Ironically, Lizzie Boredom doesn't have time to really blog these days.
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Where I've Been All Your Life
I am climbing out of the abyss I've been sinking into for the last several months to let you all know that I'm still alive, for better or worse. Soon I will be transporting and revamping this blog, but I'm not sure where to just yet.
I'm working on the pilot for my show, Killing Time with Lizzie Boredom, which I hope to finish shooting in September. It is all I really think about and I hope my work pays off.
I am also going to be working on a live show starting this summer (coming to a dingy open mic near you, if you are in NY). I am terrified of performing, so I should probably do it.
Though I'm not updating my blog frequently, I often post updates to my Facebook and Twitter pages.
I'm working on the pilot for my show, Killing Time with Lizzie Boredom, which I hope to finish shooting in September. It is all I really think about and I hope my work pays off.
I am also going to be working on a live show starting this summer (coming to a dingy open mic near you, if you are in NY). I am terrified of performing, so I should probably do it.
Though I'm not updating my blog frequently, I often post updates to my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Triumph of the Skilled
With the introduction of YouTube, affordable video editing software, and the ability to capture footage from mass-produced media, the art of remixing found footage has reached mainstream audiences through viral promotion. The Bed Intruder and Christian Bale v. David are prime fodder for inter-office email blasts. And let's not forget this gem.
But the art of using editing to change the meaning of original footage is nothing new.
In fact, the most famous propaganda film of all time, Triumph of the Will was re-edited many times.
Below, you'll see a re-edit performed by Charles A. Ridley, a British editor. It's amazing how a film that had the ability to make millions of Germans "Heil Hitler", could be re-edited to turn the führer into a Chaplinesque goofball.
Oh those Brits and their adorable irony...
Unfortunately, some of the best video remixing remains unseen by large audiences....
-LB
But the art of using editing to change the meaning of original footage is nothing new.
In fact, the most famous propaganda film of all time, Triumph of the Will was re-edited many times.
Below, you'll see a re-edit performed by Charles A. Ridley, a British editor. It's amazing how a film that had the ability to make millions of Germans "Heil Hitler", could be re-edited to turn the führer into a Chaplinesque goofball.
Oh those Brits and their adorable irony...
Unfortunately, some of the best video remixing remains unseen by large audiences....
-LB
McShakespeare
I always loved that McLuhan compared television to Romeo and Juliet:
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks! It speaks, and yet says nothing."
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks! It speaks, and yet says nothing."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
If Walter Benjamin Tweeted.
"...the sight of immediate reality has become an orchid in the land of technology."
Real Life Just Got More Meaningless
Have you guys seen what's happening to Twitter? Kanye West's favorite way to say too much is being revamped with tons of new features, including embedded media and infinite scrolling. WOW! I can happily share even more garbage with everyone and have an unending stream so I don't have to wait that agonizing .5 seconds for the page to load more tweets. ECSTASY.
More interesting, though, is the promotional video Twitter released to introduce Twats to the new format (below). I love how they're trying to pass off a micro-blogging site, where the majority of users update their ASININE EMPTY COMMENTS to the world, as an intimate personal experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled throughout your day. Now you all know I love to tweet, but just because we HAVE the technology to tell the world when we get laid, does that mean that we should? Isn't it nice to have a few secrets? Sometimes I wonder if Twitter is just a place for us to dispose of all the unimportant thoughts we have to get out of our system before we have meaningful thoughts...
More interesting, though, is the promotional video Twitter released to introduce Twats to the new format (below). I love how they're trying to pass off a micro-blogging site, where the majority of users update their ASININE EMPTY COMMENTS to the world, as an intimate personal experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled throughout your day. Now you all know I love to tweet, but just because we HAVE the technology to tell the world when we get laid, does that mean that we should? Isn't it nice to have a few secrets? Sometimes I wonder if Twitter is just a place for us to dispose of all the unimportant thoughts we have to get out of our system before we have meaningful thoughts...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
More '90s Retro than All Y'all
Oh man.....
So yesterday, while, um, multitasking, I managed to DROP my beloved iPhone into the toilet at work. (Luckily my business was unfinished.)
Those last moments felt like they were in slow motion, accompanied by this song.
