http://www.benthejack.com/ablackandgreymatter

this is my website link, I have gone for a simple website layout, In an effort not to detract attention from the video content.
I ended up putting all three of my videos on the site, (I had thought I might just put up the first and third) as I decided that the lack of audio in the second iteration achieved quite a different effect, and it is worthwhile to watch before the third .

The final iteration

This is my final iteration with sound added.

2nd iteration.

My second iteration has much more structure.

I have made the cuts from the original clips with only the meaning of the content in mind. However, as this would inevitably lead to a somewhat unordered video without much rhythm or effect, I speed up or slowed down the clips to fit into a certain timeframe.

I decided to try out a very set structure, where clips are either exactly one second, or exactly two.

I then ordered them in such a way that is an attempt achieve an almost musical beat (although the video its self is silent). I think I have achieved this somewhat and for my third iteration I will add sound to my composition.

Structure

My first Video is rather cheesy and has no definite structure.

Before the lecture today I hadn't even thought to make informed cut choices, I just slapped together clips in a format which I just hoped would work.

I really don't think it did (work, that is).

For the next two iterations I will try to introduce much more structure into my cuts, to achieve more rhythm and emotional effect.

I also want to try working only on the video at first too (ignore audio until I have achieved what I want visually) to see if it helps my workflow. This may also help me focus better on the audio as well (Im not very good at multitasking.... yet).

I will, however, ask for other opinions on this matter. 

First iteration

This is my first iteration.
In this clip I am trying to point out that basic rifle training is really teaching people to kill. DUH.. Seems obvious I know, but I don't think the true horror of death is truly understood by many of the people who join the services.

just a warning, this does contain some pretty graphic footage.

After watching it a few times, I have noticed a few points where it can improve.
Firstly I don't think the death footage really is absorbed enough to get across my meaning, as it flashes by so fast.
It is rather hard to stomach, but the footage is supposed to shock the viewer and contrast heavily with the almost jovial shooting instructor.
So, slightly longer clips of dead people.

also the animated wind adjustment sequence is a little unnecessary, my thought in putting it there was to come back from the death with something light, again to show the contrast. However, I think footage of the eager students might prove more effective.

Narrative, remix and deeper cultural sources

I found the lecture today quite helpful in deepening my understanding of cultural remixing as a source of inspiration and ideas.
The idea of using rules set in past mediums (shadowplay being the example given), and building design from these bones seems quite similar to what Lev Manovich has to say about remixing culture.

By bringing these influences into ones design process, a much richer outcome, with more meaning and basis is formed.

I don't think the consumer of whatever it is that you have designed is necessarily aware of this deeper source of inspiration. The influence it has on the thought process involved in the design process, however, becomes apparent in the final outcome.

I suppose what I'm trying to say, is that I've only just properly understood the value of basing my design process on existing ideas. Taking meaning and/or structure from the past, or visions of the future, and using this as a basis from which to build.

The present has its place as the stage in which we build, but as it is just a moment in time it can't possibly produce the unlimited potential that design based on past or future experiences can. These times span forever and are given meaning and depth from the passing of time.

yes, its another war film.

The topic of war has been well trodden.
I have however, found some incredibly stark footage from concentration camps which has changed my understanding of the horrors of war.

When told that war has no winners, is horrible, bad etc.. I would usually agree. However, I don't think I've ever really UNDERSTOOD quite how brutal and meaningless it really is.
With the ideas of war and heroism being glorified in the media I think the mental image people generally have on the topic is one of heros, excitement, action, and friendship, rather than the reality which includes anger, brutality, cruelty and death.

I intend to display these two separate outlooks in such a way that shows people the other side of war that isn't often shown (or of it is its in a stylized way which separates the viewer from the truth and rawness of actual death) next to the current glorified outlook and next to training footage of eager soldiers who seem unaware that the diagrams they see are actually teaching them the art of killing.

I hope to reveal the make-up that is washed over the topic, which makes it easy for general consumption and even enjoyment.

in response to remix and remixability

Lev Manovich has some interesting points on the topic of the culture of remixing.
The foremost point which stands out to me, is that with the advent of the internet information almost beggs to be remixed.
I personally have always been into quite the opposite. I have a rather "start from scratch" mentality. Which, I might add has always been quite restrictive to my productivity.
The reason I thought this way was that I wanted any work Ive done to be 100% original.
The idea however, that the limitlessness of information combonations leads to an ever perpetuating cycle of creativity, always building up and fowards rather than going back and starting over, does inspire me somewhat.
connecting morphable blocks which have infinate possibilitys, seems quite an exciting idea. Every time you partake in the act of remixing you are creating new blocks from old, opening up another box of infinite ideas for others to play with. The cycle then perpetuates its self when others use your material and then others use thers etc etc.....

As the trend of information communication is heading toward less defined and more modular, information is becoming easier to access and manipulate, creating a huge web of interrelated material. This is quite relevant to our current project, as sourcing remixable content takes on new scope. If care is taken not to infringe upon current copyright laws, material can effectively be pulled from anywhere in this mesh of information.
As information links to information, the chain set out for one to follow turns into a web of interrelated data leading one down a productive mine of discovery.

look.
everything is sourced from everything, links back to everything and most exciting of all creates the foundations for future of everything.

remix and share, it adds to a rich online and offline culture.