Editing Analysis

It might sound cliché but one of the best editing sequences (and a personal fave at that) is the training montage in 1976’s Rocky. The film is credited with being shot in 28 days, so it’s pretty amazing to make the decision that you have shot enough material for a feature length film, and yet it was done beautifully. For this sequence, the shots relied heavily on the soundtrack playing over it. The shot opens with Rocky going for a run. The triumphant horns playing in the opening seconds of the music over the sequence contrast with the beautiful shot of the sun rising, peeking through overhead train tracks. We then get a shot of the camera moving backwards, which effectively captures him running towards the audience and his goal. This goes on for another 20 seconds or so, then bam! We get a close up of Rocky at his punching bag. The audience by this time is so focused on him, that you can almost feel the pulsating sound of his fists against the punching bag. Cue the “trying hard now” lyrics of the soundtrack still playing over the sequence, as Rocky is now engaging in an intense series of push-ups. An electric guitar solo comes in, and we get more shots of Rocky training: trainers punching him, sit-ups, and perhaps one the most interesting scenes in a film, him training in a butcher’s meat freezer, which by the way ties into Rocky’s working class roots. After this, we get a long shot of Rocky running again, however this time it’s from the side, instead of head on. “Getting strong now” are the lyrics playing over this shot as his legs move faster and faster. When we finally get to one of the most famous scenes in all movie history, Rocky running up those famous steps, the camera does it with you, and even turns with Rocky as he turns to face the Philadelphia skyline. It then zooms in on a tilt shot to show him jumping with his hands in the air, before finally zooming in to his face in slow motion. The final shot is a close-up of his face and fist in the air, in still-mode. This gives viewers the time they need to digest the awesome experience they just felt. 

Final Doc..if that's what you'd call it LOL....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E62lZqJI-eM&feature=youtu.be


A short and sweet depiction of Jackie, as she gets ready to move out for the first time...

Audio Portrait

I captured what it feels like for fellow classmate, Kalina, to be an avid runner. The following is a  link to our interview.

https://soundcloud.com/user159434433/final-audio-portrait-interview

Soundwalk

It's 7:30am. As I leave my house to prepare for yet another day at Hunter, I remind myself that I will not put my headphones on today for my walk to the bus. Instead, I will take in all the sounds I hear.

I can hear the creek of a storm door that really needs to be fixed as I push it open to start my walk. I can hear the swishing sound of my bag rubbing against my jacket, and I can hear children running through my court on their way to school as well. As I continue down my route, I can hear a few birds chirping and think to myself that I really hate the sound of them.

Here come the garbage trucks, with their muffling sounds and loud brakes. They pull up on the corner to a Dunkin Donuts I am about to walk by and as they get out one man yells, "Steve, whadya want, small black two sugars?" Steve replies "yea, make it iced today though."

For the next block or so, it is just me. There are not too many sounds other than cars pulling up to red lights, and taking off at the green. I do hear a familiar sound approaching now- the Q46. I can hear that screech from a block away. I run towards the bus, paying attention to the scratching thump sound my shoes are making against the pavement. I finally get on the bus, "beep" goes my Metrocard into the slot. The loud sound of the back of bus is unmistakable- it almost sounds like a crumbling building, or like whatever is brewing in there is about to explode. As it jerks back and forth for the next 20 mins, I can't wait to get off.

I've arrived to Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike. There's something about the noise of a crowd getting off a bus. I hear so many voices, but can't really decipher what any of them are saying. I do pick up on a few "thank you's" to the bus driver. As I walk down to catch the subway its all footsteps and an almost clicking-like sound of  Metrocard swiping. I hear goes the sound of the subway doors opening and closing. "Please stand clear of the doors.... ladies and gentleman, due to an earlier incident, we are experiencing some train traffic...we apologize for any inconvenience." Of course you do, MTA.

I can hear the train riding its course along the tracks, the screeching sound of metal against metal consumes me for about 20 minutes. "This is Lexington Avenue- 63rd street." I think to myself "yay I'm finally here... oh jeez its 9:05, I have 5 minutes to do this thing." I run past the sound of more footsteps climbing up the escalators, scrambled voices, and construction men laughing hysterically. As I make it up Lexington I hear taxi horns, UPS trucks and the most annoying of them all "AM New York, AM news, grab your AM, AM, AM."

Finally, now at Hunter, I listen to the slow swoosh of the revolving doors. And as I swipe my card another "beep". Come to think of it, it seems as if all I do is swipe cards all day. Weird. Anyway, another day of broken escalators at Hunter. I run up the still escalators with about 7 or 8 people around me, listening to their footsteps and the squeaky sound of rubber boots. 9:12 and I make it to my class. As I walk in to officially start my day at Hunter, I hear "Esta bien, vamos a la pagina noventa y seis...." before I take out my books and begin class.

Interview questions (in no particular order)...

1- When have you felt most satisfied in your life? Describe it. What made you feel this way, or what was lacking?
2- Talk about the most memorable vacation you've ever been on. What made this stand out from the rest of them?
3- Do you have any secret talents? What are they?
4-What is something you've always wanted to pursue, but never did?
5-When was the last time you cried, and why?

Project 1 Portrait of a Space

I wanted to convey the daily humdrum hustle through the subway system, with the soundtrack being a light hearted tune to convey the sense that this gloomy day will get better...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKG-B-Dn4M&feature=youtu.be

Artist Statement

I have always been fascinated by media. Whether it was a print ad, a photograph or a piece of television or film, something always spoke to me, always drew me in. That is why I chose to study it. Growing up print ads and MTV had a huge influence on me. I would tear out my favorite images and make a collage. I would also save my favorite magazine covers. As for MTV, there was something about seeing my favorite songs take on a new life in the most unique ways. Even better was when I would see a video for a song I disliked, yet as a story was told visually, my feelings would change, and I would have a much higher tolerance for the tune. Never one to be big on using my imagination, it amazed me how much of an impact these images could have on my emotions. Ah the joys of being visually stimulated. I didn’t realize until I was older that these interests were sparking up a desire inside of me to at the very least, be involved in media or even create my own pieces.

When I started producing media a few short months ago, most of the work was based around 2d images of my life and the people in it. I was just getting used to working with new applications and I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go, or what point of view I wanted to get across. This time around, I’m excited to dive into new territory with film and video, and take my ideas further. I want to explore the lives of strangers and stray away from my comfort zone. I’d like to make at least one piece that will speak to someone, in ways that media has spoken to me.