First Semester Finals Blog Post

This Semester
This semester I only worked on two in-class projects, both in the beginning of the school year. Besides that, I have worked on a couple of client projects, one of which I am currently still in the process of finishing. By myself, I mainly worked on solo music, honing in my production skills and preparing for work on a music video I want to create for eMagine.

PSA Video

This project was at the very beginning of the year where we had to create a short public service announcement pertaining to problems commonly found in high school, such as peer pressure, which was the topic we chose. The project took approximately two weeks, with one week for concept planning, casting, scheduling, and filming, and the other week being for editing. Our main challenge was the tight scheduling, as we didn't have enough to fit everyone to what roles we prescribed, but we were able to make it work. This project was a nice refresher to start the year, and helped me remember the process of creating and working with others. I can't remember any feedback given, but I feel we did a decent job with this PSA, as it all came together with a good general concept. I think my one wish was more cohesion and to be able to have a greater hand in the process of its creation, but for the most part I am happy with the results.

Short Film

This project was to advance our skills and prepare us for our production on our feature film. If I recall correctly, we made this entire short film in less than two weeks, due to an already predetermined short schedule that was made even shorted when we had to scratch our original concept. We eventually settled on a short story detailing two teens struggling with social anxiety with the compounding factor of college looming over. Our largest struggle, as I stated earlier, was the incredibly short schedule that we had to work with. It was particularly straining for me, as it meant I couldn't show up to the filming days due to an out-of-town college visit and night classes. That, combined with the fact that I was never really offered any other production role, meant that there wasn't a whole lot that I did on this film beside provide feedback and help planning. Even when I offered to take on editing, I wasn't given any opportunity to help on the process, which really upset me. Overall, I wasn't satisfied with the production or result of this project, and I wish that we could have been given more time and that I could have been given a larger role so that I would've had more involvement. One positive thing I could say was that we at least finish the project on time, so our project management skills were there. All that I mainly learned was how important the team process is in creating film, and how much it sucks to not be able to contribute anything. The only feedback I remember getting was some minor errors in sound and camera imaging.

Time In Class

I felt that time in class was only halfway utilized productively, in multiple ways than one. There were somedays that I wasn't completely productive, and for that I take fault in. But there were also many days with required projects and assignments that I feel did not really advance me in anyway or felt like a good use of my time. When I could I worked on music or developing concepts for music videos, but very often the time that could've helped me work on these creative outlets was restraining to work on blog posts or to learn things that I already knew. This only increased my frustration and unproductiveness. I tried to counteract this anger by working on client projects outside of class, but it still felt annoying that I wasn't given much in-class time to edit these projects. Studio time was even more limited, especially compared to last year when I was able to work on music every other day. I expected this limitation when working on our feature film, but not when we had barely started production on it. Now all of my music production is outside of class, which upsets me because sound and music production were the only reasons why I didn't dropout of eComm after sophomore year. I only ask for the time to do what I love to do.

Strengths

I believe that my greatest area of strength is my technical skills in audio, sound, and music production. Being the only student specialized in these aspects gives me an extra edge and usability in the class. I can operate the Zoom and have studied the best settings that would maximize our use of it. I am also very flexible in my technical skills, as I have shown this semester in utilizing my editing skills and even picking up cameras for my client projects, which I honestly have not done since sophomore year but I was able to grasp quickly. I was able to quickly grab on to the idea of ISO and focus with the help of friends. I transitioned quite easily from audio editing to video editing in Premiere Pro. I am able to equally collaborate very easily, and  in my experience have been able to equally distribute the work on the projects that I have led. My communication with others also assists this ability to collaborate, as I speak my mind while making sure that others are heard and seriously considered. The combination of these traits help me as a team player, and I wish to put these aspects to their best use in the production of our feature film and my role of sound supervisor.

