Continuity Assignment

Continuity Project from Lyle-Anthony on Vimeo.

Moving Images

During our tour to the Museum of the Moving Image, I was exposed to many different aspects of film and the progression of media. From the magic lamp to the arcades found in movie theaters, the museum offers countless interactive experiences that show all of the effort that goes into the creation of moving images. While on the tour, our guide showed us the Automatic Dialogue Replacement or ‘ADR’ booth. ADR is the process of re-recording dialogue by the original actor after the filming process to improve audio quality or reflect dialogue changes. In our case we used the booth for some voice-over work. ADR provides a critical role in capturing clear audio from the actors that would otherwise be degraded by the various sounds on the actual set. ADR is one of many aspects found in media that I doubt the larger population of consumers would understand.  This also speaks to the evolution of technology in the production of media.

Media is in a constant state of flux. Though our museum tour ended, it must be said that even as we speak, new forms of media find its way into the eyes, and ears of people. Media’s constant change through the use of technology will help push new experiences we already have contenders like Virtual Reality, which has a strong following, or positional based audio in headphones for better immersion. These along with many other breakthroughs in technology will allow for more and more media creators to expand on the moving image.

Relationships Between Shots

https://youtu.be/vXYB5DpqVSU?t=1h43m55s

Skip to 1h43m55s
End at  1h48m30s

                                       The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
.

Edmond Dontes, played by Jim Caviezel, interrogates J.F. Villefort, played by James Frain, in the sauna. The steam, a diegetic effect, is used to create obfuscation with relation to the dots linking how Dontes was framed. The repetitive increase of steam no only puts actual pressure on Villefort but, it is linked to the Dontes' explanation  of his framing as it gets more complex. Throughout the scene we are shown flashbacks that corroborate Dontes' accusation against Villefort. These flashbacks contain a culmination of shots, when Villefort introduces himself to Fernand Mondego, played by Guy Pearce, we are given both a 2-shot and a close-medium shot of these two characters discussing their plans to kill Colonel Villefort, played by Freddie Jones. In another flashback we have a medium shot of Colonel Villefort as he is shot to death by Mondego. The camera shifts into a close up of Mondego to show viewers that he and he alone is the trigger-man. The use of these shots make Dontes' accusations more compelling to the viewer. When not in a flashback, we see that Dontes is in medium to close up shots at high angles. This along with Dontes' ability to impede Villefort's escape shows the viewers that Dontes is in complete control. Villefort is often shown in medium shots that show his panicked movements as he is pressured into a corner. Their is one extreme close up as Dontes begins his questioning and that signals the immediate shift in power in this conversation. The end of the scene is a perfect climax. Being pushed into a corner and the odds mounting against him, Villefort inadvertently admits to both his involvement in his own father's death and Mondego's. It is at this moment Dontes lifts the steam from the room as if to show the viewers that the pressure within the room and the truth has escaped. I believe that this scene encapsulates the relationship between shots to further engross the viewer and to enhance the story telling.

Interview

Blog Assignment #2: “What I Hear”

It’s 6am, it’s time to go to work. The city is still and only my hampered breath fills the side walk as I rush to the train. 5 train means I’m late. “There is a 4 train to Woodlawn approaching the station”. Perfect. As I step onto the train, I’m greeted by the various sounds the train has to offer. The screeching wheels and the rhythmic sound of the train passing over the tracks but, I’m distracted. I hear a sermon, the same sermon for the past two weeks, not too far from where I sit “...and the book says…”. I tuned in and out. “The next stop is…” not my stop and the sermon is over. The shuffling of shoes, the crumpling of newspapers, backpacks, and coats begin as some leave and many get on. Now only the rhythmic sound of the train can be heard. Everyone so still and quiet. The silence is broken, a crying child, tired and sleepy. “The next stop is…”my own, East 125^th street. Its loud and alive, from behind I hear a conversation in Spanish. In front of me is an avalanche of steps, crushing, tumbling, without any sense of order. “The next train will arrive in 1 minute.” It’s time to go. The sound of my hampered breath is lost in the cacophony of others and their hampered breathing. The sound of my steps, hard and heavy, running become a part of the avalanche. They roar. They crash on the ground, they speed up and thunder about. They stop. They lower into a lull. The train doors open, the sound of old bones and sliding doors. Muffled the Train conductor shouts “Step all the way in. Step all the way out. Stand clear of the closing doors.” East 116^th three blocks from work. It’s 7am. The city is alive and well. The train station is filled with the sounds of grade-schoolers, rushing in and out of the train station. I walk towards 118^th, and hear the sound of rushing metal, the stores are opening and the shopkeepers are lifting those heavy metal gates. I hear construction in the distance, the drumming and buzzing of power tools, the cutting, the shearing, and the breaking of earth and metal. I hear chattering as I approach the Silberman School of Social Work. “Good morning!” I tell public safety as I tap on the security gate and it buzzes with approval. “Good morning!” I say to my coworker who beat me here. “Good morning!” I say to another person who steps onto the campus. It’s 7:15am I’m at work.

Project 1 Define a Space

DefineASpace from Lyle-Anthony on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

I am a listener. I am an observer.  I find that I consume media with only a few thoughts on my mind; the most important of which are: why am I reading this? Why am I watching this? Why am I playing this? These questions are simple ---easy to answer: “I enjoy it.” This too simple of an answer!  I delve a little deeper to question why media appeals to me and I find that I am deeply vested in how media attracts their listener, their observers, their crowds as a whole.

What is it about media that spur people into action? What is it about media that forms sides, groups, factions, and what is it about media that turns people away? What I hope to achieve in this statement and my work is perspective: different ways of seeing.

I want my media reflect the listener, the observer and the scene itself. These ideas, my interest, did not start with any one specific moment in my life rather it is a culmination of being exposed to all types of media and never really latching on to one that stands above the rest.  I read books, newspapers, and magazines. I watch television: cartoons, anime, documentaries, and politics. I play video games from action adventure to puzzle platformers. I am exposed to media every hour of each day therefore I find it impossible to be influenced by just one or even some of the branches of media. So, I’ll take what I believe is the basis or the root of it all and through my lens show it to you.