When preparing for the projects about ‘place’ at Fitzroy Gardens, I could only bring an underwater camera. My sister was using the proper camera for the day.
I hoped there would be ponds, and there were! I wanted to look at this public space and find the bits that were a bit more private, a bit more secluded. That was unreachable for the everyday person (unless you read your book in a pond). I was looking for a perspective that wasn’t often seen.
I was also specifically looking for wildlife (fish, bugs, tadpoles), and I saw none, which made me very sad. But I persevered and looked for places with interesting shadows and diverse textures.
After properly seeing the footage after I got to a computer, I realised most of it was out of focus, which happens when your arms are under the water trying to film something you can’t see.
I still liked the quality of the videos; it kept an otherwordly feeling and showed cool micro things.
I didn’t have time to edit the videos properly before the group tutorial. It ended up being just a chronological order of my favourite bits I had filmed. Not what I wanted to present, but it I was all was able to do at that time. But I got some good observations.
-the shakey camera made it seem naturalistic and raw
-the soft focus shots highlighted changes in tone throughout the clip
These are interesting observations, but I can’t help but think my peers were just being kind. However, I do agree with them… sort of
Because I couldn’t record any sound underwater, I wanted to create a soundtrack to create a more cohesive and emotional theme between the clips. I wanted something a bit plunkier; I usually do dramatic drones that change over long periods.
So I went with an organic-sounding instrument in the first half, almost to ease the listener in. then changed it up in the second half by adding a synthesizer to make it feel more alien and otherworldly.
I then cut up my favourite clips from the day and separated them by above water and below water. I matched the shots with the music, changing shot lengths to create variety and keep pace. Especially in the second half, where the intent was that the viewer felt like they were thrown into this otherworld. A place that is difficult to see and can only be viewed A place shrouded in obscurity, visible only to those brave enough to delve into the depths and murk of a pond
I was delighted with the outcome, and the music was better than I expected of myself.
What I think was successful.
- The music was catchy and had a melody that made sense with the footage.
- The music had diverse sounds that still worked (mostly) with each other. Which is something I have struggled with in my music practice.
- The change-up of the timing of the length of shots meant that the repetition of similar shots wasn’t too boring, and it kept a pace that matched the music in a different way
What could be improved upon.
- The shakiness of the shots meant that they were often moving in sporadic directions that were hard to control with the quick cuts.
- The out-of-focus meant that a lot of exciting shapes were lost
- The colours of the shots in the second half were very same-samey. If I could have shot in different ponds with different plant types, it would have helped. Also, probably because it was a very overcast day, and not much light was being let into the pond.
- I just repeated the melody twice, which I am mostly okay with because it’s okay to repeat when you’re onto something good. I could’ve added chords underneath it to make some more musical movement and emotional swelling, but that is a lacking area in my music education. So I will have to do some youtubing.
