Using Camera Over Macbook

At the begining of our first filming lesson, we were prepared and expercting to be using a macbook to film our iStopMotion. Just as we were ablout to start filming, Mr Powell suggested to us that we use a video camera to film our movie apposed to the laptop. Using a camera allows us to zoom in and out which has been very useful to us already, and we are still filming our openning sequence. It will also dramatically improve the quality of our end product. As holding a laptop is extremely inpractical, using he tripod is also very helpful and will make sure there is no bumping/moving.

Chosing a Background

We have decided to use a gold background for the competition segment of the movie and a black backdrop when the losers are transported to the other world. We have decided that it will provide a good contrast, changing the mood of the film significantly and making it very clar to any viewers that something important has just taken place. We decided to use the good for the competition because it is exciting and fun. THe competitors are competing for awesome prizes and are all estatic that they have been chosen to be on the show. When the losers are transported, it changes fro the the excitement of the gold to a dull, black wastleland that they are trapped in.

Version One

This is is the first version of our iStopMotion piece. It only goes for three seconds, and this was actually suprisingly difficult. It was harder than I thought it would be has has me a little bit worried about finishing the piece by the end of week eifght which is actually sooner than it seems. We aren't finished this scene yet, as the host isn't finihsed speaking, and we have estimated that just under twenty seconds of dialoge will be needed from the host at this point.

First Filming Lesson

This lesson, Miranda and I began to film our movie. When we arrived at the classroom, we realised that Alicia wasn't at school. As she was supposed to bring items, such as a stage (shoebox) and black fabric for a backdrop, this set us back a little. After discussion, MIranda and I decided to fgo ahead with the filming as we both know from experience that fifteen weeks can go like 'that'.

As we were missing some bits and pieces, we decided to loo around for a few items. We found something to use as aa stage and set up our set for the first scene. Then, after discussiong with Mr Powell, we decided that it would be to our advantage if we used a video camera to film opposed to a laptop. There are many advantages of using a camera instead of a laptop, these are outlined in a seperate post.

While I went to find a camera, Miranda scavenged around the classroom so we were almost ready to go. We had a little trouble setting up the tripod and the camera, but when we sorted it out we were ready to go. After one attempt, we quickly learnt that you ready do need tiny movements to make a film look effective. After one take of bigger movement, we had to start again as we realised that it didn't look at all realistic.

NExt lesson, we are aiming to finish off the introduction. IT is unlikel that we will get into the individual dances buut we would like to be up to them next week. As we will have three people next lesson, it will, hopefully be easier to do more. We also wasted a lot of time working out how to use the tripods and cameras, with onbly around ten minutes of filming taking place, including our experimental work and connecting the video camera to the laptop.

BONES Personality Profile

Bones is a skeleton who is currently living in Hollywood but is originally from Sweden. He is currently trying to break into the movie business. His attempts have been unfruitful so far, with only a few minor roles. He also releases his debut album "To be bones" next week, and is expecting it to be a number one. Bones lived in Sweden until he landed a small role in a local horror film. After many amazing reviews, he decided to make the move to Hollywood. He scored a small role in the latest 'Pirates of the Caribean' movie installment, but has had nothing since. He entered the competition as the thought it would be a good opportunity to become well known and famous. He has a one track mind and being famous and starring in movies is his dream. His greatest life ambition is to write, direct and star in the greatest horror movie of all time. Originally known as Skelly, he lived with his family in the local graveyard until he says he murdered his brother and had to go on the run from the law. He then changed his name to Bones and began his new life.

Story Board

This is the storyboard of our animation. Of the twelve scences on the storyboard, I contributed to six. I drew them and wrote about it. I am not a very talented artist so I was happy with how the storyboard turned out. I think that this storyboard turned out very effective. I am confident that we will be able to use this storyboard and complete our istopmotion piece effectively.

ZAP Personality Profile

Zap is one of the competitors in the competition. He entered he competition as he loves to dance and thought it would be a great opportunity for him to showcase his amazing dancing. His style of dance is very unique in his dancing style as there are few others who can do what he can do. He had always been a dancer, in fact he danced two or three times a week since he was six years old. On this fifteenth birthday, he was involved in a horrendous accident which left him in a coma for six months. He awoke to be almost unscathed, although all of his bones had become extremely flexible, like jelly. He can amazing things as a result of this. When he does not win the competition he is extremely upset, and he is very afraid when he finds himself in a new world. He has been nicknamed ZAP because he is so amazing, one of a kind. He wears his ZAP suit so he stands out and is unforgettable. ZAP is a little over confident going into the competition, which is one of the reasons why he is so devastated when he doesn't win. His favourite foods are spinach as he thinks they make him faster. His favourite show is pop-eye, hence the spinach. He is married to ZIP, a woman he met in the hospital and they have one daughter called ZOP. He also travelled with the circus for a while until he decided it wasn't for him.

Lesson One, Week Two

This lesson, we started our actual story board. We began to draw a square each, but we didn't get very far along and Miranda and I decided to finish it off in boarding, meaning Alicia will be unable to do it. We also used the lesson to catch Miranda up on the things that she missed due to sickness. We made a list of all props and equipment we will need, it is my job to get fabric for the back drop and a torch to use as a spotlight during the competition. We finalized which characters would do what and developed some dances they will do. We have decided that John Cena will do ballet and we decided this as it conflict with his appearance so extremely. We hope to start film ming soon.

Week One Lesson Two

We have agreed to work in a group of three with Miranda, Alicia and I. This Lesson, Miranda was away as she is sick, so Alicia and I drafted a story board.

Barbie Flashdance

Our Idea

Miranda and I brainstormed over the holidays and before the break to deicde what we are doing and finialized this plan the first lesson. The openning scence is a dance competition. There are four competiotors and one host/annoucer, so there are five characters. Each dancer will have a little solo, lasting for just a few seconds. The winner will be announced and the winner and host leave the stage. The three losers then, somehow, are transported to a different setting, a loser land full of endless horrors. While in the loser land, they are attacked by clay, and fight it off. We are not yet sure how it will end, although we will sort it out so we can complete our story board next lesson.

Term Three Beginning

This was our first creative media lesson for the term. Miranda and I had organised figuines and know what we are doing. We spent the lesson deciding which figurines were useable and we picked theis based on the range in movements. As we want them to be able to move freely around and do many different thing, such as dance, we need them to be able to be moved easily. We have a possible addition to our group, but the bell rang so we will have to sort that out next lesson.