Game Module|Initial Concepts

As the key emotion my level should evoke is calm I've decided to go magical/fairytale/fantasy route with my sketches.

First concept drawn in pencils. It is a little house hidden under over sized leaves (pea plants maybe?). It feels really magical and a bit misterious. I've also made another hand drawn concept of it, house was placed on top of floating rocks (a bit like in Avatar's Pandora).

• little preview of it (as it is still unfinished)

 

After collecting my insirations in one place I've decided to change my idea. It is now a little village (or just settlement with few houses) in a middle of ocean. The ony material avaible here are seashells and rock so the houses are made from oversized shells. Above some initial thumbnails, simply just to try different shapes and angles (it makes the same theme more interesting to explore).

Next step was to create a more detailed sketch of one of the shell houses. I used a Feng Zhu method - only lines and simple shades to mark shadows. I could easily spent another hour or so making it perfect and neat, bit oh well, I prefer it rough looking. 

Game Module|Scenery Inspirations_02

Wreck-it Ralph is one of my favourite animation and the reason I've decided to include it in this module is because the action of film is set inside the video games.
Sugar Rush is my favourite level and it was my initial idea for scenery (but I think it is too sweet and cute to be used in a college module... almost 2 months of working with numberous shades of pink could be too much for my brain).
Below some concept art:

First few concepts were done by Ryan Lang, the bottom two by Helen Chen (matte paintings rather than concepts). I have to admit that those are very interesting concepts, scenery created only with sweets and hard candies is definately unusual and delicious.

Game Module|Scenery Inspirations_01

Cghub is one of my fav places to look for inspirations and amazing concept art. Similiarly to the first module we did (fundamental one) this time again I've decided to search this website.
I'm looking for artwork that look a little bit stylised, maybe a bit cartoony, with interesting shapes and colours.

• Stilts by fightPUNCH ( Darren Bartley).  
•  I really like those snail houses, especially colours and great use of textures, plus they have amazing amount of details.

• a small billage by ENrang (Jeon JongUk).
• Evening settings, wooden houses, indoor lights and overall calming settings.
• I could use a path with barriers as a way to stop player from exploring outside the level (perhaps with houses built on top of mountains?) 

• WOW - Mists of Pandaria by Fabs(Fabio Barreta)
• Great aerial perspective, stylised mountains and contrasting red building.
• I've chose to include this piece because of overall colours and interesting shot, lighting of the scene (daytime is the harders to paint, since many things cannot be masks by strong colours or shadows)
  

• Halo 4 Spartan Ops motion comics by lordbiernac (Szymon Biernacki)
• Very stylised, amazing use of perspective to show the scale (characters are secondary).
• It is very similiar to the style I will probably do my concept art in as I'm fan of Szymons work for quite a time now.

Of course there are tons of other artists work I will look at, like Feng Zhu, Kekkai Kotaki, Kenji Bliss, Daniel Dociu, Artur Sadlos ... to just name few!

Game Module| Okage:Shadow King

Okage: Shadow King is a RPG game released in 2001 exclusively for PS2.
It's a very lovely, magical game, full of funny jokes and gags.
As this module main task is to design our own level I've decided to look at some of the levels from Okage: Shadow King. What I really like are bright, vivid colours and a bit stylised, cartoony looking architecture. Designs are very interesting and visually pleasing.

Barrels. Floating barrels supporting whole city construction.

Town - I haven't realised this earlier, but they've used barrels as planting pots. Starting to have barrel obsession now ;)
I've also decided to go with 'calm' word theme for my scenery, and I'll definately go back to Okage: Shadow King as a great source of inspiration.

3000 words|Essay Task - Topic no 4.

3000 words essay task for Context of Practice 1

With reference to specific examples, to what extent can it be argued that, with ever improving digital technologies, visual style is more important than narrative substance in contemporary film making and/or games production?

 

This essay will look at how the overuse of the special effects in current, Hollywood big blockbuster movies, impacts the plot (storyline) of the film. Movies that will serve as examples are James Cameron Avatar, Michael Bays Transformers trilogy, Christopher Nolans Inception, Neill Blomkamps District 9 as well as comparison between the latest Dredd with the original version titled Judge Dredd.

