Thursday, September 25, 2014
NFB Short - Norman McLaren teaches fundamentals
https://www.nfb.ca/film/animated_motion_2
I'll just share the link to part 2 here, but there are five shorts in which McLaren expounds the fundamentals of animation in ways that we seldom consider in 2014 due to the interpolation provided by computers.
I'll just share the link to part 2 here, but there are five shorts in which McLaren expounds the fundamentals of animation in ways that we seldom consider in 2014 due to the interpolation provided by computers.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
"Zelda" Game
So... I was going to try and make him walk, but that was disastrous. It was an epileptic seizure waiting to happen. But! Try this (very) simple game! :)
Do It In Ten Challenge
http://www.showmetheanimation.com/index.php/do-it-in-ten/
Instead of a 20-30 second animation, if you would rather make a really killer 10 second film and enter this contest, fine by me.
Instead of a 20-30 second animation, if you would rather make a really killer 10 second film and enter this contest, fine by me.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Learning can be fun!
...As long as it's done right.
This video goes through 10 of the more popular educational games of the past. Although there are newer games out, this video really captures why some games work and others don't. I would be hard pressed to believe that no one in the class will remember at least a few of the games mentioned. I myself played at least four of the ten games listed and at least had heard of two others when I was younger. A majority of them were actually legitimately enjoyed as a kid, and I know loads of people who still love the memories of some of them, especially Oregon Trail. Games just need to be games that require whatever is desired to learn as the means to win. The guy mentions a Zombie typing game at one point that I know as a kid would have been an awesome way to learn to type. We had some somewhat fun typing games, but that is something a lot of kids might actually get addicted to. The key is, just like education films, etc, the main theme can't be learning, simply require learning for an awesome game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OSl4MT8mmA
This video goes through 10 of the more popular educational games of the past. Although there are newer games out, this video really captures why some games work and others don't. I would be hard pressed to believe that no one in the class will remember at least a few of the games mentioned. I myself played at least four of the ten games listed and at least had heard of two others when I was younger. A majority of them were actually legitimately enjoyed as a kid, and I know loads of people who still love the memories of some of them, especially Oregon Trail. Games just need to be games that require whatever is desired to learn as the means to win. The guy mentions a Zombie typing game at one point that I know as a kid would have been an awesome way to learn to type. We had some somewhat fun typing games, but that is something a lot of kids might actually get addicted to. The key is, just like education films, etc, the main theme can't be learning, simply require learning for an awesome game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OSl4MT8mmA
Animation: Can be surprisingly simple
My dad's an animator, so I know animation (2D or 3D) is no joke, but it's incredible how (VERY) relatively simple amazing animation can be if you have the right tools and know how to start small. Here's an awesome video from Lightwave (family favorite 3D software) making a very sophisticated model from a relatively simple one.
https://www.lightwave3d.com/news/article/modeling-a-lifelike-creature/
https://www.lightwave3d.com/news/article/modeling-a-lifelike-creature/
Georges Melies
If you haven't seen Hugo, rent it tonight. The flashback scenes of Georges Melies at work are breathtaking. Here are a couple of his shorts. You should check out more on your own.
The Black Imp
The Four Troublesome Heads
The Black Imp
The Four Troublesome Heads
Articles on Programming from Begininner to Professional
Here's an article (quite short) on Coding Schools in Europe. It's a pretty interesting idea, replacing a math class with programming. What do you guys think? In today's tech world, is that more beneficial, or should it be an optional thing? I've got some thoughts, maybe we can discuss them.
Also, this next article is just on being a programmer in general, however, I would admonish you to read it, because, not only is it hilarious and well written, but it's one of the best things I've read in a long time. If you've even programmed (even the tiniest bit, as we have), or know a programmer, this will both give you insight, and make you nod knowingly:
http://stilldrinking.org/programming-sucks
Also, this next article is just on being a programmer in general, however, I would admonish you to read it, because, not only is it hilarious and well written, but it's one of the best things I've read in a long time. If you've even programmed (even the tiniest bit, as we have), or know a programmer, this will both give you insight, and make you nod knowingly:
http://stilldrinking.org/programming-sucks
Nate's Game - (Star Trek themed!)
