Final Assignment (II) FINAL

Finally the time has come to unveil the final video for the final assignment.

Like I mentioned earlier on. The NUS video is something like STOMP. We use everyday sounds to create a music. This final video emcompasses all that and is both upbeat and entertaining. Initially there were some parts that could be improved. So after rushing it out today, the video is finally done and here it is!



For the CNM video, we are to give it more reliabilty with quotations from CNM lecturers and also a CNM major. This give the audience two kinds of responses/testimonials. We also thought using a CNM major not only makes the video more reliable but also a sense of closeness since he is like the audience, a normal student. The slower pace of the video sequence for the text and quotation part makes the words more legible and not rush the viewers to read through the text or just ignore the video totally after not being able to catch up. We spaced out the testimonials to give the video more consistancy as well. So here is the CNM video!



Overall I think we did a great job in creating both videos and are very proud of the work! Well done guys!

Assignment 2 (III) FINAL

So finally I found a way to make my pictures LESS pixelated and still fit the size requirements.

I basically created JPEG images of the title and image before uploading onto the CSS script. I think it is as impressive as any interactive script.

It is aesthetically pleasing and fit both the design and technical requirements of this assignment.

As you can see also, I changed the last sentence attached to the last picture again. It is now 'At the end of the day, you realised you leave the jungle with something more than just knowledge.'

I personally thought this is a much better version of the original text. So this would be the final version for submission. But I would still put in the other one with the slider to show that if given more time, I would find a way to compress all the images into the slider without compromising the quality much.

Assignment 6: SUPERHERO (II) FINAL

I am finally done with my Superhero video. And here is the video!



I hope you liked it!

Anyways a short write up on the process of creating this video. First, I had to come up with the concept of it. Then I changed the concept according to the knowledge I have. The first concept was to have me vie with my opponent over a powerpoint just so I could charge my dying laptop. But after the fight, when I was walking back to redeem my victory, someone else took the plug and the same stare scene continues. This would lead to the end of the video.

Some of the comments of the video was that the ending could be improved. I agree and I would have definitely done that if given the time and ability to reshoot my scenes. I also thought the video looked alittle washed out. Hence a way for me would be to 'multiply' the videos together. I tried but did not go with it because some scenes are too dark to be used. Hence it once again leads back to, if I have more time I would be able to reshoot my scenes and produce a better quality video.

The initial superpower I was supposed to have was to throw paper cards. But after much thought and looking around online, I thought it would be so much cooler if I could control paper. And one thing led to another, I was introduced to the online tutorial on how to create a twister using CC particle world on After Effects. After spending alot of time on creating the twister to my liking, I had no time to edit the rest of the video. Hence I presented the unedited version of it during tutorial. But after that, I was driven to complete my video and to spruce it up with more effects. Hence I went through as many tutorials I could find on creating more interesting effects, and thus giving birth to the video I presented above.

The choice of songs are also used to build up and suit the theme of the video. I did not include the NG scenes because I thought it would have contradicted the coolness of the video. Another thing I would change to the video would be the start of the film. I would have filmed the main character acting all frantic and searching for an empty plug for his dying laptop. And also have a much dirtier look after the fight with BLACK to show the difference. (Because some people thought it was a flashback or something). Overall I wanted a manga/anime feel to the video. After the video, I was brainstorming for the name and the colors of our shirts (which was totally UNCOORDINATED crossed my mind) hence I decided to name it 'BLACK / WHITE'.

I learnt alot from this assignment. And this is so far my favourite assignment from this module. I am exceptionally proud of the credits part.

Overall, I am very VERY VERYYYYY HAPPY!!! with my video because I seriously think it is DAMN NICE!!!

Final Assignment (I)

For our Final Assignment, we are supposed to produce two promotional videos for NUS and CNM. As you might have read earlier on, we had a preproduction document documenting our process and ideas of what our NUS video is like. But I will still briefly explain the concept again.

NUS video:
The idea is to use everyday normal sounds of NUS life to create a music and tell people that mundane NUS life can be interesting. This also shows how the different aspects of NUS come together to produce a wholesome image of harmony. This very much reflect the diversity of NUS life and also how the diversity is at the end of the day cohesive and builds the individual.

Here is an example of our NUS video.

CNM video:
I personally am very proud of what we did for our CNM video. Using the colored threads to represent the colors of a rainbow, and using the beam of light as a metaphor for the CNM department, we intend to show the diversity of the CNM department and how it all comes together as one united balanced department. In the video, we want to show the audience the multiple modules that the CNM department has in store for them and also show how interesting the department is as a whole. We were initially supposed to include an interview we had with a lecturer of the CNM department. But to tie in with our video's concept, we decided to use text quotations instead. This places the emphasis on the visuals instead of the audio, since our video is very much visually focused.

Light a beam of light, the CNM department has multiple aspects of it. CNM is made up of courses that prepares students for the media industry. Courses that focuses on Journalism, Media Design, Media and Law, Theories and Research, Games, Culture and Society, and last but not least Communication Management. These seven divisions of CNM is represented by the sevon colors of the rainbow. The video would start off with the white yarn going through a prism and seven colors disperse from it. The video would then follow the individual colors and ultimately have the seven colors come together again to meet at the words CNM.

