I'm continuing with my transition from Blogger to Wordpress,and I'm keen to point out to everyone reading this, that you can now search for specific words and subjects on the right.
I will let everyone know when I decide to retire my Peter Ponders blogspot completely and concentrate solely on a raring move media production's wordpress, but for anyone already there, Why not try typing Django in the box on the right?
Or how about storytelling in the future? Quantative Research maybe?
Go for it. ;)
SOME OF PETE'S WORK (C) 2011-2012
Monday, 22 October 2012
RESEARCH QUESTION 1 - DFF
Research Question 1
Set by Ian Wareing of Digital Fiction Factory:
The Internet, social media and other open systems have allowed for user generated content (UGC), crowd-sourcing and other forms of audience participation to prevail in digital media. But how do we translate these features into storytelling experiences, without treading on the toes of the author?
I have started to give this question some consideration as I feel it relates to some of my other blog posts about audience participation and digital media technologies. I have covered this area to some extent in lectures attended in both the Applied Media Research module and also Digital Media Cultures.
In order to research this question thoroughly I would aim to approach it initially by looking at some of the following methods:
The researching of participatory habits - Identifying audience engagement with multi-layered storytelling experiences. How do people engage with this stuff. Is there sufficient evidence to suggest that people will actually watch, say Eastenders and then engage in a non-linear digital spin-off?
As part of this research, I can record and analyse my own media usage before targeting questions towards and eventually observing a specific user group.
It may also be useful to further research the area by contacting an organisation such as Digital Fiction Factory in order to obtain case study information from their experiences with authors and writers.
I am also giving some thought to exploring the impact of copyright laws and contractual obligations relating to existing and historical examples of multi-layered storytelling and the idea of the contemporary 'spin-offs' and 'fan fiction' which now forms a major part of the wider 'story world'.
I'm thinking about stuff like Lucasfilm's reaction to the extended fan created starwars universe and readers' engagement with J K Rowling's Harry Potter world.
Set by Ian Wareing of Digital Fiction Factory:
The Internet, social media and other open systems have allowed for user generated content (UGC), crowd-sourcing and other forms of audience participation to prevail in digital media. But how do we translate these features into storytelling experiences, without treading on the toes of the author?
I have started to give this question some consideration as I feel it relates to some of my other blog posts about audience participation and digital media technologies. I have covered this area to some extent in lectures attended in both the Applied Media Research module and also Digital Media Cultures.
In order to research this question thoroughly I would aim to approach it initially by looking at some of the following methods:
The researching of participatory habits - Identifying audience engagement with multi-layered storytelling experiences. How do people engage with this stuff. Is there sufficient evidence to suggest that people will actually watch, say Eastenders and then engage in a non-linear digital spin-off?
As part of this research, I can record and analyse my own media usage before targeting questions towards and eventually observing a specific user group.
It may also be useful to further research the area by contacting an organisation such as Digital Fiction Factory in order to obtain case study information from their experiences with authors and writers.
I am also giving some thought to exploring the impact of copyright laws and contractual obligations relating to existing and historical examples of multi-layered storytelling and the idea of the contemporary 'spin-offs' and 'fan fiction' which now forms a major part of the wider 'story world'.
I'm thinking about stuff like Lucasfilm's reaction to the extended fan created starwars universe and readers' engagement with J K Rowling's Harry Potter world.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
TV STUDIO 2
A TV studio production team was established which included myself and five other students.
Our brief:
To film a live studio recording of a children's TV slot, demonstrating how to make a paper aeroplane - aimed at an audience of 7-10 year olds.
Production team roles were discussed within our group and we met on several occasions to brainstorm and create an agenda.
We each decided and agreed upon multiple roles. I became researcher and floor manager.
The team agreed to create a facebook group, to help establish a communication link and to act as a forum to share ideas.
As it was improtant not to have any silence during the demonstation, and for the content to not appear too scripted, I suggested to adopt a theme for the show, the idea behind this being it would hopefully assist with any ad-libbing requirements during the recording. If your mind goes blank - talk about halloween!
