Norman McLaren-Neightbours (1952)
I love the animated short Neighbours. Right when the flower first dances at 1:20, the viewer can see what this short is all about. The way in which the flower dances beckoning the two men is great. The narrative maintains symmetry throughout which I found both interesting and compelling. The symmetry levels the playing field so to speak with both characters. Neither man is better then the other or deserves the flower more.
The flower causes the two neighbors to almost go on a trip, the flower is euphoric to them. This is magically displayed by the use of stop motion. The characters become quite strange and trippy, hovering in the air and gliding across the ground. McLaren does a good job showing the drunkiness effect of the flower. I loved the part in 4:18 when the character are putting up and tearing down the fence. The fence plays an important role in the remainder of the short and it was interesting to see how they introduced it. The obvious message of the piece was to display greed and that if people indulge or are selfish about something good in their life they will lose it. As the universal message states in the final credits "love you neighbor!"
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Week 3 Animation Blog
Lenka--Heart Skips a Beat
The addition of animation in the music video for Lenka's Heart Skips a Beat adds complexity to an otherwise simple video. Even simple and repetitive animation jazzed up the video, making me want to continue watching the video. I loved the example of rotoscoping on 1:30. Just the drawn outline of the singer perfectly portrays all of her distinct features such as her nose and hair. I think that this example will help me with my rotoscoping exercise because I can better visualize how I would frame a face and shade in the mouth to illustrate movement and shadowing.
Out of the Inkwell--Modeling
I loved when the clown drew the face of the model posing for the sculpture in 3.37. The animation in this piece is very innovative and timeless. I still connected with the piece even though it was created in the 20's. The entire time I was imaging how precise the artist had to be in order to make this piece. The end result it fantastic. I love the interaction between the drawn characters, the inkwell, and the live action characters. It is an upgraded way to interact with an animation in relation to Gertie the Dinosaur.
The addition of animation in the music video for Lenka's Heart Skips a Beat adds complexity to an otherwise simple video. Even simple and repetitive animation jazzed up the video, making me want to continue watching the video. I loved the example of rotoscoping on 1:30. Just the drawn outline of the singer perfectly portrays all of her distinct features such as her nose and hair. I think that this example will help me with my rotoscoping exercise because I can better visualize how I would frame a face and shade in the mouth to illustrate movement and shadowing.
Out of the Inkwell--Modeling
I loved when the clown drew the face of the model posing for the sculpture in 3.37. The animation in this piece is very innovative and timeless. I still connected with the piece even though it was created in the 20's. The entire time I was imaging how precise the artist had to be in order to make this piece. The end result it fantastic. I love the interaction between the drawn characters, the inkwell, and the live action characters. It is an upgraded way to interact with an animation in relation to Gertie the Dinosaur.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Blog #4 - Animation
I was very excited to begin making an animation using flash. I have never used anything like flash and did not even know a program like this existed. The first day I made a five second animation about a man falling out of the sky, it took me twenty-five minutes. I realized then that I would definitely be time crunched if I wanted to finish my project in class. I downloaded a free thirty-day trial on Adobe’s webpage and got to work. I scrapped my original idea and decided to make a story about a flower and a butterfly. Overall it took me an entire weekend to make my fifty-second animation, but it was definitely worth it.
About a third of the time I spent on my animation was trial and error. I was trying to familiarize myself with the program. I never imagined making a cartoon would be so complex, time consuming, and tedious. Having a new appreciation for the art form is an understatement, animation artist are fantastic. My favorite part was seeing my vision come to life. To make the butterfly move I used two different symbols (one with the wings open and one closed) then I manually moved the picture and alternated the symbols. By not using a tween the butterfly had a more realistic and jagged approach.
The hardest part of the project was having the flower grow, I wish it would have looked a little more realistic. I had trouble with the shape tween, eventually I had to split up the flower into two parts, the result were decent, but it still looked like a ball expanding.
I have a basic understanding of Photoshop and that really helped in drawing the animation. The drawing of the animation took at least forty minutes to get perfect, I had many mishaps with the flowers.
