Project #3.

David Project #3 from David Chen on Vimeo.

MOMI

One of the first sections of the museum that we visited was the video recorders. This particular exhibit displayed a large range of old school recorders. The tour guide pointed out that as technology advanced so did the video recorders. The first recorders were big, bulky and made out  of wood. However, as time went by, little changes started to occur, the size of the film reels was shrunken,  the material changed to metal and it quickly became the new standard.

We also explored the different variations in the television set. The first versions of television sets were constructed in a way so that they blended into the typical American household. For example, TV Sets were built inside dressers or closets to make it look more natural and less out of place. They also experimented with differents shapes of screen from rectangular to circular.

One of exhibit that I got a chance to interact with was a sound recording booth. These voice overs gave life/voice to animations or animals. It was pretty simple all I had to do was began reading my lines when I heard the beep and the program would sync up my voice with the animals on the screen. This particular section was very modern, it was comprised of some screens, a computer a mic and a headset.

Something I didn’t know before visiting this museum was just how much work went into a single broadcast of a baseball game. The tour guide showed us a large wall covered in screens. Each of the screen had a different angle of the baseball game. Some showed a close up of the managers, players, while others were a overview shot of the entire game. There was also group of guys responsible for switching the angles as the game went by it was fascinating seeing them do it with relative ease.

Blog post #3 Analysis of Scene

The scene I’ve selected to analyze is a dinner scene in the movie “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. This particular dinner scene consist of many characters seated around a dining table.

The camera switches between characters as the story unfolds, documenting their expressions and reactions in the process. Personally this constant switching allows me to interpret the mood of the dinner as well as each of the respective characters thoughts.

One of initial editing choices that I’ve notice is that although the camera switches it focus on various character throughout the scene, there are moments in which the focus would be on a character that is not partaking in the dialogue or the action. This could be director’s way of pointing out that although a particular character is not directly talking, his/her’s thoughts are important and relevant to the dialogue.

In general most of the shots in the scene are examples of close ups or extreme close ups

However, there are some variations like the medium shots employed to introduce the setting as well as cue the audience in on a significant moment in the scene. In one particular instance, when the father addresses a character outside of the dining table, the camera shots switches to a medium shot as well as shifts to a different point of view in order to show the audience who exactly he is addressing.

The progression of the scene demonstrates uncontinuous editing, there are many jump cuts between characters as the conversation goes on. Most of the characters seem to however be framed similarly with eye lines remaining constantly and a constant background of the dining room wall.

One particular, thing I’ve noticed was the lack of variations of high and low angles shots. As the father began to interrogate the Lieutenant the shots remained neutral. However, the intensity and the uncomfortableness was still vividly portrayed. I believe this comes down to the actor’s ability to portray emotions and shows a real sense of trust in the part of the director.

The scene also follows the 180 degree rule, when each of the two children appear in a shot, the shot is taken along the 180 degree spectrum, making sure that the way in which the audience views them is consistent.

Most of the film consist of diegetic sounds such as the character’s dialogue or the clanking of the fork as it hits the plate. However, there is also traces of somber music in the background.

https://youtu.be/GTy7ySwT1Js

Sound project

Sound Walk

I decided to take my sound walk on the train (5 line) ride home. My starting location was the 59th street station and the time was approximately 7pm. It wasn’t quite rush hour but there was still a good amount of passengers on the train. The initial few moments when the doors opened was a collection of chaotic sounds. “Excuse me”, “Sorry” and “my bad” rung out as people tried to exit and enter at the same time. However, even then the conductor voice’s still managed to cut through the chaos, “Please stand clear of the doors, The next stop will be 42nd street.” As the doors close again, people started settling down. There were definitely a fair amount of “expected” noise. The sound of people trying to settle down and ready themselves for their long commute ahead. The creaks and shuffles of people moving around and the echo of footsteps along with the rustling of bags and shifting of coats were all sounds that I heard. Opening my ears, really allowed me to hear the small sounds that I’ve seemingly missed on my daily commute. Sounds like the slow but subtle powering up of the train’s engine as it prepare to embark on its journey. Something I’ve also notice was the small sounds that showed the crowd of people. The clinking of a jacket zipper as it banged against the seat. The subtle muffled music blasting from a nearby passenger. There were also occasional laughter and noise from groups of passengers. There always seem to be a constant “travel noise” in the background. A lot of this “travel noise” comprised of wind blowing by as the train picked up speed. Looking back on the sounds I’ve picked up, I could probably identify that I was in a train. The screeching of the brakes as it pulled into the station is a clear giveaway. You can definitely hear that it was New York City from the energy and the constant stream of noise.

Define a Space project

Traffic from David Chen on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

My name is David Chen, I am a 19 year old student at Hunter college. I am first generation Asian American. Being a part of two drastically different cultures definitely shapes my view of the world. It is a critical part of my identity but it is still something that I still figuring out.

Throughout my childhood, I’ve moved around New York a few times, moving from Lower Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn and back. From this I’ve realize how neighborhoods so close to each out can be so different.  Growing up in New York City, a city so much unique people it always seems to surprise me in some way. Some of these events influence my work.  

I am constantly inspired by the works of filmmakers and the unique ways in which they tell a story. Watching documentaries and short films constantly encourages me to work on my craft. I hope someday I will able to implement an element of storytelling in my future works.

As cliche as it may sound I love to travel. Although I haven’t been able to travel much, I hope to one day step of my comfort zone and visit places I never would have imagine visiting. I want to document these experiences and records the stories of others I met along the way.