‘Fig’ reflects a transformation in my perspective on life. In the past few years I have matured enormously. I have become more self-aware, no longer hating the freckles on my face or shape of my hands, as they are strong, functional and actually existent. I have noticed the beauty of the rain in its sound, not merely the cold, wet clothing it brings. I have learnt the importance of protecting the earth from diminishment. I have grown to appreciate my home. Once critical of my mum’s taste in interior style, I am now grateful to have an interior, a roof over my head. I no longer view the term ‘maturity’, as the boring, looming persona clutching to my back; it now represents clarity and calmness in my thoughts amongst chaos. It is about optimism, trying new things and pushing my boundaries, whether that is an action or a thought. I wanted to show things I have changed perspectives towards in my piece. A fig was chosen as the visual embodiment of this ideology as it is the most recent example I have of trying something new. I always thought I hated figs. Refused to try them. I never quite realised by not ever attempting to taste them, I was unknowingly stopping myself from enjoying something so delicious. Figuratively, ripeness [of a fig] may also be associated with maturity.

I did not expect viewers to recognize my film’s abstract intention so I envisioned them reading this text beforehand, but due to the nature of a blog, I could not always control what they experienced first. However, I did expect some feelings of warmth and nostalgia to be incited due to the quiet piano music. The audio was the biggest obstacle I believe. I originally wanted something with a beat [camping light sound at beginning] but mastering Logic Pro was hard in mere days. I came up with a piano tune on the spot instead. I would like to record it more professionally next time. The effect of this alteration was to change the mood of the music to a calmer, classic sound but also, unfortunately, a more generic one.

Rather than a linear narrative/montage style piece, I wanted to create short clips with sharp cuts in order to jar the viewer and allow them to concentrate on each image as it contrasted it’s prior counterpart. I did so through contrasting cuts and also the illusion of a jump cut [the images of the figs] though they were still images rather than footage. With other still images I also tried to allude to movement as I enjoy video. An example of this is the three photos of the hills that disappear with each transition to the next shot. I tried to make the dissolve between the similar shots as fluid as possible. I do wish I had attempted some graphic matching, but with the content filmed, I found it difficult. I would love to master it for brief three.