Lost Sri Lanka Video

The full Sri Lanka video can be found here:

http://members.aol.com/stophanso/sri_lanka_video.avi

It is the video made by rachel blake about the dharma initiative and the hanso foundation

Pre-vis Wireframe Done

I have had some assistance from a animator here at NWSAD, part of NEWI in making a wireframe representation of what a virus/spider looks like, and its looking pretty sweet, I will be using it in the finished version of 'Breaking Out'

Dissertation Research

AGGGHHHH!

Trying to research the differences in morality between films and tv is hard, but I'm carrying on, As I have to research some dodgy subjects, I guess the tech guys will have a suprise soon, when they read the logs!

The Return

Having watched a european film called 'The Return' I think that more and more european cinema is getting more artistic, and to some extent more creative then hollywood, or enen british films. I guess it depends on your taste, although it did make me a bit sad to see on the extras section of the DVD that one of the kid actors died shortly after maing the film. :(

YouTube Madness?

In a recent article in the Daily Mail, (Sat 7th Oct) I read about the darker areas of YouTube, a fairly new video sharing internet site.

 

I was shocked to read of some of the material listed in the article. And whats worse is that you dont even need to register to view material, only to post, yet still, does this really excuse the types of videos readily available to view.

 

The types of material inclused things like biting the head off a live mouse, Bare-Fisted fighting, Happy-Slapping, not to mention Neo-Nazis, and Extremists using YouTube to distribute recuiting videos.

 

I have to say that I have not seen any videos of this nature myself, but any child can easily view this stuff, and not have to enter any age information. My fear is that watching videos imitating the likes of Viva La Bam (A spin off from MTV's Jackass program) or Dirty Sanchez, will lead to more and more youg people doing stupid and immature things that will harm themselves, and others in the process.

 

In GTA: Libery City Stories, there is a radio advert preaching about the evils of the internet, (this is done in a comical way, seeing as this is GTA we're talking about) but I cant help feeling that this is becoming all too true.

 

We seem to be coming to a point where the internet is becoming a free-for-all, and the issues about policing it are becoming more and more frequent. Is this the start of the end for free-speech, or is it just the beginning of things to come?

Copyright This!

Just been having a conversation with my friend about copyright issues. Its really a minefield out there, what with all the different types of copyright out there.

 

Gaz, a 2nd Year animation student here at NWSAD, part of NEWI had this to say: 'I guess it depends what it is, it depends on the cororation using it, If a corporation uses it to protect themselves, I Think its kinda ok to slightly break it. when it comes down to a personal level, then i dont think that breaking copyright is good. If a company emplys someone to make a piece of material for them, and the company owns it outright, then making copies of the material is only going to rip off the company. when it comes down to a personal level, and where the copyright issues directly effect a person, then I have an issue with it.'

 

the whole copyright issue is still up in the air, with a few more court cases between major labels and brands (you know the ones) to be settled, I guess its really a metter of Watch This Space!

Film Proposal

Have you had a chance to go and check out the Lost Experience yet? Thought not...

Well I've just got my film proposal typed up and finished, now I have to waint until the middle of next week to pitch it at my tutors, Damn the waiting!

The Lost Files

Just been exploring the phenomenon that is the Lost experience, utilising YouTube,

The tv show Lost really has taken off from just being a tv show, to being a whole conspiracy that you are able to unravel yourself.

The way multimedia is shown on the internet has really changed. Its not just entertainment on TV now, it really is spreading out onto the net.

 

Look for video blogs from Rachel Blake, daughter of Mr Hanso, director of Hanso Foundation.

 

Its really hard to convey just how much this LOST phenomenon is taking off, a list of sites for this whole thing is here:

 

www.channel4.com/lost

www.thehansofoundation.org - click on 'humanity' in the 3rd paragraph

www.hansoexposed.com this site requires lots of user research, to find all the clips hidden accross the web from Rachel Blake about the Dharma Intitiative, and the Hanso Foundation.

 

look for video blogs from thelostfiles on youtube to find out more, but watch them in order

and there will be more to follow

Morality in Films

For my dissertation this year, I am writing about how morality differs between tv and films.