            Storytelling has been tied closely with human history for centuries, stories were presented in different forms, which include oral, written, and illustrations. However, the way of presenting the plot is secondary, since the most important part plays the plot itself.

'' A narrative text is a text in which an agent relates ('tells') a story in a particular medium, such as language, imaginery, sound, buildings, or a combination thereof. ''

 (Bal,  (1997),  p. 5)

            Without the consistent, solid plot narrative will suffer, therefore it can not be simply disguised by breath-taking visuals. This statement can be supported by following quotations:

''Plot development must be logical and smooth, with each scene connected to the next by the continued presence of at least one character on stage.''

 (Altman, (2008), p.321 )

''Historically, definitions of narrative have been tightly tied to a particular type of plot.''

(Altman, (2008), p.2 )

            Narration in film evolved during the years, first closely based on the theather plays later changing to more complex forms. It can be either restricted to one, particular character, or omniscient, which is typical to melodramas and allows a panoramic view of the events. Moreover it can be a mixture of both. In spite of choosen form, the most important part is that the series of events are logically happening. It is also important to remember that the ''Narrative require action.''  (Altman, (2008), p. 11) and ''(...) narrative commands our attention.'' (Altman, (2008), p.1)

            Another vital factor, that storytelling methods developed closely as a part of human history upon which used media plays secondary role.

''Clearly, narrative exists independently of the media that give it concrete form. Eminently trasformable, narrative has been carried wherever human beings have gone. Applied to each new mode of communication, narrative has remained ever present, ever up to date.''

 (Altman, (2008), p.1)

            On the other hand digital special effects, which can be also called VFX, are purely created inside the computer software. The main goal is to produce an illusion in which film viewers will believe.  It can interfere on a small scale in the presented world, or create a completly new realm from scratch, using motion capture footage as referance, as it has been seen in, for example, Avatar or Tim Burtons version of Alice in Wonderland.

''The effects' usage in the film is primarily to create a sense of versimilitude and reasonably accurate visualization of scientific concepts (...)''

 (McClean, (2007), p.110)

Moreover digital effects are created with the specific goal, task to provide a certain solution to aid the narrative.

‘’(…) the use of digital effects is considered to be a goal- specific use of technology that is a fundamental part of the production, not he postproduction process.’’

(McClean, (2007), p.9)

Big Hollywood studios often place their actors not in the real set or location, but in front of green screen. Recorded footage is then sent to VFX companies in order to, not only to build the world around the characters, but also to change the physical look of the actors.

''Lola Visual Effects: Digital Cosmetic Enhancements, a visual effects company (...) specialises in making people look younger and fitter on the screen, digitally.''

 (Rombes, (2009), p. 151 )

There are numbers of companies specialising in visual effects and which we, as a viewers, can somehow blame for this trend of degrading storyline. Following quotation can support this point of view:

''(...) those most responsible for the relentless absurdity of images on the screen work for companies with names like Lola Visual Effects, Double Negative (...)''

 (Rombes, (2009), p. 150)

            However, as people working for those companies are simply doing their job, the equal blame can be put on directors and script writers, whom, afterall, receive much more limelight. Moreover, as the Internet becames more and more accessible, viewers can share their very own analysis of the watched films, as well as manipulate existing footage.

''The act of interpreting a film, which used to involve simply thinking and writing about it, now involves the physical manipulation of the film through its interface.''

(Rombes, (2009), p. 68 )

''The imaginary worlds of film often are presented to us in establishing shots, and increasingly as fully CG settings.''

