Hey there!
So, it case you hadn't guessed this blog is dead. Not to worry, though. I plan to leave it up for classroom purposes (You're Welcome, Shannon). Also, feel free to check out my new blog on my brand new website (Thanks, Cam.)
Here's the link:
http://gabbyfollett.weebly.com/
Good luck, 302 Experimental! I know you'll do beautifully.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
You Inside My Mind
So, I'm working on a new project.
I've been writing incomplete letters/poems since early November for this piece that I'm calling "You Inside My Mind". It's a direct address piece inspired by the self-portrait assignment from the class that begat this blog. Currently, there are 7 incomplete pieces.
While, these are called incomplete pieces, they are technically complete (follow me). I've been writing poetry for a very long time. I've written all of these pieces about my parents, myself, and most importantly girls. For whatever reason, I've never been able to complete anything that's about my current partner--I actually had this amazing piece started on a napkin about a beach trip that we took that came pouring out of me as I walked back to campus from church (yeah, this was quite a while ago), but I lost it and haven't been able to recapture it.
The overall feel of this piece is going to be ethereal and clustered. I basically plan on recording these pieces in my voice and have them fade in and out of images of Caitlin and our apartment, etc. I'm also planning on recording some improvised guitar playing in the background that will give the feel of someone trying to write a song and not being able to get it right.
My plan is to have this completed by February. After I get this together I think I will be in a place that I can revisit "The Rest" and fix the timing issues.
I've been writing incomplete letters/poems since early November for this piece that I'm calling "You Inside My Mind". It's a direct address piece inspired by the self-portrait assignment from the class that begat this blog. Currently, there are 7 incomplete pieces.
While, these are called incomplete pieces, they are technically complete (follow me). I've been writing poetry for a very long time. I've written all of these pieces about my parents, myself, and most importantly girls. For whatever reason, I've never been able to complete anything that's about my current partner--I actually had this amazing piece started on a napkin about a beach trip that we took that came pouring out of me as I walked back to campus from church (yeah, this was quite a while ago), but I lost it and haven't been able to recapture it.
The overall feel of this piece is going to be ethereal and clustered. I basically plan on recording these pieces in my voice and have them fade in and out of images of Caitlin and our apartment, etc. I'm also planning on recording some improvised guitar playing in the background that will give the feel of someone trying to write a song and not being able to get it right.
My plan is to have this completed by February. After I get this together I think I will be in a place that I can revisit "The Rest" and fix the timing issues.
Friday, December 3, 2010
What I Learned
There is not enough space on the interweb for me to write about everything I learned in this class. I can only hope that this post begins to express my gratitude and my joy.
Things I learned:
1. I love experimental film. I love thinking experimentally, I love showcasing the medium I'm working with--video, film, whatever! I love making films that are by me, about me, for me. I love putting my thoughts into my films, I love being able to take things other people say and make them into what I mean. I love being able to tell the whole world, who I am now, without ever being in front of the lens or uttering a single word. I love that I can take an idea, write it down, execute it, and show it without a producer or director or screenwriter or actors (professional or not).
2. Community isn't just gay. We have been so fortunate this semester. I know a lot of us only wanted to work with the people we know--just like every other film class--because we know what we can expect. That first assignment brought us all so close together. I feel like I know you all--some better than others--and I appreciate you all in your own special way. Some of you surprised me (Haley Ray, Ian, Kristin, Kristina, Megan, Ben, Laura C.); some of you were exactly, who I knew you were, amazing (Royce, Cass, Laura M.); some of you were so much fun (The Wonder Triplets, Nate, Kyle, Ben, Royce, Megan, Dana), and some of you really inspired me (Michelle Byron-like the poet, Barrett). I feel so fortunate to have experienced you all, and to have worked with most of you. I am still yet to work with Michelle, Barrett, Kyle, or Royce, but hopefully the stars will align just right, and we will have our chance.
3. I am one of the experimental people, and a faithful Silvanite.
Things I learned:
1. I love experimental film. I love thinking experimentally, I love showcasing the medium I'm working with--video, film, whatever! I love making films that are by me, about me, for me. I love putting my thoughts into my films, I love being able to take things other people say and make them into what I mean. I love being able to tell the whole world, who I am now, without ever being in front of the lens or uttering a single word. I love that I can take an idea, write it down, execute it, and show it without a producer or director or screenwriter or actors (professional or not).
2. Community isn't just gay. We have been so fortunate this semester. I know a lot of us only wanted to work with the people we know--just like every other film class--because we know what we can expect. That first assignment brought us all so close together. I feel like I know you all--some better than others--and I appreciate you all in your own special way. Some of you surprised me (Haley Ray, Ian, Kristin, Kristina, Megan, Ben, Laura C.); some of you were exactly, who I knew you were, amazing (Royce, Cass, Laura M.); some of you were so much fun (The Wonder Triplets, Nate, Kyle, Ben, Royce, Megan, Dana), and some of you really inspired me (Michelle Byron-like the poet, Barrett). I feel so fortunate to have experienced you all, and to have worked with most of you. I am still yet to work with Michelle, Barrett, Kyle, or Royce, but hopefully the stars will align just right, and we will have our chance.
3. I am one of the experimental people, and a faithful Silvanite.
Playing Catch Up
Film Festivals.
