F06 :: Feminist Film Studies

"What Everyone Else Was Talking About"

This is a diary post, as the narrator in this vlog entry describes. The video follows the creator during his day as he contemplates and thinks aloud. The entire video is shot from the creator's point of view. In addition, most, if not all of the video uses hand-held shots. The way this video was filmed, along with the narration, gives it a very personal feel. Viewers feel like they are right there with the creator, not only experiencing and seeing the same things but also experiencing them in the same way because he is telling you what he is thinking and noticing. I think that the narration is essential to this piece. The creator's voice brings you inside what he is thinking about, wondering, and feeling and you are able to see the world as he sees it. The use of jump cuts brings us from one thought to another, mimicking the way the brain works sometimes as it jumps from thought to thought. The creator also uses music to add to the intimacy of the video. There is a repeating loop of music, almost just ambient noise, which drowns out most of the other sounds and leaves you to listen and think about what he is saying.

The director of this video uses all of these techniques to create a very intimate and personal journey. As I viewed this entry I was completely drawn in to his life and thoughts as he contemplates throughout the day. The video moves fast, especially with the use of certain filming techniques such as a hand-held camera and jump cuts. However, I think it really succeeds at slowing life down. The creator makes little life moments and thoughts, which would normally be ignored, the focus of this entry. It’s nice to slow down from life’s busy pace and take a minute to enjoy the little things. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, the mint.