OH THE JOY (Blog # 27)

ANOTHER WEEK
Pretty much this week has consisted of shadowing, shadowing and more shadowing. So much shadowing that I have become Shadow the Hedgehog (ayy)
I finished my Kinetic Typography project and I'm happy with my end product to say the least, gotta love those X-Men

I wanna learn some more things you could do in After Effects so I'll definitely be looking up tutorials about it with my freetime.

So for the good news, I'm officially going to Germany this summer for 3 weeks and I can't wait! I'll be living with a German family for the time being and getting to go around the country and it's going to be a grand experience and hey, i got my passport yesterday!
I've also been drawing a lot of Eddie Gluskin and he's so beautiful and more beautiful roleplays with my ultimate friendo <3

Nothing bad happened this week once again, this is starting to become a record.

Summing it Up:

Some Tutorials! (Video# 11)

This is from a youtube animator i really enjoy and he did a photoshop tutorial for line art and coloring.
For me, I do my digital art in Photoshop CC and this helped me a lot so, here ya go!

It's Adventure Time! ( Blog # 26)

Come Along-

. Creator of Adventure Time, Pendleton Ward has decided to leave for good and why is that?
"It's hard and it's wearing me out"
Working on 11-minute animations with diverse stories and great characters become very tiring and with Cartoon Network relying on him.
With the increasing popularity, Adventure Time's story has gotten bigger and larger and more, well, adventurous. Ward explained that because of this, he quit because it was "driving him nuts"
He was relieved to have finally left the show as he was stressed out because of it's popularity.
Tom Kenny has also stated that he see's Ward in the Ice King character that he voice acts, Ward is just glad he left and he won't be making a new series.

-and Grab your Friends

. I don't blame Ward for leaving the show as it's growing popularity is very, jarring and was not suspected.
Animating is a serious business and especially animating for Cartoon Network is really stressful work.

Aren't Effects just Great? ( Blog # 25)

Which is Better?

. Practical effects are those created by hand with the use of special effects makeup, puppeteering and even man-made models that were used in films such as Jurassic Park.
CGI eventually made it's break and was used in movies like T2 and the box office sky rocketed from the sheer amount of people coming to view CGI as a great thing to come along and make the movie business a much more diverse and a large world. With the use of CGI superheroes were able to fly and scale huge buildings and aliens were able to be mad even more terrifying. The possibilities were endless.
Then the battle of the opinions began. What was better, practical effects or CGI?
People still fight over what's better and what's not. The argument over what werewolf transformation was better, An American Werewolf in Paris or An American Werewolf in London. The argument still stands.
An American Werewolf in Paris is done in CGI while the other, is a practical effect.
Many of our scenes in movies are done in practical effects when we don't even realize that they are. Most of Jurassic Park is puppets and suits that actors wear while like some of Alien was practical effects. X:Men First Class and the character Beast was practical effects makeup.

You Choose

. Personally for me, I just adore practical effects makeup and effects like the movie Labyrinth  and The Dark Crystal. It reflects on my childhood and everything that I really like in films, although, CGI is something I really like also because of the Marvel films and that's what I also grew up with.
An American Werewolf in London is still my favorite practical effect transformation as it show how well done man made things could be in film and it's much more realistic.

Making Yo Film Better (Blog # 24)

Techniques

. In reality, film is just two dimensional space of a flat screen. There truly is no depth, so to speak, in a movie. Filmmakers attempt to add depth to give the illusion of a depth of field to add more aesthetic to the film.
Light and shade is a good technique to use while trying to emulate depth as it shows the differences between light and dark spaces.
Focus is another one, it is able to use the technique of depth of field as it focus' on different subjects showing the distance between objects.
Perspective is a controlled technique as we could handle it much better than others. We are able to crate the perspective with the position of the camera and it gives the room more and little space.
Parallax is a way of moving the camera between objects and the objects of main focus, move faster than those in the background.
Occulsion is the best technique for depth as it has the subjects in their own area. Foreground and background and with the use of the dolly.

We Could Use

. I found this rather helpful as I never truly thought of the importance of adding the illusion of depth into a film. For me, this is really weird to comprehend as I don't have depth perception because of my sight so, I personally think this is gonna be rather fun to handle and to figure out.

Cut Away Anything Vulgar (Blog # 23)

Another week has passed by and we've been shadowing!
It's not all that bad to show 10th graders the ropes of our class but I hope i haven't scared any off with my bright personality. In between, I've been working on my Typography project and I'm nearly done already, gotta love Michael Fassbender's voice in your ear <3

I wanna learn how to utilize the camera a whole lot more and to get more used to how it works for other projects possibly in the future.

This week as been alright all around, but some great things has happened.
My 10th grade World History teacher came to me about the German Club and about the trip to Germany (Dusseldorf) and London, England and, I might be able to go during the summer!!
Actually go to Europe before I go to college, it's a dream come true so, hopefully I'll be able to. It's a 3 week long trip and I'll be even to go to a set of Doctor Who were they shoot stuff, like, WOW.
This week has also been lifted in high spirits because of dear friends and for the fact that yes, I'm into a new character who is a horrible person but, I can't stop myself.
Damn you Eddie Gluskin.



I can't resist that smile.



(and pssst, i also made this)

Nothing really bad happened this week, just some bickering between me and my dad and that's pretty much it for me so, I'll see ya'll around next week!

Summing it Up:

When I was a Boy- (Video # 10)

I have added a new character to a long list of characters that I love and Eddie Gluskin is a new one. (even though he's literal human trash)

I really like this speedpaint this person did of him in more of a cute form in Paint Tool SAI

Hope you enjoy darlings <3

Bara Skeleton's (Blog# 22)

Another week has gone by, but it's far from over as more and more projects are given to use and I like uping my game.

This week we learned about After Effects and the study of Typography and were given a new project about Kinetic Typography. I honestly can't wait to start this project. I'm using a clip from X:Men First Class and I love it <3

I can't wait to learn how to do inappropriate explosions and to become the next Michael Bay, it will happen...

