‘DAY IN THE LIFE’ By Michael Serpell (Media Self-Portrait 2)

For our second project brief, we had to produce a media self-portrait consisting of media components all recorded by us and edit them into a video. For my video I decided to represent a “typical” day in the life of Michael Serpell. Except of course the video begins with my non-fiction life, a simple basic almost stereotypical daily routine and turns into a fiction affair of events which exist in my alternative life; which in a sense is appropriate for this exercise as it represents the person I am, imaginative and spontaneous.

The text ‘A Day in the Life’ of Michael Serpell, appears instantly on the screen as the subject is followed walking in a tracking shot with upbeat and an almost comical soundtrack follows the subject. The use of audio is intertwined with footage as the Foley sounds and voice-overs play an integral role in showing actions and their consequences. Also the royalty free soundtracks accompany the opening and closing titles and footage. The use of still photography is used as a time lapse of a particular action happening, being the shaver being dropped; to truly capture the suspense and madness of the moment as the shaven begins its uncertain decent in the abyss which is the toilet bowl. I didn’t film the masterpiece on a $2,000 recording device, as I believe the creative elements would stand out more along with the story and comedic madness, which takes place and it, was a lot easier to film the project on an iPhone.

I think the video in a narrative sense represents the person I am, I do have a routine but because I’m a bit of a fool around comedian I like the represent the simplicities of a daily routine as a complex process which has room for creativity and madness; making a seemingly sound routine into a abstract and spontaneous chain of unfortunate events. I think also with the overflowing of the cereal bowl and the toothbrush, it shows often in the morning we are clumsy and rushed therefore the smallest task are performed with the least amount of efficiency and in many ways still being asleep means we don’t notice these imperfections.

To conclude, I hope you enjoyed a ‘Day in the Life’ to copy an excellent song from the Beatles, and one part from that song would describe the typical morning routine for most people: “Woke up, fell out of bed, Dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup, and looking up I noticed I was late. Found my coat and grabbed my hat Made the bus in seconds flat Found my way upstairs and had a smoke, Somebody spoke and I went into a dream.