AMEN: SPLIT SCREEN DEVELOPMENT VERSION 3

Tweaking version 2 of the split screen approach a little I made some minor adjustments to see if I could iron out a few of the wrinkles in version 3. As before this was based on the outstanding issues I felt there was with the piece. Again I wanted to explore these quickly without spending lots of consuming time in After Effects so I did these tests again with variations of the assets I had already had in Premiere Pro. I now feel more convinced evermore that once elements, message and hierarchy clarified this is where I may finally compose the installation though.

AMEN HIERARCHY VERSION 3 SPLIT SCREEN from Jon Saward on Vimeo.

A big plus is the use of the text to help to tell the story which not only gives a clarity of the message but also a narrative to follow and a little of the character of GC Coleman too and really gives some exposition. There are issues though as it is clunky, overlong, too descriptive, too much of it and it is fighting with all of the other elements BUT it does solve a lot of problems. This is definitely an element to pursue moving forward.

Content-wise it is still disappointing but reaffirmed that I need to go back to the drawing board with this but it is confirming that there is a hierarchy of elements and that some will need to go to streamline the piece. The main plus here though is the inclusion of the drummer which really helps solidify this area and strengthens it but I feel I need to make more and stronger use of this as it is the root of the whole piece. As far as the rest of the piece goes there is still simply too much going on conceptually, ideologically and style wise. I am hanging onto ideas as they took time to construct that are not serving the piece and creating a clarity of message towards my preferred meaning.

Style-wise I am still clinging onto the idea of screens, boxes and compartmentalisation of the elements as if I am working on 3 screens. More shape, creativity, colour and cohesiveness are needed as the piece looks simply like a collection of elements rather than a cohesive whole. This needs to be addressed moving forward.