SALFORD MEDIA FESTIVAL - THE NEXT GENERATION

SALFORD MEDIA FESTIVAL

NEXT GENERATION

 Friday 22nd November 2013. 

Had yet another opportunity to visit Media City on Friday (my future workplace!)

It was a great networking opportunity where I was able to exchange ideas on Transmedia Storytelling with representatives from Salford and Bolton Universities.

I also attended an infomative talk on the future of Dolby Surround where they showcased their latest addition to the cinema experience, Dolby Atmos.

I was able to spend some time at the exhibition stands where I got chatting to Creative Skillset about the direction I'm heading career-wise.  I swapped details with one of their representatives and my details have been forwarded to a few media companies based around Media City who seem keen to get in touch :)

 The Geo-Storyworlds event on Friday was right up my street and I was surprised to discover just how many existing media companies have yet to get on board and appreciate the potential of this developing field.

I spoke to a few representatives from companies who are currently exploring and developing these areas

Anyway that's for another time.

My day wouldn't have been complete without a trip to the Blue Peter garden of course and although I was too early to light the advent crown (which shall be made using only fire retardant tinsel), I did manage to snap these for old time's sake:

  

HIKERPATH

HIKERPATH

HIKERPATH

Augment.  Educate.  Entertain.

This is your route from the past into the future.  Get. On. It.

A critical evaluation of the finished artefact 

The finished artefact for my creative media practice module is a fully-functioning website, an interactive Google map and a short demonstrational/promotional video which functions as an aid to the final presentation of my idea and also to introduce users to the Hikerpath experience.  These three separate elements exist both independently as ‘live’ media artefacts on the internet but also converge to form parts of a fragmented narrative.

Design and planning of HIKERPATH website

The project would use the existing National Cycle Network(NCN) routes as its basis for the narrative structure.  One element of the intended user experience and the target audience for the project was for me to focus on cyclists and walkers who would hopefully stumble upon the QR codes at the physical geographical locations and augmentation points themselves.  I felt that users of the Trans Pennine Trail would relate to the colour schemes used on the cycle route signs, (red, white and blue) so I adopted a similar theme to the website.

One original concept I created was for users to engage with the experience at locations marked with footprints which would be painted onto the ground at specific points, indicating an interactive artefact is located at a particular site.  I developed this idea further during the implementation stage as I decided that in practice there may be a danger of damaging public property.  My initial design for a logo would incorporate a footprint graphic, but acting on feedback from my tutors, I felt that using a ‘smart device’ graphic would be a more relevant use of semiotics in this case.

I created my own logo for the site using Photoshop which I incorporated into the design and layout of the finished website.  The logo was modelled on the existing route signs.  Where the existing signs would show the route number, in this case 62 for the Trans Pennine Trail, the Hikerpath logo would include a ‘smartphone icon’ graphic, which would act as an instruction for users to engage with the experience via mobile device, either by augmenting or QR scanning, as and when they arrive at the locations.

I created my own images for the website, some of which can be linked to here (URL for Photobucket Gallery).  These photographs were captured during the production phase and formed part of a shooting script I created during the location video shoot.  (copy of shooting script).   I felt satisfied with the production quality of the images and video obtained.  However, given the opportunity to revisit this project I would like to spend some more time obtaining some more professional looking shots.  One major setback for me during this part of the process was the weather, which I feel limited the diversity of the shots I was able to achieve.

One other aspect of the layout and design of the HIKERPATH site which I would draw further attention to would be to use opacity functions within the software to appropriately hue the text which overlays the images in the gallery on the home page.  Although satisfied with the layout, on some images, the 'Trans Pennine Trail' title is difficult to read as it becomes obscured by a lighter image in the background.  Given more time, I would like to have been able to test this website on a user group and take their feedback into account before re-addressing some of these issues.

Apps, Maps and Linking Artefacts

I feel that one of the project's successes was the ability to include the element of ‘Augmented Reality’ by introducing an external app which users could download from scanning a QR code on a signpost or from linking to the HIKERPATH site.  I researched a number of different apps which are currently available in order to provide a ‘hidden’ element to the project.  It was my intention to use this newly available technology in order to progress the story further. I felt it was a method of providing an alternative to QR codes 'on location' whilst still incorporating the use of QR codes into the main website.

Due to the scale of the project and the tight deadline in which to achieve both creating and implementing a finished artefact, I felt that overall the project was a success.  All links were tried and tested and I was able to present and demonstrate the QR codes' successful navigation to the Google map artefact during my presentation.

  However, if provided with the opportunity to produce a similar project in future, I would try to allocate more time to rehearsing the final presentation.  One shortcoming of the overall project and presentation was that I was unable to complete the annotated youtube element to the completed video I produced.

