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Sunday, 10 September 2017

Unit 33 Graphic Narrative: Session 1 Character Types

Character Types:
Protagonist or Antagonist? Flat or Round?

Tia Dalma - Chosen by Joely


Tia Dalma, played by Naomie Harris, is a fictional character from the films Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. It is revealed in At World's End that she is the sea goddess Calypso.

Deadpool - Chosen by Brandon


A fast-talking mercenary with a morbid sense of humor is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers and a quest for revenge.

Uncle Ruckus- Chosen by Isaiah


Uncle Ruckus (also known as Rev. Uncle Ruckus, Rev. Fr. Uncle Ruckus, and Uncle Ruckus, no relation). An angry man who claims to have had a disease that started when he was a baby turning his skin color from white to black, he disassociates himself from other African Americans as much as possible as a result of this excuse, and is outspoken in his support of what Huey calls the "white supremacist power structure." He is voiced by Gary Anthony Williams.[2]

Batman - Chosen by Titus


Batman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger,[4][5] and first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (1939). Originally named the "Bat-Man", the character is also referred to by such epithets as the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, and the World's Greatest Detective.[6]
Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American playboy, philanthropist, and owner of Wayne Enterprises. After witnessing the murder of his parents Dr. Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne as a child, he swore vengeance against criminals, an oath tempered by a sense of justice. Bruce Wayne trains himself physically and intellectually and crafts a bat-inspired persona to fight crime

Brian Griffin - Chosen by Courtney

Brian Griffin is a fictional character from the American animated television series Family Guy. An anthropomorphic white dog voiced by Seth MacFarlane, he is one of the show's main characters as a member of the Griffin family.

Tank Girl - Chosen by Izzy



Tank Girl (Rebecca Buck - later revealed to have been born as Fonzie Rebecca Buckler) drives a tank, which is also her home. She undertakes a series of missions for a nebulous organization before making a serious mistake and being declared an outlaw for her sexual inclinations and her substance abuse. The comic centres on her misadventures with her boyfriend, Booga, a mutant kangaroo. The comic's style is heavily influenced by punk visual art, and strips are frequently deeply disorganized, anarchic, absurdist, and psychedelic.

Natsu Dragneel - Chosen by Caesar

Natsu Dragneel is a wizard with the powers of a dragonslayer who is searching for his adoptive dragon father Igneel, and Lucy Heartfilia, a celestial wizard who joins the Fairy Tail guild. In the early part of the series, they form a team including: Happy, a flying cat and best friend of Natsu; Gray Fullbuster, an ice wizard; and Erza Scarlet, a knight who specializes in using various magic weapons and armors. Throughout the series, Lucy and Natsu interact with and befriend other wizards and guilds in Fiore.

Tasks for this session:

1 - Participate in group discussion about character types.
2 - Work solo or with a partner to produce a 1 page comic strip conversation about character types.
3 - Upload your final page to your college G-drive.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of the session you should feel confident to talk about some basic character types AND feel use a simple creative technique for graphic narrative.









Tuesday, 4 July 2017

SKILLS PORTFOLIO COMPLETION

Task 1: Add evidence of your showcase to the "showcase final piece" post on your skills blog.

What to add:

  • One or more photos of your showcase (a folder has been shared with you)
  • A photograph of your feedback form.
  • At least a sentence or two discussing a piece of audience feedback that you received  (e.g what did the audience enjoy about your piece, did they recognise the skills that you had intended?)
  • Is there anything that you would do differently if you did this again?
  • Make sure that this post is labeled with: U3P3, U7P5
Task 2: Using the "skills Portfolio" brief (and any guidance posts which have been made for you on your own skills portfolio blog) finish presenting the evidence needed for mandatory units 1-3.

Task 3: Use the guidance post on the Digi Arts blog to help you work on your presentation about the media industry for Unit 7. (This post contains questions to help you structure your presentation along with links to relevant research sources below each one).

Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Unit 7: Understanding the creative media sector. (Presentation)

Below are some questions to help you structure your presentation, plus LINKS to examples of useful articles on these topics

When quoting an article remember to put the quoted text in "quotation marks" and add a link to the source.