This week has been a blast as me and Christina, my fellow and awesome friendo classmate have been connecting about a beautiful bara skeleton and his babes. It's been really great I mean



just look at dat hair

annnywaysss

Another great thing that's happened was, I applied for my first job at the Fashion Outlet mall to work in the TORRID store (unf, love that place) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Nothing bad happened this week, and I'm glad of it.

Summing it Up:

Sound Effect's in Film (Blog #21)

Can you Hear-

. Obviously in film, all the sound effects and soundtrack are not there during the recording of the clips of the film, it's all put in later. It would be to difficult to have everything there all at once, so, everything is recorded and added in in small bits. One at a time.
While filming, directors and production focus in on audio dialogue and even then, it could be added in later in a technique called looping or ADR. Small nuances such as a scratch on the face are added in during the post-production stage.
Sounds could be broken up into three groups
Ambient noises, small little sounds such as an atmosphere of being outside or in a busy city.
Library Effects, purchased commercially and are pre-recorded
Foley, a sound that is recorded of things on screen such as clothing, footsteps and props
Vaudeville was the introduction into the idea of using certain sound effects for certain things and then came along radio broadcasts as these were a hub for the use of sound effects to go along with the story.  

What I Hear?

. I already knew that certain sounds were then placed during sound production but I learned about Foley and what that exactly means, which was pretty interesting and history about vaudeville and radio broadcasts, that's pretty interesting, I honestly think that people need to do/ bring this back again.

Ain't No Rest for the Typography (Video # 9)

Since this week, we learned about typography, why not a cool typography video.

IT's set to the song, Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant and it's a pretty cool song, not to mention, it's in Borderlands. 

So, here you guys go!

Use all the References (Blog # 20)

What's the Sum?

. Usually while animating a scene of scenes, one would use references for types of action and motion. Such as using comic books and movies, but recording yourself or other's seem to be the best in results. Many would think that using a reference is cheating, it's a complete myth. Using references are an essential thing to use in the animation industry as they are helpful to get fluid motion and exactly, what you want.

There are several photography books that are useful to an animator with help in the walk cycle or a run cycle or any type of cycle. 

Many animators would look past comic books as a source of reference for poses, although, it's one of best ways as it helps in understanding dynamic poses of exaggeration and how to display motion in a still image. Learning about line action and and dynamics, comic books are a huge aid for animators. 

When looking at material such as movies and comic books, don't just stare and look, study and analyze on what yourself could do to bring what that artist did, to your own work.

The Sum

. I found this article to be really helpful in my opinion, it stated good tips and facts about finding and locating references. Comic books, I never even thought of using them for posing reference and they have some great poses to use. 

Myself, I'm still trying to get myself to understand that using references are not cheating, I guess it's just an old habit. 

Cosplay, Beacon Mental Hospital and OFF (Blog #19)

Hey Hey, another week has passed by.

This week was pretty short in comparison to others. I wasn't there Monday and Tuesday we were off so, yeah. Though, I was mostly working on my documentary project this week and I really like how it turned out. So happy about that, but I know mine is not good in comparison to other's.

I can't wait to learn After Effects and all that jazz, that's gonna be fun I bet.

I went to UB Minicon yesterday and I had a whole lot of fun and met other In the Flesh cosplayers there too! I got to meet some fursuiters and other people, got some merch from there and a lot of other stuff. So it was a success!
I also really wanna play The Evil Within because I might have fallen in love with the character Leslie Withers (coughandRuvik) from the game and they are really cool. (yeahhh)
Iv'e also been playing the game OFF finally and it's pretty interesting to say the least, I love the soundtrack, my favorite being the track name Pepper Steak.
(have a listen!)



Nothing really bad happened this week other than my wrist being hurt again in gym because of volleyball, woop de do.

Summing it Up:

Dat Pepper Steak (Video # 8)

I found this little animation from a game iv'e been playing called OFF and i thought it was pretty cool, a bit odd to people who don't know the game but let's just say, The Batter is purifying the world.

Baymax is a Soft Baby ( Blog # 18)

Let's Get Down to Business

. Baymax is a true and real type of robot. Don Hall visited Carnegie Mellon University's Robotic Institute and discovered many types of robots and got inspiration from the soft felted robot that was inflatable.
Inflatable robots are to become a real thing as hard robots are viewed as a thing to use injury and bruises if you bump into it. An inflatable robot is to not do this are are much better than the idea of a metal one. Filled with gas, these types of robots are to be controlled with air pressure and lightweight muscles to make it move and function.
The idea of Baymax is still and idea of the future as their are no life sized humanoid inflatable robots, just yet. Many are thinking of having these robots for care and aid as they're designs are much more needed/wanted for safer environments.

Wrapping it Up

. Yes, Baymax may not be real yet but he truly is a thing that is a work in progress and I like his design a lot, as both the character and the real thing. Having inflatable robots would be a great investment as they are much more safer then the average metal robot and they would be great for safe-care and aid with human beings. Hey, no sharp edges.

Black Holes are Interstellar (Blog # 17)

SCIENCE

. Looking at the movie Interstellar, many would think it to be a normal Apocalypse type of film and it's just a another thing to come and go, although, looking into the film more, many critics wished they had brushed up on their knowledge of physics before the films as the films does bring up real and truthful points as to real events that are happening to the Earth and the Universe. In the film, the world is dying from famine as crops are failing the Earth is slowly dying and fading away, human beings are to leave the planet and live in Interstellar, in space. The idea of Earth bound famine is not far off as blight fungus or "dust" have started to ruin our wheat and Okra crops and it was the leading problem that started the potato famine.
In the film (and possibly real life) the human race would colonize neighboring planets and moons and live there and grow crops.
The video of the creation of black holes and the creation of the visual black hole in the film showed that more in-depth thought had to be put into it and that Interstellar was the first film to depict a more realistic black hole than other films. Kip Thorne used Einstein's theory of general relativity to create the science behind black holes and discovered more about black holes because of it, as stars are warped and funneled into the black hole and even spouted back out. This, was used in the film.

