Before our NFT video we did a shoot inspiring of Cindy Sherman and Lissa Rivera. Those are the images I have chosen. I choose those images because I feel that there are a mixt of the two artists. The picture in itself looks like a picture from a 50s movie it kind of reminds me of Hedy Lamarr’s iconic picture from the movie Ziegfeld Girl in 1941. She has a similar floe white dress, she stares into space and looks powerful. The strong yellow in the curtains reminds me of the colours that Lissa Rivera use in her pictures, it highlights the model. The dress again very floe reminds me of the kind of dresses Lissa Rivera use.
Hedy Lamarr
Ziegfeld Girl
Editing
Even if I really liked this image, it needed some modification like the cars behind, the reflection of the lights and I wanted it to be brighter. To modify the image I used Photoshop, I start by using the dodge tool which helps lighten areas on the picture, I used it to lighten the dress, make it brighter. Something that really bothered me was the reflection of the light on the windows and the cars behind, I had to get rid of that. I managed to do it thanks to the spot healing brush tool which removes marks and imperfections. The problem with this tool is that I also erase the ends of the white curtains, so so that it does not show I used the blur tool which blurs areas on the image. To finish I selected the curtains and then I played with the brightness and the contrast
The idea behind this project is to form a narrative that highlights the 2 communities of faith and also the LGBTQ community. With this we tend to touched upon the problems of bias and hate, inside bound religions, during this explicit Christianity, towards the LGBTQ community and the way usually folks ar created to selected between the 2. This was galvanized by the stress that’s usually seen in Jersey between these 2 entities, and sometimes the dismissal and disapproval of the 2 existing within the same area. Our presentation of this idea in image type, showcases a tapestry, which contains parts of the LGBTQ community and incompatible spiritual aspects. Here pictures are seamed over and along, a number of couples in an exceedingly colour of the LGBTQ flag and a few of harmful spiritual quotations. Our film elevates this idea, through the story of a lesbian couple United Nations agency are torn between the spiritual aspects of their lives, and their desire to be along and faithful their identities, while still being accepted to follow their religion. Displaying scenes of serenity and violence, we tend to showcase the turmoil that’s occurring in their heads. The aim of this film isn’t to condemn either of those communities however to supply a route to acceptance, that permits for a harmonious existence between the 2 for Jesus teaches:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:25-33
This quote powerfully shows that individuals should not be worrying whether people should be together or not for if they seek God first, everything else they need or want will fall into place and God will show to them if it is right or not. Because in Christianity it’s not if they’re the same sex or not that may be an issue it’s:
are they dating for marriage? For the bible says in 1 Corinthians 7:9, “But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” This powerfully shows that the prime objective of dating is to marry. It’s smart really because if you do it with the wrong person before marriage, you become emotionally attached to them and it is harder to heal.
Are they equally yoked (share similar beliefs)? In the 2 Corinthians 6:14 it says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” This suggests that a healthy relationship will have individuals with similar beliefs because otherwise they will clash.
and obviously, Matthew 6:33 says that couples should keep God first.
Additionally, Ruth 2 teaches us that if the person you are meant to be isn’t going to help you and support you physically, emotionally and faith, then it is probably not worth getting in to as you might get heartbroken.
We area all inclined to believe that our project, that is joined to the Metaverse, might exist within the close to future, due to the undeniable fact that it’s made public a potential utopia. this means that for this idyllic and peaceful on-line world to exist, bridges should be designed between divided communities, like this one, facultative a secure on-line area.
Whilst shooting our film we tend to took the chance to require stills of varied scenes, giving additional images that tell our story of the crossover between the spiritual and LGTQ communities, also as our studio pictures. These images embrace scenes like the couple within the church active Christianity while additionally feeling as if they need to repress a part of their identity. Aa well as this, there are still pictures of the dream sequence in our film that showcase the couple running through the sphere during a idealistic world for them, during which they’re free from restraints. Here Olivia actually has tried to edit in Lightroom and sorted through that images she assumed were best within the sense that they best sent our message and were clear and focussed. when this I went on to rate every of those best choice of pictures, rating them out of 5 stars. Once that was done, I proceeded to edit the still images for which I had rated four or five stars.
