terms to know for project 1

close-up: tightly frames a person or an object
medium shot: a camera shot from a medium distance
scene: a part of action in a single location in a TV or movie, composed of a series of shots
sequence: a series of scenes which form a distinct narrative unit, usually connected by unity of location or unity of time
long shot: typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to placeit in some relation to its surroundings
graphic: visual presentation on some surface,such as wall, canvas,computer screen, etc.
spatial (space): the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
rhythmic: the variation of the length and accentuation of a series of sounds or other events
transitions: when scenes or shots are juxtaposed
fade: the process of causing a picture to gradually darken and disappear, or reverse
dissolve: a gradual transition from one image to another
wipe: One image is replaced by another with a distinct edge that forms a shape
duration: amount of time or particular length of time
plot duration: elapsed time of events within a story
story duration: amount of time that the implied story takes to occur
tempo of the piece: the speed or pace of a given piece
intensity: exceptionally great concentration, power, or force and feeling the piece gives to audience
scope: extent or range of view, outlook, application, operation, effectiveness, etc.
setting: the surrounding or environment of anything
chronology: the sequential order in which past events occur

Ch. 13 Aspects and Elements of Time

This chapter basically helps us to figure out the best way to compose a story board. It is important to include frame, shot, scene, and sequence before you start.

FRAME: a single static image.

SHOT: a continuous group of frames

When composing a timeline all the sketches and images should make sense, and compliment each other when combined. Consider action-to-action, subject-to-subject, etc. Keep in mind what you want to get across to your viewers and how intense or soft the messege is portrayed through the images. Consider the setting and subjects. All of this makes up a great storyboard and then a great piece.

Dear Haiti

Check this video out. My boyfriend showed it to me. It could be the answer to some of the problems in Haiti. It doesn't have much to do with TBM, but maybe you could show more people, and eventually this idea can become reality in helping millions who have lost homes.

Ummm...

HI OLGA!!!

First Project: Stop Motion Animation

So today I came up with a few ideas for the first project. I tend to come up with morals to go along with my work before I come up with an actual idea or execution to the project. So here they are, let me know what you think or how I can make it better. Try to imagine the concept visually, because I only have text for you to refer to for now.

1. Technology relies on us just as much as we rely on technology.
   

• A girl is on the computer the whole day (camera view from behind her, looking over her shoulder at computer. clock changes as time goes by). Girl gets off of computer and goes to bed, closing the computer (not turning it off). After a couple of minutes, computer opens slightly turning its light back on. Computer tries to wake up the girl so she can "play" again. The computer nudges and cuddles up to the girl. Finally, girl wakes up and places computer back on desk. This goes back and forth till the girl locks the computer to the desk. Computer is sad. Girl is tossing and turning and cant sleep knowing the computer is sad. Girl gets up and kisses computer goodnight. Lights out (blank black screen). Goes to credits. END

2. Sometimes thinking too hard into something gets you nowhere; its better to let it (the paint) do its thing.

• A girl is painting a mural, but seems stressed and unfocused. It gets late and she starts to give up and leaves the room (the camera is then left to be focused on the mural). All of a sudden, paint chips start to come off of the mural and collect together on the floor. The girl walks in surprised to find that the paint chips seem to have a life of their own. The chips approach the girl, the girl is hesitant at first but then welcoming. The chips make their way up the body of the girl, and then to her hand, engulfing it. The girl is somewhat lead over to the mural by the paint chips on her hand. The paint chips then start to guide her hand to make a master piece (camera angle shifts to girl standing back then smiling). Blank black screen then credits. END
  

Ch. 5 Cultivating Creativity Summary

• In order to come up with a new idea, one should reflect on theirs and others old ones or even combine a few of all of them.


• Design consists of creative parts. Only when the parts integrate well, will one have a successful design.


• Seven characteristics in Creative Thinking:

1. Receptivity: creative people are open to new ideas and experiences. They embrace multiple solutions to a problem.
2. Curiosity: Researching unfamiliar topics and analyzing unusual systems is a source of fulfillment. Ask questions like, "how does this work?", or " how can it work better?"
3. Wide range of interests: with a broad knowledge base, a creative person can make innumerable connections. Such as a spider web of ideas.
4. Attentiveness: Pay attention to seemingly minor details because those small experiences can result in great ideas.
5. Seeking connections: Seeing similarity among seemingly different parts has often sparked a creative breakthrough.
6. Conviction: Remember the past and use it to your advantage. Take old ideas and make them new.
7. Complexity: Combine rational ( take notes, memorize, etc) and intuitive ( exploration, etc) and one can create a master piece.

