#cyclethree

[qshdmicable]

ONE PLACE

In this cycle you have the opportunity to explore the notion of a PLACE. In simple terms, a place is a geographical area but there is much more to be conveyed in a specific location. A place has an identity, a tone, a community, voices, stories and histories. A place can be dark or light, cramped or spacious, large or small or a combination and contradiction of things. In this project we will ask you to choose one place and produce a film that communicates its essence and/or features the setting as an important part of the narrative. 

I started off thinking of ideas with a mindmap right after reading the brief. The first thing that came to mind surrounding the idea of 'one place' was physical locations and areas; my initial locations related to this were all outdoor, open spaces that had a history or were a good showcase of natural beauty. I started to explore some potential locations where filming was feasible - although this was very much the first stage of planning I was starting to think of what form my short film would take and what I would/could include. After this, I started to think of 'place' in a more abstract way -- belonging: knowing you have a place, memory: a place that creates an emotion within you.

I liked the more abstract way I had explored the idea of place in my previous mind map so decided I would identify some potential ideas I could choose from that were associated with the overall idea of 'identity'. The three locations I mention here all have significant memories attached to them (good or bad) that play a part in my view on 'identity'. All of these places have more than one memory attached so i felt it would be good to explore some of the feelings I experienced in these places through a montage. I'd made a montage in a previous project so for this one I thought id try to include something of a bit more substance and with a more personal touch that would /hopefully/ give the film more impact and emotion. A poem I had written a few weeks prior for English Literature also explored the idea of identity in a very personal way to me, so I felt it fit to base some of the film around that.

IDENTITY

A view on yourself like a hand, drawn across a frosted window Blurry eyes peering through, An artists interpretation. A facial composite. A forensic sketch, of nothing more than what makes you, you. It’s a luminous cave that’s hidden beneath so many folds It’s like forcing open a cavern in your chest. How am I meant to explain the most me thing there is when, I don’t even know myself? When your view on your life is quintessentially from another’s words; How can you form the words to weave a web of things that mean you to you when, You can’t even form a clear thought of who you are? Where do you stand?

What a personal thing it is to refine your everything to a material good Emotions of emotions: Wonderful, fantastic short-lived outbursts the most beautiful and radiant thing you’ve ever seen, How can I label those feelings? How can I define this to you?

The smell of rain on blazing concrete After weeks upon weeks of not a drop in sight. Relief as the colour returns, Like the stark contrast of blooming red on your white cheeks, The cold sets in. I know you’re still alive, I perceive that. I know who you are to me but; My own translation is lost in my colours, my words. It’s like trying to offer you every thought I’ve ever thought.Your joy as the seasons start to change. We spend hours after the hardest days of our lives Indulging in rich reds and a gold that matches the long-forgotten sun, A dazzling fantasy that we know we can’t afford. Your voice cut through the traffic, I could hear you through the noise and my aching limbs.I remember your tears, Like diamonds re-compressed to coal, hanging heavy in my heart Your head was heavy on my shoulder. Small moments of warming sun before the ever wide sky is covered by a lead cloud.I know who I am to you; what I need to be in your life but, What am I to myself? What paints the same feelings in a conceivable way? How am I meant to explain the most me thing there is when, I don’t even know myself?

Further exploration for ideas:

The red string of Fate -

‘One Japanese legend tells of an old man who lives in the moon and comes out every night to search among kin spirits to reunite them on Earth, who have something to learn from each other, and when he finds them he ties a red thread to them so they find their paths. Thus, our red strings end in someone else. 

But unlike other amorous superstitions, the Japanese one isn’t limited to couples, or a single person who one is destined to find. It speaks of a type of arterial ramification that emerges from a finger toward all those with whom we will make history and all those whom we will help in one way or another.’

Screen grabs of filmed clips:

Overall I was very happy with this project and really enjoyed the planning and idea development aspects of it. I struggled to make the clips fit together in a cohesive way and ended up not having enough footage in the end so ran out of time. I really enjoyed the brief for this project and would quite like to revisit it in the future to give it a better go. 

The sound design for this project was something I found particularly hard; I would like to spend longer really looking into creating effective soundscapes that fit alongside my footage.