I pitched a halloween theme to the rest of the group, all of whom liked the idea. This was evident from the volume of 'likes' the facebook thread received. ;)
Between us we decided to source some decorative items in order to dress the set and make it look as professional as possible, whilst working to a tight deadline.
I obtained several sheets of halloween printed fabrics which were used to dress the flats along with coloured card and stickers to decorate the paper planes. Other team members supplied haloween decorations. Spider webs, tablecloths and a pumpkin lantern to use as props and add aesthetic elements to the production.
Our brief:
To film a live studio recording of a children's TV slot, demonstrating how to make a paper aeroplane - aimed at an audience of 7-10 year olds.
Production team roles were discussed within our group and we met on several occasions to brainstorm and create an agenda.
We each decided and agreed upon multiple roles. I became researcher and floor manager.
The team agreed to create a facebook group, to help establish a communication link and to act as a forum to share ideas.
As it was improtant not to have any silence during the demonstation, and for the content to not appear too scripted, I suggested to adopt a theme for the show, the idea behind this being it would hopefully assist with any ad-libbing requirements during the recording. If your mind goes blank - talk about halloween!
I pitched a halloween theme to the rest of the group, all of whom liked the idea. This was evident from the volume of 'likes' the facebook thread received. ;)
Between us we decided to source some decorative items in order to dress the set and make it look as professional as possible, whilst working to a tight deadline.
I obtained several sheets of halloween printed fabrics which were used to dress the flats along with coloured card and stickers to decorate the paper planes. Other team members supplied haloween decorations. Spider webs, tablecloths and a pumpkin lantern to use as props and add aesthetic elements to the production.
8 OUT OF 10 UNDER GRADS PREFER QUANTATIVE RESEARCH?
20th Sept 2012
Today's lecture introduced me to the world of quantative research methods.
So, What is quantative research, then?
It's the gathering of quantifyable information. Statistics, percentages, age, gender, demographics etc
Why use quantative research?
Information obtained in this way can be used to base further investigative research on. For example in relation to my assignment, if one can understand the demographics, this information can be reproduced in tables, charts, graphs and or animations, adding an illustrative but also informative element to the final presentation.
How do we apply quantative research?:
Some methods of conducting quantative research are:
QUESTIONAIRRES,
ONLINE SURVEYS,
VOTING POLLS,
In teams we took part in a workshop excercise to try out some quantative research. The task was to try to establish the best way to market a degree course to future potential students.
Here are some of the questions I produced, which our group decided to include in our questionairre:
Which of the following social networking sites do you visit the most?
(choices provided from facebook, twitter, bebo, myspace)
How important is location (ie specific town or city) when choosing a degree course:
(choices provided from: Unimportant,quite important, essential)
I found that this method of research was useful when gathering quite simple, general information, but is perhaps less personal or engaging than some other methods might prove to be.
Depending on the question (search my blog for posts relating to research questions 1, 2 and 3) my group are tasked with researching, I think I will choose to use a quantative method in order to establish a target demographic.
If we are looking to research the future involvement of the writer in multi-layered, multi-platform storytelling, it might be useful to find out how many individuals surveyed have had experiences of audience participation?
We shall see...
Today's lecture introduced me to the world of quantative research methods.
So, What is quantative research, then?
It's the gathering of quantifyable information. Statistics, percentages, age, gender, demographics etc
Why use quantative research?
Information obtained in this way can be used to base further investigative research on. For example in relation to my assignment, if one can understand the demographics, this information can be reproduced in tables, charts, graphs and or animations, adding an illustrative but also informative element to the final presentation.
How do we apply quantative research?:
Some methods of conducting quantative research are:
QUESTIONAIRRES,
ONLINE SURVEYS,
VOTING POLLS,
In teams we took part in a workshop excercise to try out some quantative research. The task was to try to establish the best way to market a degree course to future potential students.
Here are some of the questions I produced, which our group decided to include in our questionairre:
Which of the following social networking sites do you visit the most?
(choices provided from facebook, twitter, bebo, myspace)
How important is location (ie specific town or city) when choosing a degree course:
(choices provided from: Unimportant,quite important, essential)
I found that this method of research was useful when gathering quite simple, general information, but is perhaps less personal or engaging than some other methods might prove to be.
