Artist Lecture 2

David H. Clemions, a professional in metal smithing with pieces dealing with personal mythologies, working around racial identities, such as his “Remembrance Rosary,” influenced by the many times he can remember being asked “Are you black?” Some of his inspirations include: Adrian Piper, Kerry James Marshall, Kara Walker, Michael Ray Charles, and Fred Wilson. Pieces like “Band Aid Advertisements,” draws from the use role reversal between races in which instead of using the tradition skin tone” colored band-aids, these are switched with browner complexions. This is also seen in the “Colt 45” advertisement of the 60s, substituting a white male with Billy Dee Williams, a black male, to attract a new demographic of audience. He also took shots at today’s imagery portrayed in hip-hop comparing it to the racist “darkie” iconism in advertisements of the 1950s on down.
He also dealt with deeper subjects, for example comparing the lynchings of African-American males with the perception of male sexuality in America with “Trees We Connect;” showing Henry VIII in the center, and in the background, a portrait of a lynching and castration, and below it, a Diesel Ad. He also shows his skills in book making and crafting jewelry presenting neck wear and oriental pieces.

Pre-Production Package

Number of Days Shooting
November 19 (12pm)-November 20 (6pm)






1. Script (Re-Done)

Scene 1: The Work Place

Fade into a bust shot of Derek as he walks to the door

Back shot of Derek as he opens the door and enters the room to greet his colleagues

Shot of the colleagues at work on computers. Rochelle gets up from her seat and scolds Derek for being late.

Bust shot of Rochelle

Rochelle: You’ve had an entire month to get this done.

Switch to bust shot of Derek

What the hell have you been doin’?

Bust shot Renee` as she lets out her frustration

Renee`: We’re over here bustin’ our asses and you’re out there doin’ God knows what.

Split shot of Rochelle and Derek

Rochelle: Look at the time Derek!

Derek: Look just give me until 6’oclock and I’ll have it done before Ms. Watkins shows up

T.: (off screen) HA!

Switch to bust shot of Derek

Derek: (thinking) Oh shit. Here we go.

Bust shot of Renee` at desk

Renee`: You better. ‘Cause I’m not gettin’ fired cause of you.

Rear shot of T., bust shot of Derek, and medium shot of Rochelle as camera fades to black.


Scene 2:The Challenge

Full body shot of Derek as he contemplates his next move knowing he only has a little time left.

Close up of Derek as he looks to see someone he recognizes. This person turns out to be a B-Rated celebrity by the name of Jenny Hartman.

Derek: Is that Jenny Hartman

Medium shot of Jenny Hartman as she walks towards the steps leading to Derek’s occupation.

Full body shot of Mrs. Hartman walking with Derek in the background.

Close Up of Derek’s face as he reflects on the situation from earlier.

Derek: I’ll have it done by 6.

Rochelle: You’ve had a month.

Renee`: I’m not getting’ fired ‘cause of you

T.: …HA!

Derek: Hey! Mrs. Hartman.

Full body shot of Derek and Medium Shoot of Mrs. Hartman as he runs to catch up with Mrs. Hartman walking up the steps.


Scene 3: The Chase

Switch to shot of Mrs. Hartman walking towards the door

Switch to Derek running towards the steps

Derek: Mrs. Hartman wait up!

Full Body Shot of Mrs. Hartman walking with Derek in background running.

Continue Full Body Shot of Mrs. Hartman walking down steps with Derek close behind.

Close Up of Mrs. Hartman’s hand dropping a slip of paper.

Close Up of slip of paper as it falls to the floor.

Derek kneels down to pick up the slip of paper.

Closed Up of note in hand.


Scene 4: Shot Down

“No interviews today…sorry sweet heart. Piss off =)

Later That Day

Back Shot of Derek’s head as he walks into the office, deserted with the light still on.

Shot of an empty room panning left as he views the room

Bust Shot of Derek as he sigha, turning to exit the door.

