Project 1: Squirrels
Image/tech –
Working tests with old footage in DAIN and Topaz, determined that best course of filming minimum fps is at approx 120fps – image interpolation below that, while smoothing out the motion, loses the subtleties of squirrel expression. Frames from there at 2x (280fps) feels like a good starting speed of motion, but depends on the clip.
In order to enhance with topaz, original video needs to have had really good lighting conditions (earliest squirrel clips with high iso and lots of grain, cannot effectively be ‘upped’ in quality, even with AE and Premier attempted grain removal and other edits).
Set up –
Some of the more recent shots – My thoughts: I feel leaning too far into human assembled and placed sets – feels artificial, loses the whimsy and uncanny
Currently looking to create sets that meld into the natural surroundings and lean towards ‘squirrel built’
Project 2: Sleeping Beauty
progress –
Actors: contacted and discussed means of recording audio with all but one actor in the video (have not received a response yet, but further feelers have been sent out)- of all other ‘voice actors’ 1 will be doing a recording individually (does not have the technology to join the zoom meeting (camera/recording capabilities on computer) and the rest will be meeting over zoom – current tentative schedule for this upcoming Sunday.
Script – General outline completed, exact lines in places need to be written out, (linked here, text in Finnish – subtitle translation will be done in accordance with recorded audio, not written script). Plan to do multiple recordings/ runs of the script, not for the specific dialogue, but to create a relaxed setting and room for commentary on the video as it is being watched.
Video editing – currently in progress of very light cutting. Timing of video and dialogue being developed in parallel.
Notes on tone – I have been working with mama Barron and a naturally developing tone has been that of overly dramatic narrator/storytelling, paired with the humor and amusement of watching themselves as children (a few very good moments of evil cackling happening “HÄHÄHÄÄh”).
Side note: I have also been made aware that *somewhere* there exists a Cinderella performance (with some “exceptional” evil step sisters) and a laundry detergent ad performance.