Panic washed over me like a high school bathroom swirlie. I reached into the toilet void and fished it out to watch the lovely screen, with a picture I had taken from a camping trip earlier this year, sputter and fade out before giving a few dying coughs before fading to black.
So until my phone-in-a-bag-of-rice trick proves to work, or until I am forced to get a new phone, I am experimenting--no, that would assume I chose to do this--I am experiencing a simpler, less mediated lifestyle.
And you know what? I need it.
I'm excited to be able to be a wandering flaneur around the NYC streets, the way it was when I would visit as a teenager.
In retrospect, watching that picture of a canopy of trees sputter into darkness seems riddled with meaning.
I'll report on my findings later this week.
So yesterday, while, um, multitasking, I managed to DROP my beloved iPhone into the toilet at work. (Luckily my business was unfinished.)
Those last moments felt like they were in slow motion, accompanied by this song.
Panic washed over me like a high school bathroom swirlie. I reached into the toilet void and fished it out to watch the lovely screen, with a picture I had taken from a camping trip earlier this year, sputter and fade out before giving a few dying coughs before fading to black.
So until my phone-in-a-bag-of-rice trick proves to work, or until I am forced to get a new phone, I am experimenting--no, that would assume I chose to do this--I am experiencing a simpler, less mediated lifestyle.
And you know what? I need it.
I'm excited to be able to be a wandering flaneur around the NYC streets, the way it was when I would visit as a teenager.
In retrospect, watching that picture of a canopy of trees sputter into darkness seems riddled with meaning.
I'll report on my findings later this week.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Alright Fine.
I'm working on a new music video, but I can't tell you much about it.
I can at least reveal the ingredients:
-scruffy indie rockers
-cats
-grass
-whimsy
Combine and STIRRRRRRR for magickal resultz.
I can at least reveal the ingredients:
-scruffy indie rockers
-cats
-grass
-whimsy
Combine and STIRRRRRRR for magickal resultz.
HELP!
I HAVE NOTHING TO BLOG ABOUT BUT I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO BLOG ABOUT SOMETHING TO VALIDATE MYSELF. I AM NO ONE WITHOUT YOU, INTERNET.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Power of Visuals
Something I've been thinking about lately is how great music videos can make you like a song you otherwise wouldn't pay attention to. After all, the best music videos extract parts of the song and enhance your listening experience of them.
I have to say, one of the most mediocre musical experiences to be completely augmented by visualization would have to be The Chemical Brothers. They have a history of great visuals and have worked with amazing directors, including Oscar winners Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze.
While I find some of their music quite good, I feel like the best experiences I've had with them have been accompanied by visuals. They released a new album, Further, this past June, and the complete album was accompanied by an almost seamless visual track that blew my mind. The best part is that there's actually a "Behind the Scenes" video on there too, and I got to see that the processes used by the directors were mostly executed in production rather than post. I not only LOVE directors who reveal their secrets, but I love directors who don't rely solely on post-production effects to get their point across. Maybe that's because I would like to be more like that myself.
Anyway, here's a couple excerpts from my favorite parts of the complete video. I highly suggest you get your hands on it, pop it in a projector, and turn off all the lights.
Dissolve
The quality is a bit pixelated, all the more reason to pick this up and view it at home. The backgrounds were actually made of paint swirled in between glass that they filmed on a light board... Lately I've been super into silhouettes so I obviously love this.
This video has a similar effect that I'm quite fond of.
Escape Velocity
Also one of my top choices. I LOVE simple projections on a face. Also, I argued with a friend about whether the figures in the later half of the video were motion capture or if they simply filmed people with lights on them. I was correct, and psyched that there was no motion capture involved! I want the next party I throw to look like this video....
Anyway, enjoy, and stay bored.
I have to say, one of the most mediocre musical experiences to be completely augmented by visualization would have to be The Chemical Brothers. They have a history of great visuals and have worked with amazing directors, including Oscar winners Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze.
While I find some of their music quite good, I feel like the best experiences I've had with them have been accompanied by visuals. They released a new album, Further, this past June, and the complete album was accompanied by an almost seamless visual track that blew my mind. The best part is that there's actually a "Behind the Scenes" video on there too, and I got to see that the processes used by the directors were mostly executed in production rather than post. I not only LOVE directors who reveal their secrets, but I love directors who don't rely solely on post-production effects to get their point across. Maybe that's because I would like to be more like that myself.