(McClean, (2007), p.207)

            One of the great examples of a movie that rely heavily on special effects is James Cameron Avatar. Released back in 2009, it not only had the most stunning graphics ever seen, but also became a ground breaking moment in CGI history with extensive use of motion capture techniques and 3D presentation. It was nominated to many Academy Awards and became the highest – grossing film of all times. James Cameron stated that he started developing story back in 1994 and have plans for the future sequels. In spite of the amazing visual effects, the story of Avatar is weak and simple, which can lead to the question: why the movie with such overused theme was developed for so many years? It can be insinuated that, upon the complexity of the world, the most important part of narrative got lost. Even the most mesmerizing and alluring universe cannot subsitute the innovative and interesting story. Another danger that Avatar, as a CGI heavy movie, possibly felt into is the hyper realism or, as we can also refer it to, uncanny valley. This terms describes the point of when the viewers stop believing in the world created by DVFx artists, as it becomes too futuristic and foreing. If the created settings or characters felt not familiar by spectators, it will be difficult to relate to them.

‘’Thus, things that look somewhat human, but are clearly not — such as C-3PO (in Star Wars) or a Golem — produce an accepting reaction, while things that are very nearly human, but just a little strange — such as a child's doll, a ventriloquist's dummy, or a clown — produce a negative response.’’

(http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UncannyValley)

            As for Avatar, movie that is nearly three hours long, having a straight foward plot concentrated  mostly on a main character saving a tree, can be very doubting. The suggested by James Cameron amount of work spent on creating an innovative and captivating new worlds, with its own ecosystems and history (fig.1), seems to be simply wasted.  The world of Pandora, planet on which action of Avatar takes place, could possible offer the viewer a way more deeper narrative. Moreover it offers a viewer a chance to relate more deeply with alien characters, just like the main character get the ability to control another body.

''The spectator is no longer a passive, distracted vessel for ideological indoctrination; viewers can  actually witness representations of themselfs absorbing movies.''

 (Rombes, (2009), p. 56)

            Avatar also sets another important question of what exactly is film nowadays, as it longer has a material form, inprinted onto celluloid, but is a sequence of numbers written onto a disc.

''Today, as the interface competes with film as a source of pleasure, the basic materiality of film becomes unknown and invisible, a complex code known only to programmers and engineers. In this regard, all film today is abstract.''

 (Rombes, (2009), p. 32 )

The explanation of why actors were used to play alien characters in Avatar, rather than being created straight in computer software could be delivered with folowing quote:

''The blending of animation and motion capture often is used to persuade audience that what they see is a human performance and not computer- generated animation.''

(McClean, (2007), p.59) 

Motion capture became stable of  todays movie production process as it deliver the useful footage for animators to study and use. Avatar is the example of movie using motion capture to record actors facial movements (fig.2), which were then used in animating natives of Pandora.

            A good example of the movie that not only has stunning visuals but also great plot is, directed by Christopher Nolan, Inception. It proves that creating amazing graphics did not have to affect the narrative, solid story can benefit from greater visual library. Inception, in opposition to Avatar, has an innovative and absorbing story. Moreover, it can be suggested, that improved graphics helps the viewer understand the complex story better. Still entertaining and visually pleasing, Inception is one of those movies that, not only push the spectators into deeper reflections, but also stays in theirs minds for years. 

            Storyline of Inception can be confusing and a little bit difficult to understand, yet the websites like www.inception-explained.com were created in order to guide the lost spectactors through the movie events. Moreover, within the plot, the opportunities for VFX companies, like Double Negative, were created. In case of Inception the digital effects company had to aid the movie with the scenes that were impossible to record in real life.

''The perception that the world we live in is mutable space, and the space we reach for is a liveable mutation, informs our storycraft and DVFx work to make this convicing within our lived experience and our imagined future.''

(McClean, (2007), p.207)

            Similiary to Avatar, Inception was nominated to and won many Academy Awards, as well as becoming one of the highest - grossing movies of all times.

            A good way that can describe Inception as an unsual blockbuster movies is the following quotation:

''Here is a paradox of our digital era: today's most radical and experimental moving images occur not on the avant-garde edges of society, but rather in the Heart of the Beast: Hollywood. It is in Hollywood movies – and in CGI blockbusters especially – where the most bizzare, transgressive and experimental images and sequemces lie, a radically refashioned understanding of the real.''

 (Rombes, (2009), p. 143)

DVFx provides the right solutions in Inception, for example helps present a holding city scene (fig.3). The main narrative concentrates mostly on a worlds creted within a dreams, upon which could be only possible with digital software.

