Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with video and art

Have cymatics techniques been used in music videos?

codybaldwin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:42:32 -0800

Cymatics techniques used in music videos Just saw this video: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/timelines/ on TED, and at the very end are various DIY screenshots from individuals who have used the technique for artistic purposes. I saw one and it reminded me of some kind of electronic muscician's music video. Perhaps the music video for a Squarepusher or Aphex Twins song might have been where I believe I've seen this technique.

Can anyone direct me to production facilities that have done this for music videos, or links to the music videos themselves?

Where to get Madame Chao's DVD?

griphus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:45:11 -0800

Does anyone know where the get physical copies of Madame Chao's video art? The Ancient Chinese Cathode Ray DVD, specifically. Does anyone remember the "Madame Chao's" ("Madame Chaos?) videos that used to air on BCAT on Cablevision (in NYC) late nights in the late 90s/early 00s?

It was ridiculously noisy, epilepsy-inducing video art, with samples of old Chinese wǔxiá movies and The Simpsons (here's some I found on youtube WARNING: NSFW, gory violence, disturbing imagery etc.)

I used to work in a store in the E. Village where we had unlabeled copies of a couple of "episodes," with the tape just long enough to hold an episode and "Madame Chaos" scrawled across the top, which makes me assume these were originals. Unfortunately those are now gone (as is the store.)

So does anyone have any info at all on how to get some physical copies? My Google-fu is weak, their website seems to be all sorts of broken (on purpose?) and the Myspace page is unofficial

Name That Video: Surreal animated interview between student and master.

hatsix — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:22:42 -0800

Looking for a video I saw on the internet before May 2008. It was an interview with a ton of post-processing, making it very surreal. Seeing this image reminded me of the video. I seem to remember the interviewer was an art student, or a student of the interviewee. The interviewee had been down on his luck, and it seemed as if the interview was happening in a soup kitchen or hostel. I associate two words with the interviewee: "video art", but I can't think of any sort of title he might have. I remember the video was very colorful, and the subjects bodies seemed to... fade, contract, pulse... It felt as if there was original video, but it was completely animated over top of.

How does one play back 2-channel video?

Artifice_Eternity — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:27:02 -0800

It's becoming increasingly common in the art world to see various forms of multi-channel video: works or installations in which video plays back on more than 1 screen at a time. If I wanted to create a 2-channel video piece, what technical means would be available to me to play back both video channels in sync with each other? Creating 2 synced videos is not a problem for me. I would edit each video separately, but working with a common soundtrack. The mystery is how to play them back together. Anyone know how this is typically done?

I imagine there may be a computer-based solution. Many computers will now support 2 displays; perhaps the right software would be able to send a separate feed to each video output. But I don't know what that software would be, or even what file format would be involved. Perhaps 2 separate conventional files played simultaneously? Or 1 file with a double-wide aspect ratio, split in half down the middle? (If the latter, how the hell would I produce such a file?) Hive mind, clue me in if you can.

Strange uses of Moving Pictures

phrontist — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:49:09 -0800

I'm looking for film recommendations. Films (of any length) that use approach their subject matter in abstract or otherwise unusual ways. Some of my favorites in that vein are Koyaanisqatsi and Baraka, Outside In, Powers of 10, Gantz Graf, Der Lauf Der Dinge, C'etait un Rendezvous, Fast, Cheap, and out of Control, and The Fourth Dimension. Things like this that, in their own weird way, impart some understanding. Bonus points for no dialog.

Help me find the artist/title of a mid-90's video art piece.

itchi23 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:06:45 -0800

What's the artist/title of the video art piece in where the artist takes old public domain movie and slowly scrubs through the footage? I remember seeing a piece about 6 years ago where it's a family scene, and the father is spanking the daughter, and the video artist scrubs the footage back/forth repetitively. I know it's a long shot, and I've seen other artists do the same thing with similar footage (info on these artists is helpful as well.)