I overall am very happy and excited to have finished my first flash project. Doing this assignment has increased my interest in the subject significantly and I one day when I have time I would like to just spend a day learning a little more about the programs capabilities.
About a third of the time I spent on my animation was trial and error. I was trying to familiarize myself with the program. I never imagined making a cartoon would be so complex, time consuming, and tedious. Having a new appreciation for the art form is an understatement, animation artist are fantastic. My favorite part was seeing my vision come to life. To make the butterfly move I used two different symbols (one with the wings open and one closed) then I manually moved the picture and alternated the symbols. By not using a tween the butterfly had a more realistic and jagged approach.
The hardest part of the project was having the flower grow, I wish it would have looked a little more realistic. I had trouble with the shape tween, eventually I had to split up the flower into two parts, the result were decent, but it still looked like a ball expanding.
I have a basic understanding of Photoshop and that really helped in drawing the animation. The drawing of the animation took at least forty minutes to get perfect, I had many mishaps with the flowers.
I overall am very happy and excited to have finished my first flash project. Doing this assignment has increased my interest in the subject significantly and I one day when I have time I would like to just spend a day learning a little more about the programs capabilities.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
BLOG ENTRY #3: The Banana Chronicles
Coming up with the concept for “The Banana Chronicles” was a lot easier then the actual shooting. I saw how the whole short was going to turn out in my mind; then when I tried to implement this, the moving came out entirely different.
Originally, we wanted to a short film based solely ‘in the eyes of a banana.’ Filming this was difficult because continuity was always an issue (is the banana inside the bag, is the same person passing by). The end result was decent for the allotted timeframe but if it could be done again, I would want more cameras and a lot more reshoots. Another problem was definitely the tracking shots. It was very difficult to film only the banana while weaving in and out of Hunter traffic. The filming was often shaky and unsteady. If I could do that again I would try and set up tripods to increase stability, for the given timeframe this was impossible.
I am really happy about the after effects. I did not have a clear song in mind during the filming but afterward during editing, my partners and I defiantly felt an old silent film vibe. Adding the grainy film look with only a ragtime piece accompanying the footage was probably my happiest part of the project; things seemed to fall into place.
I learned a lot about continuity, planning and directing filming this short film. I never really understood why it was so important to plan out every shot until I was thrown into a crowded hall with only a banana.
Originally, we wanted to a short film based solely ‘in the eyes of a banana.’ Filming this was difficult because continuity was always an issue (is the banana inside the bag, is the same person passing by). The end result was decent for the allotted timeframe but if it could be done again, I would want more cameras and a lot more reshoots. Another problem was definitely the tracking shots. It was very difficult to film only the banana while weaving in and out of Hunter traffic. The filming was often shaky and unsteady. If I could do that again I would try and set up tripods to increase stability, for the given timeframe this was impossible.
I am really happy about the after effects. I did not have a clear song in mind during the filming but afterward during editing, my partners and I defiantly felt an old silent film vibe. Adding the grainy film look with only a ragtime piece accompanying the footage was probably my happiest part of the project; things seemed to fall into place.
I learned a lot about continuity, planning and directing filming this short film. I never really understood why it was so important to plan out every shot until I was thrown into a crowded hall with only a banana.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Blog 2: Editing
For my video editing assignment I decided to focus on the last scene of the Italian film “Life is Beautiful.” The last scene is very moving and could not have been so if it was not for brilliant editing. The scene is focuses on the main character Guido. He is trying to find his wife so he is dressed in women’s clothing to hide from the Germans. The music is very dramatic and climatic, establishing suspense.
At around 5:38 there is a long shot of Guido in the background with a spotlight on him. The next shot is of him falling and almost seamlessly the next shot is a close-up of Guido standing up. Now the editor builds suspense in the most heartbreaking part of the film.
