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.

Terry Gilliam Animation Research

I was advised to research terry Gilliam because he has become well known for his animation skills. His style appears to be very similar to what we have been constructing.

I originally had to do some research on Terry Gilliam. I found this website that explains all of Terry Gilliam's Animation Achievements:

http://www.digitalmediafx.com/Features/terry-gilliam.html

I found some more information on Terry Gilliam from the International Movie Data Base (IMDB):

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000416/

Storytime (Gilliam, 1968) (Gilliam, 1968)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUqHzk26kI

2nd film Music Planning

On the 8th March 2010, my Film group and I had a meeting with a music student called Gareth. We got in touch with him because we needed Un Copyrighted music for our Animated Film and Gareth was willing to help us.

During the meeting, we discovered that Gareth uses a piece of software called 'Logic' to create his music. Within the software, he used 'Midi Files' which are, instruments on the actual computer. The sounds of drums, guitars actually inside the software.

We agreed that after we had shot our animated film, we were going to send him a rough cut so that he could create music for the film. We also agreed that over the Easter Holiday, Gareth would send us copies of the music he has made.

Monday 17th May 2010 Recent Update.

Gareth did not get back to us. We initiated a BackUp Plan which involved:

Adam Sharpe researched music from: www.jamendo.com. Adam got: Band name is 'Mister M and the song is called, 'L'hiver' off the album, 'Nevermind'. Adam and Bianne researched sound effects from: www.sounddogs.com such as: Traffic Noise, Running Water, Television Background Noise etc.

The Locations

I had to take pictures of a student house so that we could use the various rooms as reference for the backgrounds. These pictures were then drawn by Bianne and used as the backgrounds in our Animated Film. Bianne said, ' the rooms dont have to be messy or tidy, curtains can be open or closed it really doesnt matter. And we need about three pictures of each room from different angles'.

I found a house for me to take the photographs. Good friends I was with in Pope last year allowed me to take pics of rooms in their house. I asked my Director:

How many pictures of each location do u want me to take?

I have got my own Digital Camera, is that okay for me to take the pics with?

Do the rooms have to be messy or tidy?

Should the pictures be dark or light?

Should curtains be open or closed in the rooms?

Why exactly do we need pictures of different rooms in a house?

Short Stop Motion Animation Films

'stop animation'

Stop Motion Animation Practice Sessions

On the 22nd February 2010, Bianne, Adam and I practiced with Stop Motion Animation.

We did this exercise because we wanted to get to grips with the software and we wanted to get a more concrete idea of what styles of animation we could do for our short film. We experimented with the Software, 'IStopMotion' on an Apple Laptop. We used a 'Copy Stand' to make a brief animation. A 'Copy Stand' consisted of: Flat surface, projected lighting with a video cam corder above it. This experiment unleashed a lot of important questions and the answers would prove very valuable for when we make our actual Animated Film:

What did you learn? One of the most important lessons that I learned was the fact that making a 'Stop Motion' Animation took longer than some people originally thought.

What did you think of your test film? I thought that the test film went reasonably well. There was Team Work, Dedication, Confidence.

What surprised you?

How long did it take? 4 Second Film, took about 20 minutes to make, but that included preparing the film.

How might it affect your project? Timing is going to affect our project. Time Planning is crucial!

What are the implications for your film 'The House'? How has this affected how you plan to make the actual Animated Film?

What else do you need to know or explore to realise the film?

March 2010 Film Group Meetings

Bianne, Adam and I decided to turn Rosie Harris's Script called 'The House' into an animated film. We were told to construct lists of: Props, Locations, and Characters.

The Characters are: The actual House, Heather, Candice, Mr Green but he does not speak, Candice's parent, Heather's parent. However, when it came to actually making the Animated Film, we did not use parents for simplicity.

We cast April as Candice and Bianne as Heather. I was also in the cast list as the Narrator. However, I did not actually appear in the finished film, but my voice was used to help assemble the edit.

The Locations we used were: The Bathroom, The Living Room, The Kitchen, Candice's Room, Heather's Room, Outside the House.

The Props that we used were: Mobile Phones (Real), Shower Curtain (Real and a fake one), A Drink (Real), A Television (Real and also a fake one), A Rat (drawn), Some Slugs (Drawn), Box of Tea (a real one and also a drawn one), Worms (drawn).

There are different methods of 'Stop Motion' Animation such as Drawing, which is Ideal, easier, can be done quicker. Cardboard Cutout which takes a much longer time. Computer Animation which is very complicated and requires a lot of complex training.

The Procedure that we followed was: 6 Frames per second, Between 5 and 8 minutes, 1880 Frames for a 5 minute film.

