Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
wow, time flies when you are having fun, this semester has been a whirlwind, i havent blogged in a while so i need to catch up a bit. let's see, i could talk about my trip to lucama on november 2-4, i havent talked about that yet. o.k. well i got that friday off from baby duty and my wife was home all day, there was a storm off the coast of the atlantic seaboard and i had just picked up all of my equipment and dropped it off at my house to wait for my group. plans changed for them and i realized i had to go it alone. so i grabbed the jvc dvx and some sticks and got in my van and hauled butt since it was already 3 pm. and the kick off was at 6 pm. after a 2.5 hour drive i made it up to wilson and found a parking spot right up front. i went inside the arts center and told the receptionist i was looking for barry paige. while i was waiting i struck up a conversation with some of the guests. they started telling me all kinds of things (most i knew already) when i asked them if they would like to go on camera they declined, so i decided maybe this wasnt the venue for my film. barry paige came out and introduced me to the coordinator for the whirlygig festival and she asked me if i was the filmmaker from canada, i said no but realized that i am glad i was doing this film this year and not later years because it is of special interest for many people. i explored the meet and greet and soaked in the smells and sights of the banquet before me. it was all designed for hobnobbing and was very informal. i kind of wandered around and looked to see if there was a podium or some sort of a pulpit for public speaking and seeing none. i looked around and saw it was not going to be my scene. barry paige was busy with people so i looked outside. the wind was churning and blowing like crazy. daylight was losing fast. i thought to myself. if vollis and family is here, who's at the park? no one. i slipped out quietly and motored out to whirlygig farm.
when i arrived there it was just as i suspected, the gigs were moving ....yes! quite rapidly in fact. i got out my camera and started to soak it all in. and capture the most i could. whirlygigs were moving that hadnt moved in the past and the noise was truly unique. it was really empty at the farm and no one was there. my dad called me while i was out there (he lives in michigan) and i tried to describe to him what was going on and he could sense my excitement. i stayed out there till the sun went down and grabbed all i could. at night it was very black this particular night but the wind was cool and smelled clean like rain. i fired up the spotlight and set up my shots. unfortunately the light takes a lot of juice and i had to run my car to keep it going so i have no audio from that night. i hope to get it on another night or day. the audio would have had a running car in the back ground, anyway. so i used a whole hour's worth of tape. and decided to go home and hoped it would be this wonderful out there the whole weekend.
so on sunday morning of the fest. i got up early like 7:00 in the morning and call skip from documentary class. he agreed the day before to help me shoot some stuff for the festival. i was so excited i drove us straight to the park hoping for the same magic that happened on Friday night, (i had been watching the trees move the whole way up and listening to the weather). the wind was there just not very strong. i set up the marantz and stereo mike first thing because i really needed the missed audio. once the sound station was set up i started showing skip some of the things i was looking for, but i stressed that i really was looking for other people's perspective as well. i have told everyone that has helped me on this project the same. the late morning and early afternoon produced some bursts but people, planes, and vehicles really cramped the purity of the sound grab on some of the sound files. i got a workable list and was fairly happy. speaking of people, the farm was kind of busy but i was really expecting a lot of people checking this park out due to a runoff from the festival and was surprised that was not the case. at mid afternoon , we decided to go to the festival and check it out. we got to wilson and not alot was going on, we drove around and they had all the streets blocked off. so we looked around for whirlygigs instead and found some we hadnt seen before and filmed them. i thought we should go back to the farm, and we stopped off to robert's family restaurant on the way back and got some of north carolina's most famous barbeque pork and took it to go and ate under the whirlygig's shadows. we spent some more time filming and taking pictures. i grabbed a tape of the sunset so i can do a time lapse sequence. and thought, i think i have done enough. we shot another tape of mixed footage, one of the sunset, took 4 rolls of pictures, and got some sound grab (the early morning was all that produced the best sound for us. the rest of the day was a wash for sound) i wanted to get skip back home. if the whirlygigs were turning like friday nite we would have stayed. i fired up the spotlight for him and some hippie visitors and drove the long road home. i had my moving footage and my sound i was fairly happy. i called the simpsons and let them know that i was leaving but told them i would be back to get some random grocery list items for post and left the farm behind for now
jm
when i arrived there it was just as i suspected, the gigs were moving ....yes! quite rapidly in fact. i got out my camera and started to soak it all in. and capture the most i could. whirlygigs were moving that hadnt moved in the past and the noise was truly unique. it was really empty at the farm and no one was there. my dad called me while i was out there (he lives in michigan) and i tried to describe to him what was going on and he could sense my excitement. i stayed out there till the sun went down and grabbed all i could. at night it was very black this particular night but the wind was cool and smelled clean like rain. i fired up the spotlight and set up my shots. unfortunately the light takes a lot of juice and i had to run my car to keep it going so i have no audio from that night. i hope to get it on another night or day. the audio would have had a running car in the back ground, anyway. so i used a whole hour's worth of tape. and decided to go home and hoped it would be this wonderful out there the whole weekend.