If you dare (or care) to try it out for yourself, here is the link to my Scratch game:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/26924900/
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/26924900/
Animation--It's All in the Details
Okay, so if you've ever been to YouTube to watch anything other than a viral video, you have probably at least heard of Tobuscus. If not, go educate yourself, heathen!
This is one of my, and my friends', favourite songs of his. Pay attention to the detail in the animation--always something moving, even if it's only barely. Also, notice how well the animation 'flow's for transitions. This is really great:
This is one of my, and my friends', favourite songs of his. Pay attention to the detail in the animation--always something moving, even if it's only barely. Also, notice how well the animation 'flow's for transitions. This is really great:
Lindsay's Scratch Game
Hey e'r'rbody!
So here's the link to my game "Kitty Goes For A Stroll". I'm pretty pleased with it. I think it has a lot of potential for extra stuff, and future levels, but this is just the first. Just be sure to press the green flag after you loose before playing again. ^.^
So here's the link to my game "Kitty Goes For A Stroll". I'm pretty pleased with it. I think it has a lot of potential for extra stuff, and future levels, but this is just the first. Just be sure to press the green flag after you loose before playing again. ^.^
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Cyriak!
One of my favourite (with the British spelling) animators on YouTube is Cyriak Harris, whose bizarre, cycling creations are truly works of mad genius. He uses the same tools I profess to know, namely Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, and his mastery of both tools leaves me pulling my hair as I try to figure out how he does what he does.
Here is a link to a sort-of-long but oddly inspirational interview with Cyriak.
The following are some of my favourite examples of his work.
"Cycles"
"cows & cows & cows"
Music video commissioned for the band "Bonobo"
Here is a link to a sort-of-long but oddly inspirational interview with Cyriak.
The following are some of my favourite examples of his work.
"Cycles"
"cows & cows & cows"
Music video commissioned for the band "Bonobo"
Great Gatsby Game
Here is the link to the Great Gatsby game we played in class. It's addicting.
http://greatgatsbygame.com/
http://greatgatsbygame.com/
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Book Review Ideas
A few book titles that may or may not be of interest to you:
- reality is broken by Jane McGonigal
- the multiplayer classroom by Lee Sheldon
- who owns the future by jaron lanier
- the culture of connectivity by Jose van Dijck
- a social history of the media by asa briggs
- digital disconnect: how capitalism is turning the internet against democracy by robert w. mcchesney
- the new digital storytelling by bryan alexander
- spreadable media: creating value and meaning in a networked culture by Henry Jenkins
- networks of outrage and hope: social movements in the internet age by Manual Castells
- a creator’s guide to transmedia storytelling by andrea phillips
Fairly Basic Game
In general, most games and pretty complex, and take a lot to put together. However, I though that CLOP was a pretty good example of a more basic game that falls a liitle closer to what we are working with.
Check it out--it's entirely maddening!
http://www.foddy.net/CLOP.html
Check it out--it's entirely maddening!
http://www.foddy.net/CLOP.html
Leap Motion - A new form of user input
In early 2013 a friend at work showed me the introductory video to the "Leap Motion" controller, which is a motion sensor that detects your fingers and uses that information to control apps.
I bought a Leap Motion, but it has sat unused on my desk since the day it arrived for me. Now it looks like there are more apps available that utilize this little peripheral.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58mK55mEls
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Steam, surprisingly more useful than I thought.
Steam, a service I
have used to download games actually has platforms for someone to create and
sell their own games.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sword and Sworcery
This game is legit. And also a great example of independent game design. Not something any of us would be able to accomplish on our own, but it was made by a fairly small group of high-minded individuals. And Jim Guthrie's soundtrack for it is amazing.
Audience Calibration Procedure from Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery on Vimeo.
Audience Calibration Procedure from Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery on Vimeo.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
Welcome
The purpose of this blog is to explore the best (and sometimes less than best) that new media has to offer. What is new media? Who knows... We'll see what we can find out.
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