Depending on the question (search my blog for posts relating to research questions 1, 2 and 3) my group are tasked with researching, I think I will choose to use a quantative method in order to establish a target demographic.
If we are looking to research the future involvement of the writer in multi-layered, multi-platform storytelling, it might be useful to find out how many individuals surveyed have had experiences of audience participation?
We shall see...
Saturday, 20 October 2012
DIGITAL FICTION FACTORY
I attended the first of three presentations from a media industry spokesperson, who gave an informative overview of a creative organisation, the Digital Fiction Factory.
As part of the Applied Media Research module, Producer Digital, Ian Wareing provided the group with the following question, which will form part of my own group presentation to be submitted as an assignment at the end of the module.
The next two questions will be set over the next few weeks by representatives of Onteca and 9 lives media. Stay tuned for posts relating to these.
So, What is Digital Fiction Factory?
DFF is a creative partnership between the BBC, Channel Four, Creative England and Conker Media (Lime Pictures).
Some examples of this multi-platform storytelling is evident in the following:
TV, RADIO and FILM
BBCs Britain in a day (I talk more about this here and here)
This was a joint venture between Scott Free (brothers Ridley and the late Tony Scott) and the BBC. It used crowd-sourced material to help paint a picture of life in Great Britain on 12th November 2011, and was inspired by the film Life in a day, (R. Scott 2010).
Participants in the project recorded and submitted their own unedited video content and uploaded this online for selection and perusal.. Although I personally missed out on submitting some of my own content, by the strange hand of fate I ended up being responsible for assisting with the selection and editing process for the BBC, along with a panel of student volunteers. So I did manage to get involved after all :)
MILLION POUND DROP
This has been widely recognised as a groundbreaking use of social media integration with live mainstream TV. The programme offers the capability to engage with the live TV game show and to also play along simultaneously with a mobile app, bringing a unique interactive element to the audience/user/player* (*delete as app.)
Is an interactive, multiple award winning film showcased by the National Film Board of Canada. This 20 minute film offers a unique non-linear online experience which runs behind a 'conventional' film (shot and edited using linear narrative methods). There are sequences included in the film which are set to 'play' at measured intervals during the users interactive experience.
The beginning and end of this documentary both appear to remain the same regardless of the choices the user makes but the intention is such that each individual user will have a bespoke viewing experience depending on the choices and clicks they make throughout the film. OK, I've tried my best to explain it, but in order to do it justice, have a go yourself...
Friday, 19 October 2012
THE EXECUTION FACTOR
"I'd buy that for a dollar"
Long, long before the creation of 'reality' TV shows, Stephen King's novella became a hollywood blockbuster for Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man.
A television gameshow where convicts are given the opportunity to try to 'win' their way out of a televised public execution.
So, transport yourself to a world in the future where the viewing audience, by way of their own participation - help control the outcome of the lives of people on TV, creating a new form of 'celebrity' status otherwise unheard of.
Just imagine that...
THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE?
The idea of interacting and engaging with the 'story world' has been around for some time.
However, over recent years, there seems to have been a shift from old skool books like the ones above into the realm of new media and digital media technologies.
Why is this happening?
Well, unfortunately you won't find a definitive answer to that question within this blog post. But perhaps its something that I can chew over between now and dissertation time.
Take the 'choose your own adventure' storybooks as an example. See above link (you know you want to).
These books have been around for years and I remember reading some as a kid. The idea was that instead of just reading a story, you could alter the outcome to a certain degree by making choices as you read.
At the end of a short chapter, the reader would be offered options similar to the following...
If you decide to taste the potion, turn to page 21
If you offer the witch a packet of spangles, go to page 34
If you take the path to the forest of doom, turn to page 11
This added an element of 'play' and interactivity to the story.
The thing is, people bought these. They were popular. Then technology arrived.
Readers became viewers, viewers became audiences and audiences became users. It can be argued that users are now becoming 'produsers', or professional users and to some extent producers of their own media.
So, just like the 'choose your own adventure' series of books, media audiences are now becoming more and more interactive in their choices and viewing habits. We are no longer in a culture of a 2.4 children family, settling down on the sofa on a saturday evening to watch, er 2.4 children together. Nor are we a society bound by TV schedules.