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Introductory slide:

1a) What do we mean by 'The Media Industry'?
1b) Can you give some examples of the different 'sector's which make up this industry and the major players within them?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-media-industry.htm#didyouknowout

http://www.totalprofessions.com/profession-finder/sector-summaries/media-and-broadcasting



2) How important is the media industry to the UK economy?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-media-industry.htm#didyouknowout

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/creative-industries-worth-almost-10-million-an-hour-to-economy


https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/01/creative-industries-key-to-uk-economy


http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/news-and-views/news-value-of-uk-creative-industries-surges-to-%C2%A371bn



3) What impact have new technologies had on the way in which media is produced and consumed within recent years?

https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2014/sep/29/technology-changing-marketing-digital-media

https://www.slideshare.net/naamah/impact-of-new-digital-technology-in-the-film-industry

http://www.unesco.org/webworld/wcir/en/pdf_report/chap6.pdf

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(You should write about the following topics in relation to your chosen sector)

Topic 1: Circulation 



How are media products promoted and consumed within your chosen sector (this may be different in relation to different audiences - eg old and young people may buy/listen to music in different ways). Explain who 'owns' the media within your sector and what effect this has on 'control' on what products are on offer.

Music Marketing
https://www.marketingweek.com/2016/12/19/music-marketing-pushing-the-boundaries/

Film Distribution
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/distribution/distribution1.html
https://www.slideshare.net/MissConnell/film-distribution-17034366

Advertising
http://marketingland.com/social-media-advertising-set-explode-next-3-years-121691


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Topic 2: Regulation 



Who are the relevant regulators and legal and  what ethical constraints  affect your sector ( e.g. BBFC and Ofcom for TV and Film might effect your own working practices?

Music
http://nelly-ronel.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/uk-music-industry-regulation-control.html

Film
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/445733/index.html

TV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofcom

Advertising
https://www.asa.org.uk/

Press
https://www.ipso.co.uk/

Can you research and present some examples of breaches of codes and regulations and discuss the outcomes?

https://www.theguardian.com/media/press-regulation

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Topic 3: Censorship




Can you give some examples of arguments and debates around censorship and consumer choice that effect your sector? What are your own opinions on these issues as an artists?

Music
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/feb/09/rihanna-lyrics-censorship-radio-one

Film/TV
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/mar/13/filmcensorship.seanclarke
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/student-guide/age-ratings/controversial-decisions

Social Media
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/hate-free-speech_uk_574e8a07e4b0089281b4df78

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Topic 4: Audience 



How have media products within your area influenced the beliefs or actions of their audience (either for good or bad)?  How does this relate to the issues of regulation and censorship ? (have decisions been made to regulate or censor media products due to fears of how they might influence their audience?

Music
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/124/5/1488

Film/TV
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/9952564/Television-link-to-behaviour-problems-in-young-children.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/bad-vibes-from-the-screen-media-violence-does-influence-aggressive-behaviour-but-not-all-children-1368000.html

Advertising
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/marketing-to-kids/what-is-the-impact-of-advertising-on-teens

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Other Resources:

Examples of some major UK advertising agencies:

http://www.wolffolins.com/
https://jwt.co.uk/
http://www.motherlondon.com/
http://saatchi.co.uk/en-gb/


Referencing Quotes - how to guide
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168840-the-ocr-guide-to-referencing.pdf







Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Wed Jun 7th PM | Group A: Unit 33 (Stop Motion Animation Production) Completion workshop

Session objective: Be able to employ and discuss Stop Motion Animation techniques and processes.


Group A: Individual worksop tasks


Sarah

Task 1: Apply design and illustration skills to produce character models and sets to be used within a stop motion animation.

Task 2: Document your production process with snap shots.

................................................................................................................................

Kyle:

Task 1: Employ Stop Motion Animation techniques to realise a planned sequence.

Task 2: Document your production process with snap shots.

...............................................................................................................................

Dillon B



Task 1: Employ Stop Motion Animation techniques to realise a planned sequence.

Task 2: Document your production process with snap shots.

...............................................................................................................................

Iuri

Task 1: Employ Stop Motion Animation techniques to realise a planned sequence.

Task 2: Document your production process with snap shots.

...............................................................................................................................

Darian:

Task: Review the results of your stop motion audience feedback survey, and present your findings as a written blog post illustrated with relevant quotes, data snaps shots or screen grabs of the sequence itself.

...............................................................................................................................

Anthony

Task 1: Read over your report on audience feedback to your "game Mash-up" and extend any areas which you feel would benefit from additional comments. Pay particular thought to aspects which the audience loved and how you might use these in future animation work.

