Reflections

Brooke McGarr
Media Arts
Reflective Essay
12/15/17
     While reflecting on this course, I thought of a few things that I learned and one major thing that I would have done differently. The things I learned where that not all group projects are bad experiences, and how to create sound compositions. The thing I would have done differently would have been my whole final project, which I will explain what I would have done instead of what I went with and why.
     Going into the group project, I was a bit apprehensive as I have had bad experiences before with groups, and wasn’t sure how well the group would work due to the online environment. I was glad that I was assigned the director role, because I have always felt a bit better when I have a sense of control over things. In the director position I controlled communication and got things started with my group right away and then gave my assistance wherever it was needed. I ended up enjoying working with my group, which consisted of Brian, Regan, and myself. I feel that we worked incredibly well with each other, and was pleased that we were able to produce a professional looking video on time.
     The sound composition would have to be my favorite project that we did in this course. I enjoyed learning how to mix different sounds in order to create one cohesive soundscape. I did mine based on sounds in my backyard at a certain time and I think it is the best work that I have produced in this class. The sounds I chose went extremely well together and I blended them in a way that made the final piece relaxing and enjoyable to listen to. I also added in a photograph of my backyard just so that the listeners could also visualize what my yard looks like.
     The one thing that I would do differently in this course would be my final project as a whole. While I do like the piece I created, I wish I had done something different and had planned it better. I feel like when it comes to courses where we have to choose what we are doing with our final at the beginning, that I tend to jump into my decisions full force without fully thinking them through – and this is something I need to work on in the future. I should have done a list of final ideas and then chose what one I wanted to do, instead of just rolling with the first idea that popped into my head. Thinking about it now, I would still go along the same route with showcasing my photography, but I would have done something like a photograph story video on a place I have visited that has left a lasting impact. For example, I could have done a video showcasing photographs that I took on my trip to Southwick’s Zoo and focused on my favorite part – which was when I got to walk through the deer forest and feed/interact with all of the deer in there. This was special to me because it was something I had never done before and I got to get up close and personal with animals that people normally can’t get close to. I would have put photographs of the other animals I saw there as well, but the deer would have been the majority. I would have done a voiceover explaining the photographs and the experience. Also, I could have used my newfound sound composition knowledge to put the sounds that certain animals make over their photographs. I feel like this would have been an interesting and meaningful video, and it would have been a fun project to create. I could have gotten creative with it in a different way as well by possibly doing a Steve Irwin accent while talking about the animals, and talking about them in a way that he would have. This would have made the video more entertaining.
     Reflecting on the final piece I did end up creating – I do think I did a good job on it, I just lost interest in what I was creating towards the end. I liked how I told my story, I just wish I had put more thought into it. I didn’t like the beginning clip of myself standing looking out over the yard because it just seemed off to me. I wasn’t sure what I could have placed there though instead so I ended up leaving it in. My favorite part of my final project was showcasing some of my photographs in the video. I chose the photographs that I liked the most that I have taken throughout my photography journey so far.
     I certainly learned to have patience and not rush the creative process throughout the weeks in this course. I never really thought about how much time and planning goes into creating certain projects, but after spending so much time working on certain aspects of our finals, I can see how it can be a taxing (but rewarding) process. There were certain steps I didn’t even think about at first, like doing a storyboard, but I can see how that helps the overall process.
     Moving forward, I most likely will use some of the knowledge I have gained in this class in the future. For one, I will try not to rush into projects anymore – and will really think through my ideas before I put them into motion. I will also most likely end up using my newfound sound skills in the future as well, especially if I create more photo videos. This would come in handy if I decide to focus on wedding photography – I will be able to create photo videos to go along with the photographic hard copies. All in all, I enjoyed this course and getting to see everyone’s creativity shining through throughout the weeks we spent working with each other.

Ethics and Artist's Statement

Ethics Statement (same as previous submission)- 
The main purpose of this blog is to share work I have created for a media arts class I am taking, as well as to share any thoughts I have while we work through the modules.

