Day 10 ?!

The last day whay :) It's been great it really has but I can't wait to get the 15 hours sleep i usually get in the holidays XD jk. Just the finishing touches today and then we get to relax. That is after the EVALUATION :O not as bad it sounds I hope :) I now end the two weeks with the one true statement of life. HERE'S TO CREATIVITYAND>>>>>>>>>>>>NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE THE POWER OF CAP LOCK XD.

Day 9 ?!

Tis Thursday and tis the day to do as much as possible on the project so we can relax tomorrow. So onto the web (audio network) to select a mighty fine track to accompany my vid. Audio network is the place and after Vicky kindly bought it I began to put the two together. An aery, unsettling atmosphere was after and I think it's what I got! :D. After this, back to writing up my arts. (the pic is me at Bank Street Arts BTW. Painting a toilet!)

Arts Award Part D

City of Ratz Project: http://www.youtube.com/SYAS2010

I chose to do a short video project as it would not only be a challenge as I didn't know much about shooting film or editing it, but also because it was something I have always wanted to have a go at. I remember when I was young watching animal documentaries and thinking 'I could do that'. But I was always interested in filming people rather than animals but in the style they film animals. You known in secret so they would behave naturally. I then took the idea that the animals were filming humans. This eventually led to the "City of Ratz" video I made for my final big project. I involved other people not only by filming them and practicing on them with staged walking sequences but I asked others opinions on how to edit the footage e.g. what music or shots to choose.

When I first took the camera out and filmed staged walking I discovered I did not need a tripod to hold the camera as it would then be too high a shot. Instead I laid the camera on the floor to give the impression of a rat looking up at people. I also learned that to capture people walking in the street naturally I would have to hide myself as the people would be weary of the camera and therefore behaviour differently and not relaxed. So any bushes and high bins that could be hid under, I did hide under. The things I do for art :D. So many grazes and ant bites were collected, my arms were red raw.

I think my film shooting was a success as I achieved the goals that I set out for and managed to get it edited without major problems. I am pleased with the outcome and would be encouraged to do it again or something similar because of the success of this project. Also Vicky was very pleased with my work and my attitude towards my work. She was also pleased with my writing abilities and generally how I had conducted myself on work experience. Below is my short video project.

City of Ratz Project: http://www.youtube.com/SYAS2010

Day 6 ?!

Monday, monday, monday. Not as excited or anxious as the first but neither the less bursting with ideas once more. The first day of filming as well. I took my camera out in order to film 'feet'. However, the plan has changed. I was filming Bethan and Harriet when it hit me. No one wants to see people walking under instruction, they want to see in their natural environment just like on animal documentaries. So i took it upon myself to hide me with the camera and catch the unsuspecting people in their comfort zones. Under bins and in bushes. The things I do for art XD.

Day 8 ?!

Wednesday and we're being kicked from the studio. So, we get a good 40 minutes on our own in town to collect images to enter into the 'Hidden Sheffield' competition that Vicky’s given us as a theme to focus on. The winner of which will be chosen on Thursday. We then meet up with Vicky who takes us to Bank Street Art a cubby hole of amazement and discovery as we meet Susanna Gent an artist experimenting with taxidermy. A 'unique' experience to say the least. We were also enlisted into doing maintenance jobs at Bank Street. Vicky explained that jobs in the arts are varied and everyone has to muck in and learn new jobs loads of different areas. Because I seemed to be enjoying myself cleaning and organising cabinets selling artwork, they also drafted me in to painting a gallery toilet. An unusual task as I was painting over white with white :S.

Bank Street seems so amazing to me as all the studios are close together and there are many more than you would expect of a building that size. Also one of the manager s of Bank Street gave us an intro to the gallery and told us about the vast range of artists and talents they had. It sounded like a real community. Even though its a rather tight crowded building it seems warm and friendly with a great positive vibe. There’s a lovely central courtyard area that gives it a bright communal heart. There are even showers for those artists that wish to work over night on their art. Whatta place!

Day 7 ?!

