Creative Process Experiment

The purpose of this abstract experiment was to explore unconventional creative processes of audio and video recording and editing in order to create diverse interpretations of the final product. Originally the project was limited to audio and it wasn't until later that I decided to expand the creative progression onto video.

Initially audio was recorded onto a Zoom Sampletrak ST-224 digital sampler entirely from common every-day objects inside a room such as keys, plastic bags, spinning skateboard wheels, a zipper, vocal sounds, etc. These sounds were then chopped and tweaked with effects directly on the sampler and recorded onto a computer live. Once on the computer, the sounds were further sequenced with no particular structure, creating a track of approximately 3 minutes.

The next step was to form a defined creative process and see how it can help a simple idea evolve into a more complex one.  I created "rules" that would, like operators, take whatever I had created and allow me to expand on this piece through the creation of new ideas. The rules were:

1. Identify major changes in sound characteristics and mark them.

2. Markers indicated a change in visual idea.

3. To determine the corresponding idea to each segment it would be necessary to write down what that segment of audio made me think of.

4. Once I had written down an idea for each segment of sound I wrote what I felt was the "opposite" of that idea—always treating each idea individually.

5. Once I had my list of opposite things I went out and recorded video of something that represented that idea, or at least something close/related to it.

6. Finally, I edited the recorded footage (editing done in Sony Vegas) in a way I felt complemented the sound track but without making it fit too perfectly or in an obvious manner.

I didn't feel the project was truly complete, but due to its nature as a "creative process experiment" I wouldn't expect it to anyway... in essence this experimentation could have continued indefinitely. 

So what is the outcome of this experiment? You tell me.

Special thanks to Barby for contributing with ideas and performances