            The Transformers trilogy by Michael Bay is a modern live-action take, combined with computer generated animation, on popular Hasbro toys franchise.  The movies were released sequencially in 2007, 2009 and 2011,  and became an instant hit around the globe. There is a simple reason to why those films did not require a strong, complex plot to become such a success.

''When a particular film is reprised in the form of sequel it opens the way towards becoming a franchise – one of the most lucrative and highly prized of Hollywood products.''

 McClean, (2007), p.171)

            Unfortunately, amazing visual effects cannot replace a solid storyline, which, in case of those three movies, is very weak and basic, full of actions and unrealistic explosions (fig.4). It can be argued that the original cartoon did not require a good narrative to became popular. Yet, watching a set of movies that are almost 3 hours long each, only for visual experience seems pointless. Narrative side was reduced to the absolute minimum and does not require much of the viewer's attention.

''In all likelihood, neither the cinematography nor the DVFx are to blame for the story's failings. The rewiever himself has identified significant number of factors that influence a story's quality: poor structure, massive changes to fundamental plot details in the adaptation from original source, poor premises, and reliance upon spectacle as a substitute for action, character development, and thematic resonance. ''

 (McClean, (2007), p.3 )

            District 9 might be the movie that stands out a little from the previously mentioned ones, as it does not have a big and flashy special effects upon which it could possibly rely. However, it has a great and interesting narrative, that can make viewers question the current economic situation of the world. Moreover, with documentary style of presenting the story, as well as with deeply drawn characters, District 9 benefits from lack of complex visual effects and simplicity. Futhermore it was mostly shot on locations, which cannot be fabricated in studio settings, and with only little post production changes added.

            As story is set in, more or less, presents it can be easily related to the current events happening in world. The placement of the fictional camp for aliens, Johannesburg in South Africa, as well as signs saying ‘’For Humans Only’’ (fig.5), points out the social segragation and race problems. The use of some of the native african languages in the film, along with a terms made for aliens, such as prawns, creates a richer experience for the viewer.  As the story action is set in Africa it can be related to the current situation on this continent – racial problems, hunger and slums.

            District 9 is also a good example of a low- budget film that, thanks to clever use of shots, can deliver amazing narrative. It could be suggested, that the minimal use of special effects, as well as the mock – documentary style of the movie, helps in making it more believeable. Even with alien characters, District 9 is a perfect metaphore presenting the human violence, war, hate.

            The perfect example of how the overuse of the visual effects can damage a movie is recently released Dredd (fig.6). It is a modern take on the old Judge Dredd. In spite of the fact that the original version had simple, straight foward plot, still remained quite enjoyable and pleasing to watch. Moreover, which seems to be typical for 80s and 90s classics, viewer could relate more to the characters. In 2012 Dredd was simple scaled to brainless gore, without making any sense, stripped from the humor and with constant gun shots. Futhermore it lacks most of the acting skills and clearly futuristic world. Constant violence that seems to be the core and main purpose of this movie leaves the viewer either disgusted, bored or amused.

''The spectacularity of violence is an important distinction because DVFx brings a deceptive power to images of violence, one that must have implications for spectators. (...) In other words, no matter how 'realistic'  the violence appears because of  the skill in creating its representation, a real- life experience of a violent event is unlikely to bear any resemblance to the film portrayal, and the repetition of digital violence can give a very false sense of what true violence is like.''

(McClean, (2007), p.223)

            Another crucial difference between the original Judge Dredd and latest Dredd is the use of special effects. In a sense first movie seems to be using DVFx in more cleaver and careful manner, upon which are sparingly used only where necessary. Dredd not only creates its overhelming violence and gore digitally, but also its worlds seems very unreal and out of context – again can be easily described as, mentioned previosly, uncanny valley.

            The aim of this essay was not to clearly state wherever is right or wrong to use visual effects in movies but to analyse current trends and visible decrease in importance of the role of narrative. It is almost impossible to say to what end constant progress in DVFx would destroy future cinematography, nor it can be clearly stated that storytelling will benefit from it. This can be supported by a quote from McClean book:

''The issue is that DVFx relate to the quality of storycraft. Simply put, when used by skilled storyteller, DVFx provide extensive new means of bringing images to the screen – images that thematically and symbolically communicate the fundamental material of story.''

