The end product was visually stunning. Many folks who became immersed in it loved the feeling that came from the experience.
I too was pleased with it, especially that I got to collaborate with the entire class and learn the styles and methods of each of these very talented individuals.
My only critique is that I wish we could have spent more time on the content so that the piece would have delivered a more focused commentary on the breadth of interactivity.
We had a great collection of still photos and archive and with more time would have inevitably developed a more compelling narrative.
Nonetheless, it was a brilliant exercise in collaboration and creating a seamless work of art.
It’s great to be back and to see so many promising changes, or should I say progressions since I have been on leave for a little more than a year. The lab looks fantastic, the new faculty members seem outstanding and the future simply looks bright here in the IM program.
I am especially jazzed at the addition of faculty, including Michael Lew, a visiting professor from MIT Media Lab, Media Lab Europe. Undoubtedly, Michael will be an amazing asset to the program and especially those who have an interest in interactive cinema/documentaries.
Recently in class he showed his interactive film Voodoo Office, which is rather intriguing and revolutionary in looking to the future of cinema with broadband and computers in general.
It also sparked some ideas for me with regard to a documentary I began developing last semester about six Kentucky teenagers convicted of murdering a Tennessee family. It suddenly becomes clear that interactivity could be a brilliant way to avoid the struggles of deleting certain subjects commentary on a particular subject, i.e. if there are six people convicted, there are inevitably going to be six different versions as to how the murder occurred. Likewise, there are six people’s testimony from the trial to manage and editing away is often not the best strategy I have found.
The discussion on interactive cinema has also sparked some ideas in terms of database narrative and how it could be an effective (not to mention manageable) way to deal with a mass of material. I’m thinking that the database could serve a trial well because trials are always bouncing back and forth – from when the attorneys, either prosecuting or defense, are cross examining the witnesses about their childhood, high school experiences and/or the days leading up to the murder. There are so many stories and versions of the same story to communicate.
More will come on this documentary as I have continued to pursue the development of it despite the class ending in May. It is truly a great story.