Paperwork to get Surveillance Installation Signed Off - Maps and Networks

As well as my finalised Learning Agreement which I already posted about previously I needed some other paperwork in order to get my Surveillance Installation Signed off so I know that this is what I am defiantly doing...

Synopsis (already on my Learning Agreement as well) -

I have chosen the theme of Surveillance to link into the overall brief of Networks. I want to focus on the idea that Surveillance is thought of as a Network of cameras and technology and has lost the voyeuristic meaning that people are actively watching you in society. To show this I want to create an installation with a live feed camera wired up to a TV or monitor. The camera will be directly opposite the TV so that it creates a looped live image between camera and TV. This means the viewer will stand in the middle and see themselves from all angles and multiples of themselves yet will never be able to see there face as the camera is behind. Because they are looking at their own bodies as if it were cctv this adds a human face to this idea of surveillance. The fact that it is themselves looking upon their own person adds to the meaning more in the sense that it could be anyone watching you in any state and it makes you vulnerable. I will then add more of an atmosphere to this piece through a soundscape made using either the cameras microphone or a separate one on the piece itself that picks up the sound of the viewer and loops it to the TV so it builds and builds to replicate the ways the camera and TV are sending your image around. If this proves too difficult or the sound is too harsh I will make a sound scape that uses general ambient noise and camera sounds looped and looped to build up instead. Hopefully this will all put the viewer in a more vulnerable state and therefore make them aware of the implications that cctv can have on us.

Treatment -

A 

Proposal and Treatment 

For 

‘Surveillance Installation’ 

(Officially Unnamed Currently) 

By: 

Billie Williams 

25/10/2016

Programme title: (Untitled Currently) Surveillance Installation

Location: UCA Farnham Front Entrance (Gallery)

Genre: Experimental Surveillance Installation

Production Staff: Billie Williams (Sugini Nagaswaren to help install)

Production Date: Mock up for Assessment- 15th and 16th December 2016
Official Installation week- 9th to 13th January 2017

Outline Production:
My piece is an Installation based on the idea of Surveillance. It is all about how we as a new young society think of Surveillance as a network of cameras and not how we are actually being watched and monitored. I am creating a live feed between a camera and a monitor facing one another which will create a looped image effect. The space between is where the viewer is meant to stand and interact with the piece. It brings back the vouyeristic meaning to Surveillance and cctv because they are watching themselves. I also like the frustration and vulnerability it will cause because they will never be able to see their face on the screen only the back of themselves and they wont know if it is actually being recorded. I will also have the sound up on the monitor and camera so that the sounds the viewer creates also loop back and forward making it more surreal but mimicking the point I want to make.

Target Audience:
It is aimed more at the younger generation who can also be referred to as the digitalised generation which is why I think it will work so well at the front of the university where young people walk everyday. It will also be effective on any viewer willing to participate yet will only add to the fear of cctv that this older generation may already have.

Elements:
Live Feed Camera - I want to use the Canon Legia as I know how to work this and I also know I can get a live feed off of it. It is small enough to fit into the piece as well without causing a eye saw or an obstruction.
HDMI cable - I need to get an extended much longer HDMI cable which will run carefully along the floor from the camera to the monitor to create the live feed. I will secure this down with cable covers and tape.
Monitor - I need a monitor which will display the live feed upon it. I am thinking of using my old TV to do this as I know it works and the remote allows me more control over it when setting up. However I might consider a bigger monitor if I am able to get one from equipment hire as a bigger image display would be more effective.
White Plinths - I need two plain white plinths that blend well into the gallery space which I will be able to place my camera and monitor on top of. They will need to be at the appropriate height to capture people standing in the middle of the two.

Audio Elements:
Looped sound - I will create the sound for my piece by having the camera microphone on and the TV sound up so that you can hear the static between the two to create an atmosphere. It will then echo the sound of the viewer around the space back and forward between the two. However I may have to use a soundscape instead if the curator thinks this noise will be too much.

Constraints and Contingency: 

I will need to check that all the equipment I need will be available for the period of the exhibition. Otherwise I will have to source it from elsewhere. I also need to make sure I have power sources for my camera and TV to plug into while installed so that they wont run out of battery. If not I would have to find battery powered items and charge them overnight. I am also conserved my piece wont look sleek enough to be presented in the gallery space so I need to make it as presentable as possible. I also need to make sure the Curator allows me enough appropriate space for my piece to work properly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storyboard (mine is a diagram as Im not making a film) -

Schedule (again on Learning Agreement as well) -

-I plan to get all my research and a full proof plan sorted by mid November.
-I will then spend the rest of November sourcing all the materials and the rest of the skills needed for the piece.
-December will then be spent on assembling and practising my installation so all the issues are worked out ready for my assessment on the 15th of December.
-I will then spend the installation week in January setting up my piece in the actual installation space.

Budget -

I possibly won't need any budget at all as I am planning to get basically all my equipment on loan from the University for free. The only item I may need to purchase is a long HDMI cable...

2Metre HDMI Cable for Canon Legia - £3.99 x2 (one isn't long enough) = £7.98 + shipping

Overall budget to allow for more expensive purchase = £15

Risk Assessment - 

This is all the paperwork I believe I need at this current stage to get my proposed project signed off. I will obviously continue to develop the idea as well but I am happy with what I have so far and what I have proposed.