Project 1: BodyCam
In an increasingly observed world and mediated cyborgian lifestyles, with cell phones, PDAs, personal tech, etc - a camera attached to your personal being, simultaneously reflects a "natural" extension of your point of view, as well as surveillance of the personal and the public.
To combat "visual pollution," São Paulo Brazil has passed a law to eliminate outdoor advertising: no billboards, no flashing neon signs, no electronic panels with messages crawling along the bottom. On the other hand, newly installed billboards in Manhattan use a directional sound system to broadcast an advertising message directly into your head, which cannot be easily ignored.
For this project, you will use a GoPro (available from TechCheck) securely attached to your body in order to gain a new perspective on the world, yourself, and your own actions.
Inspiration:
- Tehching Hsieh: One Year Performance 1980 - 1981
- Wearable Computing and the Veillance Contract: Steve Mann at TEDxToronto (essay & image above)
- Manual Lifelogging - Alberto Frigo -> Images of the artifacts used by the main hand
- Narrative Clip: the always-on clip-on camera
- CV Dazzle
- Top Shot Helmet - Julius von Bismarck 2007
Also keep in mind what "body cam" now means to most people -> CNN - Should police wear body cameras?
Requirements
Create a video revealing an extended point of view from your person:
- Record 30 minutes of footage. You may record your entire footage during the same or different sessions – however, the camcorder must be attached to the same exact location on your body for the entire duration of filming.
- This video should be recorded off campus and outside of the 2-mile vicinity of campus.
- If using the computer/smartphone/similar tech, use for less than 1 sec.
- You will capture the entire 30 min. and edit down to 3:00 minutes exactly.
- Your footage in its entirety must be used and in the same order that it was filmed.
- You may fade in or out at the start and end of the video only.
- You cannot add or delete audio.
- The video must be completely edited using FCPX.
- All video and audio must be subject to the same editing features.
- Your video will also need credits: title, your name, and copyright information
When editing, consider speeding up most of your video and slow down and/or use normal speed for portions of your work to emphasize your concepts. You will only use the pre-existing audio captured during filming – no additional sounds may be used.
Create a scenario for filming; do not simply record events such as meals with friends, daily routines, entertainment venues, etc. Keep in mind that critical content is important and a significant factor in the evaluation of the project.
Do not use: song/tune/melody (in any shape or form) and avoid recognizable sounds. Do not use text (in any form).
Save your completed videos with these specs: 720p (Apple Devices, H.264 Better Quality, 720p HD (1280x720))
Refer to the syllabus for subject matter that will not be accepted for projects in this class.
What To Turn In
In Progress
Record at least 15 minutes of footage with the GoPro and make an initial edit in FCPX. Be prepared to show this edit, either in FCPX or via an export file from your harddrive. You do not need to turn in this initial edit.
Finished Work
Create a folder yourlastname_bodycam:
- 1 completed video (MOV) with credits:
yourlastname_bodycam.mov - 1 Statement for Creative Work (PDF), why did you attach the camera to that specific part of your body and what is your concept and narrative based on that:
yourlastname_bodycam.pdf - 1 screenshot (PNG) of your FCPX video timeline:
yourlastname_bodycam.png - A few photographs (high resolution) showing different angles of the camera mounted onto your body placed in a subfolder:
bodycam_angles - Any other pertinent documentation, etc.
Prepare to present your work to the class in a 5-minute presentation.
Prepare for electronic transfer onto the instructor computer at the beginning of class.
Submit work by the start of class on the due date. Work submitted after the start of class will be considered late, incomplete projects will not be accepted; in addition, work not labeled according to assignment specifications will be subject to grade adjustments - see syllabus for breakdown of grades. Save your work as you will need all deliverables for your final portfolio.