Guido’s little son Joshua is hidden inside a mailbox, out of sight from the Germans. Guido is aware of his son’s whereabouts and has to walk by the mailbox as the soldier leads Guido to his death. The editor builds tension by showing Guido and then showing the mailbox, this allows viewer to understand the proximity of both characters in relation to each other. The editor zooms in on a close up of the son’s eyes and then a shot of Guido looking straight ahead; this creates the illusion that they are both staring at each other. The next shot is from the perspective inside the mailbox; all the viewers can see are shadows of a rectangle and a long strip of action creating another illusion looking through the child’s eyes. By the end of the scene Guido is lead down a long path and out of sight of the viewer, gunshots are heard and then a solider emerges alone.
The scene was edited with many illusions and assumptions on the viewer’s perspective. However, nothing felt force and the editor kept the entire scene very suspenseful and heart wrenching. The editing was flawless and without carefully reviewing the scene it would feel as if it really was the view inside of a mailbox and Guido and his son where staring emotionally at each other.
I started my analysis at 5:15 in the video.
At around 5:38 there is a long shot of Guido in the background with a spotlight on him. The next shot is of him falling and almost seamlessly the next shot is a close-up of Guido standing up. Now the editor builds suspense in the most heartbreaking part of the film.
Guido’s little son Joshua is hidden inside a mailbox, out of sight from the Germans. Guido is aware of his son’s whereabouts and has to walk by the mailbox as the soldier leads Guido to his death. The editor builds tension by showing Guido and then showing the mailbox, this allows viewer to understand the proximity of both characters in relation to each other. The editor zooms in on a close up of the son’s eyes and then a shot of Guido looking straight ahead; this creates the illusion that they are both staring at each other. The next shot is from the perspective inside the mailbox; all the viewers can see are shadows of a rectangle and a long strip of action creating another illusion looking through the child’s eyes. By the end of the scene Guido is lead down a long path and out of sight of the viewer, gunshots are heard and then a solider emerges alone.
The scene was edited with many illusions and assumptions on the viewer’s perspective. However, nothing felt force and the editor kept the entire scene very suspenseful and heart wrenching. The editing was flawless and without carefully reviewing the scene it would feel as if it really was the view inside of a mailbox and Guido and his son where staring emotionally at each other.
I started my analysis at 5:15 in the video.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Blog 1: What I hear
Symphony of the Streets
There is some rhythm in the streets. You can hear it from the sidewalks. You can feel the pulse from an incoming train. You can see it from the parks. Manhattan is home to its own relentless orchestra.
It is morning. A resident New Yorker will wake to the fleeting sounds of chirping birds. A wake up call less determined than a rooster. The wind brushing against buildings and trees leaving an ominous purr that becomes lodged in everyday formalities.
From where I stay at a dormitory complex in Gramercy, I wake up to the pounding of tennis balls as they hit the court, wavering from morning bird to morning bird as they catch their practice before class. The balls mark the pavement with as constant a beat as the ticking of a clock.
It is lunchtime now in Chinatown. The markets are filled with people. Loud voices argue over prices. Languages conflict. Two men from different foreign countries argue in broken English, their only commonality. Then, the swift brisk movements of cash being exchanged and the swishing of plastic bags holding noontime meals.
It is late afternoon now, happy hour for the pantsuit workers of the financial district. Workers juggle their blackberry phones with shimmering confidence; the clamoring of keys as quick fingers send out emails. Next, the suits hail cabs with outstretched hands bringing in the horns and swerves of eager cars, screeching into the asphalt trying to gain a wealthy man’s tip.
The sun goes down in 42nd Street, and the symphony comes alive: Hordes of people pushing through the crowd, the honking and beeping of cars as they try to manipulate through the busy street, the snap of a tourist taking a picture of the famed city lights and every corner lined with men trying to convince anyone to go to a comedy show, their quick lines an octave above the murmur of the streets.
The street has the beat, a persistent hum of wind gushing against a building. The streets have their rhythm, the pulsating crowd of every single neighborhood at all times of day. The streets have their harmony, the feigned synchronization of rush hour traffic. The streets have their song.
There is some rhythm in the streets. You can hear it from the sidewalks. You can feel the pulse from an incoming train. You can see it from the parks. Manhattan is home to its own relentless orchestra.