(McClean, (2007), p. 226)

As it was observed through, that many movies can benefit from use of DVFx, which lies in solid narrative. Movies like Christopher Nolans Inception or Neill Bloomkamps District 9 can serve as the perfect examples to support above statement. However, as many people points it out, digital effects could be seen as distration from the main narrative of film, as well as the tool to disguise some of the weak point of the plot. In that case, the Transformers trilogy directed by Micheal Bay, or both Dredd and Judge Dredd, can be a good example to assist the previously stated theory.  Nethertheless, the future of cinema and good, narrative driven movies, lay in hands of directors, script writers and DVFx artists.

Bibliography:

Altman, R., (2008), A theory of Narrative, New York, Columbia University Press

Bal, M., (1997), Introduction to the theory of narrative, London, University of Toronto Press McClean, S. T. (2007), Digital Storytelling The Narrative Power of Visual Effects in Film, London, The MIT Press

Powell, H., (2012), Stop the clocks! Time and Narrative in Cinema, London and New York, I.B.Tauris

Rombes, N., (2009), Cinema in the Digital Age, London and New York, Wallflower Press

www.inception-explained.com

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UncannyValley

Avatar (2009)

District 9 (2009)

Dredd (2012)

Inception (2010)

Judge Dredd  (1995)

The Transformers (trilogy)

Maya Tutorials|Creating UV maps & crates

Crate I've created by following UV mapping tutorial.

•  basic cube model with added texture (which I've quickly created in Photoshop)

I went for funky, vivid colors as the level I'm going to create will be very stylized and cartoony (game wise think a bit of Spyro mixed with Rachet and Clank + Rayman + Sly + Psychonauts + Okage: Shadow King ;) )

Unity Tutorials| Terrain Tool

 During this session we were introduced to the terrain tool in Unity.
Tools sets for creating terrain are quite simple and easy to use.

 Below steps of my first ever play with it:

• started with creating quite random mountain shapes

• added water and some textures

•  palm and banana trees added :)

• added wind zone

Even though this level is quite simple and rough I've learned a lot and I might use Unity in creating my future concepts for this brief. 

COP Task 3 - BAF experience

   For this task we were asked to write a short review of overall experience at BAF or other particular session.

   Bradford Animation Festival is an annual animation festival that takes place in mid November, in National Media Museum in Bradford. Latest edition overlapped with Leeds Film Festival and Thought Bubble – a comic convention, which is also held in the heart of Leeds. Another bitter suprise was unreliable train service between Leeds and Bradford as well as festival schedule being too intense and with some interesting events overlay each other.

    This year the content of the festival was split into two sections - BAF Games talks and presentations shown first, and Animation Festival part next. Animation industry grown so largely during last few years, that is actively taking part in producing games and creating special effects in the movies. Simply, todays 3D animation techniques can be used in game videos or in films. Moreover, the difference between games and animation dissappear as many of its aspects overlap and blend.

    Still, with some of the BAF Game events timetabled between animation ones, which gave a good variety of talks, presentations and events to attend. Just to name few great speakers, that attended 19^th edition of BAF; Mark Shapiro from LAIKA, Will Becher from Aardman Animations, Vanessa Boyce from Double Negative and Valerie Kausen – Chuck Jones' granddaughter. Also, during the festival animated feature films, like ParaNorman or Brave, were shown.

     One of the greatest parts of BAF was the opportunity to listen and talk to those amazing professionals. Mark Shapiros presentation on ParaNorman production pipeline was very interesting. When it comes to stop motion animation, people usually doesn't realise the amount of hard work that goes into making them. Mark Shapiro talked about the production processes, difficulties the team had to overcome, use of 3D printers in making facial expressions for puppets and number of people involved in project. The presentation was followed by screening of ParaNorman in 3D and presentation of puppets.

     Another exceptional talk was given by Vanessa Boyce from Double Negative – a company that specialise in VFX effects for big blockbuster movies. Presentation concentreted mostly on development of visual effects in latest Total Recall and Inception, diffuculties, challenges and tools used in creating process.

