Author: Miryssa

In this episode, I explore my early experiences with sewing and how they led to my current skills, accompanied by an easy sewing project perfect for the first episode.

I was originally going to separate the two parts in the video, however, I kept it as one for this project for viewing purposes. I was also trying very hard not to go over the 5 minute mark, practicing the montage effect through out this video.

Enjoy!

Very Rough draft – I have been trying to upload my footage.

Blog Post: Describe your final project idea. Which modules in this course will you explore (try for at least two): continuity, montage, looped video, composited video, AI cinema. networked video, HTML cinema or the video essay, etc.

My final project idea will involve a DIY YouTube sewing video that will be about 2 to 3 episodes long. One episode will most likely be about how to put a pattern together (particularly the pattern we will be using in the 2nd episode) and then either make another video on prepping the fabric with the pattern or combine the two into one video. The next video will be putting the fabric pieces together and where to sew to finish the project. One thing I need to think about is a small easy project that I can make in just a few hours – some take DAYS! I also need to think of a beginner-friendly pattern to use so that the video will be easy to follow along. With this project, I will use continuity and montage modules making sure that we are doing an in-order process from the start of the project to the end of the project.

https://dtc-wsuv.org/mcasas22/film/

Blog Prompt:  Bill Viola, writing in 1982 at the very start of digital video editing and video storage in a computer, speculates about the future possibilities of “data space” as a kind of potential space that can be explored by a “participant.” How does his vision compare with the branching Netflix movie Bandersnatch? Is Bandersnatch entertaining or tedious?  Does the work point to future possibilities for cinema and storytelling? How do Viola’s ideas, drawing on sacred arts of the past, challenge the simple “choose-your-own-adventure” approach to the nonlinear potentials of digital cinema?  Where do you think this technology is headed? Please quote from the reading.

“Something extraordinary is occurring today, in the 1980s, which ties together all these threads. The computer is merging with video. The potential offspring of this marriage is only beginning to be realized. Leaping directly into the farther future for a moment, we can see the seeds of what some have described as the ultimate recording technology: total spatial storage, with the viewer wandering through some three-dimensional, possibly life-sized field of prerecorded or simulated scenes and events evolving in time. At present, the interactive video discs currently on the market have already begun to address some of these possibilities. Making a program for interactive video disc involves the ordering and structuring (i.e., editing) of much more information than will actually be seen by an individual when he or she sits down to play the program. All possible pathways, or branches, that a viewer (“participant” is a better word) may take through the material must already exist at some
place on the disc. Entire prerecorded sections of video may never be encountered by a given observer.”

“Bandersnatch” shows how stories can change based on viewer choices, making watching more interactive. While this idea is fresh and interesting, some people find it tiring because there are so many different endings to keep up with. This mix of reactions shows the ups and downs of making stories like this.

Viola’s thoughts on storytelling predicted things like “Bandersnatch,” pointing to a future where stories might be more about exploring and participating than just watching. This could change how we think about movies and digital stories, making them more about joining in and less about just looking on.

Overall, Viola’s ideas and thoughts, were spot on.

Blog Prompt: Watch the above videos that introduce the popular video essay form and its history in the “essay films” from the past, and then look at some video essays on your own. Do a search on YouTube or maybe you have a favorite.

In a post, share the video essay along with your thoughts/opinions about the use of language (spoken and/or on-screen text) with image. How are voice-over, text, sound, graphics and video combined to explore an idea or make an argument? How would you begin “writing” your own video essay?

When my husband and I watch some of our favorite YouTube shows, we often get absorbed in informative essays about fishing techniques, prime fishing spots, and equipment. These videos blend footage of locations with close-up shots demonstrating knot tying techniques, all accompanied by informative voiceovers or explanations.

In creating my own video essay, it’s crucial to choose a compelling topic and plan the shots I want to capture. This typically involves brainstorming ideas on paper and sketching scenes I aim to portray. I particularly appreciate when creators incorporate music for smooth transitions, gradually fading it out to allow viewers to focus on the narration or explanation that follows. Also, making sure that the footage is matching along with the description of the voice over is also important.

Blog Post: Using ChatGPT have a chat to explore a short “story” idea and its visual style that you can use to generate AI video clips (30-60 sec) for the AI Cinema project. Finalize a 200-300- word summary of a story or idea for your AI Cinema project. Post this in the blog. This will be the framework for your prompts. Also, in a separate paragraph, describe the look or style you want to aim for. You can reference directors, genres, or specific films, but also use words to describe the quality of the image: film stocks, cameras, lighting, color/bw, production design, sets, costumes.

In the heart of a vibrant garden, bustling with life, resided Bella, a diligent little bee with a golden glow. Each morning, as the sun cast its first light, Bella embarked on a crucial journey, one that intertwined her destiny with the flowers around her.