Instead, habits are changing with technology. Just as families function differently, their interaction with media does so too.
Anyway, this is all for another time, and for another post before I start delving too deeply into the subject.
So, I'm showing my age again now by referencing a kids TV program which ran from 1987 - 1994 called 'Knightmare'. This ITV programme had a similar theme, based inside a fantasy world and was a very early example of 'virtual reality' with what were at the time cutting-edge computer graphics.
So where is all this going I hear you ask?
Well, in a nutshell that's why I'm studying this degree. To research, find out and hopefully predict the future of storytelling in new and future media technologies.
Some industry speakers are watching trends in media consumerism and are predicting rapid changes. With questions hanging over how we will receive public 'broadcasting' services such as the BBC in the future, the world of media is evolving at a rate of knots.
Multi-layered storytelling is something which we are beginning to see on our screens. This is where a viewing audience of, for example a scripted original TV Drama, may very well download the accompanying app, or indeed tweet responses to a dedicated forum, which could influence the outcome and the ending.
Watch this space...
and then the one on your wall, and the one in your pocket ;)
The idea of interacting and engaging with the 'story world' has been around for some time.
However, over recent years, there seems to have been a shift from old skool books like the ones above into the realm of new media and digital media technologies.
Why is this happening?
Well, unfortunately you won't find a definitive answer to that question within this blog post. But perhaps its something that I can chew over between now and dissertation time.
Take the 'choose your own adventure' storybooks as an example. See above link (you know you want to).
These books have been around for years and I remember reading some as a kid. The idea was that instead of just reading a story, you could alter the outcome to a certain degree by making choices as you read.
At the end of a short chapter, the reader would be offered options similar to the following...
If you decide to taste the potion, turn to page 21
If you offer the witch a packet of spangles, go to page 34
If you take the path to the forest of doom, turn to page 11
This added an element of 'play' and interactivity to the story.
The thing is, people bought these. They were popular. Then technology arrived.
Readers became viewers, viewers became audiences and audiences became users. It can be argued that users are now becoming 'produsers', or professional users and to some extent producers of their own media.
So, just like the 'choose your own adventure' series of books, media audiences are now becoming more and more interactive in their choices and viewing habits. We are no longer in a culture of a 2.4 children family, settling down on the sofa on a saturday evening to watch, er 2.4 children together. Nor are we a society bound by TV schedules.
Instead, habits are changing with technology. Just as families function differently, their interaction with media does so too.
Anyway, this is all for another time, and for another post before I start delving too deeply into the subject.
So, I'm showing my age again now by referencing a kids TV program which ran from 1987 - 1994 called 'Knightmare'. This ITV programme had a similar theme, based inside a fantasy world and was a very early example of 'virtual reality' with what were at the time cutting-edge computer graphics.
So where is all this going I hear you ask?
Well, in a nutshell that's why I'm studying this degree. To research, find out and hopefully predict the future of storytelling in new and future media technologies.
Some industry speakers are watching trends in media consumerism and are predicting rapid changes. With questions hanging over how we will receive public 'broadcasting' services such as the BBC in the future, the world of media is evolving at a rate of knots.
Multi-layered storytelling is something which we are beginning to see on our screens. This is where a viewing audience of, for example a scripted original TV Drama, may very well download the accompanying app, or indeed tweet responses to a dedicated forum, which could influence the outcome and the ending.
Watch this space...
and then the one on your wall, and the one in your pocket ;)
BEYOND THE CAMERA - MAGIC AND ILLUSION EXERCISE
I do a bit of hill walking (you may know this already if you've taken time to browse through my stills gallery) If you haven't, you really should be ashamed of yourself.
Anyway, I happened to go walking with a friend around the time I was handed a brief to create a photo composition using adobe creative suite 5 in order to layer, mask and filter multiple images together.
I had no idea what the weather conditions would be like for lighting (I was going to be armed only with my iPhone camera) but by some stroke of luck, god was smiling that day and the weather was beautiful.
I took quite a few shots on the way up and was taken aback by the alien looking landscapes on offer during my scramble to the top of TRYFAN in North wales.