RULES

. I really appreciate the fact that Nolan and Thorne went into the scientific side and actually delved into the actual science behind black holes and made an accurate black hole in their film. That's amazing how they did this and used the theory of general relativity to do it.
I thought it was really cool how everything that this movie did seems to be believable in a way as this "dust" is a real thing that is destroying our crops.

I say, well done.

Horror Movies are Just Plain Awesome (Blog # 16)

THE HORROR

. As we all know, fear comes from the brain and it appears that at a younger age, we are more prone to spot fear and danger then regular everyday things, like a flower. As most fears are, they are things that are a danger to us human beings and for our horror movie monsters from Universal Studios or even our Creepy Pastas, they all derive from something animal-like. Examples being Hannibal Lector and his love for human flesh, Dracula for his own thirst for blood and even The Wolf Man, for his appearance of a rabid wolf.

Although, studies have shown that horror films don't actually activate fear receptors in our brain. They actually activate our Visual Cortex, for our visual input. The Insular Cortex, for our self awareness, The Thalamus and The Dorsal Medial Prefrontal Cortex, the planning section of the brain. 

So, our brain isn't really scared but in a way, planning.

What horror really does, is pull our self interest using tension, relevance(either universal, cultural, subgroup or personal) and unrealism. 

Horror = "The Uncanny"

And horror is said to come from our deepest subconscious of our fears. Like the words, "shadows" or "mother"

All in all, we could all like horror movies because the people that do die on screen, deserve it.

THE HORROR

.This video/article was really interesting as it combined the sciences and theories of different intellects together and made a great analysis of what horror truly is. I like the explanation of what the brain does when actually watching a horror movie, I found that partially interesting to find out about and now, I view horror movies more highly as it is more then just scares as it makes our brains go in a haze.

I Might Just Disappear... (Video #7)

This AMV is some of the best stuff I have seen other than The Gorillaz and you need to watch this. The characters Mystery, ViVi, Arthur and Lewis are so well designed so well animated and just down right AWESOME, it just all fits together and I want more.
Plus the song is really catchy, this has been my jam for the past week.

Documentaries on Their Way (Blog # 15)

So this week, we had a video scav hunt to do,which was pretty fun to finally get behind the camera and actually filming. Getting and even learning about different shots was interesting as well.
Also, I started shooting for my Documentary Project and to be honest, I'm scared and worried and I know I won't do good. I come up with one idea and then I change it, then I change that and so forth. Everything I come up with just, turns out it won't work or I know it's gonna suck.
This is gonna be hard for me.

I wanna learn how to stop this, for being so paranoid about everything and anything I do.

Halloween was great overall, went cosplaying as a PDS sufferer from In the Flesh and I scared the ever-living crap out of a ton of people so, I felt accomplished.

Nothing really bad happened this week though, only the fact that my English teacher is still being horrible to me. I still hate it how she takes to me like I'm stupid, says my writing is not good enough and etc.

Summing it Up:

Do You Hear The People Sing in The Mall? (Video # 6)

THIS IS SO COOL.

As a fan of Les Mis, this was really entertaining to watch and to think how well this was done to do something like this.
Give it a watch and you'll see what I mean.

Nothing Much (Blog # 14)

So, as the blog says, nothing much happened for me this week. It was pretty normal and just, things were alright.

This week in BOCES we did more Premiere tutorials and learned different styles of editing and shot takes after we handed in our own shot lists for our documentary. It was interesting to learn how many different ways someone could take a shot so in displays a more vivid idea of the emotion of mood of that scene. I really liked that.

Although, I can't wait to get into taking the shots and to start making my own documentary and film so, I can't wait to use the cameras.

For happiness, well, I went to go see my friend Karissa in her last 24 hour play (a thing my school does, you make 8 plays in only 24) and she was great in it!

Though, I was really upset this week over my English teacher who just has a bone to pick with me all the time. It doesn't make sense and she says my writing isn't good enough. She makes me stress all the time and come home pissed off because she talks down to us like were lower than her. It's sick

Summing it Up:

A Little How To (Blog# 13)

Here's How

. When hiding a Lav Mic the best option is, if you don't have to hide it, don't do it. By having an exposed mic, you get the best sound quality then having it hidden in clothing and etc. By having it exposed and hidden in clothing, clothing could rub against it and give you bad sound. Another thing that could happen and give you bad sound, is cable noise in which the cable gives out sound when it is moved. Hair could also give bad audio is someone is hairy, even on the chest.
A cool way to possibly hide a lav mic in a tie, is to simply clip it backwards so that the clip could be mistaken as a tie clip or to even tie the mic into a lose knot and put it behind the tie. Tape it down and then make two triangle pieces and sandwich the mic into place and this aids in blocking out some noise from rubbing on clothing. Also, to hide a mic in a tie, hide it in the actual knot of the tie by bringing it down and have it poke out from the bottom and even if it is pointing down, the audio is picked up from the mouth.
If there is no tie, but a collar, do the same technique that was used on the back of the tie and do it under the collar and audio is able to be pick up this way as well. With a buttoned up shirt, you can hide a lav mic between the buttons of shirt with the triangle technique like before.Applying it to the skin is also an option by laying a piece of tape before applying the mic down, First aid tape is recommended and if the person is wearing a t-shirt, just use the same method and run it through the collared area of the t-shirt.

The Opinion

. This video was extremely helpful and eye opening on exactly how a lav mic could be hidden from a shot an this could be really helpful for my own films for the year. I could use these techniques and let's hope and pray for no chest hair.

Let's Learn Kiddo's (Blog # 12)

Let's Get Prepared...

