Reflection on Stop-Animation and Free/Class Shoot Selection

While at times a frustrating and tedious process, the stop-animation project was worth the effort and especially interesting because of the collaboration with the music class. I have worked with both film and photography (of course) before, and though stop-action could be placed between the two, it takes a very different approach and sense of patience. Since I chose to animated inanimate objects (more in my scraped first-draft than the final), the initial shooting took a very long time for not much “film.” When I chose to redirect my approach, it was much easier to shoot, both because I photographed not only inanimate objects, but also because I worked-in a narrative. This choice I think really gave my film a clear direction and point while still remaining light and fun.

As for the collaboration, it seemed an interesting way to combine two media/classes, but was a little disjointed. My partner and I first discussed and then I set down the images of the film and finally he responded with music made up from noises of matches lighting, rattling, blowing out, etc. I am not sure how he felt to be the second one to respond, but it seems to me that one partner has to “go first” in this project. Either music can be made, and then stop action added in response (something that would yield a different result, and which I don’t believe happened in these particular projects) or the stop action can be complied and sound then edited to fit with the sequence of images. Of course you can always go back and forth and edit something in the film or sound, but something happened first. An interesting project may to have each partner work on their parts separately and then just put together in the end; the result would probably feel somewhat disjointed, but as long as there was a common theme, they each would have generated their product on their own. Overall I think my partner and I were satisfied with the relationship we set up for this project and did not worry too much about forcing something, but rather went with the flow.

The free/class shoot selection process was revealing of my own tendencies as a photographer. Not that I have only one subject, style or color palate when I shoot, but certain themes do reappear. I think it will help me to be more conscious of my affinities when I go out to shoot and perhaps steer me towards a final project. So then what am I drawn to? Abstraction, texture, oddity? What I call arrangements? I think I just need to go out and take more pictures.