Task 2: Employ Stop Motion Animation skills to develop your showcase animation.

...............................................................................................................................

(Show Case) Session Objective: Employ specialist techniques to develop work showcasing skills within your chosen creative field.

Joely

Task:  Apply image editing and blog design skills to refine your online portfolio show case. Pay particular attention to the selection and organisation of images to evidence specific skills (see your skills audit list).
...............................................................................................................................

Kidus

Task Apply film production skills to produce documentary footage of your music production work suitable for use in a showreel.


Wed Jun 7th PM | GROUP B: Creative Media Production Showcase Workshop

Session Objective: Employ specialist techniques to develop work showcasing skills within your chosen creative field.


Group B: Individual Workshop Tasks

Brandon 

Task 1: Employ editing and composition skills to assemble your “deadpool vs the droids” showpiece animation.

Ext: Using screen grabs to illustrate processes, add notes on production of your this sequence to your mission statement post.

................................................................................................................................

Connor 

Task: Review the results of your stop motion audience feedback survey, and present your findings as a written blog post illustrated with relevant quotes, data snaps shots or screen grabs of the sequence itself. 

................................................................................................................................

Brittney 

Task 1: Employ stop motion animation skills to shoot a showpiece animation as per storyboarded concept.

Task 2: Produce snap shpts documenting your production process.

................................................................................................................................

Dillon 

Task 1: Review and conclude your Arsenal editing showpiece.

Task 2: Employ professional modes of address to deliver your presentation on editing techniques to camera. 

Ext: Using screen grabs to illustrate processes, add notes on production of your editing show piece to your mission statement post.

................................................................................................................................

Ben 

Task 1: Add notes and snap shots to your mission statement explaining development of your showpiece animation.

................................................................................................................................

Ollie 

Task: Employ editing skills to assemble a first cut of your show reel from the sequences that you have collected. 

Ext: Using screen grabs to illustrate processes, add notes on production of your showreel to your mission statement. Give particular thought to reasons for the order in which you have assembled these clips and your use of a soundtrack.

................................................................................................................................

Jaden 

Task 1: Review and conclude your Arsenal editing showpiece.

Task 2: Employ professional modes of address to deliver your presentation on editing techniques to camera. 

Ext: Using screen grabs to illustrate processes, add notes on production of your editing show piece to your mission statement post.

................................................................................................................................

Ian 

Task 1: Employ character design skills to develop imagery for your showcase exhibition.

Ext: Add notes and snap shots to your mission statement explaining development of your characters and presenting ideas about possible media applications.

................................................................................................................................

Whitney 

Task: Employ editing skills to refine and conclude your music production show reel. Give particular attention to the use of transitions to create a polished and coherent flow of visuals.

Ext: Using screen grabs to illustrate processes, add notes on production of your showreel to your mission statement post.

................................................................................................................................

Yoonis 

Task 1: Employ research skills to identify (youtube) tutorials on the use of images in dreamweaver relevant to the issues with your own showcase site (tropicofmusic).

Task 2: Apply dreamweaver techniques from online tutorials to successfully insert background and logo images into your dreamweaver showpiece site.

( For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpN8zKjRIlM)

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Getting Started on Your Showcase Piece

The Showcase is planned for the evening of June 21st

This means that you have 8 Digi Arts sessions + any other time outside sessions that you wish to use to create your show piece.

Once you have decided what you will produce for this event and written your 'Mission Statement' it's time to get on and make it!

1) Start by briefly breaking down what you need to do into the eight sessions / four weeks available. Include details of the equipment and resources that you'll need.  (You can do this as a blog post on your Skills Portfolio' - use the production plan template if you want to)

2) Next, rough out the piece itself - this might mean drawing a quick storyboard or noting down a brief shot list etc.

3) As soon as you have a clear plan you can get started.

4) If you will need access the specific pieces of equipment or other resources in future sessions please email Jane / Mark to arrange this. You can include this email in your planning post as it's evidence of your production work.




Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Mission Statement

Show Case Task: 

Create a post (skills portfolio blog) defining the piece that you intend to produce for the showcase. 
Title: Showcase Mission Statement

What to include:
  • A short description of the piece that you plan to make.
  • A brief explanation of the creative skills (THINK ABOUT your list from yesterday) which this will show off AND how these relate to your future plans.
  • Any visual refs, links etc which could make your intended outcome clearer (e.g a story board or sketches, links to similar music/film/animation etc)

Monday, 15 May 2017

Specialist Skills Audit

This session you will work with others focused on the same sector of the creative industry (where possible) to draw up a list of skills need to make it in this sector. 

