Week 3

I have decided to do opening titles sequence for a psychological thriller. Finally I can move on to developing the storyline and doing some further research into the subject.

I had my first meeting with my supervisor where we discussed the progress of my project. I believe there was a miscommunication regarding the proposal I was asked to do. As a result I have prepared the wrong document. I was to prepare the Learning Contract using a specific proforma. However I had not access to the downloadable material. I have now discovered a link to a specific website for the Honours project. My supervisor and I discussed the Learning Contract content in detail.

As a part of my planning stage I visited the Edinburgh Zoo last Sunday. I was particularly interested in the BBC After Life study, which takes a closer look at the science of decay. More details at this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/08_august/03/afterlife.shtml

This inspired me to do something similar but on a lot smaller scale which could be used within my title sequence to create the dark, suspenseful mood of the psychological thriller. Also it would be a great opportunity to experiment with the time lapse technique within the sequence. I am planning to film some perishables such as fruit or veg on my DSLR camera over a period of a few days and use the footage within the sequence to achieve the dark mood for the thriller sequence.

Tasks to complete this week:

• Prepare Learning Contract using the appropriate proforma and forward it to your supervisor by Friday 23.9.2011
• update your blog/diary

Begin the Planning stage:
• Start research into the subject
• Plan for books/videos/internet research materials to be included in the literature review (recommended Cape Fear original by A. Hitchcock.)
• Watch "Photographic Design" DVD
• Visit the national museum in Edinburgh

Begin Pre-production stage:
• Prepare Gantt chart
• Search for relevant books – visit the library (Mo 26.9.2011)

Week 2

At this stage I have been still brainstorming for my project ideas. I came up with several project ideas and techniques I would like to experiment with and inspirational videos are available below for viewing. Unfortunately the first meeting with my supervisor has been postponed until the next week. Due to a number of changes in the timetable my supervisor and I agreed to catch up at our next meeting. At this point I have been playing with the idea of making a short story visualisation, movie trailer or opening titles. My supervisor asked me to prepare a draft of proposal for my project over which we will go at our first meeting on Tuesday.

Tasks to do:

• write a Proposal
• research: visit the Edinburgh Zoo

Below are listed some of the project ideas and techniques I would like to attempt to work with:

OPTION 1
Stop motion animation with play-doh characters - sketchbook photos of potential play-doh characters I have created is included below

OPTION 2
Opening titles - inspiration taken from an opening sequence designer Kyle Cooper

OPTION 3
Stop motion animation/time lapse/typography as well as light painting techniques inspired by Karolina Novitska and various Youtube videos.


OPTION 1 - Play-doh character design experimentation for stop motion animation




OPTION 2 - Opening titles
KYLE COOPER INTERVIEW PT1

Kyle Cooper interview (1/2) - Watch the Titles from SubmarineChannel on Vimeo.

KYLE COOPER INTERVIEW PART 2

Kyle Cooper interview (2/2) - Watch the Titles from SubmarineChannel on Vimeo.

OPTION 3 KAROLINA NOVITSKA AWARDED BY ADOBE

Novitska / Crossword from Jan Kuba on Vimeo.

SPRINT FLASHLIGHT ANIMATION COMMERCIAL - LIGHT PAINTING


YOU TUBE - TIME LAPSE VIDEO

Week 1

The first week back at the University commenced with a set of lectures discussing the honours project management, idea development and reserching information on the internet and in the library.

At the moment it all feels very overwhelming to me particularly because I didn't get to do much over the summer due to family problems. Nevertheless, I will just have to dive in and decide on what I want to do very quickly. It's not the lack of ideas I have just the other way round - way too many. I am still deciding if I want to do opening titles, a short film, music video or a stop motion animation. I would like to experiment with time lapse, stop motion, and light painting and also to try some visual effects techniques using the Adobe After Effects. Hopefully my first meeting with my supervisor will clarify a few things.