Software Training Problems and Solutions

Throughout this Academic Year, I've had serious problems working with 'Final Cut Pro'. Today (20th May 2010) My Teacher, Mike Johnston told me that I did not have an Aptitude for our Complicated Software: 'Celtx' and 'Final Cut Pro'.

The Clips that I have put below are Proof that I have Handled Challenges with Good Procedures. The Clips below Prove that I have had an Aptitude for taking on Multi Tasked Challenges. I took these Challenges Well because I was comfortable with the Procedures. Ive actually had Flying Lessons in Proper Small Planes since I was 13. In fact in 2008, On my Gap Year, I went to New Zealand and Australia and and had a couple of goes in a Boeing 737 Professional Flight Simulator that were open to the public.

There was a Camera at the back of both simulators. I got myself DVD's of both experiences. I later watched the DVD's on my Laptop and videoed parts of the DVD's for Youtube.







When I was in Wanaka New Zealand in 2008, I went up in a Tiger Moth with an Instructor. He sat in the Rear Cockpit and I sat in the front Cockpit. I had a small Digital Ixus 82 attached round my neck. I took some POV Footage while flying the plane.





I went skiing in Switzerland for New Year (2009 and few days of 2010). I made some POV Short Films while skiing. I had a Digital Ixus 82 attached round my neck. I held the Camera in one hand and the Poles in the other hand.

I found Mike's Statement, 'You Have No Aptitude for Complicated Software' somewhat UnFair in terms of 'Celtx'. Eventually I did get to grips with using 'Celtx' because I had written down some Procedures that I was able to follow. The Procedures allowed to use 'Celtx' to properly format my Scripts.

One day in October/November I was under Serious Time Pressure to complete a Deadline by using 'Celtx' to Properly Format one of my Scripts. I asked the Media/ Film Librarian in the Newton Park Library and he had Never Heard of 'Celtx', which I found Completely Surprising because, being the Media/ Film Librarian, he should have been well aware of the Media/Film Software we were using. By a Huge Stroke of Luck, there were a few guys from my 'Planning and Making a Film' Module and they helped me with some useful Procedures for using 'Celtx'.

In terms of the software, 'Final Cut Pro', Mike Johnston's statement is perfectly valid. When I made a film in 2007 for Alevel, we did use Final Cut Pro. I did try using it, but somehow, due to a sufficient lack of training, I made a Huge Mistake that took my partner about 6 hours to fix. Ever since then, I've had a Fear of using 'Final Cut Pro'.

For the 2 films I have been involved in making through out this module. I was not involved in using, 'Final Cut Pro'. For the first Film, that did not really matter because it was a bigger group and we each had assigned roles in that group. However, for the 2nd film, things were more complicated. We were making an Animation with a very small group (me, Adam, Bianne Mainly, but Ciaran assisted with the actual technical side of the actual shooting), so the roles were less defined. I would say that the Main Mistake I made during the production of the Animation was me showing a Lack of technical Input because of my Lack of Knowledge of 'Final Cut Pro'.

Since that I am doing the 'Mastering Film Module' next Academic Year, I have decided to Step Up my Organisation and Training of 'Final Cut Pro'. I have literally just ordered the book, "Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 7". This book should considerably help me broaden my knowledge of 'Final Cut Pro', which hopefully will prevent these issues happening again.

My Comments on the 'Voyeur' Final Script and Film

Comment made by Alfred Letley on Friday 7th May 2010. In the Final Script and in the Short Film, The Concept of 'Spying' has been well presented via the many references to the digital camera and the photographs.

The Concept of 'Jealousy' has been clearly emphasised, especially in the Script on Page 9, when the Boyfriend punches Jake across the face. That did seem somewhat over the top to me. However, I can image that some of the audience

In the Script on Page 9, the 'Boyfriend' makes a very powerful speech: 'Photos can talk you know. They can speak great joy (pause) or cry out in sadness. Sarah taught me that'. I think that a lot of the audience will identify with that speech because, its true that photos can bring back happy memories, but also they have been known to make people jealous if they see their loved ones with other people.

