Researching Interactive Websites
0 Comments Published by David Kingsnorth on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 4:17 AM.
I managed to find some interesting websites on a danish site called coolwebsites.dk
Snow boarding and ski wear website
This website was simple and very easy to navigate. After an introduction that was made up of audio and video (option to skip intro) the website included a toolbar in the bottom left that enabled you to navigate the varies sections. The toolbar is shaped like a collection of post cards and has subtle animations when you roll the mouse over the different sections. Each page is then made up of a full screen skiing or snowboarding photograph with an icon at either the top, side or bottom of the screen. In order to view information about the equipment in the photograph you have to drag the icon down or across the screen to reveal the next page. It is a very smooth transition and is visually pleasing as well. I liked this site a lot because it is informative and the photography and artwork are good. It engages the user without compromising the simplicity and usability of the website.
Comcastic
This website actually loads in a new window when you enter it (still full screen) and you must allow pop-ups. The menu is two seperate images with a brief description and has a sort of 'television fuzz' animation when you roll the mouse over them. One section of the website is several short games that test your dexterity when using a mouse. The section section allows you to pick a puppet and after a short amount of time to load you have full control over the puppet using the mouse and the keyboard keys (around 30 different actions). There is a huge amount of different movements you can make when you use combinations of the key controls. It replicates a real-life puppet well. You can then record your little sequence with the option of audio input if you have a mic connected to your computer and email your puppet video to your friends directly from the page. I found this website extremely quick to load and required little explanation. the look of the website was very minimalistic and avoided crowding the screen. As well as looking proffesional I think this contributed to the usuability and simplicity of the website.
Snow boarding and ski wear website
This website was simple and very easy to navigate. After an introduction that was made up of audio and video (option to skip intro) the website included a toolbar in the bottom left that enabled you to navigate the varies sections. The toolbar is shaped like a collection of post cards and has subtle animations when you roll the mouse over the different sections. Each page is then made up of a full screen skiing or snowboarding photograph with an icon at either the top, side or bottom of the screen. In order to view information about the equipment in the photograph you have to drag the icon down or across the screen to reveal the next page. It is a very smooth transition and is visually pleasing as well. I liked this site a lot because it is informative and the photography and artwork are good. It engages the user without compromising the simplicity and usability of the website.
Comcastic
This website actually loads in a new window when you enter it (still full screen) and you must allow pop-ups. The menu is two seperate images with a brief description and has a sort of 'television fuzz' animation when you roll the mouse over them. One section of the website is several short games that test your dexterity when using a mouse. The section section allows you to pick a puppet and after a short amount of time to load you have full control over the puppet using the mouse and the keyboard keys (around 30 different actions). There is a huge amount of different movements you can make when you use combinations of the key controls. It replicates a real-life puppet well. You can then record your little sequence with the option of audio input if you have a mic connected to your computer and email your puppet video to your friends directly from the page. I found this website extremely quick to load and required little explanation. the look of the website was very minimalistic and avoided crowding the screen. As well as looking proffesional I think this contributed to the usuability and simplicity of the website.
Filming Our One Shot film
0 Comments Published by David Kingsnorth on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 9:31 AM.
Filming went quite well, Andria done pretty well with the camera and I think I pulled off the acting side ok considering how embarrasing I find it. We all had a good input on the lighting after a little disagreement. Heres our original takes from the filming. They're obviously unedited and a long way from finished but I thought I should post them so that we could see the difference after the edit.
Labels: Narrative - One Shot Film
I have included most of the content Ashley typed up from our group meetings. I think we have been extremely organised so far and we have finished filming now as well. Despite me being a terrible actor and finding acting in general quite embarrasing we have decided I fit the role so I'm going to give it a go. Leannes storyboards are quite detailed so it shouldn't be too difficult for me.
Ashley is providing a lot of the props, organising our notes and meetings and will have to play a 'behind the camera' role while we film as there is a character who is mostly not visible in the shot. I am sorting the location, booking out the equipment and I'll play the role of our character for the film. Andria will be thinking about the tecnical aspects and operating the camera when we shoot. Leanne has spent a lot of time on our initial idea and the storyboards. In addition to this Leanne is capturing the film and producing copies so that myself and Leanne can each have an edit and then re-edit as a group once we have decided what needs altering.