When it comes to what is shown on this blog, I intend to use mainly my own work. However, if I do end up having to use someone else's work (like music, for example) I will make sure that I give the appropriate credit for it. I will also make sure to give the appropriate credit if I share ideas or quotes from our text, or other research I have done for the class. I would like to ask that no one takes my work from the site or work I have shared from someone else unless they have my permission and that of the original creator if the work is not mine, and to give credit where it is due.

Lastly, I would like to ask that if comments are made on this blog, they are done so appropriately (kindly, and in response to what is written) - or I will take the appropriate action to make sure the comments are removed.

Artist's Statement-

I have been interested in the arts since I was a child, and in 2012 I found my artistic calling with photography. A few years ago, after entering college with the intentions of becoming a teacher - I decided that wasn't where my passion was and ended up switching my major so that I could focus on making a career out of my passion with a Bachelor's in the Arts with a focus on the Visual Arts. Since switching majors, I am happier now that I am following my dreams.

Photography is important to me because it allows me to be creative and to capture certain memories for myself, and for others. I mostly enjoy capturing animals, landscapes, and occasionally portraits. 

I hope to someday make a difference with my art, whether it be on a small scale or a large scale. 

Final Project - Journey to Becoming a Photographer

Here is my final project video - appropriately titled Journey to being a Photographer. A few changes I made were changing the script a bit, adding more photographs, and adding wind chime music - which came from findsounds.com - a free use sound website. All the photographs I used and the video are my own work. I am fairly pleased with the final piece and would love to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions! 

Project Rough Draft

This is what I have so far - I can see now that it definitely still needs a lot of work. One question I have is how long is this supposed to be if we are creating a video? I might need to cut some clips (like the first one) but I don't want to cut too much because the video is already really short as it is. I am also most likely going to add some type of music or background sound to it so it's not so quiet when I am not speaking. I might do sound as I think that would be a nice addition and not distract like music could end up doing. Also, for the photographs I used, do I need to get location permission to use those (even though I took them)? One of them was taken at my old house, and the others were taken at touristy locations.

Production Handbook?

I don't think I need an in depth production schedule at this point, as we are already supposed to be nearly done with our projects and posting a first draft by the end of the week. I don't have anyone else participating in the video except for myself, and I am filming at my own house so I don't need specific contracts for those areas. I actually filmed my video a few weeks ago when it was still warm outside, and just need to add in some photographs, do a voiceover, and then decide if I want to use music or not (which I will make sure to use free use music if I decide to add it in). I plan to keep the budget down to a minimum, I will only need to probably spend a few dollars on music if I use any. Below is my final shooting script that is the same from when I posted it previously.

My Journey to Being a Photographer

Written by

Brooke C. McGarr

2017                                                                                                          mcgarrbrooke13@gmail.com

My Journey to Being a Photographer

Scene 1 – Brooke (myself) standing in the yard looking out over the trees. Shot is in black and white. Voiceover starts: "When I was younger I always knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be an artist. I just hadn't found my artistic calling yet".
Scene 2 – Video scrolls through each artistic phase. Shot now switches to color.

Voiceover Starts: "I went through phases with drawing...painting...crafting...pottery". 

Scene 3 – Shows myself bending to pick up camera.

Voiceover starts: "Then one day, I picked up a camera and started experimenting with photography".

Scene 4 – Video shows some of the photographs I have taken.

Voiceover starts: "I ended up really loving photography and deciding to refocus my education on getting my Bachelor's in the Arts with a focus on photography. My favorite form is landscape photography and creative shoots where I can really let my imagination shine through." 

Scene 5 – Again shows me standing in the yard, now with a camera in my hands.

Voiceover starts: "Now that I have realized my passion, I am working to make it my career. I have always believed in following my dreams, and am incredibly happy that I am able to do that with my photography". I turn to face the filming camera with the prop camera up to my eye – scene cuts to black and video fades out.