Areas of Improvement

My greatest area of improvement is probably project management. Even though every project I have done so far this school year was completed on time, I was often stretched for time and it would have helped the quality of my production is the time was used more effectively. One way I could do this is to fully write out a schedule for myself that I would require myself to follow by, which would likely increase my productivity on certain days and decrease my workload on others. My leadership wasn't bad this year, but it could definitely be better, as I wasn't too assertive or commanding. While I don't want to be overbearing, I do want to take more control in my projects as well as ensure the quality of what we are working on. Settling on my vision and narrowing down precisely what I want to accomplish would certainly help me in this regard, as well as fully understanding the people I am working with.

Guest Speakers

I very much enjoyed the two guest speakers this year, as they did provide some neat background on their experiences in the film and how they applied their passion for film into a career opportunity. Our first speaker talked about how after his time in the military he decided to go into the video business and handle the equipment at a career college. He shared some very interesting tips on how to be prepared for filming and how to make the most use of our time, fast yet with quality. He gave insight on how to better our feature film process, such as starting earlier, organizing everything from our film days to all of our files. The second guest speaker was Mrs. Smith's son, who talked about his early experience of filming and video producing from when he was around our age, and how he used his Journalism degree to help produced videos for an ad agency based in Kansas City. I particularly enjoyed his presentation, as he was very nice and directly showed us his progress from when he was first starting out to where he was today. He gave us some advice on persistence and hard work, to keep pushing for what we want to do and do what you can to make it happen. It really made want to continue making things like music and see where I can go with that, and this mentality can definitely help us when we go on crunch time during production on our film. 

MX4D Experience

I found the MX4D experience to be interesting in terms of wondering how to increase theater attendance in a era where everyone can easily stream the latest release at their homes. However, I feel that this technology still has a ways to go to become a definite reason to see movies in theaters. One thing that definitely stunted it for me was that I was expecting the film to be in 3D as well, in that we would have glasses and that would be one of the dimensions. If that was added it would definitely make the experience more well-rounded. I also feel that VR could possibly be an exciting outlet for this kind of technology too, further immersing the audience into a complete universe. The only problem with this is that it would help the case for action movies or movies with heavy CGI set in a completely different world. For dramas or other movies based in the real world the concept of VR doesn't sound nearly as exciting. However, I learned that immersion is a key concept in getting the audience to enjoy a film, and I am sure we will keep this in mind when working on our feature length film.

Summary

Overall, I was just a little disappointed in how this semester turned out, as I really wished I could have done more music-wise as well as just creatively. This year is probably a lot less chaotic than last year, and I have been doing more this year in terms of involving myself in other projects, which are very good positives. I only wish I was able to really work on my own personal projects that I want to do, such as produce my own album, create music videos, and whatever other fun ideas I come up with such as filming a documentary of Wes and I learning how to skateboard (which we also want to submit to eMagine :O). My main goal for next semester is complete my music video for eMagine, complete Wes and I's documentary, and try to finish creating a solid album or at the very least a solid EP. My main takeaway that I can apply to myself this semester is to simply increase my drive, as I will definitely need to in order to accomplish all this as well as my role as sound supervisor in our feature film.

My Work

I would upload music but Blogger doesn't allow me to do that :(

Week of November 27th - December 1st

My time was limited during this week, mostly due to the field trip to the MX4D theatre for the viewing of Justice League, and all of the in class assignments that followed that. When I wasn't working on those assignments and activities, I wanted to work on my music. There are several projects I am working on through out the rest of the year, such as a documentary with Wes, two music videos (one of which with original music that I want to submit to eMagine), and an album/EP. 

This week I wanted to work on my album, specifically the style that I wanted to approach. I pictured in my mind soundscapes sculpted by synthesizers and field recordings. I want my songs on this album to create an living environment of sound that demands and rewards attention. However, at the same time, I wanted the actual structure and melody of the song to be simple enough to be replicated with simply one's vocals and acoustic guitar/piano. The song must be able to be stripped down, but have the environment of synths add to the music instead of take away from it.