What software is used to make these videos?

SampleSize — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:41:55 -0800

Are these done in Flash or something else? (click the cover to preview the videos) One Two And how about these? Three Four

What are some great examples of slow motion in film and video?

serial_consign — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:30:32 -0800

What are some examples of great slow motion in narrative cinema and experimental video? I'm doing a video project later this summer and I'm planning on slowing down archival footage (not mine, I'm using existing footage since it would be impossible to shoot my content). In terms of inspiration, can the metacrowd suggest some great film & art slow motion pieces? While I am interested in stuff like Douglas Gordon's 24 Hour Psycho, this project IS NOT about recontextualizing a narrative film! I'd love to get some suggestions about stunning slow motion material that I could check out for inspiration.

Looking for Art Exhibition CGI video

Dub — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:03:48 -0800

I'm looking for a source (video name, who did it, what the music is called, why was it made, is it available online, any other information) of the CGI video that appears at the very start of this YouTube video of Tomorrows World c1984 clip. I don't know whether it was a Fairlight CVI that created the effect (or CMI in the music) - I'm not that interested if it was / wasn't - I would just like to see the video again I also really liked the music.

I seem to recall it was a SIGGRAPH entrant or something - and the CGI video followed a visitor (or possibly a security guard?) around a (closed?) CGI Art exhibit, as various (famous) paintings came to life around him.

I've looked around the SIGGRAPH sites, but I couldn't find any early videos.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Does anyone remember this "long photo" from SFMOMA?

BuddhaInABucket — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:03:21 -0800

All this talk on flickr lately of "long photos" reminded me of a VERY "long photo" I saw in SFMOMA probably around a year ago... it was a scene at a cafe, with someone at a piano, a man and woman talking, one holding a cigarette, and a couple of other people, all frozen for at least five minutes... the most noticeable movement was cigarette smoke trailing up into the air. Does anyone know who that was by, what it was called, and whether I can find it online?

Which software application is best suited for an interactive video project?

itchi23 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:20:14 -0800

Please help me determine the best software (windows) for an interactive video/video game art project. I'd like to have participants use a video game controller to create a realtime animation by cycling through different sprites and "drawing" their paths on a single scene. Or better yet - where can I find someone skilled in programming who might want to collaborate on such a project? I can't seem to determine whether to look at game-construction apps or interactive video apps (vvvv, Processing, etc.) I'm envisioning an interface where the participants can cycle through a small number of different, pre-rendered sprites, "draw" their movement paths on a scene, and when the participant triggers a certain button on the game controller, the sprites begin their movement. Each individual sprite would also have their own unique movements (ie: a butterfly sprite might flap its wings while moving along the path drawn by the participants.)
I can't seem to determine which application would do this the best, and be easiest to program - a game-construction app or an interactive video app, such as vvvv, Processing, etc.
Better yet - is there an online community where artists with little-to-none programming experience can connect with people with a lot of programming experience and cross-collaborate on projects like this?

Help me figure out what old classic cartoon this image is from!?

austinlee — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:07:03 -0800

Could you identify this old classic cartoon from the image I provided? Ok! I'll try to explain! I made a video a few years ago using footage from an old cartoon which I forget. I removed the animated character and replaced it with images of myself. I have since lost the original video files. I am trying to remake it. I still have the images but not the audio or the original video files. I want to put the original sound back in but I can't remember what cartoon it was from. I think it may be a van beuren one? I can't remember. I bought it from one of those 1 dollar bargain dvd things that you see in grocery stores etc. Check the link below. It is an animated gif. Sorry I can't provide more information. I remember something with plates being broken too! It had a main character but I don't remember what it looked like. Thanks!