• Goal setting: having a goal in mind helps a persons idea be effectively realized. If you focus at a task at hand anything can happen.
• Be aware of time management. Some people dont work well under pressure, so allow yourself enough time to get your work done well.

What stuck out most to me in this chapter was time management. I procrastinate to the extreme, but end up doing really well in the end. However, I find myself stressed out and having lack of sleep. I also liked The part in the chapter where is talked about bouncing ideas off of others. Sometimes others ideas can inspire your greatest ones.

Do any of you have other tips, besides the ones from the book, on time management?

Check these out!

If you want to check out other videos that I saw in class on Monday, go to youtube.com and look at "Street of Crocodiles" by Brothers Quay, and "The Reflecting Pool" by Bill Vida. Another group of very well done artworks.

Michael Gondry

The Hardest Button to Button



What a fun video to watch and sing along to. Gondry uses pixilation animation to make it look as if the band members from white stripes reappear with a new drum or guitar when a new note is hit. Very crafty, very clever!

Fell In Love With A Girl



This video is another one directed by Gondry for the band, The White Stripes. Another clever piece done with Lego animation. I really enjoyed this video as well. Its the perfect example of thinking out side of the box. Definetly challenges the norm when it comes to music videos. A+

William Kentridge

Automatic Writing



Beautiful, simply beautiful work!!! I was blown away when I saw this video. And it wasn't my first time watching it either. Just the thought of how much time and patience William Kentridge put into this video makes me worship the ground he walks on. The drawings aren't even crisp and clean cut either, they are full of loose lines, and old marks from previous sketches. Its hard to tell you what this piece is about, because I truly believe that in this video, the meaning is different to all.

Jan Svankmejer

Meat Love


I like this video because Svankmajer takes two inanimate objects, in this case two slices of meat, and give them characteristics and movement that give them a sense of being and life. Its short cute and fun. I also like how he slyly symbolizes sex by having the meat roll around in flour, and then it is interrupted by them being cook. Its a perfect romantic tragedy!

Passionate Dialogue


I have mixed feelings about this video. I like it at firs because although they are clay figures of a man and a women, and the natural characteristic of clay is to be molded, you forget that these figures aren't actual people. And it seems lovely how they start to intertwine and mix into each other in a lovely romantic way. However, when there is a piece of each of them left over on the table after they split apart again, neither one of them want it. Thus resulting in physical neglect and abuse, and the two figures literally rip each other apart. Classic break up scene. I didnt care for this video because it left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it hit too close to home. Although I appreciate his creativity, Scankmejer's other works appeal to me more!

Out of all the videos by Jan Svankmejer that we saw in class, These two were my favorites. But if you like his work, check out "Darkness Light Darkness"

today 1/11/10

Took a look at classmates blogs today. Not much there yet, since class just started, but got a brief 411 on them. Introduced first project: Stop Motion Animation. This type of "filming" started before actual movies were made to first introduce movement to this field.

Zeotropes:a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures.

Flip Book: a book w/series of pictures that vary gradually from one page to the next, so that when the pages are turned rapidly, the pictures appear to animate by simulating motion.

Artists such as George Melies, Jan Svankmajer, William Kentridge, and Michel Gondry make use of stop motion animation in their personal work.

Watched and discussed videos from Svankmajer, Gondry, Bill Viola and Kentridge.

About ME

Not much to say. I love art and anything to do with it. Even if Im not that talented at a certain field in art, I cant help but want to improve. I just got a hedgehog for Christmas. His name is Koopa and he is a month old. Big time cutie! My favorite color is green. I love just about any type of food. I love sports, friends, music, the usual. I swear Im more interesting in person. Im looking forward to this semester because I have to submit my portfolio for my major. Its going to be sweet! Im sure you'll learn more about me through my future blogs. Enjoy!

First Day of Class on the 3rd Day of the Week

Met classmates. Found out 1/2 of the population of UF art students are probably focused on graphic design. Glad Im a print making major. Felt a bit intimidated since I don't have much experience in time based media. Got happy because my blogger account looks PRETTY! Got sad because I remembered that I was born in the wrong generation because I know nothing about technology. Went through syllabus. Watched videos in class. Video 1: showed world wide cable coming together in a "trippy" scene to unite cultures around the world. This video used so many special effects that I got dizzy. Video 2: Men going to the moon. Silent film in black and white. Artist used man made scenes painted black and white. Made before artists knew to move the camera as people moved. Learned more about the blog and class requirements. Sent teacher an email. Class ended. Didn't want to leave because of the 20 degree weather outside. Left class. Overall, it was a good first day.