.Nicole Herr is a creature animator that has worked on Game of Thrones and Guardians of the Galaxy who first got interested in animation when she saw The Little Mermaid, that night she contacted Disney Florida Studios, asking for advice and she was able to talk with a senior animator and from then on, she knew what she wanted to do for a career. In 1998, her first professional work was to animate jellyfish for the movie Sphere. Though, asking her what her favorite work was to be apart of, was a tough one as she couldn't choose one. From restoring original animation from the original Fantasia for the 2000 release, to animating Groot and Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy and even Stuart Little 2 where her first character animation was featured.
When also asked for what the differences between being a realistic vs being a character animator was like, she explained that there was no large difference. Just being a realistic animator, details matter and when you're doing a more life like being, small details matter more. For realistic animation, Herr records and studies animals that are connected to that creature to understand their motions and for more cartoon-y animation, she most closely studies herself as the model and shoots film of herself performing the scenes to get and understanding of movement for that character.
For the length of work time, it honestly depends on how much work load you are given at a time and when the deadline is for that project. It could even take up to 40 hours to animate a 240 frame shot, Herr stated.
Nicole Herr was also given the opportunity to animate a dragon for a Game of Thrones Time Warner Cable commercial and she was excited for this project. The rigging, she said, was very smooth and easy to work with and for the commercial they were able to broad out the characteristics of the dragon and give it character.
As a mentor for animators, she notices that when students start animating creatures, they don't plan their shots and forget the character of the creature and give them no motivation for their action. That's a huge thing to keep in mind.

...For Battle

. Reading the article helped me understand the importance for reference for your animations and the need for pre-production for your projects. Their is a major need for an understatement for your creature and who EXACTLY who they are as a real being. Practice acting out and record yourself for movement, don't be afraid to do so, who cares if you look like an idiot. It helps more to do so.

Bringing Mutants to Life- Through the VFX Gene (Video # 5)

This is a really cool video that I found about the VFX breakdown that was done for some of the scenes in X-Men: Days of Future Past and it's really really cool to see how some of the stuff is done for a movie like this, with people having mutant powers/abilities. I highly recommend giving it a look through!

Insult to Injury (Blog # 11)

Hello my fellow people

Overall this week for me has been rather crazy and "busy" as I mostly had the whole week off minus Thursday and Friday and I was taken to BOCES when I didn't have to come so, go me. This week, we started learning Premiere and the inside and out's of that program for our upcoming Documentary project which, I can't wait for. Learning Premiere was pretty fun and it was nice to re-learn some things that I forgot over the summer.

I can't wait to learn After Effects and to figure out how to make some pretty (cheesy) cool effects for films in the future

My week all in all was me going to boces and staying at home doing nothing. It was good though, Friday after the field trip I hung out with my friend for the whole day, going to get frozen yogurt, shopping in the mall, went to the Halloween store and we went to see a movie. Then add in horrible jokes and pictures and that was us. I also had a wonderful time on Saturday as me and my parents went to the Daemen College open house and toured the college and the Animation building and I met some of the professors (who are extremely nice) and my parents were VERY impressed. So, hopefully I get accepted there /crosses fingers

Though, on Friday, when I was with my friend, we were crossing the road and we had to run across and while running, my lower back pulled out really horribly and also while walking, my foot got twisted and i almost fell. So i have a pulled out back and a twisted ankle which, hurt really bad, even right now as I type this. So i walked all around Niagara Falls and Daemen College like that.
I deserve a medal.

Summing it Up:

Borderlands, In the Flesh, X-men OH MY (Blog #10)

Ay oh my wonderful people, it's been another week and another week is about to pass .
This week really consisted of finishing up Photoshop projects, which I'm extremely happy with and the beginning of the big picture. FILM. Oh I can't wait to start this, though he started with audio, we basically learned the differences between different formats and what is good and what is bad. AKA MP3 is the Devil.

I can't wait to learn more about film and movies by learning camera angles and how to express emotions through a scene, even without words. That's what I like about films.

This weekend though, has been pretty fun as me and Christina chatted on skype until, like, 2 AM prompting Borderlands and it was a really enjoyable thing to do and hopefully, we'll do it soon! (thanks waifu) Though also, I'm working on my new Kieren Walker cosplay and hopefully, I'll have that finished for Halloween so be warned if I come in with white eyes. Also to add (yes, I had a pretty awesome week) on Friday, me and my crew were able to record almost all my sounds for my sound project and that's really great, just gotta start editing!!

Nothing really bad happened this week, everything ran smooth and well and hopefully I'll have more weeks like this, otherwise, gotta start using my mutant powers to make it happen. mHAHA-

Summing it Up:


(why was this gif ever made oh my god)

Make up is Magic (Video #4)

A video by my favorite makeup artist and since it's October now, I think this would be cool to show!
He's a wonderful artist and he does TONS of stuff so you should totally check out his channel
His techniques I use all the time for things and hey, it helps out with certain things
plus, Laughing Jack is my favorite creepy pasta~

Advice from an Artist (Blog # 9)

Follow This

. Intentionally, many think that being in a video game company, that company is gonna slack off and play their video games all the time and it's gonna be a good ol' fun time. Though in reality, it's just a regular job with regular job things that you have to do.

Although, if you still wanna be in a job like this and knowing that it IS still a regular job, Ian Bowden one of the visual artists and developer at Rockstar is here to aid in some tips for artists.

Look at the trends he says, but be original still. Take what is popular in movies or in the community and give it your own spin so you're able to stand out from others who are doing the same idea as you. Go one step further and don't get cheap with your work, even if it's just a small project. Give 100% each time so it'll show that you are dedicated in your work.

You, as an artist, should always carry a sketch book or even a notebook for ideas. You could be anywhere and could get inspired so it's nice to have one and to simply, practice all the time, even just doodles.

All in all, don't be afraid of new ideas and just experiment with anything. If it comes out bad, try again, practice makes perfect.

What I Learned from This

all that Bowden says is something that I live by because it is true, you must express your interest in the career you want, to get the career you want. Practice, practice and more practice makes you an even better artist or even a better person in the long run and by getting you name out their, someone might like that also and its helps in the long run. 

