Exquisite Text

Courtney: 

In developing the narrative of this project, we knew that we wanted to construct a story based on some of the outrageous dreams that we were hearing from classmates.  One idea that came to mind was a zombie apocalypse-type story.  We decided to have it take place in a familiar location, the HFAC.  We mapped out a general circumstance in which our narrative could take place, but we did not want the specific texting to seem too contrived, so we left the details up to improvise as we began texting each other back and forth.  We felt that this spontaneity would inspire more creativity in the details, even though we’d already planned out the beginning, middle, and end.  Because the characters in the narrative are in two different locations of the same building with the same event happening, the audience gets two different perspectives of this zombie-attack event: one from inside the building in the Nelke The other from outside,  travelling towards the HFAC and eventually being outside in the halls being chased and subsequently “turned” by the undead. The narrative leaves the audience with a feeling of mystery, as they don’t get all the details of what the scene is simply because the characters themselves aren’t positive as to what exactly is happening.

Billy:

In crafting the apocalyptic zombie narrative, Courtney and I explored many avenues in hopes of achieving something unique and intriguing. It’s no question that the story of a zombie takeover has been so beaten and bloodied that it is difficult to create new and exciting media within that medium, at least to those outside of the faithful fan base. Something that struck me was how the Walking Dead, which is definitely new and exciting for this medium, used the concept of recurring characters returning as zombies. They also seemed to normalize the existence of the zombies, which allowed the audience to focus on the development of the characters. The intimacy and the vulnerability this created was something that I attempted to pursue in the text narrative from my perspective. It was difficult. I wish that I had been more patient and waited for replies from Courtney. In my opinion, there are too many 2-3 text spurts between the two of us. It could have been interesting to limit that and focus on slowly developing the narrative imbued with fresh ideas and perspectives from the both of us. I wanted to recreate a story similar to the kidnapping story we read on the app, which engaged the audience. I'd hoped to do this without too many:“Why are they texting right now!” moments experienced by the reader. As we discussed in class, I thought the limiting nature of this medium actually enhanced our story. If you pay careful attention to the textual cues given by Courtney and I, this intriguing narrative begins to take shape. This really helps to draw the reader into the narrative and use their own imagination to derive meaning and mood from the action occurring. I really enjoyed this assignment and working with Courtney as we attempted to bring this creation from the graveyard of ideas to life.

Music Mosaic II

“How to Build a Home” is a beautiful piece done by The Cinematic Orchestra featuring Patrick Watson. I recently discovered this piece on my return to Utah and its wintry tundra. The climate change was quite a contrast from my home in sunny South Florida and so thus my mind has been impressed upon the emotions evoked within me from the winter climate surrounding me. The photos I have taken represent to me the feelings connected to the Utah landscape and the subtle emotions within the music. My central point is that while my youth in South Florida has shaped who I am as a person, I have begun to build a home in the vastly different Utah. As my time in Utah has progressed, I have developed an affinity with its scenery and cultural landscape. I have begun to “Build a Home” during my time here serving on my mission and attending BYU.

I tried to use several visualization techniques such as color, shape, line, tone, and depth. To begin, I shall speak about the color I used in my photos for this assignment. Much of the color in the photos is either completely saturated with a blue hue to the photograph, or has contrasting elements of orange and blues. Although blue is an inherently cool color, the more I used it in my photography of these beautiful landscapes, the more I had hoped to create an affinity between blue and the concept of beauty. Some of the photos have strong orange color within them. These photos were taken at places that I associate with feelings of warmth and love. The first photo with the orange saturation was taken at my work, where I have made friends and found a sustainable means of providing for myself. The second photo with the strong orange color was taken outside my apartment complex, a place where I have literally built a home and developed strong connections with friends, new and old.

There are some photos that have strong contrast in tone, particularly of the ‘skeleton’-esque trees. I find that these tonal differences paint the aspect of the strings used within the musical piece. They also tie into the monochromatic themes espoused within the music and my feelings towards the harsh winter climate. It’s a strange feeling to recognize that Florida is no longer my home, and that I have begun to build a home here in Utah. I’m not quite sure that I am completely happy with this new revelation, hence the contrast of tone.

The depth is a manifestation of my introspective self during the Winter season. I often find myself peeking inside my soul, questioning the world around me, and am generally a bit more introverted. The cold seems to have this effect on my Spirit and pushes me each day to ask myself difficult, yet necessary, questions. Perhaps it’s due to where I’m at in my life currently as an aspiring artist, but I find that this musical piece is symbolic of the depth I constantly seeking.

The shot of my feet and the camera strap is simply a nod to Agnes Varda and her deeply emotional narrative style of filmmaking. I also tried to use shape in my images that contextualize the shape and movement that the musical piece evokes. Whether in bokeh, shape of image, or eye-line I feel these are visual representations of the minor tone of the musical piece.

I would hope that one could tie the themes espoused within the music and the photos but understand that it may be a stretch. The musical piece is imbued with emotional chords played through piano and strings slowly building towards a climax. I would freely admit that my pictures may not best capture that climax. However, I feel that the subtle colors, shapes, and tones of the images represent a slow emotional climax that I feel occurring within myself.