Still, even with this great number of incredible speakers, Student Panorama shows were really popular, containing selection of work from students around the globe. Those short animated pieces were created in different techniques and concentreted on variety of subjects, from funny and adorable stories to the more deep ones.

     Valerie Kausen presented some of the greates pieces done by Chuck Jones. Traditionally animated pieces that are 60-70 years old still look great. Also, a selection of Chuck Jones shorts was shown during the event.

      Bradford Animation Festival was packed with interesting content and is definately worth visit and with this year 20^th edition even greater things can be expected. It is festival not only addressed to the young creative animators, but to every person interested in digital media, visual effects and game development.

COP task 2 - summary of the given text

      This task goal was to summarise the main point of the 'At the Edge of Art' text by J. Blais and J. Ippolito. The given part of the text look at the roles and functions of art in ever growing digital age. It is combining an art and biology terms together. Moreover it refers to art as an antibody and to the fast evolving technology as a virus.

      As is mentioned in text, todays artists prefer to be called designers, scientists, enterpreneurs or activists. The different breed of the artists is emerging as the result of the shifted interested in digital media rather than in its traditional forms. Moreover ''the death of the author'' can be observed; use of new tools leads to the evolutions of art.

''The starts of this extraordinary new constellation tend to be biologists, engineers, designers, and hackers rather than the newest crop of fine-art graduates, and they wield powerful twenty-first century tools such as DHTML or Webcams rather than ninteenth-century palette and brush.'' This breakthrough wouldn't be possible without the Internet which draws ''this audience into creative process''. Nethertheless the power of Internet, which in text is reffered to as new lifeblood, can bring wider audience and can be called a global culture blender. In spite of the dangers that can be acquired through the web, Internet filters can be compared to the vaccination. The tools used might changed but the purpose of art haven't, which Oliver Toscani proofs by his actions and analogy to Caravaggio.

      However there is a constant fear of the fast improving technology to which authors refer as virus. Similiarly to them ''digital technologies are constantly mutating''. Still it is art that offers an important check on technology's rise. However, opposite to the biological system, people are unable to fully predict the consequences of rapid grow of technology. It is art task to keep up with the changes and adapt its functions as ''art is accountable to the social body as antibodies are accountable to the biological one''. Other functions of art as antibody are recognition and perseverance – it can engage attention and is unable to harm the society – unlike the technology. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, art can also develop outside the art world and on larger scale. Still ''the identification of art and antibody has its limits''. It may not acquired some functions fully but it is more directed than, compared again to the biological term, genes. It could be suggested that art reminds more of ''immune system of human population''. Moreover art can ''challenge local phenomena or institutions'', protect the human society and develop thanks to the multi cultural stimulation. Exposing art, rather than protecting it from foreign agents, helps ''transferring cultural memory''.

     The comparison between art and biological system can help illustrate the trends and changes in todays creative world. The digital artists are able to present their's work on the gallery walls as well as traditional pieces can be easily found on the Internet.

COP task 1 – Moving Image Analysis

For this module we were set a group of different witting exercises.
This task goal was to write a short analysis and comparison of two pieces of film: Tony Kaye, Tested for Unexpected (1993) and Anton Corbijn, Atmosphere, song by Joy Division (1988).

The main differences between those two short films are the purpose of each one of them as well as the way they are made – Tony Kaye’s video is full of warm colours and strong light while the Anton Corbijn is simply black and white.

              When it comes to analysing the first piece is very important to point out that its main role was to serve as an advertisement piece for Dunlop tyres. It portrait a certain type of lifestyle; high class; which can be achieved by buying an advertised product. Nevertheless of the purpose of that video, it was made in a very artistic and sophisticated way, which is rare for the commercial video.  Moreover it is full of metaphors and deeper, hidden meanings. The use of warm colours and strong light as well as unusual settings made people interested in this advert even thought is very difficult to understand.

The music plays a very important part as it connects with what happens on the screen. Song used is psychedelic and powerful. Also lyrics of the song are very subtle and hard to understand.