25/1/10 1st Blog Assesment

25/1/10

My Blogs were assessed. I estimated that I got about 60% so far however, some of my Blogs are lacking Reflective Writing. Here is a current list of Blogs that do need attention:

1. Oct/Nov 09 Porcess for Re Writing the Final Script.

VITAL 2. My Independant Short Film Research. I need to watch at least 12 Short Films.

VITAL 3. Watched in class Short Film Research.

4. Nov 09 Practice Film Working with Film Group.

5. Oct/Nov 09 Class Meetings with Film Group.

6. Ideas for Short Film in March.

7. The Original 'A Family Supper' and my Version.

8. Nov 09 my Film Responsibilities.

JAN 10 Teachers Feedback on my Script

I got given Feedback on my Script from my Teacher. I only got 42% on my 1st Script. I was very disappointed with that mark.

The Story telling was weak. The script had technical issues. What street? Hong Kong? Bath? What sort of Street? High Street?

I had kept on saying in the script, 'She says', 'He Says', that is un conventional! Must not say, 'He says'.

The Sleeping Pills acted too quickly! This Porcess needs to be slower. The ending was not Logical! My Script needs more action. I used the adjective 'nasty' too many times. My script had too much 'sweating' in it. I need to compensate with other actions such as, biting the nails, rubbing hands through hair etc.

I did not show the Chef actually preparing the food. I was lacking a montage. The audience needs to see that the Chef is doing his job. Instead of saying, 'The chicken felt hard to eat', I should have said, 'The chicken was really hard to eat'.

The Script Writers do not Direct the Actors. The Writers also do not Direct the Directors.

2010 My Comments on other Students Scripts

I have made critical feedback on a couple of scripts that 2 of my class mates made. My class and I were told to take on the role of a 'critical friend'.

Lydon McGuckian's Script

I found the story, straight forward. I could picture the story very easily in my mind. I can see it being played on screen. However, I am wondering why you did not give the 'old man' a name? Giving him a name would have added to the realism of the story. Do you know any elderly men willing to play the 'Old Man' role?

Rosie Harris's Script.

What I actually said on Minerva about Rosie's Script:
Comment made by Alfred Letley. This was a very realistic story. Its risky moving into a new house and I think students watching this story being filmed on the screen can identify with the girls frustration. The phrase, 'could you come at fix it', was amusing but also repetitive. How are you going to show the mould and the worms on the wall? On Page 6 it says, 'The house is nothing more than a pile of bricks', How are you going to show that the house has been destroyed? That is going to confuse the audience when they see a pile of bricks outside the house. It is not going to be easy to show the audience that the house has been destroyed.

On Page 2, you said, 'tacky television show being broadcast', this is a grammatical error, its meant to be broadcasted.

Additional comments that are not on Minerva:
This was a very realistic story. Its risky moving into a new house and I think students watching this story being filmed on the screen can identify with the girls frustration because of, 'Shower rail broken', ' telly broken', ' bathroom door broken', 'slugs in the kitchen', 'toilet won't flush', 'problem with the front door, 'kitchen flooded' because of the washing machine, 'rat droppings', 'crack in the ceiling', 'worms and mould' and 'the house has fallen down'.

'tacky television show being broadcast', grammatical error, its meant to be broadcasted.

The whole class had to put their names down beside some scripts. I put my name down beside:

Rosie Harris's Script is about students living in a house. They keep on complaining. I put my name down beside this script because I was told by my teacher to do a critical analysis on her script.

Rebecca Weller's Script is about an interesting and complicated love story. I put my name down beside this script because Becky Weller is one of my good friends at this uni. Ive worked with her before when we were both doing a Presentation. We worked very well together as a team. I saw her short film, I know what she is capable of.

Elspeth Wilde's Script is also about a complicated relationship between a boy and a girl. I put my name down beside this script because Elspeth is also oneof my good friends at this uni. I saw her short film, I also know what she is capapble of.

Mark Gingell's Script is about. I put my name down beside this script for a few reasons: 2. Mark is one of my closest friends at this uni. 3. I watched his short film, I know he is very keen to be part of the film crew.

Katie Greenstone's Script is about a very 'messy' party. I put my name down beside this script for a few reasons: 1. Our Peer Group (18, 19, 20 year olds) do have messy parties.

NOV 09 My Film Responsibilities

During the Project I carried out a joint Producer role with Gustav Newby. I contacted Chris Jury for actors and managed to secure our lead actor, Andy creffield. I also contacted music students for our audio although we did not use this in the finished project. During the actual filming, I was one of the actors and I was also in charge of the Clapper Board.