Video Concept

As some of you know, my videos are made purely on spontaneous inspiration of music. I never claim to be a director or a video editor or cinematographer, but I do like to dabble in the field with the ghetto equipment that I have. The story behind this one came when Gail was over on Monday and we were shifting thru the mass collection of digital photos I own and by chance I had the party shuffle on itunes and of course this song The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do In The Middle Of Downtown Traffic by The Most Serene Republic was playing. Gail casually mentioned how the flipping of the pictures fit with the music and the gears started spinning.

The Most Serene Republic is a band mostly made up of friends of Milton, so it was very fitting that the song depicted scenes from around Milton. You can check out their site here
http://www.arts-crafts.ca/themostserenerepublic/
WARNING! Flash needed!

When I started to work on this video, it was on a very warm and sunny afternoon on my street. Instead of filming actual video, I painstakingly took every shot myself on my Fuji Digital Camera. I wanted to do this not only because of Gail’s suggestion, but because also for two personal reasons.
1- Nick Greaves and I used to work together at Milton Photo in the Milton Mall
2- Their album is called “Underwater Cinematographer

Lucky for me when I was outside taking photos I bumped into my neighbours who helped me take a few scenes (Robin and Stu let me use their porch). This “accidental” assistance really gave some of the infamous Milton charm to the video where you can always count on your friends and neighbours. Later on, Gail came by and helped me to take the night shots, so I owe a huge thank you to my pseudo crew.

I never write a story board and when I go out to shoot I only go off the music itself with just the idea in my head. This dangerous filming and directing leaves the doors open for surprises, inspiration, and the occasional wild adventure. For the Milton video, I wanted to capture how I saw my neighbourhood in its simplicity charm. Milton has always been a community of quaint little sidewalks, colourful store fronts, enchanting parks, and the uncertainty of youth stuck so close and yet so far from every major city in Southern Ontario.
There are a few scenes in the film I wanted to point out:
If you notice- the story follows the protagonist as she walks out into the street armed with her camera exploring the town. Most of the scenes of the streets run forwards and backwards giving the impression that time is confused (and those who understand living in Milton will get that one- if you care to know more about that, email me).
I would like to know what you guys think the story is between me and Gail is in the video. What are your thoughts to why we did the scenes we did and what we could possibly be saying in the shots where we speak to the camera.

Thanks for checking out my video! I will let you all know when I make another one.
~AnnK