Interesting is the fact that there are many connections between product itself and parts of the set and costumes, for example it can be assumed that the overweight guy is representing the soft tyres or link between rubbery costumes that characters are wearing and advertised product.

Although this advert was made 20 years ago still it remain powerful and doesn’t age quickly. It tries to portrait the tyres as a product that can make consumers lifestyle more sophisticated. However it seems to be hard to understand and follow which probably left many viewers very confused.

Anton Crobijn created Atmosphere video for Joy Division song. As mentioned before, it is a black and white video but memorial piece too. It was set on the beach, seaside. Moreover is full of long shots of landscapes. Figures are wearing a monk like costumes and take part in some sort of ritual march. They’re caring a picture of a man who had committed suicide. Use of black and white and very slow, not fluid movement of figures makes this piece gloomy and sad. Also contrast of this video is low, very grey and grainy.

The music is taking interest away from the video as well as it is quite disturbing. There was a controversy behind Joy Division name as it connects to World Wars and SS squat.

Opposite to the Tony Kaye’s video Anton Corbijn piece target audience are Joy Division fans. Also it is more personal. Moreover the second piece look very old.

Summarising, although those two videos were made for different purpose, use and target audience, both hold artistic values, multiple meanings and deep symbolism.  Soundtrack plays an important role in both of them.

February Sketchbook Challenge Recap

Since its March already I thought it will be a good idea to highlight some of my sketches for FSbC.

February Sketchbook Challenge (FSbC)  was created by Wojtek Fus, friend that I know from Max3D forum. Idea was really simple - one sketch per day submitted to facebook group.

Group gone viral, many people joined (thats include Sacha and Chris :)), many great sketches were produced. Moreover it kept everybody motivated to sketch everyday.

Below few of my favourite entries

I've tried to draw a variety of things, from cartoony, cute characters to still life studies. You can see all my daily sketches here.
Joining group like that, first of all, is really motivating and, second, good for networking. You never know who could join a group - it could be a awesome concept artist you admire or a future client/studio. So, even if yours drawing skills aren't great - still join! Improvement guaranteed;)!

Context of Practice|Practical|Research

For this module brief we were asked to produced a visual representation of the topic from ours seminars/lectures that interested us and practically apply that knowledge and understanding.

I've really enjoyed A History of Type lecture and it's something that interested me. I've decided that I will be a good topic to work on for this part of a brief.

How I'm going to present it?
-short animation
-series of posters or comic book strips, possibly moving (Final Cut Pro for editing)
I'll try to present how the message can be affected by use of bad type face. 

• important installments that can affect the message or the tone of it: typeface, colour, placing, spacing, size, meaning, use, purpose: official, unofficial.

Inspirations:

twixl chalk movie from Soon on Vimeo.
Behance project

• hand-drawn typography on the black board.

• lettering examples by Sean McCabe

SUPAKITCH & KORALIE "Euphorie" Paris from Raphaël Hache on Vimeo.

• great use of typography together with the artwork

• typography mixed with graphic image by Antonio Rodrigues Jr

•  a great example of use of typography on the posters by Ale Paul

Above pieces are the perfect examples of how good typeface; as well as size, spacing and colour of letters; can help to convey a specific message


Another interesting examples connected to the theme of my artefact:

Finished Animation

Finally, after so many weeks of learning Maya, I can show my finished animation.



It might not look as good as I've imagined it but I've learned a lot during the process.It was a very intense module but thanks to that I'm not a Maya noob anymore ;).

For sounds I've again used findsounds website (previously used during film module).

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Few days ago a trailer for Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2 was realesed. It is going to be a sequel to the first movie.




First animated feature film was realesed back in 2009. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Columbia Pictures, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Interesting is a fact that Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs was the second animated film with rendering software Arnold and OpenImageIO (open source image toolkit).
I've really enjoyed first animation, which have a very adorable and cute character and interesting story. Also the style of animation really match the main theme (food). Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs is very cartoony, colourful and funny.

Also, since the Harlem Shake videos became extremly popular on YouTube, Cloudy version was released:



And it's extremly funny when you're familiar with the characters :) Plus it's nicely done.