You can get away with pretty much anything in films, apart from the obvious illegal stuff, you know the stuff... but anyway, films are such a specialised thing that they can address things tv programmes just could not deal with, even with 20-odd parts to it. a 1 1/2 hour film can change the way you think about the world we live in, where tv can all to easily be disposable, where you watch something, and 1/2 an hour later, its gone out of your head. Films are far more memorable, whever its due to the whole cinema experience, or due to the direction/editing of the piece.

Thats what I'm doing for my dissertation now, thought I'd share it with the world. -  There you go.

Film pitch Time

I have to pitch my films to a panel for approval early next week, I have all the information ready for the first film 'Breaking Out', and I've been working on 'Spider' for almost a year now, If all goes to plan, the films should go together like strawberries and cream (if you like that stuff).

 

I should get the go-ahead, and I'll let those of you who read this know how it goes

Back after a long hot summer

Well I'm back now, after a long hot summer, and I'm ready to get started on the prequel to 'Spider'.

The prequel film will be called 'Breaking Out' and is going to kick ass!

Watch this space!

End of Year Show comes to a close

The NWSAD End of Year Show 'Cream of 06' has now come to an end, and has been packed up, It has been quite popular this year, especially opening night, where you couldn't get a foot in the door of the animation screening room.

My work has been shown on a dedicated TV screen, with the Digital Media and Moving Image courses, and I have been able to Hijack the animation screening room to show my guests my video work. My 'Spider' movie trailer looked really good on the huge 6 by 4 foot screen, almost like a mini cinema.

You can see photos from the setting up of the show in the first year studio room by following the link below:
End of Year Show

I would say it has been a good show this year, but I do hope to better it next year.

dilemma dilemma!

In a recent conversation with someone in industry, I was informed that Yale College is having an End of Year Show, right after my college, NEWI, has fniished it's own show. The head of media at Yale wishes to have a film made of the show.

 

This would mean 'playing for the opposition' I suppose, as NEWI has been my home for the last 2 years, and will be for another year to come.

 

Will I be able to use Yale's facilities (G5s, XL cameras and such), or will I have to use NEWI's facilities for the opposition? Tricky issue.

Spider Movie Trailer Online

My Movie Trailer, of a cyberpunk genre is now online for the world to see. It's probably the most technically challenging films I have made in the last 2 years, due to having to get the busy computer room empty, and get actors to dye on screen. You can view it at the link below:

http://media.putfile.com/Spider-Attack

And the outakes:

http://media.putfile.com/Spider-Outtakes

Vox Pops #3 Now Online

The 3rd Vox Pops film for the BBC is now online at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/camera.shtml
Film 3 is about peoples views on Wrexham. Go have a look

BBC Vox Pops Now Growing Bigger

The BBC Vox Pops project I have been working on is now growing bigger, as the second of 4 films has been completed last week, and is now online at the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/views.shtml

Head over there and have a look at my master work!

BBC Vox Pops Now Online

The first of four Vox Pops films for the BBC has now been finished, handed over to the BBC, and is now online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/views.shtml#lap

 

It's great to have my name on the BBC website

Shot First Vox Pop for BBC Wrexham Website

We finished shooting for the first of four Vox Pops for the BBC yesterday, it took most of the day to film, and we had a bit of trouble getting people to come in and talk about the current issue.

The current issue is about a Lap Dancing club opening in wrexham, and how the general public feel about it opening, how they feel it will drag the area down or not, and if they themselves would be interested in going to the club.

Had Feedback for 'There Is' Music Video

I've just had a feedback session from Stewart Edwards, Moving Image tutor here at NWSAD, Wrexham.

He says I have more strengths than weaknesses in the film, and that it works as a music video, telling a story, and as a short film in general. He gave me some pointers on the kinds of edits used, and how I could improve them.

So to sum up, quite a good feedback session, even though I was quite nervous when my piece was playing out loud.

 

When I have a version online, I'll post a link to it.

BBC Work to Commence This Week

I've been in touch with Nick Bourne from the BBC's Wrexham centre, and we are going to start work on the streamed video pieces which are to be hosted on the BBC Wrexham website this week. Meeting with the BBC this coming thursday (27th April) to discuss it all.