Zoom in of a letter not noticed by Derek.

Letter reads: “hey derek, tried to call ur phone but no answer. The assignment has been canceled due to scheduling. Ms. Watkins won’t be in for the next 3 days. So enjoy the time off. ‘Chelle

FIN
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2. Break Down of Script

In this piece, I wanted to look into the subject of procrastination. While the main character does get his work in on time, it is always at the last minute, leaving his co-workers in panic and stress for their jobs.

Rochelle, one of the co-workers, plays the foil to Derek’s (main character) personality. She always wants to get things done on time or before they are due. She pushes Derek to get his recent assignment in before their boss shows up, which can cost them their jobs.

Renee` is a co-worker and good friend of Rochelle. Kind of a quiet person, but won’t hesitate to say what’s on her mind when she feels the time calls for it. She feels that she shouldn’t get fired over Derek’s mishaps.

T. (Tidwell) is a deadpan snarker. A mono-tone co-worker who always has something sarcastic and witty to say. Not much of a relationship with the maon character, but isn’t prepared to sacrifice his job for Derek’s mistakes.

Jennifer Hartman (working name) is a B-rated celebrity who sees herself in “A” status. She is shallow and flashy and never takes the time to stop for the main character to interview her; leading him on chase that ends with her blowing him off.

Ms. Watkins- Not seen on camera, but is mentioned by the co-workers as their boss; who appears to be very strict when it comes to her business.
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Logistics

a. Five actors will be needed for the entire film. For the first scene, five of the actors will be shown with three of them having major lines.
- Derek- Hard working when pressured but has a bad habit of procrastinating
- Rochelle- Very organized, likes to have things done on time, a huge foil to Derek’s personality.
- Renee`-Mostly a quiet person, but will say what’ on her mind when the time comes for it.
- T. - Deadpan snarker

b. Number of scenes and total length of performance
- Derek: 5
- Rochelle:2
- Renee`:1
- T: 1
- Mrs. Hartman:3

c. Number of Locations: 2
Mac Lab 3 (Scenes 1 and 2)
-used as the working area for where Derek and
co-workers are introduced
-also where Derek is given his assignment again that becomes the conflict of the film.

Art Center or Supply Store (Scenes 3 and 4)
-Introduces Mrs. Hartman, the subject of Derek’s challenge
-The out come of Derek’s challenge in the final scene.

d. None
e. Costumes include regular for all characters except Mrs. Hartman who will be dressed more casually.
f. Video Camera used by Derek

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3. Location Scouting: Writing Lab 1

Sound Quality: No Echos
Available Lighting: Ceiling Lighting
Power: 8 Outlets

1. The title of this piece is still up in the air right now.
2. The main idea was to look at the habit of first interpretations in society and how people learned to cope with it.
3. Main source of the idea came from personal experience from myself and many others when we first meet someone, how we think they are going to turn out or vice versa
4. At first I wanted the audience to feel what the main character was feeling after his first in contour with the lady he runs into. As we got further into the movie, I then wanted it to be more of a comedy/drama as the moods change from the interviews to the retaliation tape (after the cast of friends finds out what the main character said about them)
5. A photo-journal intern is late on a his headline and has to find a subject quick. He runs towards a woman with his camera that he wants to interview. He meets the woman at a bus stop and tries to explain his situation. But before that can happen this woman thinks that he is someone like a begger or a mugger and tells him off. Feeling confused about the situation, he is then over come with inspiration. He calls a few friends and tells them of the situation. He then asked to interview them on similar experiences. After this is done, he records his feedback on his friends. They find the tape and feel insulted by the comments and make a retaliation tape with the final person telling him off and leaving the seen.
6. The theme begins with first interpretation and ends with contradiction.

New Pitch

An intern at a news company and inspiring video journalist, needs to find an appealing subject for his next interview. While traveling around the city a bit he runs into a young woman who at first glance makes all these wrong assumptions about him.

