This is the digital version of a film that was shot on three rolls of film (300ft). It consists of 23 "Translucent" shots and 23 'Reflective" shots. These numbers represent the 23 chromosomes donated by each parent during conception. Also, I filmed a waterfall, sunsight (rise) and clouds. The water is both an element of nature and also creates a look of the film being developed in chemicals. The sun is the source of light, which allows the images to be captured on film. The clouds represent the middle ground between these two. There is also a shot of the moon which brings hope of the light during times of darkness.
I used what is known as chance operations in order to edit the film. I first decided that the three lengths of the shots would be 3frames 3sec 3ft (3fps 72fps 120fps..frames per sec) Then, I decided to layer the shots in three layers of superimposition. Next, in order to determine the placement of each shot within the layers, I threw the dice, stopped my stop watch, and flipped two pennies (60ish times each). Finally, I wrote these outcomes on 173 pieces of 16mm film and drew them at random placing the 1st number on layer 1, the next on layer 2, 3rd one on layer 3 and then the 4th back on layer 1, until all 300 feet of film was used.
The film then, is a result of a relationship between the camera and me. This sounds strange, but the finished film is like a baby. The three layers represent the camera, the film and me. The total of all three is one, just as the family is one.
In many ways this film is also about making film but it can't help but also be about the experience of life itself. It's meant to be a window into the soul of the viewer. See through the film and reflect on who you are and what you are doing in this world. I hope it can be film therapy for you as it has been for me.
SoundTrack...I recorded all the sound. I used 1hour and 10min of sound. I simply cut into 3 or so minute chunks and layered it until I used it all (30 or so stereo tracks). I added a few filters to the sound in order to create a sort of 'translucent reflective" audio. The original sounds are of birds, clanking on various objects such as glass, plastic, metal, wood, and some other various sounds around my house. Also, I'm making some random noises at times. There is some guitar in there but I think it got too disguised to distinguish.
I've edited the physical film and plan to have it printed as a film to be projected with the sound. It's been an awesome project for me as a filmmaker. I've learned so much by letting go of my ego's intentions on how things should be edited together. I feel it's similar to how a parent has to let go of controlling their children and let them grow into what they were intended to be. We can marvel at our children if we can just step back and allow them to be. This goes for the children within each of us too.
Also, it's a picture of the inner universe. Thank you.
Includes: Hand Processed 16mm film and Super 8 (background). Also in Background and in the center throughout is video feedback.
I don't make films, films make me. This one helped me to further realize my inescapable ingestion of media. The media frenzy must be seriously considered before the damage to our psyche is irreparable. "Take II" is a film that is about me and my life as a filmmaker. It can be about many other things; such as, society, media, or green environment but all these things are included in me, the individual. I've worked with video for fifteen years and had many experiences along the way. The video in the center of the screen was a State Finalist video that I made back in 1995 (original titled Anxiety). The opening image is a different variety of feedback which was recorded in 1992. I've also included my two fecal matter film experiments in this film; which I created in 2007. These two elements bring my experience together into one film because the end credits are over my newest endeavor. Furthermore, I added in some footage from the 1939 film, "The City" mostly because it was part of my original idea. Also, I left it in the final film because the shots of the car crash, the people eating and the trees passing overhead seemed to capture the ever present inner struggle I've been having between nature and technology.
This film is the beginning of my journey into a new movement in art and expression, called the Bowel Movement. I've started this as a way to express my inner universe. Right now, the world is in a great state of transformation. Only a couple years ago, I was wonderfully influenced by the Qatsi Trilogy and lately by many experimental films, too numerous to mention. The notable thing here is that I've been moved by experimental film and I want to help others to achieve their own personal release. I think the human race is in a stage of transformation where we are mere turds floating in a sewer pipe with a destiny to be fertilizer for the future of the earth. In other words, even though things don't seem so grand with all that's going on in the world, just remember that even the turd has a purpose in the larger scheme of things and is not just waste to be flushed away without any further consideration. Enjoy the images.
This is an experiment I did with my own fecal matter. It's part of an experiential film called Take II. It was a freeing experience to use crap to produce an image on film. This diagram shows how I did it.
Sample from the Super 8 experiment.
This was for the same film (Take II). Here I simply treated the film like a microscope slide and let the chips fall where they may. I ended up transferring this one over to 16mm film in the optical printer so I could project it without getting poo on the projector.
Includes: Black and White Super 8 film processed at the lab and transfered to video for editing.
Short film/images to music. The themes are rocks and trees as they become smaller and morph into buildings and eventually go back to the earth to begin the cycle over again.
The music was composed by Benjamin McCastle(my Brother). I listened to the track numerous times and then shot the film with my theme in mind (rocks trees and the nature of them). When I sat down to edit the film I dropped the clips into the timeline and added the music. It played rather well without even editing the shots. I had planned to edit the shots and be very deliberate with the music. However, this marks the beginning of my journey of experimental filmmaking.
The overall film was inspired by Koyaanisqatsi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6pVLQAY 1HM) but the style of this film is something I've been drawn to because of my natural tendencies in filmmaking (i.e. music video).
This is an experiment I did with my own fecal matter. It's part of an experiential film called Take II. It was a freeing experience to use crap to produce an image on film. This diagram shows how I did it.
Sample from the Super 8 experiment.
This was for the same film (Take II). Here I simply treated the film like a microscope slide and let the chips fall where they may. I ended up transferring this one over to 16mm film in the optical printer so I could project it without getting poo on the projector. 
Sample from the 16mm experiment.