Tuesday, with my filming complete it was time to edit the footage together. The majority of the day was spent editing and re-editing until I was happy with the out come. Also today Richard Bolam came in to help Jesse set up a time lapse. I was invited in to the session because I was ahead of schedule and because I'm focused on film. We were given a walk through the 'hacked' domestic cameras he was using. He had altered the software in the camera so that under a certain setting it would take a picture every 2 seconds. We then left the cameras for a good 2 hours to collect hundreds of separate photos that jessy would edit together into a time laspe film.

Arts Award Part C

Part C : Exploring an artist or person who works in the arts

For this task I interviewed Rob Speranza (part of the South Yorkshire Film makers Network.) who I chose after he came in to talk about his career and work because he was full of energy and very positive. Also because I was interested in do a short film for my main project I though he would be able to give me the inspiration I needed and possibly some advice. Which he did. He enlightened me to the job of producer and what goes into making a short film. He also told me how I could take my films to become a known film maker if was prepared to except the responsibilities. I enjoyed coming up with questions after listening to him talk and thinking about what would be really useful to me for my film and for thinking about a possible future in film.

Check out my interview here: http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/150875/title/BillyEllerbyinterviewsproducerfilmmakerRobSperanza

Arts Award Part B

Part B : Arts event
For my Arts Award part B, where I have to be an auidnece member and review and share my experience, I chose the Harris Epaminonda exhibit at Site Gallery. As when we were first introduced to the art with an immense racket of drills and hammers ruining the atmosphere of enchantment I needed to go and spend some more time with it.

At first glance the exhibit seemed dull and boring but upon my second visit I felt the true nature of the work was revealed. During the silence of the gallery, a distant symphony of mystical music flowed from hidden speakers. This coupled with the real time silent movies from Cyprus demanded my complete transfixion on the piece.

The way the films contrast the silence (circuses parading unhappy animals and cars dragging trees) really creates an outer body atmosphere like a dream. The best piece was the circus scene which was inside an isolated gallery of complete silence. The generally ecstatic environment of a circus is contrasted by the silence. Getting you to focus on the misery of the animals performing.

Many pieces of art are great because they make you think, but this one is great because it doesn't. It’s a subconscious experience that’s more about feeling than a difficult answer.

The lack of sound and light focuses you on the art. The only thing you see, the only thing you can picture in your mind. All is emptied out except for the seemingly eternal film, transforming you to a zombie like state in which an hour becomes 30 seconds. Truly mesmerizing.

Day 5 ?!

The time has come. The time to step out into the real world and put my idea into practice. We me Harriet and set forth into the city centre to interview the unsuspecting citizens. GIANTS! GIANTS! We hadn't gone past the peace gardens yet and the first people we meet are GIANTS! Obviously these giants were actually 'normal' people on stilts working for the new co-op but they were still very tall with awesome shoes. After the longest interview today we managed to escape and head up towards Division Street where we entered the winners of the Billy Ellerby Award for friendliest shop in the city awarded to Rocky Horrors. There we had a 'hell-arious' time chatting to the employees who were more than happy having an interview and their pictures taken :) Then to freshmen's the coolest shop in Sheffield and just as willing to give an interview as Rocky's. For those who don't know, the place to shop if you love skate boarding is Slide. The guys there were so eager to give their opinions. After we'd hit the shops (for interviews of course) we split up and I went off to interview the randoms on the street. From old ladies to traffic wardens, cool kids and even a pigeon guy, they all were interested if not a little curious why I wanted to take pictures of their feet.

Day 4 ?!

Today we were independently working on Photoshop editing the footage we collected on Tuesday. Much fun was had creating my short film of Sheffield "Sheffield - the city of water" for our Passage of Time Emaninonda related project. Even though it has no audio yet it is still an accurate view of our city and the many water features around it. I also had a chat with Vicky (supervisor) about my project to make sure I was not biting off more than I can chew. XD Lol just had an awesome idea Calvin Harris Glasses!!! Any way erm i decided on a rollin film on peoples feet as they walk. Then I intend to interview every one I film and feature a quote from each at the end credits :)

Day 3 ?!

