Interactive Narrative Flash Plan
Interactive Narrative Project
After viewing previous examples of work I've come to the following conclusions:
I want to use computer generated/edited images, not photos (just seems to fit better)
Having an in-depth plot seems more important than flashy (no pun intended) moving things
Quantity over 'some' quality (as regards to the images) might actually improve the quality of narrative
The plans will be up soon!
One-Shot...Take 2!
The result:
One-Shot Film
After a while it became obvious that the footage was 'OK' however could be better. One member of the team did not show up to the location and as a result the remaining members could all be transported in a single car. As a result we decided to go and try out shooting at the Cossal location.
Most filming's taken on the day went fairly successfully however the move to another location was wise as the best shoot was taken in Cossal.
My edit of the final film is shown below:
As you can see from the embedded YouTube video there are still a number of issues surrounding of the edit - despite being edited fully in a PAL format the size of the video is still incorrect.
All comments welcome, and if anyone knows why this has happened please let me know.
Location Scouting
Sainsbury's, Beeston, Notts:
Pro's: Large Space, many different camrea points, all storyboards could work hereCon's: Strict security, difficult to get to for all members
Cossal Lay-bye Car Park, Cossal, Nottinghamshire

Pro's: Secluded Place, no security issues
Con's: Hard to locate, only work for 2 of 3 storyboard ideas
Tesco, Ilkeston, Derbyshire:
Pro's: Massive space, would work for all storyboard ideasCon's: Tight security, very busy at all times, hard to locate for team
Ilkeston Retail Park, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Pro's: Large Space, little securityCon's: Possibly too busy, also hard to locate
Hemlock Stone Pub, Wollaton, Nottingham

Pro's: Easy to locate, would work with all storyboard themes
Con's: Very small area to work with, potential security issues
Co-Op Wollaton, Wollaton, Nottingham
Pro's: Easy to access, large area, would work with all storyboard themesCon's: Small security risk
Bramcote Park, Bramcote, Nottingham
Pro's: Varied Landscape, 2/3 storyboard themes could apply, large spaceCon's: Hard to locate
Final Pixelation Sequence
Tom.
Next Generation and 3G Mobile Technologies
The mobile phone; a modern day necessity and on many occasions a burden to its users. For the last 10 years mobile phones have become commonplace in our society. We’ve always hoped to achieve the very most out of them, and usually ended up disappointed. However, the next generation is creeping up. There are already several models on the market and many will be released in the next few months. A glance at these specifications suggests that they may finally have caught up with our expectations.
The first mobile to seriously ‘wow’ its audience was the Apple iPhone, which has now evolved into the iPhone 3G. 3G Technology is basically a mobile form of high-speed Internet. As with the iPhone and its soon-to-be competitors, a mobile phone is no longer really a phone, it’s a hand-held media device designed to organise and co-ordinate every aspect of our social and personal lives. All this power in a product that fits in the palm of your hand must bring some changes to our life? Surely?
A recent study has taken place to show that modern technologies – notably the Internet and mobile phones, were initially viewed with a good deal of scepticism when reviewed in the media. Look at any technology magazine or website from the last 10 years and without doubt you’ll find a letter of complaint or article written with a negative slant. Many of the articles stated that these newly developed technologies and the production of social networking websites and virtual worlds were dumbing us down. There were reports of teenagers forming their life around the Internet as opposed to the real world and as a result this generation was becoming incapable of interacting with other people. However, the study's findings have revealed that far from developing a generation incapable of communication, this technology has facilitated communication and that thanks to the ease of internet access, family relations are on a modern day up!
The report which was documented by the BBC states that the correlation of mobile phones and the Internet are helping family members maintain stronger social ties. It can only be presumed that the more advanced this technology becomes, the stronger its capabilities will be at keeping people in touch. Speaking from personal experience, maintaining contact with loved ones in Australia over a decade ago depended on erratic air mail correspondence or a very expensive phone call. Communicating across the globe can now be achieved by a very inexpensive message posted via Facebook, MySpace etc, which thanks to these new mobile technologies, can be done from anywhere!
I believe that as these products become even more refined we will keep in touch with more people than ever before. I believe that these products will change society in a way that will increase our ability and willingness to stay in contact with those we may not see on a regular basis and will give a new dimension on ways to communicate with those that we do.
In conclusion I think the next generation of smart-phones and highly complex web compatible mobile phones will change society more for our own good than bad. However, I don't believe that this change will be recognised as significant and will be taken for granted much like every other piece of technology. That is unless it is perceived as having an adverse affect and then we’ll no doubt here about it!
Evolution Animation!
More Animations
Below are videos from my latest (and best) clay animation video and pixelation animation.
The clay animation:
Out of the two clay animation video's I have produced so far this is my favourite. However, I still feel that attempting to create a clay animation video of a high enough quality may require more experience.
The pixelation animation:
This video has come out better than I initialy expected. I am pleased with the current effects that have been added using the 'Batch Processing' tool in Adobe Photoshop. I am also looking foward to trying out other effects and styles.
Whiteboard Animation
We were split into groups of 4 and told to think of interesting ways to transfer a box from one side of a house, to the other side.
The results of this are shown below (my groups animation is from 1.06 to 1.15)
My First Week
My first practical session in Multimedia involved creating the images for a ‘still image sequence’ initially when I came here animation was not one of the subject I felt most interested in, however, after just one session I already want to learn a lot more, and that leads us to today, right here, right now, writing my blog – best bit is, its not even over yet!
What Do I Want?
I want a number of things including, a better perception of industry tools and techniques. A good understanding of all covered topics, most important being: animation, audio engineering and especially website design.
The most important thing I feel I can gain from this course, with the exception of a great qualification, is a precise idea of what I want to do when I leave - it'd be nice to think i'll have a good time achieving all of the above.
Tom
