set

It has been a while since I updated this blog, and a lot has happened in the interim. I had an empowering (and busy!) weekend dancing in the UW concert, "Dancing in the Digital Domain." After the final show on Sunday, I was able to meet with my girls to film the final segment of my video. I love these women! They are so talented, beautiful, and willing to work (and play) with me and with each other. We spent some time outside and got some beautiful footage. Too much, in fact, for the scope of this project. I plan on utilizing more of it as this piece develops.

As always with technology, I experienced some difficulties. When I played my footage on the camera, as well as in iMovie, it worked smoothly. But as soon as I hit "import," the image got choppy, and stopped playing after about 4 seconds. Just when I had given up hope, I received a suggestion from Diana that worked: fast forward the tape all the way to the end, then rewind it to the beginning. Everything was golden from then on.

I finished editing Monday night, then spent about 4 hours in the recording studio, followed by another 5 hours fitting the audio to the video. I am proud of my work on the music. I took two of my original compositions and arranged them to fit with the images. I look forward to my collaborator's return from out of town, so we can polish it even more.

When I see my film, I see three distinct characters who are on a journey transcending time and space. I see a blue flame emerging from the dancers, and smoldering quietly but bravely. What do you see?

Change

Four things that have changed my mind about this project.

#1: Images. Originally, I had one image in my head, and I formed my story around that image. I felt good about my idea, but I wasn't invested in it. I kept questioning it. There were too many holes, and I felt like I was making it happen, rather than allowing it to develop.

#2: Rehearsal with my girls last Sunday for a different project. It was warm and sunny outside, and we spent our time in nature. I was inspired by their movement and their livication.

#3: My commitment to my music.

#4: Filming Kristin for her project last Monday. I realized, I don't want to be the one in front of the camera, I want to be behind it.

So now my plan is different, and we'll be filming tomorrow. I have been almost overwhelmed rehearsing the women, finding costumes, choosing lighting, etcetera. But I have faith in these dancers, in my lighting designer, in my (our) music, and in my idea.

Birth

My video tells the story of a journey, from birth to death (or re-birth, as I see it). Right now the project itself is in its "birth" stage. I feel satisfied that I have two women from class to work with on camerawork, and that I have a few dancers who are willing to be in one scene. But I also feel overwhelmed with everything I have to decide, and everything I have to do.

I have to take it one step at a time, just like the woman in my story.