Personally for me , I carry my drawing pad or even a notepad with me all the time just in case and it really, honestly helps out

Movies Literally Suck Us In (Blog #8)

A Summary About the Facts

. Studies actually show that action scenes in movies excite the brain and pulls us in more for more of those action scenes. It gets our full attention and perception and this is why we stick through some movies just because of the scenes like in Iron Man 2. In reality, studies have even proved this feat as the opening scene from Iron Man 2 was shown and roughly about 75% of the viewers kept their eyes on the action by using heat maps and cameras that focused on the eye movement. The scene may seem real but in reality, the scene was directed in a parking lot and other things were created with CGI.
Though, even with CGI and the manipulation of viewers heads into being sucked in, there is only so much a filmmaker could do and physics and faces. Human beings have life in their faces and with filmmaking and CGI, t could not be replicated because of that very reason. Same with physics, you never know when a thing is gonna bounce with way or not. You'll never know and the maker of Iron Man 2 knew this as well.
In a way though, filmmakers create life out of things unimaginable but with our selves, it's more difficult than those think.

We're Really Brian Washed?

. I think it's quite incredible on how movies are much more than what we perceive them to be. Just pure entertainment. Though truthfully, they are much more than that as they suck us right in with action scenes and it's all in how the brain sees it. The brain sometimes needs pure action and violence i guess?
Also on how, with CGI work, physics and faces and nearly impossible to replicate because it's far to noticeable and way to difficult to handle. The human face even, it's hard to make it with all the inner things it does, which is pretty interesting.

Don't Color Outside the Lines (Blog # 7)

Here's How...

. Colors are a main thing that our eyes see and it brings emotion. Simple to understand. Certain colors bring certain emotions in both animation and even regular film. The first video, combing the colors of different Pixar films was nicely done and shown off who color = emotion. By bringing a blue color into a scene about a death it shows melancholy or even the scene from Toy Story 3, the incinerator. Red and Orange bring out the intend and deadly emotion during it, mixed with the lighting, it brings the scene together into one.

Now, a colorist does this by fixing and arranging a scene of shots to life and to bring the directors idea to the film. From the simple color change of a tram or even bringing it from day to night, a colorists is an essential member of a film team.

Opinion Based

. In my opinion, the colorists is a huge asset and is one of the most important people or the team since they bring a film to life and without them, the film would be over/underexposed and it simply would look really crappy without their help. In both film and animation, the colorist helps bring the desired emotion with the colors representing the characters emotion or the films tone and without this, the film would fall flat and it wouldn't work.

I would love to work more with color and try this out myself.

MY LOVE FOR STOP-MOTION ANIMATION (Blog # 6)

Stop-Motion Animation is da Bes

. Travis Knight is an animator at Laika Studios who are noted for their well done films Coraline and ParaNorman but not only that, he's also the president and CEO of the company. His wide variety of techniques that he brought to his design of stop motion animation have brought the industry back to life and he has done it well. With each passing film, new ways of doing things are brought down from each other and then improved on in the next film which ups the game for the company as new techniques such as 3-D work is used in the movies making the movie even more vast.
Although, many views were beginning to notice a trend of a horror-aspect to their films, while their new film The Boxtrolls, will hopefully break that idea.

As Knight as said, by becoming CEO of the company, he has gained an extra set of eyes on the whole expense as to making a film and to running a company such as Laika. Being an animator, it's only you and your puppets to animate but as a CEO AND animator, he's able to see from both sides. Knight also has touched on the fact that, all animators are an actor. Hand drawn or even stop motion, you are acting out that character. At the company, the combination of cutting edge tech and stop motion come hand and hand as many workers come up with new ideas all the time and it's in tune with each other as a team and even a family.

Do I Wanna Be A Boxtroll??

. Laika is one of my favorite animation companies out their and their work on stop motion films has paved a way for that type of animation talent. Myself, Iv'e always been a fan of that type of animation and being able to see the as I grow up and be bigger than ever, it's amazing. Such films such as James and the Giant Peach and comparing it to ParaNorman, it's odd seeing how Laika has expanded the industry so much.

I completely give Knight my full congrats as he is doing a wonderful job in animating and running the company as he's bring out new ideas and making the animation industry more mature and it's finally getting recognition.
Congrats.

Take Me to Church (Video #3)

This week I'm bringing a song which has a deep place in my heart and it brings up big debate and a huge message about the mistreatment and hatred towards the LGBT people.

It's a really well constructed song and the message speaks clearly and it's heart wrenching

Take The Drama Away (Blog # 5)

This week has been pretty normal and mundane as much as I could say. Mostly a work type of week as we studied and worked on coloring and even creating abominations of nature such as a LadyPug. We were also given our new projects, thus being the audio project and the portrait, which mine is coming along quite nicely. (WOO)

Although, I can't wait to get into video in which I'm able to learn the mechanisms and the way the cameras work. AKA Cinematography

Though, some really great happened this week as I went to my Homecoming dance with my friends and it was so much fun as after, we all went bowling until 3 AM and i beat everyone's butts. Go me.
Also, with my recent love for In the Flesh, I'm actually planning to cosplay it and I ordered my first pair of contact lenses which are gonna look like this-





Pretty neato!!

But, with all the good things, there is a load of unwanted crap on the side of it.
Homecoming, even though it was fun, it was the dying ACID to my Saturday. My friend Zack and his girlfriend fought and got pissed at each other and she was crying and everything and I was the one who had to fix it. It's really stupid and the fact I was the wallflower in the situation, made things even better.
Now me, I'm not great at social skills and it's hard to get comfortable in certain situations. So, bowling was hard to since there were people I didn't know.
But, it was hell all in all. UGH

Summing it Up:

I Worship Bob Ross (Video #2)

Okay, I love Bob Ross and his message.

Now, this video is a really cool remix song someone made about bob ross and it's so well done and if you ever feel insecure about your art work, you need to watch this because it makes me feel so happy abut myself.

