I’ve almost finished editing the final version of my film, to be projected as part of my final degree show installation. Take a look:
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The final countdown
Last weekend, videographer Sharon came along to practice with me to shoot the final footage for my final degree show.
I’m really happy with the footage and have been editing all week to get it ready for projection tests.
Looking back over this project, I’m actually really pleased by what I have achieved- learning, within 6 months to tightrope walk and use projection mapping has been more than I thought I could do. I now have just under two months to get the pieces in place for the final installation.
Not long now!
I’ll be uploading the film soon, but in the meantime, visit my instagram for a silly video of me falling off, repeatedly.
New displays
As part of my course, I’m encouraged to display my work at college as much as possible.
Since I am creating digital work, this creates a creative challenge for me, since I cannot display projections or film easily in the corridor exhibition spaces. I chose to display stills of tightwire projections in the glass towers area, and documentation of learning tightwire in the display case.
New projections…
I’ve been experimenting with projecting on different materials, such as this long curtain (the iPhone camera is not great at photographing projections!) I really like this effect within an installation, and it’s certainly something I can look into for my final piece.
Shoe balance projections- I’ve also been returning to projecting into shoes (using some of my shoe balance clips). However, I need to find a way to get enough lighting in the space so that the objects being projected on can be seen, but not so much light that the projections aren’t visible. I’ve picked up some led strips that I can try out around the plinth or floor…
My next step will be getting some proper footage of a tightrope walk- I have a friend who has offered to do this for me, and this will really step things up a bit!
Balancing Projections!
I put together a smaller-scale version of my projections at uni on Monday for a group crit. The feedback was good, although when I brought the group into the room, my projector had stopped working- I’m not 100% sure why, but I’m going to have to do some trouble shooting in preparation for the end of year show. I’ll need to be confident that I can leave the films running without being in the room…
Balancing progress
Getting less wobbly…
Balancing|Projecting …the plot thickens
I’m just a couple of months away from my final degree assessment, and am starting to put together the building blocks of this project, and how I will present it. This is an exciting and scary time usually- that stage of the creative process where you can’t quite envision what a final artwork will look like, but the possibilities are starting to come together. But as this is the final project in my degree, there’s the mounting pressure that ultimately, whatever I make now is my Final Degree Show.
I’m trying not to worry though as that will get me nowhere.
I’ve been practicing more with projection mapping, specifically with clown face on mannequin. I’ve always viewed clowning as a kind of projection, and as a physical, moving projection it creates an eerie yet peaceful vision.
One of the benefits of the studio I currently use is that there is absolutely no natural light- making projection work a dream! Having an affordable studio is such a privilege, especially when living in the centre of a busy town full of artists.
More projection experiments to come soon.
Projecting | work in progress
I’ve been getting into the swing of things with projection mapping and finding it very exciting- it’s like a new little world has opened up creatively. So far I’m using film I already have of tightrope walks, and footage of my own face to project onto objects too (which is spookily delightful!)
It’s difficult to photograph projection work, which I think makes it even more interesting to me- similar to live performance, once it is filmed, it becomes an entirely different thing. One of the main things I’ve been focusing on for this project, is keeping it accessible and affordable (people spend A LOT of money on these kind of effects, but if you’re wanting to just try out ideas before spending, here’s a breakdown of what I’ve been using:
- Optoma Projection Mapper app This is a great little basic app, costs around £5. It’s only available on iPad/iPhone currently, but this is perfect for my needs at the moment. I’ve not tried the app with a phone yet, but for display/exhibition purposes, this could be really handy if it works ok.
- Deeplee projector £50ish from Amazon. I did a lot of research and asking around, and after finally settling on this one, have found it to be working really well. It’s pretty bright even in a dimly lit room, the only downside so far is that it’s quite noisy.
- HDMI Adapter – under £20. Like all projection projects, you gotta sort the pesky cable nonsense out. This is the right one to connect an iPad/iPhone to the projector, and it also needs to be connected to a charger at the same time.
More updates soon, when I’ve had more time to play around. I’m off tightrope practice for a couple of weeks, which although makes me sad, it does mean dedicated time to working on the art/tech side of things.
Back on the wire…
I’m practicing after the new year/Xmas break and though I’ve been a bit wobbly at first, I’m back walking from end to end. I need to keep my arms up more, and one foot off the rope as much as possible (interestingly, it’s easier to balance on one leg than with both on the rope!)
I’ve been getting back on to the projection side of things, using a new mini projector whilst figuring out how to do very basic projection mapping. I’m starting with ‘Projection Mapper’ by Optoma, a device-based app, and am currently having LOTS of fun working out which cables to get to make it all work. I hate cables. I long for a cloud-based life.
Currently my process looks like this:
It’s great to start playing around even with just straight projections- I’ve always found projected film intoxicating, more so than on a screen.
My next step once I’m all rigged up tech-wise is going to be proper film footage of a tightrope walk, which will mean having to take a white and black backdrop into the circus school, unless I manage to find another place to walk that can be moved in front of a better backdrop. I’m still on the trail of a tightrope that may or may not exist in another location…
Balancing: process
In lieu of a tightrope, (it’s not up at the moment) I took my slackline down to the West Pier and practiced between the old metal pillars.
Slackline seems similar to tightrope, but it’s completely different, and I find it so hard- I much prefer the tightrope. However, it was good to get some balancing practice in after the long Christmas break, especially in a picturesque environment.
I used to love watching people doing slackline and tightrope by the West Pier when I first moved to Brighton, over 10 years ago now (although I remember them being a lot better than I am!)
After I took down the slackwire, I created a line where it was with white stones. I wonder how long it will stay there?
I’m going to look into the feasibility of rigging a tightrope between the pillars…it would be great to be able to rig it myself anytime, especially once the weather gets warmer.
