Friday, June 08, 2012

Montage: Week 1


So ages ago, I drove across the line to the US to purchase this little gizmo, a Flip video camera. I've used it a bit since then, mostly shooting tutorials, flip throughs of some of my ROD journals and clips of Indy swimming, which I've patched together using Windows Movie Maker, which I really knew very little about. Other than that, my Flip has mostly sat in a drawer in my studio. Well, no more!

This week, Vivienne's new class, Montage launched and I've been working hard (or if I'm being truthful here, obsessively) on putting together my first video. At the beginning, I was kind of freaking out, not sure what I was going to do. This is usually what happens when I step outside my comfort zone but I take it as a sign that whatever's about to happen is going to be GOOD! After much hemming and hawing on Monday, I suddenly knew what I was going to do when I woke up on Tuesday. Sometimes, you just have to trust in the process.

I've learned a few things this week about Movie Maker, not the least of which is that it's possible to save something in such a way that you simply cannot revisit it later for further edits. Ask me how I know this. Yes, I did the impossible, somehow. Lesson learned. Fortunately, I was 99.99% finished when this happened, so essentially, it wasn't the end of the world. There are a couple things I would have like to have changed (which 1000's will pass and never know) but what's done is done and I'm letting it go. 

What I've learned this week about the process of making a soulful video is that for me, the magic comes in syncing audio to the video and stills. I love finding the most effective way of illustrating the lyrics, arranging things so that the rise and fall of the music drives the story and selecting the right transitions to underscore the important moments. It's exciting stuff!

My classmates have started posting their videos and they are so unique and interesting and beautiful. It's inspiring to catch a glimpse of who they are and to experience their stories in this way. 

Here's a peek at what I was able to create:



9 comments:

greta ann said...

AWESOME!!! this was a joy to "peek" at and so great to see some life clips along with some of the photos from Viv's courses included here too. it came out beautifully! xo

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

This made me cry Lelainia!! Oh my gosh...what an awesome job you did. It's beautiful and emotional...not to mention I love that song, Enigma in general, really. This is so cool...can't wait to see what you make next! xo

Holly Dean Artist said...

This is FANTASTIC, Lelainia! You are already a pro :) Very moving. xx

penelope said...

See? I knew you'd do good. :)

Seth said...

What a sensational video. You really put it together so well and made fantastic choices along the way. My favorite part...your huge smile when the torch was lit!!

Karenann Young said...

Your video was awesome! It gave me goose bumps, cry and laugh. Wonder job!!!

Kris said...

Lelainia, you live fully and it is fabulous to see you put it in this art form! Great job!
Love all that you've done in this format.

Anonymous said...

I need to get my flip out...loved your video.

Sweet Petunia said...

Loved your video...must get my flip out.