Evaluation
What I have learnt and how
For this module I tried to get a better understanding of video, filming and editing, as well as beginning to look into sound as an art form, I feel that although these two practices sound as if they should easily go together, looking back I believe it may have been easier to stick with one in particular and progress more with it as I underestimated how much work it would be and to learn.
I tried to use a variety of equipment, in both sound and video, booking inductions and gaining the basics into how to use different cameras and audio recorders, such as the high speed camera, the new Canon Legria handycams and M-Audio records, and from there I was able to learn the basics in editing. Talking to Matt the technician for AV, he was able to help me with importing the media I created and giving me pointers when I got stuck, after being down in AV for a while I have managed to strike up a friendship with him, which I believe will help as I wish to continue this type of work in the future. One thing I have learnt that is very important is a happy technician is a helpful technician, if you talk over your ideas with them they can give you another perspective on it and advise you about how you can go about it.
One thing I have learnt personally, is I work quite a lot by myself, I feel more accomplished when I work things out for myself. I only seem to ask questions when I get stuck and sometimes don’t even like that, I feel that I learnt better when I know I have to learn it for myself and not being forced to as I then find it more interesting then. Although this make me go at a slower rate, which I have realised by the amount of work I’ve done and the range. I would like to have made more and learnt more, but I feel I would have needed more time, this I will need to look at and work on as all our forthcoming modules will be more self-directed, also I have come to the conclusion it is best to ask for help and advice earlier as it can help you accomplish more and help you do more work quicker and easier.
What else I need to learn
There are many things I want to learn but I need to work out what I need to learn, I briefly made an attempt at an animation using After Effects but have not had chance to finish it, this will allow me to further my understanding of that software which I feel I will need to as it will show me more possibilities within video.
Sound wise, I feel I need to learn how to use more equipment, find odd ways of recording and properly explore the idea of sound art, whether this is in my recording method or what I record or turn the field recordings into.
In myself, I need to learn to be more confident in my work, I still feel hesitant whether it’s the right thing to be doing although I am very interested in it, I’ve been told my work is more fine art and I don’t know whether this is causing a hindrance as I am unsure of what kind of career/future in art I can point my skills towards.
How effective was my research
I feel my research was good in respect to finding artists that I thought were interesting and gave me reference points and influenced my work but I realise I did not do enough technical research, such as learning about different types of sound recorders, and video cameras, the different brands, formats, old and new, even if didn’t get to use them I think I should have done some written research in to them.
The practical research I did I believe was a good starting point into AV work, I feel it has given me the basics so that I can further my knowledge and skill in other modules, which is my intent, in sense I do not feel this project is ending.
Self directed projects in helping develop my understanding
This is one part of the module I wish I had done more work into, I feel I am usually an organised person however I did not make myself a structured enough way of working, or at least a definite self directed mini project. If I had I feel this may have helped direct what I wanted to learn and kept me from being distracted and overwhelmed
How important was getting it wrong
This is a part of the project `I bet no one likes but everyone feels is important, although you hate it when you get it wrong it makes you more careful and aware of what you’re doing so you don’t embarrass yourself again. Mistakes are essential in finding if you’re doing it right, and can help in finding quicker ways of working. I made a mistake in this module by extracting some media files in the wrong way so that they were fragments of a whole file and could not be played back, this made me ensure I double check every time I transfer files I do it the right way so I do not carelessly lose work.
How are broader developments going to affect me?
I feel broader developments in the technologies will not vitally affect me, as it has been pointed out my work is more fine art, I am not dependant on using the new and upcoming technologies nor will I be on older ones, I will be using different equipment for different purposes and most probably selecting them in relation to the context or aesthetic vision of my work.
What I have learnt about myself
From this module I have learnt that I do enjoy learning by myself, however due to the fact am I still not very confident I feel I would like to work collaboratively as this would give me support from another artist but also another perspective on working styles, and maybe gain an insight of different learning methods.