I'm a PDS Sufferer- (Blog# 4)

Hiya!

This week kind of flew by in a way, productive and fun it was aswell.

School is week was alright, just more setting up for the full school year but at least spirit week is next week so woo. The Homecoming dance is coming up also and I'm bringing my Magneto plushie as my date because I don't have a life. Again WOO

In class this week, we did more tutorials on the effects of photoshop and got down and dirty and started making our own projects which I'm ery happy about doing. I mean come on, a hedgehog mixed with a pinecone so it turns out to be a PineHog or a Hedgecone. Awh, it's really great.

Some pretty awesome things have occurred this week as one of my in-school friends asked me to do a tumblr askblog for Five Nights at Freddy's and he wants me to do the drawings which, is pretty fricken' sweet!
Also, I discovered a new show that, even with my love for The Walking Dead, I think it's better than it. It's called In the Flesh and it's mainly about this town and how the dead came back to life and that government created this drug that brings them back to their normal state of being. So their undead but are able to be brought back into society. I swear to GOD, this show has some of the best representation of discrimination, gay people and PTSD sufferers I have ever seen in a tv show.
I highly recommend it.



Look at these undead cuties

For the bad, I don't really have anything to put down. Um, let's see-

Well, I stubbed my toe and it hurt a whole lot. So, yeah. That's pretty much it

Summing it Up:

Here's Some Tips (Blog #3)

Do These and You'll be a Star

Now, usually you want to catch one's attention and of r an animation demo reel, make in short and sweet but good. You need to keep someone's attention to your work and reel them in with your talent. Remember that. Be unique to your techniques of animation and don't follow the clique's. You need to stand out of the crowd!
Understand your characters, take some acting classes to understand movement and to understand on how to represent a character to their potential. So, take some acting classes when you have the chance to do so, it'll help in the long run of things. Now, for your demo reel, keep a reel and not a full movie of your work, that's gonna get boring and recruiter are looking for your best work and not a crappy thing you made at 2 am. Keep it to 2-3 animations and make them GOOD.

What I'M Gonna Do

I'm gonna follow these rules by heart because this is something I wanna do with my life and yeah, I need to approve on my skills but, don't we all. Acting classes in my opinion, are a must and for me, I'm working on acting at my high school and this'll help with characters and people in general. So /crosses fingers

This article is a huge help for those who need to understand what people/ recruiters are looking for in them. So, good luck to all

Games are the New Movies, Who Knew? (Blog #2)

The Facts

Being the year 2014, many would have expected flying cars and robotic minions that would do our homework for us but, this is obviously not true. Though pertaining to film making and the entertainment industry in general, we have evolved to more complex techniques that catch the eye of viewers, which is us. Movies have been evolving for more than a century and while on the other side, video games have been only doing that for four decades. Even with such little time, companies and developers are starting to implicate film making strategies into their games, like The Order 1886, which is soon to be released.

Depth of field and even lens glares are being added into games to give it a more "movie" feeling which, is working. Video Games in the modern age are starting to be fleshed out as complete story lines and could be made into movies themselves. Lev Kuleshov's technique of the "cutaway" is a great example as in the video given, a director is able to manipulate with the audiences mind and show that lighting could change a mood or give off a type of style. 

Now Let Me Tell You-

This article makes perfect sense on how video games DO deserve more recognition of being a full source of entertainment and DO give of complex story lines that feel like a motion picture. Kuleshov's "cutaway" technique is also a very good technique and way of giving off an artists aesthetic and a way to give mood. Thumbs up from me.

Over all, video games have come a long way in a short time and they're not leaving anytime soon people.

Dem Memories (Video #1)

So for all of us, we grew up watching The Magic School Bus and that was the best day of school. (Other than watching Bill Nye) but I found this fan-made video and let's just say,

CAN THIS BE A REAL MOVIE

I'm Back BABY ( Blog # 1)

GUYSS

I'M BACK (great, right??)

Anyways, school is back on and for the final round this time. Quite scary to think about but I'm ready to tackle the senior year down. 

There are many things I could write here for what I actually learned, like the fact that my government teacher likes talking about voting for about 3 hours or even that seniors boys like smelling like fermented gym socks.

Disgusting

Though, what I actually learned was more Photoshop skills that I didn't know about, like the retouching process that goes on in magazines and what tools the pros use which was pretty interesting on how drastic things could go when editing pictures. 

I really wanna learn more techniques of how to make full blown photoshoped images, like how ads are made. That'd be really cool to learn so I could make some outragous images of pandas in swimming shorts and small babies as office workers.

So pure madness,

This weekend was extremely fun as I got to finally feel like a senior as me and my crew went bowling (in which I totally lost) and I found Michael Fassbenders long lost American Brother. (don't blame me, dis guy was flyyYY)

But as said, things must come down and this week in school I was forced to sit next to this guy in my government class that asked me "What my favorite coloured crayon I liked to eat?"

like, dude?? ?

My school is weird

All in all, things are starting out well and I can't wait to start filiming so you guys can see my horrible acting

WOO

Summing it Up:

Shove me into a locker because i'm a huge Nerd

peace was never and option

Goodbye Old Friend-

1. Why did you take this class?

Mainly why I took this class is because, I love art and I want to get into the art field, to do something I enjoy. Iv'e always been in awe of animated movies but I never really thought about the process that goes into making them. So, when I heard about BOCES having an animated based class. I wanted to learn and here I am.

2. In general, what did you like most about this class?

I loved the atmosphere of the class (also the projects!) but, with this atmosphere, I became more creative and I got to meet some great people who are artistic like myself. I developed as an artist.  

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?

To be honest, nothing really. Here and there, I thought about how bad of an artist I was because of how wonderful everyone was but that's just mainly myself. Low confidence to the max with this one.

4. What was your most favorite project and why?

I really loved the 11 Second Club. Lip Syncing is something I actually really enjoy doing, it's tedious but well worth it when you mouth moves correctly.