This was my first attempt at this concept. I created my own synth patch with a strong LFO that controls a low-pass filter with high resonance, so it has a certain growling sound. Building off of this, I added a basic echoing melody, consisting of a simple descending chord. I also added a growing pad to give it more depth. I threw in an occasional bass line to make the progression of the song more interesting. The last thing I added was a preset arpeggio that combined pretty chords with water sounds. Overall, I thought that the end result was alright but not what I originally intended. I feel that the sounds that I created were not provoking enough to capture one's attention or imagination. The basic song structure was also very lacking, although it did follow a simple structure and was pretty. I will use this as a learning experience in going further into interesting soundscapes, and try to replicate ones from favorite artists as well as research interesting ways to change up one's sound.

MX4D Experience

MX4D is new film technology that tries to immerse a viewer even further into the movie by adding many different effects that give the illusion that the audience experiences what happens on screen. The seats move with every action: dipping during drone dives, shaking with explosions and gunshots. If a characters dives into the ocean, water sprays from the seat; in a murky environment fog is emitted from the room; if there is a blizzard snow will drop from the ceiling.

My impression before experiencing MX4D was that it would be a very interesting experience. I wasn't entirely sure if it would enhance my immersion and that it would mostly be a gimmick, but it would be a fun time. Actually experiencing it, I really liked the movement of the seats; it didn't always completely match up to the screen, but I did feel it helped me get into the action. Some of the other effects were more gimmicky, such as the fog, snow, and water spray, which seemed to be more distracting than engaging. Beforehand I thought that the movie would be in 3D as well, and come with 3D glasses as well. I was surprised to learn that visually the movie was still in 2D. I feel like the 4D elements would have been less distract if there was a 3D screen instead of 2D. The seats were probably my favorite part of the experience, as it felt like a rollercoaster ride; it reminded me of the rides you would find at Disney World or Universal. My least favorite element was the fog, mostly because I was sitting at the very front so it went directly into my face and had a distinct smell.

I hadn't seen Justice League prior to the MX4D showing, and I wasn't initially planning on seeing it. I feel that it only partially enhanced the movie, as the seat drew me in but the other elements drew me out. I feel that it particularly works for superhero movies, or for movies that have a lot of action. In terms of Justice League it did well in that aspect. The actual film was alright, it wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either. The main issues of the film could not have been fixed with added effects, but mainly with a better script with more character depth and plot emphasis.

MX4D would be very cool to utilize with action movies or popcorn flicks, as in those contexts they can truly add to the film's spectacle. Other than that, I feel that the technology wouldn't really add much else, as it can often be distracting. It would be particularly inappropriate in movies where the plot or character development are exceptionally important, as it might reroute the audience away from what's important in the film and leave viewers confused. Since I mostly enjoy movies for these factors, I would prefer seeing the movie in 2D rather than 3D or MX4D, simply to avoid any possible determents of my focus.

As far as encourage movie watchers to return to the cinemas, I believe that the best answer is to provide a customizable and comfortable experience. The main reason people are skipping the theaters is not due to laziness, but that most people prefer to watch something alone or with close friends, opting for comfort instead of being with public crowds. I feel that Alamo Drafthouse is the best in dealing with this, as not only do they have strict guidelines for audiences to promote an optimal viewing experience for everyone, but they often hold events to make seeing a movie more memorable (such as an IT showing where everyone dresses as a clown). Drawing on social events and creating a more traditional, cultural environment is a promising path for cinemas today.

Week of November 13-17 - Music Production

I did miss a portion of class this week, being most of Thursday and all of Friday, both due to jazz, but what I did try to work on this week was music. Music was the main component that convinced to continue on my e-Communication journey, so I look forward to whenever I able to indulge in it. I hope by the end of the school year I can have an EP or album completed, as well as the long-awaited mixtape Senioritis 2.

Usually when I start worked on a song I do not set out with a predetermined goal; instead, I usually experiment with different sounds until I find a direction I want to go with them. This time, however, I knew I wanted a pop-sounding song, and that I would take it as a solo song or give it to someone else as a producer. So far, what I have is sounding more 80s than I expected, but still sounds solid and somewhat modern thanks to Logic drum loops (I will probably reprogram drums soon, but I like to put that off). Both synths besides the bass are presets that I tweaked in a VST called Dexed, which is supposed to replicate the Yamaha DX7, a classic 80s synth. I added some reverb to the lead and to the keys I added warp and wear effects to make it sound more worn out and detuned, as if being played on an old record. Right now there is not much structure as I was mainly ironing out some kinks in the mixing, but it sounds very lively and funky. I am planning to add more depth to the song, possibly by automating some filters, adding more sound effects, and woodshedding the songwriting with more chords, variability, and movement.