It is morning. A resident New Yorker will wake to the fleeting sounds of chirping birds. A wake up call less determined than a rooster. The wind brushing against buildings and trees leaving an ominous purr that becomes lodged in everyday formalities.
From where I stay at a dormitory complex in Gramercy, I wake up to the pounding of tennis balls as they hit the court, wavering from morning bird to morning bird as they catch their practice before class. The balls mark the pavement with as constant a beat as the ticking of a clock.
It is lunchtime now in Chinatown. The markets are filled with people. Loud voices argue over prices. Languages conflict. Two men from different foreign countries argue in broken English, their only commonality. Then, the swift brisk movements of cash being exchanged and the swishing of plastic bags holding noontime meals.
It is late afternoon now, happy hour for the pantsuit workers of the financial district. Workers juggle their blackberry phones with shimmering confidence; the clamoring of keys as quick fingers send out emails. Next, the suits hail cabs with outstretched hands bringing in the horns and swerves of eager cars, screeching into the asphalt trying to gain a wealthy man’s tip.
The sun goes down in 42nd Street, and the symphony comes alive: Hordes of people pushing through the crowd, the honking and beeping of cars as they try to manipulate through the busy street, the snap of a tourist taking a picture of the famed city lights and every corner lined with men trying to convince anyone to go to a comedy show, their quick lines an octave above the murmur of the streets.
The street has the beat, a persistent hum of wind gushing against a building. The streets have their rhythm, the pulsating crowd of every single neighborhood at all times of day. The streets have their harmony, the feigned synchronization of rush hour traffic. The streets have their song.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Final Blog #4
I felt as if I had this particular class half as much as my other classes. Perhaps this was because of the snow days and the scheduling but I still felt as if something was missing. I also wish I could have had more time in the lab. With media I feel as if applying what you learn is more important than reading from a textbook. The lab portions of the class were something I looked forward to but still the labs ended quicker then they began.
Although I am happy the class covered a variety of topics I still felt as if certain lessons fell short in some areas. We only really had time to learn one topic a week. The labs did their best to apply the topics but I feel that it may have been too much information crammed in too little of time. The midterm for example left me feeling misguided and overwhelmed.
However, the concepts sheets were really useful. If anything, the concept sheets did their best to bridge the gap between all of the information being tossed around during each lecture. Still, it would have helped if the concept sheets were reviewed in lab. Unfortunately, there really was no time to permit anything other than what we did in lab.
My favorite lesson was Photoshop, primarily because I already had a basic understanding of the topic. The assignment for me was simple yet had the potential to be challenging. The stamp project was a good project for beginners and experts alike. While I choose to remain simplistic in my design, I saw room for expanding and experimenting in the future.
I overall really liked the class. Yet, as much as I enjoyed the class I still do not feel as if my effort showed during class. Media turned out to be tougher then expected, despite my overall effort. Still, I loved the idea of the class. Do I feel as if the class has room for improvement? Yes. But media is still evolving and growing today; therefore I believe that as long as this class is being taught at hunter there will be need for improvement and growth.
Although I am happy the class covered a variety of topics I still felt as if certain lessons fell short in some areas. We only really had time to learn one topic a week. The labs did their best to apply the topics but I feel that it may have been too much information crammed in too little of time. The midterm for example left me feeling misguided and overwhelmed.
However, the concepts sheets were really useful. If anything, the concept sheets did their best to bridge the gap between all of the information being tossed around during each lecture. Still, it would have helped if the concept sheets were reviewed in lab. Unfortunately, there really was no time to permit anything other than what we did in lab.
My favorite lesson was Photoshop, primarily because I already had a basic understanding of the topic. The assignment for me was simple yet had the potential to be challenging. The stamp project was a good project for beginners and experts alike. While I choose to remain simplistic in my design, I saw room for expanding and experimenting in the future.
I overall really liked the class. Yet, as much as I enjoyed the class I still do not feel as if my effort showed during class. Media turned out to be tougher then expected, despite my overall effort. Still, I loved the idea of the class. Do I feel as if the class has room for improvement? Yes. But media is still evolving and growing today; therefore I believe that as long as this class is being taught at hunter there will be need for improvement and growth.
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