Whilst driving through surrounding villages en route to our starting point, my mate and I happened to notice that many of these small places were becoming deserted. Loads of old dwellings were boarded up, pubs were closed and the places looked like ghost towns. Was this due to it being 6:30 am, or due to social change? Hard to tell.
What we did notice however, was that in one of the otherwise seemingly deserted villages, was a brand spanking new Tesco Express (TM). No evidence of human life, but a brand spanking new Tesco Express (TM). These places seem to be cropping up everywhere at the moment. If theres a spare bit of land available, build a Tesco Express (TM).
We didn't stop for supplies.
After ascending to 3,010 feet above sea level and taking some shots of this martian looking mountainscape, we discussed how convenient it may have been if someone had decided to build a Tesco Express on Tryfan's summit.
My idea for the Magic and Illusion excercise assignment was born:
Anyway, I happened to go walking with a friend around the time I was handed a brief to create a photo composition using adobe creative suite 5 in order to layer, mask and filter multiple images together.
I had no idea what the weather conditions would be like for lighting (I was going to be armed only with my iPhone camera) but by some stroke of luck, god was smiling that day and the weather was beautiful.
I took quite a few shots on the way up and was taken aback by the alien looking landscapes on offer during my scramble to the top of TRYFAN in North wales.
Whilst driving through surrounding villages en route to our starting point, my mate and I happened to notice that many of these small places were becoming deserted. Loads of old dwellings were boarded up, pubs were closed and the places looked like ghost towns. Was this due to it being 6:30 am, or due to social change? Hard to tell.
What we did notice however, was that in one of the otherwise seemingly deserted villages, was a brand spanking new Tesco Express (TM). No evidence of human life, but a brand spanking new Tesco Express (TM). These places seem to be cropping up everywhere at the moment. If theres a spare bit of land available, build a Tesco Express (TM).
We didn't stop for supplies.
After ascending to 3,010 feet above sea level and taking some shots of this martian looking mountainscape, we discussed how convenient it may have been if someone had decided to build a Tesco Express on Tryfan's summit.
My idea for the Magic and Illusion excercise assignment was born:
Before:
After:
TV STUDIO 1
I've been spending quite a bit of time in the all new TV studio in the Redmonds building.
So far I've taken part in a series of workshops getting to grips with some new equipment, completed a live TV studio recording excercise and I am currently working on a pilot lunchtime show to be pitched to Channel 4 as part of my course.
I am told that the new TV studio is the best in the country and from what I've learned so far, utilising this space is proving to be quite an exciting experience.
Although quite daunting at first, I am getting my head around all of the new equipment. I have had my first experience of vision mixing up in the gallery and I am becoming more and more familiar with crabbing, craning, panning and zooming.
I am finding the new challenge of Studio recording to be quite a different experience to that of field camera work and on location shooting and I am comfortable working within both the live studio environment and outside recording.
I've completed another lighting workshop as part of the BEYOND THE CAMERA module, which concentrated on green screen technology and chroma keying using adobe creative suite 5.
I'm looking forward to continuing to build upon these skills with more practical work and hope to use After Effects again soon, in order to bring some of my still compositions to life.
So far I've taken part in a series of workshops getting to grips with some new equipment, completed a live TV studio recording excercise and I am currently working on a pilot lunchtime show to be pitched to Channel 4 as part of my course.
I am told that the new TV studio is the best in the country and from what I've learned so far, utilising this space is proving to be quite an exciting experience.
Although quite daunting at first, I am getting my head around all of the new equipment. I have had my first experience of vision mixing up in the gallery and I am becoming more and more familiar with crabbing, craning, panning and zooming.
I am finding the new challenge of Studio recording to be quite a different experience to that of field camera work and on location shooting and I am comfortable working within both the live studio environment and outside recording.
I've completed another lighting workshop as part of the BEYOND THE CAMERA module, which concentrated on green screen technology and chroma keying using adobe creative suite 5.