You will then perform a 'skills audit' of your own creative work and experience (in and/or out of college) to see which ones you could offer proof of if you needed to, and which ones you still need to cover.

Task 1: Working in industry groups produce a hit list of the most important skills needed to succeed in this sector, and rank them into order. As you work on your list, use research sources to inform your ideas and ensure that they are accurate.

Task 2: Working individually complete a ‘Skills Audit' using the google doc template shared with you AND your group's specialist skills list. 


Research sources to help you with Task 1

Article: So you want to work in the music industry…

Article: So you want to work in Audio Production

Article: So you want to work in Television

VFX careers: do you have the skills the film industry is crying out for?

Creative Skillset, job roles: Computer Animation

Creative Skillset, job roles: 3D computer Animation

Creative Skillset, job roles: Games Design

Creative Skillset, job roles: Assistant Photographer


Posting your work from this session:

Post your work from this session (Group Skills List & Individual Skills Audit) on your Skills Portfolio blog.

Title: Specialist Skills Audit

Below are the mandatory Unit Criteria which relate to this work.
Remember to include these criteria codes as labels.
U2P2 (Apply research methods and techniques).
U7P4 (Describe employment opportunities and job roles in the media sector).
U7P5 (Prepare personal career development material).

Monday, 8 May 2017

Show Case Part 1: Professional Profile

The session you are set two tasks related to getting to know your sector and how to present yourself within it.


Task 1: 
Working alone or with others who are focused on the same sector if you prefer,  come up with a list of questions that you would like to put to an established professional in this sector.

Guidance:

These might be about getting to know names of industry leading people and companies in this sector, they might be about working life in this sector, they might be about how to get into this sector.

Try to come up with at least 10 questions.

Once you have come up with  your list email it to me (and post on on your skills portfolio blog) and we'll track down someone great in your sector to put those to.

This is a chance to get some insider info so think really carefully about what you want to know!


Task 2:
Choosing from either linkedin or kickstarter start to set up an online professional profile for yourself. 

www.linkedin.com - Choose this for a good all purpose networking profile.

www.kickstarter.com - Choose this if you have a particular venture (for example an album / film / fashion brand idea) which you aim to establish.

Guidance:

When you have completed your initial sign up look carefully at how others in your sector present themselves, profile photo, language etc.

Monday, 1 May 2017

SHOWCASE Part 1: The Knowledge

The Knowledge


Before getting started on production of a showcase piece to get you noticed within your chosen sector, you need to strengthen your professional awareness of working practices and self promotion within this sector.


This research is a key part of gaining your final diploma, but it can also help you prepare to get your foot in the door (and not make embarrassing gaffs when you do :) 

You'll produce this research as part of your skills portfolio, and it will give you resources to use in the future.

Brief: Over the next few sessions your task is to put together a bank of research into your chosen media sector (Music, film, animation, photography, gaming etc). 

The contents of this bank should demonstrate strong professional knowledge of this sector. 

You can collect this information together within in any type of document that you like but it must have a visual style and ‘linguistic tone’ appropriate to this sector. (i.e using a similar style and language to that used by companies/professionals within your chosen sector.)

Research Topics to Cover:

Job roles & salaries in your chosen sector.
Key industry players and professional organisations in your chosen sector.
Examples of self promotion materials within in your chosen sector (Eg show reels,websites, social media posts etc)
Ways in which work is commissioned and funded in your chosen sector.
Details of 3 Key legal documents that you need to be aware of if you work in this sector (e.g artists contracts, model releases, rights, copyright).
Information from an interview with a creative professional working within your chosen sector.* (Tutors can help you with contacts for this)
Own freelancer starter pack (linkedIn or personal profile page, invoice template, notes on registering with HMRC and public liability insurance).

Research links to get you started.  


http://www.thebigmusicproject.co.uk/get-job-music-industry/


RESEARCH TASK 1:

Use online resources to research 3-5 Job Roles within your chosen sector. Try to find roles at a variety of levels. You can copy, paste and abbreviate information but please use "quotation marks" and include a link to the page where you found the info below each piece(you can copy this from your browser).

Underneath your research summarise in your own words which role you find most / least interesting and why AND which 'entry level' roles which offer routes into the industry.