LINK

Help me find the best real-time video generative software for someone with little programming experience.

itchi23 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:48:59 -0800

Help me find the best real-time video generative software for someone with little programming experience (PC, no Mac.) I've been using Resolume for a few weeks for just triggering clips and manipulating effects, and I think it might be really great for VJ'ing, but I'm also looking for a generative video app to use for my video art. I've looked into vvvv, Pure Data, Processing, Jitter, etc., and can't seem to tell the differences between them, and more importantly, how easy each one is to learn. I have little-to-no programming experience, but I'm willing to learn some coding if it'll help.

I'd like to manipulate objects in real-time (ex. importing a path from Illustrator, or a flash object, or maybe even a 3D model), as well as visualize incoming data streams and be able to manipulate the video output. Obviously, I'd also want to use video clips, fframe plugs, etc. Is this something I'd be able to do in a single app, or in real-time - and if so, how easy would it be to learn for someone with little programming experience, but a lot of media production experience?

Alternately, is this something that Flash could do? A lot of VJ apps can use swfs, and if I could program a swf to take incoming data and/or react to outside input streams, that's an additional thing to consider. I'd much more inclined to go with Flash if it's a viable option. Thanks!

How can an American get money to travel to Japan?

itchi23 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:53:21 -0800

How can I, an American, get money to travel to Japan? - Ideally I'd like to go through arts & humanities grants, cultural exchange programs, or visiting artist/musician programs, but other forms of travel funding assistance would be great too. Bonus mefi: how can an American musician (electronic, pop, club) find venues, promoters, DJ's, clubnights, etc, that can lead to a performance while visiting Japan/Tokyo.? My wife landed some pretty sweet grant $$ through a cultural exchange program with the university she teaches at, so she'll be heading to Tokyo for ten days in June. I want to join her in Japan after her program ends for five or six days. Her travel costs and lodging are pretty much covered, but mine aren't. What I'd like to do is find some funding sources I can apply to in order to make the trip a bit more affordable. I'm a digital video/animation artist and an electronic musician who's entering an MFA program this fall, so programs/grants along this line would be super helpful.
Additionally, my wife and I perform in an electronic pop/dance/electro music "band" - and if we could land a gig or two while in Tokyo, that'd be....well...awesome. The problem is, I know how to go after shows in the states, but I'm at a loss on how to go after shows in Japan/Tokyo.
Any help's definitely appreciated!

Seeking Final Cut Pro access in Chicago

white light — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:25:38 -0800

Is there any place in Chicago where a stereotypically starving artist can use Final Cut Pro and/or other video production tools for free or cheap? My computer is ancient, and since moving here I no longer have access to a computer with Final Cut Pro. I make video art, and have a huge list of projects planned out, but no equipment with which to produce them. This is insanely frustrating.

I've looked a bit into Universities, as the one I attended in Ohio would basically let anyone walk in and sit down at a G4 as long as they looked like they could be a student. Doesn't seem so easy here. I would be willing to scrape up a monthly lab fee if necessary, but I'm not sure if that would even do it, as the people I have talked to attending schools here have said you must be enrolled to use the labs. Sometimes even only with a certain qualifying major.

I figure there might be some less strict schools that would allow me in, or an artist co-op type of place, or even some kind of A.V. club for graduates?

A decent computer with Final Cut Pro and the ability to burn DVD's would be amazing.

Rental video cameras and/or a simple studio set with simple lighting would be amazing as well.

A digital camera on a copy stand wouldn't hurt a bit.

Again, I would of course prefer free access but would be willing to pay monthly lab fees, by the hour, exchange use of equipment for time volunteering to help out/assist other artists, or whatever other possibilities could be out there. Possibly a job available somewhere that has video equipment/studios? I've worked as an FCP editor, photographer's assistant, and wet process darkroom supervisor.

Any ideas?

How can I seamlessly loop video in flash cs3? And how can I put titles in flvplayback menu?

austinlee — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:13:20 -0800

How can I make a seamless FLV Video loop using flash cs3? Also! How can I put a title in the playback bar? I'd like to be able to loop back video playback seamlessly on my website. I was able to get the video to loop but there seems to be a slight delay during the loop. Is there any way to fix this?

