This week I also worked on my own cinematic devices to use during our site visit. The purpose of the cinematic device is to help gain a different view of the site and pick up on things maybe not noticed before. I am really interested in the idea of fictional space and how different scenes in film tell a story of a fictional space yet in actuality, the spaces are very different than perceived through the frame of the camera. For my cinematic device, I want to explore the space through an after editing tool. I plan to take photos of the space from a variety of angles and viewpoints and collage them together. The idea is that a series of multiple frames articulate the wider space around on shot and gives the viewer a better sense of the space.
I also plan to take photos of areas surrounding Fort Lane as well as the wider city and create a map. When watching a movie or series, we subconsciously map out the space we see in relation to each other. The ide of this cinematic editing device is to map out the site area in relation to its surroundings.
I decided that I also needed to have some physical cinematic devices that I could take with me to the site. Having something with me will force me to look at the site in a different manner.
The first experimented with some filter effects with some fabric and materials I had (below) but I didn’t feel like this made enough of an impact for me to take any further.
I then experimented with reflection, first with a small metal sheet, then a thin reflective film (below). I am often naturally drawn to light, reflection and distortion and this is why I had these materials lying around. I preferred the film just because of the distorting effect it gave to the reflected subject (thanks Georgia for being my model).
Taking inspiration from the kaleidoscope, I then created a tube placing the film inside (below). This was the first device I made. I liked the way the reflection was distorted and also with the film only sitting inside the tube rather than being attached to it, it allowed movement and chance to occur.
By chance I noticed the reflection of light off the reflective film through a rough frosted sheet of plastic I had laid over it (below). I found it interesting but it didn’t inspire a cinematic device.
After making the tubular cinematic device, I was inspired to see what the impact would be if I created a half tube and how the curved reflective surface would warp the site’s surroundings (below).
I liked the distorted reflection created by the half pipe device but I wanted to create a flatter water effect. I used the idea of the half pipe but instead of sticking the reflective film to the card, I stretched it across it so it was taught and flat (below).
I also wanted to create a device that would create a different point of view. I decided to attach a piece if nylon fishing wire to my phone and walk with my phone dangling by my feet through the space (below). I liked how it slowly spinner but decided to change my grip to stop it spinning so fast at the site.
Spatial Design by Ciara 