Creative Pressure

Today I worked on my Uni project at home. The thought of this excited me and on my way to sleep the night before I imagined getting up, eating breakfast and going on to create a masterpiece. This, of course, was not the case.
In my usual Sam style I thought and ate and thought and ate and over-thought and then went to pick my daughter up from school. A seven hour fail to say the least.

I decided in October that I wanted to develop my audio skills and this was to become my research topic project. I felt that I knew what I wanted to do and it was just a case of getting on with it, but I was wrong. The songwriter in me should have known better really. I rarely write a new song without tearing it apart in some way before the final take is revealed. I don't know why I thought this experience was going to be any different.

Initially, my idea had been inspired from a trip I went on with my own students to the Bluecoat Chambers at the end of last year. Unfortunately I can not remember the artist's name but the film was powerful. Playing with sound and distorted images to allow the audience to listen attentively to the dialogue. This gave me the idea to incorporate sound and colour into my film but I could not think of anything that I feel was worthy, cinematically so I felt that it was not the right project for me.

Today I have been playing around with the idea of using diegetic and non diegetic sound to demonstrate the importance of both and how they fit into film. For example, if I were to film a woman coming in from work and making her dinner, although this would be a mundane task, as we watched her we would expect to hear the correct sounds. If she put the key in the lock we would expect that to make a certain sound etc. I had the idea of playing around with that. To confuse our senses, highlighting the importance of diegetic and non diegetic sound. Therefore, I would change the sounds of the film subtly. The key in the lock would not be that diegetic sound, I would replace it.
Here is a not so subtle example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KUZVwsjTvw

As I attempted to develop this idea I realised that I wanted the visuals to be aesthetically pleasing alongside this. Once again something just didn't feel right.

After another two hours and a car ride later, I decided to keep this simple. I want my research project to have a strong theme throughout and that theme is sound.

In 2006 I read an amazing book by a woman called Inga Muscio. The controversial title was CUNT. I must admit that I enjoyed reading this on the train just to watch the public's reactions. Anyway, there is a section named: Rape not cunts. The beginning of this chapter is not as dark as it sounds as the author takes us through a typical nocturnal situation where she has run out of soya milk and wants to ride to the shop to get some more. She then discusses the routine she has to go through in order to ensure she is safe when she goes out. It is a lighthearted and powerful story and I have always thought about creating a short film to capture the struggle of women.

Here is her book. It is a must read for females and men alike.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cunt-Declaration-Independence-Live-Girls/dp/1580050751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391717603&sr=8-1&keywords=cunt

So 13 hours later and I have finally decided upon my research idea. I will produce a short story based on the book above and concentrate on developing a high quality sound track too. (As long as my tutor thinks it's a good idea)

I think if I have time I may even create the same film but change the sound effects to note the differences. The possibilities are endless.

Now if you would please excuse me, I have some actors to find!

Student Out!

Here is a link to some of my previous work.

http://www.samkearney.co.uk/p/work.html

Strategies of Thought

What a title. Strategies of thought... intriguing yes?
I feel a whole heap of thinking is about to happen... soonish. I have had my first proper day at Uni and I am now an official MA student at MMU.

I am excited about creating again and will most definitely be dragging my two good friends, Adam and Lucy into my projects as I go along. (whether they like it or not) :-)

So, the idea for my film is not completely solidified yet but I am looking forward to the journey. I am about to start researching feminism in fairytales (well lack of feminism really) in the hopes to spark my creative brain again.

If any artists, filmmakers, poets etc spring to mind then don't be afraid to leave a comment and share your knowledge.

I am aware that this first post is a little vague but that's kinda where I am up to right now.

I will be using this space to ponder, rant and reflect on my time as a MA student.

Student Out!