Here is a link to the example.

LOOP

Right now I am using the FLVplayback component with this actionscript.

import fl.video.VideoEvent;

player.addEventListener(VideoEvent.COMPLETE, playAgain);
function playAgain(evt:VideoEvent):void {

player.seek(0);
player.play();
}

I was also wondering if anyone knew how I could put a title in the menu bar. There will probably be a few videos so I am hoping for a way that is easily changed.

Thanks!

long zoom anyone?

Gankmore — Wed, 16 May 2007 18:27:43 -0800

Searching for famous scenes from movies where the camera pans out across a vast distance in a single shot... for example, powers of ten is one of the best examples. Also, the opening scene in Contact where we zoom out from Earth through the cosmos only to end up in the young Jodie Foster's eye. But the subject matter doesn't have to be the cosmos per se, just any memorable scene where a camera pans or zooms out across a vast distance.

(I'm also aware of the opening scene from fight club where we zoom through a characters brain and such)

Renting a multimedia space in L.A. for a one-night event

Flying Saucer — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:49:57 -0800

I'm the co-producer of over 30 short films that are intended for cell phone and internet distribution. Rather than rent a theater for the premiere, I'd like to have a space, such as an art gallery, that will house five to seven video stations where guests can sample these short videos at their leisure. I'm in L.A., where there's no shortage of art galleries or performance spaces. Can any Angelenos recommend a space that matches my needs? A place that already has video screens or computer monitors or TV's? A place that will rent to me for a single one-night event?

Hapless painter wants to take a stab at video art. Cheaply.

wreckingball — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:53:34 -0800

Video camera rental advice: I'm looking to make an exceedingly simple, short video (an art project, if you will) and I'm looking to rent a fairly high quality camera to do it with. The condition is that I need a camera that can function reasonably (I'm not expecting miracles, here, but I don't want horribly washed-out, grainy business) in a very low-light situation. I'm applying for a small grant to do this, and I can't afford more than maybe $200 for a day's rental, $250 tops. Specifically, what I'm doing is this: I've built a room-sized camera obscura of the type that were all the rage on the internet some time ago (mine is actually somewhat different in that it projects onto a screen, rather than a wall--picture here), and I would like to film it in action.

What I'm looking to achieve is not more than five minutes of video: static shots, one wide shot of the whole bedroom setup, one closeup to focus on the movement of trees and whatnot outside. I want to pair that with an audio track of ambient sounds recorded just outside. The problem: even on a bright day, the room is quite, quite dim, and I can't add any artificial light without weakening the camera obscura image.

My understanding is that I need a camera with a multi-chip sensor (is that even the right term? I'm a complete video novice), but I don't know if such things are routinely rented out to nonprofessionals, and I'd really rather not have to deal with hiring someone to shoot the footage for me (in large part because I don't think I could afford it, but also I'd like to maintain control, even if I don't know what I'm doing, and I don't much like the thought of bringing strangers into my house). most of the "rental sites" i've found online are just glorified link farms, and in the rare instance they list actual cameras for rent, they're little handheld disappointments.

Any insight onto the rental process in general would be great: where do i go? (am i looking for best buy or some broadcast equipment dealer?) what will it cost? what constitute standard rental procedures? and if anyone happens to know a place in the Tampa Bay area for me to ask at, that would be fantastic (I can of course call around to phone book listings, but I need at least to have a clearer idea of what to ask for).

Requirements for the camera are: good low-light performance; usb, usb2, or firewire output to my computer; decent sound recording (i'd rather not have to deal with renting a miniDAT and microphones and whatnot, though I at least have some experience doing that), and a daily rental cost capping out at no more than $250. If I buy the right persons enough beer, I might be able to score access to the campus video lab, but it would be best if I could get this done on my home setup.

Is this even possible? I know I'm a bit out of my depth, but that's sort of what makes it fun.

