Innovation & Interference: Inspiring references

Another inspiring video that references some of the style of lighting I will achieve for the dance film. The jump cuts used within the short film look really good, but I don't think it would go with the style my film is undertaking. But I will attempt the jump cuts within post production just to experiment a bit more. The lighting is definitely something I have already achieved, and is something that will feature in the film.

- Become One -  https://vimeo.com/93120027

Screenshot from "Become One"

Screenshot from my lighting test shoot. You can see the similarities between the two. The only difference is the shots taken from the test shoot are medium shots rather than long shots, as shown in "Become One"  

Another Screenshot from the test shoot.

On Thursday I have another evening within the studio, in which I could undergo further test shoots, and i'll make sure that I use perspective a bit more within the shots.

The body is a good example of the style of close up shots I could possible use for the dance film. I find this effective as it is close up shots of the bare skin, showing the muscles within the body moving, and if I decided to use a shaolin uniform for this film it would not be as effective due to not showing the bare skin. Maybe using something similar to a shaolin uniform that shows some bare skin would allow me to pull of this style within the film.

- The Body - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnPCOYMbiuk

Innovation and Interference: Lighting Test Shoot

I had the chance to experiment with the lighting setup, in order to prepare for the film, and I managed to run into a few setting up problems. But overall managed to partially achieve what I wanted.

The only real problem I had with the lighting setup, and trying to achieve the look I wanted, was not having enough lights on set to light the background. Usually the lights I hired out would achieve this, but the background being a black curtain it absorbed most of light. As I didn't have a white backdrop, which would have worked better to achieve that bright red silhouette look. But I did manage to achieve that red silhouette look I wanted to some extent. Either next week or the 4th March I will be undergoing another lighting test shoot to experiment more with lighting, to get a better Silhouette look, experiment more with the coloured gels, and to achieve another low key lighting setup.

Silhouette setup #1

As you can see from the diagram above, to get a better silhouette we should of had a light behind the backdrop. Because the backdrop was a black curtain, the light wouldn't seek through. The next attempt I will be organising a way to bring a white backdrop into the studio. This will allow me to achieve a better lighting setup for production.

Silhouette setup #2

Here is some of the images taken on the day. A mix between Silhouette and low key lighting:

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#2

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Another setup used on the day. Adding the extra third light helped brighten the background more. 

Innovation & Interference: Searching for a dancer

After not being able to get hold of Shaolin Monks, I decided to get in contact with Rachel in regards to helping me find a suitable dancer for the project. So I created a dancers brief in which she could send forward for me. Here is the brief: 

Dancers Brief: Detailing the schedule, location, dancers role and the film

I aim to find a dancer within at least this week as time is essential at the moment. I need the dancer to learn WuDang five animal forms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01wUiCNr774, and add contemporary dance movements to it. As you can tell this can be quite time consuming, as the dancer would need to learn and practice the choreography. To make sure that the choreography is right for the film, I have booked two days in which the dancer and I could work one on one to assure the choreography on the day of shooting is already prepared.

Innovation and Interference: SOUND - Searching for music

After spending more time into searching for music on audionetwork, I finally found five tracks that I believe would best match each animal form. As each animal form represents the training of something different, for example the dragon represents the training of the mind, and the snake represents energy. I used those words as keywords, along with notes about the type of movements used within the forms, and found these tracks to suit best.

Dragon: http://www.audionetwork.com/show-production-results.aspx?stype=2&disc=1005&track=2

Snake: http://www.audionetwork.com/show-production-results.aspx?stype=2&disc=1142&track=1

Tiger: http://www.audionetwork.com/show-production-results.aspx?stype=2&disc=1293&track=7

Leopard: http://www.audionetwork.com/show-production-results.aspx?stype=2&disc=1650&track=2

Crane: http://www.audionetwork.com/show-production-results.aspx?stype=2&disc=1612&track=6

The next stage after purchasing each song is to mix and blend each song together, to create one song with a seamless transition. I will be using either adobe audition or pro-tools in order to achieve this.

copyright and licensing to use the music will not be an issue. I will be using the Home & Student package.

Home and Student package

Innovation and Interference: Lighting setup

So for the film I have decided to work on two main lighting setups. The first being to achieve silhouette look, so I decided to research more into lighting a silhouette (http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/simple-steps-for-shooting-amazing-silhouettes--photo-2447).  The second being quite a low key lighting. 

