Finally, the filming is complete and I'm onto the editing stage. This is really enjoyable and I'm discovering new nuances and symbolic imagery that we filmed which fits in perfectly with this reflection piece. Though time consuming, editing is very rewarding as you can see the visual/audio results of your 'art manipulation'.

Delays!

Shooting began very smoothly...but then due to a turn of weather events and a massive snowfall, the rest of the shooting could not be completed!

I've altered my shotlist to accomodate the new season and changing temperatures and will need to start re-shooting a.s.a.p.

Shooting Schedule/ Editing Schedule

Shooting Schedule

Friday November 9th 3:00- 5:00p.m: opening sequence with trees/leaf (actor required)
location: backyard on Joseph Circle, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saturday November 10th: 4:00-5:00p.m.: biking sequence (actor required) location: Johnwoods Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Monday November 12th: 10:00-12:00p.m.: ending sequence

location: Joseph Circle, Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Editing Schedule

Wednesday November 11th: 11:30-2:30 p.m. (scene splicing, deleting)

Thursday November 12th: 10:00-12:00p.m. (ordering, general editing)

Saturday November 14th: 4:00-6:00p.m. (addition of transitions, title cards etc)

Equipment for the shoot:

JVC Digital Video Camera

Tripod

Bicycle

Shotlist

1)Fade in from Black

2)Cut to wide shot of an oak tree at night. Lighting from below.

3)Cut to medium wide shot of girl with camera taking a picture of the tree

4)Cut to close up of tree branches

5)Cut to close up of tree branch with solitary leaf

6)Cut to wide shot of leaf blowing away. Extreme high angle looking down upon a neighbourhood of houses.

7)Cut to close up of leaf on the pavement

8)Zoom in to the pavement

9)Zoom out on a grey splotch on a painting

10)Zoom out further to a wide shot of the painting. A hand is visible in the bottom right of the frame adding finishing touches with a paintbrush

11)Cut to a close up of a drop of water falling out the paintbrush and into the glass bowl of water

13)Cut to a close up puddle and drop of water hitting it. Bicycle arrives from left of frame and splashes through puddle

14)Cut to close up of the bike wheel

15)High angle/ medium shot of the person and bike pedaling away and stopping beside the edge where grass meets pavement.

16)Cut to medium shot of person getting off bike and untying shoes. Then walks out of the frame – dandelion in the grass is in the middle of the frame.

17)Close up of three feet around a dandelion thumping to the time of a heartbeat.

18)Cut to a close up of a foot and pans across to reveal a person lying in the grass listening to music.

19)Cut back to the three feet around the dandelion as they stop thumping.
Fade to white.

some thoughts...

"The Man Makes the Hammer then the Hammer Makes the Man"

The quotation « The man makes the hammer and then the hammer makes the man » is a saying laden with truth about humanity and is an ageless quote for contemporary as well as past eras. The “hammer” in this





high angle shot -similar to the one I will use from the tree ->

quote can be a metaphor for the tools that humans have invented. These tools now define, influence and let mankind achieve their greatest potential.

As humans we are continually trying to make our lives easier. We invent new tools which soon become a necessity to our daily lives. In return it is these very tools that define our culture and the people who shape it. Countless “tools” have been created such as the video camera, and in return this has given an outlet for creative and informative expression. It is the very utensils that we have created that we use in our daily lives and is what advances and motivates a change in all world civilizations. Inventions such as the computer have inevitably altered the English language, the way we communicate, spend our time and the way in which we approach and tackle work. As the evolution of technology continues so does the ways we go about our lives and alters the course of humanity. The human production of “tools” available to society is what makes us open to limitless possibilities. “Man” can achieve his greatest potential when using something else that was also made by man. The tools we create are what have molded the progress of human kind.

They have been the building blocks of human communication, interaction and excellence. “Tools”, that were once crude and rudimentary continue to increase in sophistication. It is what we make, how we speak and what we do that lets us use more improved beneficial materials for life- a continuous cycle that changes the direction of human kind and sculpts who we are.

McLuhan, McLuhan, McLuhan

Since disovering some of the works of Marsall Mcluhan a couple years ago, I've been greatly intrigued by this philosopher and academic. I've decided to base my film around the following principle:

Humans are extensions of themselves in the technology and objects they use. We are not confined to being present in our physical bodies but also exist in the tools which we use.

Examples/ my ideas on this issue which I will use in the film:

-a bike as an extension of our legs and mobility
-headphones as an extension of our ears
-a paintbrush as an extension of our hands and imagination
-a camera as an extension of our eyes and memory

Inspiration..

Since studying Marshall Mcluhan a couple years ago, I've been very interested in this Canadian philosopher and academic. I find his ideas interesting, complex and highly appropriate to our modern epoch of communication.
For my video, I've decided to use some of his theories as a starting point and theme and base my film around them.