Ashley is providing a lot of the props, organising our notes and meetings and will have to play a 'behind the camera' role while we film as there is a character who is mostly not visible in the shot. I am sorting the location, booking out the equipment and I'll play the role of our character for the film. Andria will be thinking about the tecnical aspects and operating the camera when we shoot. Leanne has spent a lot of time on our initial idea and the storyboards. In addition to this Leanne is capturing the film and producing copies so that myself and Leanne can each have an edit and then re-edit as a group once we have decided what needs altering.
Labels: Narrative - One Shot Film
Communication
To ensure an efficient and fluid film process from start to finish, our group members will keep in regular contact, having regular face to face meetings, in addition we will text and email each other. The bonus with email is that we can attach various forms of our work with which the recipient can then read, comment and even adapt, and then return this to the author - furthering a team effort and involvement with our work. Lastly, posting on our blogs and regular updates will accumulatively mean the group are in regular contact with one and other.
Scheduling
To structure ourselves and to ensure maximum effectiveness of what we produce, we began the film making progress from the word ‘go’.
Initially we started off with an afternoon working on genre analysis; that is, looking at relevant examples of single shot films.
From this, we separated to brain storm ideas that could make up the main idea or theme of our piece.
This was then followed up the day after with a group meeting consisting of a couple of hours to present our various ‘sketches’ and discuss the pros, cons, and reality of the individual ideas. The benefits of this are that the ideas were still fresh in our mind and we could toy with them a little more, due to the contribution from all the group members.
From this, we then chose our final idea and assigned individual tasks, which split up the workload but also provided specific focus for each member of the group to work on.
--
From here on in, we will be meeting at seminar sessions, and more independent group meetings in our self directed study time: a final planning session is planned for Thursday 8th, to ensure everybody is afloat with the production of the piece and committing themselves fully to their group responsibilities. Furthermore, everything we do can be analysed from four different perspectives in these group sessions, meaning our work should be of a professional level and not lacking in any way.
Filming the actual piece is pencilled in for Monday 12th. We will have to spend time setting up the location, be that light, props, time of day and prepping any extras about their roles. The actual filming of the piece will take a few rehearsals and then no doubt a few takes to ensure the best is captured for the final edit. We will ensure plenty of time is available to get everything right and not have to rush ourselves.
The final edit will comprise of a full group’s involvement: to add titles, adjust colour levels, include and perfect the rhythm of sound with the visual footage. Importantly, we will take into consideration all the group members opinions, so to ensure that everybody is happy and confident with the piece. We may even do several drafts of an edit, meaning that each re-draft we are tightening up our piece, ultimately bettering it’s quality.
To ensure an efficient and fluid film process from start to finish, our group members will keep in regular contact, having regular face to face meetings, in addition we will text and email each other. The bonus with email is that we can attach various forms of our work with which the recipient can then read, comment and even adapt, and then return this to the author - furthering a team effort and involvement with our work. Lastly, posting on our blogs and regular updates will accumulatively mean the group are in regular contact with one and other.
Scheduling
To structure ourselves and to ensure maximum effectiveness of what we produce, we began the film making progress from the word ‘go’.
Initially we started off with an afternoon working on genre analysis; that is, looking at relevant examples of single shot films.
From this, we separated to brain storm ideas that could make up the main idea or theme of our piece.
This was then followed up the day after with a group meeting consisting of a couple of hours to present our various ‘sketches’ and discuss the pros, cons, and reality of the individual ideas. The benefits of this are that the ideas were still fresh in our mind and we could toy with them a little more, due to the contribution from all the group members.
From this, we then chose our final idea and assigned individual tasks, which split up the workload but also provided specific focus for each member of the group to work on.
--
From here on in, we will be meeting at seminar sessions, and more independent group meetings in our self directed study time: a final planning session is planned for Thursday 8th, to ensure everybody is afloat with the production of the piece and committing themselves fully to their group responsibilities. Furthermore, everything we do can be analysed from four different perspectives in these group sessions, meaning our work should be of a professional level and not lacking in any way.