The image below is the first lighting setup I would initially like for my film.  I like the idea of using a red filter or bulb in order to make the background red. I would shoot all of choreography like this first, and then move on to filming the choreography in a low key lighting where I use perspective to capture different angles of the choreography. 

Silhouette with a red background. I find it to be quite beautiful and mysterious. 

Below another image of a silhouette look I would of liked to achieve for my film, but this look would only work best with a environmental outdoor shoot.  

Another Silhouette look I liked, which would of worked well on a outdoor shoot. 

 

The second lighting set up I would like is similar to the lighting shown in the "Choros" dance film. 

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2013/02/05/choros/

Similar to what I want for my film. 

The only problem I think would occur using a set up like this is that it would clash with the red silhouette lighting set up during the edit, and wouldn't look good. So during my lighting test shots I will be looking into, and experimenting with this lighting setup to achieve something that doesn't clash. The first approach I will take during the my lighting test shots is to use red lighting again instead of white. I will also be experimenting with coloured lighting filters/gels.

Innovation and Interference: SOUND - Searching for music

As Chinese new year is only aroung the corner there was a specialy album featured at the front of the audio network website: http://www.audionetwork.com/production-music/album/chinese-new-year_2271.aspx - The album features a variety of tracks that could possible be used within the film.

Chinese new year album features on Audio Network.

My initial idea at the moment is to find at least 5 songs, a song for each animal form presented in Shaolin kung fu, and blend them together during post to create smooth running track throughout. Another idea was to simply find one song good and long enough to support all five forms. The only problem I thought would occur if I done this, is that it could get boring for the the audience. So a change in track is something that I believe I would need to try incorporate within the film just to make it that bit more interesting.

Here is a list of sounds I managed to shortlist today, but I will keep an eye and search for more:

• Yang Me Tu Qi (2271/2)
• Yang Guang Can Lan (2271/3) + (2271/23) + (2271/20)
• Lao Yaun Xiao (2271/29)
• Road to Beijing (1487/6)
• Guilin (1204/1)
• Chili Fu (1342.5

Innovation & Interference: Movements and mediation techniques

Dragon form movement

Tiger form movement

Leopard form movement

Snake form movement

Crane form movement

Below is the links to the movements and techniques I would like to use within the film. My initial idea is to provide these videos to a dancer, in which they can learn and practice. I would like them to possible add some choreography of their own, if they have any that would work well with the movements. 

Master Wang Zhi Ping, Five animals, one movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czcZSREoayM
Shaolin Monk Wung Bo, Internal Exercises. - Focuses on breathing and movement techniques :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffNRQ-pLqV0 

Master Wu Dang, Five animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01wUiCNr774

Meditation and Qi Gong : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoifMgtTns

Meditation & Qi Gong: This specific movement is what I want to put into the choreography also.

Innovation and Interference: Shaolin Research + Monastery contact.

So after exchanging emails with a Shaolin Temple, I tried to organise a visit to the temple in order to help me get abetter understanding of the martial arts in person. It would of been a good chance to get some test shots. Unfortunately when I received the email below, I decided to give them a call and try harder. As mentioned they really couldn't accommodate my request due to Chinese new year. They did mention that After the Chinese new year they could organise something. Unfortunately again I am on a time restraint, so it would be too late for me.

Another Temple I got in contact with was Shaolin Temple UK (http://www.shaolintempleuk.org/).
They where extremely polite and mentioned that I could visit but without cameras etc. I would have to visit as a student for the day. I had explained to the person on the phone about the project, and unfortunately they don't teach the 5 animal forms to the students as of yet. They did give me several links, featured below, and is sending me an email featuring links and contacts to temples in the UK who teach more traditional Shaolin Kung Fu.

3rd Shaolin Cultural Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9A_2iWkBos

Shaolin Leopard and Eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTnsPNwq10

Meditation & Qi Gong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoifMgtTns - Great reference for music and movement. I liked the movements featured in the meditation & Qi Gong video at 2 minutes in. This would be good to feature at the start before wondering into the animal forms. Also similar music as featured in the video would be good to feature at the start of the film.

Shaolin Drunken Fist & Staff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhHtU-YyVI

Shaolin Monkey & Scorpion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLarB6OKUgg

Innovation and Interference: Dance film: 5 Shaolin Animal Forms

This is the book i'm currently reading. Helped me understand the five animal forms more clearly, and what they represent in Shaolin kung fu. 

