Integrated Media – Lecture 1

Not much to say about today really, aside from the fact that this subject looks a whole lot more interesting and inspiring than last years Networked Media. This is not to say that I didn’t learn anything valuable in the networked media unit. Rather, I’m looking forward to expanding upon the techniques, ideas and concepts from last year, while breaking new ground in previously unexplored territory. I am excited about the interactive video task. I never considered interactive video as a possibility, a) because I had no idea how to go about doing such a thing and b) because I have always been more focused on more traditional forms of media, i.e. linear video. I already have a few ideas as to what sort of interactive video I would like to create. The most interesting so far is to have a multitude of videos capturing individual instruments or rhythmic visuals to combine, at the users liberty, into a ‘original’ piece of music. This interactive video based around Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone”, while quite different from my idea, demonstrates the way in which music can create continuity despite the variety of video footage presented (never mind the fact the actors are mouthing the lyrics). Considering I haven’t used the Korsakow software I don’t know if this is possible, however, I look forward to experimenting and discovering for myself what is really possible within the constraints of the program.

Here are some video’s that roughly illustrate my idea…
https://vimeo.com/88044477

https://vimeo.com/88044474

Viiinyl

One of my hobbies is collecting records. I do it largely with the intention of using the to DJ with but not always. The following are my 2 most recent additions.

Dub Echoes – Various Artists

I was very excited when I found this record. It popped up in a record shop which I wasn’t very optimistic about finding anything that I was really looking for. Thankfully I asked the shop assistant if I could look through a box of Reggae LP’s he had lying under the counter. Dub Echoes is actually a documentary, one of my favourite music documentaries which follows the history of dub and all of its manifestations and influences in modern electronic music. The records features dub greats like King Tubby and Lee Perry coupled with more contemporary artists such as Harmonic 313 and Kode9. Great Record

Elephant – The White Stripes

It’s been a long time since I bought a record that wasn’t electronic or ‘danceable’. However, the White Stripes are one of if not my favourite rock bands of all time. Elephant is a modern day classic, featuring tracks like ‘seven nation and army’ and ‘hardest button to button’. I am slowly but surely building a catalogue of records not used for djiing but rather for the sake of collecting. Next White Stripes LP: White Blood Cells, which is suprisingly hard to find