Filming the actual piece is pencilled in for Monday 12th. We will have to spend time setting up the location, be that light, props, time of day and prepping any extras about their roles. The actual filming of the piece will take a few rehearsals and then no doubt a few takes to ensure the best is captured for the final edit. We will ensure plenty of time is available to get everything right and not have to rush ourselves.
The final edit will comprise of a full group’s involvement: to add titles, adjust colour levels, include and perfect the rhythm of sound with the visual footage. Importantly, we will take into consideration all the group members opinions, so to ensure that everybody is happy and confident with the piece. We may even do several drafts of an edit, meaning that each re-draft we are tightening up our piece, ultimately bettering it’s quality.
Labels: Narrative - One Shot Film
Synopsis – “One Shot”
An interesting short one minute piece focusing on one single male character. We follow the man in a heavily restless state as time slowly counts down. Anxiety and apprehension form the predominant tone of the piece. The male gets down on his knees masked underneath a pillowcase, producing shock and discomfort in the audience, especially when a rifle appears, targeting him. Reality hits: this man is a prisoner, seconds away from execution, and we have just experienced his last few moments of life.
Summary of Action
In short, One Shot is about a man due to be executed.
We are introduced to this man, kneeling and praying. He is in a plain, minimally furnished small room. A clock is ticking. Revealing an agitated disposition, the man gets up and continually taps his fingers on a table. He bites his nails. His eyes twitch and in general, he appears nervous. Unexpectedly, he then gets off the chair, moves a short distance and falls to his knees. Oddly, he then places a pillowcase/balaclava over his head. A gun appears, pointing at the main character. After a short, high anxious pause with the man looking towards his killer and then bowing his head, the screen goes black.
Reasoning
The execution idea is something quite striking or shocking and so means our piece wouldn’t just be a run of the mill student film. It is more challenging as well, being quite a contentious issue. However, without directly telling the audience the nature of the man, there is no reason as to why he couldn’t be presumed a hostage, subjected to the mercy of terrorists, or a prisoner on death row. (Mise en scene would have to leave hints of his true nature.)
The way we open the scene with the man praying would maybe subject the viewer to think that this is a religious man, synonymous with being moral and decent. The ticking clock would draw our attention to time passing, perhaps counting down; exactly what the main character is having to experience. Tapping his fingers and a restless state should raise questions in the viewer’s mind, making them wonder why the man is nervous and what has happened? The act of getting to his knees and placing a balaclava on his head would cause confusion, again questioning the character we have been introduced to. When the gun appears pointing in very close proximity to our character, we realise what is happening and his anxiety becomes understandable: he is about to be executed. This juxtaposed against the prayers we first witness the man carrying out creates quite a strong contrast; it is something of a shock. The man who at first could have been presumed religious; moral, decent, is about to be slaughtered.
Drama could also be perceived in the way the scene opened with the man on his knees praying, and now will end with the man on his knees head bowed again, but for a very different reason: death. Questions would be asked as to what has he done? In general, the audience would question the type of man they’ve been watching and maybe change their opinions of the character, more sympathetic perhaps. When the gun is produced, it surely proves there is no way out for this man. He is alone and he is vulnerable.
An interesting short one minute piece focusing on one single male character. We follow the man in a heavily restless state as time slowly counts down. Anxiety and apprehension form the predominant tone of the piece. The male gets down on his knees masked underneath a pillowcase, producing shock and discomfort in the audience, especially when a rifle appears, targeting him. Reality hits: this man is a prisoner, seconds away from execution, and we have just experienced his last few moments of life.
Summary of Action
In short, One Shot is about a man due to be executed.
We are introduced to this man, kneeling and praying. He is in a plain, minimally furnished small room. A clock is ticking. Revealing an agitated disposition, the man gets up and continually taps his fingers on a table. He bites his nails. His eyes twitch and in general, he appears nervous. Unexpectedly, he then gets off the chair, moves a short distance and falls to his knees. Oddly, he then places a pillowcase/balaclava over his head. A gun appears, pointing at the main character. After a short, high anxious pause with the man looking towards his killer and then bowing his head, the screen goes black.
Reasoning
The execution idea is something quite striking or shocking and so means our piece wouldn’t just be a run of the mill student film. It is more challenging as well, being quite a contentious issue. However, without directly telling the audience the nature of the man, there is no reason as to why he couldn’t be presumed a hostage, subjected to the mercy of terrorists, or a prisoner on death row. (Mise en scene would have to leave hints of his true nature.)