Leaving the situation annoyed and confused, he is then overcome with new inspiration. He reaches out to a few friends who’ve more than likely gone through these types of stereotypical situations: where people who don’t stop and take the time to know a person automatically assume ideas on first sight that are wrong about that person. But what starts out as just an interview of peoples’ personalities, turns to somewhat of a reality show of unwanted drama, change of views, and contradiction.

Characters

- Afini- 23 y/o Afr. Am. female. Well-rounded, family type, tolerant, opened minded artist.
Problem: usually gets mistaken for an Afrocentric militant type.
-James-26 y/o Afr. Am. male. Has others welfare at heart, wants to keep others from making mistakes
Problem: Meddlesome, makes people defensive while trying to give advice.
-Kimberly- 21 y/o Caucasian female. Down to Earth attitude, cultured, kind, highly opinionated
Problem: Comes off as a doormat, too nice
- Jeremiah-21 y/o Afr. Am. male. Introspective, introverted.
Problem: Seen as stuck up and anti-social

Scene 1

Feeling late on the assignment for his internship, Derek looks around frantically for someone to interview for his next story.
He runs into a young woman who seems to be in a hurry herself. He repeatedly calls to her while running to catch up to her.
The woman sits down on a bench giving him enough time to catch up with her. Out of breath and slurring his words, the woman looks at him (his dreadlocks covering his face) as he tries ask his question. The woman looking at his appearance assumes he is a begger looks at him with a disgusted look and tells him she doesn't have any money and to get a job as she she swiftly walks away with her purse at her side.

Scene 2

Feeling confused about the days situation he calls a friend to tell her about what happened. They talk for a few minutes and Derek is overcome with new inspiration. He knows everyone has been misjudged on there first interpretations at least once. Seeing this as good material for his story, he calls up a few friends to get there story on similarsituations.

Scene 3

The friends meet in the cafeteria of the school that they all attend and, as he records each of them individually, discusses their similar situation.

Scene 4

Three out of the four friends being interviewed begin to think about their own events and reflecting on them on how it effects their everyday life. While one takes the opposite road, feeling quiet comfortable with the way they feeling they should change for no one.

Scene 5

Derek records his own thoughts giving his own personal views on his friends. The tape is found and heard by the cast. This leads to the cast ranting their responses on what the they've come to think about Derek ending with the last person's comments as they storm off out of view from the camera.

Vainglorious

Vanglorious from Kenneth Walker on Vimeo.

Claustro....philia??? Pt 2 Revised

Claustro...phillia from Kenneth Walker on Vimeo.

Next Pitch

For this next film, I thought about exploring first interpretations. People will be interviewed on their different experiences explaining what people thought of them when they first met them and what they thought after they got to know them. Also being interviewed, without their knowledge, will be those who’ve made the same interpretations, explaining as well whether or not they feel any different toward those they’ve made these assumptions about. During the interview, some of the interviewees over here the comments heard about them. Some of them become irritated and begin to rant.

Nevermore

Nevermore from Kenneth Walker on Vimeo.

Assignment Write Up

Making this film turned out to be pretty cool. A little irritation with one of the actors, but not too much. There's maybe two or three parts I would've liked to use for shots, but either the panning seemed a bit jumpy, light glared on the actor's face, or the line didn't sound right. There was also a problem with sound while booming at first but that was fixed. I think my favorite scenes out of the film would have to be the interviews which to me is where actors seemed to emote the most.

Artist Lecture (Carmelita Higginbottom)

Personally I thought Higginbottom's showed some interesting pieces that showed the positive and negatives views on African-Americans; especially women. Pieces included those between the 1920s and 50s that showed the social status and sexual appeal of women (mostly of color). Pieces included, "High Yaller," by Reginald Marsh which shows an African-American woman dressed in a loud yellow dress and hat walking down on the sidewalk in an urban setting with a look of confidence as a nicely dressed man observes her from the stairway. Aside from the look defining her upper class social status, it also, seeing how tightly worn it is, brings out her figure, bringing an eye to her sexual appeal. Marsh also slips in the activity of "girl watching" by the man observing as she walks on. Higginbottom also stated that Marsh puts an infuses on her dark skin complexion.

