So, as we approach the last Project Brief of the semester, I thought I’d just do a quick recap of where I’m at this semester.

I’m in the Old’s Cool studio with Dan Binns, in which we explore and learn about old media principles and technologies. Throughout the semester, we’ve done a wide range various activities and projects, ranging from making an emo origami penguin, to producing a video profile about someone and their craft. The classes themselves themselves have been captivating and entertaining. As I have probably stated in an assignment or a blog post somewhere, this studio wasn’t exactly my first preference, and the content wasn’t exactly what I was planning on focusing on in my future, and so, you know the tutor has done a good job when I’ve managed to stay focused most of the time, and actually enjoy what I’m learning. (Good on ya Dan).

Anyway, over the past few weeks, we have been learning about the differences between the process of media production today, and the process of media production fifty years ago. We’d taken a look at some old pieces of equipment, such as film splicers, Super 8 cameras, and old sound mixers and recording devices. What interested me the most about all of this is that knowing how much of a bitch recording and editing is today, even with digital formats, it must’ve been absolute hell in those days.

We’ve also explored other topics, such as why people find it so difficult to let go of old methods and mediums, such as vinyl, and analogue photography, whether it be because of nostalgia, authenticity, aesthetic, or even because of the personal connection developed with the craft over the process of creation. And, speaking of which, we also looked into how people develop a personal connection with their craft, and why they enjoy it (as I’m writing this, I’m actually starting to see how this is all connected).

What has really grasped me the most out of all this is the whole aesthetic part to it. I was mainly interested in how the older looking aesthetic was just presented, and how it affected the feel of what it was showing. I enjoyed the segment on glitch art, (even though my laptop screwed up), and the segment on Super 8 film.

Taking this approach to my final Project Brief, I want to be a bit more on the creative side. I want to explore how the aged aesthetic can change and affect the feeling of the video I’ll be making, and try to recreate/simulate the same kind of feeling you get from an old 80s film. In doing this, I’d used new mediums to create artificial decay on both the video and sound quality.

So yeah! That’s basically where I’m currently at, let’s hope I don’t fail (: