Each bite will trigger an action with the video. The first bite will turn it on, the second off (the third on, fourth off, etc.) The video will progress along in this way (each clip in slo-mo). Each drink will trigger a different action: the video will play for the duration of the drink (from lifting to placing the glass back down). This video will play in normal time (or maybe sped up). There are 5 times that each performer takes in a drink during the whole performance. The first raises the feedback from the contact mics to 20%, the second to 40% until, at the very end, the feedback is at a howling 100% right before everything gets cut off.
I've thought a lot about the end of this piece, and I'm a little indecisive about it. If you're reading this and you care to comment, you should tell me what you think. The most obvious ending is the orgasm. This seems like it might undercut the experience, however. Imagine, if you will, the sonic atmosphere at the end. The whole piece has been saturated with munching and chewing sounds, but once the feedback is at 100%, it will just be a mess of noise. Here are some other endings I've been throwing around in my head:
- everything goes black (including screen) before orgasm
- I found a clip where the action is really intense and then the man pulls out (which could imply orgasm without all the visual mess)
- the performers get up and walk offstage leaving the sound to fade out on its own with a black screen
I think that ending with an onscreen orgasm is way too obvious and shock value-ish. I mean, you've already grossed people out and/or made them laugh, so any kind of orgasm ending (onscreen or just implied) seems kind of perfunctory. That said, a fadeout would be totally lame, too.
ReplyDeleteI think, that at the "climax", everything should go black except for the screen, upon which you project a picture of meatloaf. Or, better yet, a picture of Meat Loaf.
orgasm is no obvious ending.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lawton here. but I think that this picture of meatloaf is even better: http://www.rockymusic.org/img/rhpsphotoscolor/RHPS-CRH56-EddieHotPatootieL.jpg
ReplyDeleteBut seriously... I think that going to black right before the orgasm would be best. And I like the idea of having something else projected onto the screen... like maybe you can have some shot of Chris and Elyse sitting down still or from some other angle... or... sommmmething.
And who doesn't think of Meatloaf (the singer) and the lyrics to "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" when the word Meatloaf is uttered? Maybe a strange associative ending to hear the words everyone is trying to remember as they ponder Meatloaf. But this would be no surprise. What would be the most surprising ending to this piece?
ReplyDeleteI had to get in on any discussion about Meat Loaf and "Paradise..."
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are being incredibly mindful of every detail of the piece. I am curious if the people on stage will come across as mechanical as your directions make them out to be (eat x amount of times during this time frame).
How will you make your final decision for the ending? Trial and error seems like an easy way to figure things out when you have the option of editing, deleting and re-editing. But I like your informal blog poll. Next up: doodle survey?