5. What was your least favorite project and why?

My 3D Short, not really the project but just my own idea and concept. I should have gone more simpler with my idea. The model just really pissed me off. But again, my own fault. I love Maya but, practice makes perfect I guess.

And rotoscoping is just, no

6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).

Ms. Licata was a wonderful instructor. Her personality and connection with the class was a huge plus for me. A relation/connection with the teacher is a great thing to have. Our lessons in class were also educational and I learned a lot, more than what I thought I would. She peaked my interest about the animation field and truly, made me want to learn more and more about the field of animation/video production.
One of the best teachers/instructors I have ever had. She has helped me some much along the way and I appreciate it immensely.

7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?

Critique and Time Management.
I was never great at people critiquing my work and with this class, I learned that I'm gonna have to get used to it and I have gotten better with it. Time Management is something I learned the hard way, by staying up all night trying to finish projects and all of the above.

8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?

Oh definitely, my taking this class, I learned so much about art and animation that I didn't even think or know about. This class did help me figure out what I wanted to do with my life by giving me the boast of information I needed to lift me off. I'm even looking at colleges right now.

9. How could this class be improved?

I would have to say, by getting that TARDIS sound-booth we need. That would help a whole lot.

10. Additional comments:

I'm gonna miss my classmates and this class. It was a lot of fun this year and I can't wait to see old and new ones again next year. 

 

Anyways, goodbye old friends

Lot's o' Digital Practice ( Blog # 55)

Hey guys, another week is gone and the end is almost near ( quite sad to say so ) but, it's gotta happen.

This week has been okay, I had my AP English final so hopefully, I passed (/crosses fingers) I didn't learn that much this week in Animation but for Digital Art, Iv'e been working with Photoshop for my lineart/colouring and it's pretty interesting. So, I'll be learning more of that in the future.

I really want to learn some good techniques for smoother lines in both animation and digital art, but also I really want to learn some good character design techniques

I'm pretty happy about how everything is going, I've noticed how my art has improved throughout the years and I can actually make art that is NOT fanart, which iv'e always worried about.

Some samples, Still in WIP:





Though, Iv'e been stressing out a tiny bit because I'm thinking of taking some driving lessons in the summer and well, being half blind is not fun so, on the road, it's gonna be bad. (I was already bad at driving arcade games.

Summing it Up:

DO YA THING (Video # 23)

The video for this week is Gorillaz related but it's really cool. It's the maiing of the "DoYaThing" video feat. Andre 3000

RIGHT HERE YO


It's a really sweet video and it's awesome to see all the Gorillaz band members in 3D. It's funny, the music is catchy and you get to learn a quick thing or two about bringing real life and 3D together.

UGH, Cliches (Blog# 54)

Here's Information

. Uusally in  short films, oddly clowns are shoved into the film probably just for the scare for those with the phobia

. Black and White is a cool thing but it's used so much that it has become a total cliche

. Really bad and cheesy soundtracks. It could be very annoying in a film

Opinions

. Cannibalism is listed but, I really enjoy stories about cannibalism since it's an interesting a creepy subject, as well as black and white films

. Silence, I wouldn't  consider a cliche. It adds to the moment and if it's for the whole film, there would be a reason

Cliche or Not?

. Anymore cliche's that could be added to the list, mine would have to be the liar revealed cliche in films

Pixar's New Idea (Blog# 53)

Pixar's new idea about a 2D like image, against a 3D character is rather interesting and stylized.

Throwing the Fact at You

. Different overlays and processes were used to give the effect of a 2D image on a 3D scene. Hatching gives a nice effect of shadows and movement, while outlining bold's the lines out. The use of water color gives of light in the scene, as well as color.

. The input animation of keyframing-in-betweening. Is relatively simple, with simple colors and little to no detail. Keyframing, the artist puts details into the important frames, leaving the face and eyes out in different places. After this, a synthesis result is created,  the character moving smoothly in that stylized art at half speed until a full output version is created.

. The final result of the stylized render, is a composite

My Opinions

. I really like the style that Pixar is going for, bring 2D back into animation, though in a new light. Personally, I like the water color effect, it looking like a painting. I would love to see an animation like that. MAKE IT HAPPEN

. Even if, some of it was confusing, I understand the idea. Though, it needs to be done certain ways and in certain things.

A Little Q & A

. Your opinion on Pixar's stylized idea?
.

Back in Action! (Blog # 52)

Helloooo Nurse!

Back to the blogs and it's pretty cool, getting to express my feels to my classmates once more.  Anyways, this week has been pretty tough, work being thrown at me (cough cough English) Finished The Great Gatsby and watched the movie and it was amazing. I'm glad I read it.

Something I'd really like to learn is how to make more appealing bakgrounds in my animations. They are bland in my opinion.

I was really happy that I entered my first contest, being the only animated entry! I wish luck to everyone and the two other people from the AM class. I also got my hair done today, it's so beautiful (/hair flows in the wind)

Something that made me mad?
Well, my animation almost went to crap. It was extremely weird and I'm just so glad that Ms Licata helped me out (THANK YOU, AHHH)

Summing it Up:

Roger Rabbit (Video # 22)

With the recent passing of Bob Hoskins (we'll miss you Eddie) I wanted to post something relating to Roger Rabbit, one of my favorite movies.
This video shows the before and after effects that were put into the movie during the Toon Town scene. It's really amazing how they did this

I really would like to see movies like this more but, that won't happen.

DIY Filmmaking (Blog #51)

A Little of This...

. For your lights, it's a good tip to run the cord under the leg stands and instead of just out in the open, so in case you trip the cord of pull on it, the light wouldn't fall down as easily.

. Thrift shops such as the Salvation Army, are good places to look out for things, such as other cords for various uses and padding for things you are using around the studio, for extra support.

. Lighting is another thing, good lighting helps a video/movie being made and a good investment comes from lights that could changed and the color could be altered as well.

...A Little of That...