I'm looking forward to continuing to build upon these skills with more practical work and hope to use After Effects again soon, in order to bring some of my still compositions to life.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
DJANGO UNCHAINED
Only another three months to wait now until Tarrantino's latest gets it's UK release :)
More info here:
DJANGO UNCHAINED OFFICIAL SITE
More info here:
DJANGO UNCHAINED OFFICIAL SITE
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
VIDEO THAT MAKES ME SMILE THIS WEEK
Check out the new link on the right. (on wordpress only at the moment).
When I say new link, I mean the link function. This week's URL is actually for a tutor recommended video that's been present on Youtube for some time, but today (15th Oct) was the first time I'd seen it, so the content itself isn't new.
Blogger visitors click here:
Video that makes me smile this week
I think its an ace parody of one of my all time favourite films and perhaps (at least in my opinion) the best horror/psychological thriller of all time.
A shining example of what can be achieved with the art of the audio edit.
This will be updated on a weekly basis. Don't worry if you miss out on one of the links, they will be archived on the right.
just type weekly vid in the search engine (again wordpress visitors only)
I will endeavour to provide high quality stuff, relevant to the course and to this blog site and will do my best to avoid trashy viral nonsense...scout's honour.
When I say new link, I mean the link function. This week's URL is actually for a tutor recommended video that's been present on Youtube for some time, but today (15th Oct) was the first time I'd seen it, so the content itself isn't new.
Blogger visitors click here:
Video that makes me smile this week
I think its an ace parody of one of my all time favourite films and perhaps (at least in my opinion) the best horror/psychological thriller of all time.
A shining example of what can be achieved with the art of the audio edit.
This will be updated on a weekly basis. Don't worry if you miss out on one of the links, they will be archived on the right.
just type weekly vid in the search engine (again wordpress visitors only)
I will endeavour to provide high quality stuff, relevant to the course and to this blog site and will do my best to avoid trashy viral nonsense...scout's honour.
SOME MATERIAL FROM LAST YEAR'S MODULES
I wanted to use this as an opportunity to add links to some of my completed work from last year.
I blogged quite a bit about several of last year's module exercises but after re-reading the posts and because much of it was still being produced when I wrote the originals, the final pieces, compositions, artifacts, call them what you will - were omitted.
For my photoshop compositions, stills photography and digital art, check out the photobucket gallery link to the right: (in time this will be replaced by A Raring Move's flikr).
I'm adding to this all the time, trying to obtain a comprehensive portfolio. I'm keen to do more animations so am looking forward to working with After Effects properly.
All of the photography and digital artistry is my own and was created by me. (one exception, the image of the Tesco building on 'Every little helps' was sourced from the Internet but layered and masked onto my own background).
Also, on my to do list is to revisit A Raring Move's site and add more stuff/change the stills home page. I feel this is outdated now but is something I can't do remotely with it being hosted on the JMU server. I'll shove an update on here when it's done.
For examples of some very early online presentations, see below:
CRASH n BURN MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL INSTALLATION
MIKE WALSH'S FUTURETAINMENT
ALL ABOUT REFLECTION
I am growing ever more critical of the stuff I created last year. I am obviously learning many new skills and I feel my work is improving over time, which can't be a bad thing.
Perhaps I am becoming consciously competent?
I blogged quite a bit about several of last year's module exercises but after re-reading the posts and because much of it was still being produced when I wrote the originals, the final pieces, compositions, artifacts, call them what you will - were omitted.
For my photoshop compositions, stills photography and digital art, check out the photobucket gallery link to the right: (in time this will be replaced by A Raring Move's flikr).
I'm adding to this all the time, trying to obtain a comprehensive portfolio. I'm keen to do more animations so am looking forward to working with After Effects properly.
All of the photography and digital artistry is my own and was created by me. (one exception, the image of the Tesco building on 'Every little helps' was sourced from the Internet but layered and masked onto my own background).
Also, on my to do list is to revisit A Raring Move's site and add more stuff/change the stills home page. I feel this is outdated now but is something I can't do remotely with it being hosted on the JMU server. I'll shove an update on here when it's done.
For examples of some very early online presentations, see below:
CRASH n BURN MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL INSTALLATION
MIKE WALSH'S FUTURETAINMENT
ALL ABOUT REFLECTION
I am growing ever more critical of the stuff I created last year. I am obviously learning many new skills and I feel my work is improving over time, which can't be a bad thing.
