Elissa’s split-screen video project showcases her unique sense of humour and creative vision, garnering positive feedback for its engaging and entertaining content. Implementing new split-screen techniques in Adobe Premiere Pro allowed Elissa to explore additional tools and expand her editing skills.
Throughout the project, Elissa delved into various aspects of video editing, learning how to crop videos, utilize the graphics panel, and employ the pen tool to create dividing lines between split screens. She intentionally used colour theory, prominently featuring turquoise to represent the main character throughout the video. A clever use of colour deviation occurs during the interview scene, where the character strategically avoids turquoise to maintain a deceptive tone juxtaposed against a turquoise cabinet in the background.
“Buttons” explores abstract subject matter through the creative use of split-screen techniques, shot entirely on a green screen. This experimental approach allowed Elissa to play with unconventional video settings, pushing the boundaries of traditional video editing.
The video is divided into three main sections, each showcasing unique elements. In the first section, Elissa incorporates keyboard typing sounds over the background music, adding an interactive layer to the visual experience. As she continues to refine her video production skills, Elissa is developing her distinctive style and approach, increasingly utilizing colour mattes to layer with videos and achieve desired effects.
Elissa’s Independent Video Project provided ample opportunities to explore new ideas and techniques she had been eager to try. Opting for motion graphics in the intro and employing split-screen throughout the piece allowed for a dynamic presentation of the artist’s work alongside her commentary. Despite encountering technical difficulties along the way, Elissa believes the project offers a compelling glimpse into the life and work of a female artist.
Originally intending to interview multiple women artists in their creative spaces, Elissa adapted her plans and focused on a single artist. Despite this adjustment, she is satisfied with the outcome. Her interview questions were crafted to capture the essence of the artist’s work, her self-perception as a female artist, and the challenges faced in her field. Technical issues with equipment during shooting underscored the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in filmmaking.
Reflecting on the experience, Elissa identified areas for improvement, such as the absence of a gimbal for smoother camera movement. Despite these challenges, she enjoyed creating the motion graphics for the intro, blending techniques from various tutorials to achieve a polished, studio-like aesthetic that complements the video’s theme.
Originally intended to set a mood for an unnamed artist’s life, this video project evolved into a reflection of Elissa’s creative process and passion. Incorporating clips of art creation, tea-drinking moments, and Rosie the dog in the yard, Elissa balanced artistic footage with lifestyle elements to convey a holistic tone.
Throughout the process, Elissa gained a deeper appreciation for sound design, focusing on the synergy between audio and visuals. She wrote and recorded dialogue pieces layered over classical music, enhancing the sensory experience.
In post-production, Elissa experimented with grainy overlays but ultimately omitted them. One of the standout elements includes panning shots of bookshelves, complemented by natural light and window shadows with a light burst added in editing.
To add a touch of humour, Elissa included a playful blooper at the video’s end, providing a lighthearted conclusion to contrast the film’s serious tone.
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© 2024 Elissa Willms