She compares this to paintings such as Archibald Motley's " The Octoroom Girl," which, even though portrays an African-American woman dressed in an elaborate clothing like "High Yaller," again concentrating on her social status, is portrayed with a woman of lighter complexion (which were classified as "mulattos" or "mixed blood").

Aside from these positive views of the black female body, Higginbottom does bring up the negative portrayles such as "Negros on Rockaway Beach," which gave the viewer the since of blacks as unruly and overtly sexual. It also exposes the displacement of the black body at a public, yet segregated, area. This pieces also shows a black woman with a lighter complexion, in red, separated by a patch of sand from the other, darker skinned beach goers.

Cable car connection (Color Corrections)

Blue Print of Den

Outlet Count (10)

Script

Ryan is sitting in a chair, gun in hand, puts gun to head

Death grabs gun, yells “wtf do you think you’re doing?”

Ryan looks shocked, death says “Are you deaf?! Wtf are you doing?”

Ryan yells at death saying “Who the fuck are you?! How’d you get in here?”

I’m your family’s grim reaper. I’m here to stop you from killing yourself.” Death says pulling the gun from Ryan’s hand and slamming it down on the table.

“Why would you do that? I can’t go on living! My wife died in a car crash, I lost my job, my dog got ran over, my house caught on fire, and my brother was kidnapped by the Russian mob! I have no reason to live!” Ryan yells.

“You can’t kill yourself because then I’D lose my job!” Death yells.

“The fuck?”

“My job is to watch over your bloodline and if there’s no one left alive then I lose my job! I have a wife and three kids! One’s going into college to be a bautician! Do you know how expensive beauty school is?!? No, you don’t! Now man up and get the fuck out of here and get on with your life! Trust me life gets better after you hit the bottom.” Death rants.

“Ryan sits still for a moment, thinking, then sighs. “Well, if death says it’ll get better from here out, who am I to argue?” Ryan picks up the gun, stands up, and tosses the gun behind his shoulder before moving to give death a hand shake. The gun goes off and shoots Ryan in the back. Ryan falls over dead.

Death then starts yelling at Ryan’s body, “YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! YOU JUST COST ME MY JOB! YOU’RE DEAD TO ME! GO FUCK YOURSELF YOU DICK!”

Death fades away while walking away.

Location Scouting

Cable Car Connection Edited

Cable Car Connection from Kenneth Walker on Vimeo.

Cable Car Connections

Pitch for next video

A retired Cold War vet who resides at a veterans hospital due to Post traumatic stress and amnesia is sitting in room and watching the news. As he critiques the news and its host, he is then subdued from behind by unknown figures. He struggles with his captors for a few seconds before he is tied up and taken away. The scene switches to an interrogation room where we meet the two Gov. Agents that abducted him. An argument breaks out between the man and the agents as to why he was kidnapped. He then threatens to call the cops. An agent takes a cell phone out his pocket (this phone was taken from the veteran during the kidnapping) and throws it into the trash can. In a cold voice the agents explains their reasons for kidnapping him, stating that they suspect him of being a traitor to the U.S. and working with the Russians. The man has no recollection of any of this and thinks the agents are foolish. This irritates and angers the agents and they take him to another room, the struggling to get away. The room is lit with only one light over a wooden chair and a bucket of water. The veteran knows what is about to happen and tries to break away from the agents but to no avail. He is then strapped into the chair and EKGs (electrocardiographs) are placed on his body. One agent then repeats his question and the man cannot answer. The agent gives a signal a dial is turned on the EKG which sends the veteran spasming. The agent repeats his question; breathing hard the veteran begs for mercy in Russian. He is shocked and asked a question again to where he then pleads in Korean. This is repeated three more times (different question, different language begging the agent to stop, and being shocked again) Seeing this as the last straw the agent turns up the voltage and as the vet he spasming he begins to scream for mercy in an unknown language. This surprises the agents and they begin to suspect that they are dealing with more than just normal man.

