6x1 projects finale!

Looking back at the semester, I have a hard time picking my favorite project, but because I have to rank them, I will try anyway.

1-Multi plane Animation: reminded me of the films i made when i was in high school. However, using the multiple levels to add depth was new. The only thing that was to bad was not having more time to work, but that is the definition of stop motion.

2-Freestyle: I think most people would say that this is the least favorite or at least in the bottom 3, but for me, I have worked solo on a lot of projects. I don't always like restrictions, but sometimes they open the doors to a completely new way of thinking.

3-Bolex: This project was unique and something that I have never done or probably would get to do without this class. It helped me to understand the history of film and gave me a thrilling experience. The saturday shoot was also more fun than I thought. You go in thinking "yay, the weekend is going to be used up by going to class!" to "That was so much fun, I feel like I know everyone in the class better now, maybe too better eeek!"

4-Rhythmic Edit: This project was very cool, because we had to film our partner doing some action or just being kind of random. I ended up filming Mason while longboarding, which was cool, but he also tried to board over his gopro.

5-Crowdsource: This project turned out great, but the process for me wasn't a favorite. I didn't have many friends to help with the frames, so i ended up doing around 20-25 myself. It wasn't bad, i just would rather spend more time doing a few than rushing to do all.

6-Film Manipulation: This project I have put here because, not because it is truly last, but because I have to. This project was very unique and I had never done anything like it before. I enjoyed every part of it, besides carrying loads of film in my backpack, which is not that bad. I would have never thought to do anything like this and I have found that it has impacted my other work and projects as well.

Overall, I really didn't want to rank these out like this, because each one serves as a stepping stone in the stairs of the class and the experience you have while taking it. They balance each other out and are all fun in unique ways.

Class Rating: 10/10 - Would take again.

Bolex Long-take

So the entire class got together to film with bolex cameras, #awesome. I loved this project because i haven't worked with many film cameras, and definitely not the bolex. I like how the mechanisms work and how you have to wind the camera before you film. Then, you just have to jump in when filming, you have one take to get it right. I was in group 1 and filmed the scene. we practiced a few time and then we just went for it. Its very nerve-racking to just hit the record button and know that the reel in the camera is all you have. I think our project turned out as good as it could have.

Then came the developing part. It is a unique experience developing film for 6x1. You go into a room with only a red light and you can barely see. If its not dark enough, the film you just managed to capture is gone or damaged, which would be the worst. Luckily, all of the films managed to hold on and came out great.

Rough Theater

Rough theater to me is using what you have around you to try and pull off something that is bigger than what you can do. From a very young age, I would take the family camera and just start rolling when i was playing. When i wasn't filming, I was actively thinking of the movie scenario or the awesome trailer that the movie would have. It was about as rough as it gets.

I really started my filmmaking career in middle school when i started using stop motion animation. My first film was about 2 ninjas fighting, just a basic sort of thing i guess. The end result was a little choppy and the fight ended before anything really began. I had no idea how much work it would take to complete projects like this. From there, I continued working, doing things in ways that were either completely wrong or just really time consuming, but that's learning for you.

Looking back, I can see that my past work was sort of like 6x1, and I think that is what i enjoy the most about this class. You just have to let go of your preconceived notions about films and become a kid again. The shorts we have made in class have taken a life of their own and even though they are odd, they deserve attention in their own right.