Introduction
The conceptual project challenged us to express ourself through unconventional forms. Through this project I learned new tools like Adobe apps, DSLR cameras, and Pro Tools. I expressed myself through poetry, photography, and music. I was able to be creative while also learning new tools that will be useful in a future career.
I value being a Digital Media student because this class allows me to be creative, unlike classes from a traditional school. I like that I get to learn a variety of tools that help me become a better creator, especially with Adobe apps. It’s one of the classes where I actually care about what I’m learning.
I value being an English student because the class teaches me to express myself better through writing. It also helps my discussion and reading skills. Overall I get to learn more about literature in a supportive community.
Haiku Project
Both the English and Digital Media class were involved with the Haiku Project. For English, we studied haiku poetry and what makes a haiku poem. Then we wrote a haiku poem ourselves based on a prompt. For Digital Media we learned how record our voice performing the poem, then we edited a video showcasing the poem and the performance on Premiere Pro.
I enjoyed this project because I got to show my creativity in different ways, from writing the poem to editing the video. In the end, I produced a video that I was proud of.
Free Verse Poetry Project
Like the haiku poem, this project was integrated into both classes. We studied a little more in depth about poetry in English class. In Digital Media, instead of creating a video we learned how to use Adobe Dreamweaver to create a thumbnail with audio that could be featured on a webpage.
Things in my room is a free verse poem about how previous versions of yourself take place in objects. People have emotional attachments to objects because they represent previous eras of their life. The speaker in this poem is reacting to things in their room and reminiscing about how the objects connect to their past.
In the first stanza, I use repetition of consonants and alliteration to show the relationship between the speaker and the objects. Repetition shows familiarity with the objects. For example, I repeated the “l” sound with the phrases lives, vinyl collection, and classic albums. Then I used alliteration with “small store in Seattle” and “bought for my birthday.” The repetition shows that the author is familiar with these items and has used them again and again.
As the poem starts to become more literal, the author begins to see versions of their younger self instead of thinking about it. Then by the end the child version of the speaker almost literally takes a physical presence in the room. Ultimately, the pattern of metaphors and literal statements in this poem shows how connected the speaker is to their past self.In order to improve this poem, I removed a second character. There used to be another character, “you,” that the speaker was talking to and showing off the things in their room to. I thought that was unnecessary because I wanted the connection to be only between the speaker and their child self. I want to make the reader feel nostalgic and peaceful, and also consider how the objects in their room represent a past era of their life. In short, I want my reader to come away with the idea that your childhood can take a physical presence in valuable objects.
Reflection
This project allowed me to represent the poem in different mediums, from the performance, to mixing the audio, to the .html file that includes audio. I also took the photo featured in the image with my knowledge of DSLR cameras. It was fun because I was able to express myself creatively while also learning about different tools like Dreamweaver and Pro Tools.
Photoshop Blend Modes
For this Digital Media assignment, we learned how to use Blend Modes in Photoshop to enhance an image. This included making it brighter, darker, more contrast, and also we could combine two images in fun ways.
What do you value about learning about and creatively using Photoshop Blend Modes?
I value that I can now adjust the exposure of photos that would have been good except for it was under or over exposed. I also value that I can make the subject in a photo stand out if it has low contrast. I can also artificially create light sources with the overlay method. Another thing I value is using blend modes creatively with combing two photos to make a unique effect.
How do you see yourself using your new Photoshop skills with your creative projects?
When doing this assignment I liked experimenting with light photography mixed with landscape. Light photography is really interesting to me so I think I will use blend modes to create cool effects with light photography in the future.
Click on the images above to see how I used blend modes in Photoshop.
Film Projects
In the beginning of the year we focused on the basics like how to use a camera, different types of shots, how to set the tone, everything required to make a basic film. Our Conceptual project was an experimental film which was interesting because it was a type of filmmaking that didn’t follow a story, rather it embodied a specific emotion or idea. So far my experience in film has been great because I have liked visual storytelling since I was a kid and I finally get to put my ideas into projects using more professional tools. I value being a film student because I get to learn new things about film which I’m passionate about and meet new people who have similar interests.
For our experimental film we were given randomized prompts and challenged to create a film that expresses that idea. My prompt was…
I am exploring the feeling of envy through driving.
This project was interesting but also challenging because we were so used to a narrative structure and we had to completely abandon it. My first few ideas were too focused on a story and it was hard to come up with something that expressed the prompt but in an abstract way. It was also fun to experiment with different ways to express the idea of driving. It didn’t have to be literally driving in a car but it could be anything that involved motion or a journey, such as wheels turning, dots moving across a screen, or even a song. It was cool to see all my interests come together: colors, music, and film. This is what made me fall in love with experimental filmmaking.
Below are some projects I worked on or helped work on. These projects were for us to learn more about the basics of filmmaking. For example, it showcases our knowledge of different types of shots, Griffith’s pattern, a chase scene, and a suspense scene.