DGA130-Experimental Film Evaluation

The first part to planning my experimental film was gathering a number of sources to what an experimental film was in terms of themes that are usually found within an experimental film and its purpose.

After gathering these sources I found a list of artists's definitions of what an experimental film was. I found one source particularly helpful, as it stated usually an experimental film's purpose is to provoke change within society through the expressive method. Furthermore, Isabella Rossellini was said to explain the film is not there to promote profit but for pure enjoyment.

After watching further abstract clips which included a range of abstract shapes/silhouettes/psychological dysmorphic images I further developed my research by researching the history of experimental film.

The previous source further stated experimental films components consist of expression through colour/shapes/sizes and movement through image. Wikipedia goes on to say due to the psychological themes experimental film has provoked influence over the advertising industry.

The next part was gathering a list of of traditional experimental film makers.

Another interesting fact about experimental film is that some film makers use them as a source of reference for greater solid/refined films.

The next part of my research was planning vague ideas/notes. For example splitting parts of what I wanted to express within myself included to intertwine the key parts required on the experimental film brief.

I decided I wanted to express each key feature of form of expression with colour and typography using a sketch/doodle label. I also wrote a script of what I like and what parts of things I like to include so I didn’t over complicate the film (as the film was required to be 1 minute and 30 minutes long and not a profound life story)

The next stage of research was a further developed script where I split up parts into 1)introduction and where I live 2) my hoopes and aspirations for the future 3) my hobbies and likes

4) My dislikes 5) How I see myself

All components included role models that inspire me such as Tim Burton or music artists. My likes and dislikes included food/artist platforms or lifestyle choices. How I saw myself, I wanted to include an element of philosophy and outlook on life. I printed this script off with boxes as I originally planned to include thumbnails.

But later on I decided I didn’t need to draw a sketch for each component as time was limited. I then set out rough vague concepts/notes of ideas to express the concepts in the scripts. I then recorded the scrip read out and realized it was too long and proceeded to make a simplified script of what components were most important to me . After planning this simplified script I did some more artist film/filmmakers research.

The artist I had in mind were more modern contemporary film makers who had created what I thought to believe refreshingly personal films about themselves and their hometowns/ out look on life. I compared Savanna’s Brown Ohio and loving like an existentialist to the mad men scene of nostalgia entitled Carousel. After this artist research I decided I wanted to include a part of my friends in the film to bring that sense of home. Furthermore, created a brief philosophy of how I wanted to view myself. The next part was having a look at an artist named Rebecca Brown’s Clone Photography. I wanted to reincorporate her use of colour and movement in the film amongst this mood clash of identity.

After this artist research and annotation I decided I wanted to include the soundtrack of Melanie Martinze’s “Dollhouse”. This was to express my expression of expectation of happiness or perfection due to the stigma of past mental health issues. Furthermore, a sense of guilt of a past believer and now an agnostic. The soundtrack was an expression of lack of freedom to a type of mistaught guilt I had found within religion. If I were to improve my film I would edit the photography to the right ratio so there wasn’t a sense of amateur perspective created by the blackbars. However, I feel they bring a sense of homeliness. Furthermore I feel I would incorporate more aspects of myself within my original script however, I am happy with the simplicity of the film as I feel the 2D doodley Savannah Brow inspired doodles create a charming, guilty aspect to the film to take away the sinister dark colour/music sound themes.

How I created my photographs was the sure of Photoshop the woodland photography was done on one afternoon using my phone and mini-tripod. The editing of the photos with illustrations took about 3 days and the editing of the film in terms of timing/editing and sound.