Final Project

final video(1) from Evelina on Vimeo.

MOMI

To start with, I would never expect MOMI to be such an interesting place. It’s dedicated to the history and technique of the moving image in all its form. There are various exhibitions starting from the sketches, costumes, and covers of different magazines and movies; and ending with sound production activities. One of the most memorable things was seeing production design drawing from one of my favorite movies The Silence of the Lambs, and a Mechanical Puppet from The Exorcist, where in one of the most shocking image the head of Regan MacNeil rotates a full 360 degrees. Both of these things and many more examples made me more aware of the process of film and image making, and thus, appreciate it more. Before visiting the museum, I didn’t realize how exactly the process of ADR looked like. I was familiar with a concept, but I never though about how is it really done. Going into a tiny room, and watching fellow students putting headphones and recording their voices for a dialogue in the movie scene helped to clarify the concept for me. However, I think that seeing it wouldn’t be as interesting as if I went there before taking this class, because I wasn’t familiar about the sound concepts. But seeing people practicing with it in real life was really helpful. I’m really looking forward to going there again soon and explore more.

Final scene of Slumdog Millionaire

             I chose to analyze the ending scene of "Slumdog Millionaire". The final scene, and the whole film uses different techniques to get an emotional effect on the audience. The choices in camera angles created powerful feelings to the scenes.

 We see Jamal wandering a train station alone. The shots are created via a character’s point of view. In the distance, Latika is there searching for him.  Jamal sees her and starts running towards her. At the moment he saw her, the moment is followed by the song “Dreams on Fire”, which adds a touching tone to the scene. At the same time camera starts changing screen direction. We see the low angle close up shot of Jamel’s face when he notices her, then a shot of Jamel looking at Latika from her perspective. Meanwhile, camera focuses on Latika’s face, who’s searching for Jamel, from low angle close up shot and from Jamel’s perspective. As he runs, you see flashbacks of scenes from the movie of his childhood. Jamel’s run towards Latika was shot with meeting sequence, and maintained a consistent and oppositional screen direction, which meant that they are finally going to meet. Their eyelines matched, and the rule of 20mm/ 30 degree rule was also being used. They embrace at the center platform of the station. They share a cinematic kiss, followed by flashbacks of him missing and losing Latika at the train station couple of times before, but now they finally are reunited and can be together. The plot reaching point hits an audience with element of happiness.

Project #2: Audio Portrait

The Soundwalk

I’ve decided to do the Soundwalk in one of my favorite places in the area where I live – on Roosevelt Island East River Waterfront Pier. It doesn’t get as crowded as during warmer days, and, in fact, I was the only person sitting there at 6 pm.

The sound of traffic was the only infinite element of the sound, sometimes accompanied with the sounds of siren or honking. Motorcycles were passing by, with a loud sound of the motor, compared to the passing cars. Even when there was no other sound present, I could hear a non-stop car movement, a never endless traffic.

The Pier is not far from the road, and there were buses passing every now and then, followed with a brake sound, and sometimes with a very creaky one. “There’s a stop sign, that’s why,” was my first thought. I could hear the footsteps of people passing by the road, and the echoes of their talking.

Before the exercise, I expected to hear more nature-like sounds. Only the sound of wind passed by, and it rustled the leaves. No birds chirping – which was surprising, taking into consideration how isolated is the island from the city. But maybe I expected to hear it in the wrong place.   

Project 1: Define a Space

The Sundeck from Evelina on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

It’s hard to say I’m an artist, because I’m still on the path of discovering myself. But at this point, I would define myself as a writer.

Currently, I'm a freelance writer at chick flick type of blog, called StoryChick, which focuses on dating, relationship, wellness, fashion and celebrities.

My inspiration comes from people around me. I believe that there is an incredibly interesting and unique story behind every person. I’m a very visual person, thus, observing people and noticing details about them comes naturally. People are interesting creatures, and that may be the reason for my interest in psychology.  My other interest would be wellness, particularly nutrition and fitness.

The first time I thought about writing was 6 years ago, when one of my friends noticed my obsession with buying magazines. I’ve never though about it before her mentioning that, maybe one day I should create and have my own magazine.

I started writing short stories, and tried poetry, but at some point I realized it is not my thing. Writing about actual people, their stories and experiences is something that interests me the most.

Apart from writing, my interests would be advertising and Public Relations. During the summer, I binge watched the TV show Mad Men, which increased my interest towards advertising. Apart from advertising in the series, there is a very in-depth representation of the characters. Their personalities were shown from every possible angle and perspective, which created the whole spectrum of one and every persona in the show. Matthew Weiner, the creator of the show, has become an inspiration for me.