so on sunday morning of the fest. i got up early like 7:00 in the morning and call skip from documentary class. he agreed the day before to help me shoot some stuff for the festival. i was so excited i drove us straight to the park hoping for the same magic that happened on Friday night, (i had been watching the trees move the whole way up and listening to the weather). the wind was there just not very strong. i set up the marantz and stereo mike first thing because i really needed the missed audio. once the sound station was set up i started showing skip some of the things i was looking for, but i stressed that i really was looking for other people's perspective as well. i have told everyone that has helped me on this project the same. the late morning and early afternoon produced some bursts but people, planes, and vehicles really cramped the purity of the sound grab on some of the sound files. i got a workable list and was fairly happy. speaking of people, the farm was kind of busy but i was really expecting a lot of people checking this park out due to a runoff from the festival and was surprised that was not the case. at mid afternoon , we decided to go to the festival and check it out. we got to wilson and not alot was going on, we drove around and they had all the streets blocked off. so we looked around for whirlygigs instead and found some we hadnt seen before and filmed them. i thought we should go back to the farm, and we stopped off to robert's family restaurant on the way back and got some of north carolina's most famous barbeque pork and took it to go and ate under the whirlygig's shadows. we spent some more time filming and taking pictures. i grabbed a tape of the sunset so i can do a time lapse sequence. and thought, i think i have done enough. we shot another tape of mixed footage, one of the sunset, took 4 rolls of pictures, and got some sound grab (the early morning was all that produced the best sound for us. the rest of the day was a wash for sound) i wanted to get skip back home. if the whirlygigs were turning like friday nite we would have stayed. i fired up the spotlight for him and some hippie visitors and drove the long road home. i had my moving footage and my sound i was fairly happy. i called the simpsons and let them know that i was leaving but told them i would be back to get some random grocery list items for post and left the farm behind for now
jm
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Whirligig Farm
Duration: 08:00 minutes to 15:00 minutes
Subject: Local Urban (Rural) Legend Confrontation
Story Version One: two minutes to three
Audio: of Legend version 1, run under images of Acid Park, bright day, light background audio, also included will be short audio discussion by director narrating location of park and first experience
Images run: Images captured during bright light conditions, sunny, very little or no
Whirligig movement, images will start bright then continue to dark as dusk
approaches, also included will be 35 mm photo files, and color super 8 mm
(kodachrome) and modern color super 8 mm.
Story Version Two: two minutes to three
Audio: of Legend version 2, run under images of Acid Park, rainy day, med. background audio, also included will be short discussion narrative concerning legend’s story
Images run: Images captured during dreary overcast day, more whirligig movement
to fast daylight, 16 mm footage included, also included will be digital SLR photos
modified using photoshop, images also modified using FCP and After Effects
Story Version Three: two minutes to three
Audio of Legend version 3 or alternate story, run under images of Acid Park, Nighttime, heavy background audio, sound effects, and short narrative describing summary of legend themes
Images run: Images captured during storm at night, heavy and frenetic whirligig
movement, focus on alien and otherworldly views, building suspense, also
included will be re-projected and modified footage from super 8
The Real Story of Acid Park: Vollis Simpson: two minutes to three
Sound and image together of interview with the creator of Acid Park, Vollis Simpson.
Topics discussed: the origin of the name acid park, the actual origin ofmain
Legend surrounding daughter’s death, reveal and insight to legend’s spread.
Also included will be location audio sound and narrative summary of topic
including expressive thoughts. Throughout Vollis’ interview will be very
stylized and artistic photography and footage, with stress being on thebeauty
of the art inside of Acid Park
End Credits: Original music composed by bluegrass band and/or guitarist songwriter
Grocery List of Needed Elements for Post:
Four More Interviews to be grabbed using the Morantz and Shot gun Microphone, these have already been confirmed and are in Wilmington so no travel necessary.