Editing and Developing
This still image shows one of the women working on her faith, reading the Bible, presenting another essential part of her identity. This establishes a personal relationship with the Christian religion for the character. To edit this image, I started by reducing the exposure a bit and increasing the discriminant, creating a lot of dramatic background that could later show the light match of the dream sequence. . I then adjusted the shadows, highlights, whites and blacks inside the image, increasing the highlights and whites, while reducing the shadows and blacks, further creating a larger difference. Finally, I improved the brightness and vibrancy of the image, increasing the earthy tones of this image.
This still image shows a scene where people of the same sex are separated for interest, but still looking at each other. However, in some cases, it brings happiness to the 2 communities who need to hide part of their identity to be accepted. Here, Olivia has even modified the image in the same way thanks to the previous scene, to preserve tonal consistency across the interval scenes in the church.
We tend to contradict this view that such communities should only exist in isolation, they can help each other while keeping the faith. Whether they should be together (as friends or more) is up to God for in Matthew 6:25-33 it says:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“
This quote successfully shows that you shouldn’t be worrying if you’re to be with this person or not but seek God first and let him handle everything.
This image could be a still image of 1 of our installation scenes for the dream sequence. it’s a large shot that stages a surreal and surreal scene, because of the castle and therefore the shiny inexperienced grass within the background. Here, this colour grading helps the film by transportation the vibration to life as hostile the marginally darker dark tones of the church. For the dream sequence, Olivia emended the still image reducing the exposure thanks to the big quantity of daylight already within the image. additionally, I conjointly exaggerated the distinction and adjusted the highlights, shadows, whites, blacks and saturation of the image.
This threshold image is taken from a dream scene that shows the 2 figures holding hands, demonstrating the liberty to remain faithful themselves during this idyllic world, that they worry during a spiritual setting.
I emended this image a similar because the previous dream sequence, to keep up consistency in tone and heat throughout the dream world setting, to make a stark distinction to the church scene.
Here, this still image additionally from the dream sequence shows another scene within which the couple have the liberty to think of how it would bee to be in a same sex relationship, as they’re once more seen holding hands on the brink of the Radio Castle ruins. . By having a scene during this castle structure with the sunset on the left within the background, it reinforces the concept that this is often a fantasy and sadly not their reality. I additionally emended this image with constant method for alternative stills within the dream sequence, this point solely slightly reducing the exposure and increasing the achromatic colour of the image. this is often as a result of a tiny low quantity of sunshine enters the frame once taken at sunset.
The final scene during this dream sequence shows the couple holding hands once more, feeling asleep with each side of their colours, walking through the colourful inexperienced landscape because the sun sets. This another time reinforces the thought of the thought idyllic world that the characters imagine. To edit this image Olivia followed constant method because the alternative dream sequence photos, though this point I reduced the brightness and vividness thanks to the big quantity of sunshine within the frame, ensuring that it’s not washed out.
Edited Still Images
These are the final emended versions of still pictures taken throughout the shooting of our film, every showing a special stage of the plot, most of that correspond to the storyboard of the first film, with the exception of the protest scenes and d riot, that we are going to take from actual recorded events to feature genuineness to our film. These pictures conjointly build it potential to reconstruct the filming, costumes and props of the stage. For scenes within the church setting, for instance, we tend to created certain that the figures were wearing white to symbolize purity through the eyes of Christianity. Additionally, for the unreal sequence, the characters are given additional relaxed and flamboyant costumes, to any increase their freedom of expression.
The idea behind this project is to create a narrative that highlights the two communities of religion and the LGBTQ+ community. With this we touched upon the issues of homophobia and hate, within certain religions, in this particular Christianity, towards the LGBTQ+ community and how often people are made to chose between the two. This was inspired by the tension that is often seen in Jersey between these two entities, and often the dismissal and disapproval of the two existing in the same space. Our presentation of this concept in image form, showcases a tapestry, which incorporates elements of the LGBTQ+ community and clashing religious aspects. Here photographs are stitched over and together, some of couples in a colour of the LGBTQ+ flag and some of harmful religious quotations. Our film elevates this idea, through the story of a lesbian couple who are torn between the religious aspects of their lives, and their longing to be together and true to their identities, whilst still being accepted to practice their faith. Displaying scenes of serenity and violence, we showcase the turmoil that is occurring in their heads. The aim of this film is not to condemn either of these communities but to offer a route to acceptance, that allows for a harmonious existence between the two. We believe that our project relates to the metaverse, that will exist in the near future, due to the fact that it has been described a potential utopia. This means that, in order for this peaceful, idyllic online world to exist, bridges must be built between divided communities, such as these, permitting a safe online space.