  Although I concentrated on high production values for the finished video, using previously learned methods of digital manipulation and editing tools via Adobe After Effects and Premiere software, I was unable to fully complete the links to the options provided to the user at the end of the film, (Get the App, Get the Map, Get involved).  If able to complete a similar project in future, I would allocate more time to researching other available options such as WireWax and Klynt.  This would enable me to provide users with links to additional external sites, rather than limiting myself to Youtube.

I created two different types of 'augmentation locations' for the HIKERPATH project, in keeping with the idea that the project was to ‘Educate and Entertain’.  'Eduplaces' would be points that linked to interactive artefacts of historical and cultural significance, where 'Ent-terrains' would be points of interest which would link to blog entries, social media group threads and artefacts uploaded by the Hikerpath community.  I felt that during the final presentation, this area was perhaps not fully explained so given the opportunity, I would like to practice the delivery of the presentation further in order to prepare me for pitching the idea to peers and professionals in the future. 

Future Development, Geocrashing and Running on Reserves 

This production experience will be used as a prototype for my final end of year project, which is an interactive socio-economic documentary – The location of which is situated directly adjacent to the ‘HIKERPATH’ project on the opposite bank of the river Mersey.  I intend to use the HIKERPATH experience as a way of linking the two projects.  Users will be able to visit the ‘Future Flower’ on the Trans-Pennine Trail and access the completed interactive documentary from an ‘augmentation’ point at that specific location, in order to generate further interest and help build a larger community to become involved in HIKERPATH, Geocrashing UK and Running on Reserves (working title for interactive documentary project)

From this location, there will be an opportunity for users to take their own photographs of the existing landscape and upload them to the documentary project (via an facebook group or twitter account specific to the HIKERPATH project).  This collection of images will form an important part of the interactive film which is intended to document the changing landscape of the Transpennine trail and adjacent community park and nature reserve, as a new six lane road bridge is built overhead linking the two areas together.

I intend to build upon the HIKERPATH project, whilst exploring other available digital media technologies thorugh emerging HTML5 software such as WireWax and Klynt.

 

CREATIVE MEDIA PRACTICE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT PART II

AR Cycle Route Tours

Production planning schedule and notes

1.       Research a useable AR tool for android/iphone

2.       Research the area on the St Helens Canal along the route 2 miles from Ferry Tavern to Spike Island

·         The Ferry Inn, Station Rd

·         Station Road, Penketh

·         Station Cottages, Penketh

·         Marsh Lane, Penketh

·         Johnson’s Lane, Penketh

·         Fiddlers Ferry Power station

·         Widnes Waterfront

·         The Future Flower

·         Tanhouse Lane

·         Earle Rd/proposed new bridge crossing area

·         Spike Island

·         Catalyst Area

3.       Research further historic events along the route (see previous blog entry tidal bore, stories from the canalbacnk etc)

4.      Research the Trans Pennine Trail WEST/CENTRAL.  How far apart are the signs?  What is the design for the stickers they use for signage?  co-ordinate the colours on the QR codes to match the red white and blue colours on the SusTrans Route.  Apply a similar theme to my website.

5.       Research Sustrans website

6.       Consider using a timeline along the bottom of the main website – how will this work?  Side profile of a cyclist – video footage.  Then point of view of cyclist looking over handlebars  - video footage.  Can loop to form a backdrop to the site.

7.       Consider which software to use to deliver the website.  Wix, squarespace, klynt.  Have a go at using klynt as a practice for the final project.

8.        Research the location virtually using google maps and streetview.

9.       Check out Warrington and Widnes Library for archives

10.   Research Fiddlers power station area and the history of the site

11.   Check out St Helens canal heritage

12.   Research the Mersey tidal bore

13.   Check out the chemical industry on this section

The project will include the following assets:

Audio Clips recorded by me

Audio sourced from freesound.org

Still Images

Filmed video content by me

Archival video

Still photography by me

Archival photography

Newpaper articles (online)

Try and add audio description to every asset for accessibility

INDIVIDUAL ARTEFACT PROPOSAL - CMP 6004MEDIA

My Individual aretefact will utilise annotations within Youtube and QR code augmentation for handheld devices.  There will also be a Google Maps element which will help 'desktop' users to navigate around the location using streetview. 

This would be particularly helpful for individuals with special access requirements who may or may not be able to visit the locations for themselves.

The transmedia expereince will take place online, but will be 'discovered' via QR codes which appear at physical geographic locations along a historic canal towpath/cycle path.

I intend to use signs at strategic locations of interest along a section of the Trans-Pennine Trail.

The section I will concentrate on will be 1-2 miles of the St Helens Canal, part of which is now disused and has been left to decay.

