Below is my critique of my second project for my Foundations of Image and Sound course. The final version of the video is here.

Objective

My objective was to create an experimental piece. I wanted to use ordinary, everyday objects and manipulate them to have more life-like characteristics, in this case dancing pinwheels.

Process

* I lined up 5 pinwheels in a V shape.

* I set-up two fans on either side of the camera and turned them on high to make the pinwheels go around.

* I zoomed all the way in to the farthest pinwheel to set the focus and then zoomed out gradually.

* I knelt down in one place during the entire video, while shaking the camera “in tempo” with the shutter speed.

* I slowed the shutter speed down to 8, on the Sony PD150 I used, to create the blurred motion with the pinwheels and the lights.

Audience reaction

The audience reaction was much different for the final screening than for the first screening without sound.

Many students questioned whether the sound was the best choice to go along with the video. I think this was because the sound was perhaps more abstract than some would have chosen.

A couple of people mentioned that I might have stayed too long on the first opening shot, which I am undecided on. I totally understand and appreciate this comment, but I am not sure myself if I would change it.

What I liked

My favorite moment of the piece is when the second pinwheel is introduced. I like how the the second, higher pitch is introduced to accentuate the light(s) entering the frame.

I also like in the opening shot how it seems to “fill” the frame and occasionally revealing that that the image is actually a pinwheel. I like how the pinwheel seems to be flying around the screen.

I like better how this version of the audio reflects the light and dark - thanks to Rii’s comments. This is reflected in the final version with the higher pitch sounds reflecting the bright and the lower rumbling sounds reflecing the dark spaces in the video.

Other approaches I could have taken

Another approach to the music would have been to sample some of the synch sound and manipulate it (hint at it) in the final audio mix.

Originally, as I sketched in my storyboard for the piece, I was hoping to have six pinwheels dancing together. But, I couldn’t find a sixth piwheel that was the same size. I thought six pinwheels would have created more of an even V framing. Instead, I skewed the framing turning the camera a little on its side to create I what I thought was a more interesting perspective.

Overall, I was very pleased with the piece. I learned that I really enjoy creating more abstract compositions.

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