Brussels videos

These are just some videos from Belgium which I took to try and capture the atmosphere of scenarios that I was in. I think that being able to hear the ambient noise really helps to build up a stronger picture. My favourite is the last one, where the accordion players are in the underground station, because I think it really builds up a strong impression of Brussels and is quite quirky and unusual.

Station films

Visiting the Interactive at Sheffield preview at Sheffield Millenium Galleries and seeing video used in a gallery setting made me want to experiment with video myself. Here are my first attempts. It was very much inspired by this animation here by Julian Opie (take a look!), which I saw in the Millenium Galleries about two years ago.

I was just sat with the camera balanced on my knee trying to be inconspicuous again, hence it being a bit shaky (and on a kind of ridiculous slant). Maybe I should use a tripod in future. Then again I kind of like the shaky effect as I feel it makes it seem more organic and fluid. The other main problem I have is the limited quality that my camera can provide. However I could potentially borrow better equipment from photography if needed.

This one I think works well, if a bit too long. But I think it's important to have the train arriving and then leaving. It can also help to reflect the boredom and frustration sometimes felt when waiting around for trains to leave. I think it also reflects the character of the particular station well - quiet then madly busy, then becoming quiet again once the train has left.

I definitely want to look at taking some more videos.