Just posted my film, Wood Nymph, on You Tube for your viewing pleasure
Wood Nymph was conceived and directed by artist Teresa Brazen as part of an ongoing body of work, The Daydream Series. Each tone poem in this series explores human behavior and emotion within the framework of a single moment or situation.
The intention of this specific piece is to explore social contexts in which human beings are made to feel shameful about very natural tendencies toward desire. The woman represents society, norms, and rules about “appropriate” behavior. She lures the viewer to her, and then gives them a figurative slap on the hand for looking. The viewer’s desire, in turn, is never fully satiated; they unable to gaze fully upon the woman’s nude body, nor establish a personal connection through eye contact. Wood Nymph also toys with the perception of power, hinting both that woman’s power may often be underestimated, and that the concept of power may be an illusion all together.
Produced in 2009, this project was created in an unusual way: all nine crew members donated their time, equipment, and expertise via an entirely community-driven film cooperative, Scary Cow. As a result, no monies were spent on production. Video was shot with two Sony EX-1 cameras using Letus Extreme 35 mm adapters to give a more film-like aesthetic. The footage was edited in Final Cut Pro and After Effects. Sound Editor Brandon Hopp created the original music score and most of the sound in his home recording studio.
(An interesting aside about the production: During the shoot, a hive of bees was disrupted, and the entire crew scattered as bees flew everywhere, stinging most of the team. Lead actress, Jenni Bregman, was stung on the face, and that bee is visible on her cheek when the footage is slowed.)
* Photo by Martin Klimek
