ABC's but not as we know it....link to website

Once started an ABC photography project, to get all the letters of the alphabet without using typography.


Got some of them, but these are much better!

http://www.davidairey.com/alphabet-photo-art-gallery/


Found another one

http://designarchives.aiga.org/?s1=2|s2=1|eid=3220

Brief Reflective Summary: Self Portrait - Nov 2007

Finally, its handed in and completed!! This 30 second animation self portrait has really pushed the comfort zone around.

The hardest part of this brief was the topic, focussing on myself. I didnt want to keep to the superfical but then found it difficult to communicate the "sum of my experiences, both good and bad" concept.

The two parts I would change would be the text mask and the conflict scene. Instead of using one font I would use several which related to the words and I wouldnt have used the space invaders idea for the conflict. Instead I would have had more stills of myself pushing, punching, hugging etc.

I did like the clean look of the animation and I believed the audio matched. I used my time wisely and was able to meet the original deadline.

For best practice I would now look at the story boards and final sketchbook while in development with an eye for the final presentation.

I didnt find any of the software hard to learn (FCP) and was able to use Photoshop to do everything I wanted to.

This weeks reflections - w/e 16 Nov

The majority of this week has been spent working on the design brief - Self Portrait. We were given an additional week to complete the brief and this has allowed me to spend more time on the presentation material. The A3 board for the storyboards, screen captures and the "highlights" sketchbook.

I am not convinced I have a strong idea or that it has been developed to its full potential but I am not sure how to push it further. The tutors seem happy with what has been produced so far. I am feeling better about the course and what I am producing than I did last week. This I feel will all change on Wednesday at the crit.

I have also been searching for material for the Contextual Studies brief. Something I will have to concentrate on this coming week. One thing I have learnt so far in the 8 weeks of this course is there is no such thing as down time. There is always something to be getting on with and that includes the "extra curricular" work which we are always suppose to be completing. If you don't it will bite you in the butt later on when you run out of time.

I am looking forward to seeing what the next brief will be about.

The Big Yellow "Tide" TV advertisement - stop motion animation

Saw this on TV and recognised it!!

This is the TV advertisement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx0UNWYlidg

and this is the making of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxqMRnIrN8E

Film Review - Spirited Away

After following her parents into the spirit world where witches are in control and rule with a gem ringed hand, Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) has to find it within herself to become more independent, more assured, more respectful and resist the evil Yubaba (Mari Natsuki). Forced to work in a bath house to remain human and save her parents, Chihiro is befriended by Haku (Jason Marsden) and together they embark on this wonderful and inspiring journey.

It works on a multitude of levels; a social commentary on Japan (both the youth of Japan and the ecological impact development has had - The Last Samurai was filmed in New Zealand), a homage to ancient Japanese mythology and a moral film for both children and adults. But most importantly, it is a simple story brilliantly told by a great filmmaker. Hayao Miyazaki (director and screenwritter) has taken the time to develop the characters to the point where you forget they are animated. Hayao’s style of animation doesn’t feel like it was created on a computer, there is the feeling that this is personal and this allows you to geniunely have affection for the characters and the situations they find themselves in.

The soundtrack for this film matches perfectly and the actors/actresses have done a wonderful job in bringing the characters alive on the screen.

Spirited Away was the first Studio Ghibli movie I had seen and been a Studio Ghibli fan ever since, Spirited Away is now one of my all time favourite movies. I keep coming back to its simple yet effective storyline, wonderful animation and beautiful and visually inspiring artwork. For 125 brilliant minutes I am transported to another world, a spirit world. Fantastic!

This weeks reflections - w/e 4 Nov 2007

This has been a somewhat frustrating week. Monday was particularly frustrating and I ended the day with more work and an overwhelming sense of sinking.

I don't feel that I have made any ground with my self portrait piece, still not sure if the concept is a strong one, although I have almost finalised the artwork and will be starting to put the artwork into FCP because I am so very aware of the looming deadline. The text over the face concept has worked well and only hope it works in FCP. I have had some thoughts on the audio which I think will work better with the storyline. It will be a combination of music samples and audio I have collected from friends and family. After watching tonights fireworks I have thought of another idea for the battle scene - just think 24!

I contacted EY earlier in the week to see if I could pick up some work, particularly the Beyno magazine. Unfortunately I was too late and have asked that I be considered for the April issue. I have also asked that they keep me in mind for any other design work.

Having finished Alex's task on Elements and principles I feel I have a better understanding of these concepts, it just seems to take me forever to get anything done. Out of all parts of this course I feel Contextual Studies is my weakest. I handed in my work on Wednesday, we shall see I guess.