Ok. So, I've never submitted to a festival before. In fact, I've only submitted a film to the end of the semester screening once--not counting the ones that I've been forced to submit for a grade. Oddly enough, the film I submitted to the end of the semester screening was an experimental found footage project for my editing class. To be honest, most of the work I've produced for classes isn't festival grade, but I feel like I'm getting there now. I think with the proper amount of reworking, I could send out my Self-Portrait--and thanks to that assignment I'm working on another similar film that I should be done with in a few months (keep checking this URL for details). I would also love to see Kristina send out our beautiful music video, and I would keep working on refining our installation if Cassandra wanted to see how we could turn it up to 11 and do something with it.
That being said, it only took 2 Shannon classes, 3 Andre classes, and a really amazing Experimental 302 class to really make me think about sharing my work. Thanks, to all parties mentioned. I would read the next post for the proper thanks though.
Ok. So, I've never submitted to a festival before. In fact, I've only submitted a film to the end of the semester screening once--not counting the ones that I've been forced to submit for a grade. Oddly enough, the film I submitted to the end of the semester screening was an experimental found footage project for my editing class. To be honest, most of the work I've produced for classes isn't festival grade, but I feel like I'm getting there now. I think with the proper amount of reworking, I could send out my Self-Portrait--and thanks to that assignment I'm working on another similar film that I should be done with in a few months (keep checking this URL for details). I would also love to see Kristina send out our beautiful music video, and I would keep working on refining our installation if Cassandra wanted to see how we could turn it up to 11 and do something with it.
That being said, it only took 2 Shannon classes, 3 Andre classes, and a really amazing Experimental 302 class to really make me think about sharing my work. Thanks, to all parties mentioned. I would read the next post for the proper thanks though.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tongue Tying Shorts
So, I dragged Caitlin out for some short films on Thursday night (the one with all of the S's). I think the coolest thing about it (besides sitting in front of a really awesome lady) was that she actually enjoyed some of it. The Screen Gems logo spoof actually filled her with real rage (we can't even talk about it without her getting red in the face), but she really like God of Love (more on that later) and Regular Kids (Go Pack!).
God of Love was by far my favorite film of the night. As the film reached its conclusion, it hit me that the filmmaker was also the star and the writer/director (before the credits rolled). I'm not really sure what the hint was that set off the alarm in my head, but I just remembered thinking it as the camera lingered on a close up of the filmmaker/protagonist. That movie kicked so much ass, and I recommend that everyone, who has ever taken a breath, should see it--even if it was narrative ;).
Elsewhere (another MFA project) was also really interesting. I'm still not really sure if I enjoyed it though. I think for people, who live in Greensboro and know more about the location it may have been more rewarding. I'll have to file this in the rewatch category.
The other most memorable film we watched was Regular Kids (shot by our very own Glenn Pack). It was really quite good. It was a very heartwarming mainstream family friendly movie (adjectives, much?). The fact that it was a true story made it even sweeter--plus, Caitlin actually enjoyed it, and that meant it was an awesomely joint experience.
I wish I could've seen some crazy cool experimental or documentary shorts, but the conference beckoned--it was awesome. I did get to do some cool film studenty stuff while I was there. Andy and Matt showed up to get some footage of Sara Issacson for their 495 so, I got to help out a bit (Food Not Bombs family and all that). I even made them both stay and listen to Annise Parker speak--it was amazing and moving, just ask him.
God of Love was by far my favorite film of the night. As the film reached its conclusion, it hit me that the filmmaker was also the star and the writer/director (before the credits rolled). I'm not really sure what the hint was that set off the alarm in my head, but I just remembered thinking it as the camera lingered on a close up of the filmmaker/protagonist. That movie kicked so much ass, and I recommend that everyone, who has ever taken a breath, should see it--even if it was narrative ;).
Elsewhere (another MFA project) was also really interesting. I'm still not really sure if I enjoyed it though. I think for people, who live in Greensboro and know more about the location it may have been more rewarding. I'll have to file this in the rewatch category.
The other most memorable film we watched was Regular Kids (shot by our very own Glenn Pack). It was really quite good. It was a very heartwarming mainstream family friendly movie (adjectives, much?). The fact that it was a true story made it even sweeter--plus, Caitlin actually enjoyed it, and that meant it was an awesomely joint experience.
I wish I could've seen some crazy cool experimental or documentary shorts, but the conference beckoned--it was awesome. I did get to do some cool film studenty stuff while I was there. Andy and Matt showed up to get some footage of Sara Issacson for their 495 so, I got to help out a bit (Food Not Bombs family and all that). I even made them both stay and listen to Annise Parker speak--it was amazing and moving, just ask him.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Cucalorus
So, my last Cucalorus at UNCW, and I'm seeing more screenings than ever before--don't get too excited I'm just seeing a block of shorts. Since I will be shooting all day Thursday for 495, and spending my weekend in Greensboro for the Equality NC Conference and Gala (my last one of those as well).
When I was taking 302 Doc with Shannon last year (it feels like it's been 10 million years and it's only been 1), while everyone else was gushing about the awesome films they saw, I was gushing about how State Senator Julia Boseman hugged me. Awesome? Yes, I think so.
When I was taking 302 Doc with Shannon last year (it feels like it's been 10 million years and it's only been 1), while everyone else was gushing about the awesome films they saw, I was gushing about how State Senator Julia Boseman hugged me. Awesome? Yes, I think so.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cool Stuff I Came Across
Caitlin saw this and I thought it was pretty appropriate for what we've been working on. It's a pretty cool take on the whole Self-Portrait concept.
Living My Life Faster - 8 years of JK's Daily Photo Project from JK Keller on Vimeo.
Also, on the same day my group went out our music video shoot, my friend, Josh, at UNC Charlotte was doing the same thing. When I told him we were shooting on Super 8, he showed me a film he did on Super 8 a while ago.
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