Perhaps I am more adjusted to being inside my house, but while inside my house I could define where and how far away the sounds were when I heard them. The prominence and quality while inside my house was defined by its distance from me, and the barriers that it had to get through to reach me. While being outside however, there was a lack of barriers and restrictions, and all the sounds blended together to a much greater surrounding effect. I had trouble telling exactly how far some of the sounds were, and even which direction they came from at some points. I'd imagine that it would be absolutely hectic if I were to do this experiment again in a crowded area, and not in a quiet neighbourhood in the middle of the night. This has been an enlightening experiment and has given me a greater perspective on how exactly sound works and its relation to the human space and recognition of sound as a whole.
September 18th
09:12
I did this exercise shortly after waking up, so it was kind of hazy and dreamy to be honest. It did add to the surrealism aspect in that regard, trying to recognize sounds while simultaneously trying to stay awake. I chose my room because with 5 people (including me) living in my house, there's usually a great chance that a television is on, or someone is cooking in the kitchen, or making noise that would reduce the effectiveness of this experiment. My room is probably the quietest section of the house save for the basement.
The initial sounds I heard were the more obvious ones – my grandmas talking in the hallway, various house creaking sounds generated by their walking, the muffled television coming from one of the other rooms. As I listened closer, and started to filter out the obvious noises, I could begin to hear some of the more distant noises coming from within my house. The ventilation system started to make an humming noise as it turned on, someone downstairs flushed the toilet, and the sounds of the tap turning on and off along with a door opening and shutting followed. In the next few minutes, I focused on the room itself, which didn't make much of a noise since no electronics were turned on. However, there was a fly in my room that was banging against the window over and over again for whatever reason. It would do so in approximately 5 second intervals until after a few minutes it gave up. I was glad that it didn't come towards me as that would've been quite irritating.
For the last few minutes of this experiment, I focused on sounds from outside. The neighbourhood that I live in is quite quiet, and all I could hear was the usual – birds, cars, garages opening, airplanes overhead, alarm chimes, and one instance of the Go Train horn sounding from afar. What I found most interesting is that at no time during the 10 minutes, did I hear anybody walking or talking from outside my house, only methods of transportation passing through. It goes to prove exactly how much we rely on motorized vehicles and the lack of time spent traveling by foot.
Outdoors – Waiting For Bus
September 19th
01:32
I did this exercise just outside my house, in the section between the storm door and the main door, as I didn't want to sit outside, perhaps drawing odd looks, in the middle in the night. I didn't pick up as many sounds as I did in the morning, but the sounds I did pick up were much more intense and much louder. This is probably because the origin of some noises are machine based and thus quite obnoxious, as well as the general proximity of the sounds. It was a slightly windy night, so the wind was just loud enough to distract me from picking up on any animals passing by. The wind also make my storm door bang every now and then, which was a slight annoyance. The loudest instances during the 10 minutes were when cars passed by, which happened four times in total. The first two cars that passed by were small cars I believe, as they passed by relatively quietly compared to the next one, whose muffler drowned out everything else in the surroundings. The last car, I believe, was a small car but probably driven by a teenager, as the stereo was blaring out loudly and the bass was strong enough that I could actually feel it within my body. It was some random hip hop track that I cannot recall the name of right now.
Reflection
Through this exercise, I didn't really notice any extra sounds that I missed before, as I am usually pretty aware to my surroundings and can pick up on the odd sounds that other people miss, mainly low pitched sounds such as the the TV buzzing, or the vibration of a phone in a loud environment. However, I did realize that there was a huge difference in being able to tell the proximity of sounds while inside compared to being outside. Perhaps I am more adjusted to being inside my house, but while inside my house I could define where and how far away the sounds were when I heard them. The prominence and quality while inside my house was defined by its distance from me, and the barriers that it had to get through to reach me. While being outside however, there was a lack of barriers and restrictions, and all the sounds blended together to a much greater surrounding effect. I had trouble telling exactly how far some of the sounds were, and even which direction they came from at some points. I'd imagine that it would be absolutely hectic if I were to do this experiment again in a crowded area, and not in a quiet neighbourhood in the middle of the night. This has been an enlightening experiment and has given me a greater perspective on how exactly sound works and its relation to the human space and recognition of sound as a whole.
Exercise 3 – Sound Essay
Timebased - Exercise 3 - Sound Essay from marianne on Vimeo.
Noun: Time
Verbs: Elevate + Escape
Mission Statement: To reflect the sense of time through the exploration of sounds.
We decided on the concept of time in our sound essay, mainly by exploring the different methods of which we record, or indicate time – clocks, phone ringing, etc. and how through the containment and eventual conclusion of these sounds, one can bask in the silence that follows, a measurement of time that is now nearly extinct in the modern world.
Credits (Freesounds.org):
busy.aif by gadzooks
littleclock.aif by UncleSigmund
ClockTicksInsideDoorClosed.aif by daveinsamas
Clock_Ticking.aif by jackstrebor
Clock.aif by Pogotron
rings.aif by genviou
grandfather_s_clock.aif by WIM
DMP002011_RUMBCITY_SIRENS.aif by martypinso
Alarm_Clock.aif by jackstrebor
DialingTone.aif by acclivity
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