For our second brief, we were tasked with compiling a series of different mediums into a 1 minute film as a digital portrait of ourselves.
I knew immediately that I would be out of my depth, as I had never worked with film before, and the task required a maximum of 2 video shots. As this was my first time utilising film as a medium, as well as editing via Premiere Pro CC, I know that there is plenty of room for improvement.
I have a distinct idea of who I am, and the most clear-cut thing about me is that I am difficult to define. I find it hard to describe myself, which becomes evident in my film. Instead of talking about myself, I asked my sister-in-law who she thinks I am and how she perceives me, and it is her voice that is layered beneath the other audio tracks. She’s known me since I was 4, and I feel that she has watched me grow up through the eyes of someone who couldn’t always be there, making her perception of me far more interesting.
The first audio clip that you hear is one of my favourite noises, the sound of the turntable needle dropping down onto the record. I’ve always found that anticipation and excitement so satisfying. I wanted the constant ticking of the clock to be part of the film without consuming it, mainly because I am such a time-conscious person, I constantly fear autonomy and wasting time.
The four still images are things that I personally hold close to me or find represent who I am: symbols and remnants of my late grandfather, street art, fruit infused tea, and my favourite fragrance, Flora by Gucci. These, I feel are my emblems.
As a very family oriented person, I wanted there to be something that represents the people who have made me who I am. The patriarch of my family, my Papa, even in his last weeks would remain as positive as emphysema keep you. Roughly translated from Sinhalese to English, he would persistently remind us that “even if the ship is sinking, the band will play on”. And in a lot of ways, that has been my motto.
Because even when things seem to the worst they can possibly be, there will always be a sweet symphony to embrace, a light at the end of the tunnel if you will.
Enjoy.