Week of November 6-10 - Stranger Things Soundtrack

For most of all of this week, I mostly split my class time doing two things: either working on the lip dub by preparing audio edits and participating in planning the filming, and finishing up on watching the second season of Stranger Things (because I got behind and spoilers were shutting me off from many conversations.) However, when watching I wasn't just focusing on the story but the music that evolves with it.

One of the main reasons I fell in love with the first season was the soundtrack. Being a huge synth junkie, having a cool, mainstream TV use a score composed entirely with retro synthesizers made me geek out. All of the synthesizers used in the soundtrack are from the 70s or 80s, using in particular an ARP Odyssey, KORG Mono/Poly, and a Roland SH-101. Many of the components of the synths they use together, such as signaling other synths into the ARP Odyssey filter or syncing all of the arpeggiators with the SH-101. Arpeggiation, which is a repeated sequence of notes, plays a large role in their compositions, especially in the main theme where it is the center piece. Delay is also heavily used in S U R V I V E's work, whenever they want to create more atmosphere or darkness. LFOs, which modulate the sound and give it shape, are used to give notes more texture than normal, such as the track Kids. Listening to the soundtrack is my favorite part of watching Stranger Things not just because of the synths, but how they play into the overall show.

The use of synths is not just a callback to the 80s, but a reach into another reality. A score with typical strings or brass instruments convey a sense of normalcy and reality, which is not the tone the show embodies. So, instead, the synths invoke both nostalgia in a way that recalls the feeling synths gave at that time: a sense of future and unfamiliarity. When the Demogorgon is shown, the music turns grizzly and alien. When a moment is quiet and intense, the pads swell and the lead is a thin squeal. In the Upside Down, the detuner is turned up, giving an edge of dissonance and unwelcomeness. These tones would not be possible with traditional instruments. A symphony of synthesizers gives Stranger Things a strong identity, and is a welcome change in the film world (I for one welcome our new synth overlords).

Person Pitch Beat Sheet

The album begins with a loud rattling, which segues into a chanting choir. The choir was sampled from a commissioned film piece by an amateur Japanese choir comprised of people from many backgrounds. This unity of people backs up Noah Lennox/Panda Bear's lead vocals in "Comfy in Nautica". Lennox sings of living life and making music how you want to do it, emphasized with his chorus line "Try to remember always/Always to have a good time". The track perfectly presents the album's sampling nature and the themes of living life and dealing with the situations it presents you.

The next track, "Take Pills", starts off with what sounds like multiples skateboards rolling around, giving a sense of traffic and moving.  The track is split into two sections, the first being a downtempo, guitar-sprinkled ode to his mother, describing the difficulties she had gone through since Lennox's father passed away (All her children left the house and left her all alone/But like she'd tell me it gets better). The second-half pick ups the tempo, leading the previously muffled vocals into a Beach Boys-esque sing-a-long about the concerns of a reliance on anti-depressants (I don't want for us to take pills anymore/Not that it's bad; Because we're stronger and we don't need them).

"Bros", a twelve-minute song, chronicles Lennox's feelings over his brother following the death of their father. It begins with an owl hooting, which proceeds into a tumbling sample overlaid with demands for more distance. "I'm not trying to forget you/I just like to be alone" states Lennox, as he pleads with his brother that too much attachment is ruining their relationship, and that he doesn't want to abandon his brother but lead separate lives. Lennox's self-assertion grows as the song's layers grow more complex, which leads into the second part of the song, where samples switch and his vocals are more distorted with added delay. Lennox accuses his brother of hypocrisy, but ultimately states that he will always love him. The sound of fireworks exploding echoes as it fades out, a satisfying end for a rollercoaster of brotherhood.