What's that art installation I saw?

gregoryc — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:52:54 -0800

Artfilter: What's the name of the installation I saw a video of at the Hirshhorn in Wash DC? I was on the third floor of the Hirshhorn museum in Wash DC last weekend. I saw a video of an installation that was the coolest thing I've ever seen. It was 30 minutes or so of various chemical and mechanical reactions that were self-perpetuating. It just kept going and going and was very cool. I believe it was a German artist in the 1950s, and the title traslated as "The way things are" or something like that. I can't seem to find it on the Hirshhorn site or google. There's got to be tons of info on this piece out there, as it was awsome. Anyone able to point me in the right direction? Thanks.

Crazy Pulsating Color Filter

phrontist — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 20:30:25 -0800

This idea for a visual effect has occured to me, and I want to implement it, just to see what it's like. I know Perl and C/C++, but I am heavily biased towards a *nix environment. Description of video transformation inside... Basically what I want to do is vary the saturation of the primary colors in video frames based on the amplitude of music that would accompany it. So for instance, while the soundtrack was silent the video frames would have no saturation. Let's say I split the audo frequency in midrange, bass, and high end corresponding to yellow, red, and blue respectively. So every time the kick drum is hit, the red saturation peaks for a moment.

How can I implement this? My first thought is to somehow generate average amplitudes of the audio at a sample rate equal to the video frame rate. Then split the video into individual frames and use something like the GD libraries to tweak each frame indivdually.

But that seems like re-inventing the wheel several times over. Is there some existing software that could be extended to do this?

Help me locate this Afro-Futurism video...

itchi23 — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 06:29:22 -0800

Years ago at school, I remember a video on Afro-Futurism. More than one instructor screened the video for my classes, so I've seen it a handful of times - but I can't remember the title, or where I can find it. I'm 90% sure it featured Kodwo Eshun extensively, as a "time traveler" who was researching the roots of Afro-Futurism and technology. It was focusing on music, mostly. It was a creative documentary - the premise being there was a "time traveler" from the future who came back in time and couldn't return home. Again, I'm 90% sure it was Kodwo Eshun narrating the video, and "starring" as the time traveler.
The video had extensive interviews with musicians like Chuck D, Afrikka Bambaata, etc. - and they talked about their relationship with technology and music.
My Google-fu failed me on this, and I'd really like to get a copy of this video.

BUY MORE POPCORN

Artifice_Eternity — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 22:35:41 -0800

Are subliminal messages illegal? I'm looking for citations, not vague impressions or urban legends (which so far is all I have to go on -- Google has not been helpful). I'm thinking of creating/commissioning a video project that will involve projection of subliminal images and/or words. The audience would be told that this was happening -- but not what the content of the messages was.

EyeCandy.

grahamwell — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 05:28:25 -0800

EyeCandyFilter: I'm looking for some stunning CGI visuals to show off a new A/V system. Psychedelic computer graphics a-la X-mix are what I have in mind - a shrine to the pulsating, shiny, magic thing. Any suggestions? I still love my X-Mix videos but surely this is 2005, there must be something exponentially more amazing? Another old favourite is Milkdrop for Winamp. I'm a child who loves flashing colours and bright lights ... please feed me. Download is best (for Windows) but DVD is cool too. (WXGA from a capable PC and DVD to drive the display - 5.1 Sound). It just needs to be beautiful. Oh, and if you know the true name of the 'pulsating, shiny, magic thing', please let me know.

Video/sound artists

iamcrispy — Sat, 07 May 2005 07:42:18 -0800

Do you know of any video and sound artists? I'm currently doing a project to do with interactive or algorithmically created sound for university, but I'm having a hard time finding any artists to reference in the assignment essay.

I'm looking for artists that use video and sound in their work, preferably where one controls the other, or are interactive. Also, I've found about a million different artists that use dancers to control things, this is so very tedious, so I'm after something a bit more interesting than this.