Week Three Walk: Video and Sound
WEEK THREE: On this week’s walk you will focus on sights and sounds simultaneously.
Another walk on the charming Balboa Island. It is the Monday after the July 4th weekend, and I decide to brave the crowds and go for a walk expecting elbow room only. But to my surprise, the main street was very lightly populated. The beaches were closed for the long weekend, and seems to have had significant effect. I felt sad for the retailers who had hoped to make some revenue at the peak time in the summer. Instead, the village seemed so relaxed, and slowed down. Southern California climate was on full display with a blazing sun, high heat and a welcome ocean breeze.
Take note of the following:
Do you find it easier or more difficult to focus on more than one sense at a time?
I found it more difficult. I was worried about capturing something interesting enough to post, and felt that this took me out of the "noticing" moment. So much so, that I re-walked the route I recorded in order to give it a good listen and to pay attention to what I was seeing.
Do you find yourself focusing on one more than the other?
I started with an "eavesdropping" approach, wanting to genuinely just hear snippets of walk by conversations, with no attention to the visual, but I was unhappy with the result. This was more satisfying for me to experience.
I switched to a visual lead snippet instead, and then tuned into the sound from there. I expect this will be more satisfying for the viewer to experience.
What are different ways you can leverage this in your creative exercise?
From an assignment perspective, my selections were heavily influenced by providing an experience for the viewer.
From a personal creative mindset perspective, watching back the video I shot helped me to notice and expand the moment in my mind. Good note to self - sometimes we just need to revel in the moment rather than trying to immortalize the moment on our phones/devices.
Video upload did not work for me, so here are YouTube links instead. THX
https://youtu.be/tvl1li7JJfI Getting started
https://youtu.be/dK8omBT3v7Y Down the street
https://youtu.be/2k3xoiAFL0M July 4th remnants
https://youtu.be/oZhQlI6Vjio On the water
Yes. Sometimes walking or ;looking with an agenda takes away the initial health of the experience. But, your reflection on the crowds or lack there of and thus the sounds was interesting, as was your reactions to what you saw which was not what you, or the viewer , expected.
ReplyDelete"Down the Street" presents such a rich visual world for us to experience. I appreciated the range of visuals, from the store displays, people eating in doorways, the passing cars reflected in windows, the light play on a stucco wall, the doormat that says 'Happy Feet...' I found the audio here to be especially exciting as well -- the way it came in and out dramatically as you passed conversations and cars, and finally the exquisite timing of the church bells ringing! I would have happily watched for many more minutes as you explored this vibrant world. Unfortunately, I cannot view the second two videos, "July 4th Remnants" and "On the Water" as they are marked 'private.' Can you please change the settings?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late response, I have changed the settings, if you wish to look at them. THX
DeleteTrudy,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated how "Down the Street" took me on a little vacation to a place so different from many of the places I have been able to spend time in lately. I really enjoyed it! The church bells also really captured my attention and distracted me a bit. I too feel that it is harder to concentrate on more than once sense at the same time.
Thank you for sharing that video. (The other two won't work for me, and I wonder if they could work if you changed the settings?) Thank you!
settings changed! thanks
DeleteI really enjoyed Down the Street as well, it gives a really strong sense of place. The focus on the left hand view of all the business facades was really great - the video strongly communicates a feeling of place. Things I sensed: the absence of bodies, the way that businesses were 'open' but not occupied, the empty barstools waiting for takers, and the low level street sounds in the covid context really point to a cultural shift - away from community, gatherings and more towards abandonment. One question I have - What would happen if you simply kept moving with the camera pointed in the left direction, ie. not shift the the view to explain the various sound interactions. When the church bells first started, I was intrigued, and that made the view even richer... same same with the 'Hi baby' comment about the dog. Leaving us guessing could really amplify the experience for the first time viewer.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of staying on the left side and letting the viewer wonder. I guess that indicates in those moments I was clearly drawn by sound over visual, interesting observation, thank you.
DeleteI also really enjoyed the complexity of this piece -- especially the reflection in the windows and how it provided double visuals. It was both a layering of life in town, as well as the juxtaposition of the an unusual inside emptiness with the outside sounds of normal daily life. The church bells, in addition to being such a pretty sound, also felt like a calling. As the video gets closer to the church, it also slows down, looks around, returns to the church -- there's a mysteriousness here and it's quite engaging. Who is the person walking? Where are they going? Are they in a familiar place? Are they being pursued? Seeking refuge? I don't get the impression that it's just a stroll... What Kat says about keeping the forward momentum and singular POV is a great suggestion... thank you so much for sharing this! I miss the west coast...
ReplyDeleteThe timing of the church music was serendipitous!
DeleteI found "Down the Street" to be very calming. I felt as though I was on a walk in a familiar yet unfamiliar place. The objects, items, sky, sounds, etc. were both similar to things that I see in my environment, but also different. The perspective from which you recorded is very engrossing and helps me feel present. I enjoyed the way in which you turned the camera to 'look' and pick up something new in the periphery.
ReplyDeleteI can't see your other two video.
I am happy that my trip down the street resonated. Sorry for the late response, I have changed the settings, if you wish to look at the other videos. THX
DeleteWhat a great sense of place your videos brought to me. I was interested in your choice of perspective and how that helped me feel like I was walking along with you at your left shoulder. I enjoyed "July 4th Remnants" it created a feeling of participation for me as viewer. A call to action. I was waiting for evidence - oh look there was someone sweeping - was he clearing up a bit of left behind red white and blue party evidence? I felt a deeper level of connection to this video because of your focus.
ReplyDelete