"I'm Not" involves a ghostly, chopped-up sample of a Gothic choir, sounding almost like a baby crying. The theme of this song is about the uncertainties of becoming a parent and the terrifying transition from childhood to adulthood. Lennox makes the point that while he isn't ready to take on this challenge, no one is ever ready for parenthood. Life can be uncertain, and all we can do is take it head on. As a breather track, it encapsulates the themes of this album.

"Good Girl/Carrots" is a two-parter, with the first being a chaotic reflection over his partner and how she is a perfect fit for him. Accompanied by a sample of Indian folk music, there are samples of yells and bleeps and what seems like pouring sand. All of this reflects that idea that while he loves her, his love is not focused but wild, unsure but exhilarating. This transitions into the lighter "Carrots", the most accessible part of the album. Led by the catchy melodies of Lennox's vocals, he sings about the rise of pretension in his fanbase. He rants about those who use his music as a one-up, only listening to brag to their friends that they're cultured because they listen to Panda Bear and Animal Collective, saying "It's so lame that you could take my feelings/And make yourself feel like you're better than anyone else who hasn't heard." As the bouncy groove changes to a wave of air, similar to wind chimes, Lennox advises to "Take a risk for yourself and wade into the deep end of the ocean." The lyrics give a well-intentioned message and let you laugh in a fun song.

"Search for Delicious" is the peak of the album's theme of uncertainty, a five-minute ambient track that swells with time-shifted delay vocals and a bubbling bass-line similar to the sounds of a whale, all cloaked with unintelligible radio chatter. The search is portrayed as a dive into an endless sea, swimming in the dark to an unknown shore. The combination of uncertainty and yet the willingness to venture forwards reveals the message that the record has hinted at throughout.

The album closes with "Ponytail", a two-minute guitar-driven track about continuing to grow. In contrast to the rest of the album, the song has a simplistic structure and instrumentation, only having Lennox's vocals and a guitar, symbolizing an optimistic and harmonized path towards a better life. Lennox sings about his soul growing, and he "never will stop caring". Although life can be a mess of consequential moments, it is a journey that is worth undertaking.

Short Film Assignment

The concept that our group had settled on was Natalie's, about two teens going through social anxiety and struggling with the pressures of college while building their social strength. The script was not our first choice, as we initially decided upon Courtney's script. However, after several scheduling conflicts and going through mass amounts of props and planning, we realized that this concept would be near impossible to complete with decent quality in our amount of time. Natalie's script worked in that it mostly dealt with characters' relationships, and did not need multiple locations or actors. 

Pre-production started with assigning each other our roles. Courtney's official role was director, Makenna's role was production designer, Greyson's role was director of photography, Natalie's role was costume and art designer, I was assigned editor, and Wes's role was documentarian. We skipped over drawing storyboards, as we had to film short notice. Courtney then arranged the casting and we came together with a schedule. Due to our very short time frame of less than a week, several of us were not able to show up for filming, including me due to a college visit and night classes at JCCC. Filming went smoothly although regrettably we did not capture fantastic audio due to a lack of equipment. The editing process went by in two days, with Natalie mainly taking over due to her holding the complete vision, and Courtney doing color correction. I regret not having more influence during this portion, and although I did offer multiple times to help Natalie, I should have given more direction over the process. 

In terms of project management, I feel that we did a very great job in that even though we were stretched, we still got our project finished on time. Collaboration is something that our whole group could have worked on better, because the distribution of jobs was not equal. I wish I had taken more leadership over the project, as I felt I could really help push it along and give it more life, although it is not bad as it is. Since I did not have a direct hand on things, I didn't really utilize any technical skills. Communication was fine how it was though, as we all knew what everyone was doing, we were all aware of film dates, and everyone overmatched the editing process. 

I slightly wish I had another chance to tackle the project so that we weren't pressured and that we could really settle on a concept to invigorated everyone, and that all of us we able to contribute. However, I would rather move forward and begin our work on the feature film. I certainly will contribute more to that project, as we will definitely need a sound guy.