Anyway, here's a couple excerpts from my favorite parts of the complete video. I highly suggest you get your hands on it, pop it in a projector, and turn off all the lights.
Dissolve
The quality is a bit pixelated, all the more reason to pick this up and view it at home. The backgrounds were actually made of paint swirled in between glass that they filmed on a light board... Lately I've been super into silhouettes so I obviously love this.
This video has a similar effect that I'm quite fond of.
Escape Velocity
Also one of my top choices. I LOVE simple projections on a face. Also, I argued with a friend about whether the figures in the later half of the video were motion capture or if they simply filmed people with lights on them. I was correct, and psyched that there was no motion capture involved! I want the next party I throw to look like this video....
Anyway, enjoy, and stay bored.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Making of Procedure Club's "Rather"
I was really pleased when Procedure Club asked me to make a music video for a single from their debut album, "Doomed Forever" (Slumberland). I've known them for a long time and I'm really proud that they are succeeding with their music. It was really cool of them to give me an opportunity to showcase my work, and I knew working with them would give me some great exposure.
Anyway, the video premiered on Bastille Day at MBV and it's getting lots of hits, so that feels great.
For those of you who are interested in the process, I'll go into more detail about the it below, but for now I'll just say that what I really wanted to do for this song was capture some of the many facets of Procedure Club's outrageous sound. It's melodic but dark, nostalgic but morbid, fuzzed out and explosive. I think the video captures all of those aspects of their music, what do you think?
To be honest, when I went into this project, I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be able to pull it off, but I'm also the type of person who will make something work one way or another. I'm extremely proud of this video, and I'm so grateful to Adam and Andrea for their patience while working on a something that I'd never done before, as it was ultimately a trial-and-error process.
Upon the first few listens to the song, I kept visualizing blindingly bright flashes of color. I knew it would be a little too obvious and hackneyed for me to pull out the dusty old VHS camera and do an over-saturated whimsical indie rock joyride, and I also know that neither I nor the band wanted to look like we were taking ourselves too seriously. Additionally, I wanted to be able to capture Procedure Club's dry sense of humor.
To be honest, one of the most awesome lessons I am taking away from this project is that sometimes, the biggest challenges are blessings in disguise. I was having trouble figuring out how to show the band, because Adam really wanted to be featured playing music, while Andrea was a bit camera shy. This is what led me to the silhouette idea. It allowed me a compromise between these two wants. All I had to do is figure out how I could make a visually stunning story in silhouette. This was very difficult for me because my work is sometimes way too literal, and to place limitations on my devices forced me to come up with a new way to tell a story.
When we were first talking about making a video, Andrea and I joked a lot about how we should make it completely "bright and gay." So I kept thinking about making an over-the-top love story between some woodland creatures. Andrea's lyrics are hard to hear the first several times you hear Procedure Club, and some of them are completely indecipherable, but after hearing "Rather" many many times and requesting the lyrics from Andrea, I knew it was a song about a selfish lover and her careless infidelity. I wanted to trick the audience, like one might trick a lover, into believing in a happy courtship and happily-ever-after, but then shock them with betrayal and revenge. Since it's a recurring symbol in my work, I knew the axe would make a great silhouette and gory murder.
So, as is typical of me, I of course concluded on all I was doing when I was running out of time, as we'd reserved the studio at The New School in order to shoot. I had tons of props to make and buy, and I only got a few hours of sleep the day of the shoot because I was up until the wee hours painting green and blue props.
So we actually shot three different times, because it wasn't until I started the editing process that I realized we needed some better footage, specifically of the band performing and of the murder scenes at the end. I have to hand it to Adam and Andrea because I really didn't know what we were getting into, and when I was making their masks I didn't realize how hot they would be wearing them under lights, and how little they'd be able to see.
Photo by Quico Sierra
With the footage, I used three layers of chroma keying, one for the green and one for the blue. I inverted the green key in order to make black silhouettes which I then colorized, and then added another green key to get rid of the green screen background and place a color background. I added FCP's "Bloom" effect to both the blue key areas and the silhouettes to give that glowing look. I wanted all the performance scenes to be strobing and any moment where the two animal characters touch to strobe as well to give an electrifying feeling. Finally, I animated some blood for the murder scene in Adobe After Effects. I thought white blood would be totally badass.