Perhaps I am becoming consciously competent?
BEYOND THE CAMERA - FOLEY ART
Monday 15th October 2012
I've been having a bit of fun with one of these...
Today was an introduction to Digital Audio Design so I wasted no time and booked myself out one of these little buggers. I'd intended to use a Z1 mic with a dead cat on my own Sony Handycam and transfer the audio from tape to digital, but then I was introduced to my little friend above which will do the donkey work for me.
After playing around with the input levels, I've managed to get some impressive results in the form of original mp3 recordings for use in our groups latest project.
Bring on the creaking doors, floorboards, footsteps and did someone leave the bath taps running?
I feel like I can do a lot with this latest project and am genuinely excited about it. Note to self - source as much own material as possible. Avoid stereotypes such as the opening bars from Jaws, or Rocky themes to depict overcoming adversity. Be original and create your own identity/theme.
Updates to follow soon
I've been having a bit of fun with one of these...
Today was an introduction to Digital Audio Design so I wasted no time and booked myself out one of these little buggers. I'd intended to use a Z1 mic with a dead cat on my own Sony Handycam and transfer the audio from tape to digital, but then I was introduced to my little friend above which will do the donkey work for me.
After playing around with the input levels, I've managed to get some impressive results in the form of original mp3 recordings for use in our groups latest project.
Bring on the creaking doors, floorboards, footsteps and did someone leave the bath taps running?
I feel like I can do a lot with this latest project and am genuinely excited about it. Note to self - source as much own material as possible. Avoid stereotypes such as the opening bars from Jaws, or Rocky themes to depict overcoming adversity. Be original and create your own identity/theme.
Updates to follow soon
Sunday, 14 October 2012
New Mantra
I missed Prometheus at the cinema, but luckily for me it's just been released on DVD and BluRay.
With this in mind, I re-watched all of the Alien 'quadrilogy' and created a little excercise for myself. It had been a while since I'd watched them all and also a while since I'd dabbled with Photoshop.
I returned to a Photo I took in Liverpool city centre around 2009-2010. An old deteriorating building had been lit with neon signage, for no apparent reason. I didn't know why at the time, but this image stood out to me and I snapped a shot of it with my phone. I liked the way it looked and the image remained with me.
It wasn't until 2011, when I started my degree, that I began to learn about Mike Walsh and the whole futurist imagery and futuretainment ideology. How odd it seemed, so I stored my little photo away for a rainy day.
Before starting year two and in anticipation of eventually finding the time to sit and watch Prometheus , I revisited photoshop and revisited the image.
I messed around with the colour curves and hue values, added a layer mask, gaussian blur and noise in order to bring a film grain effect to the image whilst leaving the FUTURIST and THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE messages in 'focus'.
Finally, I added a filmic widescreen letterbox effect. It reminds me of BLADERUNNER. See Before and after below. I'm starting to get used to this now :)
That's what I'm talking about :)
With this in mind, I re-watched all of the Alien 'quadrilogy' and created a little excercise for myself. It had been a while since I'd watched them all and also a while since I'd dabbled with Photoshop.
I returned to a Photo I took in Liverpool city centre around 2009-2010. An old deteriorating building had been lit with neon signage, for no apparent reason. I didn't know why at the time, but this image stood out to me and I snapped a shot of it with my phone. I liked the way it looked and the image remained with me.
It wasn't until 2011, when I started my degree, that I began to learn about Mike Walsh and the whole futurist imagery and futuretainment ideology. How odd it seemed, so I stored my little photo away for a rainy day.
Before starting year two and in anticipation of eventually finding the time to sit and watch Prometheus , I revisited photoshop and revisited the image.
I messed around with the colour curves and hue values, added a layer mask, gaussian blur and noise in order to bring a film grain effect to the image whilst leaving the FUTURIST and THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE messages in 'focus'.
