Within a week span I've obtained a good chunk of research on dramaturgy, but am still going through the process of finding a more suitable less awkward term to replace it. I met with the director of the spring production, Tad Janes, and went over the aspects of what I would like to document backstage. He liked the idea a lot as well as the cast for the spring production of "Fool for Love" by Sam Shepard. Tad suggested that the documentary be somewhat scripted in order to make it more interesting by over dramatizing specific characters. However, maintain the idea of a real cast performing a real show. I've come to like the idea of a semi-scripted documentary. I feel that the cast would have more fun enhancing their current character as well as the crew. Now that I've been offered to take part in stage managing the play this will make backstage access so much easier.
After about two hours of searching for a video that did not entail the classic credit card butt-swipe, or women having lunch meat hurled toward them I found a video. Since the obvious feminine perspective of innocence, Taylor Swift, was already viewed in class I decided to go back in time to an era of loud clothing, mom jeans, and Annie Lennox. I chose the video "Walking on Broken Glass" as a video that portrays a view from the perspective of a woman. The video is set during the 18th century, and begins by showing Annie Lennox sitting with Hugh Laurie appearing anxious and discouraged. The camera then shows other individuals indicating that this is an event followed by an entrance by John Malkovich and his bride. Once the shot returns to Lennox the viewers can now understand that there was a previous relationship between Lennox and Malkovich, and Laurie appears oblivious to this situation. Lennox is dressed in red, which symbolizes power; lust and love, while all of the other guests are dressed in white symbolizing purity. As the video continues Lennox takes the viewer on a journey through her pain that she's experienced since Malkovich left her, and begins to drink. She ultimately gains enough confidence to take Malkovich aside and begins to clarify her feelings of abandonment. After her outburst of emotion the rest of the video consista of Lennox managing to make a lasting impression on the newlyweds, the guests, and her date. She then flees down a grand staircase only to be reunited with Malkovich at the bottom.
I chose this video because it shows a woman's perspective of heartache from loosing her lover to another woman, and her reaction to attending their wedding. One could argue that the man is clearly in control since she invests so much energy into getting him back. However, in the end she does in fact accomplish what she set out to achieve.
A small company by the name of Three Legged Legs produced this fascinating video that really and truly moves. The title of this exciting little opus is "Havaianas Foot Nap". Foot nap allows the viewer to go into the mind of a foot when it falls asleep. The colors in this video are beyond aesthetically pleasing, they're mind-blowing.
In the first shot of the video the viewer is face to face with multiple hues of red, yellow, and orange. A good choice when grabbing ones attention since the color red is psychologically proven to stimulate the senses. Through out the video we are faced with a multi colored overdose, which is not a bad thing since color can add dimension to a design. For example, when the dreaming foot is flying through the junge scene we can see green trees but by using green's complementary color red, for what I assume to be the canopy of the jungle, the scene gains depth.
The second video I came across was not as visually stimulating as the previous one; however, it does show how color can crate dimensions. This video focuses on cells, and the space around them. The creator uses the color grey around red and yellow, this allows the warmer colors of the cell to be seen in the foreground, thus adding dimension. Through out the video the viewer is exposed to reds and yellows, and in the last shot of the video a green cell emerges. This is similar to the Poynter exercise using simultaneous contrast, but instead of closing your eyes and seeing this contrast the creator of the video does it for you. The movement in the video is similar to the first video in allowing the viewer to become aware of the depth throughout the video. The designer has also integrated the warm colors in the beginning, like the first video, to stimulate the viewer and ending with a cool color to slow stimulation and ultimately ending the vide generously.
Thus far, in regards to my Capstone project, I still have yet to discover a rock solid subject to latch onto. I do know that this project will involve a camera, humor, and perhaps tragedy. I discussed with Kevin on Friday some thoughts about changing my mocumentary into an informative documenatry about a day in the life of a fellow Comm student, and several other spirts of inspiration. His answer to my manic moment was to take a camera out and begin to film people, like roommates, or strangers. This way I’ll obtain a better understanding of having a camera in my hand, and teach myself how to find the perfect shot and lighting.
My plan of action to better prepare myself for filming will be to watch documentaries, and learn by example. In doing this I hope to discover a solid subject, and take note of angles in shots that would better engage the viewer.
In the Forbes article one of the statements made was the issue of discovering how to concoct an advertisement that will be appealing to all who see it. This is not an easy task because everyone is different when it comes to style, food, and thought. While some people enjoy a catchy tune like that little number from freecreditreport.com others might prefer something that compares and contrasts like the Windows vs. Mac commercials.
Since my television activity has rapidly decreased my commercial viewing as been minimal. However, I do recall a State Farm commercial where a couple backed into a car and discussed whose fault it was along the curb. The man proceded to sing the State Farm jingle and *poof* an agent appeared. The woman decided she'd be clever and ask for a new boyfriend, and in retaliation the man asked for a new girlfriend. Both wishes were granted and the argument was then transfered from the car accident to the visual tweaking that just took place. I personally feel that this commercial had little to do with State Farm, but it was interesting to observe what the media chose for the couples wish, and how it was dealt with.
Guinness beer advertisements are full of optimism for the consumer, and display that through the smooth taste of Guinness many things are possible. Since this beer has been around since 1759 they most likely understand what the consumer needs through their taste buds. For example, this ad claims that the consumer will gain power by drinking a Guinness. This shows the confidence in Guinness's advertising, that their product has the capabilities to give you the energy you crave. Other advertisements state that a consumer can drink a Guinness for strength, and others say that the beverage is actually good for you. Also, many of Guinness's advertisements had animals in them, like the toucan, a seal, a lobster, and many more. This is what made the advertisements so different by portraying health and strength through little critters and happy humans. What more could a consumer ask for?
In Media Studies I enjoyed picking apart an image, or scene in a movie, in order to discover signifiers that ultimately led to the message the image or scene portrayed. For this class I hope to gain a better understanding for the world of advertising, and further develop skills in reading an advertisement in its entirety. Like with this advertisement for Upcider, which won Magazine Ad of the Year in 2005. I personally find this had humorous, but would enjoy picking through the ad to find underlying signifiers that make this ad "Magazine Ad of the Year".
So far the decision for my final project in Capstone has been decided as a documentary. However this documentary will be more of a parody on the actual documentary "The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia" produced by Johnny Knoxville. This documentary entails a journey through the lives of the decedents of "The Dancing Outlaw" Jesco White. This idea is subject to change, but I feel comfortable that the direction that I desire to head in is film/documentary with a genre of comedy.
