After the first blog post, I don't think I ever talked about my Independent Study Project (ISP). In that previous post, I wrote about our ISP class attending a 10 minute film at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in preparation for one of the two huge projects we were assigned.
Yep, not one but two!
Today I'm going to talk about the first one, which was a collaborative ISP.
Since it's a group project, everyone participated in it from beginning to end. We, the students, also had nearly complete control. Aside from the general prompt to create a video piece of any kind (e.g. live TV, film, whatever), everything was up to us: content, structure, editing--everything. It was tough at first. Having no particular plan or passion, the entire class initially struggled to create something out of nothing. We also had conflicting ideas as to what our video should be about. Some people wanted to tell a story, with characters and words, while others--including myself--wanted a more abstract, aesthetically focused product. Some wanted to portray a bloody Western cowboy duel; some, a psychedelic masterpiece. Some wanted to film in the CTA train. Others had no preference. However, finally, after several sessions of group brainstorming and whiteboard doodling, and we figured that we wanted to make a fantasy/mystery/thriller short.
Or, at least that's how I'd describe it. I think.
Why don't you watch it and determine for yourself?
As you can see, we're still in the final stages of the editing process. We've yet to title our film, and we're waiting on Christian to implement the audio. However, we're hoping the audience is still able to read the message/narrative that we're trying to deliver even at its foundational structure.
So...did you get it?!
Basically, the film's about a guy in an elevator, who experiences different, unusual situations at each floor of a building. He may be hallucinating, but he may be not.
On the first floor, the man enters a room full of black and white photos on the walls. At a closer view, you can tell they're all selfies. Coincidentally, four girls stand around taking selfies as well. After a few seconds of narcissistic self-indulgence, they notice the intruder and slowly approach him by taking his picture. Freaking out, the guy runs back to the elevator.
In the second floor, he is shown running in the middle of some empty warehouse. While uneasily observing the space, a seemingly female figure in black appears. Startled, the man reacts by looking away, only to find another behind him. These series of uncanny people popping up continues a few more times. Finally realizing they're gone, he runs the hell out of there.
On the third floor, the man walks into a long path, in the middle of two subways. Although he his walking, the short, rapid time jumps make it seem he is forced into the walkway's end. It stretches continuously, until we see a woman blocking his way. She, too, creepily and rigidly advances toward him. Stopping right in front, the woman suddenly laughs, cries, and stares. The scene ends by her opening her mouth.
Now it might become a little clearer on as to why I can't categorize our film.
Actually, no one really can.
One of our discussions during the scenario planning included the topic of "genre-breaking." Having virtually no bounds to what or how the film should be in terms of genre or concept, we had the freedom to add more ideas and try out anything we wanted. So, it's hard to say where it belongs. It's a narrative without words, horror without blood or death. It's even harder because there's too much ambiguity in the time and setting. Is each floor in the present, past, or future? Are they other worlds? Are these situations really happening for the protagonist, or are they not? These questions help complicate the film and its genre (or no genre), which is why we love our work.
I can't wait 'til Christian is finished with the music and sound effects! I really want to see the final result and how it would differ from our current, original version.
When he's done, I'll upload the finished film. I hope it turns out well!
Until then,
Doyi
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