- This was a project for Time class. The assignment was to make to show that we had gained a proficiency and understanding of Premiere. I think many people pulled off great assignments, as they were starting to grasp the understanding of editing in a linear timeline. However, I’ve been using Premiere for a few years and video editing for slightly longer, so I knew all of my limitations and boundaries (that I could push). This wasn’t a very elaborate execution, but in my opinion, less is more. I knew that I wanted to include shots of my body “as a canvas” and strategically use projection as a “paint”. The final execution was a little visual-heavy and I wish there was more to flesh out, but I am over all pleased with it.
- My goals were to use my body as a canvas and to address the cultural appropriation of Asian cultures. This came together through the use of projection. I have always been fascinated by projection, and I believe that projection can be one of the most versatile tools when it comes to my personal projects. We simply had to make a personal video so I chose to use this as a way to deal with something I’ve been wanting to address for quite some time. The pop music industry – as well as pop culture – has been going through a major cultural shifts following the general shift in identity politics, the state of being political correct, and #MeToo. Celebrities and pop musicians are now pressured more than ever to be inclusive, and if they’re not they risk being “cancelled”. Using a projector was not a requirement for this project, but it made the most sense in relation to my concept. If I were to revise or redo the project, the projector would still be the centerpiece of the entire project.
- This definitely addresses race, as well as identity. I wanted to take the preconceived notions of Asian cultures and purposely juxtapose them with my own body. I identify primarily as Vietnamese/Asian, and I think it was important to visually give a contrast between my own body and the artists that are inhabiting POC-spaces or appropriating certain cultures on their own bodies. In a sense, I was projecting their idea of Asian people onto my own skin.
- Selecting the performances was especially hard, because pop music is made to be easily consumed. These artists make some songs that I personally like, but given their performances makes me reconsider the spaces they’ve created that surround their artistry. The most challenging part was finding a way to wrap up the entire project meaningfully – and even in the end, the way that I was painted white was my least favorite part. It provides a very surface-level metaphor and does not look visually interesting. Capturing projection accurately was also a bit hard, because then I had to find a balance between seeing the projection and seeing my body parts. However, I did strike a balance and now know how to work around light sensitivity. I would love to continue using projection until I tap out – the possibilities are endless.