The video clips will also be able to promote community projects and help local businesses (advertising and incentives, voucher codes for discounted meals etc)

The user will be able to stop at these locations, during their walk or bike ride and use the camera function of their smartphone or tablet to scan the QR code they stumble upon, which will then direct them to a short factual video about a historic event which has taken place in the area such as 

• The Mersey Bore & Floods
• The Ferry Inn Public House
• Fiddlers Ferry Power Station
• Marina
• Broken Road Bridge (local newspaper article)

The videos will also augment after a small app has been downloaded (links from a second QR code at the location)  Footprints will be painted on the floor, where the user will stand and lift their smart device. Once the image in the viewfinder is captured over a specific trigger point (landmark on the horizon etc) the alternate video will display.

I will need to visit the locations and obtain content using either my camera phone or digital SLR.

I will also need to research the location further and source some existing footage from youTube which can be linked to and used as overlays for the augmentation function.

I will present the finished piece as a prezi presentation which will include a short video presentation of the functionality of the 'app' and Augmentation tool.

The project once completed will form part of a larger series of 'tours' spanning the entire National Cycle Network

YOUTUBE ANNOTATION - GOLDILOCKS DOES FACEBOOK

GOLDI LOCKS & THE 3 BEARS COTTAGE

 

This week's mini-brief was to create a short branching narrative using YouTube annotations.

 

 

I found this excercise a lot more user-friendly than Isadora which was used during the previous excercise.

 

Within a group, we were tasked with producing a short tale, which would provide the user with a series of options linking to different YouTube videos.  There were a number of different ways in which we could utilise the 'annotations' function within YouTube. 

One option was to create a single video which used viewer interaction to 'jump' between different sections of a single timeline.  At specific intervals, the user would be provided with a sereies of options where they could click buttons within the video in order to select a different segment of the video sequence.

 

The second option would be to create a number of short videos, each with their own unique URL which would be link to via buttons within each separate video.

 

 

We decided to use the tale of Goldilocks and the 3 bears, inspired by a recent short film (Noah).  We would attempt to add a modern twist to the Goldilocks story by setting the location around a windows desktop.  The modern day Goldi Locks would leave home after an earlier argument with her mother, and then book herself into a room at the notorious 3 bears cottages.

 

I devised a flow chart and production schedule to show how the branching narrative would work.  It would incldue 5 short videos, which were to be animated as keyframes using Adobe After Effects:

 

 

Next, I compiled a list of assets required and we allocated tasks to each individual team member.  I was allocated the taks of creating the videos and the unique 3 bears cottage website the other group memebers were responsible for adding 'Tripadvisor' and 'facebook chat' elements.

 

The completed project can be linked to from here.

 

I have found using annotations within YouTube as a helpful tool.  The process of uploading the video footage is relatively simple.  I have decided to include this knowledge in my final aretefact for this module.  Details of which can be found in my next blog entry...

 

ISADORA MINI-BRIEF

CREATIVE MEDIA PRACTICE MINI BRIEF 3

 

 

I spent most of last week familiarising myself with a new piece of software:

 

Isadora from Troikatronix

 

My initial findings:

 

Powerful and useful software but the free version can be buggy and temperamental 

 

Isadora was created for adding depth to live events.  It has many uses ranging from museum installations to epic projections onto huge buildings.

 

It can be used on either a small or large scale.

 

One of it's unique functions is the ability to add trigger points from varying input devices.  Cameras can act as input devices, working as a 'motion sensor' within a live environment as can microphones.  Microphones receive an audio trigger such as a voice or hand-clap which would then play a sequence of footage or audio as part of the installation.

 

Within a group, I was tasked with creating a 'halloween' themed narrative using Isadora.

 

As part of a creative brainstorming session, I suggested a 'Bates Motel' theme.  The idea was to use Isadora to trigger some classic scenes from the original Hitchcock 1960 version of Psycho.  (Not to be confused with the new TV adaptation of Bates Motel).

 

The idea was for selected scenes from Psycho to form a branching narrative.  The audience would watch short 2 minute clips and then be offered an option.  The choices would be  displayed as on-screen text, such as "Knock 3 times" or "Type 'S' to go take a shower".  It was my intention to be able to experience an alternative version of the story from the perspective of the investigating police officer, who eventually discovers Norma Bates in the upstairs bedroom.  The final piece would also include 'light motif' audio sourced from the soundtrack, which would add a seamless quality to the 'option menus' which would display at the end of selected sequences.

 

I encountered quite a few technical setbacks during the production of this piece as the non-registered version was unable to save.  I did however try a registered version but the file format conflicted when I tried to import the footage to the more recent edition.  As a result, I found myself having to re-build the entire project on the day of the final submission deadline.

As a group we were able to present the finished piece.

I am unable to upload the completed artefact.  I do, however have a short presentation which hopefully explains the project in more detail.

Although I can appreciate the potential of using Isadora as a tool to produce interactive media presentations.  I do not think I will use this as a tool to produce my final individual artefact.