Assignment #5 - Two Videos...

Links to films mentioned in the reading, watch these for Wednesday's discussion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nrGKWMaX-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaGh0D2NXCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z1sOsIrshU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAxUWfe_PJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idi_5IaMrk

Look at this:

http://www.theoneminutes.org/

Read this for Monday:
http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/39/cutups1.htm

Assignment #5: Video and Sound two 1 Minute works

Objective:

Using both of the your finished sound pieces from Assignment #4 as your soundtracks, create a one minute videos using the digital video camera and Finalcut Pro on the mac.

The intention, in part, is to create an experimental combination of images in time using your sound works as the foundation for expressive video projects. Use your soundtracks as the point of departure for your image ideas. Each soundtrack is to be used verbatim, without any alteration as the starting point to create two time-based video works that are defined by the structure of the audio. The disparate fusion of audio and video will likely create unexpected meanings – allow this to occur. We have been engaging in strategies of control and randomness – continue to think on these lines.

Also consider the overall direction of the last four projects – we have been exploring the issue of self-portraiture through the development of sound experiments that all came together as two audio collages. Feel free to consider aspects of your everyday life as recorded through the lense of the video camera and the editing with the software to be a continuation of this process of building and assembling complex artifacts or personal representation. We have been “hearing” about you and your environments, perhaps this project could be considered an opportunity to now visualize what have so far been aural spaces.

All imagery for these pieces are to be recorded through the camera – no directly appropriated imagery.

Techniques:

Learn to use Finalcut Pro, go over basic techniques through tutorials online and through trial and error. You will be learning by doing! Learn to use: basic editing, importing sound, transitions, etc. Learn basic video camera operation, downloading to the Mac, etc. There are numerous sources on the web available regarding Finalcut – tutorials, discussion boards and such - use these resources and the Dynamic Media lab in the library. I will be posting links to tutorials as a place to start! Good luck and have fun!

Projects are due Wednesday, October 7th!

Sound Mixing Tutorials - How to...

Links to some interesting work with sound:
Here are some links to software and some helpful tutorials on getting started with audio mixing software:

Interesting blog with links and info on a variety of projects:
http://www.ethanham.com/blog/labels/sound.html

Amazing project, watch the video:
http://www.pitaru.com/

Christian Marclay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yqM3dAqTzs

Cut ups William S. Burroughs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B6NGPOUslI



Audacity:
Free, opensource software, one the more popular, can be a bit buggy here and there, just save as you go...
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Tutorials

These are from youtube, this guy's tutorials are very helpful, clear and understandable (there are many more...look for them as you become more familiar with the program):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZjaTebJVPA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbqJVC6kQ50&feature=related

Soundtrack Pro:
Apple's sound editing and mixing software, a bit more sophisticated than GarageBand:
(loads of tutorial info here)

http://www.apple.com/support/soundtrackpro/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBoEVYarZsg
Many other tutorials on youtube, look around!

GarageBand:
Apple's music mixing software.

http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/gettingstarted/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpUUKJeP7jE
Loads of other tutorials on youtube, look around, this one is most popular.

Sound Mixing - Assignment #4

Art 345 Sound and Image
MW 4-6:30pm Fall 2009 Joseph DeLappe

Assignment #6: Audio/Sound/Random/Intentional-Two Compositions

Objective:
Working with an audio processing software of your choice, (Audacity, GarageBand, Soundedit, etc.) you will make two final, one minute long, audio pieces combining the three sound projects created to date. (recorded tape loop, musical instrument, voice).

1) Three Track Mix. First create a one minute long project featuring 3 tracks, one each of the above mentioned works works. Keep it simple. Repeat your tape loops to fill the one minute duration - play your instrument for one minute - play your voice piece as many times as it takes to fill one minute. No manipulation beyond controlling sound levels and cleaning up the audio sources if need be. This basic, four track piece needs to be saved to be used to make the two pieces described next - keep this as your back-up source audio!

2) Controlled. Use the same source material to create an audio work that involves the intentional use of mixing, effects and filters in your chosen sound software to create a one-minute audio collage. Have fun and learn to use the software to seriously alter and engage your audio source material to create a new piece. 1minute in duration.

3) Random/Structured. Use the same source material that you saved in the first step, but this time, create a conceptual structure or game which defines how you integrate the sound and how you use the effects and filters. This one should be created entirely from choices made through your chosen conceptual structure/game. Be creative in developing a conceptual approach that will define how you put your work together - invent a system which will define you develop the finished work - ie: you system should instruct you on when to affect differing tracks (1,2,3), volume, balance, use of effects, etc.(we will discuss this further).