Photos and Footage to be modified using Photoshop and After Effects
Already shot footage to be sent off for development. (2 rolls of 16 mm, 6 rolls of Super 8) Remaining three cartridges (modern color, B&W, and Kodachrome) to be shot (waiting for big storm) and also mailed for development.
Developed footage to be projected and re-photographed and modified
More Audio exploration, incl. sound effects and location grab (Big Storm again)
Contact Local Bluegrass Band (Located nearby in Southeastern North Carolina) and Guitarist/Songwriter (also Local). Present them with footage and legends to create original soundtrack and song(s) to accompany film
Duration: 08:00 minutes to 15:00 minutes
Subject: Local Urban (Rural) Legend Confrontation
Story Version One: two minutes to three
Audio: of Legend version 1, run under images of Acid Park, bright day, light background audio, also included will be short audio discussion by director narrating location of park and first experience
Images run: Images captured during bright light conditions, sunny, very little or no
Whirligig movement, images will start bright then continue to dark as dusk
approaches, also included will be 35 mm photo files, and color super 8 mm
(kodachrome) and modern color super 8 mm.
Story Version Two: two minutes to three
Audio: of Legend version 2, run under images of Acid Park, rainy day, med. background audio, also included will be short discussion narrative concerning legend’s story
Images run: Images captured during dreary overcast day, more whirligig movement
to fast daylight, 16 mm footage included, also included will be digital SLR photos
modified using photoshop, images also modified using FCP and After Effects
Story Version Three: two minutes to three
Audio of Legend version 3 or alternate story, run under images of Acid Park, Nighttime, heavy background audio, sound effects, and short narrative describing summary of legend themes
Images run: Images captured during storm at night, heavy and frenetic whirligig
movement, focus on alien and otherworldly views, building suspense, also
included will be re-projected and modified footage from super 8
The Real Story of Acid Park: Vollis Simpson: two minutes to three
Sound and image together of interview with the creator of Acid Park, Vollis Simpson.
Topics discussed: the origin of the name acid park, the actual origin ofmain
Legend surrounding daughter’s death, reveal and insight to legend’s spread.
Also included will be location audio sound and narrative summary of topic
including expressive thoughts. Throughout Vollis’ interview will be very
stylized and artistic photography and footage, with stress being on thebeauty
of the art inside of Acid Park
End Credits: Original music composed by bluegrass band and/or guitarist songwriter
Grocery List of Needed Elements for Post:
Four More Interviews to be grabbed using the Morantz and Shot gun Microphone, these have already been confirmed and are in Wilmington so no travel necessary.
Photos and Footage to be modified using Photoshop and After Effects
Already shot footage to be sent off for development. (2 rolls of 16 mm, 6 rolls of Super 8) Remaining three cartridges (modern color, B&W, and Kodachrome) to be shot (waiting for big storm) and also mailed for development.
Developed footage to be projected and re-photographed and modified
More Audio exploration, incl. sound effects and location grab (Big Storm again)
Contact Local Bluegrass Band (Located nearby in Southeastern North Carolina) and Guitarist/Songwriter (also Local). Present them with footage and legends to create original soundtrack and song(s) to accompany film
Opening night of Cucalorus
The crowd at Jengo's was very excited and lots of background noise were included. rumblings and mumblings exuded as i walked into the darkened theater. i grabbed the first seat i could get as i came in as the intro shorts finished. The first film was "West Bank Story" and was a spoof comedy musical surrounding love, jihadism, racial tension, but most importantly: Love. Very funny at parts this film seemed overly produced for this genre, but amused the audience greatly. This film was too long and could have been edited shorter and included too many unnecessary shots. the next film was the feature doc:The Film Class. this film was very appealing in its Cinema Verite style. The subject matter was intense and interesting and time passed quickly. i felt this film, although assembled by amateurs, included way too many shaky shots. i saw tripods in this film i think they should have used them more. the important theme in the film was the message and i do think that that was clear in its presentation. if the subject matter was not as serious and if the filmmakers did not have so many obstacles to conquer to get this film shown, i feel it would not have been festival worthy just by production value alone, they get a pass living in a third world country and other obvious hardships befalling them. i decided to stay for the shorts that mrs. silva programmed and found 2 of them to be inspiring, the first film (which i cannot remember the title) and the film "elephant music" "elephant music" was dark and somber and gave off feelings of despair and solace. Quite extraordinary actually. The session wrapped with one of the filmmakers Q&A (Penny Lane) and was quite a good time. I learned that without the help of film cooperatives and foundations experimentals would not be as good and possibly non existent. it seemed the better experimental shorts had quite a deal of backing indicated by the lengthy credits. this could be a pro for someone with that kind of access and a con for those without. i really enjoyed "film class" and "elephant music" but could do without west bank story (seemed like a waste of resources, i cant believe it was shot on panavision!) i learned that i need to be there earlier (traffic was kind of bad) and advice i would give would be to research the films you go to see, because you could be stuck paying for a bum film. Not necessarily at this screening, but feedback with other students indicated there were a couple of real stinkers in this years lineup. i'm glad i missed them.