In Page 9, The 'Boyfriend' does really care for Sarah by saying, 'I would do anything for you my love'. I think a lot of the audience will identify with this quote. Love can make us do anything for the people we love and care about.

Feedback so far on Production Folder (19/4/10)

Feedback for Production Folder (19/4/10)

No Scene details

No Shot Details

The Schedule needs completing.

Wiki Feedback

Complete the ‘Roles’ Page.

Nothing so far on the ‘Re Writing Script’ Page

There are No Comments on the ‘Research’ Page.

Include the Dope Sheet into the ‘Research’ Page.

No Details about how we worked out the Frame Rate. This is VITAL for the ‘Research’ Page.

Need to Elaborate on the ‘Cast’ Page. Say a bit more about the cast members. Maybe put in photographs.

Include some pics of the rooms from the Student House and put them onto the ‘Location’ Page. Add in comments!

Include a copy of the Schedule for the ‘Schedule’ Page.

Need to include pics and details about Props we used in the ‘Prop’ Page.

My Roles for 'The House' Animation

I had several different roles during this project. Before we began shooting, I had the role of, 'Researcher' which involved me looking up Terry Gilliam's work. I found the Role of 'Researcher' to be Challenging and Good Practice for the Future! I also took the pictures of the location. We needed pictures of the location so that Bianne could draw them to be used in the Animation.

During the actual shooting of the Animation, I was the 'Camera Operator', which involved me taking most of the shots from the Panasonic Video Camera. I found the Role of 'Camera Operator' to be Very Useful but also Repetitive! I monitored our progress through the shot list. I also took still pictures of the group working on the Animation, from my Cannon Ixus 82.

Additional Animation Research

Here are a few examples of 2D and 3D Animation that I have enjoyed. I have included 2D Animation because that is the style we are using for our film. The 1st Clip is an example of 'Stop Motion', which is the technique we are using for 'The House'.

Animation Demo Reel - 2d, motion graphics, stop motion,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sed3FGglmRoAnimation Demo Reel - 2d, motion graphics, stop motion,

Ive enjoyed Animated Cartoons from an early age. 'Thunderbirds 2086'. The 1st part of this clip is 'Code Based Flash Animation'. From 0:58 onwards is 'Drawn Animation', which is the sort of Animation that is closer to what we are doing compared to the 3D Computer Animation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiS3tpTQenE


3D Simulation Animation used in Documentaries. This sort of Animation fascinates me because I have plans of becoming a Documentary Maker and Ive always enjoyed animation from an early age. This is 'Code Based Flash Animation'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG-5SGTgZuY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA55r_x7wuQ

How we made the Actual Animation

We made a 'Stop Motion' Animation as part of our 'Planning and Making a Film' Assessment. Here are some of the relevant preparations:

Number of Shots: 2100

Length of Film so far: 5minutes and 50 seconds.

6 Frames/Second because thats a nice round number we can use. A lot of animations use 12 frames per second. We do not have the time to do that because 12 frames per second is the equivalent of approximately 4000 shots.

Bianne drew pictures for the background. Unfortunately, her picture of Mr Green was not what we expected! The picture showed a small, clown like person. We had not put adequate descriptions of Mr Green in the script.

Short Film Festival Research

We have to submit our films to a film festival as part of our 'Planning and Making a Film Module' course.

1. www.lineupfilmfestival.com = This did not work because the deadline was 15th March for the actual film as well.

2. Encounters Short Film Festival = This might work. However, the submissions opened on the 19th April. They are still accepting Entries. Uni will be able to fund our entry. There is a Submission Fee for this Film Festival.

3. www.withoutabox.com = Search engine that will tell us when there are Film Festivals.

4. www.virginmediashorts.co.uk = This did look very possible. But later discovered that the rules state: 'Up to 2 minutes 20 seconds (140 seconds), including top and end credits' (Quoted from the actual Rules Section of the Website)

5. www.exposuresfestival.co.uk = This is a Possibility. We fit all the Criteria.