In Shaolin kung fu the 5 animal forms are a metaphor for human life. They represent the training of the Mind, Energy, Essence, Speed and Elegance. 

DRAGON FORM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZE8-M65ZT8
The dragon form, in Chinese culture is a majestic, divine creature which brings luck and prosperity. It's characteristics powerful, undulating and flowing movements are manifested as a graceful. sinuous body motion in shaolin kung fu. Attack someone who specialises in the dragon form, and he would not block your attack nor move away, but gracefully swerve the body without moving his feet, so that your attack would miss.
The dragon form is for training Shen, which means 'mind' or 'spirit'.

SNAKE FORM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77eUHvCYO5I

In some ways the snake resembles the a dragon, but without the latter's grandeur and power. It is often called the earthly dragon. Its movement is fast and sleek, its attack vicious, and its most notable characteristic is softness. Hence, a snake form specialist would not normally block an attack directly with physical strength, but would absorb it using circular movements, coil around it, and slide along the attacking limb to strike the opponents weak spot. 

The essence of the the snakes form is Chi or intrinsic energy.The soft, gentle movements of snake patterns are meant to facilitate Chi flow, which need external force training like hitting sandbags and striking poles, which are incongruous to the snake form. 

TIGER FORM:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0M7diWQq8M

                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFjlzsYe8Qc

In kung fu terminology, the essence of the tiger lies in its bones, which is a figurative way of saying that the training of the tiger form is to develop internal force. The internal force used in the tiger form training is different from the snake.  The tiger form emphasises Jing, or essence, which is matter in its final form, similar to what modern scientists call subatomic particles. Jing and Chi are nevertheless relative; Jing can be converted to Chi, and vice versa.

LEOPARD FORM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KihDirIqXg

The characteristics of a leopard is speed; leopard patterns are therefore fast. In Shaolin jung fu the leopard form is represented by the leopard punch, which is formed by bending the knuckles  at the second finger joints, and not at the third, as in a normal fist. However, if you perform the black tiger punch or the happy bird side kick at great speed, your pattern has the characteristics of the leopard, even though it is named after a tiger or bird. Hence, it is often the characteristics, and not just the form, of a pattern that counts. 

The essence of the leopard lies in its muscles, which means that in leopard form, the emphasis is on external strength. External strength depends on a great extent on fast movement for its successful operation.

  CRANE FORM:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IpHRpmu320

If you observe a crane, you will probably be impressed by its stability and tranquility , and perhaps be surprised by its that its slender solitary-standing leg can support such an enormous weight.  The bird seems to be frozen in space and time. When it suddenly takes off, despite its huge size and apparent immobility, its movements are swift and graceful, demonstrating an excellent way of both conserving and using energy. Manifested in Shaolin kung fu, that characteristic of the crane form is elegance, and is essence is quiescence 

These five animals provide Shaolin kung fu with their respective characteristics and essences, not only making it an effective fighting art but also enabling it to become an excellent system for physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development. The form and significance of the tiger, snake and dragon develop what are called the three treasures, namely Jing, Chi and Shen. A person who's Jing is full, for example, is physically fit and healthy; ones whose Chi is plentiful is emotional stable and full of vitality; and ones who's Shen is abundant is mentally fresh and spiritually mature.

The leopard form and significance produce speed and agility, while those of the crane produce elegance and tranquility. 

Innovation and Interference: Dance Film Tutorial

On Friday 6th February I had a tutorial with Rachel to keep her updated with my idea. We had discussed and watched some references I found, also made steps on what needs to happen next in order to move forward with the film. This is the feedback email I had received from the tutorial.

"Hi Dowan,

I am particularly interested in your ideas, I think you have a clear
vision and you CAN make this happen - it will be a lot of work, but
great things come from motivated people!

So we talked about:

Shaolin Kung Fu and the Animal Forms
Nigel Stanford Sound / Movement video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3oItpVa9fs
Film Techniques / Echoes / Fragments of energy via:
http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2013/02/05/choros/

You mentioned the Brighton Shaolin Temple, having made contact with
them and their interest.

Moving forwards you need to have completed this in the next two weeks!

