My project is a work in progress. I have identified three phases of coginutal foreplay but hope to expand this to five at some point. I came across “The Official Sex Manual: A Modern Approach to the Art and Techniques of Coginus” at a used book sale. The book was written in the 60s and is a quirky and humorous parody on the “art and techniques of coginus”. I chose to focus in on the Phases of Foreplay, because you have to start somewhere. My approach was to narrate the text as if it were being taught or shown in an educational environment. I had a lot of fun making it.

Text is taken from: “The Official Sex Manual: A Modern Approach to the Art and Techniques of Coginus” , written by Gerald Sussman, F.R.S.C

Berkeley Poole and Jamie Webster were both filmed in the movie. I read the narrative for the video.

2. My computer
My life support, well, not literally. An object in which my life is stored and saved. My computer connects me to design, enhances my skill and will help me achieve my dreams in the future.

3. Oakridge H.S. Yearbook
The beginning of my future. Brings back memories of my high school years and my achievements as yearbook editor. It was the first time I realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It also defines who I am as a leader and creative person.

4. Taboo
A Christmas eve tradition that my family and I play every year. Only the happiest and exciting memories are remembered from games of Taboo with my family.

5. Eric’s notes
I have collected the crude and loving notes my younger brother Eric has left on the kitchen cabinet door over the length of many years. These notes encompass the unique and humorous relationship that my family and I share. His notes make me laugh every time I read them. I will continue collecting them.

6. Dollhouse
Made for me by my grandfather. My dollhouse is another meaningful object linked to my past and my family. It was such an extreme gift and the fact that it was build by hand by my grandfather means a lot. My childhood was filled with doll playing and make-belief, which in turn evoked my big imagination.

7. Florent keepsake
I was extremely lucky to be able to live in New York City for two months this summer. I interned at a small design studio and worked on many designs for Restaurant Florent, a well known diner which was closing down. One of my projects was to help create a gift favour for their final party. The Florent keepsake was a little glass box with the menu board letters in it. I raced around NYC trying to find a container for the keepsake and spent days working on the final invites for this grand party.

8. Kettle + mug
My days at Tel are dwindling, unfortunately. Tel has become a second home in which I have become so accustomed to over the past 4 years. The kettle and mug represent the long nights and sleepovers spent in the labs working hard, or hardly working with friends or by myself.

9. Passport
My passport represents my future and where I will go. I have big dreams and hopes to see the world, but I also have career aspirations that could take me anywhere.

10. Box of chocolates
Laughter and happiness is all I need to feel. A box of cheap chocolates reminds me of the time my mother pushed every chocolate in with her fingers to see what was kind it was inside. Long story, but a fond memory.

Suggestions ?

OVERVIEW  Paper Trails is an abstract 10 second visual countdown sequence. The project experiments with positive and negative space through the integration of layers, blending techniques, masks, colour and opacity. My approach was very casual and free formed. I filmed floating cutout numbers from scraps of paper and integrated them within a soft backdrop of a window view. The houses within the background create another layer while adding a little texture to the flat video. The sunny hues of the sequence are warm and playful. To add a twist of whim, I allowed snip-its of my hands to be shown pulling the paper and revealed the cropped corners of the video frame. I didn’t want my composition to be refined by the rectangular frame of the screen. I overcame this through masking and cropping.

AUDIENCE/CONTEXT  The intended audience is for anyone who can appreciate this informal approach. This non-literal and somewhat abstract concept is intended for those who can appreciate it.

KEY MESSAGE  I don’t intend my audience to learn anything per se, just to watch and take it in.

CONTENT PLANNING  The content I include will be something fun and free-flowing. Perhaps an independent film or  a music video.

BIBLIOGRAPHY  Audio tracks provided by The Freesound Project: 44074__daveincamas__Follies (credits) and 49223__tombola__Fisher_Price9 (blips)

VISUAL/CONCEPTUAL REFERENCES  I wasn’t really inspired by any outside sources from what I know. Previous projects that I have worked on inspired me to experiment further, especially in after effects.

Audio tracks provided by The Freesound Project:

44074__daveincamas__Follies (credits)

49223__tombola__Fisher_Price9 (blips)