The Absolute Film

This article pretty much confirmed what I have thought about experimental film for a while. That even though it may be off the wall batshit crazy, if it is art to you then it's art. Not everything has to have a story or meaning or purpose. Sometimes people just make things because. I loved the way they compared absolute film to absolute music. It isn't about a story or function it's about "the essential elements - harmonies, rhythms, melodies, counterpoints, etc." I like that because I see experimental cinema as sort of a symphony in a way. But then other times experimental cinema is like a jazz ensemble.

Synesthesia and Cymatics

The cymatics videos were really cool. Its crazy what sound can do to other things. The way those speakers made the water move was incredible. It looked like the water was alive. Music is such a beautiful thing but actually seeing it flow through something is so weird. A good weird though. Synesthesia has always interested me. An artist I know who has synesthesia designed a bracelet in honor of other people with synesthesia. It's called "Taste of Color" and is beautiful blend of all different colors. It's always interested me that some peoples senses tie together like that. Sometimes I wish I had it, honestly.

Pops & Rhythms Productions

Recording with Rory and Marika was quite an experience to say the least! Using the H6 was a new experience for all of us but we eventually got the hang of it. Rory had sat a bunch of things out that would make sound for us to record. We had things like pill bottles, water bottles, tissues, dice, a pot, and a vibrator. We also got some recordings from the gym at Rory's place. There was a guy in there watching tv and working out. When we asked him if we could cut the tv off briefly to record he just left which was...weird, but nice of him. The best part was 100% Rory's biscuits and gravy which also made for some great sound recording. I hope the three of us get to work together again because we really got creative and had a lot of fun.

Night Jeep Sitting

It's 9:50pm on a Sunday night. Outside my apartment complex is far from quiet. Cicada's fill the air with their nighttime song. The sound of cars passing left and right interrupts the tune of the cicadas but only for a minute. Each car sounds different but before I can analyze the sound it's gone. My neighbor is outside directing her friend where to park. She screams after being startled by a frog. The scream carries and ceases all other sounds briefly but then cicadas and traffic fill the night again.

Theory of the Film: Sound

Some people enjoy silence. Some people fear it. I respect silence. Especially after reading what Bela Belazs had to say about it. "There are thousands of different sounds and voices, but the substance of silence appears one and the same for all." This really hit me. Everything has it's own unique sounds that convey a certain meaning or idea but silence will always sound the same. Even though silence will always sound like "silence" the meaning of the silence is up to whoever hears it. Sound is such a beautiful thing but if used correctly, silence can be true poetry.

Living Room Sound Observation

It's all a blur at first. One big jumble of sound. As I sit and listen I can pull the sounds apart one by one and identify them. The main source of sound is my fan in my room making a low but constant whirring sound. I can hear my neighbors TV reverberating off the wall. (What's new?) It creates a hushed murmur throughout the room. My clock faintly whispers a nice tempo as to remind me of the slow passing time. My fridge kicks on and suddenly it owns the room as a steady hum drifts into the living room from the kitchen. My friend is playing a video game next to me. The game is muted but I can hear every *CLICK* from each button he presses. It isn't constant or on beat like the other sounds. It doesn't belong. Then it stops. A few seconds pass then my neighbors TV is silent. Then the fridge falls silent. My orchestra of sound has been reduced to a duet courtesy of my fan and my clock.