Experimenting with a set up that will allow novel, experimental and new ways of producing optical sound tracks on 35mm and 16mm.
Modulations
Category: VI, sound and audio projects
Films and video tests
These are really experiments in loading video clips on this blog.
To try and test the differences between youtube, vimeo and my own server space itself in terms of how the videos look and play.
youtube embedded tests
YOUTUBE
Test clip of video, aiming at scanning FULL HEIGHT super 16mm gate which means loosing the whole of the soundtrack area (not needed for visual scans anyway) and using camera framing as top/bottom guidelines.
The film is a 1970’s educational film called Art of The Bowman, which I plan to do a kind of ‘artistic restoration’ on.
Quick scans of an interesting 35mm Lab Leader. Its short so recommend looping.
Quick scan of nice 35mm ‘Loop’ that was in the Arnolfini, Bristol, UK projection room. This is even shorter so definately loop.
A scan series involving manual printer switching (direction) and format swaps. ie this whole clip is assembled from scanned stills without editing.
Both these clips below, on both youtube and vimeo are displaying in the wrong Aspect Ratio at the moment. Should be 4:3. Orignial clips are 720X576 with DAR of 4:3 and PAR of 1.094. However, after rendering from Vegas, they insist on having a DAR of 5:4??? Ive only got so much (….) patience for video……..
The film however was my entry for the East Anglia Film Archive Mashup Competition. It did not win anything but Im really pleased with it nevertheless. The test for correct DAR is about half way were you see some coins. They mean to be ROUND. Any tips, help, advice is welcome about how to sort this problem. If you view the file in VLC in 4:3 then it looks correct.
Just trying to se which lenses produce the nicest ‘cloud ball’ bokeh for some planned films and the effects I want to achieve. This clip is looking through the viewfinder of the Mitchell 35R with a Nikkor 55mm macro lens.
VIMEO
Vimeo. I like/prefer vimeo and need to get some funding to cover the cost of a professional account. Same bloody AR issues though as above.
Really old ‘Vi’ video made for Ashton Court Blackout stage.
Test clip looking through the Mitchell viewfinder, trying to see how bokeh can become something like a coud of uncertainty…..
SERVER
Server based media content. ie these are hosted on same server as this blog/website.
Test Clip of Light Install for open studios at BV 2016
Clip of light effects from MV/EE tour mentioned somewhere else in this blog.
TEST of an ogv clip. optical soundtrack experiments.
Another test, a Vi track made for Blackout stage, Ashton Court Festival. Listen with headphones, loud, late at night when you are in bed.
More light show effects. All live, analog, real time, human made.
Mignon 35
Nice acquisition, portable 35mm by Microcine, Italian. Planning on using it for Vi image/projection on 6th June at qujunktions Dark Matter event. Its meant to be portable and the handle suggests that one person could lift it up. One person can NOT lift it up and its the hardest to lace up 35mm projector Ive ever worked on.
finally got Crow / Pylon in digital form
After 17 years I finally got my 1996 film Crow / Pylon Configuration digitised. It is going to be screened at Kino-Im-Sprengel In Hannover next week. Here are some frame grabs. Back in 96 there was only Standard definition. Now though HD has really helped the case for film because I can scan the original A and B rolls of super8 and it will look ‘pretty awesome’. The sound really holds up.
I’m getting it translated into German but this is proving difficult. They don’t appear to have the flexibility in language to make space for the absurd or ridiculous, or the grammatical willingness to speak what is impossible or non-sensical. Any decent French or Spanish tranlsators out there email me.
If you could be bothered, with all the pressing demands of modern life you can watch it all here. https://www.nachleben.org.uk/skomer/crow-pylon-configuration/
Nagra 4:2 for the lab
Ive been borrowing Nagras from the BBC in Bristol (Thanks go to Iain Hunter) for recent projects involving using tape to record and playback sound but have finally acquired a 4:2 for myself. This will now let me further research several projects that can only use this kind of technology. Essentially an exceptionally well engineered portable sound recording device.
Film Jam #4
Did the 4th Film Jam at the Cube Cinema on Saturday as part of the Hendo nights that go on there.
We last did film jams over 12 – 14 years ago back in the early days of the Cube. Mega thanks to Rod Maclachlan for coming and jamming.
Vi on flipside with Hacker Farm cassette
Pleased to be included in Magic + Dreams 12,000 Seconds cassette release with Hacker Farm on the other side.
Not seen the actual tapes yet but you can preview some tracks here
vi set up
Heres a recent table set up for a Vi gig at the Arnolfini, Bristol, England. Supporting David Grubbs
Vi
ENVIRONMENTAL TOUR OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL
In September 2009 I undertook an unplanned and non rehearsed Environmental ‘derive’ along the entire coast of the greater Bristol Channel. Moving and living in a van and carrying a sound system and electronic instruments we set out to explore the coast as a framework to stage impromptu gigs and as an informing source for any works made.
see basic website documentation here
List of past live shows
- H&H. Residents night at Cube Cinema. 2nd November 2012?
- 2nd April 2011. Cube Cinema. Solo as part of the Cubes Radiophonic Workshop weekend.
- 28th November 2009. Cube Cinema. Solo and duet with Max Eastley. MP3 files Here
- 10th – 18th September 2009. Various locations around the Bristol Channel.
- 25th April 2009. Ambush Cinema. Blaxhall Village Hall. With Team Brick and Dokkebi Q.
- 19th May 2008. Cube Cinema, Bristol. Support for ‘Stars Of The Lid’.
- 20th November 2007. Corsica Studios, London. Suport for Murcof.
- 27th October . Cube Cinema, Bristol. Support for Andy Moor and DJ rupture.
- 22nd September 2007. Spike Island, Bristol.QUWACK(E) Collaboration and solo.
- 2nd June 2007. Venn Festival, Bristol. Arnofini Dark Studio. see Venn.
- 9th March 2007. Cube Cinema as support for Semiconductor vs Antannae Farm. see Review.
- 2nd Feb 2006. Tollgate House, Bristol. Commission. Live Oscillascope mix.
- 22nd September 2005. Cube Cinema. Support for Lawrence English.
- 1st April 2004. Louisiana, Bristol. Support for Black Dice.
- 31st October 2004. Cube Cinema. Support for Duodecimo. Under_score night.
- 17th November 2004. Cube Cinema. Support for Pole. See Adam Faradays Photos
- 24th September 2004. Mutant Textures, Cosies, Bristol. Float records.(first solo show)
- June 2003. Ashton Court Festival, Blackout Tent. With Team Brick.
- Feb 2003. Cube Cinema. As trio ‘Vi’ with Peter and Geir. Support for E.A.R.