The way we open the scene with the man praying would maybe subject the viewer to think that this is a religious man, synonymous with being moral and decent. The ticking clock would draw our attention to time passing, perhaps counting down; exactly what the main character is having to experience. Tapping his fingers and a restless state should raise questions in the viewer’s mind, making them wonder why the man is nervous and what has happened? The act of getting to his knees and placing a balaclava on his head would cause confusion, again questioning the character we have been introduced to. When the gun appears pointing in very close proximity to our character, we realise what is happening and his anxiety becomes understandable: he is about to be executed. This juxtaposed against the prayers we first witness the man carrying out creates quite a strong contrast; it is something of a shock. The man who at first could have been presumed religious; moral, decent, is about to be slaughtered.
Drama could also be perceived in the way the scene opened with the man on his knees praying, and now will end with the man on his knees head bowed again, but for a very different reason: death. Questions would be asked as to what has he done? In general, the audience would question the type of man they’ve been watching and maybe change their opinions of the character, more sympathetic perhaps. When the gun is produced, it surely proves there is no way out for this man. He is alone and he is vulnerable.
Labels: Narrative - One Shot Film
My Pixilation Video
0 Comments Published by David Kingsnorth on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 at 8:24 AM.
This has taken me an age to get this on here. For some reason the file was massive and any file format other than avi was terrible quality. Hopefully this works ok, I've never uploaded to youtube before
Labels: Narrative - Pixilation
Chapter Synopsis Task
0 Comments Published by David Kingsnorth on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 5:47 AM.
Basics of Video Production, Des Lyver & Graham Swainson.
The Camera Team
This chapter details what is required of the camera team during filming. The chapter focuses primarily on television broadcasting and talks about the subtle skills required by each camera operator. It also mentions the roles of camera supervisors within larger organisations and the need for one camera operator to be responsible for designing the lighting, especially on location shots. The chapter details the basic camera movements, such as panning, tilting, tracking craning and arcing and demonstrates these movements with some basic drawings. The chapter summarises by specifying the requirements of a good camera operator. "good well framed focused, well framed images for the maximum time possible."
The Camera Team
This chapter details what is required of the camera team during filming. The chapter focuses primarily on television broadcasting and talks about the subtle skills required by each camera operator. It also mentions the roles of camera supervisors within larger organisations and the need for one camera operator to be responsible for designing the lighting, especially on location shots. The chapter details the basic camera movements, such as panning, tilting, tracking craning and arcing and demonstrates these movements with some basic drawings. The chapter summarises by specifying the requirements of a good camera operator. "good well framed focused, well framed images for the maximum time possible."
Labels: Tutourial Tasks
My Editing Process
0 Comments Published by David Kingsnorth on Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 11:33 AM.
After a lot of messing around and experimenting I have finished my final edit. I found that I had to do things the hard way on occasions because I'm not familiar with the software. I have basically imported my photos with the adjustments and filters I wanted and duplicated some frames to create a pause in the places where the character disappears. I did consider not using any filters as I think they usually damage the quality and the detail of the images but eventually I found one I liked and I thought it would be best to demonstrate that I had spent some time experimenting with photoshop. I took a small section of audio from an unnamed track I found on a promotional cd and sped it up very slightly to fit the tempo of my video. I tried to make the rhythm of the music fit the movement of the character and I think it worked quite well.
I also faded my music in at the beginning and out at the end using a sort of volume map in audio effects. I stuck with a basic title that overlaps very slightly into the opening frames of my video as I thought the templates and moving titles looked pretty tacky and powerpoint like.
I've exported my finished video and converted it from avi to mp4 and mpg. the avi file was too large to upload to youtube but the other two file formats have made my the quality of my video quite poor. I'm having some problems uploading my video to youtube now, even though i have reduced it to about 9mb and Andy wasn't here for the surgery today. I'm going to have another go uploading it tomorrow so it should be on my blog by the end of the week.
Labels: Narrative - Pixilation
Apparently you can't run your images from a disc or the from the network in to prem very easily. I put all my files onto the bigger internal drive and now its running fine.
Labels: Narrative - Pixilation