One day, Bella discovered a rare, withering flower, hidden in the garden’s shadows. Its petals drooped, craving the touch of a pollinator. Bella, moved by the flower’s plight, made a promise to revive it.

With determination, Bella zipped through the garden, visiting flower after flower, collecting pollen on her legs. She danced in the sun, her wings glistening, as she moved from one bloom to another, spreading life.

But the garden was vast, and the day was short. Bella pushed her limits, her tiny heart fueled by the promise she made. She ventured into unexplored parts of the garden, facing challenges: gusty winds, raindrops like boulders, and the ever-looming shadows of predators.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the garden, Bella reached the withering flower once more. With gentle care, she brushed against its heart, transferring the life-giving pollen.

Days passed, and the once-drooping flower stood tall, its petals vibrant and full of life, a testament to Bella’s perseverance. The garden thrived, a mosaic of colors and scents, each flower a note in nature’s symphony, all thanks to the tiny bee’s journey.

Bella’s journey was more than pollination; it was a tale of resilience, care, and the interconnectedness of life. In the grand tapestry of the garden, every creature, no matter how small, played a vital role. Bella’s story was a reminder that even the smallest actions could breathe life into the world around us, making it a better place for all.

1. Garden Encounter: The first scene depicts a lush garden teeming with colorful flowers. The bee is seen hovering over a bright red blossom, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating a lively and productive atmosphere reminiscent of a busy day of pollination.
2. Forest Navigation: The second scene shows the bee navigating through a dense, misty forest of towering flowers and plants. Sunlight pierces through the foliage, highlighting the bee’s path and emphasizing its determination as it moves from flower to flower.
3. Dawn Awakening: In the third scene, we capture the early morning tranquility in the countryside, with dew-covered webs and leaves glistening in the sunlight. The bee is gently landing on a dew-soaked petal, symbolizing the start of its pollination journey.
4. Urban Oasis: The fourth scene contrasts the natural vibrancy of flowers against the backdrop of a bustling cityscape. The bee flits among urban flowers, showcasing the coexistence of nature and urban life and highlighting the adaptability of nature.
5. Sunset Return: The final scene is set at sunset, with the sky painted in vibrant hues. The bee is silhouetted against the setting sun, marking its return to the hive after a day of pollination. The scene reflects the bee’s essential role in the ecosystem against a contemplative and stunning backdrop.

Breaking Space Assignment

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/pryces/music-is
License code: IXPAXARJV15YKWPU

Continuous loop with a fade.
Samuel B & Miryssa C

@mortadaaa_

#perfectloop #RufflesOwnYourRidges #ArbysDiabloDare #CloseYourRings #fyp #viral #like

♬ original sound – EX7STENCE™

This looped video embodies a cyclical pattern with a consistent rhythm. By employing editing techniques such as cutting and splicing, the creator repositions the video’s start to its end, initiating the loop at a midpoint. These types of loops are among my favorites due to their seamless continuity, giving the impression of an endless cycle.

This looped video, similar to the previous one, features a consistent, repeating action, encapsulating a cyclical theme. The editor skillfully applies the technique of placing the start at the end, effectively leveraging editing methods to enhance the video’s continuous loop.

Loop definitions from Chat GPT below: 

1. Cyclic: This quality refers to something that occurs in a repeated sequence or loop, suggesting a periodic nature. In the context of a video or GIF, it might show scenes or motions that restart after reaching a certain point, symbolizing the repetitive cycles in nature or life, such as the changing seasons, the moon phases, or the ebb and flow of tides.
2. Slow: Slow motion captures moments with an extended duration, stretching time to allow a detailed observation of actions that would otherwise happen too quickly to appreciate. A slow-motion video or GIF can make transient, fleeting details visible and appreciable, such as the intricate movement of a bird’s wings in flight or the complex dynamics of a drop of water splashing.
3. Timeless: Timelessness conveys a sense of eternity or an aspect that remains unchanged through the ages. A video or GIF with a timeless quality might depict scenes or subjects that transcend specific eras or moments, suggesting a universal or enduring relevance. This could be represented by natural landscapes that have remained unchanged for millennia, ancient architecture, or universal human experiences.
4. Frantic: Frantic visuals are characterized by rapid, chaotic movement or activity, conveying a sense of urgency, haste, or frenetic energy. A frantic GIF or video might capture the hustle and bustle of city life, fast-paced movements in sports, or any chaotic scene with a lot of action happening simultaneously, creating a feeling of being overwhelmed or rushed.
5. Rhythmic: This quality pertains to a regular, repeated pattern or flow, often associated with music or dance but also found in visual rhythms. A rhythmic video or GIF might showcase patterns such as the regular beat of waves on the shore, the synchronized movements of a group of dancers, or the repeating patterns of urban architecture, conveying a sense of harmony and order.