REFLECTIONS ON MY SHADOW

by John WOODMAN
1980 / Super 8mm / color / silent / 1S / 30' 00

This film about light was shot using a hand held Super 8 camera. Using the camera fade in/out mechanism it explores the appearance and disappearance of my shadow within the landscape, mirroring the 'fade in/out' processes of light within nature. A visual interaction and 'shadow play' was opened up between filmmaker, camera and nature.

The camera fade in mechanism was used to fade into a scene/location at a time when the sun was hidden behind the clouds, in anticipation of seeing my shadow cast when the sun reappeared. When my shadow appeared the camera was held in a fixed position for the duration in which the sun shone directly. After my shadow had disappeared the camera 'fade out' mechanism was used to return to darkness. This was repeated in different situations and locations. The duration of each take was therefore determined by the time in which my shadow remained fully visible in frame.

A series of locations and scenarios were selected to include different textures, surfaces and other natural phenomena. This enabled me to experiment with different 'visual qualities of shadow' and 'degrees of fade'- for example, the visual phenomena experienced when my shadow was cast onto my reflected image on water and mirror surface. This also raises a representational question as to whether these merged images on water are a 'reflection on my shadow' or 'shadow on my reflection'?

The film starts with the interior space of my room and is then filmed in different exterior locations on Wimbledon Common and the Isle of Wight. The film then ends with an interior section, filmed back in my room, of the surface of my mirror with my shadow appearing and disappearing on my reflection.

Chance and unpredictability played an intrinsic part in making this film and set an interesting challenge as it was all shot in camera without external editing. On occasions my shadow did not appear or at least not at the exact time of the camera 'fade in', which resulted in a period of waiting in anticipation. At other times my shadow did not disappear completely but became almost indiscernible visually, before 'fading out' with the camera.

2 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format Digital file on server (FHD)
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 25 fps
sound silent
rental fee 116,00 €

distribution format DCP on USB stick (INTEROP 2K)
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound silent
rental fee 116,00 €