. The thrift store idea is a wonderful idea. I, myself, go to thrift stores a lot for various things and also, for your film, it's a great place to find clothes to use for your actors.

. Using cardboard to block windows out is a little iffy, in my opinion. I would use a thick black curtain, or even a painted piece of wood if I could.

...And a Pinch of That.

. Any other tips that would add to the list?

Pixar TIPS (Blog # 50)

Learned Tips

. When animating something you haven't done before, try to break it down to simpler components to make it easier for yourself.

. With your work, don't be afraid to show it even when it's not your best (yet) Both you and the director want the best product for the animation and a good critique is not bad.

. Don't be afraid to act either for your animation. It's highly recommended to know about acting as it helps understand movement when you, or you see another person doing a motion for an animation.

My Opinions

. The acting thing is a huge thing for me, I sometimes sit at my Mac and open my mouth or pose to see what it would look like, yeah, I look like an idiot sometimes but it helps at points!

. "When in doubt, throw it out" So true, I had to throw out so many things for my 11 second club because, I wan't liking it and I went simple for some parts, which did help and I liked the outcome of the product.

Student Questions?

. Would you use any of these tips and which one's would you use?

Nothing New (Blog # 49)

This week, once again, was pretty bland and normal. Just lots of school work...

In AP English, we got our last book to read and this time, we could choose our book and I picked Th Great Gatsby. Can't wait to read it, never seen the movie and I know nothing about it, so that's good. In Math, were doing trig work and it's really easy for me so I'm not really worried about that.

What I really want to learn is how to do fluid motion blurs for animations.

Something good that happened this week was that the TF2 Comic updated and the whole thing was hilarious! Heavy's name was revealed by his sisters, which it is Misha or Mikhail, which is Micheal in Russian. Just, it makes me so giddy!

Something bad, well, nothing actually, Nothing went wrong this week and it's nice for a change.

Summing it Up:


 

Praise the Sun! (Video # 21)

Dark Souls!
I love the LORE videos and I thought some of us would enjoy this video so, prepare to die.

Medic has a Little Message for Everyone

TO MUCH PRESSURE (Blog # 48)

This week has been pretty normal, just lots of homework.

We've worked all week with our 11 second club projects and I extremely proud of mine. Lip syncing is so fun to!

I really want to learn how to do motion blurs in 2D Animation.

Something good?
Well, I have a full Tweek Tweak Cosplay that took me one day to put together. The quickest cosplay I have ever made.

Now for the bad, It's homework. I was pounded with homework this whole school week, it's ridiculous. UGH (Continues to complain)
But really, I had an anxiety attack because of my math test. I haven't had one of those in a while. Literally, I was scared, it was hard to breathe.
Like the title says, to much pressure...

Summing it Up:

If Our Programs Were Alive... (Video # 20)

I just found this pretty entertaining and I thought all of ya'll would enjoy it
Plus I died of laughter at "Sleep Tweening"

Here's a Video Anyways! (EXTRA)

So, I decided to put a video on here anyways so, guys. I know of (coughcoughJOEL'Scoughcough) thing with Shrek and I found this on my tumblr and literally died. Reminds me of our Maya problems, but worse.
So enjoy the Shrek-tastic humor

The Cheap Way Out (Blog # 47)

So, in many music video's and movies. The subject is thrust-ed into a black abyss for that moment and many, don't know an easy way to replicate that exact effect. So, here's a cheaper way of doing so.

Some Tips

. For a black drop behind your subject, simply use black material such as bed sheets, muslin or even fleece. Make sure to leave out any creases!

. Lighting is the main part of this as you need good lights and not some crappy lights. This is the fine line of making it crappy or professional. ( Recommended is 800 watt lighting)

. This, if done right is sure to make your video look much more professional.

O-PIN-ION

. I really like this effect, but it has to be done right and in the right situation and not just on random. You can't have your singer for example singing a song about sunshine's and lollipops and being a dark abyss for the lord Satan, can we?

. In my opinion, don't go to cheap. Going to cheap might hit you right back in the face and wil make it look really bad.

Please Answer

. Your opinion on this?

Getting Creative! (Blog # 46)

Studies have shown that being an artist or even just creative is much more interesting and complex then what we all thought!

Learn Da Stuff

. As we learned before, the two sides of the brain represents the mathematical side and the creative side but, there are speculations that with the creative side it's much more complicated. As the personality and quirks of the person coincide with this to actually make that person creative.

. Many creative people go out and seek the world for discovery of themselves and the world itself. The truths and beauty of the world is what they seek. Creative minds make time for themselves and they simply think. For them, for others and they burrow into the minds of others to understand them as well. \\

. Creativity breaks no boundaries. We ask the big questions and don't care if people see us staring at them. (People watching) We do what we need to do, to spread our minds to the vast endless pans of the Earth. Or to one another.

My Own Creative Mind

. All of these examples and facts of a creative person to me, is truth. I looked at myself and how I act and multitudes of them to reflect to myself and it makes me feel good to know that, well, I'm a creative person and I'm able to see the world a bit differently than others.

. Daydreaming is something I do way to much but that's how I figure some ideas out. Iv'e always daydreamed ever since I was younger.

Are You Creative?

. Do any of these examples parallel yourself?

Bill Nye the Party Guy (Blog # 45)

Yooooo, it's been another week and it's going by so fast. Damn.

So this week, we learned how to make title cards for your opening and closing and i can't wait to play with this. Also, Iv'e been animating for my 3D Short and figured out my "plot" for the 11 second club. So let's hope everything goes well!

I really want to learn how to animate a character going down stairs better.

What made me happy though, my character animations are actually coming out pretty well! (surprisingly)

But, yes there is a but. I wish that my character would blink and move her eyebrows but they don't work at all.

So, other than that, it was a pretty normal week.

Summing it Up:

LIP SYNCING (Video # 19)

So, with the 11 second club coming along. I bring thee a lip syncing video about the different mouth shapes that go into making a mouth moving.

it's pretty interesting and by some animators i like so, enjoy!