Assignment Write Up

So the assignment went by pretty smoothly considering we had to make a character replacement at the last minute. We also had a few issues with the sun light, as there was some glare troubles in a two of the shots. But those were worked around with a few adjustments. A lessoned learned, personally for me was, to always stop the video RIGHT AFTER reviewing a take, and not let it get to blue.

So It's Kenny and I for this project.

CONCEPT: How to jump-start your car

PROP LIST:
• 2 cars
• 2 actors
• 1 Jumper cable
• 1 Parking Lot

LOCATION: The (Now) BIG student parking lot behind parkside

(old photo that's not up to date. House behind parkside gone and parking lot in place) Sun is only source of light durring day. Will have to talk to Susan or Carla for permission.

SHOT LIST:

(Camera inside car) Man gets in car. Turns key. Car doesn't start. Man pulls out cell phone and calls someone.

(Camera outside car and to the right) Car pulls into parking lot (camera tracks car) and stops in front of first car. Second man gets out of his car. greets first man who left his car.

(Cuts to inside car view) 1st man pulls lever to pop the hood.

(Cuts to another car interior view) 2nd man pulls lever to pop other hood.

(Cuts to outside view with car hood in frame) 1st man walks into frame and lifts hood up, setting rod in place to keep the hood up. (Camera pans right) 2nd man lifts his car hood up and props it up.

(Cuts to 1st man with jumper cables. Hands 2nd man one end of cables.

(Close up of 1st car's engine) 1st man attaches positive end to the positive nub of the battery.

(Close up of 2nd car's engine) 2nd man attaches positive end to the positive nub of the battery followed by the negative end to the negative nub of the battery.

(Close up of the 2nd car's engine) 1st man attaches negative end to metal nut of 1st car's engine.

(Camera further out) 2nd man gets in 2nd car (camera pans left) and 1st man gets in first car.

(Cuts to interior view of 2nd car) 2nd man starts his engine before slowly stepping on the gas

(Cuts to interior view of 1st car) 1st man starts his car.

(Cuts to outside) 1st man gets out of his car (pans right) 2nd man gets out of his car.

(Close up of 1st car's engine) 1st man detaches negative end.

(Close up of the 2nd car's engine) 2nd man detaches negative end then positive end.

(Close up of 1st car's engine) 1st man detaches positive end.

(Cuts to outside view with car hood in frame) 1st man closes 1st car hood. (Camera pans right) 2nd man closes 2nd car hood.

(Cuts to interior view of 1st car) 1st man tosses jumper cables onto back seat before getting in.

(Cuts to exterior shot of 2nd car) 2nd car drives away (Camera pans left)1st car pulls forward and drives away

ACTORS: (Confirmed but not released) Arron Radney, (neither confirmed or released) Nevil Williams

CALL TIME: Between 10am and 2pm

Notes

- - Try working with different viewpoints

- - Make video longer

- - Showing the transgression from one scene to another to give the video more flow

- - Maybe speed up character while transferring from one seen to another

- - Work with light more on characters with different skin complexions

Self Critique For 1st Project

Kenneth Walker

Digital Cinema

September 3, 2010

Self Critique

Claistro…philia???

The main idea that was originally planned for this piece was the exploration of the feeling of being comfortable in small, somewhat closed-in areas, or, claustrophilia as the title states.

