Material Synthesis: Negotiating experience with digital media
"Given the accessibility of media devices available to us today and utilising van Leeuwen's concept of inscription and synthesis as a guide, this thesis explores the practice of re-presenting a domestic material object, the Croxley Recipe Book, into digital media. Driven by a creative practice research method, but also utilising materiality, digital storytelling practices and modality as important conceptual frames, this project was fundamentally experimental in nature. A materiality-framed content analysis, interpreted through cultural analysis, initially unraveled some of the cookbook's significance and contextualised it within a particular time of New Zealand's cultural history. Through the expressive and anecdotal practice of digital storytelling the cookbook's significance was further negotiated, especially as the material book was engaged with through the affective and experiential digital medium of moving-image. A total of six digital film works were created on an accompanying DVD, each of which represents some of the cookbook's significance but approached through different representational strategies. The Croxley Recipe Book Archive Film and Pav. Bakin' with Mark are archival documentaries, while Pav is more expressive and aligned with the digital storytelling form. Spinning Yarns and Tall Tales, a film essay, engages and reflects with the multiple processes and trajectories of the project, while Extras and The Creative Process Journal demonstrate the emergent nature of the research. The written thesis discusses the emergent nature of the research process and justifies the conceptual underpinning of the research."
(Sasha McLaren, 2008)
McLaren, Sasha (2008). "Material Synthesis: Negotiating experience with digital media", MA thesis, The University of Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand.
CONTRIBUTOR
Simon PerkinsSHARE
Last Chance: 1st year student short film about friendship
"The project has given me a close insight to working with new people and having a responsibility within a crew. I feel as though my knowledge has excelled in the moving image area. I discovered that so much hard work and effort goes into a short five minute production."
(Zoe Stroud, 2012)
Fig.1 This short film called "Last Chance" (2012) was created as part of the coursework for the 1st year Design Practice 2 module in the BA (Hons) Multimedia programme at Nottingham Trent University (UK).
CONTRIBUTOR
Simon PerkinsSHARE
Stroke: an individual struggles against a dehumanised mass
"Christine Jeffs made her directing debut with this lush, high end (35mm film, Dolby sound) short film. Dorothy (Fiona Samuel), a lone swimmer, luxuriates in tranquil bliss at a deserted pool - only to have her solitude rudely interrupted by a squad of swimmers. A wordless, strikingly choreographed conflict ensues as Dorothy attempts to assert herself against the dehumanised aggression of the swimmers. Stroke was invited to international festivals including Cannes and Sundance; and Jeffs went on to direct feature films Rain and Sunshine Cleaning."
(NZ On Screen)
Fig.1 Christine Jeffs (1994), "Stroke" (short film excerpt) Aotearoa New Zealand, 35mm 8 minutes.
CONTRIBUTOR
Simon PerkinsSHARE
The New Zealand Film Archive
"Established in 1981, the Film Archive is an independent charitable trust overseen by a Board of Trustees representing film, archival, Maori and community interests. The Film Archive's constitution and kaupapa express a commitment to collect, protect and connect New Zealand's film and television history.
When an item is in the care of the Archive, it is considered the property of the depositor. Subsequently the copyright for the material remains with the legal rights holders.
The collections of predominantly New Zealand film, video and television date from 1895 to the present day. Every genre of filmmaking - feature films, documentaries, short films, home movies, newsreels, television programmes and film and television advertisements - is represented. There is also a significant documentation collection which includes publicity materials, stills, posters, production records, props, costumes and equipment housed in Wellington.
As there is no statutory deposit legislation for film in New Zealand, material is deposited voluntarily - and without cost to the depositor. Maintaining a kaitiaki role over the collections the Film Archive's guardianship ensures ownership of the original item remains with the depositor and copyright is maintained by the appropriate parties. In the case of material with Maori content, the Film Archive actively maintains relationships with whanau/hapu/iwi to ensure appropriate long term care and access."
(New Zealand Film Archive)
CONTRIBUTOR
Simon PerkinsSHARE
Start JudgeGill: UK Start Academy Grad Programme
"Are you ready to be part of our golden generation? We've built a new agency that blurs the line between the physical and the interactive. Now we're looking for exceptional people to work in multi-disciplinary teams, creating experiences that make them, and us, famous. We need supremely skilled Designers, Developers, Strategists, Copywriters, Account Handlers and Producers. If that's you, then there's a place in our graduate academy to define your career and craft in this connected world. Closing date for the July intake is Friday 13th July."
(Start JudgeGill, UK)
CONTRIBUTOR
Simon PerkinsSHARE
