The final roll

In a retrospective look back at this project, I feel (like many others in the group) that a lot of my time was put into construction, a decent amount of time put into filming (the fun part!) and the final part of putting it all together was a tight squeeze in the last few days. Preparation for presentation - despite my goal following last presentation - was nothing more than mental dialogue on the bus to uni on the day. Only consolation was that this would've proved to be more or less redundant anyway as we were running tight on time but at least I will have a proper chance to present this and my other projects at the final crit.

From presentation, I did get a bit of feedback which surprised me, in questioning of my use of music and some of my composition of my video. I suppose like with any project, you get so close and emotionally attached to it, you have to step back and have a better look to be able to accept and identify with the criticism you receive.

I still believe my choice in music is justified as I felt that the simple accoustic guitar helped provide a pace and rhytm, like footsteps, without being overpowering. Sitting watching my video on a large screen, I felt like it was something I could just sit and mediate to, reminiscent of colourfield paintings where you respond to the interplay of colours devoid of recognisable subject matter, and hence, any assigned meaning. In reference to the city setting, I was trying to make a reference to the music of the buskers around the city and the glimpes of music you hear as you move through the city, perhaps coming back to later in the day from your subconscious experience of it, where you're not quite sure where you heard it but it is there.

Looking at my video again, I can understand and see how the compositions of my smaller strips were perhaps less successful as they are a bit more detached than the meditative effect of the full screen movements which engulf your vision. I was trying to make a reference to pathways and the more literal streets and paths through the city and the experiences along the way, visually also providing almost a bird's eye view.

On the whole, I was pleased with how my final result came out, especially as for at least half the project I wasn't even sure my risk would work out at all, potentially leaving me with nothing. I am glad I took this risk as I too often stay too close to my comfort zone and it is a much more satisfying result when you've taken a risk as the out come is less predicable.

Never the less, here is currently my finished outcome. I used finished lightly as going by a quote I once heard and taken to heart, 'An artwork is never finished. It just stops in interesting places.' With the chance to continue to develop and refine our projects in time for our final critique, I feel this is very apt.



Also, to aid my explanations, here is my documentation of how it all works!