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Emma Macklin suggested that I watch some titles that she said reminded her of them when viewing my own work. This is what she said:

Ben Wilkinson is currently studying a Graphic Design/Animation degree in Australia. He has created a short film called 'House Of Cards' which looks at the subject of Depression/Loneliness in a different way.

House of Cards from Ben Wilkinson on Vimeo.

I like the idea of representing a subject using things you wouldn't normally associate with the subject. I think it reflects a good sense of creativity. In his description he mentions 'Each card that is focussed upon is symbolic of an emotion that the character cannot escape' He has successfully represented the atmosphere of feeling trapped i think, especially with the use of close-ups on the structure of the house of cards.
Another part of his description I was drawn to was 'Contrasting the different way each card scene was framed was symbolic of isolation versus overcrowding. This was specifically evident when the colour was adjusted to the existing lighting so that each scene was ‘cut off to the world’ as they were surrounded by darkness. A lonesome card surrounded by an abyss of blackness is bound to produce isolation.' I quite like his way of looking at Isolation, and the different techniques he has explored when trying to create this atmosphere. This has given me the inspiration to consider exploring the idea of using different objects to give them characterisation to represent the subject of isolation.

Another film that I have been looking at is by a film maker named 'Soulman' His real name is Devin Butterfield, amateur video creator who has a heart for lost people. He has his own website www.betyoursoul.com The website looks as though he uses extracts from the Bible which refer to certain emotions E.g. 'Wish you were never born?' etc.
The film I have looked at is called 'Alone In The Dark' which focuses on suicide and is putting across the message of what that person is feeling and going through and that it affects everyone not just the victim.

Alone In The Dark from soulman on Vimeo.

This video appeals to me because they have shot it from the viewpoint of someone who is feeling these emotions - We are seeing the world through their eyes which is what I would like to represent in my own abstract film. I'm not too keen on the music they have used in the film, but I do think that the visuals and techniques they have used are a good representation of someone feeling disorientated and lost.

For my Final Major Project, I am exploring the subject of depression and looking into representing the isolation felt by people who suffer from depression.
I came across this video on Vimeo by a film maker named 'Krazy/Skull Films' called 'Sell Up'.

Sell Up from Krazy/Skull films on Vimeo.

I'm not really looking at the style the film was made in, they are focusing on one person going through his own personal journey - I'm not looking at that style, but what I did notice within this film, are certain techniques the film maker has used to represent the emotions - such as blurriness and a it was filmed hand held which gives it a more rough and uncertain feel to the film. I like the use of extreme close ups used to emphasise that the most simple activities such as eating are a difficult process to go through when feeling these emotions.

KEN PAUL ROSENTHAL

Ken Paul Rosenthal works with photography and film. His early body of experimental films explores an organic style, and direct manipulation techniques. Rosenthal’s recent projects look at personal and political narratives portrayed in a poetic way with visuals of landscape.



A project that he is working on at the moment which comes out in the summer of 2010 is called 'Crooked Beauty'. On the website www.crookedbeauty.com the homepage tells you what it is all about, and the intended message.

'Crooked Beauty is a poetic documentary that explores positive and compassionate models for transforming the experience of madness in our culture. Artist Ashley M. recounts her journey from the psych ward to the innovative mental health activism.
Flickering light and shadow, and fragmented montages of urban and natural landscapes visually evoke the fluctuations of mania and depression as a backdrop to her testimony. Crooked Beauty redefines the stigmas surrounding mental health by presenting a new healing culture and political model for living with madness as a tool of creativity, inspiration, and hope.'

It also has a trailer for the short documentary, which i became very inspired by, the type of imagery that he has used playing with shadow and light are similar ideas to how i was thinking of representing depression in my final major project.
At the start of the trailer, there is a statement which says 'Birds with perfectly symmetrical feathers cannot fly'. The intended message here being that no one is perfect - I like this message.
I have sent Ken Paul Rosenthal an email, asking how he decided to use the type of visuals he did to represent depression, and whether he has any advice for me to take on board when dealing with the subject of depression.
Crooked Beauty : Style of film visuals -