Jersey is special because there are different cultural communities which I find come together and unite through their differences, a mixture of old and young coming together. To be Jersey now is full of beaches and summer activities then in the winter it is very restricted with activities which is why in the future I feel that there will be more activities for the winter. We can all come together and create some fun activities for the whole community to enjoy together as a way to solidify a cohesive and positive island identity. There maybe barriers to a positive and inclusive Island identity such as bullying which is a big issue in Jersey as it is a very small Island so there is a lack of activity.
The ISLAND IDENTITY project has produced a website and a report that has identified distinctive qualities of island life in Jersey. We were tasked with producing a poster based on one of the following themes :
Constitution & Citizenship Communities International Economy Education & Sport Heritage, Culture & the Arts Environment
RESEARCH
‘Heritage is not confined to looking backwards in time but is an essential part of the present we live in and the future we build. It is the extraordinary range of landscape, monuments, experiences and stories that characterise Jersey, and it also encompasses our contemporary interactions with this inheritance and the meanings we ascribe to it. Heritage gives the Island its distinctive look and feel, attracts tourists, and can inspire both intercultural dialogue and a shared sense of place and belonging.Jersey is unusually rich in tangible heritage assets, some of which (such as the prehistoric site at La Cotte and Le Câtillon Bronze Age hoard) are of international significance. Fourteen thousand Islanders – one seventh of the population – are members of Jersey Heritage. However, the sector has suffered from chronic underfunding, a lack of dedicated Ministerial input, and the lack of a coherent Heritage Strategy for the Island, all of which the Board suggest be rectified as soon as possible.’
‘Jersey has a rich tradition of artistic endeavour, and an enviable intangible cultural heritage. This is not just historical; contemporary Islanders are producing high-quality work often inspired by the character of the distinctive place in which they live. From music to filmmaking, from painting to poetry, scores of Jersey citizens are now making careers and reputations at international level. The Board celebrated the fact that creative people and entrepreneurs clearly feel a sense of attachment and pride in the Island, and noted that some excellent organisations (such as ArtHouse Jersey) and events (such as the Festival of Words and the ‘Weekender’) are helping to put the Island on the global cultural map. However, given the extraordinary potential of art and culture to achieve almost all of the objectives associated with Identity – domestic and international – it felt that even more could be done in this sphere. The Board singled out the Battle of Flowers as an exemplum of the enormous power of cultural activity to express identity and provide an important social ritual. Its real value should be recognised by Government not as a tourist attraction as something which unites our communities in a creative, artistic endeavour. If le Carnaval de Granville can achieve UNESCO Intangible Heritage status, why not the Battle?’
WHAT MAKES JERSEY SPECIAL AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
I think that what makes Jersey special is the widespread diversity which can be seen throughout the island, and the strong sense of kinship and community which fuels everybody to interact with each other in a kind and friendly way. Additionally, as the island is so small, people tend to interrelate more closely with each other, both in their working environment and their social lives.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘JERSEY’, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE?
Being ‘Jersey’ means living in a close, tight-knit community full of various cultures and ethnic backgrounds, which will hopefully grow and flourish. In the future, I would like to see more representation of our diversity through different mediums, such as the arts.
WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TO SOLIDIFY A COHESIVE AND POSITIVE ISLAND IDENTITY?
In order to solidify a cohesive and positive island identity I think that Jersey should aim to be more welcoming to those who are different from ourselves (i.e different backgrounds and cultures). If we want to create a positive place for everyone to live then we as an island need to ensure that everyone, no matter where they may come from, feels comfortable, safe, and happy.
