1B :: MOTION CAPTURE :: refinements

in class: find+share.
full group review of sketches in class. post sheets on wall.
lecture on narrative theory, pt 1.

homework:

review the following information about storyboards here.

revisions for next class -- sept 2:

based on the feedback you’ve received from critique, eliminate one rendering choice and improve/revise, tighten, and generally improve the remaining four ideas (2 mediums, 2 p.o.v.) for next class period. produce tighter storyboards and improved rendering samples to show the media/style -- same specs as before, just better. you have only two days for four well formed narratives, so work quickly to highly refine the following aspects of your work, with the goal of creating a more compelling narrative:

narrative considerations

creative plot/story structure (is your story [what you say] surprising, funny, visceral, emotional in some way?)

creative narrative approach (is the overall point of view [the way you say it] interesting/unique?)

narrative clarity / flow of events (is the sequence evident, coherent, understandable across frames? can you communicate more subtleties?)

direct vs indirect storytelling (use of metaphor or indexical signs, rather than icons)

layering on additional meaning (the implications / results of the action, editorializing? similar to point of view)

pacing (slower? faster? should you change pace through the piece?)

visual considerations

recognizable objects / actions (can we tell what’s happening in each frame? is there a better vantage point? does the rendering need to be clarified?)

overall visual quality (framing, scale, composition, color contrast/values, lighting, foreground / background editing for clarity, etc)

media / material (appropriate to subject matter? does it convey meaning or help with the narrative in some way? do physical objects help?)

are there consistent elements so the variable elements seem to actually be moving? how do we know things are moving?

- - - - - - - -

we will look at improvements to your four narratives next class. document these improvements in the same manner as last class -- two 11 x 17 storyboard sketches and four rendering studies. label post as “NA”

1A :: MOTION CAPTURE

project objectives:
- demonstrate a compelling and clear use of sequence in narration.
- explain how messages are constructed over time.
- demonstrate how point-of-view adds interest to a narrative
- learn the basics of story boarding to convey movement, direction, the passage of time and mood.
- experiment with a variety of media to tell stories.
- interpret principles of 2-d design within temporal media (balance, contrast, direction/motion, emphasis, rhythm, unity).
- explain the affordances of screen-based linear narratives in relation to printed communications.
- apply precise craft to the creation of story board panels and overall presentation.
- engage in thoughtful and positive group and one-on-one critiques.

choose an activity / sport / hobby / game you enjoy. do not choose the subject matter that you used for last year’s icon set. your choice has to encompass a range of actions/activities, and you have to be able to observe it firsthand this semester to make images, photos, video, and observations. it’s better if other people you know participate in it as well. there also has to be a t.v. program, t.v. station, video, or film about this activity (hg tv, nfl, documentary, etc).

choose an event / experience from your activity / sport / hobby / game to visualize over a ten-image book sequence from two points-of-view (yes, image class is already proving useful). consider micro and macro motions/events; complex and simple motions; various points-of-view (first, second, and third person. and what does that mean, by the way?); literal, abstract, or metaphorical actions. consider pacing and sequencing through your book. how fast is the experience going? are you maintaining a consistent speed, or changing speed? how can this be done in a book? is it possible to “freeze” the action?

by the end of the day (wednesday), post your activity / sport / hobby / game decision to your blog, as well as your chosen event / experience. label your post "na" for narrative class.

homework:
- two 10-frame sequences sketched out in 3” x 2” horizontal frames on 11 x 17 horizontal paper, one sequence for each point-of-view. this is your storyboard to show how the action progresses in your event.
- select a key moment in the event to render in three media of your choice -- 6” x 4” images. show both p.o.v.s for each medium on an 8.5 x 11 sheet, for a total of six tight images on three sheets.
example:
- 1st person p.o.v. in collage, 3rd person p.o.v in collage
- 1st person p.o.v. in photos, 3rd person p.o.v in photos
- 1st person p.o.v. in pencil, 3rd person p.o.v in pencil

any analog medium is fine, as are digital photos.

- document everything to place on your blog -- two 11 x 17 storyboard sketches and six rendering studies. label your post “NA” (for narrative)

find+share

we will look at one new short narrative form each class session, provided by you, dear students. the format is open -- it can be a book, magazine, motion graphic, short film, tv commercial or even a sequence of billboards. the important aspect is that it is a temporal narrative -- a story told over time. each person will be chosen at random in each class session, so have a few options in your back pocket at all times.

stick all of your found stuff here, or at least a reference to it if it's a printed piece. we will view in class to be sure everyone has the benefit of seeing them. good times, kids!