Finally, I added a filmic widescreen letterbox effect. It reminds me of BLADERUNNER. See Before and after below. I'm starting to get used to this now :)
REBRANDING PETER PONDERS
Peter Ponders makes A Raring Move towards Media Production
I've launched my own website. A very early 'work in progress' website, but a website nonetheless.
http://www.student.ljmu.ac.uk/LSSPEDWA/index.html
I did this using Adobe Dreamweaver as part of the DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLS module. (Year One, Semester Two).
Before starting my degree I was aware of web-designing software - but only to the extent that I knew this stuff exisited. I never would have imagined being able to create my own site from start to finish in less than one academic year, not to mention having some early content to put on it :)
I have found that designing a site is very much trial and error and the site needs to be updated regularly. I will be looking to add my CV and loads more digital porfolio stuff. All things which will help to promote myself and boost my online presence. I've been doing this quite a bit recently, which is one of the reasons it's taken me so long to update this blog. Apologies.
So, these days I'm 'marketing' myself as A RARING MOVE MEDIA PRODUCTION. I've created a new website, new blog (wordpress), photostream, facebook page, deviantart presence, 99designs, youtube channel, (to name but a few and I'm hard at work linking all this stuff together as much as I can) with an aim to adding more and more digital content.
I've launched my own website. A very early 'work in progress' website, but a website nonetheless.
http://www.student.ljmu.ac.uk/LSSPEDWA/index.html
I did this using Adobe Dreamweaver as part of the DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLS module. (Year One, Semester Two).
Before starting my degree I was aware of web-designing software - but only to the extent that I knew this stuff exisited. I never would have imagined being able to create my own site from start to finish in less than one academic year, not to mention having some early content to put on it :)
I have found that designing a site is very much trial and error and the site needs to be updated regularly. I will be looking to add my CV and loads more digital porfolio stuff. All things which will help to promote myself and boost my online presence. I've been doing this quite a bit recently, which is one of the reasons it's taken me so long to update this blog. Apologies.
So, these days I'm 'marketing' myself as A RARING MOVE MEDIA PRODUCTION. I've created a new website, new blog (wordpress), photostream, facebook page, deviantart presence, 99designs, youtube channel, (to name but a few and I'm hard at work linking all this stuff together as much as I can) with an aim to adding more and more digital content.
"This is ground control to Year One, you've really made the Grade"
Time for some new modules methinks...
NASA's LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) 20/7/69Ok, so I want to touchdown by reflecting on a letter that arrived from JMU at the start of the summer. It was my confirmation of the work I'd put in over the previous academic year and my ticket to year two. Yay! - I'm not embarrassed to say that I felt happy, proud and excited knowing that I'd successfully completed the first year of my degree :)
For the record, and for those of you who are interested here is a complete list of the modules which are now officially in the bag:
DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLS
CONTEMPORARY MEDIA ISSUES
FILM LANGUAGE
CREATIVITY AND CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCTION PRACTICE
So where will this voyage of academic discovery take me to next?
NASA's Mars Curiosity Landing Module 5/8/2012Saturday, 13 October 2012
- SITE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE -
October 13th 2012
Ok, so lately I seem to have abandoned my blog somewhat - well at least since the end of Yr1, Sem2. Naughty.
However, do not be alarmed as this doesn't mean Pete has had little to blog about. Indeed quite the opposite. I have just been rather busy to say the least. There is loads of content to add and - as I am a man of my word I will do as promised and update EIGHT MONTHS worth of activity onto here (coming very soon starting tonight).
Here is a little insight into what's coming up...
Photos; blogs; vids; digital artistry; recommends; gigs, festivals and events I've enjoyed; films and docus I've seen; music I've heard; likes and dislikes; my very own website; books I've read; places I've visited; experiences I've shared...all this and perhaps most importantly, everything I have learned/am continuing to learn at degree level relating to the world of Media Professional Studies.
Actually, now that I've returned here, the format seems a little outdated (is this because I now have a more critical eye due to up-skilling and course progression?) so I am seriously contemplating a transition to either Tumblr or Wordpress in the very, very near future. Things seems to look better over there.
Anyway, I will continue to add to this current (my original) blogger blog until the new one is up and running (as well as posting the same content on the new one, the name of which TBC) for ease of continuity and also because I find it to be more universally browser friendly than some of the others (I can blog from my phone on here)...
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