jm
The crowd at Jengo's was very excited and lots of background noise were included. rumblings and mumblings exuded as i walked into the darkened theater. i grabbed the first seat i could get as i came in as the intro shorts finished. The first film was "West Bank Story" and was a spoof comedy musical surrounding love, jihadism, racial tension, but most importantly: Love. Very funny at parts this film seemed overly produced for this genre, but amused the audience greatly. This film was too long and could have been edited shorter and included too many unnecessary shots. the next film was the feature doc:The Film Class. this film was very appealing in its Cinema Verite style. The subject matter was intense and interesting and time passed quickly. i felt this film, although assembled by amateurs, included way too many shaky shots. i saw tripods in this film i think they should have used them more. the important theme in the film was the message and i do think that that was clear in its presentation. if the subject matter was not as serious and if the filmmakers did not have so many obstacles to conquer to get this film shown, i feel it would not have been festival worthy just by production value alone, they get a pass living in a third world country and other obvious hardships befalling them. i decided to stay for the shorts that mrs. silva programmed and found 2 of them to be inspiring, the first film (which i cannot remember the title) and the film "elephant music" "elephant music" was dark and somber and gave off feelings of despair and solace. Quite extraordinary actually. The session wrapped with one of the filmmakers Q&A (Penny Lane) and was quite a good time. I learned that without the help of film cooperatives and foundations experimentals would not be as good and possibly non existent. it seemed the better experimental shorts had quite a deal of backing indicated by the lengthy credits. this could be a pro for someone with that kind of access and a con for those without. i really enjoyed "film class" and "elephant music" but could do without west bank story (seemed like a waste of resources, i cant believe it was shot on panavision!) i learned that i need to be there earlier (traffic was kind of bad) and advice i would give would be to research the films you go to see, because you could be stuck paying for a bum film. Not necessarily at this screening, but feedback with other students indicated there were a couple of real stinkers in this years lineup. i'm glad i missed them.
jm
hello visitors:here is a list of prospective festivals that would seem to be a good fit for this film as far as style and content are concerned, included are a list of fees, to get a better idea of festival plan cost:
these are arranged in chronological order nearest to farthest:
May 31, 2008- NextFrame Touring Festival(For Students only) - Earlybird $20, Regular $25
November 15, 2008- Gasparilla Film Festival - Earlybird $30, Regular $40
November 20, 2008- Black Maria Film and Video - $35 Deadline
November 30, 2008- Full Frame Documentary Film Festival - Regular $35, Standard $55
December 15, 2008- RiverRun Film Festival - Earlybird $20, Regular $25, Late $35, Extended $40, Student $15
January 1, 2009- Drive-In Film Festival - Earlybird $15, Regular $20, Late $25, Extended $40
January 11, 2009- SilverDocs - Earlybird $25, Regular $30, Late $40, Extended $45
February 9, 2009- Rural Route Film Festival - Earlybird $10, Regular $20
February 2009- Cannes - Free
The dates listed are the absolute late day they will accept the films
these are arranged in chronological order nearest to farthest:
May 31, 2008- NextFrame Touring Festival(For Students only) - Earlybird $20, Regular $25
November 15, 2008- Gasparilla Film Festival - Earlybird $30, Regular $40
November 20, 2008- Black Maria Film and Video - $35 Deadline
November 30, 2008- Full Frame Documentary Film Festival - Regular $35, Standard $55
December 15, 2008- RiverRun Film Festival - Earlybird $20, Regular $25, Late $35, Extended $40, Student $15
January 1, 2009- Drive-In Film Festival - Earlybird $15, Regular $20, Late $25, Extended $40
January 11, 2009- SilverDocs - Earlybird $25, Regular $30, Late $40, Extended $45
February 9, 2009- Rural Route Film Festival - Earlybird $10, Regular $20
February 2009- Cannes - Free
The dates listed are the absolute late day they will accept the films
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