Examples:
Artist making sound. The tools available to you for audio processing are as interesting and complex as those in Photoshop for engaging visual imagery. Think of your works as audio collage. Cut, paste, re-assemble with the intent of making a work that ties your three audio sources into a cohesive whole.

John Cage, Marcell Duchamp, Mondrian, Pollock and many other modern artists have utilized random chance, numerical systems and conceptual thinking for the creation of works of art. Developing your own system for defining your audio composition involves the use of an invented structure to define the creation of your second piece. Think creatively. We will discuss these in class before you proceed. Consider the notion of time, random happenings, assign numbers to the various tracks and to the various preferred effects, roll dice, draw cards, take notes every time your phone rings, etc..

Screening for Lecture Credit

http://www.gbfs.org/

Feel free to attend this screening of experimental films and early "music videos".

Instrument/Found Sound and LINKS!

Links for flash mob/public interventions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

look at the "more from" section on the side of this youtube page, Improv Everywhere does some amazing work.

Links for homemade music:

http://www.oddmusic.com/

http://www.instructables.com/tag/category:music/?sort=none&q=instrument&limit:type:id=on

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=homemade+instruments&search_type=&aq=f

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Z-zEXEb6o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hBqgp9JGOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2_VwcGyeMU

Assignment #2: Instrument/Found Sound Continued…

Objective:

For this project you will be creating a home-made musical instrument/sound making device/sculpture. Using found materials of your choice, manufacture a piece that creatively emits sound as a result of being struck, strummed, dropped, blown through, thrown, or somehow otherwise manipulated by a user. The final piece must also incorporate a functional microphone - which will be used for recording and amplification purposes. A simple computer microphone with a mini-plug or suction cup input will suffice. These are available cheap at Radio Shack, Bestbuy, etc..

Consider the notion of sculptural assemblage - the combination of disparate elements into a visual object with the addition of musical/aural functionality. I also want you to think about your instrument as a continuation of your self-portrait sound loop - not literally but in the sense that the sound serves as a type of audio metaphor. The materials used should be meaningful - consider the objects in your everyday life and conceptualize your piece accordingly.

Examples:

You can approach this project from many different angles. Think about the many thousands of musical instruments that exist and create your own version from simple materials. Or, bring together a group of "stuff" from your life and just start experimenting with different combinations. The sound need not be pleasant as in the strum from a well tuned guitar - think about the sound as representative of some aspect of you.

This piece can be constructed using any materials at your disposal, books, bike parts, paper, cardboard box, motors, glass, plastic, duct tape, wire, screws, string, bottles, etc… Be creative, don’t be lazy…

Wednesday, September 9th Project due, bring to class and be prepared to play!

First Assignment and John Cage links...

Assignment #1: Found Sound Loop – Self Portrait
Sound a. A vibratory disturbance in the pressure and density of a fluid or in the elastic strain in a solid, with frequency in the approximate range between 20 and 20,000 hertz, capable of being detected by the organs of hearing b. A disturbance of any frequency c. The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by such a disturbance d. Such sensations collectively e. an articulation made by a vocal apparatus f. The distinctive character of such an articulation g. auditory material as recorded h. meaningless noise

Loop a. something having a roughly oval, closed or nearly closed turn or figure. b. a closed circuit

Objective:
Using an answering machine “endless loop” tape and a portable tape recorder, record found sound or a series of sounds from your everyday experience. The sound you record and present to the class will serve as an audio self-portrait – a snapshot of sound from/of your life.

Upon leaving class today, open your ears – spend several hours intentially just listening to your life – do not record anything. Use this experience as the foundation to choose what you would like to record tomorrow. Consider the form of the loop as a primary conceptual aspect of the work. Use the looping tape in a creative manner – this piece literally has no beginning our end.

Carefully think about the concepts expressed in the John Cage video – the nature of sound and the belief that all sound, whether intentional or thru chance, could be considered meaningful. Consider audio as metaphor, symbol, and as a unique medium for creative, artistic expression.

Examples:
There is so much sound in our lives that to give specific examples is almost defeating the purpose of this project. Experiment! Listen! Consider the “music” as defined by John Cage that surrounds us constantly. Allow your recording device to inhabit your life. We will discuss further examples and possibilities in class. Please avoid music in the familiar sense(no favorite songs) - expand your ears….

DUE Wednesday September 2, 2009

John Cage Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcHnL7aS64Y
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cage
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_cage.html