So yeah, that's about it. I am not one to keep my secrets up my sleeves. I think it's great to share techniques so that fellow filmmakers can improve upon them--or even fuck them up.
Anyway, the video premiered on Bastille Day at MBV and it's getting lots of hits, so that feels great.
For those of you who are interested in the process, I'll go into more detail about the it below, but for now I'll just say that what I really wanted to do for this song was capture some of the many facets of Procedure Club's outrageous sound. It's melodic but dark, nostalgic but morbid, fuzzed out and explosive. I think the video captures all of those aspects of their music, what do you think?
Procedure Club-Rather from Lizzie Boredom on Vimeo.
To be honest, when I went into this project, I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be able to pull it off, but I'm also the type of person who will make something work one way or another. I'm extremely proud of this video, and I'm so grateful to Adam and Andrea for their patience while working on a something that I'd never done before, as it was ultimately a trial-and-error process.
Upon the first few listens to the song, I kept visualizing blindingly bright flashes of color. I knew it would be a little too obvious and hackneyed for me to pull out the dusty old VHS camera and do an over-saturated whimsical indie rock joyride, and I also know that neither I nor the band wanted to look like we were taking ourselves too seriously. Additionally, I wanted to be able to capture Procedure Club's dry sense of humor.
To be honest, one of the most awesome lessons I am taking away from this project is that sometimes, the biggest challenges are blessings in disguise. I was having trouble figuring out how to show the band, because Adam really wanted to be featured playing music, while Andrea was a bit camera shy. This is what led me to the silhouette idea. It allowed me a compromise between these two wants. All I had to do is figure out how I could make a visually stunning story in silhouette. This was very difficult for me because my work is sometimes way too literal, and to place limitations on my devices forced me to come up with a new way to tell a story.
When we were first talking about making a video, Andrea and I joked a lot about how we should make it completely "bright and gay." So I kept thinking about making an over-the-top love story between some woodland creatures. Andrea's lyrics are hard to hear the first several times you hear Procedure Club, and some of them are completely indecipherable, but after hearing "Rather" many many times and requesting the lyrics from Andrea, I knew it was a song about a selfish lover and her careless infidelity. I wanted to trick the audience, like one might trick a lover, into believing in a happy courtship and happily-ever-after, but then shock them with betrayal and revenge. Since it's a recurring symbol in my work, I knew the axe would make a great silhouette and gory murder.
So, as is typical of me, I of course concluded on all I was doing when I was running out of time, as we'd reserved the studio at The New School in order to shoot. I had tons of props to make and buy, and I only got a few hours of sleep the day of the shoot because I was up until the wee hours painting green and blue props.
So we actually shot three different times, because it wasn't until I started the editing process that I realized we needed some better footage, specifically of the band performing and of the murder scenes at the end. I have to hand it to Adam and Andrea because I really didn't know what we were getting into, and when I was making their masks I didn't realize how hot they would be wearing them under lights, and how little they'd be able to see.
Photo by Quico SierraWith the footage, I used three layers of chroma keying, one for the green and one for the blue. I inverted the green key in order to make black silhouettes which I then colorized, and then added another green key to get rid of the green screen background and place a color background. I added FCP's "Bloom" effect to both the blue key areas and the silhouettes to give that glowing look. I wanted all the performance scenes to be strobing and any moment where the two animal characters touch to strobe as well to give an electrifying feeling. Finally, I animated some blood for the murder scene in Adobe After Effects. I thought white blood would be totally badass.
So yeah, that's about it. I am not one to keep my secrets up my sleeves. I think it's great to share techniques so that fellow filmmakers can improve upon them--or even fuck them up.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Huffington Post Hype
You know what's awesome?
Having friends that work in the media.
You know what's even more awesome?
Not knowing they write for a major news blog until they write up your work!
Big thanks too my friend Risa!
This is awesome and terrifying!
Having friends that work in the media.
You know what's even more awesome?
Not knowing they write for a major news blog until they write up your work!
Big thanks too my friend Risa!
This is awesome and terrifying!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Two of Hearts
OK. This might possibly be THE dorkiest thing I've ever put my time into (well, aside from directing computer camp), but to be honest, I'm extremely proud of it. I shot and edited this video in less than 24 hours.