1:  RESEARCH
Collect existing films of the different movements styles - i.e animals
look at ideas of how to shoot - tony hill - perspective , rig shots,
go pro
research each animal what it represents
research sound that's appropriate to each animal, or rhythms
Locations? test shots - in a studio, or outside or in a temple

2. Create a synopsis and Storyboard - we talked about the animal
forms:
moving from one animal form to the other, dragon - snake - tiger -
panther - crane with a sound associated with each animal form -
eventually the sound / movements add up through layers building 'the
whole picture' the 'whole monk'

3. In terms of movement ideas, you need to visit the temple, ask them
if you can watch each of the 'animal' kung fu actions, watch these
from all angles, and do some test shots, how is the viewer best able
to experience this moves through the film - how can they best 'feel'
the movement through your film?

4. In terms of soundscore - do the monks inhale/exhale in a particular
way when they do the movements, can this be recorded and then
processed somehow to make more of the sound?

5. Be clear with what you want from the artists in the temple, i.e. I
want to make an initial visit to watch and film, do some location test
shots, then you want to go back and film, tell them how long you need,
ask if this is possible, mention you may want to record the sounds in
the temple etc. be organised and calmer as to what you want need.  Do
you want to voice record conversations you have with the monks about
what you re doing - could this feature int eh sound score or aspects
of it?

6. Get a team of people around you!  Stick to your guns in terms of
your vision - it is clear, get a team around you who can help with the
practical / technical aspects of shooting, editing etc.

YOU can make this happen! Just Do It - now is the time to be brave,
experiment and try things out.  I'm here to talk things through, give
you tutorials so keep in touch!"

Innovation and Interference: Three day dance choreography workshop

On the 14th, 15th and 16th January 2015 we had a three day with Rachel Palmer. During the three day workshop we watched a variety of dance videos, explored the briefing for this unit, had group activities which related to the theme of movement & rhythm, conversed about idea's or concepts we might have in mind, and worked with dancers Rachel had invited in.

When working with the dancer it helped me with visualising my concept further. Due to my dance concept/idea being about martial arts, I decided to use keywords that relate to martial arts for example: Patients, Respect, strength etc. I would reveal the keywords to the dancers, in which they would move/dance in a way that relates to the keywords. It was interesting to see what all the dancers had to offer,  as they all performed something completely different.

Innovation and Interference: Research & Ideas for a dance film

Since we have had a briefing into this terms projects I have started to research into the chosen subjects.

Dance Video - I found a variety of interesting work and inspiration when looking into dance videos. 

Here is an interesting piece by Terah Maher & Michael Langan. http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2013/02/05/choros/

Repetition to create these beautiful peacock like patterns 

Every movement made by the dancer is repeated. 

What I liked most about this video is the use of repetition throughout the film. The dancer takes slow calm movements which lead to these beautiful patterns from the use of repetition (e.g. Look at the first screen shot). I liked this technique because it was interesting to watch, and the fact that I have never seen a dance video using this specific technique before. It was inspiring and would be interesting to adapt a technique such as this into any ideas that come to mind.

Martial Arts - One concept I liked is to create a dance video related around martial arts. Martial arts such as shaolin kung fu, which features this great rhythm and movement when it comes to practicing and meditating, and in which I think would be unique to integrate with dance choreography or even as a dance movement of its own.

Sidi Larbi and Anthony Gormley create a piece of work related around Shaolin monks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_cMBDeIGAE - At around 1.17 into the video features nice smooth movements from a child sitting on a pillar. This work was interesting as all of the Shaolin monks featured in it are children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSTCWH_4KCQ - This video features Shaolin monks performing a variety of animal forms featured in Shaolin kung fu. E.g. Dragon form, Snake form, Tiger form, panther form and crane form. Even though there is a variety of animal forms in kung fu, those are the top five. The piece was inspiring as it features a variety of movements with different parts of the body, and thats because of the different animal forms available. Each animal form focuses on something different compared to the rest, both mentally and physically.

Nigel Stanford - Cymatics. A video featuring the manipulation of water, fire, earth and electricity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3oItpVa9fs

It was an inspiring video as it featured the manipulation of specific elements using sound waves. As we are focusing on rhythm and movement of the body, I know it would be a good idea to also look into the rhythm and movement of other elements alongside the body or within the background.

Terry Crews - Old spice muscle music advert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ15vCGuvH0 - This advert features muscle movement to create music. It may be an advert but it was inspiring as it gave me some ideas and a concept I could research more into. Another concept of a dance video would be to play a specific sound with a specific movement of the body. The subject would start off still and would slowly start to move a different part of the body, gradually moving faster to eventually create this rhythm and dance movement.