The End of 150

The semester draws to a close this week. Its been amazing, and I don't say that lightly. I've learned a lot in this class. The aesthetics of photography, the design aspect of typography and the various ways to edit both video and audio were great lessons I am sure I will always use. The trip to the museum of the moving image was a favorite of mine. I can't wait to introduce my friends and family as it will make a great spring trip.

While there were definitely more highlights than low, I do have ideas that would only strengthen the curriculum. I think the class should be altered to include more of the newer disciplines. I felt the class weighed about 80% on film but the class now has non-film majors that may not need to take time away from other media topics currently being used on film. It's great to learn, but in doing so we lose time better spent on a more varied introduction to media course. I think the class should be opened up to teach introductory items in some of the new disciplines and maybe a bit less of the film.

I also think next semester with added time for the 'lab' or hands on sections, students will be able to better grasp and work with the programs and things being taught. It should make for more creativity and time to learn/play. I for one could have used more in class instruction and time to work on a few of the projects. It would also help if the lectures were taught before the projects or labs were assigned/taught. Sometimes it was the case where a lecture  was taught after the project was begun and we had to go back and re-do things (as was the case with the short film/video).

In the end, I think with some minor changes/additions, the class will be an even stronger one. It really was a wonderful class and I look forward to all 160 has to bring in the spring!



Until then.... Enjoy your holiday all!

Journey with "The Red Book"

After learning video filming and editing techniques, our next project for class was to create a short video. My team partner, Jamal, and I decided to continue with the class theme of movement. Those of you who know me, know how hard it was for me to be in front of the camera. From story ideas, to storyboards, to different filming shots and techniques were all put into place for this project. I enjoyed the process, even through editing loads of unused footage. Editing the film was trial and error for sure. I hope you like the final version. Let me know what you think.

The Moving Image

I have always found it funny that even though I grew up in NYC, there is always something new that I have yet to discover. Last week the class took a trip to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. While it makes sense to create a museum in the middle of movie studios, art galleries and school environments; it never occurred to me to visit before.
 

I am glad I did. The museum is filled with so much to do, learn and take in. With exhibits for all ages from video games, to movie paraphernalia to designs for original Star Trek ships and costumes; there is something for everyone. You can lose your self in a pleasant afternoon learning and doing so much relative to moving images.


The section I liked best? That would be the behind the scenes exhibit. Its a series of interactive, hands on sections aimed to teach you about what happens in the background when making movies. My favorite part of this exhibit was the foley studio.

This studio explains the work of a foley artist; to place sounds and effects into the movie creating a fuller and more accurate 'live' feeling to the scenes in the movie. Many people have an idea that there is someone on a movie set that creates sound effects. However, a foley artist is more than that. Not only do they create every sound in the movie outside of voice,  but they layer them to create depth and energy or feeling in a scene or movie. The sounds created can not be captured during filming with clarity and accuracy. It's up to a foley artist to layer sounds onto the film in post-production to create a fuller piece for final viewing.

As an example in the foley studio, they use a section of the movie Titanic. I don't have any spoiler alerts here but you begin by listening to a scene in the movie without actually watching it. By the time you are introduced to layer after layer, you finish the demonstration by watching the scene. By then you are able to pick out each layer of sound, each effect and even the animal and other sounds used to create the full 'feel' of the scene. I had no idea how many individual sounds and layers it takes to complete each scene in a movie! Frankly, I don't think I will ever be able to watch a scene again without at least giving thought to the various sounds and effects I hear through the film. I also find myself walking through my day listening to sounds that can be interpreted in various other ways on film. A car door slamming for instance, that also sounds like a large box hitting the floor.


There is a lot to take in at this museum but well worth the price of admission and the time spent. You wont be able to help but leave with a new appreciation for the movie images and exhibits displayed. I hope you take a minute to visit and enjoy this NYC hidden treasure. I know I did!

Just Do It

In 1988 Nike released its famous Just Do It campaign. Throughout the years we have come to know the campaign for its visual images, messages and motivation. The media design they use through billboards, posters and advertisements is both eye catching, provocative and to the point. We remember the eye catching colors, the way the photo captured the movement and the way the slogan was positioned in the ad to as not distract from the message. They have chosen to use sports to convey political issues like the photos above, or give light to women's rights as in the two photos below.

All the while, their use of typography is just as important as the photo or colors used in the design. The typography must convey the action being portrayed or the message implied. As in the example below, they used different sizes and color of fonts to show the before and after theme of Williams' struggle back to the top slot.

I  enjoy the Nike Just Do It campaign for its complex simplicity. It gets the point across using photos and typography that is eye catching. Yet the copy and messages both obvious and subliminal are so moving as to keep you remembering both the product and the message. I believe this is one of the most popular ad campaigns and I believe it is well deserved. They did everything right.

Traffic: People in motion

Med150 - traffic / people in motion

The assignment was to show traffic in some form.  Jamal, my lab partner and I chose to show students moving through campus in its many forms. Always moving from point a to point b, students create a traffic pattern all their own. This is rough and without any editing. Enjoy!

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Did you know that stamps have a history rich in politics and culture? I didn't before this assignment. I tried to stay true to that tradition in creating this stamp. 

The commonly used phrase "the hand that rocks the cradle..." comes from a poem originally written in 1865 by William Ross Wallace. It praised motherhood as a force for change in the world. A force that still holds true today I believe.  I hope you enjoy the stamp as much as I enjoyed making it.

Whoever thinks your too old to play with Mr. Potatohead is wrong. Here is my Mr. Potatohead photoshop assignment. While this may look goofy, learning the process and getting to this crazy final image was loads of fun!