Generally the class liked the video and am amazed with our efforts in physically and manually using yarn/thread to form the words and images on a black cloth and photoshop them to make them look consistent. However there are some comments that thought the Indigo part of the video was alittle too dark to be seen. They recommended that we change the color of the black background. It crossed our minds that it was too dark to be seen but the the main concept was to have the black background since it is supposed to represent a light beam. Therefore we decided to make the rest of the images lighter in contrast to allow the indigo aspect to be seen more clearly.

The use of a happy circus vibe for the CNM video is to coincide with the bright and colorful theme of the video and also to replicate the feeling of fun for the department. Last but not least, it is to give the audience a more surreal feeling of watching a magic show unraveling before your eyes with the ball of yarn moving around the page on its own.

Here are some of the youtube links of our drafts.

NUS video
CNM video

Assignment 6: Superhero

For this assignment, we are to make a short 1-3 min video with the theme, Superhero.

I was both excited and stressed out by the assignment because finally something interesting to do! haha and something I really am excited about but I am worried I am going to be too creative and change my idea over and over again.

So after brainstorming, here is my storyboard for this week's assignment.

As you can see, the story begins like this:

I (the main character) walks into the crowded canteen looking for an available plug for my laptop. After looking around, I would see one and as I approach it, another guy swooped in trying to vie with me the same powerpoint. To make the scene more dramatic, I would have black bars fall in from the top and bottom of the screen and zoom in on the eyes as they look at the side of their eyes. After staring at each other, they would disappear from the screen and appear on an empty roof top where they would have their show down.

At this moment, the camera would have multiple shots in an attempt to build up the atmosphere and climax. I will then turn around and throw cards at the opponent and he would dodge the flying cards. He would then appear behind me and capture me but I would turn into smoke and surprise him by appearing behind him and deal the finishing blow from behind.

I would then return to my available powerpoint with glee but history has a way of repeating itself. This time round another person came in and attempts to fight with me over the powerpoint again. The death stare begins and the video would end off with a "To be continued..." statement.

Overall I am happy with my idea and so is the class. They commented that I should choose my music appropriately to help set the mood of the video.

Now what is left is the filming of my scenes! We shall see if dramatic changes would be done to my idea. =)

Assignment 2 (II)

So after much procrastination, I finally found a CSS layout that I liked. However it is too huge... But here are the screen captures of the layout. To reduce the size, I decided to put the images together. However it is still too huge, with it being 300+kb now.

So I'm thinking of finding a better option to reduce the size...


Oh and maybe you might have realised also. I decided to change the text/caption for the last image. Instead of saying 'At the end of the day, it is nothing but a void.' I decided to change the text to something more optimistic and thus promotes NUS also. Here is the text below.

'At the end of the day, you realise you leave the place with something greater than knowledge.'

Assignment 3 CNM video (II) FINAL

Hi this is my final CNM promotional video for the Ken Burn assignment.

This video probably went through more transformation than the NUS video. Like the NUS promotional video, this is the CNM promotional video made from the Ken Burn effects too. Basically there are a few common grounds between the two. Both videos are relatively fast paced because I personally felt that a fast paced video captures more than a slow paced one. This video is also different from the previous version because I personally thought it was too short, the first version. This time round I made the video much longer and with more information and yet not overloading the viewers.

However, unlike the NUS video, this CNM video has somewhat of a storyline. I wanted to create this feeling that you are journeying with the male lead of the video through the CNM department and its many fields of study and modules offered. This video not only shows how versatile the CNM department is but it also shows how encompassing and fun the journey of a CNM major can be. We do more than ust readings and writing essays we do designing of storybooks, boardgames and video games as well as taking photography lessons.

The video not only has an upbeat song but also nice graphical texts to go along with the mood of the fun and dynamic department. The video also shows the different modules covered by CNM as well as the interactions in class and what other promises the class brings beyond the normal classroom and semester such as the participation of the exhibition held by CNM. The use of bright colors would not only capture people's attention but is also aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The images, just like the NUS video, are also made to flash and change in according to the beat of the song. This makes the entire video seemed more cohesive and nice. The use of the colored lines are also a way to direct the viewers' eyes to the words. One comment was that the module titles are flashing too fast so hence I decided to slow them down and give them more reading time. Another thing I improved on was the replacing of module codes with the module titles. It was a mistake of mine to relate them to their modular codes so I agree that the codes should be done away and place more focus on the titles instead.

One more thing I added to the video was the credits page as well as the website link to know more about the CNM department. I purposefully made it stay there longer to give more time for viewers to take down the address.

One of the comments earlier on said something seemed to be missing and maybe I should include a voice over or something. I placed that into consideration and instead of using voice overs, I decided to put in more text. The text right after the thunder would act as an introduction to the video and what possible lies ahead in this video. Hopefully it helped with understanding it.

Overall I think I am quite happy with the video and hope you enjoy it too.