Oh what a wonderful Wednesday it was. The photos we took Monday were transformed into works of art as we ravaged them with Photoshop. Blue lips, fiery eyes, rainbow hair the list goes on. We used the days experiences to judge what we wanted to do as a project for the arts award. Photography, photo editing, filming, film editing, audio editing were just a few of the options. Personally I chose filming and possibly film editing.

Part A

Billy Ellerby Arts Award

Part A : Taking part in Arts

Within my time at the site gallery i will improve my film shooting/film editing capabilities because i feel it is a part of art i always wanted to try yet never had the chance. Also i feel it would be a challenge as i have never experienced film making before. By speaking to artists that use film and film makers I can find out areas i can improve on and what makes a good film. I will then produce my own small film, inspired by Rob and his work, in order to evidence and display what i have learned.

The top left image is me interviewing Rob Sparanza, a Film Producer working with the South Yorkshire Film Association. I chose to interview Rob after hearing him speak to the group about small films and how we could easily produce one. It stood out to me because the opportunity to express myself with limitless possibilities. The interview can be heard on CUBE radio. The image to the the right is me and Jesse practicing filming. Ben Moon (media artist) was also very helpful in guiding me through the camcorders and imovie (film editing software).

From these i have learnt that you don't always need to be planning to film something, sometimes you have to be opportunistic especially when filming real life. I also learnt the role of producer and their contribution to film and film making. The short film I have produced is also part of my Part D of my arts award and is posted under this section. My interview with Rob was also part of my Part C.

Day 2 ?!

2nd day. Although not a miserable as yesterday (speaking of the weather :D) today was a much more enjoyable experience in terms of creativity. The ideas were teaming. After a quick introduction we (me and Jessy) went to the photography studio to experiment with photos. Poses, partial photos, framing, zoom and more. I enjoyed this very much. We had a laugh and learnt a lot.

After this session we returned to the main studio for another intro this time about the art exhibition we will be seeing. An unusual and edgy display of soundless repeating short films of peculiar events from the artist’s (Haris Epaminonda) homeland of Cypress. It created a very surreal environment. Then we were given a talk through of the exhibition by the gallery curator, Jeanine Griffiths. She explained the exhibition and answered some of our questions. After the exhibition we returned to the main studio to meet Rob Speranza, a film producer, who let us watch his film - Into the woods - and gave us his experiences of creative media. We were also paid a visit from Richard Bolam, a time lapse artist who also showed us his time lapse films. Some nice ideas to think about there too.

After lunch we ventured out into the city centre armed with camcorders to try and capture our own miniature films showing the ‘passing of time’. In the winter gardens we filmed the water and the reflections from the windows. All was going 'swimmingly' until it started raining :( so we headed back. When we got back we uploaded our films so we can hopefully put them online. Wet and watery!

Day 1 ?!

SILENCE, a deathly silence befalls the waiting room as we await the late arrivers! Thankfully it is broken by Vicky, who will be our supervisor for the next two weeks. She takes us to the 3rd floor studio, a blanket of white. Still one down. Still we wonder. 30 minutes and a safety talk later, enlightened we are of the next two weeks.

Click click tick tick. My the mind wonders. 8 of us now. 8. We are given a tour of the dreaded mine field that is a Mac. The talk is long yet intriguing to us all. We are yet again enlightened to the concept of it all. A 2 week course of creation, imagination and thought.
All i had was Banoffee pie. Over and over again. Banoffee, banoffee, banoffee. But then inspiration. A shining light. It falls from the sky and in-beds itself in my cranium. There it plants its roots firm and deep. Growing, changing, evolving. Shoes with Shoes. Shoes on buildings. Shoes on ceilings. I can’t control the swelling. It’s beating its way down my neck and through my teeth.

I ask Lucy. What about shoes stuck to the wall of the cheese grater car park. The one in the town centre. The big silver one. I never quite got that building, i mean it’s different but something about it screams it’s trying too hard. Too hard to be seen. But something like a pair of Converse stuck to the wall could make it seem [or should i say scene] good ;)

Today was the first day of what is going to be a great two weeks of work experience. Already we've heard of a man who uses ELEPHANT POO! in his work from a talk with artist Lesley Guy and the mysterious art of face hiding. What a day ! What a week!? Hopefully!? Most definitely !