ARE THERE BARRIERS TO A POSITIVE AND INCLUSIVE ISLAND IDENTITY? (WHAT REQUIRES A GREATER FOCUS AND WHAT IS BEING MISSED?)
I think that there will always be barriers to a completely positive and inclusive island, as some people may not share the collective mindset that everyone is welcome. In order to combat this, we need to ensure that there are places people can go if they ever feel unsafe. In addition, school-age children should be offered a more in detail education about different cultures around the world, not just their own.
Using edited images from our photoshoot, Bethany created a single embroidery job that combines all of these photos. Here we are using images of different colours to create an image that represents the pride flag.
To try and do this, Bethany 1st sorted these photos into a variety of formats and orders, finding the arrangement worked the best. After choosing a composition, she proceeds to embroider in pictures which form her own patterns and styles on each picture, for example by crossing out negative words in the Bible passages shown and creating dotted lines on the word board and in the middle. . Additionally, Bethany also did this by harnessing colour-matched filaments to the colours in each image, enhancing the colours depicting the LGBTQ flag when some of the colours light up slightly as a result of writing the images onto more paper. thick. , allowing embroidery without tearing. In addition, she also uses black for paints in their original colour. She then sewed the images onto a piece of size A2 fabric, which served as the backdrop for the collage. besides for that, she also pasted some photos on the document, so that there is no need for tinkering on the image that the photos can overlay. With all the photos in place, Bethany ensured that all the items lay flat and then framed them in a very sturdy window holder, so that the item’s slightly worn edges were not visible, and then the image has a stable background.
This is our final image for our identity and community project, highlighting both religious and LGBTQ communities, combining them by presenting their differences and how they are still there to be able to get along with each other despite this.
During our short film edit, Tiago took screenshots at various stages to show our thought process behind how we pieced together scenes from our film. For our movie, we had a soundtrack that we thought would match the vibe of the movie. To do this, we searched for classical and cinematic music on websites with royalty-free sounds. In the end, we found a track that we thought would work the best called Sailing Away by Shane Ivers. When editing a movie, Tiago first puts the video clips in order, shows the plot, then cuts those clips and cuts them, to show the best part of the scene and cut to the beat. . In addition to the sound of the music, we have also included an excerpt from the bible verse “Love thy Neighbour”, which is related to the title of our film. This is placed at the end of the movie to end the message we want to convey; you should preach the gospel with love because telling others they are going to hell will decrease the chances of them ever seeking God.
Here we have chosen to alternate scenes of serenity and chaos to represent the binary opposition of faith and interpretation found in religion, especially Christianity. We obtained these riot footage through a search of royalty-free stock footage footage because we believe using an actual recorded event will have more impact on The message of prejudice and homophobia being expressed through our film. Plus, we think these clips in particular would work better, as they match the colour grading of the film, with the flames recreating the sunsets in dreamy sequences and the warm tones of the rows of church chairs.
To go with said passage of scripture, we have chosen the scene where the couple read and showed the Bible as the final shot as it not only represents the passage we are referring to, but also refers to the idea that a strong faith . able to withstand trials and hardships caused by those who show hostility to others. Here, Tiago added a diagonal blur to smoothly transition from the violence and chaos of the riots to the peaceful final scene.
Finally, I added a credits scene at the end of our movie, which showed our names, movie title, royalty free music, actor names, and our school name. This was converted to with a crossfade, as well as the end of the credits. It also attenuates the music to give the movie a gradual ending, using an ever-increasing sound effect.
As a class we were split into small groups of two and given one of these topics; Constitution & Citizenship, Communities, International, Economy, Education & Sport, Heritage + Culture & the Arts and Environment. As a pair me and Jess got the theme International.
We used the websites provided and did our own research about Jersey’s International Identity.
Our poster:
In relation to the new project Identity and Community, to focus on Jersey’s International identity you could photograph famous sites and views which outsiders see, people who do not live here, but photograph the sites with different POVs. For example what they look like when they are not in their prime, summery, beautiful states. Or you could try and find different POVs in the angles and locations shot at and try and create a new look for that certain landmark because people over seas only see what is presented to them in the best way and it is always the same standard Corbierre picture. However you could also focus on only what outsiders see and capture Jersey through their eyes.