I had to do a final project for my video class, and I just couldn't think of anything. Finally, the pressure of time weighed down hard enough that I was forced to poop this out. I think it is a good Lizzie Boredom project, as there are dueling personalities: 1) my narcissistic wanna-be self, and 2) my dorky spandex-clad booty bouncing self.
Anyway, now that I know I can tear these things out in two days, I'm hoping to do a lot more of them. I'm thinking I should do a gangsta rap hit next. Any suggestions?
Stay tuned,
Lizzie B.
I had to do a final project for my video class, and I just couldn't think of anything. Finally, the pressure of time weighed down hard enough that I was forced to poop this out. I think it is a good Lizzie Boredom project, as there are dueling personalities: 1) my narcissistic wanna-be self, and 2) my dorky spandex-clad booty bouncing self.
Anyway, now that I know I can tear these things out in two days, I'm hoping to do a lot more of them. I'm thinking I should do a gangsta rap hit next. Any suggestions?
Stay tuned,
Lizzie B.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hi, I'm alive!
Ackkkkkk...!!!
I can't believe how long it's been since I last updated. I have been completely overwhelmed with finishing up the spring semester in school. I didn't realize it had been 6 weeks though!
My poor baby, I am going to have to give you some TLC in the coming weeks.
So anyway, some updates since I last posted:
1. I am going to be working on a stage show this summer.
2. I will be projecting movies in our studio on June 5th and 6th during Bushwick Open Studios.
3. I am getting offers for music videos left and right!
4. I have 2-3 new videos to post and talk about!
5. I am one semester closer to getting a Masters degree in Media Studies. MEDIA MASTERRRR!!!!!!
6. Lizzieboredom.com is very close to going up!!!
7. I wrote a very depressing but thought-provoking paper on the transition of boredom from modernity to postmodernity.
Anyway, I will elaborate more on the above soon. I am still recuperating after some loooong nights of editing.
Until then, keep on being boring.
~L.
I can't believe how long it's been since I last updated. I have been completely overwhelmed with finishing up the spring semester in school. I didn't realize it had been 6 weeks though!
My poor baby, I am going to have to give you some TLC in the coming weeks.
So anyway, some updates since I last posted:
1. I am going to be working on a stage show this summer.
2. I will be projecting movies in our studio on June 5th and 6th during Bushwick Open Studios.
3. I am getting offers for music videos left and right!
4. I have 2-3 new videos to post and talk about!
5. I am one semester closer to getting a Masters degree in Media Studies. MEDIA MASTERRRR!!!!!!
6. Lizzieboredom.com is very close to going up!!!
7. I wrote a very depressing but thought-provoking paper on the transition of boredom from modernity to postmodernity.
Anyway, I will elaborate more on the above soon. I am still recuperating after some loooong nights of editing.
Until then, keep on being boring.
~L.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Famous Last Words
I'm so bored with it all.
~Winston Churchill, before slipping into a coma and dying nine days later
Friday, April 2, 2010
Meet Lizzie Boredom
Well, I did it.
And it was terrifying.
I filmed and edited two different versions. And I plan to film even a third or fourth. The first version was poorly lit, and I was sick while shooting so you can hear the cold in my voice. The second version has better lighting, but some of the humor was somehow lost and replaced with a Miranda July-esque saccharine awkwardness. I would like to keep shooting these and find the middle ground between straight cerebral comedy and uncomfortable avant garde.
Alas, I will probably never be fully satisfied with any of my work, and there comes a time when you have to just put it out there. And Lizzie Boredom has just been itching to surf the digital wave.
So here you have it, folks. Introducing: Lizzie Boredom.
And it was terrifying.
I filmed and edited two different versions. And I plan to film even a third or fourth. The first version was poorly lit, and I was sick while shooting so you can hear the cold in my voice. The second version has better lighting, but some of the humor was somehow lost and replaced with a Miranda July-esque saccharine awkwardness. I would like to keep shooting these and find the middle ground between straight cerebral comedy and uncomfortable avant garde.
Alas, I will probably never be fully satisfied with any of my work, and there comes a time when you have to just put it out there. And Lizzie Boredom has just been itching to surf the digital wave.
So here you have it, folks. Introducing: Lizzie Boredom.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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