The source of this idea came from a personal preference of comfort; which seems to be somewhat of a rarity as far as the statistics go for those who suffer from claustrophobia—the fear of being closed in—goes. As for the use of the title, I felt that the word “claustrophilia”, or, at least its suffix, -philia, made the word sound more like a mental sickness or wild obsession, like necrophilia—the lustful attraction to corpses— which made the word very questionable; so hence why the question marks had been included in the title. With that said, I thought this subject would be fun to explore, as well as non-cliché; since it would be more common to research the meaning for, and or, mental effects of claustrophobia more so than its opposite.

As for the audience, I didn’t think they would understand the subject matter at first, so the key emotions that were expected were something of deep thought and confusion. But seeing as they understood a lot quicker, the emotions that were then expected were those of being able to relate to the main character and the quest for solitude once in a while.

During the lunch hour, the main character sits at a table of the cafeteria as he tries to concentrate while fidgeting with his mp3. After a minute or so of the continued noises from the crowd of people around him, he becomes agitated and leaves the cafeteria in search of a quieter area. The scene switches to the main character now sitting on the steps of the school thinking to himself (Well…. at least this area is a lot quieter.), but still feeling irritated by the wide-open space and the chatter of the few people around him, he again gets up and heads to his car. After searching for a comfortable area he finds a spot in his car totally away from the crowd. Feeling at peace he sighs with relief and turns the volume up on his mp3.

The premise of this piece that was discovered after recording is that claustrophilia seems to be an introverted state of mind that everyone goes to at least once in a while when conflicted with emotions such as stress, anger, sadness, or the need to just hear themselves think.

For the strengths in this work, using claustrophilia felt unexpected as the subject instead of using its antonym; driving the film in a more creative direction. Instead of seeing people freaking out from a constant fear, you’re seeing a morphing of emotions from agitation, to contempt, then ending with a calm and happy disposition.

Problematic areas and what could’ve been done to improve this film included keeping the wardrobe the same throughout the taping, this seemed to throw off much of the audience’s attention to the main character in scene. Also with the wardrobe, make sure that there isn’t any visible writing or labels. Thought in wardrobe matters. Another suggestion that I got was to begin the clip with the headphones off and re-directing the scene to a corner in order to give the scenes more flow and also that the headphone should be bigger; since the iPod ear buds were to noticeable as a copyright problem. The audience also wanted to feel more apart of the characters journey, so a suggestion was to let them hear the music the main character was listening to.

Claustro...philia??? Pt Deux

Script for First Video

Place One: Sleaze and Slime

- During the lunch hour (character) sits at table as he tries to concentrate while fidgeting with his mp3. After a minute of the continued noises from the crowd (character) becomes agitated and leaves the cafeteria.

Place Two: School Entrance

- Now sitting on the steps (character) thinks to self (Well….at least this area is a lot quieter. But still feeling irritated by the wide-open space (character) begins to pace back and forth a few times. Sitting back down on the steps, this time pushing self into the corner, (character) still feels uncomfortable.

Place Three: (Character’s) Dorm

After searching for a comfortable area he finds a spot in his room totally away from the crowd Feeling at peace he sighs with relief and turns the volume up on his mp3

Claustro....philia???

The feeling of claustrophobia, or, the feeling of fear a person receives when placed in a small or cramped area, is an anxiety that haunts the minds of many through out the world. And we've all, at least a few times, searched for the definition or the cause of such a feeling. But what about the opposite of that fear. What would be the word for the preference of closed in spaces instead of wide areas? What about claustrophilia-- the feeling of comfort in enclosed areas. Personally. I think the word itself can use revising, because calling it a -philia makes it sound more like a sick condition more then a preference, but I may be over analyzing. But for some reason I would rather be in a small bedroom or bathroom with the radio on then in the living-room with the tv, radio, or other appliances around going on and off. I feel a burst of energy and creativity when I have no outside interruptions. So for the video I was thinking of showing a number of wide spaced areas while walking back and forth fidgeting for the first few minutes then at the end find one enclosed area begin listening to Ipod and relaxing.