Author: yedc1g15

Trataka is an ancient relaxation technique which focuses the mind and eyes on an object. It is traditionally practiced with a candle in front of the person in which they stare at using their central gaze. Although there has been little scientific research into this practice, the benefits are heard from practitioners who have been involved in the practice for years. Some of these benefits include: improving concentration and memory, helping with insomnia, calming anxiety, and making the eyes stronger.

I thought this technique supported my idea of creating a video which allowed the audience to gaze into a virtual fire and get lost in it. The background music will hopefully add to the peaceful vibe. My video could even be used as a form of meditation.

This video contains a compilation of footage of the wildfires which combusted over the state of California, USA in December 2017. These were devastating natural events but I cannot help but find these fires extremely mesmerising to watch.

This relaxing/calm response to fire is quite common among humans, and is thought to be evolutionary. Cavemen would have associated the flickering light, sounds, smells and warmth of campfires with relaxation, gathering and friendship. Therefore, even though many people nowadays aren’t as experienced with fire as those in the stone-age, we still share the same associations with it. Our blood pressure actually drops when staring at a flame, causing this relaxed state.

I aim to create a video which is influenced by my chosen sound, to capture the transfixation we experience when watching any form of fire, from the size of a small flame, to a huge wildfire. I want the audience to get lost and captivated with the combination of the sound and visuals in my video.

Ed Sheeran’s original song ‘I See Fire’ has been remixed by musician, DJ, and songwriter Kygo. Its fast paced and folky tones, using wind instruments, remind me of a fairytale/mystical tune. Kygo also adds a background beat which creates a more contemporary and modern tone;  quite a common trait when creating remixes. I would like to explore the echoey effect used in this version as I think it helps create a mesmerising, calm, and trance-like state for the audience, which is what I would like to portray in my video.